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God's Promise

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Today’s gospel story of two women coming together in their expectancy, of John the Baptist’s mighty in-utero kick at the sound of Mary’s voice, of the Holy Spirit filling Elizabeth inspiring her prophesy, is an amazing tale of two women realizing how God is at work in their lives. In this meeting, the older, much older Elizabeth finds herself in the same pregnant state as the younger, much younger, Mary. They are both, through miraculous means, pregnant. What could, what does this mean?

Listen to or read the Rev. Ryan Baker Fones’ entire sermon for the 4th Sunday of Advent by clicking “Read More.”

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Preparing the Way

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As the Gospels tell it, John and Jesus were second cousins, with Jesus being six months younger than John. The son of older parents who hadn’t expected to have a child by the time he came along, John was evidently a man who spent a great deal of time in the wilderness. Consequently at whatever point he felt called to become a forerunner of someone coming later, he didn’t go into the cities to urge people to repent and be baptized, but rather stayed in the wilderness in the region around the Jordan and let people come to him.

Listen to or read Sharon’s entire sermon by clicking “Read More”

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The Advent of Love

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Our second reading today come from Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians and in it he says, "How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face." These words from Paul strike a different chord nearly two years into this pandemic. This chord resonates more profoundly than ever before.

Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for the 1st Sunday of Advent by clicking “Read More.”

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The KINdom of God

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We are very clearly divided, held captive by polarization and demonization by all sides. How will? How can this distance between us be bridged? When might we return to caring for each other, to listening, agreeing to disagree, and returning each person to the dignity they are due as people created in the loving image and likeness of God?

Listen to or read Ryan’s full sermon for the Last Sunday after Pentecost by clicking “Read More.”

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"It's the End of the World as We Know It, and We'll be Fine"

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Good morning, friends. This time of year, as the trees are losing their leaves and going dormant, as Advent approaches, we have a few weeks in which we’re led to contemplate something we Episcopalians don’t think about much: “eschatology,” the doctrine of “last things.” Lest we be tempted to ignore this subject, the Collect reminded us that all holy Scriptures, even those we find uncomfortable, are written for our learning. So let’s read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.

Listen to or read Dr. Loren Crow’s entire sermon by clicking “Read More.”

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Connected in God's Love

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We find joy knowing that none of us will be separated from the love of God, not even death can do that! And we still grieve, we mourn the loss of those who will no longer be physically present with us here on earth. In today’s gospel, Jesus is grieving the loss of his friend Lazarus. Twice John points out that Jesus was “greatly disturbed” and “deeply moved.” Jesus wept at the reality of his friend’s death. Even though he knew that Lazarus would live again, very soon in fact, he still felt the very real, biting pain of his leaving this world, and the waves of grief that it set in motion for Mary and Martha, family and friends.

Listen to or read Ryan’s entire sermon for All Saints’ Day by clicking “Read More.”

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