Cathedral Church of St Luke - Homilies: Recent Episodes
The Clergy of Cathedral Church of Saint Luke
Sermon preached by The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Sermon preached by The Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 23:1-49
Psalm 31:9-16
Sermon preached by The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
Psalm 126
Sermon preached by The Rev. Garrett Puccetti on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
Joshua 5:9-12
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Psalm 32
Sermon preached by The Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Exodus 3:1-15
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
Sermon preached by The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Psalm 27
Sermon preached by The Rev. Garrett Puccetti on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Sermon preached by The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Exodus 34:29-35
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]
Psalm 99
Sermon preached by The Rev. Garrett Puccetti on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
Genesis 45:3-11, 15
1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
Luke 6:27-38
Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42
Sermon preached by The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Jeremiah 17:5-10
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Luke 6:17-26
Psalm 1
Sermon preached by The Rev. Patricia Orlando on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13]
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
Psalm 138
Sermon preached by The Rev. Garrett Puccetti on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Psalm 84 or 84:1-6;
Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
Psalm 19; Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a; Luke 4:14-21
Sermon preached by The Rev. Patricia Orlando on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Psalm 36: 5-10;
Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Psalm 29;
Isaiah 43: 1-7; Acts 8 14-17; Luke 3:15-16,21-22
Sermon preached by The Rev. Garrett Puccetti on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Psalm 84 or 84:1-8
Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a
Matthew 2:13-15,19-23; or Luke 2:41-52; or Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Psalm 147 or 147:13-21;
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18
Sermon preached by The Rev. Garrett Puccetti on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Canticle 3 or 15, or Psalm 80:1-7;
Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45(46-56)
Sermon preached by The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Canticle 9; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
Sermon preached by The Rev. Canon Gordon Sims on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Baruch 5:1-9
or Malachi 3:1-4
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
Canticle 4 or 16
Sermon preached by The Rev. Patricia Orlando on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
Psalm 25:1-9
Sermon preached by The Rev. Garrett Puccetti on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Psalm 132:1-13 (14-19)
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
Sermon preached by The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
1 Samuel 1:4-20
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25
Mark 13:1-8
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 10 NOVEMBER 2024.
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 & Psalm 127 or 1 Kings 17:8-16 & Psalm 146:4-9;
Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
Sermon preached by the Reverend Garrett Puccetti on 3 NOVEMBER 2024.
Ruth 1:1-18 & Palm 146 or Deuteronomy 6:1-9 & Psalm 119:1-8; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 27 OCTOBER 2024.
Job 42:1-6,10-17 & Psalm 34:1-8,(19-22) or Jeremiah 31:7-9 & Psalm 126;
Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 20 OCTOBER 2024.
Job 38:1-7,(34-41) & Psalm 104:1-9,25,37b or Isaiah 53:4-12 & Psalm 91:9-16;
Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45
Sermon preached by The Right Reverend Dr. Victor Atta-Baffoe on 13 OCTOBER 2024.
Job 23:1-9,16-17 & Psalm 22:1-15 or Amos 5:6-7,10-15 Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 6 OCTOBER 2024.
Job 1:1, 2:1-10 & Psalm 26 or Genesis 2:18-24 & Psalm 8; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Gordon Sims on 29 SEPTEMBER 2024.
Psalm 124 & Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 or Psalm 19:7-14 & Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29;
James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 22 SEPTEMBER 2024.
Psalm 1 or Wisdom 1:16-2:1, 12-22 & Proverbs 31:10-31 or Psalm 54 & Jeremiah 11:18-20;
James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
Sermon preached by the Reverend Garrett Puccetti on 15 SEPTEMBER 2024.
:Psalm 19 or Wisdom 7:26-8:1 & Proverbs 1:20-33 or Psalm 116:1-8 & Isaiah 50:4-9a;
James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 8 SEPTEMBER 2024.
Psalm 125 & Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 or Psalm 146 & Isaiah 35:4-7a;
James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-18; Mark 7:24-37
God is consistent, He doesn’t change from day to day, He is eternally true.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Garrett Puccetti on 1 SEPTEMBER 2024.
Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10 & Song of Solomon 2:8-13 or Psalm 15: & Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9;
James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
Lock arms would you in prayer, in study, in worship, and in service with the brothers and sisters beside you and around you.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 25 AUGUST 2024.
Psalm 84 & 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 or Psalm 34:15-22 & Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18;
Ephesians 6:10-20 ; John 6:56-69
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity
Sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Justin S Holcomb on 18 AUGUST 2024.
Psalm 111 & 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 or Psalm 34:9-14 & Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58
“Forgiveness is your habit, that’s why you’re worshipped.”
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 11 AUGUST 2024.
Psalm 130 & 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 or Psalm 34:1-8 & 1 Kings 19:4-8;
Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35, 41-51
God’s fierce, protecting, defending and keeping love.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 4 AUGUST 2024.
