Church of the Incarnation Sermons

Bp. George Sumner reflects on the profound mystery of Good Friday: the death of Jesus and its meaning for humanity. He explores how Christ’s death opens a new path for us at the intersection of divine love and human weakness. At the cross, God does something utterly beyond our comprehension—creating a way through death into eternal life.

Bp. Greg Brewer shares how Holy Week confronts us with Christ’s relentless love—a love that exposes our rebellion yet invites us into mercy. Despite discomfort and distraction, we’re called to receive Jesus with open hands, walk to Calvary, and live as true heirs of God’s kingdom.

Fr. Cody Turner invites us to see Holy Week as a question of identity. When the crowd chooses Barabbas—whose name means “son of the father”—over Jesus, they choose a reflection of themselves over the true Son of God. Today, we face the same temptation: to reshape Jesus in our image. But Christ resists our control and instead invites us to follow him—to sit, listen, and be transformed as we walk with him to the cross.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reminds us that Hosanna is not praise, but a plea: “Save us now.” On Palm Sunday, the crowd welcomed Jesus with hope but misunderstood the kind of salvation he brought. As Holy Week begins, we’re invited to see that our deepest need is not for quick solutions, but for the transforming love of Christ—who enters Jerusalem ready to give his life so we might be truly saved.

Fr. Joe Dewey challenges us to examine what we treasure most: our resume virtues or our relationship with Christ. Drawing from David Brooks’ critique of meritocracy and Paul’s renunciation of worldly status, the sermon contrasts public success with the inner life God desires. Through Mary’s heartfelt offering at the feet of Jesus, we’re invited to bring our attentive presence—not our achievements. As Holy Week approaches, Fr. Dewey asks, Where is your heart? God wants not our credentials, but our trust, our vulnerability, and our love.

In the wilderness of exile and distraction, God is already at work—bringing rivers to dry places. In this sermon, Bishop Greg Brewer invites us to awaken, to notice the quiet unfolding of divine promise, and to join in the grace already being poured out.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on the parable of the prodigal son, illustrating how our disordered appetites lead to spiritual emptiness. He contrasts the consuming hunger of vampires with the Christian feast on Christ, which makes us more fully human. True satisfaction is not found in the world’s fleeting pleasures but at the Father’s table, where mercy gives us “bread enough” and grace welcomes us as beloved children.

Rev. Cody Turner reflects on Luke 15:11-32, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, illustrating how it transcends time and culture. He emphasizes that the story is ultimately about the overwhelming grace of the father, who welcomes his lost son with open arms. Whether we identify with the younger son's rebellion or the elder son's resentment, we are all called to accept God's radical love and forgiveness.

Pastor Shawn Torres’ sermon highlights God’s call to Moses, showing that God often calls us when we least expect it. Moses, stripped of his former identity, encounters God in the burning bush and is confronted with God’s holiness. Though Moses doubts his ability to deliver Israel, God assures him of His presence. Like Moses, we are called to fulfill God's mission, not by our own strength, but through His power. When we submit to God, He works through us to bring hope and deliverance to others.

Rev. Oliver Lee’s sermon reminds us that, like Moses, we often resist God’s call, feeling unprepared. Yet, God equips those He calls, stretching us beyond our comfort zones for His greater purpose. Our mission isn’t for personal gain but to share the Gospel through word and action, bringing healing and hope to the world.

Rev. Jon Jordan reflects on Philippians and Luke, showing that Lent is about becoming more human, not just giving things up. Jesus calls Herod a "fox," warning of what happens when we let our cravings control us. Paul warns that those who live apart from God become ruled by their desires, leading to destruction. Lent helps us train our hearts to submit our passions to God’s will. Through prayer, fasting, and Scripture, we grow into the people we were created to be—fully alive in Christ.

