God's Word in our words

A sermon is not to give the preacher's words of wisdom, but God's Word in the preacher's words—the eternal and perfect coming through finite and a fallible human. It is a joy for me, as a preacher, to hear other preachers. I hear the familiar Word of God through someone else's life experience and the stories they have read and heard.

Today it was a joy to have Sierra Wilkinson come preach her first ever sermon at King of Peace. I have known Sierra for five years through the summer camp program and then youth programs of the Diocese of Georgia. I have seen her grow into using her gifts for ministry as she was a youth represntative to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2003 (where she was named as one of two youths on the nominating committee for our next Presdiing Bishop), as she led a Happening retreat for teens, and now as she brought God's Word to us through her words. She preached of social justice as orthodox theology and then she challenged each of us with the question, "They talked about Jesus for caring for all persons. What will they say about you?" You may hear the 8-minute sermon online.

I believed everything she preached, but I would have never preached that sermon. It was the sermon God had for her as she was the one to deliver it. Yet each of us preaches of our faith each and every day. All of our actions give God's Word through our own words and actions. Your neighbors may never hear you preach from the pulpit of a church, but they have heard a sermon on Love thy Neighbor when you reach out in love to them. Perhaps this is why Saint Francis said those words so often attributed to him, "Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary."

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor + King of Peace Episcopal Church