Sermons from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
May 28, 2023 |
The Day of Pentecost: May 28, 2023
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Day of Pentecost: May 28, 2023
On Pentecost, Marissa explores the way the texts talk about the Spirit and about the gifts she brings. Then, the congregation is asked to consider their own work, their own hope, their own message. All of us receive the Holy Spirit through baptism. What is it she has given you? What does she ask of you?
May 07, 2023 |
The Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 7, 2023.
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 7, 2023.
The lesson from the First Letter of Peter points back to the Hebrew Scriptures with an invitation to the early Christian community: "Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals, yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house…" They and we are called to be living stones, knowing that Jesus is the chief cornerstone. In this beloved community of St. Matt’s and beyond, what does it mean for you to be a living stone?
Apr 30, 2023 |
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 30, 2023
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 30, 2023
Often called Good Shepherd Sunday, Easter IV is laced with imagery and themes of sheep and shepherd and gate keeper. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.” John’s writer reveals that the shepherd knows his own sheep by name and that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice. The essence of Jesus’ teaching is that he came so that all may have life and have it abundantly. We’re all called to take that good news out into our world and boldly proclaim it. How will you do that?
Apr 23, 2023 |
The Third Sunday of Easter, April 23, 2023
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Third Sunday of Easter, April 23, 2023
In Luke’s gospel, the risen Christ first appears to two of his disciples on the Emmaus Road. It was the same day that Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women found that the tomb was empty. The women told the disciples who didn’t believe them. Jesus showed up as a stranger to the two on the Emmaus Road and they didn’t recognize Jesus until the breaking of the bread. Jesus also shows up for us in surprising ways. How might that be for you while you walk along?
Apr 09, 2023 |
Easter Day: Sunday, April 9, 2023
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
Easter Day: Sunday, April 9, 2023
Matthew’s gospel writer tells that early in the morning Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb, finding it empty. An angel of God appeared to them and said, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus had risen from the dead. The women went to the other disciples to tell the good news. They were the first evangelists and invite us to continue telling the good news. Light shined in the darkness then and shines in our world today. From these two disciples named Mary and from theologian Walter Brueggemann, we’re invited to be “Eastered” people. So may it be.
Apr 02, 2023 |
Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
The stories of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the Passion narrative each lead us into Holy Week with invitations. As we put our bodies into Palm Sunday’s beginning by processing around the sanctuary with palms in hand and singing “All Glory Laud and Honor,” we are invited to continue offering the whole of who we are as we walk with Jesus in his final steps. How will you join along the way?
Mar 26, 2023 |
The Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 25, 2023
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 25, 2023
John’s Gospel reveals the story of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead. This story is that of Jesus’ last sign according to John where Jesus says to Lazarus’ sister Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” All weep with Martha and Mary, and Jesus wept for his friend. This story invites us to think about the new life that is ours with each new day, sometimes called “Lazarus life.” What will you do with your “Lazarus life”?
Mar 19, 2023 |
The Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 19, 2023
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 19, 2023
John’s Gospel writer shares a story of Jesus’ healing a man blind from birth—an outsider. No one could believe it. Religious authorities questioned what happened. The man’s parents were questioned. The disciples questioned. Jesus and the now-sighted blind man call us to see the inequities of our day and to see how we can live as children of light, knowing Jesus walks with us every step.
Mar 05, 2023 |
The Second Sunday in Lent: March 5, 2023.
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Second Sunday in Lent: March 5, 2023.
Abram and Nicodemus were both invited to new life. In Genesis God calls Abram to go to a place where he had never been before, and Abram faithfully goes. Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the dark of night with curiosity and openness, and Jesus invites him to let God work in his life in a new way through a challenging dialogue. Both Abram and Nicodemus experienced voices unlike their own and remind us to be open to voices unlike ours. How might you notice and listen to the differing voices around you as a Lenten practice?
Feb 22, 2023 |
Ash Wednesday: February 22, 2023.
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
Ash Wednesday: February 22, 2023.
Jesus calls his first four disciples (Peter, Andrew, James and John) and gathers crowds, teaching them and healing them. He lays out a whole new way of living and teaches the traditions of Jewish piety—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Ash Wednesday ushers us into the season of Lent and invites us to keep a holy Lent—to consider new ways of living. How might you be open to God’s creating in you a clean heart?
Feb 19, 2023 |
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany: February 19, 2023.
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany: February 19, 2023.
Peter and James and John followed Jesus up the mountain, and they witnessed a life-changing event with Jesus being transformed right before their eyes. Out of a cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Mat 17:5). On this Last Sunday of Epiphany, we’re called to listen. Listen with the ear of your heart as you continue to follow Jesus, and especially as you enter into Lent. See what happens.
Feb 12, 2023 |
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
In 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Paul tells the people of Corinth and us, “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.” In the midst of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and modern-day divisions in our churches and the challenges of daily life, Paul reminds us to strive to live a life that looks like Jesus. How do we continue as disciples searching for teachers that speak to us and living as God’s field, God’s building?
Feb 05, 2023 |
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
On the Feast of Candlemas we hear the story of Jesus being presented in the Temple. The aging Simeon launches into the words we know today as the Nunc Dimittis. He rejoices that Jesus brings light to “shine on nations trapped in darkest night.” Aging Prophet Anna prays unceasingly while she awaits this child who brings redemption for all. They had both waited to see this child Jesus. For what are you waiting and yearning right now as we all rejoice in having seen the Light that enlightens our world?
Jan 29, 2023 |
The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: January 29, 2023.
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: January 29, 2023.
The prophet Micah calls his hearers to understand what the Lord required of them: “…to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” In the Beatitudes, Jesus turns the world upside down and calls the disciples to a new way of living. How do we embrace these teachings and ways of living in our time, especially in light of the horrific death of Tyre Nichols?
Jan 22, 2023 |
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany: January 22, 2023.
| The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany: January 22, 2023.
In Matthew 4:12-23, Jesus calls his first disciples with some of them dropping everything to follow Jesus. At baptism we are all called to follow Jesus, which is a lifelong journey of listening to God’s voice. Through a story Episcopal Diocese of Missouri’s Bishop Deon Johnson shared, comes a provocative question from a six-year-old: “What am I to do with a piece of Christ?” God listens, invites us to listen, and calls us to follow.
Jan 15, 2023 |
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany: January 15, 2023.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany: January 15, 2023.
On the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Marissa reflects on the first part of the Gospel where we hear about Jesus and John the Baptist. We've traveled with John a lot in the last few weeks, and today we get an important puzzle piece. What drives John the Baptist? What should drive us?
