Hear My Voice : Preaching the Lectionary Psalms : Cycles A, B, C

Of the four lectionary texts for each Sunday, the Psalms are the least frequently used as a basis for sermons -- yet the Psalms are incredibly rich in the very life substance that makes preaching relevant. From personal suffering to the absence of God, from national failure to the burden of personal sin, the Psalms are filled with the pathos of the human struggle for and with God. If you want to tap into this abundant source of sermonic material, Hear My Voice is an invaluable tool that you won't want to be without. It's a comprehensive collection of informative homiletical commentaries on the Psalm texts drawn from the pages of the acclaimed preaching journal Emphasis. Covering the complete three-year cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary, these brief explorations provide numerous starting points for developing solidly scriptural sermons that also speak to contemporary life. Convenient features include cross-referencing of multiple occurrences of the same text so that you can consider alternative approaches, plus a helpful index. While targeted primarily to preachers and homiletics students, Hear My Voice is an inspiring volume with accessible commentary for anyone who wants a better appreciation of the Psalms and how they speak to us today.

James L. Evans has been pastor of Auburn First Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama since 2004. Prior to moving to Auburn Jim served other Alabama churches in Atmore, Selma, Montevallo, and most recently Crosscreek Baptist in Pelham.

A 1970 graduate of W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton, Alabama, Jim received a BA in Religion and History from the University of Mobile, the Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, and the Doctor of Ministry from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham.

Jim has many varied interests and involvements. He has served on the Board of Regents at the University of Mobile and was the founding president of the Interfaith Alliance of Alabama.

For six years he wrote a weekly religion column for the Birmingham Post-Herald called Faith Matters. Since the Post-Herald folded, Jim s column now appears regularly in the Decatur Daily, the Anniston Star, the Montgomery Advertiser, the Blount Countian, the West Alabama Gazette, the Hoover Gazette, the Corridor News, the Opelika-Auburn News, The Ledger Enquirer in Columbus, GA, and Ethicsdaily.com. His column has also been picked up by several major papers such as the Atlanta Journal, and the Chicago Tribune. He has co-authored a collection of sermons based on the Psalms titled Hear My Voice.

Jim is married to the former Brenda Adkisson of Brewton, Alabama, and together they have four adult children.

Stan Purdum was a parish minister in Ohio for several years. He currently works as a freelance writer and editor. He writes curriculum for Cokesbury and edits "Emphasis" and "Proclaim", both nationally circulated preaching journals. He formerly was executive editor of "Homiletics", the most widely used preaching resource in America. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University Theological School. Stan's other books include "Roll Around Heaven All Day" and "Playing in Traffic", both accounts of his long distance bicycle journeys, as well as "New Mercies I See", a collection of parish stories of God's grace. Stan and his wife live in North Canton, Ohio. They have three grown children.

Carlos E. Wilton has been the pastor since 1990 of Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. In addition to his parish responsibilities, Wilton is also an adjunct professor at New Brunswick Theological Seminary and a member of the writing team for the online preaching resource The Immediate Word (www.csspub.com). He previously served as assistant dean and director of admissions at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Wilton is a graduate of Washington College (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (M.Phil. and Ph.D.).