Sermons from St. John the Divine

In an age of disconnection, distraction, and curated spiritualities, what we’re truly longing for is not just community—but communion with the living God. This Trinity Sunday sermon reflects on the deep human desire to be known, to matter, and to belong—and the scandalous Christian claim that God has not left us to find our way alone. Through the gift of the Spirit, God has come close. He has made...

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came not with spectacle but with purpose—sending ordinary people into the world with extraordinary news. In this sermon, we explore what Pentecost means for the Church today. Why is Christianity a public faith, not a private one? What does it mean to carry Christ’s mission into everyday life? And where is the Spirit already at work in your ordinary corners of the worl...

Pentecost isn’t just about wind, fire, and speaking in tongues — it’s about what happens next. The Holy Spirit unifies, empowers, and reveals — not only to the early church, but to us today. In this sermon, discover how the Spirit bridges divides, equips ordinary people for extraordinary love, and draws us deeper into God’s presence. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or longing for more, the invi...

On the night before his death, Jesus offers one final prayer—not for himself, but for us. In this sermon, Dr. Kira Moolman Pettit reflects on what that prayer reveals about Jesus’ hopes for his followers: unity, love, and enduring presence. From the intimacy of a pre-pandemic dinner to the cosmic visions of Revelation, we are invited into a story where apocalypse doesn’t mean disaster, but unveili...

What does it mean to become one? In this poetic sermon, The Rev. Louise Samuelson explores Jesus’ final prayer for his followers—that they may be one—as she introduces the ancient word “oneing,” drawn from the writings of Julian of Norwich. In a divided world, this call to spiritual unity is both timely and transformative. Through stories of worship, community, and love in action, this sermon invi...

On this Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who gave their lives for our freedom—and we turn to the One who gave His life to set us free forever. The Rev. Reagan Cocke reflects on Jesus' promise to make His home with us and send the Holy Spirit as our constant Helper and Advocate. Drawing from personal testimony and John 14, he reminds us that we are never alone—Christ is with us in our struggles...

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus offered His disciples—and all of us—a stunning promise: “I will not leave you orphaned.” In this sermon, the Rev. Dr. Leigh Spruill reflects on John 14 and the intimate care of Christ, who sends the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor, Comforter, and constant presence. Through vivid personal stories and biblical insight, hear how the Spirit brings truth, peac...

What if heaven wasn’t just something we hope for—but something we live for? While we believe in heaven, one wonders why the revelation God gives us in Scripture does not animate us now as a present power more than simply as a vague future promise. Oh, how our Lord would love to fill us with his Spirit to sense heaven touching down in advance all around us, enlivening us as people of hope and assur...

On the night of his betrayal, Jesus gives his disciples one final command: love one another. In this sermon, Dr. Kira Moolman Pettit explores what it means to follow that command in a world full of pain, weakness, and betrayal. Through the image of a stripped altar and a Savior who shared our vulnerability, we're reminded that Jesus doesn’t ask us to love blindly— he asks us to love as he loved, f...

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we reflect on the comforting truth that we are held in the loving, strong hands of God—hands that create, protect, guide, and never let go. No matter where we are or what we face, nothing can snatch us from His grasp.

Jesus doesn't just give us answers—He gives us Himself. This sermon reflects on our deep need for clarity and how true understanding of Jesus comes not through facts alone, but through daily experience, trust, and action. Like sheep who know their shepherd’s voice, we are invited to follow, not as armchair explorers, but as those who walk with the Good Shepherd each day.

Ever felt like you've let God down—or like you're just not quite "spiritual enough"? In this sermon, we hear the good news of resurrection life through three simple truths: Jesus finds us where we are, Jesus calls us to follow him, and Jesus forgives us. Wherever you are in life, this is a reminder that Christ is already there—calling you by name and inviting you into grace.

Easter is not a one-time event; it is something that keeps happening. When Peter returns to fishing—lost, empty, and searching—Jesus meets him right where he is. Through empty nets, a charcoal fire, and a quiet meal, Christ brings healing, restoration, and a renewed call to love. Wherever you are—wrestling, weary, or weighed down—this story reminds us: Jesus shows up. Not to shame, but to restore....

On the night of his resurrection, Jesus speaks the words we all long to hear: "Peace be with you." In this farewell sermon, our seminarian, the Rev. Caroline Devitt, reflects on Christ's unstoppable love—the love that walks through locked doors, carries our wounds, and calls us into new life. As we celebrate baptisms and resurrection hope, we are invited to believe again, to wonder again, and to l...

Even when we are locked away by fear, shame, or doubt, the risen Jesus shows up. If we are small, he becomes small. If we doubt, he comes to those doubts. If we are wounded, he shows us his own wounds. In this sermon, we reflect on how Christ meets us right where we are — offering peace, healing, and hope. He is risen — and he is risen for you.

On Easter morning, the women came to the tomb carrying spices—ready to mask the stench of death. But they found no body, no need for perfume, no need to cover anything up. In this stirring Easter sermon, we’re reminded that because Christ is risen, we don’t have to mask our brokenness or pretend we have it all together. The tomb is empty. The stone is rolled away. And the life Jesus offers is real...

No one would’ve written this story. A God who dies? A Messiah who suffers? A Savior who walks out of the grave? And yet, that’s exactly what happened. In this sweeping Easter sermon, we retrace the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection— women at the tomb, disciples on the run, and even a brother who once doubted. With vivid detail and deep conviction, this message reminds us that Jesus is ris...

On Good Friday, we are invited to pause, to stay with Jesus in His suffering. This homily walks us to the foot of the cross—to behold the man, to witness His sorrow mingled with love, and to remember the deep, personal cost of our redemption. Through silence, song, and sacred memory, we wait together… watching, praying, and holding on to hope.

On the night before His death, Jesus broke bread and said, “This is my body, given for you.” In this Maundy Thursday sermon, we explore the deeply personal and communal meaning of the Lord’s Supper—its call to remember, repent, and renew our love for Christ and one another. A powerful reflection on vertical grace and horizontal reconciliation.

As Holy Week begins, we reflect on the triumphal entry of Jesus—not into a city, but into the hearts of a people called to peace. In this sermon, we're challenged to confront our self-betrayals, remember our identity in Christ, and walk the road to the cross with integrity. Let this week be a return to wholeness. Let this week be your Jerusalem.

Psalm 126 address the despair that often characterized our world. This passage shows us a joy that is grounded in the God’s faithfulness, looks toward to God’s promises, and strengthens us for today.

Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son really about the son— or is about the father? Dr. Kira Moolman Pettit demonstrates how the father’s lavish, prodigal love is the heart of the story. Whether you’re the wayward child or the resentful elder sibling, God waits with arms outstretched—ready to celebrate your return.

Do you relate more to the prodigal son—or the elder brother? In this thought-provoking sermon, explore how elder brother spirituality can subtly creep into our lives, making us believe that doing the right things earns God’s favor. But the truth is, God’s grace is a gift, not a reward. Discover how the father in Jesus' parable demonstrates lavish love and radical grace by going out to meet both hi...