St. Augustine's Chapel at Vanderbilt: Recent Episodes
The Rev. Becca Stevens
A collection of sermons and other offerings from the community of St. Augustine's Episcopal Chapel.
Holy Eucharist services held Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in Benton Chapel on the campus of Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, TN.
Join us for the Feast of Pentecost! Sermon with the Rev. Dr. Kate Fields begins at 15:42.
Join us this Trinity Sunday with beautiful music from our musicians, and a sermon from the Rev. Dr. Scott Owings. Sermon begins at 20:03.
Join us for our first Sunday after Resurrection Sunday for a sermon with the Rev. Dr. Kate Fields. Sermon begins at 13:08.
Join us for a most festive celebration of resurrection and love. Sermon begins at 25:21.
Join us on this Transfiguration Sunday and the Sunday of Mardi Gras, as we take the light of Epiphany and carry it into the season of Lent which begins Wednesday, March 5. Sermon with the Rev. Dr. Kate Fields begins at 23:16.
Join us as we welcome preacher and divinity school student, Lindesy Kelley (sermon begins at 13:45) and chapel friend, and now celebrant, The Rev. Kelsey Davis, visiting from North Carolina.
On this feast day, we honor the faithful among us, like Simeon and Anna. Sermon begins at 12:41.
Celebrating the Feast Day and words of one of our great American prophets, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with Mr. Marquan Martin. Sermon begins at 10:14.
Join us for the retelling of the story of God coming into the world through the baby Jesus.
Hope, peace, joy and love are the themes of Advent.Join us for a season all these virtues as we await the coming of the Christ child. Sermon begins at 11:06.
Join us for a service of prayer, scripture, music, and hope. Sermon begins at 12:56. St. Augustine's in in the season of stewardship. If you would like to pledge to chapel operations in 2025, please do so at the following link: https://www.staugustineschapel.org/pledge-here
Join us for a service of prayer, scripture, music and hope. Sermon begins a 12:03. St. Augustine's is in the season of stewardship. If you would like to pledge to chapel operations in 2025, please do so at the following link: https://www.staugustineschapel.org/pledge-here
Sermon begins at 10:50. We are in the season of stewardship. If you would like to pledge to chapel operations in 2025, please do so at the following link: Stewardship — St. Augustine's Church
Join us for a festive celebration of All Saints and All Souls with Holy Baptism! We are in the season of stewardship. If you would like to pledge to chapel operations in 2025, please do so at the following link: Stewardship — St. Augustine's Church
A sermon with the Rev. Mike Kinman, begins at 13:54. We are in the season of Stewardship. If you would like to pledge to operations in 2025, please do so at the following link: Pledge Here — St. Augustine's Church (staugustineschapel.org)
Who are your heros, or better yet, to whom do you want to be a hero? Heros come down to earth; they descend into humility; and they're often willing to get into the glorious mud with us. Join us as we kick off our annual Stewardship Campaign: Glorious Mud! To make a financial pledge to St. Augustine's Chapel for our 2025 program year, please visit, here! Sermon begins at 20:08.
What does it mean to have your heart and flesh engaged with the living God? Sermon with Dr. Bonnie Smith-Whitehouse begins at 13:52.
Join us on this Feast of Pentecost as we celebrate the Spirit in us, and among us. Sermon begins at 12:25.
We are called to interdependence with Jesus and to connect on our deepest knowings. Sermon begins at 12:12.
Using all of who we are to bring the most healing to the world. Sermon begins at 10:15.
Among the many lessons of St. Patrick, is an invitation to listen. Sermon begins at 13:16.
A message about going a but lighter on ourselves and realizing the impact we make. Sermon from Al Andrews begins at 15:06.
This is the week we feast and fast; for a feast without a fast is poor thrology. Sermon begins at 14:27.
Join us as Marquan Martin and the Rev. Francisco Garcia preach today. Sermon begins at 10:58. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Letter from a Birmingham City Jail.
What is becoming clearer for you? Welcoming moments of clarity in the season of Epiphany. Sermon begins at 10:54.
VDS Student and longtime St. A's parishioner, August Phillippi. Sermon begins at 12:48.
Foolish or Fearful or Compassionate? A tale of the Bridesmaids. How do we talk about lighting a candle when it scary to go out and light a candle, and do the work we're called to do. Sermon begins at 15:50.
Join us for a sermon from gues preacher, the Rev. Dr. Rob MacSwain, professor at Sewanee, and scholar-in-residence at Vanderbilt. Sermon begins at 15:33.
