For more than 25 years, Sermons That Work, a joint offering of Forward Movement and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Communication, has provided free resources like sermons, Bible studies, and lesson plans that speak to congregations across the church. Our writers and readers come from numerous and varied backgrounds, and the resources we provide are used in small house churches, sprawling cathedrals, and everything between.
Click here to read about changes we undertook to Sermons That Work in Advent 2025.
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Bible Studies
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Lesson Plans
Find lesson plans written by experienced church teachers.
Upcoming Sermons
Seeing Christ, Proper 8 (A) – June 28, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42 Summer is coming. A time of gatherings and celebrations, in which many of us have something fun planned: perhaps with family, perhaps with friends. These celebrations can be wonderful opportunities to meet with small or wide circles of people, to catch up and form stronger bonds.…
The Cost of Following Jesus, Proper 7 (A) – June 21, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 21:8-21; Ps 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 Today’s gospel passage, from chapter ten of the Gospel of Matthew, has us in the middle portion of Jesus’ ministry. We’ve left behind the narratives of his early life; he has begun gathering his core disciples; and more people are joining his movement by the…
On Being Blessed, Proper 6 (A) – June 14, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1,10-17; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8,(9-23) This morning’s readings invite us to think about the nature of blessing: what it means to bless and to be blessed. Now the word “blessing” is tricky—we often use it as a stand-in for good luck or material goods. We talk about being blessed with a parking…
Learning Tenderness, Proper 5 (A) – June 7, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-12; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 There it is again: the tenderness of God on display in the compassion and action of Jesus the Christ. It is the tenderness that welcomes desperate women who take their healing into their own hands, and irrational fathers who insist that daughters can be raised…
Loving the Trinity, Trinity Sunday (A) – May 31, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8 or Canticle 2 or 13; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20 Tell your typical Episcopal congregation that God is love, and you are likely to be greeted with smiles. Even some nodding of heads. If you continue and tell them that God is Trinity, then those smiling faces may fall into…
The Prophetic Imagination, Day of Pentecost (A) – May 24, 2026
[RCL] Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35 & 37; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39 On Valentine’s Day 2018, 17 people died tragically at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The event grabbed headlines around the world: another senseless act of violence carried out in one of the places where kids should feel…
Upcoming Bible Studies
Bible Study: Proper 6 (A) – June 14, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1,10-17; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8,(9-23) Opening Prayer | O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and…
Bible Study: Proper 5 (A) – June 7, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-12; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 Opening Prayer | O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one…
Bible Study: Trinity Sunday (A) – May 31, 2026
[RCL] Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8 or Canticle 2 or 13; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20 Opening Prayer | Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity:…
Bible Study: Day of Pentecost (A) – May 24, 2026
[RCL]: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35 & 37; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39 Opening Prayer | Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Pour out this gift anew upon your Church, that by the preaching of…
Bible Study: Easter 7 (A) – May 17, 2026
RCL: Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36, John 17:1-11 Opening Prayer | O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that…
Bible Study: Easter 6 (A) – May 10, 2026
RCL: Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:7-18; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21 Opening Prayer | 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 things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all…
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