Fifth Sunday after Epiphany February 9,2020 Isaiah 58:I-12 I Corinthians 2:I-16 Matthew 5:13-20 In the early 1600’s, the Puritan colonists of New England thought very highly of themselves indeed. One of their leading lights was the preacher John Winthrop, who preached a sermon in 1630 entitled “A Model of Christian Charity.” He warned his congregation…
This category includes all of our sermons. Every Sermon is posted in English, followed by its French translation.
Sermon – La Chandeleur (Candlemas)
Candlemas February 2, 2020 Malachi 3:1,-4 Hebrews 2:1,4-18 Luke 2:22-40 Major feasts of the church calendar have a far more ancient history than we might suppose. They are based on the holy days – or the sacred days – of the pagan calendars that pre-dated Christianity. Christmas takes place near the winter solstice.…
Epiphany III – Sermon
Third Sunday of Epiphany Sunday, January 26 2020 Isaiah 9:1-4 I Corinthians l:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 There was a time – and not so long ago – when most people who described themselves as Christians also identified themselves as belonging to a particular denomination. They were first and foremost Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Congregationalists etc, and…
Sermon – Epiphany II
Second Sunday of Epiphany January 19, 2020 Isaiah 49:1-7 I Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 It is strangely comforting to know that we are not the first generation to find the apostle Paul difficult. Many people today accuse him of being dogmatic, authoritarian, sexist, racist (in his letter to Titus he calls all Cretans imbeciles) and…
Epiphany I – Sermon
Epiphany I January 12, 2020 Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 After all the excitement and color of the Christmas season, the season of Epiphany (which lasts from January 6 until the first day of Lent) can seem a bit dull in comparison. In Greek, Epiphany means ‘to shine upon’, and it refers to Jesus’…
Sermon – Epiphany
Epiphany Sunday January 5, 2020 Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 There is something that has always troubled me about these so-called “Wise Men” or Magi. If they were so wise, why did they go to Jerusalem first instead of Bethlehem? In their defense it may be said that Bethlehem is only nine miles away…
Sermon – First Sunday after Christmas
The First Sunday after Christmas Day December 29, 2019 Isaiah 61 :10 – 62 :3 Galatians 3 : 23-25, 4 :4-7 John I :l-18 The great market square in Marrakech, the Djemaa el Fna, is the largest town square on the African continent. As the sun sets, it becomes more and more crowded with people…
Advent IV – Sermon
Advent IV December 22, 2019 Isaiah 7:10-17, Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Dreams play a major role in the nativity stories. It seems as if every key moment in the conception, birth and early childhood of Jesus was accompanied by a dream. When I think about my own dreams, they sometimes reveal my worst fears, and…
Avent II – Sermon
Advent II December 8, 2019 Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 It is hard for us to understand today, but there have been times when the Middle East was at peace. In fact, centuries have gone by without the area knowing any conflict at all. The period from about 825 BC until 730 BC…
Avent I – Sermon
Advent I December 1st, 2019 Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 One of the things that I like the best about the Episcopal Church is that it follows the regular and traditional pattern of the Church’s Year. Every season of the secular year has its corresponding liturgical season. The Church’s year begins with the…