The Sevenfold Path to Peace: Seven Lenten Sermons

Jesus made peace by the blood of his cross. What more appropriate theme for a Lenten

preaching series could there be than "The Sevenfold Path to Peace"? Here is a sample of this

skillful proclaimer's insight (from the first sermon):



I saw a sixth grader, on his way up the alley to school, throw a firecracker over the

fence of our yard and into the chicken coop. I was as angry as I ever have been in my whole

life. The chase was on! Down the alley, a hesitating wonder as to how he had vanished into

thin air, spotting him darting from under a bush like a rabbit, over a five-and-a-half foot

wall, then over a six-and-a-half foot back wall, I took the gate, across the church parking

lot, and finally trapped him under the camper parked in a neighbor's yard. Winded and

outaged, I yelled that I wanted to "kill" him, but instead took him to the school principal

to do the disciplining. I didn't like the feeling that raged in me. I was even frightened by

it. I certainly experienced the truth of the words of Eleanor of Aquitaine: "We are the

origin of war."



Messages include:

• Is Peace Attainable?

• Desire Peace

• Peacemaking: Active, not Passive

• Peace as Shalom

• The Gift of Peace

• Peace Through Sacrifice

• Proclaim Peace



Alan Bacon Bond is pastor of Scottsdale (Airzona) Congregational United Church of

Christ.