The Home Stretch: Matthew's Version of Servanthood in the End Time: Gospel Sermons for Sundays After Pentecost (Last Third), Cycle A

Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier believes that our contemporary world desperately needs to hear the central message of the final chapters of Matthew's gospel. In this wonderful sermon series based on Cycle A lectionary gospel texts, Dreier deftly uses clear examples to shed light on the biblical text. Her focus is on Jesus' call to serve while at the same time keeping our vision on the promised fulfillment. Like Matthew's community, today's church also needs an active faith that is rooted not only in the here and now, but also the parousia. Readers will discover that Dreier's insight into these readings makes the scriptures understandable and relevant to modern Christians -- she has a flair for communicating the gospel to the everyday person in the pew.

Pastor Mary Sue Dreier is a preacher who preaches up on her toes, not from her heels. She hits the biblical texts straight on, and it results in a hands-on experience with God. She preaches to all, and her words confront and inspire. Her parishioners know from her preaching what they are called to do. You will be convicted of your failures in your life of discipleship, but her declaration of God's grace enables her hearers to act in this world as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It has been a joy for me to follow Pastor Dreier's growth as a pastor and proclaimer of the gospel. She is a committed disciple of Jesus Christ and a gifted proclaimer of God's word.
Glenn W. Nycklemoe
Bishop, Southeastern Minnesota Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Pastor Mary Sue Dreier has a wonderful talent for taking a Bible passage we've all heard a hundred times and making it come alive through detailed personal stories. Her sermons help me understand what the Gospel means to me today and what I can do about it -- how God is calling me to a life of Christian servanthood.
Kathleen Creager
Rochester, Minnesota Along with her husband Gary, Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier is the co-pastor and mission developer of People of Hope, A Lutheran Church in Mission (ELCA) in Rochester, Minnesota. Active in their synod, the Dreiers have also served two other Minnesota congregations. Mary Sue is a graduate of Valparaiso University (B.A.) and Luther Seminary (M.Div.).