The Church's Mission and Ministry

In this sermon, delivered by Father Stuart Bates on October 5, 2025, in observance of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, and the 75th anniversary of the St. Francis mission in West Houston, Father Bates emphasizes that the church's foundation is Jesus Christ, who is the head of the body, and that the parishioners of St. Francis are members of this body. The core of the sermon centers on the church's mission—to restore unity with God and one another—which is carried out primarily by laypersons (the ministers of the church). The sermon concludes by urging the congregation to prioritize prayer and service, drawing inspiration from St. Francis's spiritual transformation.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit our website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch us on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find us on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like us on Facebook.

Do It Scared: Belief Despite Evidence

This sermon by Mother Emily Hylden, delivered on September 28, 2025, discusses the nature of faith and evidence through scriptural stories. Hylden focuses on a passage from Luke where Jesus states that some will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead, which she calls a "ruthful joke" about human stubbornness. She contrasts the rich man in the story, who seeks more evidence, with Abraham, who obeyed God’s call despite having little prior evidence or assurance. The central theme is a call to trust God and "do it scared," emphasizing that God desires surrender and companionship rather than perfection or a comfortable life.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch us on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find us on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like us on Facebook.

Stewardship, Relationships, and Eternal Implications

In this sermon by Reverend Katie Gould, delivered on September 21, 2025, she primarily discusses the meaning and implications of biblical parables, particularly focusing on stewardship and eternal consequences. Reverend Gould emphasizes two key takeaways: first, that everything belongs to God, meaning individuals are managers or stewards of gifts like wealth, time, and talents, which should be used to build relationships and love people; and second, that everything done in the present moment has eternal implications. The sermon warns against the human tendency to compartmentalize spiritual life from daily life, citing the prophet Amos, and stresses that these responsibilities—to uplift others and practice good stewardship—are never suspended, even outside of worship. Finally, the text underscores the importance of prayer for all people, including enemies, as a means of working toward God's peaceable kingdom.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch us on YouTube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find us on Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like us on Facebook.