The Hierarchies of Oppression. A sermon from friend of the chapel, Quentin Cox. Sermon begins at 12:55.
What Breaks God's Heart? The Story of God Crying: Responding to Heartbreak through the story of Jonah. Sermon begins at 13:09.
Forgiveness is not a destination; its a practice. Forgiveness is the journey we all go on so we can live life together. Sermon begins at 14:51.
Special Guest: Vonca McDaniel, President of Central Labor Council for Nashville and Middle TN. Sermon begins at 11:13.
When things are hard and sad, you can still find some joy. Grief and joy are not opposites--they rise from the same place. Pay attention to the songs that arise in your spirit--for it may keep your head above water. Sermon begins at 16:02.
Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Space: Away in Silence. A word from Scott as he returns from his sabbatical. Sermon begins at 12:52.
Todat, we hear from Dr. Bonnie Smith Whitehouse as she chalenges us to live in such a way as to not be satisfied with ashes in our lives.
Surely this isn't Jesus? Looking deeper into his ministry to gather what he meas. Sermon begins at 13:00.
Finding the compassion God has for our life, and the life of others. Sermon begins at 9:35.
Our communion is a sacred act, a practicing act for the work we do. We must do the work of communion of in the world so that the communion we receive here is not in vain. Sermon begins at 8:43
A Good Trouble Kind of Faith. Grieving Stephen and learning from his death. Sermon begins at 10:25.
The Good Shepherd is the one who leads us through every path we have to maneuver. And like our Savior, we too, are the Good Shepherd. Our lives, what we do, what we say, how we spend, are signs of the Shepherd for others. All of it repreresents the divine. It matters how we walk. Sermon begins at 10:28.
Even when we don't feel like it--we keep walking to the Jerusalems--to the centers of power--and bear witness to God's love and light. Sermon begins at 10:58.
College Student Sunday with a message of hope by August Phillippi. Sermon begins at 9:58.
Sunflowers and wild flowers are the first to announce new life and resurrection.
Sermon begins at 17:18.
Its not always rainbows and unicorns--a lesson in prayer. Sermon by the Rev. John H. Finley IV, begins at 16:30.
John takes us on a Lenten journey to see what it is we long for and he uses these stories to help us see our deepest longings. Sermon begins at 9:22.
Jacob's Well, Living Water--what connection is there to we human who are at least 75% water!? Sermon begins at 12:38.
Remember who you are! The knowledge of experience on relationships. A word from chapel friend, the Rev. Yuri Rodriguez. Sermon begins at 11:37.
Why are we led to the desert? Because revival begins in the desert. Revival starts here, and now, with the Sirit leading us. Sermon begins at 11:17.
Not Just in Epiphany, but always, we are called to look for Light! To stay in the Light, we can't hold grudges, or talk down to others, because you are called to shine for others. Our question is: How do we let our light shine? You have to radiate love. Sermon begins at 13:46.
What might we need to give up, in order to become happier people? Sermon begins at 12:30.
Being open to what God has created you to do, and then being willing to trust God with it, day by day Sermon begins at 10:12.
Be it resolved. An honest look at what we are asked to live out. Sermon begins at 12:02.
The Christmas Spirit is living as if you have nothing else left to hide. The sermon begins at 16:36.
As a university ministry, our only time to share in Christmas worship is...in...Advent! Join us this week for the yearly beloved Festival of Lessons & Carols.
The Salvation of Zacchaeus is braided into the idea of just living. Sermon begins at 11:25.
The Salvation of Zacchaeus is braided into the idea of just living. Sermon begins at 11:25.
Two priests go down into a Ukrainian bar ... where they encounter many mercies, including the Dark Madonna. Sermon begins at 12:18.
Two priests go down into a Ukrainian bar ... where they encounter many mercies, including the Dark Madonna. Sermon begins at 12:18.
Letting the living word inform who we are and living it out. While we might like to think we are the widow in this story--we might have to consider that we are also the judge. Sermon begins at 14:51.
Letting the living word inform who we are and living it out. While we might like to think we are the widow in this story--we might have to consider that we are also the judge. Sermon begins at 14:51.
What we are doing is nothing more than whats required of us. Just go out there, love the world, and dont be ashamed about it. Sermon begins at 14:13.
What we are doing is nothing more than whats required of us. Just go out there, love the world, and dont be ashamed about it. Sermon begins at 14:13.
