Sermons from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
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?
Dec 11, 2022 |
The Third Sunday in Advent: December 11, 2022.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Third Sunday in Advent: December 11, 2022.
On the third Sunday in Advent, Marissa explores Isaiah's highway image and puts together a couple of puzzle pieces about the Gospel and the season. What do the texts have to tell us along with this season of "magic"? Where can we find hope for us and for everyone around us?
Nov 27, 2022 |
The First Sunday in Advent: "Look what I did with your love."
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The First Sunday in Advent: "Look what I did with your love."
On the first Sunday in Advent, Marissa wonders about the story we tell in this season, a story that has been passed down from generation to generation. How are we connected to the people who come before and after us? What will we do with the love that's been given to us? What is Advent all about?
Oct 09, 2022 |
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
On the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, the Gospel of Luke gives us a story about Jesus healing ten lepers. He asks them to do something really hard, and amazingly they all do it. But then only one of them does the right thing and comes back to say thank you. What can we learn about this story, where Jesus is, what he asks them to do, and how we can respond in gratitude?
Sep 25, 2022 |
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
On the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, the Gospel of Luke serves up a challenging story about difference. He tells a story about a rich man and a poor man, the differences between them, and how those differences play out in the long run. There is a lot to wrestle with in this text, a lot to be challenged by. What does it have to say to us in this moment in time? What are the questions Jesus would ask us if he were talking to us directly today?
Sep 18, 2022 |
Sunday, September 18, 2022: Soft Hearts
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
Sunday, September 18, 2022: Soft Hearts
On this day when we celebrate and remember the story of St. Matthew, Marissa reflects on the first part of our passage from Proverbs. What does it mean to hold God's commandments in our hearts? What does scripture have to say about our hearts? And what does that have to do with St. Matthew and our life together in this new program year?
Sep 11, 2022 |
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
We all love the image of Jesus, the good shepherd, who comes looking for us in the dark. It's a powerful image. And a true image, of the Savior who loves you so much that he will always come for you, no matter how lost you are, no matter how dark the night. And yet, there's more to this Gospel than just the comfort of that image. What else does Jesus have to say to us? And what can we learn about flock mentality?
Jul 24, 2022 |
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost.
This week we hear one of the most famous parts of scripture, the basis of what we call The Lord's Prayer. These words are familiar to us, hopefully we say them frequently, and yet they have tremendous power within them that we often fly through. What else can we learn about our prayer life and the encouragement Jesus gives us to pray?
Jul 10, 2022 |
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
| The Rev. Marissa S. Rohrbach
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
This week the Gospel includes the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus is doing a lot in this story and this exchange, and it's important for us to have a little historical context if we want to understand. And an awareness of what it means to read and interact with scripture.
