The Preaching Moment

The Reverend Suzanne Weidner-Smith
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A moment each week when all is well for a mom and priest. The sermons of Mother Suzanne Weidner-Smith, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Alvin, Texas. The Rev. Suzanne Smith came to Grace, Alvin, first as Deacon-in-Charge in July 2018, after graduation from the Seminary of the Southwest with a Diploma in Anglican Studies in May 2018. She was ordained to the Episcopal Priesthood in January 2019, and since 2020, has been the Rector of Grace. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree at A&M in Corpus Christi, she went to Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained a minister in the Baptist Church. In the first decade of her ministry, Suzanne was a practicing Hospice Chaplain, where she learned how to provide pastoral care at the bedside of patients transitioning from this world to the next. Listening to their stories, and telling stories of her own, she realized the power of sharing the Gospel in story form. Passionate about liturgy, she weaves scripture and story to communicate the Gospel today. Suzanne is the proud mother of Luke, Noah, and Andrew. Together, they enjoy Cub and Boy Scouts, soccer, and basketball.

  1. The First to Tell — Mary Magdalene and the Risen Lord - April 5, 2026

    20H AGO

    The First to Tell — Mary Magdalene and the Risen Lord - April 5, 2026

    Summary Mother Suzanne celebrates Easter by highlighting Mary Magdalene as the first apostle who stayed at the empty tomb when others fled, recognizing Jesus when he called her by name. She connects Mary's faithful witness to three baptisms happening that morning - Mykala, Jacob, and baby Zachary - emphasizing that Jesus has also called each of them by name to be his beloved children. On this resurrection day, these new Christians are charged with the same task as Mary: to tell others they have seen the Lord. The Gospel                                                             John 20:1-18      Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.  Artwork:  From 12th Century St. Albans psalter: Mary Magdalene Announces the Resurrection to the Apostles

    17 min
  2. Blinded by the Light - March 15, 2026 - Community Missioner Ed Carrette Homilist

    MAR 24

    Blinded by the Light - March 15, 2026 - Community Missioner Ed Carrette Homilist

    Summary On the fourth Sunday in Lent, Grace Community Missioner Ed Carrette explores the theme of spiritual awakening through Biblical stories of people "seeing the light," from the blind man healed by Jesus to Paul's conversion experience. Using Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light" as a metaphor, Carrette emphasizes that God's grace and love come first—before our actions, baptism, or spiritual practices—and our lives become a response to that unconditional love. The central message is that we are called to live as "children of light," offering the same grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others that God has already given us. THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                    John 9:1-41 Artwork: Christ Healing the Blind - El Greco (c. 1570)

    13 min
  3. Come and See - March 8, 2026 - Mrs. Ginger Wolfe, IONA Seminary Postulant, Homilist

    MAR 24

    Come and See - March 8, 2026 - Mrs. Ginger Wolfe, IONA Seminary Postulant, Homilist

    Summary On the third Sunday in Lent, IONA Postulant Ginger Wolfe explores the striking contrast between Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, highlighting how Jesus was tough with the educated, respected Nicodemus but gentle and patient with the marginalized, unnamed woman. While Nicodemus left confused despite his knowledge, the Samaritan woman experienced a profound transformation through Jesus' offer of living water, abandoning her water jar to become the first evangelist to her village with the joyful message, "Come and see." THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              John 4:5-42 Artwork:  Christ and the Samaritan Woman - Vincenzo Catena c. 1520–1530

    12 min
  4. The Second Sunday in Lent - March 1, 2026 - The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas

    MAR 3

    The Second Sunday in Lent - March 1, 2026 - The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas

    Summary In this Second Sunday of Lent sermon, Bishop Andy Doyle challenges the congregation to embrace the discomfort of true discipleship, using Nicodemus's nighttime visit to Jesus as an example of cautious faith. He emphasizes that following Jesus means allowing Him to disrupt our comfortable lives, politics, and relationships, calling us to see others through God's eyes of love and compassion rather than our own preferences. The Bishop calls for a Lenten journey of humility, prayer, and genuine transformation - being "born again" in a way that makes us better human beings who hunger for God's deliverance in a troubled world. THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              John 3:1-17  There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Artwork: Christ Instructing Nicodemus, By Crijn Hendricksz Volmarijn (ca 1604-1645)