It's a little uncomfortable to admit this, but the life of Judas and the readings have done something to me. They've been like a Mirror, inviting me to take a long look. That's what the gospel does: it holds up a mirrir and asks us to take a look. Sermon begins at 10:53.
Finding your place in scripture is an important part of our calling. In today's lesson--if you forget that you are the one sheep out of the 99 that Jesus has come for--you've missed the point of the story. Join us for this sermon and the start of the program year. Sermon begins at 18:10.
A sermon conversation for Labor Day with the Rev, Francisco Garcia. Sermon begins at 13:44.
Our passages this morning from Scripture, like the poem Guest House, teach us that when we practice hospitality with humility something magically amazing happens: “Angels are entertained!”. Sermon begins at 11:16.
Division? The Jesus we are comfortable with and the Jesus we see in Luke. The Rev. Quentin Cox. Sermon begins at 8:42.
Scripture is a vibrant and moving entity because it is filled with love, and speaks to us when we are weary. Sermon begins at 9:32.
A word from our friend and chaplain to the Center for Contemplative Justice, the Rev. Kelsey Davis that celebrates Magdalene, and accepting the invitation to freedom. Sermon begins at 11:08.
Sarah, like Jesus, reveals how generative it is to lighten up, to listen, and to let go into laughter, Sermon begins at 13:12.
A Prism of Love: calling to mind the faces of suffering and being moved to offer care. Sermon begins at 10:02.
The Power of Preaching the Good News. A sermon by the Rev. David Shivers. Sermon begins at 8:32
No matter the season of life, no matter the circumstances at home or abroad or in our own lives, the Dark Madonna (like the Psalms and Jesus himself) invites us into the practice of pausing, listening, and pivoting into joy. Sermon begins at 9:15.
Trinity Sunday is the day we get to celebrate women in the forms of wisdom and spirit! Women are important parts of the mystery of the Trinity. Sermon begins at 11:18.
Pentecost! The Need for the Holy Spirit. A message from the Rev. Quentin Cox. Sermon begins at 12:50.
Surrounding ourselves with good deeds and shring about them keeps us all mindful of the body moving forward. Sermoin begins at 10:25.
There is a rhythm to scripture. Often, people tell about something they did that led to something else...and that same rhythm is often how we start social movements. Sermon begins at 14:51.
The return of Kelsey Davis, today representing Blue Ridge Service Corps, on behalf od the Diocese of Western North Carolina! Sermon begins at 16:22.
Remembering is a way to materialize things for our hearts and our minds. Remembering can increase our faith, our hope, and our believing. Sermon begins at 11:22.
Weeping doesnt get the last word. We can say with joy, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Sermon begins at 15:50.
Did you hear the one about the Ukranian woman from Mariupol who died and went to heaven...?
Palm Sunday with the reading of the Passion Gospel, and music from our wonderful musicians.
This week we hear from friend of St. A's, The Rev. Quentin Cox. Sermon begins at 11:37.
A Bilingual Service of Justice and Liberation Celebrating the lives of Cesar Chavez and Msr. Oscar Romero. Sermon begins at 17:42.
Unpacking in Lent the art of weeping. Weeping is a lament full of compassion. It is a sign of love in all of us who were planted with a longing for life. Sermon begins at 9:17.
Ash Wednesday calls us to turn our gaze to the earth, to remember we are stardust, golden, blessed. Ash Wednesday also nudges us to downward mobility, to humility, to prayerfully change. Sermon begins at 13:19.
Moses and Elijah haven't shown up fo rme as they did for Jesus; however, two of my beloved Ukranian friends--Vitali & Zoya--have been on my heart and by my side, encouraging me to pray, "Archangel Michael: Slava. Glory. Deliver Ukraine from evil and guide them (and all of us) into grace and peace." Sermon begins at 12:32.
Confirmation Sunday and visit with the Bishop of Tennessee, the Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt.
Are we willing to intervene in situations where neither justice nor God's love are present? Sermon begins at 11:19.
Part of our jobs as seeksers, truth lovers, and disciples, is to look for the dance, those moments when you and I are with the Holy Spirit. There are steps to this dance that people have been following for centuries. Sermon begins at 10:24.
Our readings this morning -- as well as the beloved Thich Nhat Hanh who died this week -- invite us to Getaway. But it's not just getting away from worry and hurry and suffering that we desperately need; Spirit is ever nudging a get-away to the joy and peace of the Lord. Sermon begins at 14:50.
