For more than 25 years, Sermons That Work, a joint offering of Forward Movement and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Communication, has provided free resources like sermons, Bible studies, and lesson plans that speak to congregations across the church. Our writers and readers come from numerous and varied backgrounds, and the resources we provide are used in small house churches, sprawling cathedrals, and everything between.
Click here to read about changes we undertook to Sermons That Work in Advent 2025.
Lectionary Calendar
Find this Sunday’s readings and more observances of the church year.
Sermons
We offer a large archive of sermons, as well as a new sermon every week.
Bible Studies
Our weekly Bible studies are produced by our very own Episcopalian seminarians.
Lesson Plans
Find lesson plans written by experienced church teachers.
Upcoming Sermons
How the Story Ends, Last Sunday after the Epiphany (A) – February 15, 2026
[RCL] Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Psalm 2; Matthew 17:1-9 How many of you enjoy a good mystery story? If your favorite character is walking into doom, do you get nervous? Are you the kind of person who will skip to the last chapter and make sure everything’s okay before you go on? If so, do you…
Point to God, Epiphany 5 (A) – February 8, 2026
[RCL] Isaiah 58:1-9a, [9b-12]; Psalm 112:1-9, (10); 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, [13-16]; Matthew 5:13-20 Have you ever messed up the salt in a recipe? Whether you’re cooking or baking, you know how it goes: Everything is perfectly measured, weighed, balanced. The timing is right; the technique solid. And then you take that final taste and it’s…off.…
What the Lord Requires, Epiphany 4 (A) – February 1, 2026
[RCL] Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 Who knew that, throughout the history of Biblical religion, prophets and psalmists – read, poets and songsters – have articulated entry requirements necessary to fully participate in the worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus? Take Psalm15. Likely written before there even…
A Poor Church for the Poor, Epiphany 3 (A) – January 25, 2026
[RCL] Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 5-13; 1 Corinthians 4:12-23; Matthew 4:12-23 The calling of the first disciples in the Gospel of Matthew can seem unrealistic or even fantastical. Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee and calls two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, James and John, as they go about their daily routine as…
Come and See, Epiphany 2 (A) – January 18, 2026
[RCL] Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 How long will we sing this song?I will sing, sing a new song. I will sing, sing a new song. — U2, 40 Today’s Gospel gives us Jesus’ first spoken words in the Gospel of John. And they are perplexing words, words that beg an answer:…
Adopted as God’s Children, Epiphany 1 (A) – January 11, 2026
[RCL] Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 If you were to read the section of the Gospel of Mark that comes before today’s gospel reading, you might be really surprised by what is happening here. John the Baptist has just told a crowd of people, “I baptize you withwater for repentance, but the…
Upcoming Bible Studies
Bible Study: Epiphany 3 (A) – January 25, 2026
RCL: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 5-13; I Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 Opening Prayer Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns…
Bible Study: Epiphany 2 (A) – January 18, 2026
RCL: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Opening Prayer Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through…
Bible Study: Epiphany 1 (A) – January 11, 2026
RCL: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34–43; Matthew 3:13-17 Opening Prayer Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord…
Bible Study: Feast of the Epiphany – January 6, 2026
RCL: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 Opening Prayer O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives…
Bible Study: Christmas 2 – January 4, 2026
RCL: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84 or 84:1-8; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a; Luke 2:41-52 Opening Prayer O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in…
Bible Study: Christmas 1 – December 28, 2025
RCL: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm: 147, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18 Opening Prayer Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the…
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Sermons That Work podcast to hear this sermon and more on your favorite podcasting app! Recordings are released the Thursday before each liturgical date.
Receive Free Weekly Sermons That Work Resources!
This page is available in: Español