2 Samuel 11:26—12:13a & Psalm 51:1-13 or Exodus 16:2-4,9-15 & Psalm 78:23-29
Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35
Give this your life, your fortune, and your sacred honor.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 30 JUNE 2024.
2 Samuel 1:1,17-27 & Psalm 130 or Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24 & Lamentations 3:21-33 or Psalm 30;
2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43
Their belief turned into knowing, their faith grew as they walked along the way, and they were able to give up their fear of death.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 23 JUNE 2024.
1 Samuel 17:(1a,4-11,19-23)32-49 & Psalm 9:9-20 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5,10-16 & Psalm 133 or
Job 38:1-11 & Psalm 107:1-3,23-32;
2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41
New creation means I’m not to live for me any longer.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 16 JUNE 2024.
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 & Psalm 20 or Ezekiel 17:22-24 & Psalm 92:1-4,11-14;
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17; Mark 4:26-34
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 9 JUNE 2024.
1 Samuel 8:4-11(12-15)16-20(11:14-15) & Psalm 138, or Genesis 3:8-15 & Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 Mark 3:20-35
Pentecost empowers us to be communally sensitive.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 19 MAY 2024.
Psalm 104:25-35,37;
Acts 2:1-11 or Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-11; John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 12 MAY 2024.
Psalm 1;
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
How is it that we move into this in-between time? We move into it by loving, by loving God, by loving one another, and remembering that we are called to love just as Jesus loved.
Sermon preached by The Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith on 5 MAY 2024.
Psalm 98;
Acts 10:44-48; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
A story of paradise, paradise lost and of paradise regained.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 24 MARCH 2024.
Liturgy of the Palms:
Psalm 118:19-29;
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:2-16
Liturgy of the Word:Psalm 31:9-16;
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39,(40-47)
Each of us has to hear that voice, “I was thinking of you”.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 17 MARCH 2024.
Psalm 51:1-13 or 119:9-16;
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
Are you spiritually dead, walking around in zombie land under the control of passions you cannot understand?
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 10 MARCH 2024.
Psalm 107:1-3,17-22;
Number 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21
Lord have mercy on them as well as on me, and incline my heart to keep this law.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 3 MARCH 2024.
Psalm 19; Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
"None of us have faced what those modern Christians did. But we are called nonetheless to lose our lives for his sake, for the gospels sake.”
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 25 FEBRUARY 2024.
Psalm 22:22-30;
Genesis 17:1-7,15-16; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38
“…Christianity is at bottom and all the way through a love story so magnificently displayed in a man and a woman together in marriage.”
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 18 FEBRUARY 2024.
Psalm 25:1-9;
Genesis 9:8-17; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15
“This honestly should be a common movement in the life of every Christian: being blind, having an experience of revelation, and sharing that revelation with others.”
Sermon preached by Dr. Kyle Wisdom, on 11 FEBRUARY 2024.
Psalm 50:1-6;
2 Kings 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9
Jesus came to push back the night.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 4 FEBRUARY 2024.
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c;
Isaiah 40:21-31; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
In Advent we wait, knowing the baby is coming.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 17 DECEMBER 2023.
Psalm 126 or Canticle 3 or 15;
Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28
Christians feed on the word of god.
Sermon preached by The Rev. Canon Josh Bales on 19 NOVEMBER 2023.
Judges 4:1-7 & Psalm 123
or Zephaniah 1:7,12-18 & Psalm 90:1-8,(9-11),12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30
If you feel like nobody understands you, or cares at all what happens to you, Jesus does and so do the rest of us.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 05 NOVEMBER 2023.
Joshua 3:7-17 & Psalm 107:1-7,33-37
or Micah 3:5-12 & Psalm 43;
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:1-12
We want holiness on our own terms, and it can never be on our own terms. Holiness is linked with the life of the living God.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 15 OCTOBER 2023.
Exodus 32:1-14 & Psalm 106:1-6,19-23
or Isaiah 25:1-9 & Psalm 23;
Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14
It was freeing to realize I didn’t have to justify my existence by being right all the time.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 08 OCTOBER 2023.
Exodus 20:1-4,7-9, 12-20 & Psalm 19
or Isaiah 5:1-7 & Psalm 80:7-14;
Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
“For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.”
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 24 SEPTEMBER 2023.
Exodus 16:2-15 & Psalm 105:1-6,37-45 or
Jonah 3:10—4:11 & Psalm 145:1-8;
Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16
Every time God delivers, we see His faithful promise keeping, we see His fearsome power over everything, and we see His fatherly presence.
Sermon preached by The Rev. Canon Josh Bales on 17 SEPTEMBER 2023.
Exodus 14:19-31 & Psalm 114 (or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 as a Canticle) or
Genesis 50:15-21& Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13;
Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35
We’ve been pardoned, forgiven, and wrapped in the blanket of the I Am’s saving holiness. We really have!