Bp. Brewer reflects on Philippians and the Psalms, showing that God's greatest trait is His mercy. While struggling to prepare his sermon, he realized his need for stillness was part of the message itself. Instead of condemning us, God offers kindness and compassion. True repentance isn’t just feeling bad about sin—it’s turning toward God’s love. When we seek Him, His mercy gives us confidence, gratitude, and a renewed life in Him.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reminds us that temptation thrives in loneliness, but we are never truly alone. Satan seeks to isolate us, yet Christ has faced every trial, the Spirit dwells within us, and Scripture reassures us of God’s love. Instead of striving harder, we must trust that God is already fighting for us. Our baptism secures our place with Him forever.

Rev. Oliver Lee reflects on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, reminding us that the devil’s tactics are subtle but real. Jesus overcame by trusting the Holy Spirit, not just by knowing Scripture. As we journey through Lent, we too must rely on God’s strength to resist temptation, standing firm in faith, knowing He is always with us.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ glory is revealed. This moment affirms His divinity and calls us to follow Him, even when it costs us. True discipleship means embracing His values over the world’s, bearing our cross, and saying yes to His transforming work in us. As we enter Lent, may we see it not as a burden but as an adventure of deeper faith.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 and the Transfiguration, emphasizing that true change comes through the Holy Spirit, not self-improvement. As Christ was transfigured in prayer, we are transformed by conversation with God and the communion of saints, shining His light—often through our weakness. Will we answer His call?

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on Luke 6:27-38, where Jesus calls us to love, give, and show mercy as God has shown us. Following Christ sets us apart, shaping how we see others and respond to challenges. When we surrender to His love, we become instruments of His grace in the world.

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on Genesis 45, showing how Joseph’s forgiveness defies human instinct for vengeance. True mercy, like Christ’s, surrenders power and refuses retaliation, even when justified. Though forgiveness doesn’t undo harm, it mirrors God’s boundless grace.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Luke 6:20-26, revealing how Jesus’ kingdom operates on a radically different currency. While the world values wealth, power, and status, Christ calls us to embrace weakness, grief, and humility as the path to true blessing. Pain and shame, when surrendered to God, become the soil for transformation. In following Jesus, we exchange the fleeting values of the world for the eternal currency of love.

Rev. Cody Turner reflects on Luke 6:17–26, revealing how Jesus frees us from the illusion that wealth, power, and status define us. The world’s values are fleeting, but Christ alone is eternal. In every season whether it be grief, struggle, or abundance, only His love remains.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Isaiah 6 and Luke 5, showing how Jesus calls us beyond our comfort into the deep. Like Isaiah and Peter, we may feel unworthy, but God sees our potential and draws out His beauty in us. Following Christ means surrendering control, trusting His call, and casting our nets into the unknown with faith.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on Isaiah 6 and Luke 5, showing how God's call disrupts expectations. Both Isaiah and Peter were unprepared, yet God rewrote their paths, revealing their deep need for Him. True security isn’t in control but in trusting His purposes and stepping into the unknown with faith.

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on the Presentation of Jesus, showing how Mary, Simeon, and Anna embrace mortality by offering their lives to God. In contrast, our world obsesses over escaping limits- maximizing life, avoiding aging, and fearing death. Yet, Jesus came for finite people, and through the patterns of birth, life, and death, God’s redemption unfolds. True freedom comes not from control or endless striving, but from receiving life as a gift and offering it back to God in faith.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on the Presentation of Jesus, illustrating how Mary, Simeon, and Anna surrender what they hold dear, reminding us that nothing truly belongs to us; all is given back to God. Through personal testimony, he shares how his family learned that true comfort comes not from control but from fully belonging to Christ. Inspired by "Avada Hashem" ("everything in service of God"), this sermon calls us to entrust every aspect of our lives- our work, joys, struggles, and even our deaths- into God's hands.

