For more than 20 years, Sermons That Work, a ministry of The Episcopal Church’s Office of Communication, has provided free sermons, Bible studies, bulletin inserts, and other resources 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.
Read about changes to Sermons That Work coming in Advent 2025.
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Upcoming Sermons
Adopted as God’s Children, Epiphany 1 (A) – January 11, 2026
[RCL] Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 If you were to read the section of the Gospel of Mark that comes before today’s gospel reading, you might be really surprised by what is happening here. John the Baptist has just told a crowd of people, “I baptize you withwater for repentance, but the…
Miracles and All, Feast of the Epiphany (A) – January 6, 2026
[RCL] Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 JRR Tolkien’s beloved book, The Hobbit, is set “in a time between the dawn of faeries and the dominion of Men.” The Hobbit is a beloved tale and has never gone out of print since its first publication in 1937. This story, along with the Lord of the Rings series,…
Do What Young Jesus Did: Listen and Ask Questions, Christmas 2 – January 4, 2026
[RCL] Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84 or 84:1-8; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23a or Luke 2:14-52 or Matthew 2:1-12 It happens sometimes, even to responsible parents: The mother assumes the child is with the father; the father assumes the child is with the mother. When they compare notes, there is calling in every direction, searching in…
What Happens After the Miracle?, Christmas 1 – December 28, 2025
[RCL] Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147; Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7; John 1:1-18 Let’s start with the obvious: for many people, it’s not really clear why we’re here in church today. We’ve just come off a great festival of Christmas services, with music and candles and all the spectacle you could ever want. So we have to ask the…
Emmanuel, Christmas Day (I) – December 25, 2025
[RCL] Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; John 1:1-14 Merry Christmas! Emmanuel. God is with us. We wake to a new day after participating in the joyful arrival of the One we have been anticipating throughout the season of Advent. We have been waiting for the hope, peace, love and joy that comes through the…
In Jesus’ Name, Advent 4 (A) – December 21, 2025
[RCL] Isaiah 7:10-17, Psalm 24, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 What does the name of Jesus tell us about the mystery of the Incarnation? A verse from Hymn 489 in The Hymnal 1982 describes this mystery: He sent him down as sending God; in flesh to us he came;as one with us he dwelt with us,…
Upcoming Bible Studies
Bible Study: Epiphany 1 (A) – January 11, 2026
RCL: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34–43; Matthew 3:13-17 Opening Prayer 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…
Bible Study: Feast of the Epiphany – January 6, 2026
RCL: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 Opening Prayer O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives…
Bible Study: Christmas 2 – January 4, 2026
RCL: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84 or 84:1-8; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a; Luke 2:41-52 Opening Prayer 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…
Bible Study: Christmas 1 – December 28, 2025
RCL: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm: 147, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18 Opening Prayer 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…
Bible Study: Advent 4 (A) – December 21, 2025
RCL: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Opening Prayer 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…
Bible Study: Advent 3 (A) – December 14, 2025
RCL: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Opening Prayer 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…
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