Sermons from Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea, Portland Texas

Today the Church celebrates Maundy Thursday, the giving of the New Commandment as well as the command and institution of the Lord's Supper, or the Holy Eucharist.  Part of the rites for this evening is the Ceremony of Foot-washing, the symbol of love and discipleship.  The other is that of Passover and our own redemption from Sin.  Father Blackburn explains these two rites in this sermon.

One of the prophecies that weaves its way through both the Old and the New Testaments is the giving of Israel and the Messiah as the Light to the Nations.  Jesus, himself, speaks about light, and how he is the Light of the World.  This Light draws all men to God, and is found in many place in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others.  And once the light draws men, then they come to the House of Prayer, the Temple, where these Greeks that we meet find Jesus.  This sermon picks up on the theme of Light, Israel as the Light, Jesus as the Light, and how we are also to be Light.  This sermon is preached by Father Blackburn.

During Holy Week, we hear the four Servant Songs found in Isaiah, as well as recall the events of Holy Week as told to us by Saint John's Gospel.  Fig Monday, the first day of Holy Week, calls us to remember both the first Servant Song, as well as the events at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary after Lazarus has been raised from the dead.  The scripture passages are Isaiah 42:1-9 and John 12:1-11.  Father Blackburn is the preacher this evening.

Today, the Church celebrates Palm Sunday, sometimes known as the Sunday of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We gather before the service away from the Church to form a procession into the Nave.  We then hear the Passion of our Lord as told be the Gospel according to Saint Luke.  And we bury Jesus.  But why do we do this?  Why do we reenact all of this drama?  And what does all of this mean for us?  Father Blackburn's sermon for this Palm Sunday asks us to draw nearer in Christ and into deeper relationship with him.

This morning, Saint Christopher's was pleased to welcome the The Rev'd Eric Tarver.  Pastor Tarver is the preacher and pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Beeville, Texas.  His Sermon today was about the role and the cost of worship our Blessed Lord.  We were also happy to welcome the members of the Bethlehem Baptist Church Choir to sing in our Liturgy.

Pastor Tarver's text was the beginning of the 12th Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John.

The parable of the Prodigal Son is one that is familiar to many people, both Christian and non-Christian alike.  It is a story that rings true throughout different times and cultures.  But, what happens if we look at it with rather fresh eyes?  Father Blackburn's sermon examines all the characters in this story and asks us, "Who are we today?"

Lent is a season that calls us to repentance.  But sometimes, we really don't know what repentance means, or how to go about it.  And, something else that we tend to do from time to time is to worry about everyone else's sins and short-coming instead of our own.  In today's Gospel Lesson, Jesus is asked questions about where or not people who die tragically are more sinful than the rest, and Jesus response is both shocking, helpful, and honest.  Father Blackburn explores the themes of repentance, amendment of life, and looking into our own selves in this sermon.  The Scripture Passage is from the Gospel according to Saint Luke, Chapter 13, beginning at the first verse.

As Christians, we are already Citizens of Heaven.  Saint Paul is explaining this to the Church in Phillipi, which is a Roman city and province.  But, what does it look like or what does it mean to be a citizen of heaven?  Fr. Blackburn discusses this in his sermon during the Second Sunday in Lent.  The Scripture reference is Philippians 3:17-4:1.

Spiritual warfare is something that is a reality that all Christians face.  It is in the world around us, in our thoughts, our habits.  Jesus himself underwent warfare with the world, the flesh and the devil.  Today's sermon is about the Temptations of Jesus as they are recording in the Gospel of Luke.  Father Blackburn is the preacher, and explains to us what Jesus' temptations meant for him, and what they mean for us as well.