Sunday Sermons

This is a recording from the sermon preached at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, 8/17, the tenth Sunday after Pentecost. In this heartfelt sermon, Rev. Kristen Hawley reflects on her return to the congregation after a three-month sabbatical. She uses compelling analogies and storytelling to explore themes of faith, perseverance, and the supportive power of the 'great cloud of witnesses.' Drawing on imagery from travels to the Grand Canyon and the historic journey of John Wesley Powell, she ties these experiences to the teachings in the Gospel and the letter to the Hebrews. Rev. Hawley encourages the congregation to keep their faith in Jesus, the 'pioneer and perfecter of faith,' amidst life's challenges, while being mindful of the supportive presence that surrounds them.

00:00 Welcome Back to St. David's

01:35 Introduction to Today's Sermon

02:09 Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem

03:53 The Grand Canyon Experience

07:08 John Wesley Powell's Expedition

12:03 Lessons from Hebrews

16:58 Conclusion: The Power of Faith

This is a recording from the sermon preached at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, August 10th, on the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. In this heartfelt sermon, the Rev. Jim Quigley shares his personal struggles with nervousness and reflects on a significant moment from his time in seminary. He connects this with the Scripture from Luke and the Abrahamic narrative in Genesis, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's love and providence. Rev. Quigley reassures the congregation that faith should not be anxiety-provoking and that God's trust and belief in humanity serve as the foundation for our faith. Through vivid storytelling and theological insights, he encourages the congregation to view every person as doing their best and to love as God loves us.

00:00 Introduction and Confession

00:15 A Nervous Anecdote

02:03 The Gospel Passage from Luke

03:01 Faith and Anxiety

04:04 The Abrahamic Narrative

05:43 Trust in God

06:50 God's Love and Trust

08:48 Conclusion and Blessing

This sermon, delivered by Rev. John McDuffie on Sunday, August 3rd, the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost at St. David's Episcopal Church, addresses themes of mortality and the true value of material possessions. Drawing from the day's Scripture readings, including Ecclesiastes, Psalm 49, and the parable of the rich fool from the Gospel, Rev. McDuffie encourages the congregation to reflect on life's deeper questions. He recounts personal anecdotes about accumulating possessions and discusses the broader societal implications of wealth and generosity. Through his reflections, he challenges the congregation to consider how they use their gifts and if they live a life rich toward God, leaving the congregation with a poignant question about generosity.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction

00:57 Reflecting on Mortality and Life's Big Questions

02:06 The Parable of the Rich Fool and Personal Reflections

04:32 Wealth, Generosity, and Societal Reflections

06:54 A Musical Interlude: The Song 'Alfie'

09:28 Final Thoughts and a Call to Generosity

This is a recording from the sermon preached at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, July 20th, on the Sixth Sunday After Pentecost. In his message, Rev. Jim Quigley discusses the biblical stories of Abraham at the Oaks of Mara and Jesus visiting Martha and Mary. He explores the themes of hospitality toward God and the balance between active and contemplative spirituality, emphasizing that both paths are valid and necessary. The sermon encourages us to cultivate environments where God's presence is welcomed and to practice 'everyday mysticism' in their lives.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Greetings

00:14 Introduction to the Sermon

00:26 The Story of Martha and Mary

03:04 Active vs. Contemplative Spirituality

04:33 Hospitality Towards God

08:06 Everyday Mysticism

09:37 Closing Remarks and Blessing

This sermon by Rev. John McDuffie, delivered on the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, July 13th, delves into the timeless Parable of the Good Samaritan. Rev. McDuffie examines the well-known story and its traditional moral lessons of compassion and helping others. He connects the parable to contemporary issues such as societal and racial tensions, using examples from modern events and parallels. The sermon challenges the congregation to reflect on the baptismal covenant's call to love all neighbors and uphold justice and dignity for every human being. Rev. McDuffie concludes by recommending the short film 'Feeling Through' as further contemplation on the question, 'Who is my neighbor?'

