Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Dallas

Epiphany 1 - The Lamb Who Bears Our Sin

Mother Rebecca reflects on Jesus’ baptism, asking why the sinless Son of God submits to it. Drawing on Scripture, Jewish ritual, and early Christian theology, she presents Jesus as the Lamb of God who bears humanity’s sin, inaugurates his mission, reveals the Trinity, and invites all people into death and resurrection through baptism.
Today's Readings: 42:1-9 | Acts 10:34-43 | Matthew 3:13-17
Sermon preached by The Rev. Rebecca Tankersley on the First Sunday after the Epiphany - The Baptism of Our Lord.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

The Epiphany - Two Epiphanies

In her sermon on the Feast of The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mother Rebecca explores The Epiphany as a double revelation: Christ’s divinity revealed through the star and the Magi, and the fear exposed in Herod and Jerusalem. It contrasts love-shaped fear with power-driven fear, inviting listeners to follow Christ’s light with trust rather than cling to control.
Today's Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 | Ephesians 3:1-12 | Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon preached by The Rev. Rebecca Tankersley on the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

Christmas 2 - Growing Up Jesus: Nazareth, Community, and Faith

Father Casey explores Jesus’ childhood, focusing on Nazareth as the formative community that shaped him. By examining Jesus’ hidden years, he highlights the power of ordinary, faithful communities to nurture wisdom, courage, and faith in children, calling the church to invest deeply in the next generation.
Today's Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14 | Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a | Luke 2:41-52
Sermon preached by The Rev. Casey Shobe on the Second Sunday after Christmas.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

Christmas Eve - Freeing the Nativity from the Snow Globe

In his sermon on the Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord, Father Casey challenges sentimentalized views of the nativity, reclaiming its historical, prophetic, and mystical depth. Through family tradition, scripture, and the insight of Christian mystics, it reveals Christmas as a call to humility, transformation, and making room for Christ to be born, not just in a story, but within each person’s heart.
Today's Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7 | Titus 3:4-7 | Luke 2:1-20
Sermon preached by The Rev. Casey Shobe on the Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

Advent 4 - God With Us Under Siege

Deacon Michael Sturdy, using historical sieges and Isaiah’s prophecy, explores Emmanuel as God’s saving presence. He argues that God saves not through power politics, but by being fully with humanity in suffering, life, death, resurrection, and ongoing presence through the church and sacraments.
Today's Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16 | Romans 1:1-7 | Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon preached by The Rev. Michael Sturdy on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

Advent 3 - Hope Between Two Advents

Mother Maddie Hill reflects on John the Baptist’s doubt, suffering, and faith while imprisoned. It explores the tension of living between Christ’s first and second advents, calling believers to hopeful, sacrificial living. Through service and love, Christians make God’s kingdom more visible while waiting for its fulfillment.
Today's Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 | James 5:7-10 | Matthew 11:2-11
Sermon preached by The Rev. Maddie Hill on the Third Sunday of Advent.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

Advent Reading of the Gospel of Matthew

Scripture was written as much with the intent to be heard as read. Please get comfortable, relax, and hear Matthew's account of the Gospel of Christ. Feel free to follow along with us as members of the congregation at Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration read from the NRVS version of the Bible.
A video version of this reading is available on YouTube: Click Here
If you wish to jump ahead to any chapter of Matthew's Gospel, the time marks are as follows:
00:00:00 - Opening Prayers
00:01:10 - Chapter 1
00:05:30 - Chapter 2
00:09:40 - Chapter 3
00:12:35 - Chapter 4
00:16:40 - Chapter 5
00:25:30 - Chapter 6
00:30:50 - Chapter 7
00:35:15 - Chapter 8
00:40:10 - Chapter 9
00:46:15 - Chapter 10
00:52:10 - Chapter 11
00:56:50 - Chapter 12
01:04:30 - Chapter 13
01:13:10 - Chapter 14
01:17:45 - Chapter 15
01:24:20 - Chapter 16
01:29:25 - Chapter 17
01:34:25 - Chapter 18
01:40:05 - Chapter 19
01:44:50 - Chapter 20
01:49:30 - Chapter 21
01:56:30 - Chapter 22
02:01:30 - Chapter 23
02:07:20 - Chapter 24
02:14:35 - Chapter 25
02:21:20 - Chapter 26
02:32:20 - Chapter 27
02:40:45 - Chapter 28
02:44:25 - Closing Prayer & Blessing
Visit our website: www.transfiguration.net

Advent 2 - Refining Fire: Advent’s Call to Prepare the Heart

Mother Rebecca reflects on our Advent encounter with John the Baptist and the anxiety surrounding divine judgment. Drawing on Scripture and theologian Barbara Brown Taylor, they explore God’s fire as purifying rather than destructive. They invite listeners to welcome this refining fire, repent, confront inner darkness, and prepare joyfully for Christ’s coming.
Today's Readings:  Isaiah 11:1-10 | Romans 15:4-13 | Matthew 3:1-12
Sermon preached by The Rev. Rebecca Tankersley on the Second Sunday of Advent.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

Advent 1 - Living the Future: Advent, Prophets, and the Lord Who Reigns

Father Casey describes Advent as a season that honestly confronts the world’s brokenness. Through Isaiah’s prophetic vision, believers glimpse God’s peaceful future. Christians, born into the new creation through their baptism, must live as “time travelers,” embodying Christ’s kingdom now rather than treating Jesus as “Lord-elect.” Faith means living future hope in present reality.
Today's Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 | Romans 13:11-14 | Matthew 24:36-44
Sermon preached by The Rev. Casey Shobe on the First Sunday of Advent.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.

Final Sunday Before Advent - Three Crosses, One King

Pastor JoNell explores Christ’s crucifixion as the gateway to divine kingship and grace. Through the imagery of three crosses, Luke’s narrative, and the two thieves, the speaker reveals God’s radical remembrance and mercy. The feast of Christ the King prepares believers for Advent, calling them to become a three-cross community of forgiveness.
Today's Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6 | Colossians 1:11-20 | Luke 23:33-43
Sermon preached by The Rev. JoNell Lindh on The Final Sunday Before Advent also known as Christ the King.  We invite you to view the full service HERE.  Learn more about our community by visiting www.transfiguration.net.