This sermon was preached for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Clifford, VA) and Grace Episcopal Church (Massies Mill, VA)n Lynchburg, VA on the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A 2023.Photo by Ben Cowgill at Grace Episcopal Church, Massies Mill.Exodus 3:1–15; Romans 12:9–21; Matthew 16:21–28 What is task of the church? I think there is a lot of confusion— well, maybe I have a lot of confusion— … Continue reading Church?
No matter how evil, no matter how powerful, God will ultimately judge and resolve it. That is Good News. Sin? It’s gone. The Devil? Taken care of. Racism? Sexism? Homophobia? Poverty? Injustice? Solved. Jesus’ explanation is finally about the completion of God’s plan, of God’s redeeming power over the world to set all things right, and invite all into his heavenly kingdom. Continue reading Weeds and Wheat
“So to know who we are, we must remember.” Continue reading Memory
Note: This sermon was given for St. John’s Episcopal Church, Murray KY on October 11, 2020.Readings: Matthew 22:1-14 Where is the good news in today’s parable? It seems like Jesus has really handed us a doozie. First, the king in this parable invites all to a feast; a number of his friends say “no thank you.” At the king’s repeated insistence, some turn to the … Continue reading Sermon for Proper 23, Year A
Our world is not structured for forgiveness. It is structured for rivalry, self-interest, revenge. Offering forgiveness is costly; it can, and it will cost us. Yet, Christ compels us to forgive: not seven times, but seventy times. For if we were not forgiven, over and over and over again for each time we fell short, we would be one of the lost sheep. Continue reading Forgiveness
Note: This sermon was written and given for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage, KY during their live streamed worship service. 1 Kings 3:5-12 Psalm 119:129-136 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 In worship this morning, we must confront two truths. First off, we must confront the truth of our own situation here at St. Luke’s. Second, we must confront the truth of the Kingdom of God, presented … Continue reading Sermon for Proper 12, Year A
Note: This sermon was written and recorded for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Murray, Kentucky. You can see my sermon at the end of the post. Genesis 21:8-21Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17Romans 6:1b-11Matthew 10:24-39 Good Morning. My name is Ben Cowgill, and I am Mtr. Allison’s Caudill’s fiancée. I just completed my second year of seminary at Sewanee. If you missed it, I was with you all … Continue reading Sermon for Proper 7, Year A
I believe God is calling each of us to a re-examination of our faith, of Holy Scripture, and of ourselves. Where do we fall short of God’s glory? What gifts are we not making use of? How are we called to live, in a time such as this? What does it mean to love our neighbor? If God knows each of us by name, does he not know each of them? Continue reading An Extraordinary Time
Ben Cowgill 