Shows
The Preaching MomentFifth Sunday After The Epiphany - February 4, 2024THE GOSPEL Mark 1:29-39 After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and c...2024-02-0616 min
The Preaching MomentFourth Sunday After The Epiphany - January 28, 2024THE GOSPEL Mark 1:21-28Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voi...2024-01-3019 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday After The Epiphany - January 21, 2024THE GOSPEL Mark 1:14-20After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their bo...2024-01-2618 min
The Preaching MomentBaptism of Our Lord Sunday - January 14, 2024This homily was offered by Ed Carrette, Community Missioner/Planter at GraceTHE GOSPEL A reading from the Gospel according to Mark Mark 1:4-11John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who...2024-01-2610 min
The Preaching MomentThe Feast of The Epiphany, January 7, 2024 Guest Homilist Ms. Stephanie Townes, Seminarian, The Virginia Theological SeminaryOur guest homilist today was Stephanie Townes, Seminarian from The Virginia Theological Seminary, formerly Missioner for Congregational Vitality: Youth & Young Adults of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.THE GOSPEL In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them...2024-01-2512 min
The Preaching MomentFirst Sunday After Christmas - December 31, 2023THE GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had...2024-01-2515 min
The Preaching MomentChristmas Eve - December 24, 2023The Gospel Luke 2:1-20Before the reading:The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.Glory to you, Lord ChristIn those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of Da...2024-01-2518 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday of Advent - December 17, 2023THE GOSPEL John 1:6-8,19-28There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said...2024-01-2517 min
The Preaching MomentSecond Sunday of Advent - December 10, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 24:36-44Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then t...2024-01-2516 min
The Preaching MomentFirst Sunday of Advent - December 3, 2023THE GOSPEL Mark 13:24-37Jesus said, “In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that sum...2024-01-2520 min
The Preaching MomentChrist The King Sunday - November 26, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 25:31-46Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry an...2024-01-2516 min
The Preaching MomentTwenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost - November 19, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 25:14-30Jesus said, “It is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long...2024-01-2417 min
The Preaching MomentAll Saints Day Holy Eucharist & Holy Baptism - November 5th, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 22:1-14Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest se...2024-01-2416 min
The Preaching MomentTwenty-second Sunday After Pentecost - October 29, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 22:34-46When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them thi...2024-01-2316 min
The Preaching MomentTwentieth Sunday After Pentecost - October 15th, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 22:1-14Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest s...2024-01-2320 min
The Preaching MomentNineteenth Sunday After Pentecost - October 8, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 21:33-46Jesus said, “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But wh...2023-10-1117 min
The Preaching MomentEighteenth Sunday After Pentecost - October 1st, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 21:23-32When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of...2023-10-0220 min
The Preaching MomentSeventeenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 24, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 20:1-16Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others stand...2023-10-0221 min
The Preaching MomentSixteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 17th, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 18:21-35Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and paym...2023-09-1920 min
The Preaching MomentFifteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 10, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 18:15-20Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I t...2023-09-1020 min
The Preaching MomentFourteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 3, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 16:21-28Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, le...2023-09-0517 min
The Preaching MomentThirteenth Sunday After Pentecost - August 27, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 16:13-20When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will bu...2023-08-2715 min
The Preaching MomentTwelfth Sunday After Pentecost - August 20, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 15: 10-28Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” The...2023-08-2116 min
The Preaching MomentEleventh Sunday After Pentecost - August 13, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 14:22-33Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, sa...2023-08-1317 min
The Preaching MomentTenth Sunday After Pentecost - August 6th, 2023THE GOSPEL Luke 9:28-36Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Ju...2023-08-0815 minThe Preaching MomentEncore - The Feast of the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ - Sunday, January 1, 2023THE GOSPEL Luke 2:15-21When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered t...2023-07-1716 minThe Preaching MomentEncore - 15th Sunday After Pentecost, September 5, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 7:24-37Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answe...2023-07-1714 minThe Preaching MomentEncore - 17th Sunday After Pentecost, September 19, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 9:30-37Jesus and his disciples passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who wa...2023-07-1719 min
The Preaching MomentSeventh Sunday After Pentecost - July 16, 2023 - Guest Homilist Mr. Eric Moen, Episcopal Health FoundationTHE GOSPEL Matthew 13:1-9,18-23Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of so...2023-07-1722 min
The Preaching MomentSixth Sunday After Pentecost - July 9, 2023 - Homilist Ed Carrette, Grace Community MissionerTHE GOSPEL Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”At...2023-07-1710 min
The Preaching MomentFifth Sunday After Pentecost - July 2, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 10:40-42Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord.Peop...2023-07-0610 min
The Preaching MomentFourth Sunday After Pentecost - June 25, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 10:24-39Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the...2023-06-2715 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday After Pentecost - June 18 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclea...2023-06-2216 min
