Sermons from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

On Sunday, Tommy talks about how each day Jesus is calling us into a deeper and fuller place on our faith journey, where our complete trust, reliance, and dependence upon Him leads to our being one with our Loving God. Although following Jesus can be difficult, because of what it requires from us, He still waits patiently for us to continue journeying with Him; even when we turn willfully away.

In a Gospel passage with two miracle stories, Rev. Marissa focuses on the feeding of the 5,000 and what these miraculous stories have to tell us. How are we meant to hear these wild stories in the world we live in? And what does this one have to say to us about living a faithful life today?

In some packed readings, Rev. Marissa focuses some on King David, on what makes him special, on how his faithfulness is visible to use even from so far away. What does he have to teach us about our life in this very different time? The Gospel expands this definition of faithfulness as we see sacrifices made by Jesus and the disciples. How do we participate in God's work by being faithful and making sacrifices?

In the Gospel for today, Mark sandwiches two healing stories together. Each one enlightens the other and both have something to say to us about what healing really is and how it takes place. What is it that you are carrying that needs to be healed? And what will it mean for you to be set free?

The Gospel today gives us a rare moment - a view into something really special: Jesus asleep. Jesus relaxed. Jesus resting. We see this so rarely in scripture, it's important to pay attention to what Jesus is doing. And what that means for us. Even in the eye of the storm.

The Gospel of Mark gives us today two of the most well known parables of Jesus. Is there a new way to look at these? What does the text have to say to us today about the world we live in and how we're meant to live in it as Christians? What can we learn about the Kingdom of God from the mustard seed, spores, pachysandra, and the urge to survive?

On a Sunday when we celebrate our graduating seniors, Rev. Marissa was hoping for some different readings! And we have to contend with what these readings say to us - and find the good news that is always there. Rev. Marissa explores what it is that sets Jesus aside, what of that is meant for us, and what the cost is sometimes of doing the right thing.

On the first Sunday in Pride month, Rev. Marissa explores a Gospel passage in which Jesus breaks a few rules. She tells a story about the church's presence at the Pride festival in Wilton the day before. And she preaches the good news of Jesus the intentional rule breaker.

On the day of Pentecost, Rev. Marissa reflects on the importance of the story of the Spirit's arrival. What is Jesus trying to tell us? It was also a baptism day, so we thought together about our baptismal ministry, what happens at the moment of baptism, and what God is asking us to do in the world. If we were given the power of the Spirit at baptism, what does that mean for us?

On the Feast of the Ascension, Rev. Marissa explores this strange, out of body story. What does it have to do with our lives today? Can we connect to a story that is so different than our own understanding of the world around us?