Sermon by Yuri Rodriguez on the power of a name, and the presentation of "I Have a Dream," by The Rev. David Shivers.
What does it mean to come into an understanding of the Christmas season? Its coming to a place to see in this story God gathering all of God's people together from across the diaspora, and telling us that he will turn our mourning into joy. Let us all receive this gift. Sermon begins at 10:47.
What child is this? We are the child of God bearing the love of Christ in us. We are the child who is embraced and then sent back out to love again. This year dear child of God, "we raise a song on high as Mary sings a lullaby" to all the children of God she loves as her own. Sermon begins at 12:02.
Rejoice in the Lord, always. Why does Paul tell us to let our gentlness be known to everyone? Might it be because the Lord is near? Sermon begins at 11:15. The Rev. Quentin Cox.
Its a bit early, but as a university campus, when else could we celebrate all together?! Join us for great music and cheer.
How do we find the hope of Advent? Finding Advent in the midst of chaos. Sermon begins at 10:44.
"The End is near" is good news, a reminder that history is evolving to an end, an omega point, where everything and everyone returns to the Beloved. But there's something else that must not be missed; that is, the end--the Omega--is a name for the One who is and was and is to come, the Almighty. Sermon begins at 10:18.
The lessons today are cosmic, and they remind us that through our rebirth, we become peace, we become love, even in the hardest of times. Together, we walk towards these greener pastures. Sermon begins at 9:37.
Celebrating the saints reminds us grief is real, and that when we leave this life, we go back to God. Sermon begins at 12:59.
The Rev. David Shivers preaches about faith in a world where loving one's neighbor isn't always a priority for our world. Sermon begins at 10:08.
Be Bartimaeus, recognize your blindness and where you need to shout for mercy, because this is the biggest gift you can give yourself to walk the path forward. The whole world is where Bartimaeus is, shouting on the side of the road Son of David, Have Mercy! Sermon begins at 10:20.
The book of Job teaches that questions are a sign of love -- not only to God but also from God. Sermon begins at 12:15.
Self Love + Self Care
Being aware and present with our needs are really closely linked with our ability to answer the call of God to seek justice and peace for all. Sermon by Yuri Rodriguez begins at 12.31.
Community is the anecdote. It is a place to find the amazing love of God. A place to face the injustices. As a community we can be happy when we have a good week--and sad when we have a bad week--but eventually those weeks and experiences will change. We wait for each other. We cannot afford to get angry and seperate. James says if you want to be a force for love in the world, even when you disagree, you stay together. Life cannot undue us for the sake of the bigger picuture. Sermon begins at 10:20.
To paraphrase Meister Eckhart, "When the Father laughs at the Son, and the Son laughs back at the Mother, that laughter gives pleasure, that pleasure gives joy, that joy gives love, and that love is the Holy Spirit. Sermon begins at 11:13.
The Rev. Quentin Cox preaches today, a friend of the Center of Contemplative Justice. Narrative plays a role in understanding the world around us. Who do you say he is? Sermon begins at 14:00.
Every good gift comes from God. Receive it. James says, if you want to be religious, take care of the widows and orphans. You will never strategize out of this. They are here--the most vulnerable and oppressed. If you want to be religious, care for them, always. Finally, don't let the world confuse you. There will be dogmas to make this more complicated. You've got to love! Sermon begins at 13:11.
Welcome back, and welcome some for the first time, all students! We also welcome University Chaplain, Christopher Donald.
In today's gospel lesson, we are reminded, just as we are by this altar, that while life is our biggest challenge, it is also our greatest gift! May we all drink from the cup of life. Sermon begins at 17:57.
If you ever want to enter back into a life of faith and dont know what to pray, simply start with: Thank You. Sermon begins at 9:46.
Jesus calls us to be the bread, as he is, and has been, the bread: a living substance that can provide nourishment for the world. Sermon begins at 9:42.
God coming close through Baptism! Parents offer their children blessings, and we baptize these children into the faith.
God is always looking at our desire to be filled--and meets us-- ready to work with us. The Rev. Richard Wineland preaches about the miracle of feeding 5,000 hungry people--for it is a story of hope. Sermon begins at 10:21.
Because of Pentecost, the risen Christ resides in us! Therefore, in that same Spirit, we cannot allow ourselves to do, say, and believe things that contradict the Spirit. Sermon begins at 8:07.
