Sermons from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Jul 25, 2021 |
How Can So Little Make a Difference?
| The Rev. Linda Spiers
How Can So Little Make a Difference?
John 6:1-21 gives us the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. A large crowd had gathered with Jesus and his disciples who were hungry for healing and teaching. At some point they became hungry for food. Andrew finds a little boy with five barley loaves and two fish. Right before the eyes of the crowd and the disciples, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks for it, and then distributed it to the 5,000 gathered folks. All were fed and there were even leftovers. A miracle happened in the sight of all. A little boy gave all that he had to help feed the hungry. What does the story tell us about how we can make a difference?
Jul 18, 2021 |
To Touch the Fringe of Jesus' Garment
| The Rev. Linda Spiers
To Touch the Fringe of Jesus' Garment
Mark's Gospel gives us Jesus' invitation to "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." (Mark 6:31). We're invited as modern day disciples to come away and ponder the healing power of Jesus and to follow the path of Jesus' way of love. Our world is desperately in need of healing. How might you as an individual or St. Matthew's as a community of faith be called to a new way of healing and restoring?
Jul 11, 2021 |
Where are the Gaps in our Stories?
| The Rev. Linda Spiers
Where are the Gaps in our Stories?
On the seventh Sunday after Pentecost, we hear the story in 2 Samuel about David and all of the house of Israel dancing and rejoicing as he brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem. There was more to the story than the lectionary appointed for the day. God is still in the midst of all that we do and all that we are, nudging us to be attentive to the whole story in our time-the whole story in us and in those around us, even when the conversations are difficult. Where are the gaps today?
May 23, 2021 |
Pentecost: Telling the Truth
| The Rev. Deacon April Alford-Harkey
Pentecost: Telling the Truth
The Holy Spirit arrived in Jerusalem and breathed new life into a new type of community, one in which all races, genders, ethnicities, and languages are equal. Each were given gifts to speak and understand one another. One year ago, voices of strangers stood up as George Floyd breathed his last. This is discipleship: telling the truth and standing up to injustice. Winds of change remind us that the Holy Spirit continues to work to change the world.
May 16, 2021 |
Where is God Calling You in Prayer?
| Sharon Pearson
Where is God Calling You in Prayer?
On this 7th Sunday of Easter, we hear Jesus’
“high priestly prayer” to God: a prayer for himself, the disciples, and the
world. Prayer for us doesn’t need to be as complicated or cosmic as Jesus’
prayer. By virtue of our baptism, we are a member of the priesthood of all
believers. When we pray and join in Jesus’ activity of prayer, we are doing a
priestly thing – bringing the pains and needs of the earth into the heart of
God.
May 09, 2021 |
The joy of Jesus.
|
The joy of Jesus.
On the sixth Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Dr. Molly James visited us virtually at St. Matt's to remind us of the joy of this season. And to engage with the Gospel that calls us to experience joy now, not just some day when we've done everything well and gotten all our work done! The joy of Jesus is meant for us now.
May 02, 2021 |
The vines that bind.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The vines that bind.
On the 5th Sunday in Easter, Marissa explores the promise of the text that all people are welcome and that God has provided for their ability to be connected to the vine. How is Jesus the vine of our lives and the center of our community? And what does that mean our responsibility is in relation to the rest of the vine?
Apr 25, 2021 |
Alternate reality.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Alternate reality.
On the fourth Sunday in the Easter season, lovingly known as "Good Shepherd Sunday", Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd. And the Epistle tells us a little more about what that love means and how we're meant to share it with each other. What does it mean to be part of the flock? And what is Jesus building?
Apr 04, 2021 |
The beginning: I have seen the Lord.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The beginning: I have seen the Lord.
On Easter Sunday, Marissa wonders about what it was like for Jesus to come out of the tomb, for Mary to see him alive, and what we can learn about coming out of our own tombs. How does the resurrection move us from grief to love? And what is our part in the story?
Apr 01, 2021 |
Maundy Thursday
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday, we see Jesus at table with his disciples, with those he loves, with those he knows will betray him. Jesus knows what will happen to him in the coming days, and yet he approaches the disciples with grace, with forgiveness - even before they've done anything wrong. What can we learn from Jesus about the way he uses his power? Jesus, the incarnate Word, the very presence of God among us holds all the power - and yet, what does he do with it?
Feb 14, 2021 |
On the precipice.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
On the precipice.
As we come to the end of the season of Epiphany and stand on the precipice of the season of Lent, we're intended to feel as if everything is changing around us. As the disciples discover more and more who Jesus is, they must have felt like even the ground was shifting under their feet. What can we learn on this precipice, on the side of a mountain, from a God who calls us beloved?
Feb 07, 2021 |
"The light in the woods."
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
"The light in the woods."
This week, as we mark our Annual Meeting, Mark's Gospel gives us a second story about the casting out of unclean spirits. This time, this casting out is accompanied by other healings, miracles, and Jesus' clear desire to keep moving. To keep going, to share the message of good news in more places.