00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction

00:42 The Parable of the Good Samaritan

05:45 Modern Interpretations of the Parable

07:17 Real-Life Parable: The Texas Floods

09:20 Reflections on National Values

11:55 Baptismal Covenant and Christian Duties

13:45 Recommended Short Film: Feeling Through

16:30 Closing Blessing

This sermon by Grace Kreher, delivered on Sunday, 7/6, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, at St. David's Episcopal Church, delves into historical and Biblical narratives to explore the concept of boundaries. Kreher recounts Martin Luther's defiant stand at the Diet of Worms and connects it to Jesus's instructions to his disciples about shaking the dust off their feet when their message is not received. The sermon discusses how boundaries are essential in maintaining healthy relationships and encourages the congregation to apply these lessons in their own lives, balancing resilience and vulnerability.

00:00 Martin Luther's Stand at the Diet of Worms

01:53 The Consequences of Defiance

02:35 Luther's Translation of the New Testament

04:00 Jesus' Teachings on Rejection

04:57 Understanding Boundaries

06:18 Applying Boundaries in Life

07:46 The Pain of Setting Boundaries

09:17 Healing and Moving Forward

09:46 The Kingdom of God and Final Thoughts

This sermon explores the challenging call to follow Jesus unwaveringly, drawing on biblical passages and the notion of addiction as a metaphor for spiritual commitment. The speaker references Vernon Johnson's book 'I'll Quit Tomorrow' to highlight the importance of making a decisive and unconditional commitment to the values of Christianity. The discussion emphasizes the difficulty of embodying these values in real life and challenges the audience to examine their own levels of dedication and change their direction today towards a more radical love and service in the journey to Jerusalem.

00:00 Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

00:52 Introduction to Vernon Johnson's Work on Addiction

02:12 Jesus' Call to Discipleship

04:02 Confronting Our Commitments

07:27 The Challenge of Following Jesus

11:20 Unconditional Love and Forgiveness

13:18 The Journey to Jerusalem

14:46 Final Reflections and Prayer

This is a recording from the sermon preached at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 22nd, the Second Sunday after Pentecost. In her sermon, Jordan reflects on a personal experience related to a tragic shooting at St. Stephens and explores profound theological questions about the nature of miracles, the existence of evil, and the presence of God. Drawing from a Gospel reading about Jesus' healing of a possessed man, Jordan discusses the tension between God's will and human freedom, the role of suffering, and the ultimate triumph of love and redemption through Jesus Christ. The sermon emphasizes that while God's proximity transforms the world, God's respect for human freedom allows for suffering. Yet, in the end, the will of God for freedom, love, and mercy will prevail.

00:00 Introduction: A Resonant Gospel Reading

00:26 A Crisis in Birmingham

02:08 Questions of Theodicy

03:01 Miracles and Their Meaning

05:47 The Proximity of God

07:17 Freedom and Love in Creation

09:17 The Story of Redemption

10:29 Conclusion: The Power of Jesus

On Trinity Sunday, June 15th, at St. David's Episcopal Church, Rev. John McDuffy delivered a sermon reflecting on the Feast of the Holy Trinity. He acknowledged the complexity and mystery of the Trinity, choosing not to explain the doctrine but instead emphasizing God's relationship with creation. He recounted an anecdote from his seminary days about the Reverend Dr. Charles Price and shared insights from a Gallup survey on American beliefs about God. Rev. McDuffy used various analogies and personal anecdotes to illustrate how people perceive God as Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. He concluded by inviting the congregation to reflect on their own perceptions of God, underscoring the idea that the universe is ruled by love.

00:00 Opening Blessing and Introduction

00:25 The Feast of the Holy Trinity

00:41 Reflections on the Doctrine of the Trinity

01:23 Personal Anecdotes and Theological Insights

03:52 Survey on Beliefs About God

06:58 Experiencing God in Nature and Life

10:30 Concluding Thoughts on the Trinity

This recording is from the sermon preached by Rev. Jim Quigley at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 8th, Pentecost Sunday.

In his message, Rev. Quigley dives deep into the essence of Pentecost, emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit and the significance of speaking the Gospel in a language that others can understand. By offering definitions and contextualizing Pentecost within the Judean tradition, he draws parallels between the Jewish celebration of Shavuot and the Christian celebration of Pentecost. The sermon culminates in a call for the congregation to spread the Gospel through languages of love, empathy, justice, and kindness, making God’s message accessible to all.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks

00:13 Understanding Pentecost: Definitions and Context

01:58 The Significance of Shavuot

04:41 Connecting Shavuot and Pentecost

06:32 The Story of Pentecost in Acts

10:41 The Call to Proclaim the Gospel

12:48 Languages of the Gospel

15:16 Conclusion and Final Blessing