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Introducing Mark Ellingsen

Mark Ellingsen, Pastor, Theologian, Author

Hi. I’m Mark Ellingsen. I am a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and I am a professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. I graduated magna cum laude from Gettysburg College and have received four degrees from Yale University. I have authored many titles. But most recently I wrote the Lectionary Preaching Workbook for CSS Publishing.

Let’s have a dialogue about what you need from Lectionary Scripture Notes from CSS and me. If you have ideas that will provide better interpretation and background on any lectionary texts or point you to themes the texts suggest for your sermons, let us know! If you are seeking more illustrations for your sermons, may we suggest Emphasis online or Storyshare? For comprehensive theological and social analyses of the texts or sermon outlines, we suggest our Lectionary Preaching Workbook. But if changes in the format would benefit you, if you can identify exegetical themes or approaches that we’re inadvertently missing now, send the CSS staff an email or give us a call. We’re all eyes/ears for making this resource even better. And thanks for inviting me and CSS into your study as you prepare for the awesome task to which God has assigned you!

Mark Ellingsen is also the author of eighteen books. For CSS Publishing Mark has written: Lectionary Preaching Workbook, IX, A, B, C; a section of Sermons on the Gospel Readings, II, A; A Word that Sets Free; and Preparation and Manifestation. Mark has written numerous other books. Two of his most recent books are Sin Bravely: A Joyful Alternative to a Purpose-Driven Life (Continuum) and The Integrity of Biblical Narrative (Wipf and Stock).

Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series IX

by Mark Ellingsen (CSS Publishing Company)
Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series IX, Cycle A by Mark Ellingsen Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series IX, Cycle A by Mark Ellingsen Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Series IX, Cycle C by Mark Ellingsen
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    Chris Keating
    The Double-Dog Dare Days of August
    August’s lazy, hazy dog days quickly became a deadly double-dog dare contest between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un, the supreme leader of North Korea. Both nations have been at odds with each other for nearly 70 years. During his working golf vacation in New Jersey last week, President Trump responded to North Korea’s rhetorical sword-rattling by launching a verbal preemptive strike of his own.
         Call it the Bedminster bombast, or the putt that rocked Pyongyang. But the duel between the two countries is more than fodder for late-night comedians. It’s a deadly standoff with history-changing repercussions.
         There is no vacation from matters of national security, or the orations of war. Indeed, much of the war of words between Washington and North Korea seems to confirm Jesus’ counsel in Matthew: “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” The contrasts between these barbed exchanges and the biblical understanding of peacemaking offers an intriguing opportunity to hear Jesus’ words in a world filled with double-dog (and even triple-dog) dares....more
    Feeding The 5,000
    The assigned Gospel text for this week skips over a couple of sections in Matthew's story. Matthew 14:34-36 cites Jesus' journey to Gennesaret. The crowds of people recognized him immediately and all of the sick came to him for healing. Just a touch of Jesus' garment brought healing to many. The crowd in Gennesaret recognized Jesus. They came to him in their need....more
    Wayne Brouwer
    Religious balkanization
    One dimension of religious life we have in common across faith traditions and denominational lines is the incessant divisiveness that split our seemingly monolithic communities into dozens of similar yet tenaciously varied subgroups. A Jewish professor of psychology said of his tradition, "If there are ten Jewish males in a city we create a synagogue. If there are eleven Jewish males we start thinking about creating a competing synagogue."...more
    C. David McKirachan
    Jesus Is Coming, Look Busy
    Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
    I had a parishioner who would walk out of the sanctuary if he saw a djembe (African drum) out in front to be used in worship.  I asked him about it, in a wonderfully pastoral manner, and he told me that things like that didn’t belong in worship.  I said that it was in the bible to praise God with pipes and drums (I think it is).  He told me he didn’t care what the Bible said, he knew where that thing came from and he wouldn’t have it.  I asked him why things from Africa would bother him.  He told me that he knew I was liberal but that didn’t mean he had to be.  I agreed with him but cautioned him that racism was probably one of the worst examples of evil in our world and I thought he should consider what Christ would think of that.  He asked me who paid my salary, Christ or good Americans....more
    Janice Scott
    No Strings Attached
    In today's gospel reading, Jesus seemed reluctant to heal the Canaanite woman's daughter. He told her that he wasn't sent to help foreigners, but only his own people, the Chosen Race. The words sound unnecessarily harsh, but perhaps this is an interpretation unique to Matthew, for this story only appears in Matthew's gospel, which was written for Jews....more
    Arley K. Fadness
    Great Faith
    Object: Hula Hoop or circle made out of ribbon, twine or rope
    What an amazing morning to come to church today. I am so glad to see you and talk to you about a wonderful story from the bible. Let me begin by showing you this circle. Now let's get into this circle. (Physically, all move into the circle) It's fun for us all to be together in this circle. We don't want anyone to be left out. To be left out is to be sad. To be kept out is even more sad and painful....more
Authors of
Lectionary Scripture Notes
Norman A. Beck is the Poehlmann Professor of Theology and Classical Languages and the Chairman of the Department of Theology, Philosophy, and Classical Languages at Texas Lutheran University
Dr. Norman A. Beck
Mark Ellingsen is professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. Mark Ellingsen

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