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 10 SEPTEMBER 2023.
Exodus 12:1-14 & Psalm 149 or
Ezekiel 33:7-11 & Psalm 119:33-40;
Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20
We have a God who loves us so much that he jumps into the hole, into that pit that were in and he wraps himself around us, and is so powerful enough that he can lift us up out of that pit.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 03 SEPTEMBER 2023.
Exodus 3:1-15 & Psalm 105:1-6,23-26,45c or
Jeremiah 15:15-21 & Psalm 26:1-8;
Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28
The agents of power that the world would chose to lead their organizations, lead their nations, or lead their cause, those are not the people God would chose.
Sermon preached on 27 AUGUST 2023 by the Rev. Canon Josh Bales
Exodus 1:8—2:10 & Psalm 124 or
Isaiah 51:1-6 & Psalm 138;
Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20
In Christ, God loves you… He truly knows you, He truly loves you, He’s going to change you, rest in that love.
Sermon preached on 20 AUGUST 2023 by Rev. Dr. Justin S Holcomb.
Genesis 45:1-15 & Psalm 133 or
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 & Psalm 67;
Romans 11:1-2a,29-32; Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28
Many will not ever come into a church, we have to be the voice going out.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 13 AUGUST 2023.
Genesis 37:1-4,12-28 & Psalm 105:1-6,16-22,45b or
1 Kings 19:9-18 & Psalm 85:8-13;
Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33
This is my Son, my Chosen; Listen to him, Listen to him, Listen to him.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Elliot Drake on 8 AUGUST 2023.
Psalm 99 or 99:5-9;
Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Peter 1:13-21; Luke 9:28-36
Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 30 JULY 2023.
Genesis 29:15-28 & Psalm 105:1-11,45b or Psalm 128 or
1 Kings 3:5-12 & Psalm 119:129-136;
Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Mary’s dignity is a dignity God would share with all of us, and each of us.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 23 JULY 2023.
Genesis 28:10-19a & Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23 or
Wisdom 12:13,16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8 & Psalm 86:11-17;
Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30,36-43
God’s a gardener, he saw the stone that is our collective heart…he rolled that stone away so that we could have access to the good soil heart of Jesus Christ.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 16 JULY 2023.
Genesis 25:19-34 & Psalm 119:105-112 or
Isaiah 55:10-13 & Psalm 65:(1-8) 9-14;
Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23
“May we in love, seek out what each has to contribute to the common good”
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 09 JULY 2023.
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 & Psalm 45:11-18 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13 or
Zechariah 9:9-12 & Psalm 145:8-15;
Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
“Be with him, because he delights in being with you”
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 18 JUNE 2023.
Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) & Ps. 100
or Exodus 19:2-8 & Ps. 116:1,10-17
Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8,(9-23)
“When it feels like no one knows your name, and everyones against you, even the god who created everything. God believes in you”
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Josh Bales on 25 JUNE 2023.
Genesis 21:8-21 & Ps. 86:1-10,16-17 or
Jeremiah 20:7-13 & Ps. 69: 8-11, (12-17),18-20
Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
“Be with him, because he delights in being with you”
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 18 JUNE 2023.
Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) & Ps. 100
or Exodus 19:2-8 & Ps. 116:1,10-17
Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8,(9-23)
“Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall; if you tarry till you're better, you will never come at all.”
Sermon preached on 11 JUNE 2023 by Rev. Dr. Justin Holcomb.
Genesis 12:1-9 & Psalm 33:1-12
or Hosea 5:15-6:6 & Psalm 50:7-15
Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13,18-26
“The sun, you can’t look at directly but you know and experience it’s rays. God’s face you don’t get to look at directly, but the rays of his light come all the way to you and the warmth of his love touches your heart…”
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 4 JUNE 2023
Psalm 8 or Canticle 2 or 13;
Genesis1:1--2:4a; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
“The Holy Spirit is now available to all who believe and receive, it’s freely given…The Holy Spirit is given to flow through us to others, it’s not given for us to pull it and keep it to ourselves.”
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 28 MAY 2023
Psalm 33:12-22, Canticle 2 or 13, Psalm 130, Canticle 9, Psalm 104:25-32;
Genesis 11:1-9 or Exodus 19:1-9,16-20a;20:18-20 or Ezekiel 37:1-14 or Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-11 or Romans 8:14-17,22-27; John 7:37-39a
Jesus humbly hands his work to us as he completes it through us from his position as the gift outpouring, praying, ascended one.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 22 MAY 2023
Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36;
Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
“How do you know that you know Jesus? How do you know that the advocate is close? Because you’re following commandments, you’re living a life that reflects this assistance.”
