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

At Choral Evensong on Sunday, 25 July 2021, The Rev'd John Blackburn, the Priest-in-Charge of Saint Christopher's Church, preached a sermon to help the Parish learn the significance of Icons in Christian Worship.  Following this sermon, the Icon of Saint Christopher was dedicated and hung in the Sanctuary.  Choral Evensong was the closing event of our Patronal Feast Day Weekend.  We hope you will join us soon, and come see our Icon as well.

Many Churches are named for a Saint, and they become that Patron, the person whom the identity of Parish takes on a special meaning.  On Sunday, 25th July, The Rev'd John L. Blackburn preached a sermon at our morning Mass on Saint Christopher.  

As Christians our call, as we follow the examples of Jesus, is to do the works that he did; preach the Gospel, heal the sick, feed the hungry.  But something that Jesus did, which we are also called to do, but we sometimes neglect, is our need for Sabbath and rest, a time for restoration.  As you listen to this podcast, ponder ways in which you can honor God in your rest and restoration, so you can be refreshed for the work ahead.  This is sermon is based on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.

Saint John the Baptist is known in the New Testament for two primary event:  The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan and his execution by King Herod Antipas.  But, the question is, what led to his execution?  He had been a popular prophet, had attracted crowds, and it is said that Herod even enjoyed listening to him.  Father John looks at all of these questions and asks the question, "What happens if we are like Saint John the Baptist today?"  This scriptural reference is Mark 6:14-29

This week, we were honored to welcome The Rev'd Dr. Terry York into our Pulpit.  Dr. York is the Professor of Christian Worship at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.  Dr. York preached to Saint Christopher's on Saint Paul's passage from 2 Corinthians 12:2-10.  Please enjoy this sermon from our dear friend.

In the Gospel according to Saint Mark, we have a story of Jesus being called by Jairus to come and heal his daughter.  On his way there, a women who has been sick for 12 years comes and touches Jesus' clothes, and she is healed.  As they are talking, so people come to Jairus and tell him that his daughter has died.  In today's sermon, Fr. John invites us to engage with the story as if we were directing a television show, looking at some of the small details in the story that we might miss if we are not careful.  The passage this sermon is based on is Mark 5:21-43

Today's Gospel reading is Mark's account of Jesus calming the storm while he and his disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee.  The question the Disciples as Jesus is why he doesn't care that they are being swamped with water from the storm.  We have all sorts of storms that swamp us, be it financial concerns, illnesses, and other that batter us each day.  Fr. John's sermon focuses on the question of, "Does God even care, or is God even powerful enough to save us from these storms?

The Scripture reference is Mark 4.35-41.

When we are become Christians, and are baptized, one of the fundamental teachings of the Church is that we are made into a New Creation.  In this sermon drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:6-17, Fr. Blackburn discusses what that New Creation begins to look like for us today.

In the Gospel of Mark, there is a passage in Chapter 3 were Jesus' Mother and Brothers have come looking for him because they are concerned about him.  Jesus begins to discuss who is true family is, but also issues a few warnings about our perception of his work that he is doing.  Fr. John takes the passage and breaks it down until, ultimately describing the work of the church that is needed today, even if it comes to great risk to our selves.

One of our great doctrines and also theological mysteries is that of the One, Holy and Undivided Trinity; the essence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  It is a heady subject that has sparked debates and clashes over the centuries.  But, how are we to know and understand something as seemly simple but also complex as the Trinity.  Fr. John gives a brief outline of the Trinity's history as we understand it and also shows what the prime lesson we can learn from it is.