In and Out of Every Season | Sermons for Random Occasions in the Life of a Congregation | William L. Hawkins
In and Out of Every Season | Sermons for Random Occasions in the Life of a Congregation | William L. Hawkins
These sermons address occasions you don’t hear as much about because of their infrequence and in some cases their uniqueness. They neither addressed texts directly from the Revised Common Lectionary nor preached on high and holy days or seasons. All the same, pastors preach them as I say, In and Out of Every Season. As is true with all sermon volumes, it is a timepiece; in my case stretching over the last twenty years.
Here you will find sermons on occasions like weddings, an installation service, launching a building campaign, before a denominational body, introductory sermon before a new congregation, senior high Sunday, introducing a new hymnbook, dedication upon completion of a building program, memorial services, and matters relating thereto. They include sermons that attempt to address concerns and needs of a personal, pastoral and prophetic nature on civic, moral and political realities. Thus, they are both topical and ad hoc; some are more hortatory while others are more didactic in nature.
My gratitude is to the congregations I have served: Severn Presbyterian Church, Gloucester County, Virginia; First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia; Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, Clinton, NC, and First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, NC, where I’ve spent most of my time in ministry and continue to serve.
All proceeds from the sale of this book will go in support of the First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, NC, Bicentennial Fund.
My thanks is to my on-site editor and in honor of her memory, Nancy Chiles and to the Rev. Dr. David Russell Tullock of Parson’s Porch Books whose invitation and encouragement to publish these sermons, has been an honor and pleasure.