If we can muster the words and ask God for peace, righteousness and faithfulness will prevail. Sermon begins at 7:22.
Shaking the dust off your feet is about not living in fear and resentment. Sermon begins at 6:46.
Though I’m no numerologist, I believe our Gospel reading from Mark 5 (like faith traditions around the world) invites us to pay attention to Numbers. After all, Numbers can be messengers, Angelic notes if you will for like a musical scale, each number has its own vibration and message. Sermon begins at 9:46.
Today we have special music composed by Dave Ragland, and a sermon by Becca where she gives us three things she's learned in her 30 years of ordained ministry. Sermon begins at 9:04.
If our motive is about our fears, and not the overall picture of justice--then perhaps we pause. Do I want to align myself with the cause enough to suffer alongside of it? Acting within community, through the mystery of Christ, for solutions for healing and hope. Nicodemus didn't intervene to prevent Christ from dying--though he showed up to claim his body. He also depended upon Jesus to calm him even in the midst of Jesus's own pain. Learning to heal and liberate is a communal work. Sermon begins at 9:27.
It is the Spirit who gives us courage to speak out, and stand up. The church that we stand in, on our beautiful feet, sends us into the world with the Holy Spirit to bring good news. Sermon begins at 9:41.
Praying for our sacred lives while living into the realities of our worlds. Sermon begins at 7:57.
Submitting to lasting relationship, is abiding. Jesus says, when you abide, you are transformed from servants to friends. Becca shares a story about anger and abiding and transformation. Sermon begins at 17:15.
In the Bible, angels are present in Genesis, through the New Testament, and in the birth and death of Jesus. Typically not seen wih the naked eye, they are pointing, shepherding, and whispering in the deep silence. How can we best cooperate with our angel? We can no more make our angel leave us, any more than we can make our shadow leave us. Our angels point us to love. Sermon begins at 7:42.
What does it mean to have your heart burning when divine love is walking beside you, but you can't recognize the face of God? What does it mean to have burning desire? We keep the faith, we keep hoping, we keep desiring. Sermon begins at 8:50.
Jesus gives us a lesson in caring for the trauma of those left behind--including ourselves. Our question for today is: Have you been resurrected? Jesus reminds us to pursue empathy and healing for our lives. Sermon begins at 10:54.
You are the sermon! You are the sign of hope and resurrection in this world, and you bring a message of joy. Becca shares a poem about Easter and the wildflowers. Sermon begins at 11:24.
The Rev. David Shivers presents, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech, "I Have a Dream." Rev. Shiver's presentation begins at 10:38.
God so loved the world that God made us to steep in the world! We are here to participate in the restration of mind, body, and spirit for all humanity! This passage is less about right belief, and more about right practice! As we seek to follow the way, what is our task? That all know the belovedness of God. What systems, forms of violence, and personal harms and hangups prevent us from living into this light of God's truth? Sermon begins at 9:01.
I love that the church goes out to the marketplace particularly around matters of social justice. What this gospel is about is taking the commercialized and ritualized aspects of our consuming and our worship, and turn them over so that we can dig deeper into the truth and find out what it is we want to teach our kids, and take into the world. When we do this, we disrupt the way things are, and that's essential. Sermon begins at 7:50.
In scripture, a remnant is a leftover portion whether it is material, food, or people. God assigned high value to remnants--holy purposes. Sermons begin at 10:22.
Why did Jesus have the experience he did and then go to the wilderness? We talk a lot in this space about community. Lent is an invitation to remember the gifts of loneliness and community, and its where all the saints before us have traveled. When you start a whole new community--but you have to begin with yourself. This prepares us for the work. Sermon begins at 7:28.
When good things happen, it is natural to want to stay and linger. God responds to this group of people saying that Jesus is the Son of God. This isn't an end to their experience--its instead that mountain highs are provided so we can have valley glows. We see a people go from wanting to app this experience for themselves, to wanting to bring and share it with others. Sermon begins at 6:08.
There is a rhythm of what we need to do and how we need to do it on the path of discipleship. A pandemic is no time to quit this. We pivot like ballerinas and we keep going! We cannot quit now. Your rhythm is to actually do the work. Sermon begins at 7:00.
I confess that praise can be challenging, especially when suffering is involved. But a week or so ago my dear friend Tallu Quinn wrote an inspiring reflection on her Caring-Bridge website. Like the Psalms, Tallu's honest speech, in the midst of her grief is a form of praise, transforming me and countless others.
