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.
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Lesson Plans
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Upcoming Sermons
On Power, Ascension Day – May 14, 2026
[RCL] Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 “When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” Today is the celebration of the feast of the Ascension. The book of Acts tells us that after Jesus’s resurrection, he…
Unity is Not Partisan, Easter 6 (A) – May 10, 2026
[RCL] Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:7-18, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 The Acts of the Apostles, or the Book of Acts, follows the work of the early Christian community in the years immediately following Christ’s death and resurrection. Thus readings from Acts are particularly appropriate in the weeks following Easter Day. In today’s reading, Saul, now…
About Those Stones, Easter 5 (A) – May 3, 2026
[RCL] Acts 7:55-70; John 14:1-14 Books can and have been written about some of the bizarre things that have been said by well-meaning friends, family members, and even clergy at funerals. In The Episcopal Church, what we say follows a four-part formula: we gather to remember our beloved, we give thanks to God for their…
Whose Voice?, Easter 4 (A) – April 26, 2026
[RCL] Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 Jesus often refers to his followers as sheep. Likely Jesus is picking up here on the familiar imagery of the twenty-third psalm, which describes God as a shepherd who guides us all the days of our lives. Scriptural as the imagery may be, some people…
Danger, Laughter, Easter 3 (A) – April 19, 2026
[RCL] Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3,10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 There is a very short story Alan Dugan wrote for Poetry magazine called “April.” It unequivocally describes spring in a cold climate. April. The old man in shining black, with the immense black umbrella, walked down the street like the younger brother of the shadow of…
Come and Touch, Easter 2 (A) – April 12, 2026
[RCL] Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 There’s something wonderfully honest and fascinating about the story we hear today from Thomas. While the other disciples hid behind closed doors on that first Easter evening, Thomas was absent. When they found him, they told him everything they had seen, but he refused…
Upcoming Bible Studies
Bible Study: Easter 4 (A) – April 26, 2026
RCL: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 Opening Prayer | O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and…
Bible Study: Easter 3 (A) – April 19, 2026
RCL: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3,10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 Opening Prayer | Ever living God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and…
Bible Study: Easter 2 (A) – April 12, 2026
RCL: Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Opening Prayer | God of Life and the source of all creation, from the words of faithful women, we live in the grace of your resurrection. Help us to walk in the steps of their faithfulness and love to you, and in your time…
Bible Study: Easter Sunday (A) – April 5, 2026
RCL: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2,14-24; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10 Opening Prayer | Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate ofeverlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord,…
Bible Study: Palm Sunday (A) – March 29, 2026
RCL: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 27: 11-54 Collect | Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that…
Bible Study: Lent 5 (A) – March 22, 2026
RCL: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 Opening Prayer | Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be…
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