Church of the Incarnation Sermons

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week—but this week is more than what it appears to be.It is easy to move through these days as just another stretch of time filled with responsibilities, schedules, and routines. But Holy Week invites us to see more deeply—to recognize that beneath the surface, something eternal is unfolding.The story of Jesus breaks through the “enchantments” we live under: the belief that we are in control, that we are self-sufficient, or that our deepest needs can be solved by the world around us. Instead, Holy Week reveals the truth—our greatest need is deeper than we think, and only Christ can meet it.From Palm Sunday to the cross and ultimately to the empty tomb, we are invited into a real encounter with Jesus—one that frees us from sin and death and calls us into new life.As we walk through this holiest week, may our eyes be opened, our hearts awakened, and our lives transformed by the One who came to save us.📖 Scripture: Philippians 2:5–11; Matthew 21:1–11🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jon Jordan⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/Join Us this Holy Week https://incarnation.org/worship/holy-week-easter-services-2026-in-dallas--church-of-the-incarnation///

Palm Sunday invites us into the most sacred story of all—the journey of Jesus toward the cross. As the narrative unfolds, we are confronted not only with Christ’s suffering, but with the depth of his love: a love that knows us fully, even in our betrayal, weakness, and pain.This reflection draws us into that reality. Jesus is not distant from human suffering—he enters into it completely. He knows betrayal, humiliation, grief, and even the silence of God. And yet, in that very place, redemption breaks into the world.The question before us is personal: Will we open our hearts to him?As we enter Holy Week, may we move beyond familiarity and allow this story to awaken something deeper within us—leading us to repentance, renewal, and the assurance that we are his, and he will never let us go.📖 Scripture: Matthew 26–27 (Palm Sunday Liturgy) 🕊️ Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Greg Brewer ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

What if God’s timing doesn’t match your expectations?On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cn. Oliver Lee reflects on the raising of Lazarus—the final and greatest “sign” in the Gospel of John—and what it reveals about suffering, disappointment, and the glory of God.When Jesus arrives too late, when prayers seem unanswered, and when loss feels final, we’re left asking the same question Martha asked: Where was God?This message reminds us that suffering is not a sign of God’s absence, but often the very place where His glory is revealed most clearly. Even in grief, even in disappointment, even when things feel beyond hope—God is still at work.Because in the darkest moments, God is often doing His deepest work.📖 Scripture: John 11:1–45🕊️ Preacher: Cn. Oliver Lee⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/Holy Week & Easter services: https://incarnation.org/worship/holy-week-easter-services-2026-in-dallas--church-of-the-incarnation///

What happens when hope feels completely gone?On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Rev. Cody Turner reflects on the haunting question from Ezekiel’s vision: “Can these bones live?” From the valley of dry bones to the tomb of Lazarus, Scripture confronts us with the reality of death—both physical and spiritual—and invites us to ask whether restoration is truly possible.This message speaks directly into the places in our lives that feel beyond repair: grief, broken relationships, addiction, disappointment, and doubt. The answer is not found in self-improvement, but in the God who raises the dead and calls life out of what seems lost forever.Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, even the most hopeless places are not beyond redemption.📖 Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1–14, John 11:1–45🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Cody Turner⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/Holy Week & Easter services: https://incarnation.org/worship/holy-week-easter-services-2026-in-dallas--church-of-the-incarnation///

If Jesus is the Light of the world, how do we become channels of that light?In this sermon, Bishop Brewer reflects on the story of the man born blind in John 9 and challenges believers to open their eyes to what God is doing around them. While many in the story refuse to see the truth right in front of them, Jesus calls His disciples to recognize God’s work and join in it.The question for every disciple is not only who Jesus is — but also what He is asking us to do.Lent invites us into honest self-examination so that our vision may be renewed and our hearts made ready to follow wherever Christ leads.📖 Scripture: John 9🕊️ Preacher: Bishop Brewer⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

Why do some people see Jesus clearly while others miss Him completely?In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind — yet the miracle sparks controversy instead of faith. As the healed man begins to see spiritually, the religious leaders become increasingly blind. Rev. Jordan Griesbeck explores how fear, certainty, and the desire for control can keep us from recognizing Christ when He is right in front of us.The Gospel reminds us that true sight begins not with confidence in ourselves, but with humility — the willingness to admit that we do not yet see clearly.Those who admit their blindness are the ones who finally encounter the light.📖 Scripture: John 9🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jordan Griesbeck⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