Canon Carrie Headington reflects on Jesus’ proclamation of His mission in Luke 4, describing it as the most transformative announcement in history. Jesus declares He is the Messiah, bringing good news to the poor, freedom for captives, sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed. This declaration is both universal and deeply personal, showing us God’s love, power, and purpose for our lives.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on how scripture reveals our longings, exposes our sins, and brings us into the presence of God. Just as the people in Nehemiah’s time wept upon hearing the Law, we are invited to encounter Christ in the Word- a meeting that transforms sorrow into joy and strengthens us with His grace.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on John 2:1-11, urging us to see Jesus not only as miraculous but also as playful and trustworthy. The wedding at Cana reveals Christ’s grace and invites us to trust Him, even when His plans differ from ours. Walking by faith often means stepping into the unknown, where God’s provision and abundance await. Bp. Brewer reminds us that true faith embraces the unpredictable, unlocking deeper experiences of God’s love.

Rev. Oliver Lee reflects on John 2:1-11, sharing the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This act, more than a miracle, was a sign pointing to the transformative grace of Christ. It revealed that God’s greatest gifts, symbolized by the new wine, surpass the old ways of the law. Rev. Lee urges us to see God’s extraordinary work in the ordinary and embrace His abundant, life-changing gifts.

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on Isaiah 43:1-7 and Jesus’s baptism, highlighting how baptism declares us as God’s beloved children. Through this covenant of grace, God binds Himself to us, offering His constant presence, forgiveness, and love. Baptism is a gift that redefines our identity and calls us to trust in Him fully.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Isaiah 43:1-7 and the baptism of Jesus, exploring how our true identity is found in God’s choice, not our own. Baptism proclaims we belong to God, adopted as His beloved children. Though the journey includes suffering and trials, it leads to life and resurrection through Christ. In moments of self-reliance or despair, God’s voice reminds us of who we are and where we’re going: beloved, redeemed, and heading toward Him by way of the cross.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on Ephesians 1:3-14, emphasizing God’s abundant blessings and our adoption into His family through grace. Living in His surplus, not deficit, calls us to respond with praise and gratitude, trusting His love to transform our lives.

Bishop Gregory Brewer reflects on Ephesians 1:3-6, highlighting God’s grace in uniting us with Christ through baptism and Eucharist. This unbreakable bond fills us with dignity, courage, and hope, empowering us to live out His love in all circumstances.

Rev. Jon Jordan uses a forbidden button to illustrate humanity’s failure to align with God’s purposes. Drawing on Galatians 4:4-7, he highlights how Christ fulfills the law, offering new hearts capable of loving God and others. Through Jesus’ redemption, we are called to live in freedom and renewed purpose.

Rev. Jon Jordan uses a forbidden button to illustrate humanity’s failure to align with God’s purposes. Drawing on Galatians 4:4-7, he highlights how Christ fulfills the law, offering new hearts capable of loving God and others. Through Jesus’ redemption, we are called to live in freedom and renewed purpose.

Rev. Joe Dewey reflects on Isaiah 62 and Luke 2, highlighting Christ's birth as the restoration of peace (shalom) in a world of conflict. Through the vulnerability of the nativity and the cross, God brings reconciliation and wholeness, not by force but through love. Drawing on a WWII Christmas truce, he reminds us that true peace arises in vulnerability and invites us to trust God’s transformative grace this Christmas.

Bishop Gregory Brewer reflects on the Incarnation, emphasizing God’s love revealed in Christ’s humble birth. Through the shepherds’ encounter, we see how Christ welcomes the excluded and calls us to humility. Like a stable, our lives may feel unworthy, but His presence transforms. In our need, we’re invited to kneel, say “yes,” and receive the healing love of Emmanuel.

Rev. Matt Rossi reflects on Luke 1, emphasizing how God's plans often unsettle our own but lead to unexpected grace. Through Mary’s “yes” to God, the Magnificat reveals a God who upends the world’s priorities, bringing hope and redemption. Drawing parallels to life’s disruptions, such as unexpected pregnancies or challenges, we’re called to trust God’s intrusions. These moments, though difficult, open our lives to unimaginable beauty and grace.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck reflects on Luke 1 and Micah, highlighting God’s unexpected grace in the Magnificat. Christmas shows God lifting the lowly, humbling the proud, and appearing in the unlikeliest places and people. Whether we feel ready or not, God’s grace meets us where we are, transforming our hearts and lives.

