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

This morning, the world learned the news that The Most Rev'd Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of Cape Town died at the age of 90 on the Day after Christmas.  One of the phrases that "The Arch" used in his sermons and talks was that we are all "God-bearers", people made in the image of God.  How does that square with celebrating the second day of Christmas?  In this morning's sermon, Father Blackburn explores what the preparations for Christmas looked like, but also what our role is now.  The Scripture Reference for today is Isaiah 61:10-62:3.  May Desmond rest in peace and rise again in glory.

On Christmas Morning, we hear the Prologue to Saint John's Gospel.  In this portion of the First Chapter of Saint John's Gospel, John unfolds the Mystery of the Incarnation.  Using images that relate back to Genesis 1, John tells us who Jesus is, and what it means for Christ, the Word to come into this world.  This Sermon was preached by Father Blackburn on Christmas Morning.  The Scripture References are John 1:1-14, The Letter to the Hebrews 1:1-12, and Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians 2:6 & 7.

On Christmas Eve, we remember the story of the Birth of Jesus, the angels singing to the shepherds, of Mary and Joseph unable to find room in the inn.  It is a story that we all know rather well.  Tonight's sermon, preached by Father Blackburn, asks us to consider the message of the angels to the Shepherds, and who it is that we celebrate this night.  The Scripture references that Father Blackburn uses for this sermon are Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7 and Titus 2:11-14.  On behalf of the Clergy, Vestry and Parish of Saint Christopher's, we wish you all a very happy Christmastide.

Sometimes we are rather unkind to Saint Thomas.  But, one of the things we should do is look to Thomas as one of our examples of a life of faith and reconversion.  This sermon was preached by Father Blackburn on the occasion of his First Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood.

The Magnificat, sometimes known as the Song of Mary, is a song of praise and remembering to God for the wonders he has done, and will do in Creation.  Mary's song is a look back to what to coming of God looks like, but also is a look forward to what we know the world looks like when God comes again.  On this, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Father Blackburn looks into the joy of Mary's song and asks how can each of us begin to make the opening verse of, "My Soul doth magnify Lord" their own personal song of joy and remembrance.  The Magnificat and the passage for today are found in the Gospel according to Saint Luke, Chapter 1, beginning in verse 39.

Today we are introduced to Saint John the Baptist and his fiery sermon on the banks of the River Jordan.  Sometimes we can't get past the image of John and move into the heart of his message of repentance.  Part of what John says is needed for repentance is learning to live a life pleasing to God and in compassion for your neighbor.  Father Blackburn asks the question today, "Are we living lives that are bearing good fruit?"  The Scripture passage for today's sermon is Luke 3:7-18.

One of the beloved Canticles that is found in the Gospel according to Luke is the Song of Zechariah, which is would in the first chapter of Luke.  In that Song of Praise, Zechariah is telling all who would hear that God has come, and the birth of his son, who would be known to many as John the Baptizer, is the signal that God was beginning to do a new thing--the coming of the Messiah.  

Today is the First Sunday of Advent, and it is the beginning of our new Liturgical Year.  What does that mean for us as Christians, and why do we even worry about liturgical years.  The Gospel for today, Luke 21:25-36, is one of the passages of Jesus giving us a glimpses of things yet to come.  But, the focus of the passage is one our preparedness.  What are we to do to get ready for not only the "End Times", but also when things are rough in our daily life?  Father Blackburn gives some keys to living into a life so we are alert and on guard.

This sermon was delivered on Thanksgiving Day, 2021 during a service of Holy Communion.  Father Blackburn preaches on the theme that someone who is truly thankful shows it not only by saying "thank you", but by living into thankfulness.  The phrase "Thanks-living" comes from one of his former professors, the Rev'd Dr. Terry York, who has been a guest in the pulpit at Saint Christopher's earlier this year.  On behalf of the Clergy and Vestry of Saint Christopher's, we wish everyone a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day.

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of Christ the King.  It is a day for us to reflect about Christ's sovereign rule of heaven, the world, the cosmos and even other our very lives.  Fr. Blackburn describes what the Kingship of Jesus looks like in this world and in this present age.  The Scripture passage for today is John 18:33-37.