The Scriptures present three scenes of helplessness: a people wandering in the wilderness without water, a Samaritan woman drawing water alone at noon, and the deeper helplessness shared by the entire human race.Yet in each moment of need, God acts.Water flows from the rock in the desert. Living water is offered at the well. And ultimately, God acts decisively through the cross of Jesus Christ.The Christian story does not begin with human strength or spiritual achievement. It begins with God’s grace moving toward us long before we could move toward Him.Rev. Cody Turner reflects on the good news that when we have no power to help ourselves, God has already acted to save us.📖 Scripture: Exodus 17:1–7, Romans 5:1–11, John 4:5–42🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Cody Turner⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

In the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, we encounter a powerful truth: the God who fully sees us is also the God who loves and saves us.This Gospel passage is not a story of condemnation but of recognition. Jesus meets a weary and vulnerable woman with compassion, revealing that true transformation begins when we allow ourselves to be seen by God as we truly are.Lent invites us into that same honesty before God. Rather than striving to prove ourselves worthy, we discover that God’s grace meets us precisely in our weakness.As Rev. Dorothy Budd reflects on this encounter, we are reminded that being seen by Christ opens our eyes to who He truly is—and calls us to share that hope with others.📖 Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Dorothy Budd⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

“God gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” (Romans 4:17)On this Second Sunday of Lent, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on the truest thing we can say about God: He creates out of nothing. He resurrects what is dead. He brings into being what does not yet exist.From Abraham’s barren future in Genesis 12 to Paul’s words in Romans 4, we see a God who speaks life where there is none — creating faith, reckoning righteousness, and bringing new birth through grace.Lent begins not with self-improvement, but with dust. It begins with honesty about what is dead in us — habits, relationships, illusions of control — and trust that God does His best work precisely there.If something is already alive, it cannot be resurrected.God gives life to the dead.📖 Scripture: Genesis 12:1–4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jordan Griesbeck⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/Journey through Lent with us: https://incarnation.org/lent-2026/

What does it mean to walk by faith during Lent?On this Second Sunday of Lent, Pastor Shawn Torres reminds us that salvation is not a transaction. We cannot buy the blessings of heaven with the currency of earth. God’s Kingdom operates on faith — not merit, performance, or religious resume.From Abraham’s departure in Genesis 12 to the psalmist’s confidence in Psalm 121, and from Paul’s teaching in Romans 4 to Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3, we see the same unchangeable truth: we are justified by grace through faith.Faith demands departure.Faith depends on a helper.Faith discards human effort.Faith delivers new birth.It is not the intensity of our faith that saves us — it is the object of our faith. Jesus Christ alone.“Thanks be to God, whose glory it is always to have mercy.”📖 Scripture: Genesis 12:1–4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17🕊️ Preacher: Pastor Shawn Torres⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/Journey through Lent with us: https://incarnation.org/lent-2026/

Lent is not a self-improvement plan.In a culture that constantly tells us to become the “best version of ourselves,” Scripture zooms out to reveal something far larger. Romans reminds us that sin and death are not merely mistakes we make — they are powers that have gripped the world. We are not only their captives, but often their accomplices.But the story does not end there.Jesus does not come to make us slightly better. He comes to set us free. Entering into the territory held by sin and death, Christ overthrows their dominion through the cross and the empty tomb. What we demand is a miracle — and in Christ, that miracle has come.Lent is about seeing again what God has done to reclaim the world He made.📖 Scripture: Romans 5; Matthew 4:1–11 🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Cody Turner ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Journey with us this Lent Explore resources, services, and events: https://incarnation.org/lent-2026/🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

Human history collapses into two names: Adam and Christ.In Romans 5, the Apostle Paul tells the story of the world through two men—one whose disobedience brought sin and death, and one whose obedience brings righteousness and life. There are no conditions. No imperatives. No “ifs.” Only the objective reality of grace.This message explores the depth of our solidarity in sin, the universality of grace, and the astonishing freedom found in Christ’s obedience transferred to us. As Lent begins, we enter the wilderness not in fear, but in the security of what Christ has already accomplished.Grace is not earned. It is given. And it changes everything.📖 Scripture: Romans 5:12–19 🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jordan Griesbeck ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Journey with us this Lent Explore resources, events, and services: https://incarnation.org/lent-2026/🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

