Sermons from St. Francis

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 ...

Father Wismer's sermon explores the multifaceted reasons individuals attend church, likening the experience to a doctor's visit where one seeks healing and guidance. He emphasizes that unlike a human doctor, God already knows our troubles and desires, even those we wish to conceal. The sermon highlights the transformative power of God's word, comparing it to fire and a hammer that refines and reshapes us, even through p...

The provided sermon emphasizes the human tendency to worry and the struggle of living in the "in-between space"—the gap between one's current reality and desired future. It highlights Jesus's repeated instruction to "not be afraid," acknowledging that fear is a natural human experience. The message encourages listeners to place their security not in earthly possessions but in God's eternal kingdom, d...

This podcast episode, from St. Francis Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, features a sermon by Father Stuart Bates that explores the Christian perspective on wealth, greed, and generosity. Father Bates discusses how modern culture encourages constant consumption, contrasting it with Jesus's teachings on not accumulating possessions. He uses the parable of the rich fool to illustrate the dangers of covetousness and emphasizes t...

This sermon, delivered by Father Bob Wismer, explores the concept of prayer through the lens of Old and New Testament covenants or "contracts" with God. Father Wismer highlights two primary biblical narratives: Abraham's bold negotiation with God concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, and the parable of the persistent friend at midnight from the Gospel of Luke. Both examples emphasize praying for others and approaching God wi...