St. Thomas Episcopal Church Sermons

When God Places the Holy in Human Hands | The Rev. Edmund Harris | December 21, 2025

In this sermon, Father Edmund Harris reflects on the often-overlooked courage of Joseph—and the many ordinary people in Scripture who say yes to God’s risky invitation to collaborate in love. From dreams and detours to fear and faithfulness, we are invited to listen more closely and consider how God may be calling us, too, to say yes in our own lives.
❓ Joseph could have walked away—but he listened, and he stayed. Where might God be inviting you to listen more closely and say yes, even when the path feels uncertain?
#StThomasMedina#EpiscopalChurch#AdventReflections#SayingYes#FaithInPractice#ListeningForGod#Incarnation#OrdinaryHoliness#SacredRisk#ChristmasStory
 

Rejoice Anyway: Joy in the Midst of the Wilderness | The Rev. Liz Costello | December 14, 2025

What does it mean to rejoice when life is complicated, uncertain, or tender with grief? On Gaudete Sunday, Mother Liz reflects on joy as a spiritual practice—rooted in hope, shaped by trust, and revealed through God’s work already unfolding among us. Drawing from Scripture, Mary’s Magnificat, and a powerful story of generosity at St. Thomas, this sermon invites us to rejoice anyway.
Watch the sermon here: https://youtu.be/oXJHK-PfQJ4. 

What Advent Asks of Us | The Rev. Edmund Harris December 7, 2025

On this Second Sunday of Advent, Rev. Edmund Harris reflects on two surprising guides for our preparation: John the Baptist — the prophet who calls us to turn toward God with honesty and hope — and Saint Nicholas of Myra, whose life of bold generosity reveals how we make space for Christ’s coming. Advent is not simply about preparing our homes for Christmas; it is about preparing our hearts. Repentance, generosity, and the quiet work of tending the “guesthouse” of our lives draw us deeper into the wonder of God choosing to dwell among us.

The Holy In-Between | The Rev. Liz Costello | November 30, 2025

This First Sunday of Advent, the Rev. Liz Costello reflects on the season’s invitation to inhabit the holy “in-between” — between Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem and Christ’s promised coming again. Advent reminds us that these unfinished spaces in our lives are not empty; they are the places where God’s promises quietly take root. Preached as part of the wedding of Valerie and David, this sermon beautifully links Advent’s message of hope to the courage of two people choosing love in the middle of life’s uncertainties.
#StThomasMedina #EpiscopalChurch #Advent2025 #HopeInTheInBetween #EpiscopalWorship #FaithJourney #AnglicanTradition #SeattleChurch #GodWithUs #AdventHope #BelovedCommunity #ComeLordJesus
Watch the sermon here: https://youtu.be/Ljcln6zjjpM. 

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: Lydia

As Acts 16 tells her story, Lydia was a remarkable woman who stood out in the Greco-Roman world. She was not only a businesswoman, a dealer of purple cloth, but she had a household—rare roles for women in a patrilineal society.
This week’s podcast features the Reverend Arienne Davison, Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s Bremerton, WA.
It is incredible to consider how Paul deviated from his usual pattern when he first met Lydia. When he and his companions arrived in Philippi, rather than going to the synagogue, as he normally would, he went outside the town gate, to the riverside, where he found Lydia and other women gathered in prayer.
Upon hearing Paul’s message about Christ, Lydia opened her heart and was baptized, becoming the first known European convert. She welcomed Paul and his companions into her home and became a leader of a house church—one of the first in Europe—much as Chloe led a house church in Corinth.
In addition to being the first person baptized in Europe, and leader of a house church, Lydia also modeled what faithful stewardship looks like. She used what she had—her home, her influence, and her resources—to support the flourishing of the Christian community. She became one of the largest supporters of Paul’s ministry. Paul, credited with spreading Christianity throughout the world, would not have been able to do so without Lydia's financial support, a reminder of how we need all of the members of Christ’s body.
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
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The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.

