In Sermons:

The Battle Is Over And The Victory Is Won

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Mar 11, 2024

It is great to celebrate easter but to fully appreciate the joy of the season it is important to understand why Jesus gave his life for us. The greatest miracle of all is the resurrection but how could be celebrate the resurrection without walking the way of the cross?

All over the world Church attendance is high on Easter; people who are not normally seen in Church come to celebrate the Christian joy and the hope of resurrection. This is a good thing, and I am glad that all of you are here this morning, but there cannot be an Easter without a Good ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Anglican

Bittersweet Mothers Day Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Mar 9, 2024

Navigating the mix of joy and pain that may be felt by different people as we mark Mothering Sunday in our church.

.................................................................... Over the last few months I have received a number of emails from firms - perhaps you have received similar ones? They say “would you like to opt out of Mother’s Day marketing emails?” I think I first received this about three ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15, John 19:25-27, 1 Samuel 1:20-28, Exodus 2:1-10, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:33-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

God's Plan For Us

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Feb 24, 2024

In Jeremiah 29, God, through Jeremiah promises blessing to the people in exile, a promise that often is misunderstood without the context.

During the Summer, I brought up a verse during a sermon that is usually listed on any top lists of “mis-applied” verses. Afterward, I got into a nice conversation with Gordon Douglas, Pastor Ron’s old comedian friend, who was visiting with us and had recently spoken on how often he sees this verse ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

The Great Equalizer: Embracing Our Shared Humanity

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Feb 14, 2024

There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.

Today, we gather in the presence of the Almighty, humbled by the truth revealed to us in the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. In Romans 3:10-12, Paul delivers a powerful message that echoes through the corridors of time, reminding us of our shared humanity and our universal ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23

Denomination: Anglican

Ashes Of Love

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Feb 14, 2024

A brief homily on repentance

Good EVENING and thank you all for coming out. I really enjoy that our lectionary gives me a lesson, right before the sermon, which seems to question the whole purpose of having an Ash Wednesday service. It really doesn’t, of course. But it is picked to make sure that we work through the idea of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-21

Denomination: Anglican

Embracing Ash Wednesday: A Call To Reflection, Repentance, And Renewal

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Feb 12, 2024

A call to embrace Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent

As we gather on this sacred day of Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of our mortality, our human frailty, and our utter dependence on God's grace. Today marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent, a period of forty days set aside for reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is a time when we ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-13

Denomination: Anglican

The Four Loves

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Feb 11, 2024

Paul's teachings on Love in First Corinthians 13 can be made to sound petty when misunderstood. it is important first to realize Love has a number of different meanings, which is why we need to define all our terms and realize all Love is the same as other Love.

The Four Loves Good Morning. And as you might have seen by the bulletin cover, this morning we are looking at love and 1 Cor 13, the Love Chapter. And while this is a good reminder for Valentine’s Day, it’s not really about that. Some of you might know this, and I preached about it 3 years ago, ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Being A Faithful Servant

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Feb 8, 2024

It is not easy being a faithful follower of Jesus and oftentimes we are tempted to throw in the towel and call it quits. Elisha is a role model of what it means to stay committed and faithful to the very end.

I hope you are excited to be in Church today to worship and hear the word of God. I don't know if it is the weather or something else but I have to say that once in a while, I get the impression that this is more of a routine than real worship that lacks enthusiasm. It reminds me of a certain ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Just Throw It!

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Feb 3, 2024

2nd Corinthians 11 and the Parable of the Sower both Show us God as the Strength in our Weakness.

As we look at our lessons today, and I want to look briefly at both, comparing them together, (Glory to God) I’ll begin by sharing an old story some of you may know about a man named Phi-Dipp-adeez. I’d actually be impressed if you knew his name, but you probably know the name Marathon and Nike, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:19-31, Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Anglican

Bye Bye Satan

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Jan 21, 2024

Satan is real and he is out to get you. God is all powerful and is always looking out for you.

We have been hearing a lot of gloom and doom these days and while this is somewhat true, I want to bring you a message of victory and hope this morning. I am using our gospel reading for today which goes like this: "Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Anglican

You Need A Hospital, Not A Welcome Center

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jan 13, 2024

Zechariah 8:23 gives a prophecy of people from every nation seeking after God's People to find out about the Lord. This image gives a wonderful picture of what the church needs to be, a hospital for sinners and not a museum for saints.

You Need a Hospital, Not a Welcome Center Good Morning. This morning, we are looking at the idea of what the church is supposed to be. Is it an organization which shows unconditional affirmation to everyone, now matter what they believe or want to do, or is it a people who, despite our weakness, ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:23, Mark 1:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus Left Behind At The Temple

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jan 6, 2024

The account in Luke 2 of Jesus in the Temple reveals two incredible things. First, how wonderful our relationship with God the Father will be when all the effects of sin are removed from our lives. Second, how much our Savior gave up for us and for our redemption when he took humanity on himself.

Today we have a unique story, in that it’s the only story of Jesus growing up. Only Matthew and Luke give us the nativity, and only Luke tells this ONE story that fills the huge gap between the wise men, and Jesus turning 30 and his Baptism in the Jordan River. I think our imaginations always run ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Anglican

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Is That Really What I'm Supposed To Preach?

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

This Sunday we look at Isaiah 40, and the incredibly uncomfortable message of "Comfort" the preacher is given to preach.

Good Morning. Our lesson from Isaiah is painful to me in the sense that it reminds me I am getting old. I’m gonna tell you a secret this morning that no one knows but you listening. I used to fear preaching from Isaiah. I remember complaining to Bishop David. Now I enjoy it. Mostly, I prefer ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 40:6-8

Denomination: Anglican

A Homeless God

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Dec 20, 2023

Christmas is about God's greatest gift to us and the miracle of salvation. It is also about coming together as a family and making room for one another in our hearts. The question is, "have we left our Savior out in the cold?"

Our gospel reading for today tells us of how Angel Gabriel came to Mary saying she would bear a son. He was to be called Jesus and as the Son of the most High God, he would reign as King of Kings forever. He came to live among us and in us but in many ways we have rejected him and made him a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Matthew 8:20

Denomination: Anglican