Pastors and other preachers have long turned to The Abingdon Preaching Annual for help with one of the central tasks of their ministry: sermon preparation. The 2013 edition of the Annual continues and, in response to our faithful readers, improves this fine tradition. Sermon helps include: lectionary-based sermons for each Sunday and special liturgical event of the year; lectionary commentary; and 15 topical sermon series on diverse themes like missions, modern families, life in the Holy Spirit, stewardship, and more. Worship planning aids include a four-year liturgical event calendar Guide to liturgical colors; 2013 lectionary readings in one, easy-to-read table; and related worship aids following each lectionary sermon, and each sermon series. The Abingdon Preaching Annual, always a trusted resource, is the most comprehensive and useful aid for sermon preparation you will find.

The Annual is lectionary-based and follows the calendar year (January - December). Each week’s entry includes: 1. Primary Theme Fleshed out with brief, pithy nuggets of thought, idea jump-starters, or questions 2. Secondary Themes 2 or 3 themes or streams of thought that are related to but separate from the primary theme. These might arise from different parts of the lectionary text. This may also include questions, or alternative ways of thinking about the primary theme. 3. Worship Helps Liturgical elements for the beginning, middle, and end of the worship service. A variety of elements each week, encouraging participation and engagement for the worshipper. All elements relate to the primary and/or secondary themes, to help preachers and worship planners achieve a cohesive thematic flow in worship. Homiletical Topic Essays (3) These 700-word essays cover a variety of current and critical topics for the preacher. Each essay focuses on one particular topic. Topics could include the practice of preaching, sermon writing, current issues for the preacher, emerging trends in preaching, and emerging ideas or cultural trends that are important for the church and preacher. Essays are contributed by leading homileticians. Full Sermons (6 - 12) The full text from six - twelve sermons will be included in the print and e-book. The full sermons are included as a source of inspiration and edification for pastors, who so rarely are on the receiving end of preaching. These sermons will highlight best practices, unique approaches, and fresh voices. Sermon Series Ideas This section will briefly outline and describe ideas for unique sermon series based on lectionary readings. Most if not all of these will come from non-NT texts, helping preachers to include a wider range of scripture in their preaching. (Many pastors preach primarily from NT passages almost exclusively.)

The local pastor's go-to resource for weekly sermon planning. The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2023 is lectionary-based and follows the calendar year (January - December). It includes special days like Maundy Thursday and Ash Wednesday, and indexes for scriptures and themes, to assist preachers with non-lectionary sermons. Each entry begins with a preacher-to-preacher prayer for preparation, then moves to the key feature: a commentary on one or more texts for the week, exploring themes and storylines, theological reflections, and thoughts about how the text and topic relate to our lives today.Also included are ideas for bringing the text to life--stories, illustrations, ideas for further reading, questions the preacher might pose to the congregation, and suggestions for a ‘call to action’ in response to the message. Finally, for the preacher’s ongoing enrichment, the Annual includes excerpts from new books on preaching and homiletics. This helpful resource is written by every-week preachers whose aim is to come alongside you, offering a reliable starting point for your sermonic planning, writing, and delivery.

The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2017 includes: The Primary Theme Fleshed out with brief, pithy nuggets of thought, idea jump-starters, or questions designed to spur the preacher’s imagination. Secondary or Parallel Themes Two or three themes or streams of thought that are related to but separate from the primary theme offered. Worship Helps Including Gathering Prayer, Collect, Pastoral Prayer, Congregational Prayer, Responsive Reading, and a Closing Prayer or Benediction. Topical Essays These 700 word essays cover a variety of current and critical topics for the preacher—contributed by leading homileticians. Full Sermons The full text from six to twelve sermons will be included. These sermons will highlight best practices, unique approaches, and fresh voices. Sermon Series Ideas This section will briefly outline and describe ideas for unique sermon series based on lectionary readings. "As a weekly preacher, I often find that preparing for preaching and crafting sermons are spiritual disciplines for me. It is a time in which I try to quiet all of the other 'to do' lists that occupy much of my ministry. This resource from Abingdon Press will now be a partner in those conversations, almost like a new personal devotional guide. I am grateful for additional voices who can help me make space for God’s Living Word." - Shannon J Kershner, Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL "The Abingdon Preaching Annual is a valuable resource for today’s preacher seeking to offer sermons with theological depth and thematic clarity. It seeks to activate the preacher’s own reflection and imagination in the challenging task of weekly preaching." - Alyce M. McKenzie, Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship Director, The Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence

