Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament:
Isaiah 58:1-12

Response:
Psalm 112:1-10

Epistle:
1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Gospel: 
Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon

Fr. Bill talks about the acts of piety from Isaiah, and urges us to go out into the world as salt and light.

“We are to be the church in the world. Following Christ, as Christ has gone before us. This is what it means to be a disciple.”

Fr. Bill Breedlove

The Presentation of Jesus

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-4 

Response: Psalm 84 

Epistle: Hebrews 2:14-18 

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 

Sermon

“We don’t know the depth of the effect of what we do when we step forward in faith and when we pronounce blessings on other people.”

Deacon Turner talks about the blessings from the Sermon on the Mount, and the blessings in our daily lives.

Deacon Turner Guidry

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4

Response: Psalm 27:1, 5-13

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

Sermon

“Repentance shows us the love of God for us.”

Fr. Bill discusses repentance, and explains its true meaning from the Greek word, metanoia.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 49:1-7

Response: Psalm 40:1-12

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Gospel: John 1:29-42

Sermon

“Go to someone you already know, ask them what they’re looking for, and invite them to come and see. God will do the rest.”

Fr. Bill talks about who we are and what God is calling us to do in this Epiphany season.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

First Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-9

Response: Psalm 29

Epistle: Acts 10:34-43

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

“We ask that God would give us eyes to see Christ in each other.”

Fr. Bill talks about seeking Christ in each other, and tells a story about a struggling monastic community and a neighboring rabbi who reminded them of their Baptismal Covenant.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Second Sunday after Christmas

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:7-14 

Response: Psalm 84

Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a 

Gospel: John 1:1-18 

Sermon

Fr. Bill Breedlove

“What we should do for all people, is simply point them to Jesus. To invite them to explore who he is, and then get out of the way! And let the Holy Spirit do the work of God!”

Fr. Bill talks about the traditional Christmas story, how it differs from the story in today's Gospel, and talks about John, who appeared in the wilderness. 

First Sunday after Christmas

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 

Response: Psalm 147

Epistle: Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7 

Gospel: John 1:1-18 

Sermon

“We have been blessed with eyes to see God active in the world around us.”

Fr. Bill tells the importance of today's Gospel reading, and shares a story about a homeless man he encountered in Kansas City.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

The Nativity of Our Lord

Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2-7 

Response: Psalm 96

Epistle: Titus 2:11-14 

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14(15-20) 

Sermon

“We remember that this is a love story. That God loves you this night, and this night He gives you his son, that you might love him back.”

Fr. Bill talks about distractions in our lives, and the love story in the Gospel.

Fr. Bill Breedlove

Third Sunday of Advent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-10

Response: Psalm 146:4-9

Epistle: James 5:7-10

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

Sermon

“Doubt is essential to a deeper faith.”

Fr. Bill talks about what John the Baptist expected of the Messiah, how it differed from reality, and the role that doubt plays in our faith.

Fr. Bill

Second Sunday of Advent

Scripture Readings

The Collect

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-10

Response: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Epistle: Romans 15:4-13

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

 

Sermon

“That message of judgement that John brings, is a necessary preface to understanding and embracing the grace of God in Jesus.”

Fr. Bill talks about what John the Baptist was trying to say to us, and explains why he doesn't like John the Baptist, but needs him.

Fr. Bill