Sermon Archive

Below are summaries of select recent sermons in reverse chronological order. In all cases there is a link to read the entire sermon (PDF).

2010

Date Sermon
July 25 Sermon by Rector John Graham
In today’s passage from his Letter to the Colossians, Paul enjoins the members of this community not to allow themselves to fall under the sway of the “elemental spirits of the universe,” which he equates with “philosophy,” “empty deceit,” and “human tradition.” Read full sermon (PDF) »
July 11 Sermon by Rector John Graham
There’s a very appealing straightforwardness, simplicity and clarity about the gospel and Old Testament readings today—balm for our jaded modern hearts. Read full sermon (PDF) »
July 4 Sermon by Rector John Graham
Flattery ranks high in the hierarchy of sins Christian teaching has elaborated.  Dante has a circle for flatterers in the Inferno, and another circle where flatterers can purify themselves of their besetting sin. Read full sermon (PDF) »
June 6 Third Sunday after Pentecost
Sermon by Rector John Graham
Paul takes considerable pains to make it clear that his wisdom, his message, his gospel, was not taught to him. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Feb 7 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sermon by Rector John Graham
Psalm 138 ends with a “cri de coeur”, a cry of the heart:  “Lord, do not abandon the works of your hands.” Read full sermon (PDF) »

2009

Date Sermon
Nov 15 Sermon by Rector John Graham
Today—the next-to-last Sunday after Pentecost—is Bible Sunday. This used to be an official designation. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Oct 25 Sermon by Seminarian Katherine Nakamura
There’s a popular Christian gospel chorus that goes: God is good ALL THE TIME, all the time GOD IS GOOD. But is that really true? Read full sermon (PDF) »
Oct 18 Sermon by Rector John Graham (Proper 24-B)
We count on routines. They structure each interval of time that comprises our lives. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Sep 9 Homily at the Memorial Service for Kenneth Bacon at Washington National Cathedral, read full homily (PDF) »
Aug 30 Sermon by Rector John Graham (Proper 17-B)
The great American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce once observed that he was far more interested in what people betray than in what they proclaim. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Aug 9 Sermon by Rector John Graham (Proper 14-B)
We all want “bread from heaven”: a word from on high, enlightenment from a place beyond the reach of our own understanding. But when someone purports to offer it, we respond as Jesus' auditors did: “Who do you think you are?” Read full sermon (PDF) »
Aug 2 Sermon by Rector John Graham (Proper 13-B)
St. Augustine wrote that each human being is a question, posed to him or herself. Mostly, this question concerns our value, our worth, our importance. “What’s my value to the larger world? Am I worthy of the things I’m called to do? Do I matter?” Read full sermon (PDF) »
June 28 Sermon by Rector John Graham
At his press conference last week, South Carolina's Governor Mark
Sanford compared himself to the Biblical King David. Read full sermon (PDF) »
June 7 Trinity Sunday (Year B)
Sermon by Rector John Graham
At the heart of every human person, and at the heart of God, we find a story. In Biblical terms, we might call this story our “word.” Read full sermon (PDF) »
Mar 22 Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year B)
Sermon by Rector John Graham
We've heard a great deal about "toxic assets" of late. The fact is, we're all laden with them, in their financial, moral, emotional and spiritual manifestations. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Mar 15 Third Sunday in Lent (Year B)
Sermon by Seminarian Leigh Vicens
When I was growing up I had to memorize the 10 Commandments in my Sunday School class. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Feb 15 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sermon by Seminarian Leigh Vicens
The story of Jesus' calling to the first disciples has captivated Christians for centuries. The story is captivating because it is so simple. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Feb 8 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sermon by Rector John Graham
The collect, or prayer, for today asks God to give us the “liberty of that abundant life” that Jesus came to proclaim. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Jan 18 Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Sermon by Rector John Graham
In order to be honest, we often have to be mediate between the contents of our hearts and minds, and the world. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Jan 11 The Feast of the Baptism of Christ
Sermon by Rector John Graham
I recently read an insightful essay by a practicing therapist. The author notes that an attitude of ambivalence characterizes human maturity. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Jan 4 Second Sunday after Christmas (Year B)
Sermon by Rector John Graham
Christmas Season is full of comings and goings, gatherings and scatterings. As the season began, many of us enjoyed comings and gatherings; now, we’re a little sad about—and maybe a little relieved by—the goings and scatterings. Read full sermon (PDF) »

2008

Date Sermon
Dec 21 Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Sermon by Rector John Graham
God denies David permission to build a temple, for two reasons … Read full sermon (PDF) »
Dec 14 Third Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Nancy C. James
Our service started this morning with the hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City.” Let us now turn to remember this royal city, the town of Bethlehem, so we may re-discover the strength of our Christmas story. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Nov 30 First Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Sermon by Rector John Graham
Advent is an apocalyptic season. “Watch, for you know neither the day nor the hour”:  something big could happen at any moment, and it’s best to be ready. Read full sermon (PDF) »
Nov 23 Last Sunday after Pentacost (Year A)
Sermon by Rector John Graham
Immanuel Kant said we should always treat human beings as ends in themselves, never as means to an end. Read full sermon (PDF) »
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Worship at Grace Church
A service at Christmastime
A Christmastime service
About Us

MEET OUR RECTOR
Rev. John Graham has graced our presence since September 2004.

Worship

SUNDAY SERVICES

8:30 am · Holy Eucharist

9:30 am (September–May) · Adult Forum*

10:15 am (fourth Sunday, September–May) · Prayers at the Memorial Cross

10:30 am** · Holy Eucharist, with full music*; Sunday School

5 pm (in Lent & Advent) · “Come as You Are” Evening Prayer, followed by Reflection Group

*Child care available
** This service is held at 10:00 am May–September