"Emilio Lopez received a surprise phone call from his bishop one day. "Would you be interested in a call to a white congregation in a neighborhood that is becoming Hispanic? I think you're just the kind of pastor they need in these days of transition.""
-- from the Advent 1 story
Here are 56 short stories for use in preaching. Each is a contemporary adaptation of a biblical theme.
"56 Lectionary Stories for Preaching" offers one story for each Sunday in the church year plus stories for Christmas Eve/Day and Ash Wednesday.
The collection is based upon the Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle B. Authors represent clergy storytellers from five denominations from across the United States and Canada.
Most of the stories are based on gospel texts. Some stem from first or second lesson scriptures. The collection offers a well-rounded selection of themes. Stories often offer surprise endings that catch listeners' attention. Stories in this collection strengthen believers' faith.

"Emilio Lopez received a surprise phone call from his bishop one day. "Would you be interested in a call to a white congregation in a neighborhood that is becoming Hispanic? I think you're just the kind of pastor they need in these days of transition.""
-- from the Advent 1 story
Here are 56 short stories for use in preaching. Each is a contemporary adaptation of a biblical theme.
"56 Lectionary Stories for Preaching" offers one story for each Sunday in the church year plus stories for Christmas Eve/Day and Ash Wednesday.
The collection is based upon the Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle B. Authors represent clergy storytellers from five denominations from across the United States and Canada.
Most of the stories are based on gospel texts. Some stem from first or second lesson scriptures. The collection offers a well-rounded selection of themes. Stories often offer surprise endings that catch listeners' attention. Stories in this collection strengthen believers' faith.

"Like Isaiah of old, those who trust in the promise of God's coming kingdom know that history must have an ending, and that God must be a part of that ending Those who trust in the promise of God's coming kingdom are able to see the advance signs that, even now, something is about to happen." (from the sermon "Something's Coming")
The seventeen sermons in this book are based on First Lesson texts, primarily from Isaiah. They follow the Revised Common Lectionary.
"I am grateful... for this opportunity to rediscover the excitement and anticipation of the Old Testament writers as they stood on tiptoe, waiting for God to act on the state of human history," writes Robert A. Beringer. "Although each of these chapters is based on an Old Testament text, I have tried to make these messages Christ-centered in every way."
Robert A. Beringer is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Metuchen, New Jersey. He is author of two other CSS books" The Easter People" and "Batteries Not Included." He is a graduate of Cornell University and Princeton Theological Seminary.

These are messages "for those who have discovered that batteries are not included in life, and who long to live power-filled lives." That is the vision behind these thirteen inspirational sermons from Robert Beringer, designed to help you empower your congregation with the energy of the Spirit.
Within these pages are sermons for every Cycle C gospel text during the first third of the Pentecost season from the Common, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic lectionaries, including:
- Promises, Promises
- Where Do We Find God?
- Making People Whole
- By the Hair of the Sinner
- Excuses
- Power to the People
and seven more.
Use these complete sermons as they are presented -- or as inspiration for your own empowering messages.
Robert A. Beringer is pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, New Jersey. A graduate of Cornell University and Princeton Theological Seminary, he has served parishes in Bound Brook and Hopewell in New Jersey before coming to Metuchen in 1984. He and his wife, Peggy, are the parents of four adult children.