St. Marks Episcopal Church - Medford, Oregon

06/11/2026

Remnants of the bees who felt called to join the parish.

06/07/2026

Grace and peace to you as we begin the post-Pentecost season, sometimes called Ordinary time. The only thing Ordinary in this time is our life of faith in God’s grace.

Our invitation to worship celebrates that all good comes from God and that the inspiration of the Spirit leads us to be merciful. Our first lesson from Genesis is the direction from God to Abram to go and inherit the land of Canaan and to become the father of all nations. The Psalmist sings a song that rejoices in God’s grace and reminds humans to praise God because God is Lord. The reading from the letter to the Romans retells the story of Abraham and reminds Christians that his inheritance was based on his relationship with God. Matthew’s gospel tells of Matthew’s call to be a disciple and recounts the healing of the hemorrhaging woman and the restoration to life of the Jewish leader’s dead daughter.

On the second Sunday after Pentecost we begin our summer of reflections about what it means to be believers and evangelists for God. We are reminded that Jesus is willing to cede his place of privilege as Son of God to do the hard work of healing he must do. Yet his ministry isn’t simply “one size fits all” but it engages the needs and desires of others to bring about an awareness of God’s presence in each person’s life. Our scripture reminds us that being part of God’s chosen people on earth doesn’t make us great. Rather, being chosen by God, we are expected to share our power in God’s name, thus becoming recognized as one of God’s people doing hard work to make people whole and complete.

How do you capitalize on being God’s chosen person to help others find health and wholeness in the middle of their often-mundane lives? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-12; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Sermon link:

Pentecost 2 Sermon song from FatherLes. Release Date: June 07, 2026.

06/04/2026

Getting ready for our rummage sale/treasure hunt this coming Saturday and Sunday! Come and shop!

05/31/2026

Grace and peace to you all on Trinity Sunday, a Sunday where we remember the indescribable nature of the God we follow and by whom we are empowered.

Our invitation to worship acknowledges the nature of God, not simply as creator but as redeemer and sustainer through the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Our first lesson from Genesis is the Priestly account of creation and God’s creation of a well-ordered structure with humans and the remainder of creation. The response was the Canticle, The Song of the Three Men, a song of praise to God. The reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians elaborates a trinitarian blessing and grace to believers. Matthew’s gospel provided a commission by Jesus to the Disciples to spread the gospel and educate people through the power of the Holy Spirit.

On Trinity Sunday we celebrate the indescribable concept of the Trinity – God as one yet of three natures, which is hard to describe short of heresy. Regarding the Trinity, it is normally better to not explain how the Trinity works, rather it is better to try to explain how we live life 2,000 years after the Crucifixion, often in absence of “hard” evidence, doing Jesus’ work in the modern world. It is often better to remember the relationship provided us with God through the unique and distinct “persons” of the Trinity. Our job is to be empowered by the working of the Holy Spirit, which is passed on in community, which compels us to “look foolish” to bring hope, health, and wholeness in a broken world.

To whom is God and the Trinity calling you to minister and bring a sense of hope in a disjointed world? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Canticle 13; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
Sermon link:

Trinity Sunday sermon song from FatherLes. Release Date: May 31, 2026.

05/24/2026

Happy birthday to the Christian Church and blessings to you on Pentecost Sunday.

Our invitation to worship introduces the power of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the empowerment of humans to tell our story of God in our lives. Our first lesson from Numbers relates the story of Moses’ power to prophesy to the 70+2 and Moses’ declaration that all should be prophets by the power of the spirit. The psalmist relates the power of God which is found in all creation. The reading from the Acts of the Apostles is the story of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Disciples so they can preach to the corners of the world. John’s gospel recounts Jesus’ first appearance to the Disciples after his resurrection to empower them for their mission.

On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the beginning of the transition from Easter to living our lives of faith in the “mundane” phase of life as we await Jesus’ return. Today was the celebration of the first Pentecost, the day where the Holy Spirit descended like a tongue of fire on the disciples. But the message of Pentecost is not simply ecstatic tongues speaking in an other-worldly, holy language. Pentecost is the celebration of our remembrance of being commissioned to speak the news of God in our lives, each and every one of us. That commission comes, not with 50-cent words, but with everyday language which others can understand. Pentecost reminds us to trust the Holy Spirit but to also do our part.

With what has the Holy Spirit empowered you for the good work you do for God in the world? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/pentecost-sunday-sermon

05/17/2026

Greetings on the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Sunday between Ascension Day and Pentecost, a Sunday where we prepare to be leaders of God’s work in the world.

Our invitation to worship declares that Jesus was raised to heaven and that the Holy Spirit will come to not leave us without comfort and give us strength. Our first lesson from the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of Jesus’ ascension and the angels telling the Disciples that they are the leaders of the faith now. The psalmist sings a song telling us that through time God has made God’s people safe and successful even when it doesn’t look like they would survive. The reading from the first letter of Peter offers a reflection that describes the life the faithful should expect to live – both troublesome and as those oppressed and rewarded by faith in Jesus. The reading from John’s gospel offers a theological description of the disciples being endowed to be leaders of the faith.

Our faith and the practice of faith help us be sustained when we remember each day is a new day where God is already present and that we have the skills we need to excel in the life we are called to live. Even when we feel like we’re alone and afraid in the world, we are assured that we will receive the Holy Spirit like Jesus, and that Jesus will return again. Our scripture provides the story of the disciples being commissioned by the coming of the Holy Spirit AND by Jesus’ ascension to heaven. From that story and commissioning the Disciples become leaders in the faith and we are made leaders by the same promises so we can carry God’s hope to the future.

