Sunday Sermons

This is a recording from the sermon preached at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 25th, on the Sixth Sunday in Easter. In this sermon, Rev. Jim Quigley reflects on the journey of faith through the lens of John Stott's spiritual transformation, inspired by Eric Nash's teachings. He connects this reflection to the baptism of Charlotte May Johnson, encouraging the congregation to recommit to their ABCs of faith: Admit, Believe, and Come. Through the narrative of the early Christians from the Book of Acts, Rev. Quigley explores themes of spiritual evolution, commitment to God, and the transformative power of embracing Christ. The sermon concludes with an invitation to the congregation to reaffirm their own faith journeys, emphasizing that gradual, committed change can lead to remarkable outcomes.

00:00 Introduction and Theme of the Homily

00:30 The Story of John Stott

01:43 Eric Nash's Influence and the ABCs of Faith

04:47 John Stott's Transformation

06:15 The Early Christian Journey in the Book of Acts

09:59 Reaffirming Our Faith and Commitment

11:29 Conclusion and Final Blessing

This is a sermon preached by the Rev. Jordan Rippy on Sunday, 5/18, the Fifth Sunday in Easter, at St. David's Episcopal Church. In it, Rev. Jordan explores the Book of Revelation, emphasizing its vivid imagery and symbols and debunking common myths. She clarifies that Revelation was a message for ancient Christian communities, encouraging worship, witness, waiting, and hope.

The sermon reflects on themes of mortality, the new heaven and new earth, and God's desire to be with humanity. Rev. Jordan concludes with the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

00:00 Introduction to the Book of Revelation

03:20 Common Misinterpretations and Myths

04:14 The True Message of Revelation

05:23 Reflection on Mortality and Christian Theology

08:10 God's Promise of a New Creation

10:55 Conclusion: Living Toward Resurrection

This is a recording from the sermon preached by Rev. Kristen Hawley at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 11th, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also Mother's Day. Rev. Hawley uses Mother's Day as a backdrop to discuss what mothers truly want and contrasts the societal misconceptions with the concept of 'being with' rather than 'doing for.' She delves into Psalm 23, emphasizing the importance of the word 'with' in understanding our relationship with God. The sermon culminates in a reflection on how embodying the presence of Christ with us can transform our lives, relationships, and faith.

00:00 Introduction and Mother's Day Greetings

00:36 What Do Mothers Really Want?

00:56 The Exhausted Mother Imagery

03:15 Reflecting on Relationships and Doing for Others

04:49 Good Shepherd Sunday

05:47 The Image of Shepherds and Their Hard Work

07:20 Christ as the Shepherd: Doing For vs. Being With

08:40 Psalm 23: The Heart of the Message

12:29 Personal Reflections and Sabbatical Plans

17:30 Conclusion: The Gift of Being With

This is a recording of the Children's Sermon delivered by seminarian Daniel Bentley on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, the third Sunday of Easter. In this sermon, Bentley engages the young members of the congregation in understanding the significance of Easter and Jesus' resurrection. Through interactive storytelling and dialogue, he explains that Jesus rising from the dead in a physical body emphasizes the importance of our own bodies and the responsibility to care for everyone regardless of their physical characteristics or actions. The sermon concludes with a memorable takeaway: "I have a body, Jesus has a body, and we should take care of everybody."

00:00 Introduction and Applause

00:08 Reflecting on Easter

01:05 The Story of Jesus and the Disciples

02:24 Breakfast with Jesus

04:11 The Significance of Jesus' Resurrection

05:11 The Importance of Bodies

06:17 Loving Everyone, Even Bad Guys

06:56 Final Thoughts and Recap

This is a recording of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kristen Hawley at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 27th, the Second Sunday of Easter. Rev. Hawley underscores the ongoing celebration of Easter, emphasizing the importance of maintaining joy and the discipline of feasting throughout the 50-day season. She critiques the church's label of 'Low Sunday' and discusses the tendency to focus on doubt through the story of Doubting Thomas. Rev. Hawley draws parallels between the fear-filled experiences of the disciples post-resurrection and the communal anxiety felt during Covid-19, encouraging listeners to embrace joy, engagement, and the breath of peace that comes with resurrection. She challenges congregants to practice joy continuously, even in difficult times, fostering a culture of resurrection and connection.

00:00 Introduction and Easter Greetings

00:41 The Significance of the 50-Day Feast

01:54 The Challenge of Sustaining Joy

02:55 Low Sunday and Doubting Thomas

05:20 Reflecting on COVID-19 and Fear

08:45 Resurrection and the Gift of Peace

11:28 Practicing Joy and Resurrection

13:31 Conclusion and Encouragement

This is a recording from the sermon preached at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 20th, 2025, on Easter Sunday. In this sermon, Rev. Kristen Hawley recalls the Gospel story of the women discovering the empty tomb and encountering angels in dazzling clothes. Amidst themes of grief and joy, Rev. Hawley underscores the unexpected nature of Easter, emphasizing that it defies cynicism and grief, and instead brings astonishing joy and resurrection. The sermon reflects on the importance of recognizing and practicing joy as a discipline, encouraging congregants to embrace the 50-day Easter season as a time for continuous celebration and recognition of God's enduring presence and love.

