Fr. Micah Thompson

Fr. Micah’s Sermon, Easter 7, Sunday after Ascension, The First Church, Part V: “Neighbors”

June 6, 2025 / Sunday service /

Readings:

1 Samuel 12:19-24
Psalm 47
Revelation 22:10-21
John 17:20-26

The First Church, Part V: “Neighbors”
As we wrap up the series, we see that the first church in Jerusalem was not only about their own personal relationship with God through Jesus – they were passionate about relationships. We see these relationships in outward moving spaces – personal transformation led to homes, the listening public, and the broader reputation in Jerusalem. When we say that our mission is “pursuing spiritual, relational, and community wholeness,” we are talking about the same movement. The gospel changes us, changes our relationships, and impacts our communities.

#sttimsvt #easter #SundaySermon #Acts2

Fr. Micah’s Sermon, Easter 6, The First Church, Part IV: “Strength”

June 6, 2025 / Sunday service /

Readings:

Joel 2:21-27
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:1-4, 22 – 22:5
John 14:21-29

The First Church, Part IV: “Strength”
How are we to love the Lord with all our Strength? Does it mean that we need to be doing everything we always could do?
That’s a recipe for burnout.
The earliest church used their bodies and god-given physicality to love the Lord. They used their time and resources to worship and share the gospel. But they weren’t asked (and we aren’t either) to do more than their physical bodies allowed.

Fr. Micah’s Sermon, Easter 4, The First Church, Part II: “Soul”

June 6, 2025 / Sunday service /

Readings:

Numbers 27: 12-23
Psalm 100
Revelation 7: 9-17
John 10: 22-30 

The First Church, Part II: “Soul”
How are we to love the Lord with all our Soul? What even is a soul, and how can I direct mine?
The early church, in their efforts to follow the risen Christ, directed their souls by receiving the grace of God in faith, baptism, breaking of bread, and praise. It turns out there isn’t much to do beyond saying yes and thank you to our gracious savior.

#SundaySermon #easter #sttimsvt #Acts2

Fr. Micah’s Sermon, Easter 3 — The First Church, Part I: “Heart”

June 6, 2025 / Sunday service /

Readings:

Jeremiah 32:36-41
Psalm 33:1-11
Revelation 5:6-14
John 21:1-14

The First Church, Part 1: “Heart”

The end of Acts 2 contains a nostalgic description of the first church in Jerusalem. Three Thousand new converts, devoted to the faith and sharing everything in their enthusiasm for the gospel. This wouldn’t last, but it still inspires believers and gives us ideas about loving our risen savior with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as Jesus does. In the first part, we see how this first family loved the Lord with their hearts – the praised, prayed, and gave. These practices still help us restore our disordered affections, and bring the new life of Jesus into our emotional lives.

Bishop Andrew Williams Sermon: “Peace Be With You”

June 6, 2025 / Special Service, Sunday service / ,

Job 42: 1-6

Psalm 111

Revelation 1: 9-19

John 20: 19-31

“Peace Be With You”
When the disciples gathered in the upper room, they were afraid. They heard that Jesus had risen from the dead, and were in a bind. If the news was false, they feared the religious authorities. If the news was true, they feared that Jesus would be angry with them. And when Jesus arrives, he leads with peace. He still leads with peace, not anger.

Easter Sunday 2025

June 6, 2025 / Special Service, Sunday service /
Readings:
 
Isaiah 51:9-11
Psalm 118:14-17, 22-24
Acts 10:34-43
Luke 24:1-12
Portraits of Peter 4
 
As we finish Holy Week with a great celebration, we look at Peter as shown in Acts 10. In this passage, Peter has fully grasped the reality of the resurrection, and will boldy be a witness to the reality of salvation in Jesus, able to accomplsh the things he boasted about earlier!
 

The Great Easter Vigil Service 2025

May 8, 2025 / Special Service /
Genesis 3
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-20; 9:8-13
Exodus 14:10-15:1
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Daniel 3:1-28
Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-10
Portraits of Peter 3

Tonight, we look at Peter’s “rock bottom” – the turning point that made continuing in his half-heartedness impossible. He stands in teh courtyard and denies even knowing Jesus, and weeps for his own weakness as Jesus goes to his death.
But Jesus does not stay dead. Rather, he rises to new life, restores Peter, and sets him on the path to great things!

Maundy Thursday 2025

June 6, 2025 / Special Service /
Readings:
 
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 78:14-25
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Luke 22:14-34

Portraits of Peter 2

Tonight, we back up from the Garden to the Upper Room, where we find Peter blustering and boasting. He wants Jesus to wash him completely, and commits to going to prison and dying with Jesus. But he’s not ready. The person he is most trying to convince is himself.
Jesus responds with grace and faith in Peter. Peter, in the face of is desperate insecurity, is known and loved.

Sermon — The Fifth Sunday of Lent: “Perfect Love”

June 6, 2025 / Sunday service /

Readings: 

Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:7-16
Luke 20:9-19
Perfect Love
In Luke 20, Jesus tells a parable of vineyard tenants. They are faithful in labor, but not relationship, refusing to acknowledge the owner. As a result, Jesus tells the crowds that they will be replaced – a threat to the Jewish religious establishment. Later, the Apostle Paul writes about perfection, and lays aside all of his faithful labor as “rubbish.” Instead, he presses on toward the goal to win the prize – not perfect obedience, but perfect relationship.