The sermon is a unique art form. Recent survey data from The Episcopal Church Foundation revealed that 69% of people believe it is essential to our worship, second only to the Eucharist. The same survey also revealed that the clergy ranked the sermon’s essential nature higher than the laity. The sermon changes more week to week than any other aspect of our worship and rightly requires significant time to prepare. Connecting biblical truth and wisdom to our everyday lives is a rare opportunity that I am honored to explore regularly.
It’s no secret that I enjoy preaching, and I am grateful for the attention and focus of our members at Ascension. I do my best to consider what questions those in attendance may have in light of the readings and seek to make each sermon engaging and thought-provoking. Many members have shared the impact my preaching has had on their spiritual journey, and this encouragement helps me continue to pursue excellence in my preparation and delivery.
As we consider the importance of worship and preaching, we have some unique opportunities to share our experiences with others. While we recorded sermons before the pandemic, our online content has flourished in the past five years. Our YouTube channel offers past worship and playlists of sermons, teachings, and more. Sharing the channel or even specific recordings with others can be a fantastic way to help others connect with Ascension. It can also serve as a great conversation starter as you gather with friends and family.
Blessings,
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