All Souls Parish Sermons

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...

Nathan Brostrom

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...

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 relat...

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...

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 impor...

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 o...

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 expansi...

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 outwar...

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 t...

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...

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 ou...

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 practi...

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 sermo...

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 cong...

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 liste...

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 author...

the Rev. Emily Boring

the Rev. Michael Lemaire In this sermon, the Rev. Michael Lemaire explores the themes of faith, trust, and God's sovereignty through the stories of David and Goliath and Jesus calming the storm. He highlights that David's victory and Jesus' calming of the sea both demonstrate God's power and presence with us amid any circumstances. The sermon challenges listeners to shift their perspective from se...

the Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson The sermon, prepared by the Reverend Mark Richardson and delivered in his absence, explores the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of faith in navigating it. Using the parable of the planter, he illustrates how God's kingdom unfolds beyond our control, requiring trust and loyalty to God. The sermon encourages active participation in social and environmenta...

the Rev. Phil Brochard In this sermon, the Rev. Phil Brochard discusses the tension between Jesus and his family in Mark 3, emphasizing the urgency of his early ministry and the desperation of the crowds seeking his healing. Jesus faces escalating conflict with religious authorities and refutes accusations of demonic alliances with a parable about a divided house. He redefines family as those who...

the Rt. Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus In this sermon, Bishop Andrus reflects on his journey as a Bishop, the importance of community, and the intertwined nature of privilege and responsibility. He shares a story from a documentary about the Episcopal Church's role in the slave trade to illustrate the complexities of privilege. He urges the congregation to live as a community and listen to God’s voi...

the Rev. Phil Brocard

Emily Hansen Curran Emily Hansen Curran, our Associate for Ministry Development, discusses the story of Nicodemus and the concept of being "born again.” She reclaims this phrase and emphasizes that it involves a profound personal and communal transformation. Her sermon highlights that true spiritual rebirth requires embracing uncertainty, vulnerability, and a willingness to start anew. Emily under...

the Rev. Phil Brochard The Rev. Phil Brochard reflects on the disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension, emphasizing that they couldn't have anticipated the transformative experience of Pentecost. He suggests that authentic communication and connection, driven by the Holy Spirit, are crucial for Christians. The sermon encourages listening and loving communication as ways to brid...