Liturgy: Joshua Renews the Covenant - Joshua 24:1-26 (October 16, 2022)

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Call to Worship

Leader: Hayyom, today, we set aside the false gods that are among us.
People: Hayyom, today, the Lord is the one we will serve.

Leader: Hayyom, today, we choose to focus our hearts on the God of Israel.
People: Hayyom, today, we will serve the Lord our God and obey him.
Leader: The Lord be with you!
People: [Respond with indicated gesture:] And also with you!
Leader: Let us worship the Lord.

Sermon: “Hayyom”, Joshua 24:1-26 (October 16, 2022)

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Today is a day I’ve been waiting almost 10 years for. Today, the lectionary has assigned the exact passage that I wrote my ordination exegesis exam on. (In case you didn’t know, ordination in the PCUSA requires prospective pastors to pass five different tests covering five different areas of ministry, including one on biblical interpretation – or “exegesis”.) Candidates for ministry have a full week to prepare and write the exam (much like when preparing for a sermon), and they can use whatever resources they have at their disposal as long as they’re cited properly. Back when I took the test in January of 2013, I still had access to the Theology library at Boston University, so I was able to do a ton of in-depth research and reflection on the 24th chapter of Joshua. I even put together a sermon outline as a requirement for the test. It was all solid work: I was in my final semester of seminary when I wrote it.