All Sermons
The reflection below was written by the Rev. Roger Douglas as part of the introduction to his book An Audience of One. It expresses the spirit behind all of his preaching and offers a helpful way to approach the sermons preserved in this archive.
As you read these sermons, you may find they help you make sense of the world, or invite you into your own conversation with God. Roger often said that he sought meaning in a world of death and suffering, beginnings and retirements, successes and failures, sense and nonsense.
His experience as a preacher taught him that most sermons first speak back to the one who writes them; the real dialogue is between the preacher and God. If anyone in the congregation hears a word that touches them, it is because God has chosen to let them in on that conversation.
Roger believed that preaching is deeply personal work — a struggle to make sense of Scripture, an openness about doubts, and a willingness to share the journey. The more honestly he engaged that struggle, the better others were able to identify with it.
He described this kind of work as “confessional” preaching, not in the sense of offering anecdotes, but in speaking truthfully from within one’s own life while pointing people toward Jesus. It frees the preacher from having to solve every problem and reminds us that we are not steering the ship, but contributing our part to the dialogue.
May these sermons draw you into that same conversation of faith — one marked by mystery, humility, and the grace of God at work in all things.
-
Who Has the Power and Who Has the Authority?
Who Has the Power and Who Has the Authority? June 23, 1996 It is a rare individual who can eat a fortune cookie and resist reading the message. It is an unusual person who doesn’t walk around a ladder that is resting against the wall. And most of us, if we are to be honest,…
-
Saying Hello to the Spirit
Saying Hello to the Spirit May 26, 1996 A parishioner came up to see me after last Sunday’s sermon and said, “That was interesting, equating The Ascension with saying good-bye; but Jesus also said that he would send his spirit.” My reply was, “Come next week.” And so to satisfy my friend, this sermon has…
-
Resurrection Happens
Resurrection Happens Mark 16: 1-8 April 7, 1996 In the Gospel story we have just heard, three women were walking towards the tomb. These were three women whose lives were abruptly shattered on Friday. These were three women with heavy hearts, trudging through the darkness. The symbol of their despair was their inability to foresee…
-
Easter Vigil
Easter Vigil April 6, 1996 A few people have suggested that we have the welcoming of new members of the church at some other time. Every year, I wrestle with this problem. But every year it seems so apropos. This is the first Eucharist, the first communion of Easter. It’s the beginning of our celebration…
-
A Two-Part Play
A Two-Part Play March 31, 1996 Palm Sunday is a watershed in the great 40 days of Lent – a Sunday of tremendous contradictions. It is a Sunday when we see Jesus leading a parade, and then watch with detached horror as he dies slowly on a cross. It’s a Sunday when we observe people…
-
“A Dangerous Book”
“A Dangerous Book” John 9: 1-28 March 17, 1996 I have great sympathy for a group from Indiana. They want to place a card next to all the Gideon Bibles in hotels – a card which says: “Be careful, this book can be hazardous to your health. If read closely, it is a dangerous book.”…
-
“Come and Be United”
“Come and Be United” Luke 13: 31-35 March 3, 1996 This past Sunday, many of the parish gathered at 3:00 p.m. for John Bloom’s memorial service. It was a magnificent service, with splendid music from a combined group of our own choir and many of his former students as well as choir directors throughout the…
-
“The Courage to Change”
“The Courage to Change” Genesis 5: 14; Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-12; Mark 1: 9-13 February 25, 1996 With everything and everyone that belonged to him, Abraham set out to seek a new home. At the time, he was 75 years old, settled in, respected, well-known, and ready to enjoy the golden years in Haran. And…
-
State of the Parish
State of the Parish January 21, 1996 One of my all-time favorite movies was Dead Poets Society. In the movie, there is an outstanding scene where Robin Williams tries to have his teenage students explore the world outside of themselves. He takes his class into the foyer of the gym, where they look at old…
-
“In Defense of the Innkeeper”
“In Defense of the Innkeeper” January 7, 1996 On the Sunday before Christmas, the St. Philip’s Church School, along with their parents, participated in a traditional Mexican celebration called La Posada (The Inn). The young people were all in costume – some as angels, some as shepherds, and two as Mary and Joseph. Everyone went…