Category Archives: Sermons
October 1, 2017, A Sermon on Matthew 21:28-32 – Guest speaker Helen Harris
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000044 There is a story of a rich young man who was taken to the hospital seriously ill and the doctors told him they would do all they could but weren’t sure if he would recover. The man was scared to death and asked the doctor to please …
September 24, 2017, A Full Day’s Pay and Other Injustices – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000043 There is a popular saying that something is “as American as apple pie” but if there is one thing that is even more American than apple pie, it just might be the concept of justice, or fairness. Theoretically, if imperfectly, our whole Republic was founded on the …
September 17, 2017, How Much Forgiveness Is Enough? – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000042 The gospel today begins with Peter’s question: “How many times do I have to forgive my brother if he keeps on sinning against me?” Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” But like …
September 10, 2017, Not Being Judge and Jury – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000041 The gospel reading today is one that churches have used in a particularly effective way to hurt one another, in the name of obedience to Scripture. These verses are used to support various kinds of church discipline, like shunning in the Amish tradition and excommunication in other …
September 3, 2017, Look for the Helpers – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000040 The wonderful and wise Mr. Rogers used to say, “Always look for the helpers” It was something he remembered his mother telling him when he was a little child and the world seemed like a scary place to live. “Always look for the helpers.” she told him. …
August 27, 2017, We Hold the Keys – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000039 When I first arrived at St. Philip’s 6 ½ years ago and was finding my way around I found a big bunch of keys hanging on a peg in the Sacristy closet. I tried them all out in various keyholes inside and outside and downstairs, and the …
August 20, 2017, The Paradox of Purity – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000038 We have recently watched two really good movies about racism – both true stories. Hidden Figures, about four brilliant women scientists who worked for NASA in the 1960’s, during the “space race” between the US and Russia, and particularly about Katherine Johnson. The movie shows how these …
August 13, 2017, Stormy Weather – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000037 1. Here are two examples of different kinds of stories we tell about people. Example one is the story we all know about young George Washington and the Cherry Tree, how little six-year-old George damaged a cherry tree in his father’s orchard with his shiny new hatchet. …
August 6, 2017, What Are We Doing Up Here? – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000036 It was just two weeks ago that we got the call from Sam that Sharon was fighting for her life in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit in Burlington. When I came into the hospital from the parking garage I was met by Sam’s son, who guided me …
July 30, 2017, Becoming a Super-naturalized Citizen – Mtr. Kathryn Boswell
To listen to this sermon, click here: Z0000035 There is a really interesting website called myimmigrationstory.com where people of all ages have shared the stories of their coming to the US and becoming citizens of a new country. The stories range from hopeful to heartbreaking. Here are three that I’d like to read to you …
St. Philip's Episcopal Church 