Sermons from St. George's

If you reflect on your own life—I think you might agree—that there was a time when talk about Jesus was sort of factual, like a description of a certain kind of configuration of storm cloud. And then one day the cloud was above your head and rain poured down and you realized, 'Oh, THAT is what that is.' Sermon from 2/7/2021.

In the Gospels, Jesus is described as one who drives out unclean, or demonic, spirits. What do we make of this as 21st century Christians? What do we believe about unclean and demonic spirits? Sermon from 1/31/2021.

If you don’t discern your fears… you’ll never stop running away from them… but if you never confess your fears… you’ll try to force yourself into courage. You have to “pour out your heart to God (Psalm 62:8).” Sermon from 1/24/21.

God has undertaken this enormous risk of tying himself to us and to our bodies; and that means our bodies are not just our own. Sermon from 1/17/2021.

Belonging to Christ means we have a part to play in making the nations his heritage, and the ends of the earth his possession. On this Sunday, the Baptism of Our Lord, we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. (Mark 1:7-11)

The Wise Men model a faithful response to the Christ. Filled with joy, they pay Christ homage, laying their gifts before him. Sermon from 1/3/2021.

Sermon from 12/27/2020.

Are you able to recognize the Word that became flesh? Sermon from 12/24/2020 at 5:00pm.

Listen as Margery tells the story of Annabelle, Frederick, and their six-month-old puppy named Bowser. Children's homily from 12/24/2020 at 3:00pm.

How do we surrender to God and his purposes for us? Mary shows us the way. Sermon from 12/20/2020.

On his last Sunday at St. George's Church, the Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill reminds us of our identity. John the Baptist is crystal clear that his identity is not found in himself, in his own ministry, in his preaching, in his followers. Rather, he is clear, it is found in the mighty merciful one who is outside of himself. I belong to Christ, and so do you. Sermon from 12/13/2020.

Sermon from 12/6/2020.

What if the message from Jesus this Advent is: do not hope to go back to your life pre-2020. Not that it was bad; it’s that there is more! Sermon from 11/29/2020.

An examination of Christ’s kingship through the lens of Ezekiel 34. Sermon from 11/22/2020.

To properly use God’s resources in His Kingdom, we have to shepherd our gifts in light of the giver. Sermon from 11/15/2020.

Here is common sense wisdom for the life of the church: the best way to ensure a long wilderness experience is to try avoiding it by rushing too quickly and neglecting the gift being offered. This is a time to remember, trust, and pay attention to how the Lord is fortifying you for a new day, a new land lying before you. Sermon from 11/8/2020

Selections from the All Saints' Virtual Concert presented by St. George's Choir & Choristers on Sunday, November 1, 2020. Dr. Woosug Kang, Director of Music Ministries Debra Lee Williamson, alto Christopher Stenstrom, cello Gerry Senechal, organ Music Selections: O CHRIST, WHO ART OUR LIGHT AND DAY, Robert Whyte (c.1538 – 1574) PIE JESU (FROM REQUIEM), Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) THEY ARE AT REST, Edward Elgar (1857-1934) LUX AETERNA (FROM ENIGMA VARIATIONS), Edward Elgar (1857-1934) PSALM 23 (FROM REQUIEM), Herbert Howells (1892-1983) HYMN: ROUND THE LORD IN GLORY SEATED, Rustington Program Credits: Sarah Bailey, sound engineer Christian Copyright Solutions WORSHIPcast License #11176 Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # M-400528. All rights reserved.

From All Saints' Sunday, 11/1/2020 On All Saints Sunday, we celebrate the “Communion of the Saints.” What is the “Communion of the Saints?” And why do we celebrate it on this special Sunday?

“Jesus offers his listeners these commands to impossible loves. But because he first loved us with that very same impossible love, he opens us up to be able to love impossibly.” Sermon from 10/25/2020.

Give Caesar absolutely no more than his due. Do not make the myriad concerns of this world to be like Caesar to you, ruling you. Sermon from 10/18/2020.

"Our Pattern of Unity is established in Jesus, the one who gave his life for ours." The Rev. Margery Kennelly Sermon from the 9:00am service on 10/11/20.

"There is a pervasive lie that repentance will hurt you, but in truth it is so good." Sermon from the 9:00am service on 10/4/20

What if a secret to the Christian life were letting go of all our prescriptions of how we think the world should go and accepting with gratitude how it actually does go according to this One who brings water from the rock – life from the Rock who is Jesus. Sermon from 9/27/2020.

The Book of Jonah teaches that God is slow to anger and full of compassion. His heart is for the Ninevehs of the world. If we are to be God’s people, then our hearts must also be for the Ninevehs of the world. Sermon from 9/20/2020.