Ash Wednesday begins the 40-day journey of Lent — a season of prayer, fasting, repentance, and renewal as we prepare for Holy Week and the resurrection of our Savior.In this message, Cn. Oliver Lee reminds us that ashes are not decoration. They are declaration. They declare who we are, whose we are, and what we are:• We are dust — fragile and finite• We belong to God — beloved children• We are sinners — in need of mercy and graceJesus warns us in Matthew 6 not to perform righteousness for recognition, but to practice relationship with the Father who sees in secret. Lent is not about earning salvation. It is about renewing relationship.This sermon explores:• Why giving, prayer, and fasting must flow from sincerity• The danger of storing up earthly treasure• How repentance deepens joy• Practical ways to walk faithfully through Lent 2026As we receive ashes, we are invited not to perform repentance — but to practice it.Walk through Lent with us.Learn more about Lent at Incarnation:https://incarnation.org/lent-2026/📖 Scripture: Joel 2:1–2, 12–17; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:10; Matthew 6:1–21🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Cn. Oliver Lee⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

On Ash Wednesday, we hear Jesus’ call from Matthew 6: “Go into your room. Shut the door. Pray to your Father who sees in secret.”In a world obsessed with image, performance, and being seen, Rev. Griesbeck reflects on what it means to remove the mask and stand honestly before God. Ash Wednesday confronts our need for recognition and invites us instead into the freedom of being fully known — and fully loved — by the Father.This sermon explores:• The temptation to live for public approval• Why performance eventually exhausts us• The hidden cost of spiritual “looks maxing”• The freedom found in being seen by God alone• The grace marked on our faces in ashesAsh Wednesday is not about spiritual performance. It is about repentance, truth, and grace. It is a day for actors to lay down their masks — and for sinners to receive mercy.We invite you to walk through Lent with us.Learn more about Lent at Incarnation: https://incarnation.org/lent-2026/📖 Scripture: Joel 2:1–2, 12–17; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:10; Matthew 6:1–6🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Griesbeck⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

We live in a world obsessed with filters — projecting polished versions of ourselves while hiding what feels weak or unfinished. But God does not invite us to hide. He invites us to behold.On Transfiguration Sunday, Pastor Shawn Torres walks us through Matthew 17 and reminds us that the glory of Christ is not given for entertainment, but for empowerment. When Jesus’ face shone like the sun and the Father declared, “This is my Son… listen to Him,” the disciples were given more than a spectacle. They were given strength for what lay ahead.The mountain was not the destination — it was preparation.As we enter the valleys of real life and prepare for Lent, this sermon calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus, listen to His voice above every competing voice, and trust that His glory will strengthen us to bear our cross.Is His glory changing the way we carry ours?📖 Scripture: Matthew 17:1–9; 2 Peter 1:16–21; Psalm 99 🕊️ Preacher: Pastor Shawn Torres ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX 🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

There are moments when God feels close — when prayer is powerful and His presence unmistakable. And there are seasons when we feel nothing at all.On Transfiguration Sunday, Bp. Brewer reflects on Matthew 17 and reminds us that God’s glory does not depend on our feelings. When Jesus’ face shone like the sun and heaven broke into earth, the disciples were given a glimpse of what is always true: the spiritual is stronger than the physical, and Christ is who He says He is.As we prepare to enter Lent, this sermon invites us to trust that even in the valleys — in silence, weakness, and uncertainty — God is active, present, and holding us fast.No matter what we feel, His glory is always there.📖 Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9; 2 Peter 1:16-21 🕊️ Preacher: Bp. Brewer ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX 🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

Every time the Church gathers, God draws us into a clearer space — a place where heaven and earth meet, where our vision is sharpened, and where we are reminded of the one sign that truly matters.Drawing on C.S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair, Rev. Cody Turner reflects on how Christ and Him crucified stands at the center of Christian life. The cross not only reveals God’s love for the world; it shapes our desires, exposes competing loyalties, and calls us into a cruciform way of living.As we return to the “thick air” of everyday life — filled with noise, confusion, and divided allegiances — the Church sends us out remembering this sign, trusting the Holy Spirit to root it deep within us, for the life of the world.📖 Scripture: Isaiah 2:1–5; Romans 13:8–14 🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Cody Turner ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

Is there anything better to talk about than Jesus?In worship, God invites us into more than observation — He invites us into encounter. As the Church gathers around Word and Sacrament, our attention is drawn away from inward rumination and toward the living Christ, who makes Himself known by the power of the Holy Spirit.Reflecting on the Apostle Paul’s proclamation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, Bp. Brewer calls us to receive rather than impress, to enter rather than observe, and to open our hearts to the sacrificial love revealed at the cross. In Jesus, God has spoken His final word — a word of forgiveness, restoration, and life.When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, hearts are warmed, joy is restored, and lives are changed.📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 🕊️ Preacher: Bp. Brewer ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

