Epiphany

Salt and Light

In today’s gospel, we continue the story of Jesus teaching his disciples on the mountain. Jesus began his public ministry with the call to metanoia, a changing of heart, mind, and action. And he declared that God’s kingdom, (which remember for Jesus this kingdom is in contrast to the kingdoms of the world, whose ways of ruling emphasize power over others, in this kingdom that Jesus proclaims, governance is more equal, more relational, more connected, with everyone working together as kin, so Jesus’ kingdom is more of a kindom), and this kingdom slash kindom that he declared, was very near, and in fact, was being created in their midst through Jesus’ works of healing and love. And Jesus invited everyone to help create this kindom.

To read Ryan’s entire sermon, click “Read More.”

Change your hearts and lives, heaven is here!

Guess who’s back? John the Baptist, AGAIN! When Jesus hears about his cousin’s arrest, he goes to Galilee. He leaves his home in Nazareth and sets up in Capernaum, by the sea. He calls some of his first disciples, Andrew, Peter, James and Jon, and he launches his public ministry. Remember when his mom wanted him to help with the wedding feast in Cana and he told her it wasn’t his time? Now, it’s his time. And from this point he begins changing his world in ways that are still resonating today. The first message of Jesus’ public ministry is: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” (Matt 4: 17)

To read Ryan’s entire sermon, click “Read More.”

John the Baptist: The Trustworthy Witness

In today’s Gospel reading we heard a story that included John the Baptist. We have been hearing a lot about John the Baptist recently. He showed up on two separate Sundays in December, and this is the second Sunday he has showed up in January. So, who is this John the Baptist we have been hearing so much about?

To read Bingham’s full sermon, click “Read More.”

The Water of Baptism

We had a baptism today in an earlier service, and in that font of water were molecules that were in the Red Sea the day the Children of Israel left slavery and went into the desert. There were molecules in the puddles that brushed against garments, perhaps against Moses. There are molecules in the font that were in the Jordan River the day Joshua led the Children of Israel out of the desert into the Promised Land. There are molecules in that water that were flowing in the Jordan River the day that Jesus was baptized, and would have brushed against Jesus. There are molecules in the baptismal water that were in the Jordan River the day Jesus was nailed to the cross, and the day the women went to the tomb and the tomb was empty.

To read Bishop Neff’s full sermon, click “Read More.”

A Sacrament of Reconciliation

It is with that understanding of the importance of reconciliation that we come to our Gospel. We hear the words of Jesus when he says to love your enemy. Striking, shocking words "to love your enemy". Jesus says that because he knows, he understands how vitally important the work of reconciliation is.

Click “Read More” to read Bingham’s entire sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany.

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Conversing with God

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Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany by clicking “Read More.”

Over the past few weeks we have been hearing a good bit about call, God's call to us. Two weeks ago we prayed in our opening Collect to follow God's call: Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Then we went on in our Epistle to hear Paul talk about different calls we might have. Some are called to be apostles, some are called to be teachers, some are called to healers, etc. all with the idea that there are different calls within the church and are all an important part of the Body of Christ.

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Open to God's Call

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Listen to or read Deacon Nancy Crawford’s entire sermon by clicking “Read More”

The first of the two recommended readings from the Old Testament is today’s reading of Jeremiah’s call from God. And while my classmate, Tracey and I, at our ordination to be deacons, would have preferred a Scripture reading of a young girl answering God’s call, we found Jeremiah’s humble reluctancy fitting to our calls to ordained ministry, where we, too, each felt like an unprepared child.

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