The Book of Jonah teaches that God is slow to anger and full of compassion. His heart is for the Ninevehs of the world. If we are to be God’s people, then our hearts must also be for the Ninevehs of the world. Sermon from 9/20/2020.

God’s mighty hand, this life-force we know as grace, opened a path for the fleeing Israelites, it opened a tomb for Jesus, and it opens the way for us. Sermon from 9/13/2020.

People who follow Jesus aren’t perfect, they are forgiven.

The main focus of our Christian social engagement is not in winning power but in winning relationships… Relationships trump issues. Sermon from 8/30/2020

The church is the visible expression of Christ to the world. Each one of us has been equipped by God in a unique way as we manifest Christ as a community. Sermon from 8/23/2020.

While God chose Israel to be his own people and made a special covenant with them, he hinted throughout the Bible that his intention all along was that his special chosen people would be the instrument for drawing all the rest of the world into relationship with him. Sermon from 8/16/2020.

God’s righteousness is absolutely clear. It is given in the perfect life of Jesus, the Word that has drawn near, and the one who is the perfect image of the invisible God — the perfect image of God’s own righteousness. From sermon on 8/10/2020.

The question is not “Can I overcome my past?” The question is, “Can God be overcome by my past?” And the answer is “no.” Sermon from 8/2/2020.

"Do you feel inadequate as a Christian? Sometimes our expectations for ourselves are too high. Jesus does not call us to live an extraordinary life. He calls us to be faithful in the responsibilities that God has given us. If we fulfill our part, God will do the rest." Sermon from the Rev. Colin Ambrose at the 10:00am service on 7-26-20

It is in the nature of how Jesus wins the gospel for us that it is birthed on the other side of the Cross. We look in eager expectation even as, for now, we groan. Sermon from 7/19/2020.

Do you have a garden that doesn’t seem to be producing? You and David have that in common! With just tiny little cucumber to show for his efforts, his first attempt at a backyard garden seems to be fruitless. But don’t be discouraged — the kingdom of God is still at work in big and wonderful ways. David’s sermon from Sunday offers us encouragement as he explores the Parable of the Sower.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers us a strange invitation—he calls us to enter into the very rhythm of the life of God. Sermon from the 10:00am service on 7/5/2020 from Cody Turner, our Duke Divinity Intern for the summer of 2020.

Now some of you may be thinking , this is all very informative, but when are you going to get to that dreadful story we just heard from Genesis where Abraham was tested by God... Sermon from the 10:00am service on 6/28/2020.

Jesus doesn’t say what we want him to say today. But Jesus is the ultimate truth-teller and he wants to be clear about the real calling before us: to represent a contrast to the dominant ways of the world is a gift to the world. Sermon from the 10:00am service on 6/21/20.

God tells the Israelites, “If you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples.” Is God telling the Israelites that they must earn His favor and blessing? Why do we obey God? And what is the outcome of our obedience? Sermon from 6/14/2020.

While I have had eyes to see black suffering, I have lacked the heart to feel it as my own. Sermon from 6/7/2020.

If you want to see God you have to learn to see the Spirit. Sermon from 5/31/2020.

What is revealed when we realize that what we’ve been missing in life is bigger than what we thought? Sermon from 5/24/2020.

During difficult times our idols are threatened. How can we use the coronavirus to turn back to the God who draws near to us in Jesus? Sermon from 5/17/2020.

Leigh Spruill has been featured by Day1 Radio as a guest preacher for their weekly podcast. Listen here to his sermon and interview with Day 1 host Peter Wallace. This program titled The Promise of Heaven for Here and Now aired on Sunday, May 10, 2020. Learn more about Day 1 at day1.org.

The thing is, Luke knows that what is important about Paul is not his innate goodness, or his linguistic powers or even his devotion; all of which will eventually play a part in his ministry, but the thing that is important about Paul is the way God redeemed him. Sermon from 5/10/2020.

Leigh Spruill has been featured by Day1 Radio as a guest preacher for their weekly podcast. Listen here to his sermon and interview with Day 1 host Peter Wallace. This program aired on Sunday, May 3, 2020. Learn more about Day 1 at day1.org.

Our life together is the criterion our neighbors and our city will use to judge whether our message is truthful, whether we really know abundant life and in whom it is found. Sermon from 5/3/2020 at the 10:00am service.

This is a time to be touched by God’s Spirit, galvanized in his word, and pushed out with his good news. Sermon from the 10:00am service on 4/26/2020.

It takes courage to be honest about your doubt. The disciple Thomas teaches us how to have an authentic faith, and how to deepen our trust in the resurrected Jesus. Sermon from the 10:00am service on 4/19/2020.

What an opportunity we all have right now to ask the God-questions and take time to see if this Easter God, whose image is finally a crucified and risen Jesus, will respond. Sermon from Easter Sunday on 4/12/2020.