Authors

Ben E. Helmer

Person Placeholder

Ben Helmer has been vicar of St. James' since June of 2009. He has been ordained to the priesthood for 38 years. He was raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, graduated from Michigan State University and received his M. Div. from General Theological Seminary in New York. His wife, Jane, is a mostly retired horticultural writer and editor. They have two sons. Richard is a priest in the Diocese of California and Steven is a carrier pilot in the U.S. Navy. Ben has served churches in Northern Michigan, Western Kansas and West Missouri. He was also the staff officer for rural and small community ministries for the Episcopal Church from 1999-2005 when he retired. He and Jane were then invited to work in Louisiana for a year where Ben was a chaplain to clergy, diocesan staff and caregivers and Jane worked as a volunteer following the ravages in Katrina. In June of 2007 Ben and Jane went to Guam for 18 months where Ben served as archdeacon for the Episcopal Church in Micronesia before returning to Missouri. The Helmers now live in Holiday Island about 7 miles north of Eureka Springs with their chocolate lab, Jessie.  

Sermons and Bible Studies

Such Good Things, Easter 6 (C) – 2019

May 26, 2019

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all […]

God’s Hidden Work in the World, Lent 2 (C) – 2019

March 17, 2019

While it may be hard to imagine what life for Abraham was like, or even whether he was only a patriarchal ideal in the Old Testament, a careful reading of […]

Servants of Christ the King, Christ the King (B) – 2018

November 25, 2018

This sermon is being written the day after the massacre of eleven congregants of the Jewish temple in Pittsburgh. As we approach the end of our Christian year and focus […]

Snakes, Lent 4 (B) – 2018

March 11, 2018

If you are uncomfortable around snakes, this might not be your Sunday! But, if you can set that discomfort aside, you will be treated to an insight about how the […]

Congregations and Conflict, Proper 18 (A) 2017

September 10, 2017

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have […]

Transformation, Last Sunday in Epiphany (A) – 2017

February 26, 2017

It had been a long, multi-year mission with not much to show for it except threats from the rulers of occupied Israel and the religious authorities. Despite countless healings of […]

Today’s Readings and Collect…, Proper 16 (C) – 2016

August 21, 2016

Today’s readings and Collect can be seen as a unit teaching us about God’s power and how it works in us. The opening Collect (prayer) in the Episcopal Church says: […]

Ambassador for Christ, Lent 4 (C) – 2016

March 06, 2016

The Prodigal Son is a story familiar to all of us and movingly depicted in art, drama and dance. We like stories like this; ones with happy endings where people […]

Drink the Cup Jesus Drinks, Proper 24 (B) – 2015

October 18, 2015

One remarkable thing about a lot of Christians is the way they approach the world and one another. There is a quiet reserve, a sense of hospitality and genuine submission […]

Moving Toward Christian Unity, Ascension Day – 2015

May 14, 2015

“Lord, is it time?” How many questions like that do we ask on our journey in faith? In today’s reading from the Book of Acts, while the apostles were still […]

Jesus Didn’t Say… Easter 7 (A) – 2014

June 01, 2014

We are all familiar with depictions of people coming and going. Many will recall in the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz,” how Glinda, the good witch, descends upon Dorothy […]

Having a Baptism Today, Epiphany 1 (A) – 2014

January 12, 2014

Having a baptism today gives us something to celebrate. Whether the person to be baptized is a child or an adult, a baptism done on this day is more than […]

69 records

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Sermons That Work podcast to hear this sermon and more on your favorite podcasting app! Recordings are released the Thursday before each liturgical date.

Receive Free Weekly Sermons That Work Resources!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contact:
Christopher Sikkema

Editor

Click here