For more than 20 years, Sermons That Work, a ministry of The Episcopal Church’s Office of Communication, has provided free sermons, Bible studies, bulletin inserts, and other resources 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.
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.
Bulletin Inserts
Weekly inserts teach about the theology, history, and people of The Episcopal Church.
Lesson Plans
Find lesson plans written by experienced church teachers.
Upcoming Sermons
Rising Up, Ascension Day (C) – May 29, 2025
[RCL] Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 Human beings have been trained to measure life based on outcomes. In the secular world, your professional acumen is tied to deliverables and visible and outward results of the tasks set before you. Judgments are assigned when others fall short of goals, desired…
For the Healing of All Nations, Easter 6 (C) – May 25, 2025
[RCL] Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35 These days, in our nation, in the public square, in many churches, there is a tendency toward Christian nationalism. To many of our fellow Christians, this may seem attractive and persuasive, because it includes the teaching that God favors America above all other nations. It can…
Us and Them, Easter 5 (C) – May 18, 2025
[RCL] Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35 So, we are really getting into Easter now – it is the Fifth Sunday of Eastertide. The weather has gotten warmer, maybe, the days certainly longer, and maybe saying “Alleluia” still feels like a privilege after our Lenten deprivation. We have two more Sundays, three more…
Bestowing Life, Easter 4 (C) – May 11, 2025
[RCL] Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. Psalm 23 — and the idea of the Good Shepherd — saturate Western society. Not that that’s a bad thing! “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” “The…
Jesus Will Meet Us, Easter 3 (C) – May 4, 2025
[RCL] Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 John’s Gospel ends with four appearances that the resurrected Jesus makes to different groups of disciples: four scenes of Christ revealed alive, four assurances that death could never contain the life that Jesus lived and lives. First, on Easter Day, we heard how Mary encountered…
Returning, Easter 2 (C) – April 27, 2025
[RCL] Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31 This sermon was inspired by the work of theologian Shelly Rambo in her book, “Resurrecting Wounds.” Once upon a time, in a small French alpine village, strange incidences occurred: People who were once dead were alive again. They made their way to their…
Upcoming Bible Studies
Bible Study: Easter 6 (C) – May 25, 2025
RCL: Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9 Acts 16:9-15 Hospitality in the first century Roman Empire was risky. It was not simply inviting someone over for dinner or even offering them a place to stay for the night. Instead, it carried with it an offering of protection and provisions…
Bible Study: Easter 5 (C) – May 18, 2025
RCL: Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35 Another Impossible Commandment They sat around the table, not yet knowing it was the last time. The bread was still warm, the air still full of ordinary things, but something in the room had shifted. The water had barely dried from their feet when he spoke—“Love…
Bible Study: Easter 4 (C) – May 11, 2025
RCL: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 Acts 9:36-43 The collect for this week describes Jesus as the good shepherd, “who calls us each by name.” Names play a significant role in this passage from Acts, in which Peter—who was so nicknamed by Jesus himself—replicates the sort of healing work that Jesus did…
Bible Study: Easter 3 (C) – May 4, 2025
RCL: Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) Reflecting on Saul’s conversion, I’m moved by the depth of God’s grace that meets him even amid hostility. Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus is a powerful reminder that God’s transformative call can penetrate even our greatest resistance and blindness. I…
Bible Study: Easter 2 (C) – April 27, 2025
RCL: Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31 Acts 5:27-32 This lesson comes in the midst of the apostles’ ministry in Jerusalem. They have been performing wonders, healing, and teaching. They are gathering new believers and forging a communal economic system. The high priest has imprisoned the apostles, but an angel…
Bible Study: Easter Sunday (C) – April 20, 2025
RCL: Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; John 20:1-18 Isaiah 65:17-25 When we think of the trappings of Easter—dying eggs, donning our Sunday best, singing triumphant hymns, and echoing sweet “Alleluias” to proclaim the Risen One—I doubt most of us would even consider the Old Testament lesson. In fact, Easter might be one…
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