Sermon by the Rev. Katie GouldJuly 12, 2026

In a culture shaped by performance reviews, credit scores, and the constant pressure to prove our worth, this sermon offers a radically different vision: God’s grace is not something we earn.

Reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, the Rev. Katie Gould explores the seemingly reckless generosity of a God who scatters love freely, without first judging whether the ground is worthy. Growth, she reminds us, happens in kairos, God’s time, not according to our deadlines, expectations, or measures of efficiency.

The Holy Spirit dwells within us before we have proven ourselves, and grace declares “no condemnation” before the evidence is even presented. Even the hardened, shallow, and thorny places of our lives can be slowly transformed by the persistent gift of God’s love.

This is an invitation to step away from a transactional life of constant striving and discover the rest, freedom, and joy of grace freely given.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sermon by Father David Price

July 5, 2026

In this sermon, Father David Price reflects on the relationship between Christian faith, the American experiment, and the call to holy living. Drawing on a prayer attributed to George Washington, the writings of St. Paul, the prophecy of Zechariah, and the words of Jesus, he explores how a nation flourishes not through power alone, but through the virtues of humility, justice, mercy, and compassion.

The sermon acknowledges the ongoing struggle within every human heart between self-interest and the desire to follow God, reminding listeners that spiritual transformation requires both God’s grace and our willing participation. Looking back on the countless acts of courage, sacrifice, and service that have shaped American history, Father David invites the congregation to see these as part of a shared legacy of faithful citizenship rooted in the dignity of every person.

Ultimately, the message points beyond politics and patriotism to the peace found in Christ alone. By taking on Christ’s gentle yoke, believers are invited to discover true rest, renewed purpose, and the strength to live as faithful disciples in both Church and society.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sermon by Father David Price - June 28, 2026

In this sermon, Father David Price reflects on the call to trust and obey God through a life of faithful self-offering. He invites listeners to see themselves not as passive observers of worship, but as active participants in God’s work, presenting their lives as instruments of righteousness. Drawing on the story of Abraham and Isaac, the sermon explores the deep crisis of faith that comes when obedience requires real sacrifice. This difficult biblical moment is connected to the self-giving love of Jesus, whose life and death reveal the fullness of faithful surrender. The message calls believers to place everything before God, trusting that true freedom and purpose are found in offering ourselves completely to Christ’s healing and redemptive work.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sermon by Father Stuart Bates
June 21, 2026

In this sermon, Father Stuart Bates reflects on the meaning of grace as God’s active and loving work to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin. He presents holy baptism as a decisive turning point in the Christian life, where the old self dies and a new life begins in Christ.

Yet this new life is not passive or easy. Father Stuart reminds listeners that the life of faith involves struggle, self-denial, and spiritual discipline. Christians are called to resist complacency, take up their crosses, and participate in the ongoing work of purification.

Through grace, believers are shaped for resurrection and prepared for the kingdom of God. This sermon invites listeners to see the Christian life as a challenging but purposeful journey toward becoming true children of God.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Houston Creative Media.⁠⁠⁠

Sermon by Father Stuart Bates
June 14, 2026

In this sermon, Father Stuart Bates reflects on the biblical meaning of shalom, a peace far deeper than the absence of conflict. Shalom is the wholeness, harmony, and reconciliation God offers through Jesus Christ.

Drawing from the writings of Saint Paul, Father Stuart explores how this peace is not reserved for a select few, but given freely to all people. It is a gift that calls for faith, trust, and a life shaped by faithfulness. This peace is already present through the work of the Holy Spirit, yet it also points forward to the day when all creation will be restored in Christ.

The sermon invites listeners to seek the Spirit’s presence, to find stillness in a restless world, and to receive the reconciliation God offers. It also challenges believers not simply to rest in that peace, but to become peacemakers themselves, carrying Christ’s healing and harmony into their homes, churches, and communities.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sermon by Father Bob Wismer
June 7, 2026

In this sermon, Father Bob Wismer reflects on why we come to church and what it means to seek a real encounter with God. Beginning with the physical importance of sacred spaces, he moves toward the deeper purpose of worship: to be comforted, challenged, healed, and changed.