    15 min
  5. The First Sunday in Lent - February 22, 2026

    FEB 24

    The First Sunday in Lent - February 22, 2026

    Summary Mother Suzanne explores how Jesus deliberately entered the Judean wilderness for 40 days of testing, following in the footsteps of Moses and Israel's 40-year journey. She encourages the congregation to embrace their own wilderness experiences this Lent, recognizing that God calls us into difficult places not to abandon us, but to transform us and speak to us in the solitude where His love proves more certain than any fear. THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                 Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone,  but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’   and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God,   and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.  Artwork:  The Temptation of Christ, created by the French painter Ary Scheffer in 1854.

    18 min
  6. Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026

    FEB 24

    Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026

    Summary Mother Suzanne explains that Lent is not about punishment or self-denial for its own sake, but rather a season of preparation that helps us move closer to God by removing the distractions and masks that prevent us from seeing clearly. Through the three pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—we can experience spiritual clarity and authenticity by stepping away from our cluttered patterns and excessive consumption. She emphasizes that this 40-day journey is a choice that leads to freedom and to becoming who we are meant to be. The Gospel                                                                                                            Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

    18 min
  7. Last Sunday after the Epiphany - Transfiguration Sunday - February 15, 2026

    FEB 17

    Last Sunday after the Epiphany - Transfiguration Sunday - February 15, 2026

    Summary Mother Suzanne explores the Transfiguration as a pivotal moment where Jesus, accompanied by Moses and Elijah, is transformed on a mountain before his disciples Peter, James, and John. She emphasizes that rather than trying to decode this mysterious encounter, we should enter into it, understanding that the Bible is less a book of certainties than a book of life-changing encounters with God. The transfiguration serves as God's loving preparation for Jesus before his descent toward Jerusalem and his ultimate death. THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                                Matthew 17:1-9 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”  Artwork:  The Transfiguration, by Raphael (Rafael Sanzio), 1516

    14 min
  8. Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - Scout Sunday - February 8, 2026

    FEB 10

    Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - Scout Sunday - February 8, 2026

    Summary On Scout Sunday, Mother Suzanne uses the beloved children's song "This Little Light of Mine" to illustrate Jesus's teaching about being salt and light from the Sermon on the Mount. She emphasizes that God works through simple, ordinary acts of service, praising the scout troop at Grace Episcopal Church for their faithful work tending the playground, collecting food for the blessing box, and serving the homeless community. Mother Suzanne encourages the scouts to continue being salt and light in the world through their everyday acts of courage, service, and putting others before themselves. THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Matthew 5:13-20 Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  On Scout Sunday, we celebrate the anniversary of the Scouting movement (founded Feb 8, 1910), recognize volunteers and Scouts, and foster faith-based relationships with the scouts and leaders of Troop and Pack 400.

    16 min
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About

A moment each week when all is well for a mom and priest. The sermons of Mother Suzanne Weidner-Smith, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Alvin, Texas. The Rev. Suzanne Smith came to Grace, Alvin, first as Deacon-in-Charge in July 2018, after graduation from the Seminary of the Southwest with a Diploma in Anglican Studies in May 2018. She was ordained to the Episcopal Priesthood in January 2019, and since 2020, has been the Rector of Grace. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree at A&M in Corpus Christi, she went to Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained a minister in the Baptist Church. In the first decade of her ministry, Suzanne was a practicing Hospice Chaplain, where she learned how to provide pastoral care at the bedside of patients transitioning from this world to the next. Listening to their stories, and telling stories of her own, she realized the power of sharing the Gospel in story form. Passionate about liturgy, she weaves scripture and story to communicate the Gospel today. Suzanne is the proud mother of Luke, Noah, and Andrew. Together, they enjoy Cub and Boy Scouts, soccer, and basketball.

Information

  • Creator
    The Reverend Suzanne Weidner-Smith
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Preaching Moment
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    The Preaching Moment