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Josh Bales on 14 MAY 2023
Psalm 66:7-18 ;
Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
In the quality of beauty, choose me, says Jesus, choose beauty, choose home.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 7 MAY 2023
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 ;
Acts 7:55-60; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 30 APRIL 2023
Psalm 23;
Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
Loved people love, and when you know you’ve been loved with Gods everlasting love, your heart can’t not respond with love of your own.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 23 APRIL 2023
Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17;
Acts 2:14a,36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
God never calls us to something he doesn’t equip us for, he gives us everything we need.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 16 APRIL 2023
Psalm 16
Acts 2:14a, 22-32; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Look at the power of the enemy and say to him “Yeah go talk to Jesus, there is another greater”.
Sermon preached by the Right Reverend Bishop Gregory O. Brewer at the Cathedral Church of St Luke on 9 APRIL 2023
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24;
Acts 10:34-43 or Jermiah 31:1-6 ; Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43;
John 20:1-18) or Matthew 28:1-10
Not only I know and I’m with you, but it is finished.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Josh Bales on 2 APRIL 2023
Liturgy of the Palms: Psalm 118:19-29; Matthew 21:1-11
Liturgy of the Word: Psalm 31:9-16;
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew (26:36-27:10) 27:11-54(55-66)
He became what we are so we can become what he is
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 26 MARCH 2023
Psalm 130;
Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
Take the light, be the light wherever you go, wherever you work, wherever you live… you have that kind of power.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Josh Bales on 19 MARCH 2023
Psalm 23;
1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
He’s made peace with us, we’re the ones who keep lobbing grenades.
Sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Patricia Orlando on 12 MARCH 2023
Psalm 95;
Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42
Because the sinless savior died, my sinful soul is free for God the just is satisfied to look on him and pardon me.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 5 MARCH 2023
Psalm 121;
Genesis 12:1-4a; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17
Jesus says you can't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 26 FEB 2023
Psalm 32;
Genesis 2:15-17,3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
Be renewed, be empowered, be blessed, go out into the world to proclaim Jesus Christ is my Lord. He is risen, he is real.
Sermon preached by the Rt Rev. Canon Dr. Patrick Augustine, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on on 19 FEB 2023
Psalm 2 or 99;
Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21 ; Matthew 17:1-9
…like a skilled surgeon Jesus only cuts, So he can heal.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on on 12 FEB 2023
Psalm 119:1-8
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; or Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37
May we seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and striving for justice and peace among all peoples.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 5 FEB 2023
Psalm 112:1-9 (10); Isaiah 58:1-9a(9b-12);
1 Corinthians 2:1-12(13-16); Matthew 5:13-20
…we never get over being learners literally until the day we…breathe our last. We're still students, still learning new things.
Sermon preached by the Right Reverend Bishop Gregory O. Brewer at the Cathedral Church of St Luke on 29 JAN 2023
Psalm 15;
Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12
The mind of Christ is shown at the cross
Sermon preached by the Reverend Patricia Orlando on 22 JAN 2023.
Psalm 27:1, 5-13 ;
Isaiah 9:1-4 ; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
Rabbi where you are that’s where I want to be, and that will be good enough for me.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 15 JAN 2023.
Psalm 40:1-12
Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42
God is writing the story of redemption for the whole world, and at your baptism. He initiates you into that story. He invites you…You become a part of the story at baptism.
Sermon preached by Canon Josh Bales on 8 JAN 2023.
Psalm 29; Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17
His death brings pardon for us. His resurrection brings right now life from spiritual death for us, and at his return it will bring resurrection from physical death.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 1 JAN 2023.
Psalm 8; Numbers 6:22-27;
Galatians 4:4-7 or Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 2:15-21
It's not by righteous works that we have done, but by Jesus's mercy.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 25 DEC 2022.
Psalm 96; Isaiah 9: 2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
Put your faith in a far more reliable ally. The Lord himself, because he has always kept his promises that he has.
Sermon preached on 18 DEC 2022 by Rev. Dr. Justin Holcomb.
Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18
Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
Christ appeared in humility to redeem US, and Christ will appear in glory to consummate all things
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 11 DEC 2022.
Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 3 or Canticle 15
Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
To live in harmony with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together with one voice we would glorify God and his light & love
Sermon preached by the Reverend Patricia Orlando, Orlando on 4 DEC 2022.
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Isaiah 11:1-10
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
It’s time to wake up the wonder of Jesus.
God wants us to wake up to the reality of who we are, who he wants us to be and who Jesus really is.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 27 NOV 2022.
Psalm 122
Isaiah 2:1-5;
Romans 13:11-14;
Matthew 24:36-44
Sermon preached on Sunday 20 November, 2022 by Canon Peter Tepper at the Cathedral Church of St Luke.
To understand the spiritual world we need a new vocabulary. Apart from the Holy Spirit we will not have the language or vocabulary to understand or describe God.