The Preaching MomentSecond Sunday After Pentecost - June 11, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.”And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but th...2023-06-1418 min
The Preaching MomentTrinity Sunday - June 4th, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 28:16-20The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the...2023-06-0615 min
The Preaching MomentPentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023THE GOSPEL John 20:19-23When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to...2023-05-2916 min
The Preaching MomentSeventh Sunday of Easter - May 21, 2023THE GOSPEL John 17:1-11Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in yo...2023-05-2417 min
The Preaching MomentSixth Sunday of Easter - May 14, 2023THE GOSPEL John 14:15-21 Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; b...2023-05-1617 min
The Preaching MomentFifth Sunday of Easter - May 7, 2023THE GOSPEL John 14:1-14Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not k...2023-05-0918 min
The Preaching MomentFourth Sunday of Easter - April 30, 2023THE GOSPEL John 10:1-10Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow...2023-05-0917 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday of Easter - April 23, 2023THE GOSPEL Luke 24:13-35Now on that same day, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does...2023-05-0916 min
The Preaching MomentEaster Sunday 2023 - April 9, 2023The Gospel John 20:1-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb fir...2023-05-0916 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday of Lent - March 12, 2023THE GOSPEL John 4:5-42 Jesus came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do...2023-05-0913 min
The Preaching MomentSecond Sunday of Lent - March 5, 2023THE GOSPEL John 3:1-17There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb a...2023-03-0519 min
The Preaching MomentTransfiguration Sunday - February 19, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 17:1-9Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a br...2023-02-2119 min
The Preaching MomentSixth Sunday After The Epiphany - February 12, 2023Matthew 5:13-20Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may...2023-02-1415 min
The Preaching MomentFifth Sunday After The Epiphany & Scout Sunday - February 5, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 5:13-20Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine b...2023-02-0814 min
The Preaching MomentFourth Sunday After The Epiphany - January 29, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mer...2023-02-0116 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday After The Epiphany - January 22, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 4:12-23When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,and for those who sat in the reg...2023-01-2221 min
The Preaching MomentBaptism of Our Lord Sunday - January 15, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 3:13-17Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove...2023-01-1720 min
The Preaching MomentEpiphany Sunday - January 8, 2023THE GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They tol...2023-01-0814 min
The Preaching MomentThe Feast of the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ - Sunday, January 1, 2023.THE GOSPEL Luke 2:15-21When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered t...2023-01-0316 min
The Preaching MomentChristmas Eve - December 24, 2022The Gospel Luke 2:1-20Glory to you, Lord ChristIn those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expect...2022-12-2915 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday of Advent - December 11, 2022 With Visiting Homilist, The Rev. Alex Montes-VelaOn the Third Sunday of Advent, we welcomed The Rev. Alex Montes-Vela, Missioner For Congregational Vitality, The Episcopal Diocese of Texas, as our visiting homilist. THE GOSPEL Matthew 11:2-11 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor...2022-12-1313 min
The Preaching MomentSecond Sunday of Advent - December 4, 2022THE GOSPEL Matthew 3:1-12In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all J...2022-12-0919 min
The Preaching MomentFirst Sunday of Advent - November 27, 2022THE GOSPEL Matthew 24:36-44 Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man...2022-11-2918 min
The Preaching MomentChrist The King Sunday - November 20, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 23:33-43When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and of...2022-11-2916 min
The Preaching MomentTwenty-third Sunday After Pentecost - November 13, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 21:5-19When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' a...2022-11-1521 min
The Preaching MomentTwenty-second Sunday After Pentecost, All Saints Sunday & Holy Baptism - November 6, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 6:20-31Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven...2022-11-0812 min
The Preaching MomentTwenty-first Sunday After Pentecost - October 30, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 19:1-10Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house to...2022-11-0116 min
The Preaching MomentTwentieth Sunday After Pentecost - October 23rd, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 18:9-14Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven...2022-10-2518 min
The Preaching MomentEighteenth Sunday After Pentecost - October 9th, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 17:11-19On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a S...2022-10-1116 min
The Preaching MomentSeventeenth Sunday After Pentecost - October 2, 2022 By Visiting Seminarian Eric BumgardnerThe Rt. Rev. Kai Ryan, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, invited congregations throughout the Diocese to set aside Sunday, October 2, 2022, to:Highlight stories of discernment and call to ministry, whether lay or ordainedWelcome a Seminary of the Southwest seminarian or Iona student to preach (other Diocese of Texas seminarians may be able to provide a video sermon)Offer an adult formation experience focused on sharing call stories or discernmentCollect a special offering to support theological educationThe people of Grace answered this call by inviting Seminarian Eric Bumgardner to preach on this day. This i...2022-10-0514 min
The Preaching MomentSixteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 25th, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 16:19-31Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and sa...2022-09-2716 min
The Preaching MomentFifteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 18, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 16:1-13Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, `What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, `What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I...2022-09-2720 min
