Selected Sermons from Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Kenmore, Washington

This Advent sermon explores Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth as a profound invitation to spiritual wakefulness, discernment, and trust in God’s unexpected work. Although the passage appears to be a Christmas reading, the message centers on Advent themes: staying awake, preparing our hearts, and recognizing the divine presence in daily life. The Rev. Theresa Newell highlights how Matthew, writing decades after Jesus’ resurrection, ...

In the Gospel reflection, Jesus asks, “What did the people go out into the wilderness to see?” The crowds were not searching for a reed swayed by the wind or a figure of wealth and status. Instead, they sought truth, healing, and wholeness. Drawn by a deep awareness of brokenness—both personal and societal—the people went to hear John the Baptist, who called them to self-examination, repentance, and preparation for the coming of Ch...

This Advent sermon explores the powerful contrast between the season’s hopeful biblical visions and the urgent call to repentance proclaimed by John the Baptist. While readings from Isaiah, Psalms, and Romans describe a world transformed by divine wisdom, peace, and harmony—wherevulnerability disappears and enemies dwell together—John’s bold cry from the wilderness interrupts with a challenging message: “Prepare the way of the Lord...

Advent is a season of anticipation, preparation, and spiritual awakening. In this reflection, we are reminded of Jesus’ words: “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Advent calls us to live in the “in-between”—between good and evil, between the present reality and God’s ultimate kingdom, between what has already been revealed in Christ and what is not yet fully realized.

This message emphasizes ...

Christ the King Sunday invites us to reconsider what ittruly means to call Jesus “King.” In the Gospel, the title is usedmockingly—“If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself”—yet Jesus transformsthe meaning of kingship. Unlike earthly rulers who preserve their own power,Christ reveals kingship through sacrifice, service, and love. By refusing tosave himself, Jesus shows us a leader who saves others, offering comfort andreassur...

In this powerful sermon, we journey with Jesus as he sets his face toward Jerusalem, confronting the domination systems of religion, politics, and empire with a radical vision of the Kingdom of God. This kingdom is not built on power and control, but on relationship, reciprocity, and shared abundance between God, creation, and humanity.

The message reminds us that earthly structures—temples, governments, even the comforts of dai...

Choosing the Right Model of God: From Judgment to Creation

This sermon explores how models shape our decisions—fromweather forecasts to spiritual beliefs. Models simplify reality, but they’re inherently incomplete. One widely used theological model is the “Santa Claus model” of God: a divine judge who rewards the good and punishes the bad. Foundin creeds and scripture, this model offers moral clarity but risks distorting divine myst...

All Saints Day Reflection: Living Virtuously Through the Spirit of God

On All Saints Day, we honor the communion of believers—past, present, and future—marked by the Holy Spirit andunited in Christ. This sermon explores the original meaning of"saint" as all who follow Jesus, and challenges us to pursue virtuous and godly living as described in Luke’s Beatitudes.

Jesus calls the poor, hungry, grieving, and excluded ...

This week’s Gospel reflection from Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington, explores the transformative power of prayer and the radical grace of God. Building on last week’s call to “pray always and not lose heart,” the message dives into Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, revealing that true prayer is not about performance but about the posture of the heart.

Rather than casting the Pharisee as a villain and...

This powerful sermon explores the timeless cry for justice echoed through Scripture, history, and modern life. Drawing from Luke’s Gospel and the parable of the persistent widow, it challenges believers to pray without ceasing and not lose heart in the face of injustice. From the Psalms to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote—“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”—the message resonates with those who ...

In this powerful reflection, we explore how gratitude ismore than a feeling—it’s a spiritual force that transforms lives. Drawing from the wisdom of Brother David Steindl-Rast and the Gospel story of the ten healed lepers, this message reveals how thankfulness deepens our faith, heals ourwounds, and binds us to God and one another. Discover how gratitude invites us to the margins, challenges exclusion, and builds beloved community....

Faith isn’t missing—it’s already planted. Let it grow.

🌱 Faith, Frost, and Flower Bulbs: A Sermon on Trusting What You Already Have

In this heartfelt sermon, a childhood gardening mishap in Duarte, California, becomes a powerful metaphor for spiritual growth. Through daffodil bulbs planted upside down and the disciples’ plea for more faith, we’re reminded that even the smallest seed of belief can move mountains. Reflecting on Jesus’...

In this powerful sermon, we explore Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus—not as a threat about the afterlife, but as a radical call to heart transformation and social justice. Misunderstanding the context of this gospel passage can lead to fear-based theology, but Jesus’ message is not about punishment—it's about compassion, connection, and the proper use of wealth.

Through a humorous anecdote about a lost baby Jesus figur...

In this spiritually enriching episode, we explore Jesus's profound teaching: "You cannot serve God and wealth". This powerful message confronts the conflicting realities of the earthly realm versus God's kingdom, examining the paradox of temporal, dishonest wealth versus eternal, true riches.

We unpack the parable of the dishonest steward, who shrewdly uses worldly resources to build relationships for his future. J...

🎙️ Holy Cross Day: Power, Redemption, and the Way of Love

In this compelling Holy Cross Day sermon from Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, explore how the Cross redefines power—not as domination, but as radical love and self-emptying grace. Drawing from Philippians and the Gospels of Mark and John, the Rev. Theresa Newell contrasts worldly authority with Christ’s servant leadership, inviting listeners into a deeper understanding of ...

In this powerful and provocative sermon, we explore one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus found in Luke’s Gospel—“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother… cannot be my disciple.” At first glance, these words seem jarring, even contradictory to the compassionate Jesus we know. But what if this isn’t about literal hate, but about radical prioritization? What if Jesus is calling us to love less the things of t...

In this thought-provoking sermon, we explore a gospel passage where Jesus breaks the mold of traditional parables. Instead of a dramatic twist, He offers a wisdom story rooted in everyday experience—one that challenges our cultural obsession with status, recognition, and reward. What happens when we stop seeking the place of honor and instead allow ourselves to be lifted up? What if true spiritual transformation begins not with ach...

In this powerful sermon, we explore the question at the heart of Christian faith: Who is God to you? Is God a strict enforcer of religious rules, or a loving presence who seeks healing, freedom, and dignity for all people? Drawing from Luke’s Gospel, this message contrasts two theological views—one held by the synagogue leader, rooted in legalism and exclusion, and the other embodied by Jesus, who offers radical grace, healing, and...

Do Not Be Afraid, Little Flock: Discovering God’s Kingdomof Love and Abundance

In this powerful sermon, we explore Jesus’ invitation to live without fear and embrace the kingdom of God—a kingdom defined not by scarcity, but by abundance, love, and radical community. Drawing from Luke 12 and Hebrews 11, this message challenges the mindset of individualism and invites us into a divine dance of giving and receiving life.

“Do not be afra...