Jeremiah 23:1-6;
Luke 1:67-80; The Song of Zechariah
Colossians 1:11-20;
Luke 23:33-43
God's promise to us is that he is more than enough for all we need.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 13 NOV 2022.
Isaiah 65:17-25
Canticle 9
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13;
Luke 21:5-19
When on a journey it is always great to know the the destination. On this All Saints day we look at the goal and finish line of the Christian life.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Patricia Orlando, on 6 NOV 2022.
Daniel 7:1-3,15-18
Psalm 149
Ephesians 1:11–23
Luke 6:20–36
Sermon preached on Sunday 30 October, 2022 by Canon Peter Tepper at the Cathedral Church of St Luke.
What are you willing to do get see a great vista? A famous figure? Or something Historic. In the story of Zacchaeus, Jesus invites to a new way to view ourselves, other people and our talents and resources. God's Grace changes our perspective and makes us generous.
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Psalm 119:137-144
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12;
Luke 19:1-10
The New Covenant is a gift worth unwrapping. Jeremiah writes to his readers about a New Covenant that God is writing on hearts instead of tablets of stone. This gift is new and mesmerizing.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Patricia Orlando, on 16 OCT 2022.
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Psalm 119:97-104
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5;
Luke 18:1-8
Jeremiah writes to his readers, “Seek the welfare of the city.” One of the motifs of the bible is that of exile and alienation. We are not home, yet. God calls us as heavenly citizens to work for the welfare of our community.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 09 OCT 2022.
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Psalm 66:1-12
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
Paul writes to his protege, Timothy and urges him to fan into flame the gift that was give to him by the laying on of hands. God has given us a Spirit of Courage, Love and Self-Control.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 02 OCT 2022.
Lamentations 1:1-6
Psalm 137
2 Timothy 1:1-14;
Luke 17:5-10
As we read today, Jeremiah account of the Lord telling him to buy a field just before the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile into Babylon, a promise of restoration.
Luke who wrote the gospel from which we read today, describes the coming of that restoration at the beginning of his gospel.
Our Epistle today soberly reminds us, it's possible to get hope wrong.
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 25 Sep 2022.
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
Sermon delivered by the Revd Patricia Orlando on 18 SEP 2020 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando.
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Psalm 79:1-9
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
On September 11 we remember lives and loves lost. This Sunday we analyze and ask ourselves, "What animates our lives? Is it love? Is it faith? Is it love?" Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the II was examplary in showing us a life animated by her Faith in Jesus Christ and her love for God and her people. In her Chrismas address of 2011 she said, "Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves, from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person, neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are. But a savior with the power to forgive."
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 11 Sep 2022.
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
Sermon preached on Sunday 04 September, 2022 by Canon Peter Tepper at the Cathedral Church of St Luke.
Ever tried to unplug from something or get away from a problem. The Psalmist speaks to us about God’s omnipresence. God’s presence is inescapable, overwhelming, but above all else comforting and awe-inspiring.
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
In our series on divine connection, Canon Josh Bales speaks to us about the nature of connecting our worship to our work. "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." The writer of Hebrews challenges us to make our worship, what comes off our lips, match our work, that which we offer to God and the world.
Sermon preached 28 August, 2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke by Canon Josh Bales.
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Some say Pentecost was a day for receiving gifts. On this day, the birthday of the Church, God gives his Church the supreme Gift of his Holy Spirit on our communal birthday.
Sermon delivered by the Revd Patricia Orlando on Pentecost Sunday 2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando.
Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Acts 2:1-21
John 14:8-17
Hebrews 11 speaks of a great cloud of witnesses who lived the life of faith and are now up there, cheering us on. You and I may buckle under the weight of thinking have to be perfect. God asks us to look at a look at a couple of the lives. It is in the lives of flawed saints like Gideon and Samson that we find the forgiving Savior, Jesus, who prays "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Sermon preached by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando on 14 AUG 2022.
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56
Faith is being plugged into the unseen realities of life. By faith, Abraham was able to see the promise of the coming of the Messiah. God invites us to stay connected to him the source of our faith and the goal of our faith.
Sermon preached on 7 AUG 2022 by Canon Josh Bales.
Isaiah 1: 1, 10 - 20
PSALM 50: 1 - 8, 22 - 23
Hebrews 11: 1 - 3, 8 - 16
Luke 12: 32 - 40
"If our deepest needs as human beings are taken care of and we can see God face to face. Then we can be known by our creator as we are known. When someone gives me a dollar bill, I know what to do with it and what not to do with it right. My deepest needs have already been met. I can use this in a way that honors God in a way that is being rich toward God."
Sermon preached on 31 JUL 2022 by Canon Josh Bales.
Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Do you find prayer easy? Many of us do not. Jesus teaches us 6 important ways to approach God in Prayer. It is by our adoption by the power of the Holy Spirit and through Jesus sacrificial death that we can approach God as Father. This truth changes the nature in which we communicate in prayer.