Are the Beatitudes beautiful words — or do they actually mean something in a broken world?In this sermon, Rev. Jon Jordan invites us to hear the Beatitudes not as moral advice or self-help teaching, but as Jesus’ announcement that a new world is breaking in. Spoken into a first-century world shaped by violence, power, and fear, the Beatitudes declare that those who live by God’s kingdom values now are already blessed.Drawing on Matthew 5 and the prophet Micah, this sermon explores what it means to live faithfully between two worlds — the world as it is, and the world as it will be when God sets all things right.📖 Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12, Micah 6:8 🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jon Jordan ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

What does it truly mean to be “blessed”?In this sermon, Rev. Cn. Oliver Lee reflects on the Beatitudes as a radical reordering of the world’s values. Jesus declares that God’s kingdom belongs not to the self-sufficient or powerful, but to those who know their need for Him.Through reflections on Amazing Grace, the life of John Newton, and Jesus’ words in Matthew 5, this sermon invites us to embrace humility, mercy, and a deep hunger for righteousness — trusting that God’s grace meets us with empty hands and fills us completely.📖 Scripture explored: Matthew 5:1–12🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Cn. Oliver Lee⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

What does it really mean to follow Jesus?In this sermon, Greg Brewer reflects on Jesus’ call to the disciples and the image of being “caught” by Christ. Following Jesus is not about dominance or self-assertion, but about yielding control, learning contentment, and discovering the freedom that comes through servanthood.This message explores the daily inner struggle for who will lead our lives, the difference between power and dominance, and how confidence in Christ grows as we learn to trust Him more deeply. In saying yes to Jesus, we are invited into a shared life of generosity, service, and joy as we follow Him together.Scripture: Matthew 4:18–22; Psalm 27 Preacher: Bp. Greg Brewer Church: Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX

Is the Church a refuge for the weak? Yes — and precisely for that reason, it shines with the radiance of Christ’s glory.Rev. Cody Turner reflects on the surprising truth that God gathers the wounded, unimpressive, and weary and makes them the very people through whom His glory is revealed. Drawing from Isaiah, the Gospel of John, and Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, we are reminded that the Church’s strength does not come from human achievement, but from belonging to a faithful God who calls, sanctifies, and sustains His people.The Church is the place where we belong, where we are set apart for God’s purposes, and where we are strengthened by gifts we did not earn — all so that Christ may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth.📖 Scripture: Isaiah 49:1–6, John 1:35–42, 1 Corinthians 1:1–9🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Cody Turner⛪ Church: Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, TX

God has not saved us to sit in the light — He has saved us to shine it.In this message, Pastor Shawn Torres reflects on Christ as the Lamb of God, the true source of all light. Drawing from John 1, Isaiah 49, and 1 Corinthians 1, we are reminded that the Church does not generate its own radiance. Like the moon reflecting the sun, we shine only because Christ has first shone upon us.This calling is both sustaining and expansive. Christ’s light is meant to reach beyond our sanctuaries into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and the nations — so that He may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth.📖 Scripture: John 1:29–42, Isaiah 49:1–6, 1 Corinthians 1:1–9🕊️ Preacher: Pastor Shawn Torres⛪ Church: Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, TX

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on the baptism of Jesus and what it means to live as one who has been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever.Jesus enters the waters of the Jordan alone, revealing both His full humanity and His complete obedience to the Father. In His baptism, we see the pattern of Christian life—humility, repentance, forgiveness, and the ongoing power to say “yes” to God again and again.This message invites us to consider baptism not as a one-time event, but as the beginning of a lifelong journey shaped by grace, weakness, and empowerment. It also calls families and the whole Church to live out that baptism publicly, modeling prayer, generosity, service, and trust in God for the sake of those who are watching.📖 Scripture: Isaiah 43:1–7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14–17; Luke 3:15–22 🕊️ Preacher: Bp. Greg Brewer ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

Rev. Jon Jordan reflects on the God revealed in Jesus Christ—a God who gives more than He takes. Set within the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus, this message invites us to remember our own baptism and the enduring promise spoken over every child of God: You are my beloved.Through Scripture and lived experience, we are reminded that Christ entered fully into human life, sanctifying the ordinary and sending us into the world marked by love, mercy, and hope.📖 Scripture: Isaiah 42:1–9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34–38; Luke 3:15–22 🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jon Jordan ⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with Incarnation Learn more at https://incarnation.org/

