All Souls Parish Sermons

the Rev. Emily Boring

the Michael Drell

the Rev. Phil Brochard In this sermon, the Rev. Phil explores the metaphor of the vine from John's Gospel, emphasizing spiritual pruning as essential for growth. By removing life's unneeded parts, we focus more on deepening our relationship with God and building resilience in personal life and in community.

the Rev. Phil Brochard This sermon reflects on the symbolism of Christ as the Good Shepherd, an image prominent in Christian art and practice throughout the centuries. The Good Shepherd metaphor emphasizes Jesus' dedication to safeguarding his flock, offering reassurance and a sense of safety amidst life's challenges. The sermon encourages us to apply the example of the Good Shepherd in our own li...

the Rev. Emily Boring Focusing on the ministry of presence, the sermon illustrates how small, physical gestures can offer immense comfort during crises. Through stories from hospital chaplaincy, the speaker describes how simply being present and offering physical tokens of comfort, like holding a hand or providing a quiet presence, can deeply affect those suffering. This approach demonstrates the...

Harlowe Zefting In this sermon, seminarian Harlowe Zefting explored the story of Doubting Thomas, highlighting that doubt can lead to deeper faith. She challenged the negative connotation of doubt, suggesting that asking questions is part of a dynamic faith journey. The sermon emphasized the community's role in supporting each individual's spiritual journey, linking personal experiences of faith t...

The Rev. Phil Brochard In this Easter Sunday sermon, the Rev. Phil Brochard reflects on the unexpected joy and fear experienced by the women at Jesus’ tomb. He explores how fear often silences us, preventing the sharing of transformative truths. Emphasizing resurrection as a continuous, unfolding reality, he invites us to trust that Jesus’ presence is always ahead of us, guiding us towards hope an...

The Rev. Emily Boring Reflecting on her first Holy Week at All Souls, the Rev. Emily explores the deep connection between personal faith and communal expression. The sermon delves into the emotional journey from Good Friday's solemnity to Easter Vigil's joy, illustrating how communal practices can mirror and magnify personal spiritual experiences. It concludes with a powerful message of unity and...

The Rev. Marguerite Judson Drawing from the Passion narrative and Julian of Norwich's revelations, the Rev. Marguerite underscores Jesus' unconditional love and his identification with our suffering. It illuminated how Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a testament to his immeasurable love for each individual, offering a pathway to redemption and inviting us into a relationship marked by love, sacr...

The Rev. Clark Berge Focusing on Jesus's final teachings, The Rev. Clark Berge explores the profound implications of love and service, as demonstrated in the act of foot washing. He challenges listeners to embrace love as a transformative force capable of reshaping society. By engaging in acts of service and compassion, he argued, individuals can reflect Christ's love, fostering unity and healing...

Emily Hansen Curran The sermon explores Jesus' nonviolent approach to confronting violence and empire, drawing from Walter Wink's ideas. Jesus chose not to mirror violence but to stand against it with a heart of flesh, symbolized by his peaceful entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. This act challenges us to confront injustice not with aggression but with compassion and understanding, highlighting Jes...

the Rev. Phil Brochard Drawing from John 12:20-33, the sermon highlights the profound lesson of Jesus' death: true life springs from sacrifice. The narrative of the wheat grain dying to give life is paralleled with Christian discipleship's call for personal sacrifice. The preacher underscores the paradox that by dying to ourselves, we gain eternal life and true fulfillment. The message calls for i...

the Rev. Emily Boring The Rev. Emily Boring reflects on what it means to trust in the living and resurrected body of Jesus the Christ. What does this trust offer us in times of fear, uncertainty, grief, and change? It draws on the work of German theologian Paul Tillich, who writes about sin as the state of separation: separation from true self, from others, and from God. To trust in the body of Ch...

the Rev. Phil Brochard The sermon discusses the transitory nature of life, illustrated by the speaker's experience of clearing out his childhood home and the historical destruction of the Jewish temple. It emphasizes placing trust in the eternal—Jesus Christ's living and resurrected body—over temporary physical structures or relationships.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

Dr. Scott MacDougall Dr. Scott MacDougall's sermon demystifies theology, asserting it's for all believers, not just scholars. He defines theology as understanding God, our relationship with Him, and our life's conduct. Using scripture, he encourages personal theological reflection as integral to faith, making theology accessible and relevant to everyday Christian living.

the Rev. Emily Boring The sermon addresses the Lenten themes of wilderness, suffering, and hope. It encourages viewing Lent as a time for reflection, self-discipline, and reorientation towards God. The preacher emphasizes the importance of acknowledging suffering while also focusing on the transformative power of hope and the promise of Easter.

the Rev. Phil Brochard The sermon emphasizes the importance of Ash Wednesday and Lent as times for reflection, repentance, and remembering our mortality. It calls for genuine love, self-examination, and acts of mercy, urging listeners to live attentively and meaningfully, focusing on relationships with God, themselves, and others.

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Michael Lemaire

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Joseph Delgado

the Rev. Phil Brochard

the Rev. Emily Boring

the Rev. Marguerite Judson