Sermons from St. Paul's Episcopal Church

15th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17A
This week we gather to pray that God, the giver of all good things, will increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works. Today we learn from Romans, chapter 12 the importance of loving our enemies and are told, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." In our continuing study of the Book of Matthew we'll hear Jesus teaching his disciples that to be his followers they must be willing to pick up their cross and follow him. Join us as we learn how to be good and true followers of Jesus. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16A, Track 2
In this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus asks the disciples who people say that he is. They answer him. Then he asks, but who do you say that I am. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah. The Son of the living God.” Come explore this question with us and come up with your own answer. Who do you say that Jesus is? This week we will also bless the children going back to school and everyone who is facing a new beginning. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15A, Track 2
While teaching his disciples about the importance of keeping themselves clean and acceptable to the Lord, he says, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Because what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, it shows our true nature. After this Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon where a Canaanite women challenged him and asked him to heal her daughter. Come hear him say, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Come learn about these important stories of our faith. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:
Isaiah 56:1,6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14A, Track 2
This week we hear the story of Jesus walking on water. When the disciples saw him, they were terrified and cried out in fear. But immediately, Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Come learn how we need to practice recognizing Jesus who now comes to us in one another. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

The Transfiguration, Year A
This week we learn about the Transfiguration – a time when Jesus took Peter, John and James with him up on a mountain to pray. While they were there, Jesus’ appearance changed. He began to glow, and his clothes became a dazzling white. Because they stayed awake, the disciples got to see this glory and tow men who stood with Jesus – Moses and Elijah. Come learn about mountaintop experiences and why we are called both to climb the mountain and, afterward, to return to share the good news with others. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:

• Exodus 34:29-35
• 2 Peter 1:13-21
• Luke 9:28-36
• Psalm 99 or 99:5-9

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12A, Track 2
This week we hear the Parable of the Mustard Seed from the Gospel of Matthew. We also hear four examples of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like – yeast mixed into flour, treasure hidden in a field, a merchant in search of fine pearls and a net thrown into the sea which caught fish of every kind. Come learn what these parables mean and explore how we can apply these lessons in our lives today. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:

• 1 Kings 3:5-12
• Psalm 119:129-136
• Romans 8:26-39
• Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

July 23, 2023
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 11A, Track 2
This week we get another parable about sowing seeds. This time there are two sowers – one who sows wheat with good seed and one who comes in the night to sow weeds among the wheat. If gathered too quickly, the wheat would be lost along with the weeds, so they had to wait for the wheat to mature before it could be harvested. Come learn what this parable means and how we can apply what Jesus teaches in our lives today. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:

• Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19
• or Isaiah 44:6-8
  
• Psalm 86:11-17
• Romans 8:12-25
• Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

This week we hear the Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Matthew. Some seed fell on the path and birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground and did not have much soil, so they sprang up quickly but were soon scorched by the sun. Other seeds fell among thorns which choked them out. But some seeds fell on good soul and brought forth grain, some a hundred-fold! Come learn what this means for us today. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:
July 16, 2023
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10A, Track 2

• Isaiah 55:10-13
• Psalm 65: (1-8), 9-14
• Romans 8:1-11
• Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

In this week’s gospel lesson we hear Jesus say, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Come and rest in the Lord. Worship in the beauty of holiness. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - PROPER 9, Year A, RCL, Track 2

• Zechariah 9:9-12
• Psalm 145:8-15
• Romans 7:15-25a
• Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

This week’s gospel lesson is from Matthew, chapter 10. Jesus assures his disciples that, “Whoever welcome you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” He teaches them about the reward of the righteous and says, “…and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” Join us at St. Paul’s where all are welcome. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

This week's scripture lessons:
PROPER 8, Year A, RCL, Track 2

• Jeremiah 28:5-9
• Psalm 89:1-4,15-18
• Romans 6:12-23
• Matthew 10:40-42

Click HERE to see the bulletin.

