Fr Joseph preaches a children's sermon—with help from "Heaven"—at Holy Resurrection Church, Gillette, Wyoming.

A brief reminiscence by Fr John, speaking at St Paisios Mission, Yuma, Arizona, on Bishop ANTOUN of Thrice-Blessed.

If the Lord will accept us at "the eleventh hour" -- why all the prayer, fasting, and alms giving? Fr Joseph speaks at an ecumenical gathering about how the Orthodox work out their salvation.

In a move as shocking as reading the lyrics to popular songs in church, Fr. Joseph asks the folks at St Joseph/Houston to pull our their cell phones!

Fr Joseph interviews Alex Hordge. Alex was baptized last Pascha, sings in the church choir, and attends college classes at The Saint Constantine School. Alex is also blind.

With restrictions being what they were, and fears continuing as they are, the faithful of St Joseph/Houston discovered something over the past year.

Fr Joseph engages in a bit of name-dropping: Rose, Rose Hill, Peter Heers, Peterson, Frederica, Hatfield, Pageau, Freeman, and more! But, really: What in the world is going on with all these inquirers and catechumens?

Fr. John shares from Psalm 117:1-14. "When we depend on ourselves, we cannot succeed. When we put our hope in God, we cannot fail."

Fr. John shares about humbly using our spiritual gifts, from Romans 12:1-13. Please note: "At one point in the sermon I mentioned Arsenius the Athonite, but actually meant to refer to the Elder Paisios, and the book I referred to is http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Paisios-Mount-Athos-Isaac/dp/960897643X"

Fr. John shares from Philippians 2:12-13.

Fr. John talks about the meaning of the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

Fr. John shares from Psalm 118:41-48.

Fr. John talks about the importance of taking time to read and understand the Scriptures.

Fr. John shares from Mark 7:31-37.

Fr. John shares about the healing of the man with palsy, let down through the roof by his four friends (from Mark 2:1-12). He mentions St. Gregory of Palamas' explanation of our friends who help lead us to Christ for healing: self-condemnation, confession of our sins, renunciation of our sins, and prayer.

Fr. John shares from Mark 8:34-9:1.

Fr. John shares the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17.

Fr. John talks about the life of Saint Tabitha (Acts 9:32-42) and compares her raising to that of Jairus' daughter by Christ.

Fr. John shares from Luke 8:5-15, and the importance of planting our life in Christ in good soil.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses the importance of confession and recognizing our sins.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches from 1 John 2:1-6.

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt.

Fr. John Whiteford speaks on Psalm 77 and the importance of living out our faith.

Fr. John Whiteford speaks on Psalm 50:10-12.

Fr. John Whiteford reflects on Psalm 8 and the importance of the name of our LORD.

Fr. John Whiteford shares from Mark 8:35 and tells the story of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches from Colossians 2:6-15.

Fr. John Whiteford continues the discussion of the Lord's Prayer by looking at Matthew 6:12.

Fr. John Whiteford talks about the Lord's Prayer, its different elements, and when Christ taught His disciples about the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9.

Fr. John Whiteford looks at Matthew 6:11, in the third sermon in his series on the Lord's Prayer.

Fr. John Whiteford delivers an exhortation to learn from this quarantine and use that spiritual wisdom in life moving forward.

Fr. John Whiteford's homily speaks about the anxiety we rightfully feel during this election season but reminds us that our kingdom is not of this world. We must remember to keep our trust in the Lord, lay aside our earthly cares, and look to Him, and not politics, for our deliverance.

Fr. John Whiteford discusses how to walk forward in the discernment of vocation.

Fr. John Whiteford encourages his parishioners (and listeners) to prioritize the services of Holy Week, leading up to Pascha.

Fr. John Whiteford reflects on the miracle of the feeding of the multitudes, reminding us that God provides heavenly food for us.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches on the story of Jacob selling his birthright to his brother Esau, and helps us understand it through the lens of our lives today. (Genesis 25:19-34)

Fr. John Whiteford describes how obedience helps us grow in humility.

Fr. John Whiteford concludes his series of homilies from the Psalms on by discussing where the wicked and the righteous end up, and why we should put our hope in God. (PSALM 26:25-40)

Fr. John Whiteford explains the purpose and importance of the Hymns of Ascent. Psalm 119 is featured.

Fr. John Whiteford explores the true meaning of loving our enemies, as demonstrated in Luke 6:27-36.

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon for August 25, 2024.

It’s often intimidating to walk into a new space filled with strangers. It’s hard to be the stranger but it’s also sometimes intimidating to be the one charged with welcoming the stranger. How does “coffee hour” or “fellowship” after Liturgy remind us, as William Butler Yeats wrote, “There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”

The Gadarene Demoniac had been reduced to an animal existence by his misuse of his freedom. Jesus comes and heals him and he is finally in his right mind. Are you in your right mind?

Jesus uses seemingly harsh language when a father brings an epileptic son to the Lord for healing. But it's only because it's only this kind of language that can break past the selfishness of our own hearts to teach us how to have faith the size of a mustard seed!

There wasn't a Jew within the sound of Jesus' voice when He said if any man would be my disciple, he must take up his cross... You see, there's only one use for a cross, and that's for an execution. The Christian message invites us not only to follow Christ but to die to everything that isn't like Christ in our lives. That's what it means to "bear your cross!"

The guests invited to the rich man's banquet didn't value their invitation to his dinner as much as they valued other things. In the end, none of the expected elite got to go, but the most unexpecting group were invited and enjoyed the hospitality of the rich man!

On the Third Sunday of Pascha we are called to remember the healing of the Paralytic 38 years sick. Jesus asks him a question and confronts him with a command: "Do you WANT to be healed?" and "Take up your pallet and walk." The power of desire and obedience challenges us to allow the grace of God to transfigure our past from a burden to a badge of grace and mercy.

The Sunday of the Myrrhbearers shows us some courageous women who, even when faced with an impossible task (who will roll the stone away) nevertheless kept on going to minister to the Lord. But even when they were confronted with the empty tomb and the news of the Lord's resurrection, they left the place afraid! Our world is facing some impossible tasks as well and we traditional believers are confronted with the societal earthquake of a changin moral climate. When faced with these realities, what kind of example will we leave our children? Will we allow society to silence us? Or will e face a scary time with determination and faith?