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.
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We offer a large archive of sermons, as well as a new sermon every week.
Bible Study
Weekly Bible studies produced by our seminarians.
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Our weekly inserts provide information about the Episcopal Church.
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Upcoming Sermons
Takers or Givers, Pentecost 9 (B) – July 25, 2021
RCL: [RCL] 2 Samuel 11:1-1; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 The penultimate paragraph of this sermon, which appears in brackets below, may be omitted at services where Holy Communion is not distributed. We see it from time to time. Someone performs brave deeds, enjoys great advantages, reaches a lofty position of prominence. Defeat seems…
Sheeple, Pentecost 8 (B) – July 18, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 This sermon, written by the Rev. Joshua Bowron, originally ran July 22, 2018. What do you suppose are the most prevalent metaphors that we use for God? Likely Father, King, and Shepherd are in the top three, if not the top three. There are, of course,…
New Narratives, Pentecost 7 (B) – July 11, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29 Fairytales and happy endings play a significant role in shaping us and our expectations about life. We are inundated from birth by themes and images of the way life “should” play out by the storylines provided us in fictional accounts – in books and…
Hometowns, Pentecost 6 (B) – July 4, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 What do you think about when someone mentions your hometown? Maybe it’s the sight of your mother’s overabundant garden or running through the backyard to get to your grandparents’ house. Maybe your hometown holds fond recollections of playing summer baseball or walking to…
Expectant Hope, Pentecost 5 (B) – June 27, 2021
RCL: 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 and Psalm 9:9-20 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16 and Psalm 133; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41 In today’s Gospel, we hear two stories of healing. They are also stories of hope—a bold, persistent, expectant hope. First, we are introduced to Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, who…
Master of the Winds and the Waves, Pentecost 4 (B) – June 20, 2021
RCL: 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 and Psalm 9:9-20 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16 and Psalm 133; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41 The winds and the wavesShall obey my will, peace be still.Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed seaOr demons, or men, or whatever it be.No water can swallow the ship where liesThe…
Upcoming Bible Studies
Bible Study: Pentecost 9 (B) – July 25, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Not only was David an inspired leader, but he was also the “Don Corleone” of his age. This king reveals his mafioso-like cunning – he carefully arranges the death of an unwitting rival while distancing himself from the terrible deed. It is…
Bible Study: Pentecost 8 (B) – July 18, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 2 Samuel 7:1-14a The David story is an exciting story, full of twists and turns – well worth reading in its entirety. Even though this chapter doesn’t have the guts, gore, and drama of other parts of the story, scholars and careful readers have…
Bible Study: Pentecost 7 (B) – July 11, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 We often hear this passage cited as support for liturgical dance. These 13 verses, however, can be interpreted as a challenge to reflect on the possibilities as well as the serious dangers of linking religious symbolism with political power. Scripture…
Bible Study: Pentecost 6 (B) – July 4, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 David’s journey to become king of Israel was long and complicated, which is hinted at here by the Israelites’ admission that, even when Saul was king, David was the one actually leading Israel. But the Lord was faithful to…
Bible Study: Pentecost 5 (B) – June 27, 2021
RCL: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 David models for us how to express grief as a community. Israel had lost its king and David had lost Jonathan, the man he loved. It was a time for public grief, for weeping (v. 24). David delivered a…
Bible Study: Pentecost 4 (B) – June 20, 2021
RCL: 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49; Psalm 9:9-20 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16; Psalm 133; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16 This is better than Broadway theatre! David returns with the severed head of Goliath, Jonathan, son of Saul, pledges his undying loyalty and love to David, Saul rages and…
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