Sermon preached on the the 24th of July by the Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando.
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 11:1-13
Sermon preached on Sunday 17 July, 2022 by Canon Peter Tepper at the Cathedral Church of St Luke.
Many can recite the first four words of the creed, "I Believe in God," but do you know what it means to say I believe in Jesus. If you're going to worship Jesus, he's got to be a big Jesus one who is above all else and who will become our all in all.
Amos 8:1–12
Psalm 52
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38–42
Not all of us have been mugged and left for dead, but we can all relate to the story of the Good Samaritan at some level. But the real thrust of Jesus’s parable is to encourage us to neighborliness, that is, to be like the Good Samaritan, Jesus Christ who pays debts that he does not owe.
Sermon delivered by Dean Reggie Kidd on 10JUL2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke.
Amos 7:7-17;
Psalm 82;
Colossians 1:1-14;
Luke 10:25-37
Canon Josh Bales speaks to us about God's providence overseeing every detail of our lives. Sometimes we do not see God at work, but there He is disrupting, directing, delighting and comforting us. Sermon preached on the 4th Sunday of Pentecost, 3 July 2022.
2 Kings 5:1–14
Psalm 30
Galatians 6:1–16
Luke 10:1-11, 16–20
Sermon preached by Canon Peter Tepper on 26JUN2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke.
In this talk, Canon Peter Tepper speaks to us about how the Holy Spirit brings about change and transformation in our lives by the power the Holy Spirit. When God produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives he does so inexorably, inevitably, and quite visibly. It is this transformation that looks like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62
Dean Reggie Kidd speaks to us about, Freedom, True Freedom, and the only true Freedom Giver.
Sermon delivered Father’s Day, 19JUN2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, 10:15am.
1 Kings 19:1-15a
Psalm 42 and 43
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39
Dean Reggie Kidd speaks to us on Trinity Sunday, 2022. It is one thing to know about God and whole other matter to know God. Knowing the Trinity is stepping into the source of light and life, whereby everything receives its vibrancy, color and meaning.
Sermon delivered 12JUN2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, 10:15am.
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15
Some say Pentecost was a day for receiving gifts. On this day, the birthday of the Church, God gives his Church the supreme Gift of his Holy Spirit on our communal birthday.
Sermon delivered by the Revd Patricia Orlando on Pentecost Sunday 2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Orlando.
Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Acts 2:1-21
John 14:8-17
"For as Christ has brought us from death to life, and brought us from loneliness and emptiness, into fellowship with one another, we become God's own place of dwelling, and that happens only when beyond the teaching, beyond the acting, beyond the embodiment, there is the praying."
Sermon preached the 7th Sunday of Easter, 29 MAY 2022, by the Very Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd.
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21
John 17:20-26
Dean Reggie Kidd speaks to us about how Christ asks us to love him, to love the real him that we might know the Father and him and impact the world in the power of his Spirit that we might bring peace and joy wherever we go.
Sermon preached 22MAY2022 at the Cathedral Church of St Luke by Dean Reggie Kidd on the 6th Sunday of Easter, 2022.
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John 14:23-29
Just when we think God is done, He surprises us with the unexpected. God's invitation is to all. He summons us to know life and life to the full. He calls us not to get something from us, but to give himself to us. God fills even the most unlikely with the Holy Spirit, a Roman Soldier and his family with the Holy Spirit. Cornelius experiences God's love which leads to an overflow of gratitude and mission.
It is God, the beloved who comes who is called Gazelle in the Song of Songs who comes leaping and bounding. It is our God that comes leaping the mountains and bounding the hills to rescue, redeem and love his people. Jesus is the good shepherd that calls us home. He is the one that heals us and binds us. Dorcas, in the book of Acts is such a woman. A woman who is healed and restored in or that she might heal and restore.
Sermon preached by Dean Reggie Kidd at CCSLOrlando.
Psalm 23
Acts 9:36-43
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
What happens when things don't go the way you would have hoped? This is when you really need an an Easter. Nobody is ever going to find Jesus bones in a tomb outside Jerusalem, not because people have not looked hard enough, but because the bones are not there. They are not there because he came back from the dead. They are not there because he is alive. They are not there because he is doing business with you.
Jesus meets us where we are. He lovingly descends to our situation and meets us precisely how we need to be met. It is in his infinite love that he meets Thomas at the point of his doubts, at the point of his fears. Much as an older brother will descend to play "lincoln logs," so Christ condescends to meet Thomas right where he is in his moment.
Have you ever been to dance? I remember my first dance. I was present. I watched, but more than anything I longed to participate. This is the theme of tonight's liturgy to join the victorious dance of God, Father, Son, and spirit over evil hell, sin and death. Get out on the dance floor.