The Preaching MomentFourteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 11, 2022THE GOSPELLuke 15:1-10All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."So he told them this parable: "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and...2022-09-2719 min
The Preaching MomentThirteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 4, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 14:25-33Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish...2022-09-0713 minThe Preaching MomentTwelfth Sunday After Pentecost - August 28, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 14:1, 7-14On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to yo...2022-08-2819 min
The Preaching MomentEleventh Sunday After Pentecost - August 21, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 13:10-17Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the cr...2022-08-2120 min
The Preaching MomentTenth Sunday After Pentecost - August 14th, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 12:49-56‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mot...2022-08-1616 min
The Preaching MomentNinth Sunday After Pentecost - August 7, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 12:32-40Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may...2022-08-1613 min
The Preaching MomentFifth Sunday After Pentecost - July 10, 2022Luke 10:25-37Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."But wanting to justify himself, he...2022-08-1212 min
The Preaching MomentEighth Sunday After Pentecost - July 31, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 12:13-21Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?" And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, `What should I do, for I have no place to...2022-08-1217 min
The Preaching MomentFourth Sunday After Pentecost - July 3, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 10:1-11, 16-20The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you ente...2022-08-0413 min
The Preaching MomentTrinity Sunday - June 12th, 2022THE GOSPEL John 16:12-15 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will re...2022-06-1413 min
The Preaching MomentPentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022THE GOSPEL John 14:8-17 (25-27)Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing...2022-06-0816 min
The Preaching MomentSeventh Sunday of Easter - May 29, 2022THE GOSPEL John 17:20-26Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said. "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they...2022-06-0117 min
The Preaching MomentFourth Sunday of Easter - May 8th, 2022THE GOSPEL John 10:22-30At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hea...2022-05-1215 min
The Preaching MomentThird Sunday of Easter - May 1, 2022THE GOSPEL John 21:1-19Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was...2022-05-1220 min
The Preaching MomentSecond Sunday of Easter 2022 - April 4, 2022THE GOSPEL John 20:19-31When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on th...2022-05-1219 minThe Preaching MomentIntroduction To Season 2Welcome to Season 2 of The Preaching Moment, following the Year C liturgical journey.2022-04-2203 min
The Preaching MomentEaster Sunday 2022 - April 17 - Jesus and Mary MagdaleneThe Gospel John 20:1-18Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb...2022-04-2213 minThe Preaching Moment126th Anniversary Homily - April 3, 2022Homily prepared for the celebration of the 126th anniversary of Grace Episcopal Church.2022-04-1313 minThe Preaching MomentFirst Sunday in Lent 2022 - March 6, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 4:1-13After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant a...2022-04-1313 minThe Preaching MomentFourth Sunday in Lent 2022 - March 27, 2022THE GOSPEL Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."So Jesus told them this parable:"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled...2022-04-1315 minThe Preaching MomentFifth Sunday in Lent - April 3, 2022THE GOSPEL John 12:1-8Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred...2022-04-1315 minThe Preaching MomentChristmas Eve - December 24, 2021The Gospel Luke 2:1-20In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her c...2022-01-2516 minThe Preaching MomentThird Sunday of Advent - December 12, 2021THE GOSPEL Luke 3:7-18John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."And the crowds asked him, "What then shoul...2021-12-1217 minThe Preaching MomentSecond Sunday of Advent - December 5, 2021THE GOSPEL Luke 3:1-6In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,"The voice o...2021-12-0520 minThe Preaching Moment13th Sunday After Pentecost, August 22, 2021THE GOSPEL John 6:56-69Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus...2021-11-1613 minThe Preaching Moment15th Sunday After Pentecost, September 5, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 7:24-37Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered hi...2021-11-1614 minThe Preaching Moment16th Sunday After Pentecost, September 12, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 8:27-38Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, an...2021-11-1614 minThe Preaching Moment12th Sunday After Pentecost, August 15, 2021THE GOSPEL John 6:51-58Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for...2021-11-1616 minThe Preaching Moment17th Sunday After Pentecost, September 19, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 9:30-37Jesus and his disciples passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who wa...2021-11-1619 minThe Preaching Moment18th Sunday After Pentecost, September 26, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 9:38-50John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little o...2021-11-1614 minThe Preaching Moment25th Sunday After Pentecost, November 14, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 13:1-8As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you a...2021-11-1418 minThe Preaching Moment21st Sunday After Pentecost, October 17, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 10:35-45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.”...2021-11-1116 minThe Preaching Moment23rd Sunday After Pentecost, October 31, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 12:28-34One of the scribes came near and heard the Saducees disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have...2021-11-1120 minThe Preaching Moment22nd Sunday After Pentecost, October 24, 2021THE GOSPEL Mark 10:46-52Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak...2021-11-1116 minThe Preaching MomentAll Saints Sunday Sermon by Mother Suzanne Weidner-Smith, November 7, 2021THE GOSPEL John 11:32-44When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”Then Jesus, again grea...2021-11-1112 min