Sermons That Work

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.

Sermons for Advent and Christmas 2023

Lectionary Calendar

Find this Sunday’s readings and more observances of the church year.

This Sunday’s Readings:
Advent 1 (B) – December 3, 2023

Sermons

We offer a large archive of sermons, as well as a new sermon every week.

This Sunday’s Sermon:
Bearing Witness, Advent 1 (B) – December 3, 2023

Bible Studies

Our weekly Bible studies are produced by our very own Episcopalian seminarians.

This Sunday’s Bible Study:
Advent 1 (B) – December 3, 2023

Bulletin Inserts

Weekly inserts teach about the theology, history, and people of The Episcopal Church.

This Sunday’s Bulletin Insert:
Advent 1 (B) – Journeying the Way of Love: Week 1 – December 3, 2023

Lesson Plans

Find lesson plans written by experienced church teachers.

Old Testament Lesson Plan: Advent 1 (B) – Hope in God – December 3, 2023

Gospel Lesson Plan: Advent 1 (B) – Keep Alert! – December 3, 2023

Sermons That Work Podcast

About Sermons That Work

Receive free weekly Sermons That Work resources!

Upcoming Sermons

Back in the Box, Christmas 1 – December 31, 2023

[RCL] Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 147 or 147:13-21, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18 The poet W.H. Auden captured the after-Christmas feeling very well. Toward the close of his long poem, “For…

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The Archangels, Christmas Day (I) – December 25, 2023

This sermon is also available as part of a compilation of all the sermons for Advent and Christmas this year. Within that document, which you can find at sermonsthatwork.org, you’ll find…

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Like Mary, Advent 4 (B) – December 24, 2023

This sermon is also available as part of a compilation of all the sermons for Advent and Christmas this year. Within that document, which you can find at sermonsthatwork.org, you’ll find…

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Rejoice Always, Advent 3 (B) – December 17, 2023

This sermon is also available as part of a compilation of all the sermons for Advent and Christmas this year. Within that document, which you can find at sermonsthatwork.org, you’ll find…

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Comfort, Comfort, Advent 2 (B) – December 10, 2023

This sermon is also available as part of a compilation of all the sermons for Advent and Christmas this year. Within that document, which you can find at sermonsthatwork.org, you’ll…

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Bearing Witness, Advent 1 (B) – December 3, 2023

This sermon is also available as part of a compilation of all the sermons for Advent and Christmas this year. Within that document, which you can find at sermonsthatwork.org, you’ll…

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Christus Rex, Christ the King Sunday (A) – 2023

[RCL] Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 Kings and rulers are not usually the most obvious or shining examples of spiritual faith. In fact, in today’s text…

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Windfall, Proper 28 (A) – 2023

[RCL] Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 In the fifth century BC, Xenophanes famously attacked the tendency of human beings to make gods in their own image.…

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Be Prepared to Wait, Proper 27 (A) – 2023

[RCL] Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 At first listen, this parable sounds like something any Scout or guide could have told us: Always be prepared.…

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Upcoming Bible Studies

Bible Study: Christmas 1 – 2023

RCL: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147; Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7; John 1:1-18 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 The writings of the prophet Isaiah are some of the most prominent as we walk through the teachings…

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Bible Study: Advent 4 (B) – December 24, 2023

During Advent and Christmas, we will be using study prompts and other activities tied to the sermon for the week. Read the sermon aloud and follow-up with spoken responses to…

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Bible Study: Advent 3 (B) – December 17, 2023

During Advent and Christmas, we will be using study prompts and other activities tied to the sermon for the week. Read the sermon aloud and follow-up with spoken responses to…

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Bible Study: Advent 2 (B) – December 10, 2023

During Advent and Christmas, we will be using study prompts and other activities tied to the sermon for the week. Read the sermon aloud and follow-up with spoken responses to…

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Bible Study: Advent 1 (B) – December 3, 2023

During Advent and Christmas, we will be using study prompts and other activities tied to the sermon for the week. Read the sermon aloud and follow-up with spoken responses to…

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Bible Study: Christ the King Sunday (A) – 2023

RCL: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 In Ezekiel, we are given a less familiar text about a more familiar image: God as the…

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Bible Study: Proper 28 (A) – 2023

RCL: Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 Judges 4:1-7 In our Old Testament reading, we find that the Israelites are being punished by the Lord for the…

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Bible Study: Proper 27 (A) – 2023

RCL: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 “If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you…

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Bible Study: All Saints’ Day (A) – 2023

RCL: Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 Revelation 7:9-17 For all the interpretive challenges Revelation offers, it also provides us some beautiful ways of understanding how…

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