Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Dallas

In this sermon at the Great Vigil of Easter, Mother Rebecca explores the resurrection story from Luke’s Gospel, focusing on the rhetorical question, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” She points out how sometimes we miss this opportunity because we dismiss the source of the news, just as the male disciples did with the news the women proclaimed. She invites us all to reflect on our own search for meaning in lifeless ...

This sermon Father Casey explores the deep human need to remember what truly matters, especially through suffering and forgetfulness. Centered around the Last Supper and Jesus’ final acts, he emphasizes memory, communion, servanthood, and the enduring power of ritual to anchor faith and identity amid a fragmented, forgetful world.

Sermon preached by The Rev. Casey Shobe on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week 2025.  We invite you to view t...

For Palm Sunday, also known as The Passion of Our Lord, Father Ted’s sermon reflects on the 1911 lynching of Commodore Jones in Collin County Texas, drawing powerful parallels to the crucifixion of Jesus. Through historical recounting, theological insight, emotional reflection and a bit of speculative journalism, it explores themes of innocence, mob justice, and the moral failure of authority in both sacred and tragic passion narr...

Father Casey explores Rembrandt’s painting The Return of the Prodigal Son and its deep connection to Jesus’ parable, emphasizing the boundless grace and love of God. Casey uses it to challenge common misconceptions about God’s judgment, critiques graceless societal norms, and calls for Christians to embody forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation - to be more like God is like. He charges us to look deeply into a Gospel inside the Gos...

In this sermon, Father Ted explores the parable of the barren fig tree through the lens of St. Augustine’s interpretation. He emphasizes God’s mercy, the importance of bearing spiritual fruits, and the necessity of humility—symbolized by manure—in personal and communal growth. Using humor, personal anecdotes, and theological insights, Father Ted calls for self-reflection, urging listeners to embrace hum...

Paul’s letter to the Philippians illustrates how joy and courage can coexist with hardship. Father Casey reflects on Paul’s courage, James Harrison’s selfless blood donations despite fear, and Jesus’s unwavering commitment to his mission. He emphasizes that courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to act despite it. Whether facing imprisonment, physical fear, societal panic, or mortal threats, true strength lies in ...

As we begin Lent, Mtr. Rebecca reflects on how difficult it can be to observe a Holy Lent, because we are accustomed to our creature comforts. Each of us has an empty place inside our souls that belongs to God alone. Lent is a season in which we stop trying to fill this emptiness with material things long enough to allow God to move in and take up residence.

Sermon preached by The Rev. Rebecca Tankersley on The First Sunday in Lent...

Bishop Smith reflects on praying in historic holy sites and explores the significance of sacred spaces, particularly the newly renovated church we just dedicated to God’s Glory. He draws a parallel between a computer without an operating system and a church without its people, concluding that the true beauty of a sacred place is found in its worshippers, who, through their devotion and prayers, sanctify...

Father Casey's sermon marks the Dedication and Consecration of Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, celebrating the culmination of nine months of renovation. He reflects on the history, gratitude, and transformation of the church, both physically and spiritually. He emphasizes that Christianity is not merely about salvation but about an ongoing process of transformation into Christ’s likeness. He sa...

The Rev. JoNell Lindh reflects on the Sermon on the Plain, exploring its historical context, cultural implications, and spiritual teachings. She connects the message of love, generosity, and forgiveness with contemporary challenges, urging listeners to embody Christ's compassion. The speaker emphasizes choosing God's way of life, loving others as oneself, and manifesting the kingdom of heaven through ge...

In this sermon, Father Casey explores the radical context of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the Beatitudes as a revolutionary declaration rather than abstract wisdom. He highlights Jesus’ power as a force for healing, contrasting it with modern misuses of Christian influence. The message calls for a return to Jesus' true vision—compassion over control, service over dominance pointing out that “The only true Christian power is power ...

Mother Rebecca explores the emotional toll of consuming "the news", drawing parallels between modern struggles and biblical figures who felt overwhelmed and unworthy. Despite feelings of frustration and insignificance, the message emphasizes that God can use these struggles for good. Through engagement and service to others, individuals can channel their concerns into meaningful action within their comm...

On this the commemoration of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, Father Casey explores Luke’s careful historical writing, focusing on Anna’s story. Despite immense loss, she kept her heart open, recognizing Jesus as the true Messiah. Her example teaches us the importance of seeking redemption over revenge, especially in a world filled with bitterness and anger. Reminding us that "if we want more...

Father Ted’s sermon reflects on historical pardons, the role of mercy in the Gospel, and how Christian leadership must embody truth and justice. It critiques modern political pardons, reflects on a Bishop's role in Episcopal leadership, and emphasizes every Christian's responsibility to advocate for mercy and peace, following Jesus' example of liberation.

Sermon preached by The Rev. Ted Clarkson on The ...