Throughout Scripture, angels appear at moments of danger, decision, and divine purpose — not as spectacle, but as messengers of God’s presence and care.Rev. Canon Oliver Lee reflects on the role of angels in the biblical story and in our own lives. From Joseph’s dreams in the Gospel of Matthew to quiet moments of protection, reassurance, and obedience, angels stand at the intersection of heaven’s intention and human response. They do not remove the challenges we face, but they strengthen us to meet them with courage and faith.This message invites us to listen more closely for God’s guidance, to trust His providence, and to consider how we ourselves may be called to serve as God’s messengers — offering comfort, clarity, and hope when others need it most. Heaven is not silent. God is not distant. And this moment matters.📖 Scripture: Matthew 2:13–15; Matthew 18:10🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Canon Oliver Lee⛪ Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX🙏 Connect with IncarnationLearn more at https://incarnation.org/

In this sermon, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on how the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s story. From exile in Egypt to deliverance and new life, Scripture “rhymes” across generations — revealing not coincidence, but promise.These echoes proclaim the heart of the Gospel: God is not only with us in Christ — He has lived for us. Jesus enters every chapter of human life, gathers it into Himself, and rewrites our story with grace, redemption, and hope.As we step into a new year, this message invites us to trust that our past has already been redeemed and our future secured in Christ, who has gone before us in every place we fear to tread.📖 Scripture: Matthew 2:13–15, Hosea 11:1🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jordan Griesbeck⛪ Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas

What does it mean to say that God is with us?In this sermon, Pastor Shawn Torres reflects on the mystery and hope of Emmanuel — God drawing near to His people in Jesus Christ. Through Scripture, we are reminded that God’s presence is not distant or abstract, but living, personal, and transformative. Even after Christmas Day has passed, the promise of Christ’s nearness continues to shape how we live, trust, and hope.This message invites us to rest in the assurance that God is present in every season of life and to respond with faith, gratitude, and renewed obedience.

What does it mean to say that God is with us?In this sermon, Pastor Shawn Torres reflects on the mystery and hope of Emmanuel — God drawing near to His people in Jesus Christ. Through Scripture, we are reminded that God’s presence is not distant or abstract, but living, personal, and transformative. Even after Christmas Day has passed, the promise of Christ’s nearness continues to shape how we live, trust, and hope.This message invites us to rest in the assurance that God is present in every season of life and to respond with faith, gratitude, and renewed obedience.

In this Advent sermon, Bp. Brewer reflects on Matthew’s account of Joseph and the difficult, costly obedience that lies at the heart of the Christmas story.Matthew’s telling of Christ’s birth is not sentimental or predictable. It places us with Joseph in a moment of darkness, uncertainty, and loss—when his hopes for a reasonable and secure future come to an end. Faced with a choice he never wanted to make, Joseph must decide whether to cling to control or to trust the voice of God calling him forward.This sermon speaks to those moments when our own plans fall apart and we find ourselves exhausted, unsure, and searching for light. Christmas, Bp. Brewer reminds us, is not about getting what we want, but about receiving what God longs to give—on his terms, not ours.📖 Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25🕊️ Preacher: Bp. Brewer⛪ Church of the Incarnation: Dallas, Texas

In this Advent sermon, Rev. Cody Turner reflects on Joseph’s story from the Gospel of Matthew and what it means for God to interrupt our carefully made plans.Unlike the familiar Christmas scenes from Luke, Matthew presents the coming of Christ as a deeply personal and disruptive encounter between God and one ordinary person. Joseph’s plans, logic, and sense of control all come to an end as God intervenes. Yet in that interruption, Joseph receives an invitation—into obedience, trust, and a new life shaped not by human effort, but by God’s action.This sermon invites us to consider what it means to receive Christ not as sentiment or comfort, but as Emmanuel—God with us—who still interrupts our lives in order to save and renew them.📖 Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25🕊️ Preacher: Rev. Jordan Griesbeck⛪ Church: Church of the Incarnation, Dallas TX

What does it mean to wait faithfully when our expectations go unmet? In this Advent sermon, Rev. Dorothy Budd reflects on the tension between expectation, waiting, and patience during the third week of Advent.Drawing from the Gospel account of John the Baptist’s question from prison and the Letter of James, this sermon explores the kind of holy patience Scripture calls us to practice. John waits in doubt as his expectations of the Messiah collide with the reality of Jesus’ ministry. The early Christians wait for Christ’s return longer than they anticipated. And we, too, wait—often impatiently—for things to fall into place.Using the image of a farmer waiting for seeds to grow, Rev. Budd reminds us that God is at work even when we cannot see it. Growth happens in hidden ways, on God’s timeline rather than our own. The pink candle of Advent calls us to rejoice—not because waiting is easy, but because the Lord is near.This sermon invites us to plant what God has given us, stand firm, and trust that God is growing something good within us as we wait.