Hope Springs Eternal

In this sermon, we reflect on Paul’s final words to Timothy, a charge to keep preaching the Gospel in every season. From an old Boston church that still proclaims the Gospel after centuries of change to Paul’s prison cell awaiting execution, this message reminds us that the world may change, but the Word still works. We all crave words that make us feel strong or self-sufficient. But Paul warns ag...

Most sermons on the healing of the ten lepers focus on the one who came back to say thank you. But what about the other nine In this message, Fr. Alan Bentrup invites us to listen for the stories we don’t hear. The stories of grace that continue beyond the page. Ten people were healed. All ten received God’s mercy. God’s grace is not earned or repaid. It is given freely, without condition or trans...

We live in a world built on transactions. Do your part, pay your share, and someone owes you something in return. But in Luke 17, Jesus turns that system upside down. He reminds us that God does not owe us anything, and that is exactly what makes grace so amazing. In this sermon, Fr. Alan explores Jesus’ teaching about mustard seed faith, radical forgiveness, and humble service. The life of faith...

This week’s gospel reading tells the story of a rich man who feasted every day and a poor man named Lazarus who longed for crumbs at his gate (Luke 16:19–31). The rich man never saw Lazarus as a neighbor. Even in death he only saw him as a servant. But the good news of Jesus is not a morality tale about being nicer. It is the announcement that God sees us. Whether we feel like Lazarus, wounded and...

We’ve all been there. The moment you realize you messed up. You squandered the opportunity. You wasted the time. You failed the people who trusted you. In Luke 16, Jesus tells the story of a steward who had blown it completely. And yet, instead of being discarded, he discovers something surprising: grace. In this sermon, Father Alan explores what it means to face our failures honestly, to trust th...

In this sermon, A Turning Point, Father Alan explores 1 Timothy 1:12–17 and Luke 15:1–10, where Paul calls himself the “foremost of sinners” and Jesus tells parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. Both passages point us to a God whose grace is greater than our sin, whose love is relentless, and whose joy erupts when the lost are found. From the humor of a runner dropping their keys into a portap...

Using Paul’s letter to Philemon, we explore what it means to be made in the image of God...even when we forget it. Using the story of Onesimus, a runaway slave transformed by the gospel, we see how God never gives up on us, no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done. This is grace. This is the gospel. You are not forgotten. You are not lost. You are loved. Come home.

Jesus shocked His followers when He said His coming would bring division, even within families. What could that possibly mean? In this sermon we explore how the love of God sometimes disrupts before it heals. We turn to the prophet Micah, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and the witness of Jonathan Daniels who gave his life for justice in Selma. We also reflect on our church’s call to host the are...

We all carry backpacks — not just to school, but in life: 💼 pressure to prove yourself 🏋️ performance and appearance expectations 🧳 the weight of possessions and “more, more, more” These “backpacks” are heavy when our worth depends on what’s inside them.  But Jesus says: ✨ “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” ❤️ You are already enough. 💡 You are already chosen. 🙏 You a...

This sermon, titled “Dependence Day,” was preached on July 6, 2025, during Independence Day weekend. While our nation celebrates freedom and self-reliance, this message from Luke 10:1–11, 16–20 calls us to something deeper: a life of dependence...on God and on each other. In the wake of tragic flooding in Kerrville, where lives were lost and communities shaken, we’re reminded that we were never me...

Today in our children’s message, we talked about Lincoln Logs. These are simple wooden toys that have been around for more than one hundred years. While many toys break or get thrown away, Lincoln Logs are still around and still loved. They remind us that some things are worth coming back to again and again. We also told the story of three young men in the Bible. Their names were Shadrach, Meshach...

In this week’s sermon, we reflect on what lasts. We begin with a story about Abraham Lincoln’s cabin. Not the original one, but a recreated version in Kentucky that still draws visitors. Why? Because the story it tells - about humility, strength, and endurance - still matters. From that same story came something simple but lasting:  Lincoln Logs . For over 100 years, children have played with thes...

In this sermon from our Historical Markers summer series, we explore a story of healing at the Pool of Bethesda, and the surprising grace of Jesus.  Set alongside the history of Mineral Wells, Texas, once known for its “healing waters,” we reflect on how many of us are still striving for healing, wholeness, and purpose. But what if grace doesn’t meet us in our hustle? What if Jesus shows up not wh...

I preach about teachers, students, and remembering that we are loved. The text is John 13:31-35.

I preach about main characters, God's call, and how love is shown through everyday people. The text is Acts 9:36-43.

I preach about Jesus' presence in the locked rooms of our lives, from John 20:19-31.

Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!

I preach on Good Friday, from John 18:1-19:42.

My Maundy Thursday sermon, from John 13:1-17, 31b-35.

I kick off our Holy Week series, preaching on Luke 23:1-49 in "Woven Together: Palm Sunday."

The Rev. Alan Bentrup preaches about God's extravagant love in John 12:1-8.

I preach about God's unrelenting love through the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

My sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent. The scripture for today is: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35

God is near, even on the First Sunday of Lent. Readings for this week: ⁠Deuteronomy 26:1-11⁠ ⁠Romans 10:8b-13⁠ ⁠Luke 4:1-13⁠

My sermon for Ash Wednesday, 2025. The readings are:Joel 2:1-2,12-172 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10Matthew 6:1-6,16-21