Isaiah 45 contains an important message about living authentically, and embracing both the strengths and weaknesses of our lives. In this sermon, Father John explores the importance of gratitude and acceptance in life, rather than always wishing we were better, or someone different. If you struggle with embracing yourself as God made you, listen and be encouraged!

Ever feel like life has led you into a space that you should never have found yourself in? Ever feel despondent about all the troubles and problems you face? It is tempting to think at points in life that “the best has already happened,” and that the future seems dim. Today, Father John begins a new sermon series lasting through Epiphany, focusing on the messages of the Hebrew Prophets, and asking what their messages means for us today. In this first installment, the prophecy found in Second Isaiah (Isaiah, Chapter 43) points the Israelites in exile to fresh hope that […]

At the outset of the New Year, Father John explores a story from the sixteenth chapter of Genesis – Abram and Sarai and their dealings with Hagar, their slave girl. After running away from them because of Sarai’s mistreatment, Hagar finds herself in a dire situation in the wilderness. The angel of the Lord finds her, and instructs her to return to her past and to her painful situation and to face it – some counter-intuitive advise from the Lord! This sermon asks the question the angel asks Hagar: “Where are you coming from? And where are you going?” Important […]

It is easy during the holiday season to get caught up in nostalgia, in the warm memories of family and friends far and near … so in this sermon, Father John invites us to consider some of the theological implications of God becoming a human being. Listen and consider what you actually believe about Christmas – and about God who comes into our lives in order to come close.

Have you ever considered the dilemma that Joseph faced when he found out that Mary, his betrothed, was pregnant? In this sermon, Justin Glessner (Professor of Religious Studies at DePauw University and parishioner at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church) explores in depth what options Joseph faced in that dark hour – and how he decided to follow the instruction of God and “stay put” in all the mess and complications which the situation created for him and Mary. Listen, and learn some important lessons for how we react when people like Mary come into our lives and require us to make […]

In this sermon, Andy Cullison (Director of the Prindle Institute of Ethics and Vestry member at Saint Andrew’s) offers a perspective on the importance of doubt in our spiritual lives. We often hear that doubt is the opposite of faith, and that it is perhaps a sign of a weak faith. Andy takes a different perspective that makes room for doubt in our lives as followers of Jesus.

In Matthew 6, Jesus is clearly warning his disciples to resist the temptation to use their spirituality to impress others. He then gives instruction about prayer, telling them to find an “inner room,” to go into their “closet,” or to pray in their “most private space.” Father John takes this idea and approaches it from a metaphorical perspective, encouraging us to let God into the most private rooms of our soul. Is there something we feel we cannot talk to God about in our lives? That is likely the precise issue we need to speak with God about. This sermon […]

Often we have been taught to approach prayer as a matter of letting God know what we need, and sharing with God the thoughts and feelings of our hearts – and that is certainly one aspect of our life of prayer. This sermon expands that understanding, by way of exploring the story of Ezekiel’s vision of the “Valley of Dry Bones,” to include listening to God. Father John encourages us to not only speak, but to also listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives as a form of prayer.

Sometimes we run out of words when we pray – for whatever reason. At these times, we can turn to the gift of music to express our hearts to God. In this sermon, Father John talks about the importance of singing to God, or playing an instrument, as a form of prayer. Music is a gift that has the amazing ability to reach into us and free us from “rational gridlock” – as the Holy Spirit moves in our lives to draw us out and up to our Father in Heaven.

This week, as we continue our sermon series on different ways of praying, Father John explores the use of icons. For centuries millions of Christians have worshiped using such visual aids, and this sermon explores the theology behind their use – along with some suggestions for practical ways of interacting with icons that may deepen our prayer life.