Sermons from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Nov 08, 2020 |
Lamps & oil.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Lamps & oil.
On the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, as we begin to make our way to a change of season, Matthew's Gospel reminds us that we should be alert, waiting for the coming of the Lord. But unlike the season of Advent, which we'll experience together in a few weeks, this warning to be alert is looking for the second advent of Christ - not the first. What does this parable have to tell us about waiting? About hope? And about how to be prepared?
Nov 01, 2020 |
The Feast of All Saints
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Feast of All Saints
The Feast of All Saints is a special day in the church calendar when we remember the Saints and saints who have gone before us. And the text directs us to wonder about how we fit into the story. So, how do we fit into the story of the saints? And what about this piece of the Sermon on the Mount we hear today, the famous Beatitudes?
Oct 11, 2020 |
Modern day idols.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Modern day idols.
This week, we have three challenging texts, all with different stories to tell. Marissa looks specifically at Moses and St. Paul and wonders about our relationships with God and with each other. What are the modern day idols that keep us from God? What are the things that keep us from being of the same mind?
Sep 27, 2020 |
Is the Lord with us?
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Is the Lord with us?
This Sunday we hear about the wilderness, Christ's humility, and the heart of the one who does the work of God. Three interesting passages of scripture that have a lot to say to us about our vocations as Christians. What can we learn from these examples, and what is God's good news?
Sep 20, 2020 |
Collectives & belonging.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Collectives & belonging.
On St. Matthew's Day, we gathered for our first Spiritual Communion. This ancient practice of the church assures us that we can participate in the Sacrament by simply being a part of it, seeing the elements, and inviting Jesus into our hearts. This coincided with hearing the story of St. Matthew, our patron. And the beginning of a new spiritual journey for the parish. So what do all these things have to do with each other - and with the beginning of this new program year - in the midst of coronatide? And geese?
Aug 23, 2020 |
A way out of no way.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
A way out of no way.
On the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, we hear two familiar stories: the confession of St. Peter, when he names Jesus as the Christ, and the story of Moses being saved as a child. What do they have to say to us now, to any of us in the midst of what the Psalmist calls the "overwhelming waters"?
Aug 16, 2020 |
Stepping Over.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Stepping Over.
On the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, we have a strange story from the Gospel of Matthew. And while scholars and theologians have struggled with it over time, trying to explain it, rationalize, even change what it is says - this story has something unique to say to us today in our context. There's even good news.
Aug 09, 2020 |
Boats, storms, and promises.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Boats, storms, and promises.
On the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, the disciples find themselves in the middle of a storm. Their little boat is battered by the wind and the waves. And then suddenly Jesus makes his way to them, walking on the water. How often do we find ourselves and our little boats battered by the storms of life? What does this story have to tell us about making our way to the other shore?
Aug 02, 2020 |
A Sermon from the Rev. Dr. Don Hamer
| Rev. Dr. Don Hamer
A Sermon from the Rev. Dr. Don Hamer
On the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Don joins us at the beginning of the month of August to help us engage more deeply with the season of Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation. In this sermon, he preaches an invitation to this holy work. And he reminds us that in the Gospel story for today, Jesus looks at the disciples and says, "You feed them." You already have everything you need.
Jul 26, 2020 |
A Sermon from the Rev. Molly James, Ph.D.
| Rev. Molly James, Ph.D
A Sermon from the Rev. Molly James, Ph.D.
The Rev. Molly James joins us to preach the good news about God's love. On the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Paul's epistle is filled with promises and good news. But what do they mean for us now? And what does that have to do with chocolate chip cookies? You can read the text here. https://lifeandministryreflections.blogspot.com/2020/07/cookies-transformation-and-love-of-god.html .
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