In our last entry of the sermon series “Living Our Namesake,” Father John begins by asking how we are intentionally taking care of our souls – the most important thing we possess. This sermon then explores the final foundation for building a healthy, growing spiritual life: Worship. Participating in a regular, weekly service of worship provides an essential means of regular spiritual nourishment and renewal!
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Our sermon series exploring the life of Andrew our patron saint continues by exploring the concept of engaging others in spiritual community. No sooner was Andrew called to follow Jesus than he joined a group of people seeking to do the same. How did he connect with them? Do we have a “go it alone” attitude when it comes to our faith? Do we let others get to know us, and do we seek to know others? Father John explores ...
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Are you in control of your money, or is your money in control of you? In this sermon, Father John considers what spiritual principles guide our use of money. Jesus teaches his disciples to view themselves as stewards of God’s resources rather than owners. Listen to a sermon that may challenge the way you look at giving to the church!
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Andrew was called to a life of following Jesus, of modeling his very life on the teachings and ministry of the Lord. In this sermon, Father John considers how our commitment to doing the same enables us to respond to the situations of life in a way that brings life rather than death, builds people up rather than tears them down. The death of Andrew is considered – and how even in his experience of martyrdom the Apostle was able ...
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How do you connect with God on a daily basis? In this installment of the sermon series “Living Our Namesake,” Father John explores what it means to take care of our spiritual lives by intentionally spending time in meditation, prayer, Scripture reading … whatever we find that connects us to the presence and love of God. There are important and serious benefits in doing so – and some reasons why skipping out on a personal devotional life leaves us less ...
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Exploring the life of Andrew, first disciple of Jesus, Father John begins by examining the meaning of the life of following Christ – and how it is not about “trying to be a better person.” This sermon then explores Acts of Service as a foundational component of a healthy, growing spiritual life. This is the second of a seven part sermon series called “Living our Namesake,” which Father John is preaching throughout Epiphany.
The start of 2014 brings the opportunity for new beginnings! Today Father John starts a new sermon series entitled “Living our Namesake,” looking at Saint Andrew (the patron saint of our parish) to see how his life of discipleship can inform those of us seeking to follow Jesus now. This sermon series will examine the six foundational components of a healthy, growing spiritual life:
A – Acts of worship
N – Nurturing your soul
D – Discipleship
R – Rendering offerings
E – Engaging with ...
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How can we, as people of faith, respond when faced with life’s devastating surprises? In this sermon, Father John looks at the example of Mary and Joseph as they struggle to deal with the news of Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. Like them, we can learn to trust God to work in our lives even when situations seem dark and hopeless. Listen and be encouraged!
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What do you desire most in life? What would satisfy your soul? Advent begins with John the Baptizer calling in the wilderness calling people to let go our their distractions and to prepare their hearts for God’s reign. Father John explores this notion of avoiding life’s “decoys,” and how prioritizing our desires can result in the spiritual blessings of peace and friendship with God.
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This sermons examines the church at Antioch, and their willingness to “buck the system” by sharing God’s grace to Gentiles. They then had the audacity to project their message far and wide, bringing so many Gentiles into the church that it changed the entire complexion of the church and Christianity for good. Paralleling this with the current situation of the Episcopal Church, and specifically Saint Andrew’s, Father John calls everyone involved in the community to deeper commitment to spiritual renewal ...
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