Sermons On The First Readings
Series II, Cycle B
Ron Lavin, Schuyler Rhodes, Stan Purdum, Mary S. Lautensleger

The Old Testament details the epic faith story of ancient people who, just like us today, seek God's answers to complex problems. Yet because pastors sometimes overlook this rich source of preaching texts, many people in the pews are not as knowledgeable as they could be of the Hebrew scriptures and their profound lessons for modern living. In this inspiring collection of spiritually enlightening messages based on the First Readings from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary, four master preachers demonstrate the continuing relevance of passages from the Old Testament and the Book of Acts. Building on stories in which God moves ordinary people to extraordinary heights, these sermons for each Sunday and major celebration throughout the entire church year powerfully proclaim timeless themes of justice and righteousness while reminding us that God's grace is the model for the Christian community's core values of self-giving love and forgiveness. Each thought-provoking message is filled with compelling stories and illustrations from everyday life, and challenges readers to love and serve the Lord, trusting in divine providence even in the midst of a world that sometimes seems cruel and senseless.

This essential resource is useful for:
? Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts
? Preaching illustrations
? Understanding scripture passages
? Bible study and discussion groups
? Personal devotions and inspirational reading

Schuyler Rhodes is the pastor of Temple United Methodist Church in San Francisco, California. He previously pastored Washington Square United Methodist Church in New York City, and was executive director and campus pastor for the Wesley Foundation, a broad-based campus ministry at the University of California, Berkeley. Rhodes has served as a delegate to several consultations of the World Council of Churches, secretary of the Social and International Affairs Committee of the World Methodist Council, and chair of the board of directors for Pastors for Peace and the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organizing. He has also been a consultant on Peace and Justice Ministries for the Methodist Church's General Board of Global Ministries, developing liturgical and training materials as well as representing the General Board at numerous national and international gatherings. A prolific writer, Rhodes is an honors graduate of Drew University Theological School (M.Div.) and the State University of New York at Potsdam (B.A.).

Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of 20 books, including Turning Griping Into Gratitude, Way To Grow! and the popular Another Look series (CSS). He is the former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and pastored five thriving congregations, all of which grew substantially under his leadership. Lavin is a popular speaker and church consultant on the dynamics of small groups and evangelism.

Stan Purdum is the pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church in Waynesburg, Ohio. He is also the editor of the CSS preaching journal Emphasis, and has written extensively for both the religious and secular press. Purdum is the author of Roll Around Heaven All Day and Playing In Traffic, both accounts of his long-distance bicycle journeys, as well as New Mercies I See (CSS) and He Walked in Galilee (Abingdon Press).

Mary S. Lautensleger is the pastor of Center United Methodist Church in Concord, North Carolina. Prior to entering the ordained ministry, she served for many years as music minister and parish educator in Lutheran, United Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations in southwestern Ohio. Lautensleger is a graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (B.M., M.M), United Theological Seminary (M.A. in theological studies), and Trinity Lutheran Seminary (M.Div.), and she is a D.Min. candidate at Hood Theological Seminary.