Sermons from St. Francis

The Light That Shines in the Darkness

Mother Emily's sermon centers on the theme of divine light enduring through human hardship. She recounts a series of unfortunate events a fellow priest faced on Christmas Eve to illustrate how spiritual hope persists despite chaotic circumstances. By analyzing the Gospel of John, the narrative connects the biblical creation story to the incarnation of Jesus, framing him as a light that d...

Signposts of Hope: Nailing Your Colors to the Mast

This sermon emphasizes that followers of Jesus act as living signposts for others who are searching for spiritual meaning. The speaker encourages the congregation to embrace their identity as "people of the way" by intentionally guiding others toward faith through their daily actions and personal stories. By nailing their colors to the mast, believers are urged to show...

The Prayer for Restoration: Emmanuel With Us

his sermon centers on the spiritual necessity of restoration and finding hope through God's presence during times of exhaustion. Using the architectural history of Canterbury Cathedral as a metaphor, the speaker illustrates how faith can rebuild what has been depleted or destroyed by life's trials. The text explores Psalm 80 and the prophecy of Emmanuel, emphasizing that the p...

Advent Joy and the Patience of Faith

A sermon by Father Stuart Bates delivered on the third Sunday of Advent, often called the Sunday of Joy. Father Bates uses this day, which commemorates moving closer to celebrating Christ's nativity, as an opportunity to discuss the paradoxical necessity of preparing for the day of judgment. Drawing heavily on the teachings of the Apostles James, Peter, and Paul, the sermon focuses on dev...

From Noise to Presence: A Countercultural Advent

The sermon, delivered during the second week of Advent, outlines the challenges of maintaining spiritual focus when the holy season is overwhelmed by the consumer noise and distraction of modern culture, often termed the "Christmas creep." Rev. Katie Gould contrasts the world's demands for hurried action and constant purchasing with God's desire for patient, focused ...

Armor of Light: Holding Advent's Tension

This sermon by Mother Emily Hylden begins by exploring the disorienting experience of time and reality shifting, drawing a comparison between the loss of predictable seasonal changes in Texas and the spiritual demands of Advent. The message then challenges the common notion of light as merely an exposing force, presenting scriptural references that define it instead as protective armor an...

Christ the King: Prophet, Priest, and Royal King

In this sermon, Father Stuart Bates provides an extensive overview of Christ the King Sunday, focusing on the identity of Jesus as the Anointed One (Messiah/Christ) who perfected the roles of the Old Covenant. The central theme explores the three-fold ministry of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King, establishing Him as the ultimate Word of God, the sinless High Priest who offered Hims...

The Gift of the Present Moment

In this sermon, Father David Price address than themes of eschatology—the study of final things—and the importance of the present moment in the Christian faith. He encourages listeners to focus on giving thanks and depending on God in their daily lives, viewing the present as a gift ("the present is a present"). He contrasts the impermanence of physical structures, such as the Jewish temple, ...

Getting Heaven into Us

In this sermon, Father Bob Wismer offer a theological discussion focusing on the concept of heaven and the Kingdom of God, drawing from various biblical narratives and popular cultural references. He uses quiz questions about songs referencing heaven and a joke about St. Peter at the pearly gates to introduce the topic, emphasizing that while people speculate about heaven, the Christian focus should shift from...

The Vocation of Sainthood

In her sermon, Rev. Katie Gould emphasizes St. Clare's quote that we become what we love and clarifies that imitating Christ is a transformation into the image of the beloved, making us vessels of God's love. She challenges the common perception of saints as distant historical figures, arguing that a saint is simply a person whose life has become a prayer and profound service, asserting that hol...

Confidence in God: Humility and Mercy

In this sermon by Father David Price delivered on October 26, 2025, Father David primarily discusses the nature of confidence versus arrogance in a Christian context. Father Price uses the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector to illustrate the difference between self-justifying pride and humble reliance on God's mercy. The Pharisee's confidence in his own spiritual performance i...

This sermon was delivered by Rev. Katie Gould on Episcopal School Sunday, celebrating the deep connection between the St. Francis church and school communities. The sermon emphasizes that the school's Episcopal identity is rooted in fellowship, prayer, and generosity, ensuring that no one feels alone or unseen. Drawing heavily from the Acts 2 reading about the early church, the message illustrates how the school models this anc...

Finding Goodness in ExileMother Emily Hylden uses biblical narratives and personal anecdotes to discuss the concept of "exile." She begins by teaching an adolescent audience about the historical exile of the Jewish people, drawing parallels between the ancient experience and modern-day discomforts such as unwanted jobs or health crises. The central message revolves around the idea that God can transform circumstances of s...

The Church's Mission and Ministry

In this sermon, delivered by Father Stuart Bates on October 5, 2025, in observance of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, and the 75th anniversary of the St. Francis mission in West Houston, Father Bates emphasizes that the church's foundation is Jesus Christ, who is the head of the body, and that the parishioners of St. Francis are members of this body. The core of the sermon centers on...

Do It Scared: Belief Despite Evidence

This sermon by Mother Emily Hylden, delivered on September 28, 2025, discusses the nature of faith and evidence through scriptural stories. Hylden focuses on a passage from Luke where Jesus states that some will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead, which she calls a "ruthful joke" about human stubbornness. She contrasts the rich man in the story, who seeks more evidenc...

Stewardship, Relationships, and Eternal Implications

In this sermon by Reverend Katie Gould, delivered on September 21, 2025, she primarily discusses the meaning and implications of biblical parables, particularly focusing on stewardship and eternal consequences. Reverend Gould emphasizes two key takeaways: first, that everything belongs to God, meaning individuals are managers or stewards of gifts like wealth, time, and talents...

The Relentless Pursuit of God's Love

In his sermon, Father Stuart Bates focuses on the Biblical concept of God's relentless search for the lost, drawing heavily from Luke 15 and the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son. He challenges the notion that certain individuals are "unworthy" of God's attention, highlighting the Pharisees' confusion over Jesus's inclusivity and connecting it to modern-day j...

Counting the Cost of Discipleship

This sermon explores the challenging teachings of Jesus, specifically the concept of "hating" family and possessions and "carrying one's cross." Father Wismer clarifies that these are not literal commands for hatred or self-harm, but rather metaphorical calls to prioritize Christ above all else. He uses pop culture references and parables, like the "City Slickers&quo...

From Ailment to Awakening: The Healing Call of Jesus

In this episode, Mother Emily Hylden begins with a personal anecdote about the speaker's long struggle and eventual healing from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which she then uses as a metaphor for other "maladies" that shape people's lives. She draws a parallel to a biblical story from the Gospel of Luke where Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, much to the ...