The Sermons at St. Paul's

In this powerful sermon, Rev. Nancy Vaders weaves together stories of transformation - from a prison quilting program to the biblical healing of the Gerasene demoniac, exploring how healing can disrupt our most deeply held narratives and reveal the possibility of new identities. A message of hope, restoration, and the divine potential for change.

In this thought-provoking sermon, Rev. Erika Takacs unpacks one of Jesus' most challenging parables, exploring how God values our imperfect attempts at doing good. Discover a message of hope that celebrates small acts of compassion, courage, and mercy, revealing how even our flawed efforts can contribute to building God's kingdom of love and grace.

In this sermon, The Rev. Lucy Strandlund invites us to shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance, drawing on the story of Mary of Bethany and Judas Iscariot. With warmth and insight, she weaves together Scripture, personal stories, and a call to see God’s grace as overflowing in our lives. Preached at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem on Sep 14, 2025, this message reminds us that...

The Rev. Dixon Kinser preaches on the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost on September 7, 2025.

In this sermon, the Rev. Dixon Kinser explores Jesus' radical approach to hospitality and inclusivity, challenging listeners to move beyond cultural and religious purity codes. Using a Gospel passage about a dinner party, Dixon unpacks how Jesus consistently broke social boundaries by embracing those considered "unclean" or adversarial, inviting his followers to see all people as &qu...

In this sermon, Rev. Erika Takacs explores the complexity of the Book of Isaiah, using the iconic stained glass window as a starting point to challenge listeners to examine their own community's shortcomings and respond to Jesus' call to work towards justice, compassion, and liberation. This sermon was preached on the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Su...

The Rev. Lucy Strandlund preaches on the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Despite our diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we can be united by a shared spiritual hunger for community, justice, and God's transformative love.

The Rev. Nick VanHorn preaches on the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on August 10, 2025.

The Rev. Dixon Kinser preaches on the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC, on August 3, 2025. Join Dixon as he explores the temporary nature of life and the goal of understanding this to find purpose.

The Rev. Nancy Vaders preaches at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on July 27, 2025 for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost.

The Rev. Erika Takacs preaches at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on July 20, 2025 for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost.

The Rev. Lucy Strandlund preaches on July 13, 2025 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost . In this sermon, Lucy explores the biblical commandment to love God and love one's neighbor, drawing insights from the Jewish Shema prayer and a Gospel story about a lawyer questioning Jesus. She uses Brian Stevenson's civil rights work as a modern...

The Rev. Dixon Kinser preaches on July 6, 2025 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. In this sermon, Rev. Dixon Kinser explores Luke's account of Jesus sending out 70 disciples to proclaim peace, unpacking the complex historical context of different Jewish factions and Jesus' counterintuitive instructions to travel without provisions....

The Rev. Nick VanHorn preaches on June 29, 2025 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on the Third Sunday after Pentecost. In this Superhero Sunday sermon, Rev. Nick VanHorn explores the complex relationship between Saints Peter and Paul, using their historical rivalry as a powerful metaphor for Christian unity. Drawing parallels from pop culture and historical examples, the serm...

The Rev. Nancy Vaders preaches on June 22, 2025 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC on the Second Sunday after Pentecost. Nanvy discusses a unique rehabilitation program at the South Central Correctional Center in Missouri, where inmates learn to quilt and create quilts for children in foster care. This activity provides a sense of purpose and healing for the inmates, who are o...

In our final stewardship episode, Robert Clark brings it all together with a reflection on how cheerful giving can shape the future of our church. His message is a fitting conclusion to this series as we prepare to celebrate the commitments we’ve made. Be sure to listen and consider your own pledge with an open and joyful heart.

As we near the end of our stewardship episodes, Jack Scruggs offers a reflection on the power of asking “What If?” Let his message spark your imagination and generosity.

Today, we hear from the Capps-Hoffman family, who share what cheerful giving means to them. Their stories show us how generosity can build relationships, strengthen our community, and help us dream big for the future. 

Today, we hear from Debbie Clark as she shares what cheerful giving means to her.

This week, David Broughton reflects on the joy and fulfillment that come from giving. David’s thoughts remind us that stewardship is about more than just making a pledge—it’s about participating in God’s work through our generosity. Take a moment to hear his encouraging words. 

As we continue our stewardship season, Bill and Pam Ball offer us a powerful perspective on the blessings that come from giving with a cheerful heart. His message is one of faith and trust in God’s provision, and it’s sure to resonate with each of us as we consider our own giving. 

This week, we’re invited to consider the deeper purpose of our giving with a reflection from Kate Reece. Kate shares her personal experience of what it means to give with joy and how our generosity can open doors to new possibilities for our church. Be sure to listen and let her words guide your own stewardship journey. 

Today, we hear from Emily and Van Williamson. Their voices remind us that when we give cheerfully, we are truly giving together.

Stewardship is about community, and today, we hear Mike and Janice Ryan reflect on how giving connects us to one another and empowers our collective ministry.

Today, we hear from Dixon, who shares his thoughts on how cheerful giving can be an expression of faith, hope, and love. His reflections are a reminder of the profound impact we can have when we give with a joyful heart. Take a few minutes this morning to listen and let Dixon’s words inspire you.