00:00 Welcome to Easter Morning at St. David's

00:42 The Women at the Tomb: A Story of Grief and Astonishment

02:26 The Dazzling Light and the Idle Tale

06:05 The Feast of Joy: From Good Friday to Easter

09:15 The Practice of Feasting and Joy

11:02 The Invitation to Rejoice Continues

This sermon from Saturday, April 19th, during the Easter Vigil, is delivered by Rev. Jordan Rippy. Rev. Rippy takes congregants on a liturgical journey from the solemn moments of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to the celebratory joy of the Resurrection. Highlighting the transformation of sorrow into hope, Rev. Rippy recounts the experiences of Mary, Joanna, and other women at the empty tomb, emphasizing the power of resurrection to break open what is closed and make space for something new. The sermon concludes with a powerful message of commissioning, reminding the congregation that they are bearers of this resurrected light, called to bring hope and life where despair once resided.

00:00 Opening Remarks and Welcome

00:18 Reflecting on the Triduum

01:16 Good Friday and Holy Saturday

02:12 The Resurrection Story

03:14 The Women at the Tomb

04:00 The Impact of Resurrection

06:25 A New Creation and Commissioning

07:36 Carrying the Light Forward

08:19 Conclusion and Celebration

On Good Friday, April 18th, Rev. Jim Quigley delivers a poignant sermon on the works of RS Thomas, an Anglican priest and poet whose writings frequently explore the presence of God through His perceived absence. Quigley delves into Thomas' concept of 'via negativa,' where God's presence is felt in His absence, and how this challenges and enriches the spiritual journey. Drawing parallels with the critiques of piety and theology from figures like Rowan Williams, the sermon invites congregants to embrace the darkness of 'the dark night of the soul' as a path to deeper faith. Through passionate reflections and the vivid metaphor of Christ's suffering, Quigley calls for an intimate, unmediated relationship with the divine, urging listeners to find holiness and love in the mystery and silence of God.

00:00 Opening Invocation

00:14 Introduction to RS Thomas

00:37 Themes in Thomas's Poetry

00:57 Thomas's Influence and Recognition

03:35 The Hidden God and Negative Theology

04:26 Thomas's Imagery and Personal Reflections

05:36 Language and Landscape in Thomas's Work

06:16 Thomas's Uncompromising Portrayal of Grief

07:16 The Empty Church 08:16 Rowan Williams on Faith and Doubt

10:03 The Dark Night of the Spirit

14:46 The Coming and Christian Belief

16:29 Conclusion and Final Reflections

Seminarian Daniel Bentley delivers a poignant sermon on Maundy Thursday, reflecting on the events in the upper room where Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples. The sermon highlights the institution of the Eucharist and the deep symbolism of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, a radical act of service and humility. Bentley emphasizes the brokenness of the world and individuals, and how Jesus meets us in that brokenness, using biblical accounts from John and Paul to illustrate these themes. Congregants are encouraged to embrace their imperfections, allowing Christ's broken body to make them whole and let grace shine through.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:17 The Last Supper: A Solemn Feast

00:50 Transition to Darkness and Betrayal

02:14 The Commandment of Love

02:57 The Radical Act of Foot Washing

04:39 The Banquet of the Victim

05:27 Brokenness and Redemption

07:16 The Imperfect Symbol of the Eucharist 08:00 Conclusion and Final Blessing

This recording is from the sermon preached by Rev. Jim Quigley at St. David's Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 13th, Palm Sunday. In his sermon, Rev. Quigley reflects on the Passion narrative and the holy work of believers between Palm Sunday and Easter. He emphasizes the importance of not taking the resurrection for granted and encourages the congregation to embrace vulnerability, risk, and transformation. The sermon urges believers to stand with Jesus, confront their contradictions, and strive for personal spiritual renewal. By accepting and acknowledging where they are, congregants are called to seek greater clarity, truthfulness, and purpose in their faith journey. Rev. Quigley concludes with a prayer for the courage to be judged and loved by Jesus, reinforcing the theme of experiencing the cross to deepen one's relationship with God.

00:00 Introduction and Reflection Setup

01:10 The Holy Work Between Palm Sunday and Easter

02:48 Believing in Jesus: Embracing Vulnerability and Mortality

05:25 Personal Transformation and Acceptance

08:14 Finding True Joy Amidst Fear

10:09 Standing with Jesus: The Experience of the Cross

13:45 Conclusion and Prayer