During Palm Sunday we hear the cries of Hosanna. Perhaps the hardest to hear let alone to say are, "Crucify." It was in fact our sin that nailed him to the cross. The Passion reading reminds us of our role in Jesus' crucifixion.
Your lifestyle is act of worship. The question is what type of worship? Is it a fragrant aroma to Jesus? Is your worship costly? Is it total? Is it beautiful? This was Mary of Bethany's worship.
You can look like your father and yet never look like him or act like him or love like him. Lent is a time for reflection and repentance. The father calls his sons and daughters back to true relationship with him.
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
God hears the cry of our hearts. In times of uncertainty we often lack the words to pray. The Psalms give us a helpful pattern to pray in times of conflict. They give us words to pray our emotions, raw and unprocessed. They transform us and our situations. We learn to pray even for our enemies.
We need a time to remember that from dust we come to dust we return. There are propitious times to consider our frailty and our falleness. Psalm 27 encourages us to lift them back up to the Lord and use them to express our need. Come Lord Jesus, abide among your people.
Often we think of temptation in unhelpful ways. Sin and temptation can be misunderstood if we reject our humanity. We attribute too much power to Satan, without acknowledging that Christ is more powerful and has conquered our sin. The final way we misunderstand sin and temptation if we think God is playing mind games with us.
As we gaze at Jesus we are transformed. We are not able to stare at God's amazing beauty. But indirectly, God veils his divinity cloaked in his humanity. On the mount of transfiguration, God reveals who we are, he reveals who we pretend to be, and finally he reveals who we can be would we only let seek God's face or presence. It is in his presence that we are transformed.
Joseph knows God has loved him all along and has been alongside him all the way through and put him in a position where he could benefit the world. God cares about you down to the very hairs on your head or the hairs that used to be on your head, down to the specific trials that come your way.
You may be safe in body, but still not know healing. You're not free if you're still held captive by four things: 1) your possessions; 2) you appetites; 3) your emotions; 4) your need to be liked by others. How can we be truly freed from the bondage of these things that hold us down?
Today's constellation of readings remind us: 1) We can have an attitude of gratitude because the One who died and rose again brings new perspective to the worst of situations; 2) We inherit a tradition from Nehemiah, through the early Church, to us today, of the championing of Scripture and its story; 3) A vision for Christian life, where we must each play our part in the collective earthly embodiment of Jesus Christ.
What does God's light look like when it shines in the darkness? The past few years have left much of society cynical, even willing to embrace the absurd. But, Jesus is God's sign of life in a world that has all but given up. Jesus invites us to worship, and absorb His light so that we too will shine in a darkened world. Jesus is, and we are, God's signs that something is still right, and God is still sovereign.
What is the most precious thing in your life? The Magi, who represent the nations of the world being drawn to the King of Kings, bring precious gifts to the Christ child. These precious gifts represent their acknowledgment of His royalty, His divinity, and the anticipation of His sacrificial death. The Magi recognized the appearance of God's glory, and responded by bringing their most precious gifts.
Have you said "yes" to the invitation to play your part in God's story? As we prepare for Christ's return, this week's readings invite us to reflect on whether we have our proverbial "house in order". Do we live ruled by the tenderness of Christ? Have we allowed the atoning sacrifice of Christ to quiet and bring peace to our conscience? Are we filled with joy that comes from knowing our purpose in God's story of salvation?
Have you said "yes" to the invitation to play your part in God's story? As we prepare for Christ's return, this week's readings invite us to reflect on whether we have our proverbial "house in order". Do we live ruled by the tenderness of Christ? Have we allowed the atoning sacrifice of Christ to quiet and bring peace to our conscience? Are we filled with joy that comes from knowing our purpose in God's story of salvation?
Paul encourages us to rejoice as we look to the Second Advent of Christ with three reminders: 1) We can have joy now as though it is finished. 2) We can also live in the gentleness of Christ, so that his life becomes attractive to those who have known only bitterness and anger. 3) We can have peace, knowing that our God holds us with strong and mighty arms.
Advent is a time where we prepare for Jesus to be born anew into the "nitty gritty" details of our lived experience. Luke grounds the advent narrative in a particular historical context- a real time and a real place- because Jesus is coming in reality.
The once and future King declares what no other king can declare: "Innocent." Heaven and earth will pass away but his verdicts will not.
"Nobody can tell me what to do!" This sentiment may be the greatest challenge facing First World Believers today. All the benefits of our social and political liberties often lead us to forget that the freedom we have in Christ is the freedom to serve. We need the constant reminder that Christ is King, and we are not. Yet, we are also called to live as free people, children of the King.
What if we don't have to live in fear of tomorrow? When it feels like the world is falling apart, it really matters who you are following. Jesus invites us to follow Him through the chaos of this world as He brings us to New Life.
