What Makes This Day Different?

In his newest book Schlafer looks at the preacher's task at the high times of the church and the secular year, those occasions on which expectations run high and emotions can be intense.

Schlafer looks at the preacher's task at the “high times” of the church and the secular year, those occasions on which expectations run high and emotions can be intense. He explores the temptations and pitfalls of preaching at weddings and funerals; baptisms and ordinations; civic holidays like Memorial Day and Thanksgiving; and the high holy days of Christmas and Easter. He also discusses preaching at times of tension and conflict in the church, the responsibilities of a guest preacher, and how to handle preaching missions and retreats.

Included in each chapter are helpful summaries of what to include and avoid in sermon preparation, as well as excerpts of sermons illustrating the principles he outlines.

Part 1 Special Occasions as “Grace-Catchers”
Chapter 2 What Brings Us Together Today?
Chapter 3 How Much of a Voice, and What Kind?
Chapter 4 When Is It “High Time”?
Part 5 Individuals as Preaching Prisms
Chapter 6 Weddings and Funerals: Preaching Grace through Rites of Passage
Chapter 7 Baptisms, Ordinations, and Celebrations of New Ministry: Preaching Grace through Christian Vocation
Chapter 8 Red Letter Days and Lesser Feasts: Preaching Grace through the Lives of Saints
Part 9 Days as Preaching Prisms
Chapter 10 Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and the Triduum: Preaching Grace through Liturgies for Holy Days
Chapter 11 Christmas and Easter, Epiphany and Pentecost: Preaching Grace through Festival Celebrations
Chapter 12 Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, and Days of Recognition: Preaching Grace through Civic Holidays
Part 13 Circumstances as Preaching Prisms
Chapter 14 Social Crises and Theological Conflicts: Preaching Grace through Troubled Waters
Chapter 15 Distinctive Congregations: Preaching Grace Through Special Conditions
Chapter 16 Retreats, Preaching Missions, and Liturgical Seasons: Preaching Grace through the Faith Journey
Part 17 What Makes an Occasion Special?