How do we build a community that is aware of the Holy Spirit and is as diverse as the community in Acts? To whom can we relate the promise of unlimited potential found only in a relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
Sermon link:

Easter 7 Sermon song from FatherLes. Release Date: May 17, 2026.

05/10/2026

Greetings on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Rogation Sunday where we remember God’s part in creation and our responsibility to sustain creation. It is also a day where we remember those who have mothered us through our life – whether mothers by blood or choice.

Our invitation to worship calls to mind the wonderful things which God has graciously given us and how we respond to God based on that grace. Our first lesson from the Acts of the Apostles relates Paul’s defense at the Areopagus as he critiques the Athenian’s wisdom. The psalmist sings a song which reminds us of God’s grace and our blessings as followers of God. The reading from the first letter of Peter offers a reflection of life lived in the world as countered by life lived for God, and where true blessings are found. The reading from John’s gospel relates Jesus reminding the disciples that, even when they feel like they are alone and afraid, the Holy Spirit touches their soul to remind them of Jesus’ presence and God’s grace.

We celebrate our nature, not the nature skewed by our interaction with the human world but our God-given nature. God has created us to live faithfully according to God’s presence as demonstrated by the love of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus asks us to love – not emotionally but as ones who are related to each other and to something greater than we can imagine. As we get “farther” from Jesus’ physical presence we are reminded that Jesus’ actions are our guide and the Holy Spirit leads us in the now, inviting us to keep an eye on nature as God’s creation.

How do you live love and be related to people who are also followers of God, even when they are different than you are? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:7-18; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
Sermon link:

Easter 6 Sermon song from FatherLes. Release Date: May 10, 2026.

05/03/2026

Greetings on the Fifth Sunday of Easter. A Sunday where we are invited to remember that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Our invitation to worship describes Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life who helps us find our way to a deeper relationship with God and eternal life. Our first lesson from the Acts of the Apostles told the story of Stephen was stoned for blaspheme and Saul is present for Stephen’s death. The psalmist sings a song to remind us that God is our refuge and that in God’s time and under God’s care we will live a prosperous life. The reading from the first letter of Peter asks us to trust in God and the relationships with others who believe alongside us. The reading from John’s gospel relates Jesus asking his disciples to not lose heart in their community and that our faith builds our commitment to God’s mission in the world and for us.

Life is not a comparative sport. Our faith should remind us that doing our best is typically good enough. The Holy Spirit does the hard work of translating our actions into effective things for others to emulate. While John’s gospel is often safer to read figuratively as opposed to literally, today’s gospel invites us to not rely on the cerebral life not to be troubled by the things we can’t control. We can or should be troubled, but by allowing our faith community to work alongside us to avoid being overcome. We are invited to work to not lose relationships which are focused on God and working together to find solace and guidance.

How are you empowered to help lessen the load on your community of faith and help those you meet every day? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
Sermon link:

Easter 5 Sermon song from FatherLes. Release Date: May 03, 2026.

04/26/2026

Greetings on Good Shepherd Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. A Sunday where we hear an account of Christ the good shepherd.

Our invitation to worship describes Jesus as the good shepherd whose voice we hear calling our name and providing comfort in our life’s journey. Our first lesson from the Acts of the Apostles gives us an example to follow – to share with others, to be in community, and to allow God to grow God’s body. The psalmist sings a song we know as the Good Shepherd psalm and how God provides for us in good times and bad. The reading from the first letter of Peter calls us to live faithfully, and if our profession causes problems with the world’s leaders, so be it. The reading from John’s gospel tells Jesus’ explanation of his profession as shepherd, gate, gatekeeper, and sheepfold.

We understand our life as believers as ones who follow Jesus, who is our shepherd and one who protects and sustains us in our journey. We model Jesus by leading and connecting with our community. We need to be faithful to the message of God calling us into a relationship and to allow our community, formed by God, to be a place of recreation and restoration. Jesus invites us to live a life which encourages everyone to see God present and caring for all creation. This gospel invites us to bear witness to God’s presence in all and to nurture all of God’s creation.

What is the story of good news you are called to share with others? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
Sermon link:

Easter 4 Sermon song from FatherLes. Release Date: April 26, 2026.

04/19/2026

Greetings to you on the walk to Emmaus Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter. A Sunday where we hear an account of questioning disciples on the road.

Our invitation to worship affirms that Jesus is made clear in simple acts like breaking bread and sharing story. Our first lesson from the Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of Peter and the conversion of 3,000 people who witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion. The psalmist sings a song of thanks for God’s faithful presence and for hearing our prayers and cries for help. The reading from the first letter of Peter reminds us that Jesus death and resurrection affirms our salvation and deliverance from sin. The reading from Luke’s gospel is the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and the conversation between them and Jesus.

I recently heard a summary of faith along the lines of, “Faith is what remains when expectation and experience meet.” The journey of faith, if we are honest, is punctuated by moments of confusion and emotional responses to God and God’s people. But, like incognito Jesus meeting the two disciples on the road, we are met and invited to meet other sojourners on the road without judgement. Jesus and God meet us in our emotions and our confusion, simply because it is in those places where we are wholly open to share from the heart. Our mission as believers is to walk with others and to help all of us see God in the simplicity of breaking bread and sharing story. Even though God is a big deal, we find God in the everyday life of faith we live and to welcome others to find God helping them on their journey.

How are we aware of Jesus on our journey? What do we need help removing from our journey that keeps us from seeing God? I invite your likes and comments,
Les+

Lessons: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/easter-3-sermon-1