We need crash helmets for worship on All Saints Day: 1) because of mind-blowing truths (Jesus weeps, he ascends as King of glory, and he will set a table for us at the end of time when he makes all things new); and 2) because the saints who have gone before us are still a part of us, and are cheering us on!
Humans have historically tried to connect with the divine by offering sacrificial gifts. These offerings ultimately cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper. Jesus, however, was designed to do what human sacrificial systems cannot. Christ offers a better sacrifice, one both human and divine.
Luke & Paul are a powerful duo: one expert in health of the body, the other health of the soul
God speaks to us, but are we listening? He speaks to us in creation, in our conscience, through other Christians, through the canon of Scripture, and pre-eminently in his Son, Jesus.
Life without God is a living hell. Life with God can feel like hell, but it's leading to heaven. Jesus sees all the way into our hearts and doesn't jump back in fear. He loves us, and gives us room for repentance. He invites us to bring our hearts confidently to receive mercy and grace.
God puts a hunger for love in us, and loves us with exactly that kind of love. We are invited to mirror that love here below.
We are equally susceptible to headache and heartache. God gives us resources to heal the body and the soul. We have access to a faith bigger than our own, a community of faith, the sacraments which mediate God's grace to us, and the freedom to confess and drop the weights that are dragging us down.
What does it mean to be wise? In his Epistle, James teaches us three components of true wisdom. True wisdom comes from God, and where something comes from matters. Second, wisdom is more ethical than abstract because it involves action. Third, true wisdom leads to maturity and wholeness.
Words are a matter of life and death. Speech is deceptive with regard to its directive power, destructive potential, and duplicitous productions. In a world where everyone has a proverbial microphone, how can we embody the living Word of Jesus?
Often we judge others by appearances. James tells us not to judge others by their appearances. The syrophoenician widow acknowledges her unworthiness and Christ's worthiness. Only by being fully honest with ourselves and others will we discover Christ's worth which he then imparts to us.
God's "voice of love" is a powerful force that, when welcomed and listened to with humbleness, changes us. The Church is called to be the instrument for that love to each other and to the rest of our neighbors. Truly caring about "the other" is a mark of pure relegion.
Solomon receives wisdom to build God's house, and study human love and life (Song of Songs and Proverbs). Solomon's greater Son, Jesus, builds God's greater house (the church) and leads worship in it, comes as Bridegroom of his Church, and embodies God's wisdom for us.
The failures of Israel's Kings detailed in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings can be discouraging unless we realize that the scriptural authors want us to see God (Yahweh) as the Hero, not these men. God is the one who will keep his promise to Israel (and to us) through his Heroic Command of Human History, his Heroic Commitment to his people, and by paying the Heroic Cost to save humanity.
Lessons from a failed father and a narcissistic son: 1) Faith learns that we are sinners, but that a faithful King and Son comes to save; 2) Hope discerns a confident but sober way to live in anticipation of "Thy Kingdom come"; 3) Love learns to accept and to imitate our Heavenly Father's love and our Savior's life.
When you discover you're a monster: 1) faithful are the wounds of a friend; 2) forgiveness is just a prayer away (Psalm 51)...; 3)... though consequences may not go away (e.g., Absalom's sin and rebellion); 4) worship can see you through (e.g., Psalm 3)
David uses & abuses people; manipulates the situation to cover his sin; and fails to exercise his kingly office. By contrast, Jesus meets the needs of others; uses his powers to care for people; and refuses kingly authority on the world's terms.
God's loyal love made him so vulnerable that he became homeless that he might take up residence in us. Covenant makes God and humanity inextricably linked by grace.
Dean Reggie Kidd has an encouraging word on what it means to be a part of the family of God.
The Very Rev. Dr, Reggie Kidd talks about the stability, relationship, and mystery of the love of God as seen through the Holy Trinity.
The Very Rev. Dr, Reggie Kidd talks about the stability, relationship, and mystery of the love of God as seen through the Holy Trinity.
God's testimony to believers comes through the water, the blood, and the Spirit. Our testimony to the world is our love for one another.
The Good Vinedresser makes the branches of the True Vine flourish. He "lifts up" branches for support and for sunlight and rain; he "prunes" thriving branches.
The sermon is delivered by The Reverend Canon Josh Bales. Canon Bales speaks to us of what the early church looked like in Acts 2:41-42.
The sermon is delivered by The Very Reverend Dr Reggie Kidd. Dean Kidd speaks to us of what life in a time of exile looks like for the Christian.
The sermon is delivered by Reverend Peter Tepper. Peter Tepper speaks to us of the journey for disbelief to belief and how the Holy Spirit is necessary for this transformation.
The sermon is delivered by Bishop Greg Brewer. Bishop Brewer speaks to us of Mary’s visit to the empty tomb in John 20:1-18.