SERMONS
15th February, 2026:
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Sermon Title: “Don’t Interrupt the Halftime Show!”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Matthew 17:1–9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
22nd February, 2026:
First Sunday of Lent - Series: Tell Me Something Good
Sermon Title: “Did Someone Order More Wine?”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.
1st March, 2026:
Second Sunday of Lent - Series: Tell Me Something Good
Sermon Title: “Simon Says Be Humble.”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
8th March, 2026:
Third Sunday of Lent - Series: Tell Me Something Good
Sermon Title: “Sheep without A Shepherd.”
Bishop Phil Hirsch (he/him)
GOSPEL Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who by the power at work within us can accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask
or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
15th March, 2026:
Fourth Sunday of Lent - Series: Tell Me Something Good
Sermon Title: “When God said: Let the Kids be Kids.”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Matthew 19:13-15
Then children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples. Spoke sternly to those who brought them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
22nd March, 2026:
Fifth Sunday of Lent - Series: Tell Me Something Good
Sermon Title: “When being right goes wrong.”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and
cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You
should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
29th March, 2026:
Palm Sunday - Series: Tell Me Something Good
Sermon Title: “Jesus Rode A Colt, Not A Convertible”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Mark 11:1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
5th April, 2026:
Easter Sunday - Series: Tell Me Something Good
Sermon Title: “Warning Ressurection may cause shaking”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.
12th April, 2026:
Second Sunday of Easter God Shakes the World
Sermon Title: “Warning: Resurrection May Cause Shaking
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Matthew 28:2
Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone,
he rolled it away and sat on it.
19th April, 2026: Third Sunday of Easter
We Become a People of Belonging
Sermon Title: “We Don’t Have to Believe to Belong”
Bishop Philip Hirsch
GOSPEL John 20:24-29
Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
26th April, 2026: Fourth Sunday of Easter
We Live Differently Together
Sermon Title: “Church Doesn’t Start at 9 AM”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Luke 24:13-35
On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him.
He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast.
The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?” He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.
When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?” They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” Then the two disciples
described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.
3rd May, 2026: Fifth Sunday of Easter
We Act for Justice
Sermon Title: “Faith That Actually Does Something”
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (el/he)
GOSPEL Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to
proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
10th May, 2026: Sixth Sunday of Easter
We become the Church (not just attend it)
Sermon Title: From Programs to People
The Rev. Julio Hernandez
GOSPEL John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.
17th May, 2026: Ascension of Our Lord
In-between Ascension and Pentecost
Bishop Philip Hirsch
GOSPEL John 17:1-11
When Jesus finished saying these things, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son can glorify you. You gave him authority over everyone so that he could give eternal life to everyone you gave him. This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent. I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I shared with you before the world was created. “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from this world. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. This is because I gave them the words that you gave me, and they received them. They truly understood that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. “I’m praying for them. I’m not praying for the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours. Everything that is mine is yours and everything that is yours is mine; I have been glorified in them. I’m no longer in the world, but they are in the world, even as I’m coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them in your name, the name you gave me, that they will be one just as we are one.