One epiphany opens the door to a thousand more. The disciples had no idea what the cost was going to be to follow Jesus. This week at Thistle Farms, we celebrate that we have 500 beds for women survivors of trafficking and prostitution throughout all of our sister houses across the country. House by house, epiphany by epiphany, they opened. This is love incarnate among us. Your next small step--the one out of the boat--to serve our brothers and sisters, is a gift to this world. Sermon begins at 9:28.
Salvation is not a one time commitment--it is instead a commitment to follow Jesus beyond worship and into life.
Sermon begins at 9:01.
Epiphany reminds us that we chose a lens to see the world and what is holy. The lens for our community this next season, is the lens of the remnant. Remant means, the left overs. It is the rubble of our buildings in Nashville. It is the wreckage of violence, pandemic, the last bits. Our work is not to turn away from the hardest things, but to look right into them and see where we find God in all of it. We are the remnant pieced together, bounded to love, and peace, and justice. Sermon begins at 8:28.
A joint sermon from our outgoing board president and our incoming board president. Sermon begins at 7:39.
In the beginning was the word, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us. God is no content with God being distant--because it is God's nature to be among us and we see this incarnation in the birth of Christ. This is where God's power comes from and it is where our power can come from. It is a reminder of the life cycle of our body, mind, and spirit, which begin and end with God. We need this hope! Sermon begins at 7:41.
St. A's Children's Christmas Pageant! This is also Rev. Sides last week with us, and she gives us her blessing. Sermon begins at 5:40.
A number of Advents ago I asked my teacher (affectionately know as the Mystic Linebacker): what can I DO to become more joyful? Sermon begins at 6:12.
Join in for a service of song and scripture--a beautiful prayer for our world--and sing from where you are as you are able!
Advent is a time to wake up and begin participating in the life of the beloved. In Recovery, the 12th Step is the spiritual awakening of having practiced all the eleven other steps. The genius of the 12th Step, is what Jesus challenges us with: wake up! stay awake! be engaged! Sermon begins at 11:15.
What does it mean to dream and love? Christ the Divine Sunday, or Christ the King, is a reminder that our Lord God holds all the corners of the earth, even in the midst of pandemic where we are crying. Coming together and staying apart, is how we love one another. This gospel reminds us that all of us, sheep and goats, we eat the same grass. Sermon begins at 9:13.
Empathy, curiosity, and imagination--its what we need to change the world. Unpacking a narrative beyond face value. Sermon begins at 10:17.
The work of loving and healing this world doesn't happen without filling ourselves--like oil that lights a lamp and radiates through all of us. We demonstrate our faith in how we love the world. Sermon begins at 8:34.
Jesus embodied and prescribed a middle path--namely, love as the litmus test and recipe for happiness. Sermon begins at 7:07.
Charlie Strobel shares a story about our goodness--something we often can forget. Sermon begins at 9:37.
The promise of the feast--the idea of a marriage where joy is poured out, uncorked and rich--is that it leads us to believe that justice is a way of life and a flowing river--a driving force to share all that we have. Sermon begins at 9:40.
Its our hope that this community and others, can continue to rise up and bear the fruit of embracing a loving and liberating Jesus--a Jesus of love, and peace, for all. Sermon begins at 8:19
The beauty of the life of St. Francis, is that he reminds us that the burden of the yolk is light when we carry it in community. Sermon begins at 7:57.
This week I received a letter from a prisoner and I have learned a great deal from it, namely, how even in times of uncertainty, social isolation, and grief there is the invitation to keep learning how to serve with compassion.
Whether your feet are in a living room, at this chapel, on the beach, or isolated in some lonely place, your feet are on Holy ground. That was the message to Moses, and I believe is still true today: the Holy One is in our midst, as near as our very feet. Sermon begins at 12:46.
In the Midst of your crisis, who do you say that Love is in your life?In the midst of your brokenness, who do you say Jesus is?
Don’t overthink it. Who do you say that he is?
Gospel and sermon begin at 9:14.
In lieu of a sermon, but after our liturgy, Tom Angland's play, Halfway, is shared with the congregation. Parents with small children, listen to Tom's announcement before playing it in the presence of small children.
This is a gospel story about being moved to action through compassion, and acting on behalf of God for loving justice to hungry and tired people. Sermon begins at 9:59.
