WORLDS ARE FORMING

A Sermon on Psalm 133.

Well, I finally preached in Miller Chapel. I remember when I first got to Princeton three years ago, I thought it was such a huge deal.  Now that I've done it, I know that it is a unique setting, and it is just another place to proclaim God's word.  Also, in the middle of it, I had this conversation with myself, "Wait.  Am I really up here right now?  Yes?  This is fun."

I am so grateful to have had friends leading worship with me, and to look out in the congregation and see the faces of people I know and love so deeply, people who embody Psalm 133 to me.  I felt God's presence throughout the service, and am grateful.

I am glad to be done with it!  Wore my new suit, new tie, new shoes...and I was so sweaty by the end.  Man.  If you would like to see an order of service, click here .  If you would like to read my sermon, how about clicking here ?  If you would like to listen to the whole service, get it here! Parts of it are quieter than others...but keep listening!

How good and pleasant it is when sisters and brothers live together in unity!

First Sunday in Advent: Barbara Brown Taylor at the Princeton University Chapel.

I've heard of Barbara Brown Taylor in recent years, and have even read a few articles by her.  However, I've never heard her preach, nor have I read any of her books.  This morning, she preached at the Princeton University Chapel.  Truly, she is a gifted preacher - a wordsmith.  Her message, though intense, was very accessible and moving.  She preached a sermon entitled Apocalypse Now, based off of Luke 21.25-36, and began with these words (how I heard them, sorry Barbara), perfect for this, the first Sunday in Advent...

"Wake up!  Pay attention!  All of the New Testament reminds you to prepare to stand up or else you will sleep through the purpose of your whole life.  Stand up.  Raise your head.  Rub your eyes, and see.  Participate in God's apocalyptic work."

You Barbara Brown Taylor fans out there, which of her books would be a good starting place for a potential fan?

From Now On, I'd Rather Preach at Real Funerals.

Yesterday, I preached my fourth and final sermon in my preaching class.  Everyone was given a scenario, and everyone had to preach a funeral sermon for a fictitious deceased person.

My scenario:

"The local funeral home has contacted you about doing a funeral service for Craig Lundeen, a 31-year-old man who died in a motorcycle accident.  The police had determined that the cause was excessive speed.  Craig was divorced, had one child who lived with Craig's mother, and was currently living with a woman and her three children.  He was active in the local chapters of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous.  The funeral service will be held at the funeral home."

The process of writing the sermon was quite frustrating, actually.  I wanted to do well, I wanted to craft a good sermon, but this was all make-believe, and Craig was not a real person for me.  However, I pushed through those feelings, and just did it.  I am generally okay with the outcome, and I am very okay with being finished with preaching.  If you'd like to check the sermon out, click on the link below.

What is Life Like on the Corner of MoPac & 2222?

Yesterday, I preached my "Social Issue" sermon in Preaching 202. For this assignment, we were asked to prepare a sermon based on a social issue within a congregational context with which we were familiar.  I chose my church, Covenant, and its ministry to the homeless in Austin.  If you'd like, take a peek.  I will say this, there are some sweeping generalizations within the sermon, but I also think it hits on some of the fears and issues the church is facing with its ministry to the homeless sisters and brothers who live under the bridge across the street from our church.  Some of the examples I used were from a few years ago, when I was in Austin, so perhaps a few things have already begun to change.   (Disclaimer: I would probably not preach this exact sermon to the congregation at Covenant...perhaps I would approach it from this and a few different angles, perhaps in a sermon series.  Much of what I was processing here has to do with my own discomfort with the homeless situation and my role in it while I served there.) I love Covenant, and think it has some room to grow in it's ministry to the homeless...the reality is that there is a great deal of fear and ignorance, which leads to guilt for many.  I chose James 2:12-17 as my text, focusing on "faith without action is dead."  Click below to read the sermon, "What is Life Like on the Corner of MoPac and 2222."  Download sermon_iii.doc

I am a Struggler, so if you see me at 4:30 on a Monday afternoon...

WELCOME TO THE CONFESSIONS OF A STRUGGLER.  Last semester...I was a professional struggler.  (Struggler: one who progresses with great difficulty.  Struggs, for short.)  That is not to say that I not a struggler now, but there was a specific struggle which was of great consequence for me academically.

As part of our preaching class here at Princeton Theological Seminary, we are required to participate in Sermon Delivery Workshop, a class that meets five to seven times in a semester, in which we work on our sermon delivery in an intimate setting.  We are allowed to miss two sessions.  Any more than that, and you're out. 

Last semester, I was enrolled in said workshop...had a great professor, a great class, a good time of the day.  However, after a mere two sessions, the struggle began for Joshua Scott Cleveland... 

Sermon: Done. Matthew 1.18-25.

It is finished.  My two weeks of madness are done.  Thanks for the prayers!  I preached at both services this morning, and feel that both went well.  Imperfect, for sure, but felt God inspiring and guiding both services. 

One of the things that I love and hate about preaching is that I never finish wrestling with a text...there are so many things to say, so many things I would have changed about how I preached, etc... I think that is a good thing.  If you'd like, here is a copy of the sermon, "What is in a Name" Matthew 1.18-25, the angel's visit to Joseph.  (By the way, Joseph is an amazing, authentic example of true discipleship.)  Download cleveland_matthew_1_joseph_sermon_final

All in all, God showed up today. In speaking with folks after the service, I was encouraged to know how God had been preparing them for this message.  I'll take that.

For some worldsareforming blog vulnerability...check this out...I am warning you, though...

Preaching: "What's in a Name?"

I preach Sunday morning at church, 8:45 and 11:00am, eastern standard time.  I'll let you know how it goes.  I'd appreciate your prayers, friends.  Matthew 1.18-25.  Trusting that the Spirit will speak!

Exodus 33.11-23. Sermon: done.

By the grace of Almighty God...I am done with my Exodus 33 sermon, which I prepared for Preaching class.  Finally.  I can almost breathe again.  Life has been busy, so I just had to wrestle with this one and pound it out.  I got good feedback and helpful criticism following the sermon.  I'll have to think about those things when my brain is not fried.  If you'd like to read my  Exodus 33:11-23 sermon, please do.  I take preaching seriously, so when I cannot give it my full attention, I know when the outcome is strugglesome.  I'll have to get used to this when preaching each week, so this is good practice.  In any event, I don't claim it to be my best work, but hey, it is done, and I don't thing there is too much (maybe a little) heresy in it.  Here  you go.  Enjoy it at your leisure, friends.  Please don't change it up and keep my name on it and use it for something evil.  That would be no good.  (It is short!  Hey, it is good to be a Presbyterian.)  Download cleveland_exodus_33_sermon.doc