Drawing on the stories of Abram, Matthew, the synagogue ruler, and the woman who reached out to touch Jesus’ garment, Father Bob explores the many ways people respond to God’s presence. Some build altars. Some leave everything behind. Some risk their reputation. Some reach out in desperate hope.

The sermon invites listeners to consider what they may need to risk, release, or reach beyond in order to experience the healing presence of Christ. Ultimately, it is a call to active faith: to seek Jesus with courage, to receive his compassion, and to extend that same healing touch to others.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sermon by Father Stuart Bates — May 31, 2026

In this sermon, Father Stuart Bates reflects on the Holy Trinity as a living reality rather than an abstract theological concept. He explores how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reveal a God whose very nature is relationship, love, and communion.

Drawing on the imagery of St. Patrick’s Breastplate, Father Bates describes the Trinity as a source of strength, guidance, and spiritual resilience. Through Christ, humanity is invited into the life of God, not as distant observers but as participants in a relationship that transforms and sustains.

The sermon encourages listeners to cultivate an openness to the Holy Spirit, whose presence continues to shape, renew, and empower the faithful. At its heart, the message is an invitation to live more deeply within the love of the Triune God and to share that love with the world.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Houston Creative Media.⁠⁠⁠

Sermon by Rev. Katie Gould

May 24, 2026

In this Pentecost sermon, Rev. Katie Gould reflects on the movement of the Holy Spirit through the imagery of wind and fire, connecting the biblical story with themes of transformation, belonging, and renewal found even in contemporary works such as The Greatest Showman. Drawing from Scripture, from Genesis to the New Testament, the sermon explores how God’s breath brings life to what is empty and forms diverse people into one living body.

The message invites listeners to see the Holy Spirit not as something distant or abstract, but as a divine presence dwelling within ordinary lives, stirring creativity, courage, and connection. Rather than clinging to certainty or rigid expectations, believers are encouraged to remain open to the surprising work of grace and to carry the Spirit’s fire into the world through reconciliation, compassion, and joy.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Houston Creative Media.⁠⁠⁠

Sermon by Father David Price
May 17, 2026

In this sermon, Father David Price reflects on the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus and its place within the unfolding story of Holy Week and the Church’s liturgical life. Christ’s prayer to the Father is presented as a deeply personal expression of love and unity, standing at the threshold between the intimacy of the Last Supper and the suffering of the cross.

The sermon explores how the mysteries of the incarnation, resurrection, and ascension reveal God’s desire not only to enter human life, but to draw humanity into the life of God. Through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, believers are reminded that they are never separated from Christ, even in times of uncertainty, grief, or isolation. At its heart, the message is an invitation to rest in the enduring and ever-present companionship of God.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Houston Creative Media.⁠⁠⁠

Sermon by Father Stuart Bates
May 10, 2026

In this sermon from the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of John, Father Stuart Bates reflects on four enduring spiritual gifts offered through Christ: the way to the Father, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the life of the Church, and the gift of divine peace. Drawing on the language of John’s Gospel, the sermon explores how Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension open a living relationship with the Holy Trinity, inviting believers beyond fear, isolation, and the limits of earthly existence.

Father Bates describes the Holy Spirit as both comforter and strength, forming within us a deeper capacity for sacrificial love, courage, and faithfulness. He also reflects on the Church not merely as an institution, but as a sacred community where healing, transformation, and service become possible together.

Through a moving personal memory of his mother’s quiet presence during moments of fear, Father Bates illustrates the nearness of God’s love: steady, sheltering, and deeply sustaining. The sermon ultimately invites listeners to rest in that divine presence and to seek the guidance of the Spirit, whose peace surpasses human understanding and whose love remains even in the midst of uncertainty.

Find St. Francis Episcopal Church online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at this link.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Houston Creative Media.⁠⁠⁠