The Sunday’s Sermon: What’s in a Name?

January 1, 2023, Holy Name of JesusPenelope Bridges Alleluia: Unto us a child is born: O come, let us adore him, Alleluia. Today we celebrate the Holy Name of our Lord. It’s appropriate that this feast is scheduled during the season of the nativity: we are still celebrating Christmas too. Jesus is given his name … READ MORE…

The Sunday’s Sermon: The Scandal of Incarnation

The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2022Penelope Bridges Our King and Savior now draws near: come, let us adore him. Within the lifetime of my mother, the Magdalene Laundries were still operating in Ireland. You may have seen a movie about them some years ago, telling the story of a shameful episode in Ireland’s … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: What are you watching for?

Rev. Richard Hogue Jr.11/27/2022 Happy Advent, everyone! Advent marks the beginning of the new year for the church calendar, so it is just as appropriate to say: Happy New Year! Advent, as a word, means “the arrival of notable person, thing, or event.” The church year begins with Advent because we contemplate the arrival of … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: A Word of Hope from the Cross

November 20, 2022Penelope Bridges Today’s Gospel is startling – we are catapulted from pre-Thanksgiving to Good Friday, as we see Jesus on the cross, nailed there by an authoritarian regime that ruled by violence, lined up beside two criminals who, like his own disciples, didn’t understand the nature of his authority and who were baffled … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Celebrating Our Saints

All Saints Sunday, November 6 2022Penelope Bridges When I lived in Virginia I used to attend a chamber music camp in the lovely town of Lexington, spending a week on the campus of Washington & Lee University. Lexington’s history is intertwined with the history of this country, as you might guess from the fact that … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: A Different Perspective

10/23/2022The Rev. Richard Hogue Jr. This Lukan gospel passage is often taken for granted; I think. It seems so easy on the surface, “don’t be a self-righteous jerk” is the basic message we often walk away with, and that’s not a bad message to receive and live. But like any story where we may know … READ MORE…

Ordination Sermon: A Tall Order

10/22/22Rev. Richard Hogue In a little while, Bishop Susan will examine you, Pete and Michael, outlining the order ofministry on which you are embarking: As a deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them. You are to make Christ and … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: Beating Down the Doors of the Heart

October 16, 2022Penelope Bridges Last week in her sermon Maya talked about different views of faith: about the difference between an intellectual belief and an attitude of trust.  Today’s Scripture reinforces the notion that our faith is not about intellectual propositions that can be proved or argued: it is about a relationship, about opening our … READ MORE…

The Sunday Sermon: The Faith of the Outsider

October 9, 2022Maya Little-Saña Scripture: Luke 17:11-19On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves … READ MORE…