Bp. Greg Brewer reflects on Philippians 4:4-7 and Luke 3:7-18, urging us to embrace the Holy Spirit’s refining fire. This lifelong transformation, though challenging, reflects God’s love as He confronts our sin to make us new in Christ. Advent calls us to yield to His work, finding true joy and peace through surrender.

Rev. Cody Turner draws from Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 3:7-18 to remind us that Advent celebrates God’s nearness. He urges us to seek practices like prayer and repentance to sharpen our awareness of His presence. Just as Jacob, Paul, and John the Baptist experienced God in times of trial, we too can find Him in our struggles. Advent calls us to rejoice, not just in waiting for Christ’s return, but in His transformative presence with us now.

Rev. Jon Jordan draws from Luke 3:1-6, urging us to heed John the Baptist's call to prepare the way of the Lord by confronting sin and barriers in our hearts. Reflecting on Philippians 1:3-11, he reminds us that repentance is essential for transformation and aligns us with Christ’s ongoing work within us. True preparation for Advent involves prayer and honest self-reflection, as God promises to complete the good work He has begun.

Rev. Oliver Lee preaches from Luke 3:1-6, reminding us that the Gospel is rooted in history and calls ordinary people, like John the Baptist, to extraordinary missions of preparing the way for Christ. During Advent, we are invited to reflect and remove barriers in our lives, embodying God’s grace so that "all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Through acts of love and service, we participate in making straight the paths for others to encounter God’s boundless mercy.

This past Sunday, we began the season of Advent, and Rev. Joe Dewey preached on God’s judgment and our call to look honestly and hopefully at the world. Citing Jeremiah 33:16 and Psalm 121, he emphasized that Advent starts in darkness, inviting us to confront life’s dangers and our own shortcomings with honesty. Rev. Dewey reminded us that judgment, though sobering, leads to hope and flourishing. His message challenged us to remain alert and place our hope not in fleeting things but in God’s promises of a future safe city where true justice and peace will reign.

This past Sunday, we began the season of Advent, and Rev. Jordan Griesbeck preached on Christ’s promise of redemption and the posture of waiting. Citing Luke 21:28, he reminded us that despite life’s chaos and burdens, we are called to stand firm, lift our heads, and trust that God’s redemption is near. Rev. Griesbeck spoke about the fears and anxieties that weigh us down, as well as the temptation to numb ourselves instead of staying spiritually alert. His message encouraged us to embrace the posture of Advent: being alert and prayerful, living with hopeful expectation that God will show up and lift our burdens.

This past Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King, and Bishop Brewer preached on Christ's sovereignty as Lord over every aspect of life. Citing John 17:23 and Romans 8:39, he highlighted the deep unity believers share with Christ and the certainty of His unchanging love and reign. His message challenged us to live boldly as Christ's servants, trusting in His sovereignty to guide us through all circumstances.

This past Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King, and Rev. Joe Dewey preached on Christ's reign across time- past, present, and future. Drawing from C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" and Revelation 1:5, he emphasized the importance of the present moment and how we can trust God with both our past regrets and future uncertainties.

Rev. Jordan Griesbeck preaches from Daniel 12:1–3, Hebrews 10: 11–25, and Mark 13:1–8, reminding us that although these passages speak of the struggles and pains of the end times, the one enduring truth is that nothing lasts except Christ’s body. In the face of trials, when we hold onto Christ above all else, we can endure and overcome.

This Sunday, Bishop Brewer reminds us that God's Word is living and active, speaking His truth into our hearts and drawing us closer to Him. Through Christ, the open door to heaven, we encounter His personal love and transformative power.

Bishop Brewer preaches on 1 Kings 17:8–16 and Mark 12:38–44, drawing lessons from two widows who show us what it means to trust God with our last and our least.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Olver preaches on 1 Kings 17, Hebrews 9, and Mark 12, teaching us the true meaning of sacrifice as a form of worship.