In this week’s gospel lesson we hear Jesus encouraging his disciples to be brave and bold, even in the face of the danger that can come from spreading his message, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than the sparrows.” Jesus explains how his message will drive people apart, for some will want to cling to the old ways and will fear the light. We, too, need to be committed to this message of truth and love, even when it’s unpopular in our time. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

Readings:

• Jeremiah 20:7-13
• Psalm 69: 8-11, (12-17), 18-20
• Romans 6:1b-11
• Matthew 10:24-39

Service Bulletin

This Sunday we continue our study of the gospel of Matthew learning about how Jesus went about in all the cities and villages teaching, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and sickness. Seeing that there was far more work than he could do alone, and recognizing that it was time, Jesus gave authority to his twelve disciples and sent them out into the world to proclaim the good news and to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast our demons. “See I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. What of this message pertains to us as the present-day disciples of the Jesus movement? Come find out. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

Readings:

• Exodus 19:2-8a
• Psalm 100
• Romans 5:1-8
• Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)

Service Bulletin

This week we hear Jesus call Matthew the tax collector, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed. Then, Jesus sat with his disciples and many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees questioned them asking why Jesus would go against the law that forbids this. When Jesus heard their question, he answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” While this was going on, a leader of the synagogue came and knelt before Jesus because his daughter had just died. “Come and lay your hands on her and she will live,” he said. Jesus went to help them, but along the way, a woman who had been suffering twelve years reached out and touched the fringe of his cloak and was healed. Come learn about the amazing ways that Jesus healed them people and how we are called to continue the ministry that he started all those years ago. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture, and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

Readings:

• Hosea 5:15-6:6
• Psalm 50:7-15
• Romans 4:13-25
• Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Service Bulletin

This week the church celebrates the Trinity - one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Trinity means "threefold unity" and is a human expression of how we understand the mystery of God. Come learn about God. Come enjoy inspiring scripture, meaningful prayers, beautiful music, and an uplifting message. Join us for church on Sunday and get inspired!

Hosea 5:15-6:6
Psalm 50:7-15
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Click here to see this week's Bulletin.

This is the sermon for Pentecost Sunday on May 28th. Join us as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Birthday of the Church and the 134 years of mission and ministry at St. Paul’s, Ventura. Beautiful Festival Service 10:15am with inspiring scripture, beautiful prayers, wonderful music and an uplifting message. Come and get inspired!

• Acts 2:1-21
• 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
• John 20:19-23
• Psalm 104:25-35, 37

Click here to see the bulletin.

This week we remember the Ascension, the occasion when the risen Christ rose into heaven after appearing to his followers for forty days. Though Ascension Day is on Thursday, we will celebrate on Sunday. Come learn about this important story of our faith. Come enjoy inspiring scripture, beautiful prayers, wonderful music and an uplifting message. Come get inspired!

Readings:

• Acts 1:6-14
• 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
• John 17:1-11
• Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36

Service Bulletin

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” He promises that he will not leave us orphaned but will send the Holy Spirit to be with us forever. Come learn about the Holy Spirit and all that this Advocate can do to support us as we continue on the journey of faith. Mother’s Day is a great day to come to church. It’s a Bring-A-Friend Sunday, so share this with a friend - hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come to church and get inspired!

Readings:

• Acts 17:22-31
• 1 Peter 3:13-22
• John 14:15-21
• Psalm 66:7-18

Service Bulletin

This week’s gospel lesson is from John, chapter 14. Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” He is teaching about the afterlife, telling them that he will go to prepare a place for them. When Thomas questions him, asking how can we know the way to follow him, Jesus explains, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Come learn about the life that extends beyond our earthly years. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come get inspired!

Readings:

• Acts 7:55-60
• 1 Peter 2:2-10
• John 14:1-14
• Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

Service Bulletin

This week we hear Jesus explaining to the disciples that he is the gate for the sheep and that, “whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” Jesus goes on to explain, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Join us as we learn about the abundant life that Jesus has in mind for us. Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come get inspired!

Readings:

• Acts 2:42-47
• 1 Peter 2:19-25
• John 10:1-10
• Psalm 23

Service Bulletin

This week we hear the story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. Though the risen Jesus walked with them as they traveled, they did not recognize him. He taught and enlightened them as they walked and beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. Still, it wasn't until he blessed and broke the bread that they recognized him, and in that moment, he was gone. Come join us as we pray, "be known to us, Lord Jesus, in the breaking of the bread." Come hear amazingly beautiful music, inspiring scripture and an uplifting message of hope and love. Come receive the bread and wine made holy. Come get inspired!

Readings:

• Acts 2:14a,36-41
• 1 Peter 1:17-23
• Luke 24:13-35
• Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17

Service Bulletin