I can't believe I'm planning not one but two sermon series

I don't generally think of my sermons as having titles. Certainly not beforehand. But conversation on Facebook got me praying, and that frustratingly persistent Holy Spirit started re-arranging things (as the Spirit does), and suddenly I've got a whole agenda set out from now until Trinity Sunday. The themes are somewhat externally imposed, although they look like they will connect with the lectionary for the day also. Lent will take us on a journey through the baptismal covenant and the different ways how God transforms us in the process of sanctification. I am particularly excited about how the triumphal entry passion Gospel overlaps with the final portion of the baptismal covenant. Easter Sunday will stand on its own, and the Quasimodo Sunday following will set the stage for the ways Jesus leads us out of doubt and helps us grow into salvation like newborn infants longing for the pure, spiritual milk. That sets the stage for a dose of that pure spiritual milk: as we walk through the Easter season, we will dive into the Catechism, refreshing ourselves alongside the newly baptized with the basic beliefs of our faith (that so many of us really can benefit from revisiting). All of this leads to my favorite feast day of the year, the feast of the Holy Trinity, when we celebrate that the image in which we are made is not of a solitary figure alone on a throne judging the world, but rather a loving community whose love for one another overflowed and created the heavens and the earth.

And then it's back to the lectionary, because we've only done Track 1 of the Revised Common Lectionary, and this year, we are taking on Track 2.

So my plan for sermons from now until June looks like this:

• 2/2/20 These eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see
• 2/9/20 What does it mean to be the Episcopal Church? (Hint: we just celebrated the ordination of a bishop yesterday)
• 2/17/20 This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?
• 2/23/20 From the Mount of the Transfiguration to the Hill of Calvary
• 3/1/20 Keeping a holy Lent
• 3/8/20 Our baptismal journey: The Apostles' teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers
• 3/15/20 Our baptismal journey: Resisting evil and repenting and returning to the Lord
• 3/22/20 Our baptismal journey: Proclaiming the Good News
• 3/29/20 Our baptismal journey: Seeking and serving Christ in all others
• 4/5/20 Our baptismal journey: Striving for justice and peace
• 4/12/20 Alleluia! Christ is risen!
• 4/19/20 Lord I believe; help me in my unbelief.
• 4/26/20 The Catechism: Human Nature, God the Father, and The Old Covenant
• 5/3/20 The Catechism: The Ten Commandments, Sin and Redemption, and God the Son
• 5/10/20 The Catechism: The New Covenant, The Creeds, and The Holy Spirit
• 5/17/20 The Catechism: The Holy Scriptures, The Church, and The Ministry
• 5/24/20 The Catechism: Prayer and Worship, The Sacraments, and Holy Baptism
• 5/31/20 The Holy Eucharist, Other Sacramental Rites, and The Christian Hope
• 6/7/20 The Holy Trinity: A Community of Perfect Love