The local pastor’s go-to resource for weekly sermon and worship planning. Each week’s entry consists of two pages, face-to-face. The pages include: 1. Preaching Themes -Fleshed out with brief, pithy nuggets of thought, idea jump-starters, or questions •These are designed to spur the preacher’s imagination and sermon development process •They will offer fresh, intriguing ideas •They will point the reader/preacher in a good direction; the reader takes it from there 2. Secondary or Parallel Themes -2 or 3 themes or streams of thought that are related to but separate from the primary theme offered. These might arise from different parts of the lectionary text. This may also include questions, or alternative ways of thinking about the primary theme. 3. Worship Helps •Gathering Prayer •Collect, Pastoral Prayer, Congregational Prayer, Responsive Reading, or some other liturgical element •Closing Prayer or Benediction Homiletical Topic Essays (3) These 700-word essays cover a variety of current and critical topics for the preacher. Each essay focuses on one particular topic. Topics could include the practice of preaching, sermon writing, current issues for the preacher, emerging trends in preaching, and emerging ideas or cultural trends that are important for the church and preacher. Essays are contributed by leading homileticians. Sermon Series Ideas This section will briefly outline and describe ideas for unique sermon series based on lectionary readings. Most if not all of these will come from non-NT texts, helping preachers to include a wider range of scripture in their preaching. (Many pastors preach primarily from NT passages almost exclusively.)

Each week’s entry includes: Primary Theme Fleshed out with brief, pithy nuggets of thought, idea jump-starters, or questions These are designed to spur the preacher’s imagination and sermon development process They offer fresh, intriguing ideas They point the reader/preacher in a good direction; the reader takes it from there Secondary Themes 2 or 3 themes or streams of thought that are related to but separate from the primary theme. These might arise from different parts of the lectionary text. This may also include questions, or alternative ways of thinking about the primary theme. Worship Helps Liturgical elements for the beginning, middle, and end of the worship service. A variety of elements each week, encouraging participation and engagement for the worshipper. All elements relate to the primary and/or secondary themes, to help preachers and worship planners achieve a cohesive thematic flow in worship. Gathering Prayer, Call to Worship Collect, Pastoral Prayer, Congregational Prayer, Responsive Reading, etc. Closing Prayer or Benediction Homiletical Topic Essays (3) These 700-word essays cover a variety of current and critical topics for the preacher. Each essay focuses on one particular topic. Topics could include the practice of preaching, sermon writing, current issues for the preacher, emerging trends in preaching, and emerging ideas or cultural trends that are important for the church and preacher. Essays are contributed by leading homileticians. Full Sermons (6 - 12) The full text from six - twelve sermons will be included in the print and e-book. The full sermons are included as a source of inspiration and edification for pastors, who so rarely are on the receiving end of preaching. These sermons will highlight best practices, unique approaches, and fresh voices. Sermon Series Ideas This section will briefly outline and describe ideas for unique sermon series based on lectionary readings. Most if not all of these will come from non-NT texts, helping preachers to include a wider range of scripture in their preaching. (Many pastors preach primarily from NT passages almost exclusively.)

Pastors and other preachers have long turned to The Abingdon Preaching Annual for help with one of the central tasks of their ministry: sermon preparation. The 2012 edition of the Annual continues and, in response to our faithful readers, improves this fine tradition. Sermon helps include: lectionary-based sermons for each Sunday and special liturgical event of the year; lectionary commentary; and 15 topical sermon series on diverse themes like missions, modern families, life in the Holy Spirit, stewardship, and more. Worship planning aids include a four-year liturgical event calendar Guide to liturgical colors; 2012 lectionary readings in one, easy-to-read table; and related worship aids following each lectionary sermon, and each sermon series. Searchable CD-Rom included with every book that includes: full text of the print edition with a hyperlinked table of contents; pre-sermon, offertory, and pastoral prayers; classical and contemporary prayers and affirmations; classic sermon Annotated bibliography hyperlinked to the sermon titles; and full text of every lectionary passage used with hyperlinks to the weekly readings. The Abingdon Preaching Annual, always a trusted resource, is now the most comprehensive and useful aid for sermon preparation you will find.