Sermons Archive ​June 30 – April 7, 2019

Sunday, Pentecost 3
6/30/19
Picking Up the Mantle
Elisha picked up Elijah’s mantle. In his sermon the Rev’d Mark Hargreaves asks what we at St. James want to pass on to worshippers in our second century beginning in 2029, hoping it is “the mantle of faith…where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are to be found.”
​Read now.

Sunday, Pentecost 2
​6/23/19
What Now?
Entering the long period after Pentecost, the Rev’d Mark Hargreaves uses Elijah’s story from 1 Kings to show us that when we find ourselves in despair, with that “what now?” feeling, and like Elijah lose all sense of perspective, that God cares for us and provides a safe place.Where do you feel safe? Fr. Mark gives some suggestions on finding your safe place and meeting God there.
Read now.

Trinity Sunday
6/16/19
Explaining the Trinity
The Rev’d D. Rebecca Dinovo says that “On this Trinity Sunday, we are invited to embrace the mystery of God – we can let go of trying to stare into the sun and explain it, and instead, experience the love of God –
and let the light shine through.”
Read now.

Sunday, Pentecost
6/9/19 
Fulfilled and Transformed
Speaking to that incredible day of Pentecost, the Rev’d Mark Hargreaves explains that “…what happened…is the electricity being turned on, that power supply suddenly surging into the life of the disciples, the believers, and the nascent church.” He concludes “We, too, can know God’s presence in our lives. And we, too, can be a people transformed.”
​Read now.

Sunday, Easter 7
6/2/19
Mind the Gap
Our last Sunday in Easter season falls in the gap between the Day of Ascension and Pentecost, next Sunday. This is the gap the Rev’d Mark Hargreaves would have us examine so that we’re “… paying attention to the God who is with us … as we await the fulfillment of God’s promise that Hewould indeed return and be present to His people by His Spirit.”
Read now.

Sunday, Easter 6
5/26/19
People of the Light
Continuing our sermon series on the resurrection, the Rev’d D. Rebecca Dinovo, speaking to the imagery of our gospel reading from the book of Revelation, urges us to “…look for the light of resurrection everywhere you go – God’s life and light are in our midst and hope is ours – the sting of death has been removed and we have cause to celebrate – because Christ isrisen!”
Read now.

Sunday, Easter 5
5/19/19
Listen to your heart
St. Luke’s gospel telling of Cleopas’ experience on the road to Emmaus is an example of how the heart and the mind joust with each other in matters of faith. The Rev’d Dr. Mark Hargreaves takes us on this walk with Cleopas and prays
​“…that Christ will dwell in our hearts, and that we will know what it is to have our hearts burning within us.”
Read now.

Sunday, Easter 4
5/12/19
Love One Another
On this Sunday of the Bishop’s Visitation/Confirmation/Mother’s Day, in her final visit to St. James the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori leaves us with the same commandments Jesus gave us centuries ago: “Listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. Help others hear it and hear it crying: Love one another. Tend the whole flock, for every single sheep has a home in God’s pasture.”
Read now.

Sunday, Easter 3
5/5/19
The Instructed Eucharist
In place of a sermon this day the Rev’d D. Rebecca Dinovo conducted an Instructed Eucharist where she explained in some detail the meaning and history of various elements of our liturgy. You can find those instructions HERE. If you would find it helpful, the full service bulletin can be found HERE.
No audio recording was made.

Sunday,  Easter 2
4/28/19
Prove It
Jesus appeared to the apostles and Thomas doubted. This Sunday the Rev’d D.
Rebecca Dinovo shares her strikingly personal story and says with confidence “…we are all a part of the Good News of Easter – and one day all of us, through faith, will know and see the power of resurrection. Life triumphs over death.”
Read now.

Easter Sunday
4/21/19
Looking and Seeing
Wrestling with our resurrection faith, the Rev’d Mark Hargreaves grapples with
the concepts of looking and seeing and looking and not seeing. St. Peter looked into the opened tomb and “came to be filled with hope, as he met the risen Jesus and was filled with the power of his Holy Spirit…
seeing a one-way portal to eternity.” Read now.

Easter Sunday
4/21/19
Sunrise Service: I am Mary Magdalene
​In a fascinating turn, the Rev’d D. Rebecca Dinovo takes on the part of Mary of Magdala, and speaks to us directly after 2019 years. Go back with her now for this first person account, and maybe you will be able to say, as she did, “I found new life the moment Jesus came into my life.” Read now.

Palm Sunday
4/14/19
Doing the Right Thing
Celebrating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem the Rev’d D. Rebecca Dinovo examines how hard it is to stand up for what we believe and know is right, “…knowing it will lead straight to the foot of the cross. But it is at the foot of the cross that we will find power to change ourselves and the world. So … let’s go together.”
Read now.

5th Sunday in Lent
4/7/19
Over the Top
Nearing Easter week The Rev’d Mark Hargreaves looks to our gospel reading and watches Mary the sister of Lazarus greet Jesus with over the top extravagance, helping us understand the concept of grace, and leading him to ask “Do we seek to live our lives under the illusion that we’re in control? Or do we want to abandon ourselves to the grace and power of God which can transform our lives and givehope both for the now and for the now which is yet to come?”
Read now.

We apologize that a recording is not available due to technical difficulties.
​Please enjoy reading the sermon using the link below the paragraph.​

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