The Rev. Emily Boring

the Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon examines how eternal life, a promise held by believers now, can coexist with death. Using the story of Lazarus, Phil+ reflects on Jesus’s grief and anger toward death, showing God’s empathy with human sorrow. Drawing on Sandra Schneiders, the sermon urges believers to avoid despair, embracing life together in faith, love, and unity amidst division and loss. Jesus's command to unbind Lazarus symbolizes the need for communal support, suggesting that eternal life is lived through shared hope and mutual care.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon explores the themes of greatness and giving, using the Gospel of Mark and the communal practices of Taizé as examples. The disciples, James and John, misunderstand greatness, seeking power and prestige, while Jesus teaches that true greatness lies in service and self-sacrifice. The Rev. Phil challenges the transactional view of Jesus’ death and emphasizes that his sacrifice is an act of liberation, not payment. This view calls for giving that sets others free. The message applies to personal, political, and spiritual contexts, urging a shift from self-serving power to liberating service.

Emily Hansen Curran

Emily Hansen Curran reflects on the story of the rich man, emphasizing that following Jesus is not about achieving or possessing but about being vulnerable and interconnected with others. Her sermon critiques the rich man's belief that he can achieve eternal life on his own through wealth or status, showing that salvation is a matter of emptying oneself and living in a "Kingdom economy" of humility and dependence. Jesus teaches that eternal life is gained through letting go of power, possessions, and privilege, and sharing with those in need.

The Rev. Emily Boring

In this sermon, preached on St. Francis Day, the Rev. Emily Boring explores the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts, emphasizing the dangers of deceit and selfishness with worldly possessions. She contrasts this with the life of St. Francis, who embraced poverty to live in accordance with his values and devotion to God. She calls the congregation to reflect on their relationship with wealth and stewardship, urging them to align their resources with their faith and values, finding freedom in generosity. The sermon concludes with St. Francis’s famous Peace Prayer.

The Rev. Phil Brochard

This sermon reflects on Jesus’ teachings about power and humility in Mark 9, where he holds a child while instructing his disciples on true greatness in God's kingdom. The disciples, shaped by a world that values coercive power, argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus teaches them that true power is found in service, especially toward the powerless. Jesus’ strong language warns against actions that harm the vulnerable, urging his followers to live by a different kind of power—one of compassion and healing. The sermon concludes by encouraging the congregation to resist worldly instincts for domination and instead embrace Jesus' radical call to serve and protect those at risk.

The Rev. Emily Boring

The sermon explores the questions, What happens when our plans and expectations are upended? Do we carry our own, narrow view of who Jesus is and what justice means? The Rev. Emily Boring explores her personal reaction to a New York Times article about the role of the evangelical church in spreading conservative political views. She reflects on her own privilege and the importance of empathy and humility in approaching political and religious differences. Drawing from Mark’s Gospel, she emphasizes how Jesus subverts human expectations of power and greatness, encouraging believers to challenge their assumptions about God’s plan.

The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers

In her sermon, the Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers discusses discomfort around the term "Christian" due to its association with Christian nationalism, a movement that seeks to impose Christian values on the United States and is tied to white supremacy, anti-immigrant views, and political violence. The Episcopal Church has opposed this ideology, promoting instead the Gospel’s values of love, justice, and peace. She reflects on Jesus’s call to "take up your cross," interpreting it as a call to embrace the challenges of fighting for justice, not passively accepting suffering. The sermon emphasizes the need to reclaim Christian identity as followers of Jesus’ way of love and service, rather than political dominion.