A Different Kind of King | The Rev. Edmund Harris | November 23, 2025

On this Christ the King Sunday, the Rev. Edmund Harris invites us to see Jesus’ kingship through a radically different lens. Drawing from the origins of this feast and the realities of power in our world, he reminds us that Jesus reigns not by domination or might, but by giving his power away—choosing humility, vulnerability, and service as the shape of his life. In a world obsessed with control, Edmund challenges us to follow the One who reigns from a manger and a cross, and to share our power with those who have none.#StThomasMedina #ChristTheKingSunday #EpiscopalChurch #HumilityAndHope #FollowingJesus #KingdomOfGod #FaithAndJustice #BelovedCommunity #EpiscopalWorship #AnglicanTradition

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: Mary Magdalene

This week’s podcast featured the Reverend Canon Elise Johnstone, Rector of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in West Seattle. To hear her reflections on Mary Magdalene’s witness, click here.
The stained-glass window of Mary Magdalene draws us into the very heart of Easter. Scripture tells us that she was among the women who followed Jesus and supported his ministry (Luke 8:1–3), that she remained at the cross when many disciples had fled (John 19:25), and that she came to the tomb early on the first day of the week (John 20:1). Tradition honors her as apostola apostolorum—the apostle to the apostles—because she was entrusted with the first proclamation of the resurrection.
In the window, Mary stands in the garden, still carrying the weight of grief. She is the first to adore the risen Christ: seeking him in steadfast love, hearing him call her by name, and responding “Rabboni” in reverent recognition. In that moment, she becomes the first worshiper of the risen Lord.
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
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The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.

Enduring Together: Building What Lasts | The Rev. Liz Costello | November 16, 2025

On this Consecration Sunday, Mother Liz explores Jesus’ apocalyptic teaching in Luke 21 and the disciples’ admiration of the Jerusalem Temple—an impressive structure that ultimately could not withstand the passage of history. In contrast, Jesus points us toward what truly lasts.
St. Thomas, she reminds us, is not simply a building but a community of living stones who bind together through storms, joy, loss, and grace. Like a “warming hut” along a winter trail, this parish offers shelter, nourishment, and renewed strength for the journey. We reflect on what we are building together, why it matters, and how God continues to work through this community for generations yet to come.
#EpiscopalChurch #StThomasMedina #ConsecrationSunday #EnduranceAndHope #LivingStones #NourishedByCommunity #BeingWith #MainlineChristian #SeekServeGrow #WarmingHutFaith #Luke21

Women of the Bible in Stained Glass: Mary & Martha

In honor of Veterans Day, I interviewed my friend and classmate from Duke Divinity School, Commander Kamille Williams, United States Navy, who serves as a chaplain. Chaplain Williams provides spiritual care and support to service members, ministering both on naval ships and at military bases, and pastoring those entrusted to her care. In addition to being a Commander and Chaplain, she earned a doctorate from Emory University. To hear her reflections on the story of Mary and Martha, click here.
The stained-glass window of Mary and Martha captures the call to contemplation and action. In its colors we see Mary’s stillness and Martha’s movement, each revealing a different way of being faithful. The scene reminds us that presence—being with Jesus—is the heartbeat beneath every good work. We are not meant to choose one sister over the other; we are both Mary and Martha. Together, they show us how to hold quiet devotion and active service in a balanced, grace-filled life.
A special word of thanks goes to Nancy and Peter Pitarys, whose generosity made this window possible.
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The podcast music is provided by Paul Meier and is based on the hymn tune, Mayfair, by Frances McCollin, which is associated with the hymn, “Rejoice for women brave” by Lisa Neufeld Thomas. 
_____________________________________________
The people of St. Thomas have noticed something important: women from the Bible were underrepresented in the stained glass windows of our nave. At the same time, we had eight empty window spaces—waiting to be filled. With the vestry’s support and Mother Jane Maynard’s blessing, a group of parishioners gathered to discern which women’s stories should be honored. Thanks to the dedication of a small lay committee and staff, the creativity of stained glass designer William Frank, and the craftsmanship of artisan Blake LaRue, the vision is now taking shape. This fall, we will host weekly Bible studies and a podcast on each story, as we prepare for the joyful installation during the week of December 8, 2025.

Prophetic Joy and the Resurrection | The Rev. Stephen Best | November 9, 2025

Guest preacher the Rev. Stephen Best returned to St. Thomas to share a message of prophetic joy — a hope that defies fear and flows from the resurrection. Drawing on Luke 20 and Job 19, Fr. Stephen reminded us that every Sunday is a feast of the resurrection and that joy is not the absence of struggle but the courage to swim against the current of despair and toward God’s life-giving presence in community.When have you felt called to choose joy even in the midst of fear or uncertainty? How does the hope of resurrection help you “swim against the stream”?#EpiscopalChurch #StThomasMedina #ResurrectionHope #PropheticJoy #FaithInCommunity #Eucharist #ChildrenOfTheResurrection #CommunionOfSaints #HopeAndHealing #AnglicanTradition