Father Shawn McCain Tirres | November 2, 2025

On All Saints Day, Father Shawn explores how God's people find courage to act in troubled times, weaving together Halloween joy, community solidarity, and Jesus's radical Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6). When the church raised nearly $3,000 in two days for neighbors facing SNAP benefit cuts, it embodied the kind of "hope stubborn enough to outlast the headlines" that marks true sainthood.

Deacon Scott Madison | October 26, 2025

Deacon Scott unpacks the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector with refreshing honesty, challenging us to see ourselves in both characters. Through a vulnerable personal story and the powerful reminder that "justice for the oppressed can feel like oppression for the oppressor," he reveals how most of us live in the "mushy middle" of God's grace—part holy, part complicit, but always beloved. Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Father Shawn McCain Tirres | October 19, 2025

When's the last time you truly wrestled with God—not with polite prayers, but with honest, frustrated demands? Drawing from Jacob's all-night wrestling match and Jesus's parable of the persistent widow, Fr. Shawn challenges us to embrace a faith that refuses to give up, that's unafraid to get our hands dirty with God. This sermon calls us beyond cynicism and into the kind of stubborn, enduring faith grounded in prayer, scripture, and community that God is actually looking for.

Father Shawn McCain Tirres | October 12, 2025

Father Shawn explores the story of ten lepers healed by Jesus (Luke 17) and what it means to live in "in-between places"—those tensions between health and unhealth, certainty and doubt, belonging and exclusion. He challenges us to see how Jesus consistently draws near to the doubly excluded and calls us to join him in that same work of radical welcome.

Father Shawn McCain Tirres | October 5, 2025

In a world that gives us countless reasons to ask "God, where are you?", Father Shawn explores the ancient question of theodicy and offers a refreshing alternative to cynicism: regrounding ourselves in the resurrection power of Christ. This isn't a pep talk—it's a reorientation to what real power looks like and a reminder that God holds us even when our faith falters.

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Father Ryan Boetcher | September 28, 2025

What does it mean to be truly wealthy? Drawing from the prophet Amos, Psalm 146, and Jesus's parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Father Ryan contrasts two visions of wealth: one that isolates us through accumulation, and God's "great economy" where wealth is measured by what we give away. Through stories ranging from "It's a Wonderful Life" to the Lakota people to St. Francis, this sermon challenges us to find "life that is really life."

Angela Matei | September 7, 2025

What does it really mean to be a disciple of Jesus in 2025? Angela explores Luke 14's challenging call to "count the cost" of following Jesus—not as a literal journey to Jerusalem, but as an honest examination of what attachments, fears, and relationships might hold us back from responding faithfully to where Jesus is leading us today. She offers practical tools for navigating this journey, including the importance of authentic community, body awareness, and regular time in scripture.

Father Shawn McCain Tirres | August 31, 2025

Exploring how sermons are sacred conversations where we wrestle together with God's truth. Through Jesus's teaching on humility and invitation, we discover that Christ calls those who cannot pay Him back - including us - to find freedom in returning to our true identity as people made in God's image.

Join Father Shawn, Melissa Flanagan, and Father Ryan as they dive into the history and heart behind Resurrection Church's beloved St. Francis Fest! In this episode, we explore who St. Francis was, why churches have blessed animals for centuries, and how this 9th annual celebration has become a cornerstone community event in South Austin.

Event Details:

📅 October 5th, 2024

🕐 4:00-6:00 PM

📍 Nomadic Outpost (Brodie Lane, Austin)

What to Expect:

🐕 Blessing of the animals with prayer

🎵 Live music by Blaise Weir

🌮 Food trucks (Slap BBQ & Takoli Moli)

🎽 New pine green t-shirts (while supplies last!)

🥫 Pet food drive benefiting El Buen Samaritano

🎁 Free raffle with local business prizes

🌻 Free wildflower seeds from Wildflower Center

Learn about St. Francis of Assisi's revolutionary approach to creation care, discover why he started the first live nativity scene, and hear how this medieval saint's love for all of God's creation continues to inspire communities today. Plus, get all the details on how to join this family-friendly neighborhood celebration!

Featured Organizations: Emancipet, El Buen Samaritano, Texas Children in Nature, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin Resource Recovery, and more local partners.

0:00 Introduction & Welcome

3:18 Why We Started Blessing Animals

8:03 Who Was St. Francis of Assisi?

10:55 St. Francis: The Original Creative Visionary

12:59 The Theology Behind Animal Blessings

17:14 What Happens During an Animal Blessing?

20:34 This Year's Venue: Nomadic Outpost

21:44 Live Music with Blaise Weir

23:51 Community Partners & Activities

28:18 The Highly Anticipated New T-Shirts

32:25 Food, Photos & Final Details

34:21 Your Invitation to Join

This week, Fr. Shawn, Fr. Ryan and Melissa Gray sit down to preview our exciting offerings for our Sunday Fall Formation Classes. If you'd like to learn more about the class offerings and sign up today, go to https://rezaustin.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3123706