Michael Drell

Michael's sermon reflects on familiar yet uncomfortable themes from the Bible, focusing on Jesus' interaction with the Syrophoenician woman in Mark’s Gospel. Drawing from various interpretations, including feminist critiques, he explores how this story reveals Jesus as a human capable of growth and change. The woman’s persistence and cleverness challenge Jesus, leading to the expansion of his mission to include all people, even those outside his community. The sermon encourages reflection on personal transformation and the power of words to heal and bring change.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

The Rev. Phil Brochard recalls a conversation from 30 years ago about creating a "no rules" summer camp, where teenagers could learn to make ethical decisions without strict enforcement. He reflects on a biblical story where Jesus is confronted by Pharisees for his disciples' failure to follow hand-washing traditions, illustrating how righteousness should not be about outward observance of rules but about inner transformation and a genuine relationship with God. The sermon urges the audience to return to the root of their faith, focusing on what truly matters—living with a heart changed by compassion and justice.

the Rev. Emily Boring

Emily's sermon reflects on Jesus' declaration, "I am the bread of life," exploring its comforting and profound significance. It delves into the multifaceted symbolism of bread as nourishment, memory, and spiritual sustenance. The sermon also examines the varied responses to Jesus' message, focusing on Simon Peter's momentous declaration of faith. It concludes by emphasizing that Jesus' invitation to eternal life is not a demand but a gracious offering of fullness and connection with God.

The Rev. Marguerite Judson

In this sermon, the Rev. Marguerite Judson contrasts Solomon's politically-driven reign, marked by violence and idolatry, with Jesus' selfless offering of eternal life as the "bread of life." Solomon's actions, though wise by worldly standards, lead to spiritual downfall, while Jesus offers a transformative, present-tense eternal life to believers. The sermon emphasizes that this life is available now, inviting believers into the intimate love of the Trinity.

Harlowe Zefting, Seminarian

Harlowe’s sermon explores the dramatic Old Testament story about King David’s troubled family. She recounts the tragic events surrounding David’s children, including assault, murder, and rebellion, illustrating the consequences of David's inaction. The sermon challenges the congregation to confront injustice and evil rather than turning away, emphasizing that even in our darkest moments, God remains with us, and our faith journey continues.

the Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson

In this sermon, the Rev. Mark Richardson emphasizes the theme of unity as highlighted in the epistle from Ephesians, where "Oneness" is mentioned repeatedly to stress its importance in the church. He reflects on the challenges of achieving unity in the face of cultural divisions in contemporary society, urging the church to model unity by embracing diversity and practicing love through humility, gentleness, and patience. The sermon calls for a deeper understanding of God as an inexhaustible mystery beyond human comprehension, urging the congregation to build a community that reflects this divine unity and love.

the Rev. Emily Boring

The Rev. Emily Boring, a former marine-biologist-turned-priest draws from her ichthyology background to discuss the Gospel passages of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and walking on water. She emphasizes the significance of boundaries and human limitations, highlighting how these moments of scarcity and fear become transformative experiences of God's abundance and presence. The sermon encourages a humble curiosity and openness to going to the limits of human knowing and resources.

The Rev. Joseph Delgado

The sermon focuses on the importance of truly listening and responding to others, drawing from personal experiences and Mark 6. It emphasizes the need for faith and community in the face of overwhelming suffering and challenges, encouraging believers to be beacons of hope and love in the world. Personal anecdotes illustrate the power of faith and resilience, urging the congregation to trust in God's presence and embody Christ's love.

Emily Hansen Curran, Associate for Ministry Development

This week's sermon from Mark 6 discusses the story of King Herod beheading John the Baptist. Herod, drunk at his birthday party, promises his daughter Salome anything she wishes. Influenced by her mother Herodias, Salome asks for John the Baptist's head. Though grieved, Herod fulfills her request. The sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to prophetic voices that speak restorative truths, despite the cost. It challenges us to live with integrity and protect the vulnerable. Despite obstacles, Jesus' subsequent miracles affirm that God's truth will ultimately prevail.

the Rev. Mark Richardson

This sermon explores how preconceived notions and expectations can hinder one's ability to truly understand and accept Jesus. The preacher draws a parallel between high school reunions and Jesus’ return to his hometown. Jesus faced rejection and misunderstanding due to his community's fixed narrative about him, a theme echoed throughout his encounters with religious authorities and even his closest friends. The speaker emphasizes the importance of letting go of our expectations to fully receive Jesus’ transformative power and follow his path of radical inclusivity and self-giving love. A personal story about the speaker’s son seeing Jesus in the faces of the marginalized underscores this message.

the Rev. Emily Boring