In the News ... "Holy Week speaker: Bystander thrust into role carrying Jesus' cross"

ARN Photo by Nellie Doneva

• “Oh, Lord, let this sermon be the shortest.”

By Loretta Fulton, Reporter
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Cliff Stewart didn’t just close out the Holy Week Luncheon Series Friday, he went out a winner.

All week, Felicia Hopkins, pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church, had timed the sermons of the five ministers who spoke for the series. A gift certificate would be awarded to the minister with the shortest sermon.

That prize went to Stewart, pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church, whose sermon was timed at 16 minutes, 18 seconds. Before delivering his sermon Friday, Stewart said that in the past he had prayed, “Oh Lord, let this sermon be the best.”

But after learning about the contest this year, he changed his prayer ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...