Sermons on the Gospel Readings
Series II, Cycle A
Charles L. Aaron Jr., Lee Griess, Mark Ellingsen, Wayne Brouwer, Chris Ewing

Share God's truth in words that engage not only the mind but also the heart with this complete set of insightful and inspiring sermons based on Gospel texts from Cycle A of the Revised Common Lectionary. Five outstanding preachers from diverse denominations skillfully weave together scripture with dynamic stories and illustrations to create eloquent messages for every Sunday and major celebration in the Church year. These stirring sermons pull readers into God's Word by combining deep biblical grounding with an astute understanding of the meaning of Jesus' message and ministry for contemporary living. Offering a vision of God's unconditional love and the grace-filled life, this collection of model messages from an experienced group of master preachers passionately proclaims the Good News, provides a wealth of sermon seeds, and revitalizes the faith of anyone who reads them.

This essential resource is useful for:
* Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts
* Inspiring preaching illustrations and sermon starters
* Understanding scripture passages
* Adult study and discussion groups
* Personal devotions and Bible study

Charles L. Aaron Jr. is the pastor of Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Garland, Texas. In addition to serving in the parish ministry, Aaron has also taught at Perkins School of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Duke University Divinity School. Aaron is a prolific writer whose articles, sermons, and book reviews have appeared in many publications, including Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching Great Texts, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and Word and Witness. He is the author of Preaching Hosea, Amos, and Micah (Chalice Press) and Your Faith Has Made You Well (CSS). Aaron is a graduate of Lambuth College (B.A.), Memphis State University (M.S.), Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (M.Div.), and Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Ph.D. in Old Testament).

Lee Griess is the Assistant to the Bishop for Mission and Outreach in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Nebraska Synod. Prior to that he served for 15 years as the senior pastor of Luther Memorial Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Griess has also been the director of ministry resources for Stephen Ministries and a missionary to Japan. While serving as a pioneer evangelist in Tokyo and Sapporo, he helped establish Shin-Sapporo Lutheran Church. Griess is the author of Taking the Risk Out of Dying (CSS).

Mark Ellingsen has had a rich and varied career as both a parish pastor and a seminary professor. In addition to serving several Lutheran congregations in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, he has held teaching positions at Luther-Northwestern Seminary and the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France. Ellingsen is now on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, the largest historic African-American seminary in the United States. The prolific author of 14 books and hundreds of articles, Ellingsen currently writes the "Political Pulpit" column for the preaching journal Emphasis (www.sermonsuite.com). His most recent books include The Integrity of Biblical Narrative: Story in Theology and Proclamation; The Richness of Augustine; Reclaiming Our Roots, a two-volume introduction to church history; a political commentary titled When Did Jesus Become Republican?: Rescuing Our Country and Our Values from the Right; and the sermon collection A Word That Sets Free (CSS).

Wayne Brouwer has been a pastor in the Christian Reformed denomination for nearly three decades, serving congregations in both Canada and the United States (most recently Harderwyk Ministries in Holland, Michigan). He has also taught at several colleges and seminaries, and is currently a member of the religion department faculty at Hope College. Brouwer is the author of more than a dozen books, including Humming Till the Music Returns (CSS), and more than 600 articles for various publications. He holds degrees from Dordt College (B.A.), Calvin Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M.), and McMaster University (M.A., Ph.D.).

Chris Ewing has ministered to both French- and English-speaking congregations of the Presbyterian and United Churches of Canada, serving most recently at St. Paul's United Church in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. She is a former contributing writer for the online preaching resource The Immediate Word (www.sermonsuite.com), and her work has also appeared in La Vie Chrﾎtienne, Gathering, and Celebrate God's Presence. Ewing is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, McGill University, and Presbyterian College (Montreal).