As I continue digitizing my old journals, I came across an entry from Monday, December 26, 2016. I wrote that I received a hate comment in the candle collection bin after the Christmas Eve service. I wish I had saved it or taken a picture of it. The person was so offended by my political comments that she wrote down her objections on a prayer request card, threw it into the box, and walked out.
You’re curious, aren’t you? So am I. You won’t find much politics in my sermons. So I went back and found that sermon.
It was the time when fake news was the rage. In contrast the good news Christmas was real news or great joy. Here’s what I said:
“Here’s a few [headlines] that may have fooled you. Every one of these was out there and seen by millions of people, and every one is fake.”
- FBI Agent Suspected in Hillary Email Leaks Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide.
- Donald Trump Protester Speaks Out: “I Was Paid $3,500 to Protest Trump’s Rally”
- Pope Francis Shocks World, Endorses Donald Trump for President, Releases Statement
- Donald Trump Sent His Own Plane to Transport 200 Stranded Marines
- FBI Director Comie Just Put a Trump Sign On His Front Lawn
“I repeat: these are all fake headlines! Yet 2/3 or more of those surveyed said they thought they were true.”
These were the top five believed fake headlines according to Buzzfeed. It was my critic’s first visit to our church, and she was appalled at what she heard. She wrote that she wouldn’t be back. She did not leave her name, just the note.
I thought they were all pretty funny. But I guess not everyone appreciates my humor. I didn’t get that much backlash from pro-life sermons. I always reminded folks (and myself) that no one ever gets a one hundred percent approval rating. I’ve gotten called out for using words in a sermon that some thought was inappropriate. But that’s a story for another day.
If I hadn’t been paging through old journals, I never would have remembered this. Here’s the sermon, in case you wanted to listen:
Waite for it... 