May we like Solomon -- like my Hospice patient Ken -- be humble enough to ask for HELP so that we might be wise, discerning how to live in love during this season of uncertainty. Sermon begins at 11:00.
The Good News in this pandemic is that God searches for us, and seeks us out. That God knows us is the best news. Sermon begins at 11:03.
Jesus sees on the ground the effect of oppression and occupation—and he begins with dirt—and preaches about it over the next three gospel lessons. The best way for us to uncover what is in us, is to stand in the dirt. All our systemic racism has been in the dirt, and it takes a community to uncover these weeds, and tend this soil. Cultivate the rich soil in you…in all of us. Sermon begins at 10:11.
The yolk of trying to be perfect for God will lead you to tiredness and frustration. God does not love you only if you do right. That is devastating and burdensome. Jesus says, come to me. Not to a new law, a new teaching, a loophole, a liturgy—but go to him—himself. If you seek God's love, if you want to be who you are created to be, then go to Jesus. This life is a yoking to Jesus and to the community that continues his life and his reconciling ministry here on earth. Sermon begins at 10:05.
Whenever we give to the justice fund, or write a letter to a prisoner or buy extra groceries for someone out of work, or saying Hello to a senior citizen--yes, even buying a cup of lemonade from a child, or smiling with our eyebrows with a mask on, is an act of mercy, welcoming Christ himself. Sermon begins at 7:50.
Remembering those brown and black bodies killed at the hands of hate, brutality, and racism. For too long, too few of us have had the courage to speak out against systemic racism—but the gospel—it tells us the work is plentiful but the laborers are few. So, what are we to do who belong to the church? As a church we have to make room to listen to the cries, and be changed by them. You too are called to heal, to raise things to new life. Sermon begins at 9:00.
Doubt is proof that we search and ask. Doubt makes room for the possibility of knowing God in a new way. Sermon begins at 7:03.
There is a lot to grieve in this world, but the Holy Spirit is not one of those things. This Mass was written by Marcus Hummon in honor of all the musicians who share with us their beautiful gifts each and every week.
May is a beautiful word, a wish, an invitation, the first word of a prayer. As John O’Donohue once said, “May imagines and wills the fulfillment of desire; it is the spring through which the Holy Spirit is invoked to surge into presence and effect.” Sermon begins at 10:35.
What is a living word? It is discovering God and realizing God was never far from you. Sermon begins at 8:02.
When Jesus said "let not your hearts be troubled," his disciples were on shaky ground -- fearful, anxious, and troubled. I can imagine him saying, stand-up ... Sermon begins at 8:10.
The gospel of John teaches that we are called to listen to the voice of the shepherd—and not any other voice that will pull us in a way we do not want to go. We get to distill the voice of Love and center ourselves, so we know it when it calls to us. Sermon begins at 8:51.
The disciples had a hard time, and so do we, but we must continue to look for it—it is there. We too are on the road to Emmaus—the walk home when there is pandemic—when there’s been a tornado, when life had drastically changed. Walking alongside us there is love—no stranger—but Jesus. Comforting us, guiding us, just as he’s always done.Sermon begins at 14:05.
Student Sunday! Featuring theology student and long tie chapel member, Nancy-Kate Phillippi.
Right now, we must believe in love, more than at any other time. We struggle to see the good--but we believe it is there. Sermon begins at 12:00.
Easter begins with grief. As the sun was rising over the earth that morning, the sky was still gray. But Mary Magdalene left anyway, with oil in her hands to tend to Jesus body—the source of love that she knew. Easter doesn’t begin when the skies are sunny or when the pandemic passes, or when justice reigns. It begins when it is still dark and all we have is raw love. We glimpse at love’s rising. Sermon begins at 12:36.
Join us for selections from Marcus Hummon's Passion Cantata, some pieces by Chris Roberts, and Michael Kelsh, and some words from the Rev. Becca Stevens.
While the desert is always a time of testing and social isolation, the good news from Ezekiel and Jesus is the desert cries out with wisdom, inviting us to love like salt, to pay attention, and to keep breathing. Sermon begin at 8:41.
Jesus looks to see how we react to needs around us. Jesus didn’t have much, and he used dirt and spit to heal the blind man. Today, this might be the equivalent of toilet paper. People are hoarding. Others are giving it away. We live in a time where we can't afford to turn our back on the needs around us. If you look—smell—wait—you will see pain, longing, and you will find God. Offering love in dirt and spit, offering toilet paper to save humiliation, you will see God. Sermon begins at 9:15.