I want to thank those of you who attended the service on July 17 and gave me some ideas about what you would like to hear in sermons this year. I am currently looking at ways of addressing your requests. As I said, summer is often a time when ministers are able to research or even write sermons for the coming year. For those of you who were not at the service, I solicited ideas for sermons. If you have a particular question that you have been struggling with, or something that you would like to hear addressed in an upcoming sermon, please forward it to me at revsfsears@gmail.com. I will add it to the list and do my best to work it into one of my sermons. When I have posed this question in the past, and, even when I have not posed it, one of the messages that I have received from parishioners goes something like this: “I want something that I can think about over the week, or, something that will keep me going when life gets tough.” I keep this in mind each year, and try to focus at least one sermon on the theme of “hope” or “making it through.” Another one of the perennial themes is “meaning,” or, “finding one’s purpose in life.” This is sometimes phrased as “What can I do to feel as though I am making a difference?” Yet another theme is one that I am currently focusing on. That is the question of “happiness.” Ethical thinkers, and utilitarians in particular, speak of “the greatest happiness principle.” Politicians know that much of their success is contingent on making their constituents happy. So do merchants and virtually all business people. Even the Dalai Lama has written (at least) two books on happiness! What will it take to make you “happy” to come to church? How can we provide ever more meaningful services? As I said in my sermon, I look at sermons as an ongoing dialogue between a preacher and congregation on the things that matter most to us. I look forward to hearing from, as well as seeing you during the coming year.
Peace,
The Rev. Dr. Stan Sears, Minister
Peace,
The Rev. Dr. Stan Sears, Minister
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