Metropolitan AME Church Sermons

Pentecost Sunday 2026 - Rev. Thomas A. Brackeen, Jr.

In this week's sermon, Rev. Thomas A. Brackeen, Jr. explores the significance of Pentecost in the context of contemporary social and political challenges, emphasizing community, diversity, and active faith. This week's text: Acts 2:1-8, 12-13 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.5 Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” Key Topics * Pentecost's historical significance and diversity * The black church's relationship with Pentecost * Pentecost as a call for justice and community * The role of community and gathering in spiritual movement Chapters 00:00 The Need for the Spirit 00:33 Celebrating Pentecost in the Black Church 03:19 Pentecost in Perilous Times 08:42 Diversity and the Spirit of Pentecost 13:19 Community and Connection 18:14 Rediscovering Voices 22:28 Pentecost as a Movement 24:43 The Call to Action

Seventh Sunday of Easter - Rev. Cozette Thomas

This week Rev. Cozette Thomas explores the themes of gratitude, response to God's grace, and social responsibility through a sermon on Psalms 116, emphasizing community support and justice. This week's scripture: Psalm 116:1-2, 12- 19 I love the Lord because he has heard     my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me,     therefore I will call on him as long as I live. What shall I return to the Lord     for all his bounty to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation     and call on the name of the Lord; 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord     in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord     is the death of his faithful ones. 16 O Lord, I am your servant;     I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.     You have loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice     and call on the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows to the Lord     in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,     in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! Takeaways * God hears our cries, even in silence and suffering. * Response to God's grace involves justice, care, and community action. * Testimony is a call to responsibility and public witness.

Sixth Sunday of Easter and Mother's Day 2026 - Rev. William H. Lamar IV

This week Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the significance of the priestly benediction in navigating the wilderness of contemporary America, emphasizing divine blessing, protection, and peace as essential for facing societal challenges. This week's scripture - Numbers 6:22-27: 22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them:24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 “So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Key Topics * The significance of the priestly benediction * The metaphor of wilderness in contemporary America * Divine blessing, protection, and peace * The role of faith and spirituality in social justice Chapters 00:00 The Power of Trust and Truth 01:35 Facing the Wilderness: A Call for Benediction 13:28 God's Blessing in the Wilderness 27:25 The Name of God: Our Strength and Identity

Fifth Sunday of Easter 2026 - Rev. William H. Lamar IV

In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the significance of prayer, community, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. He emphasizes the importance of internal spiritual work and external deeds as vital components of faith and Easter living. This week's scripture: Act 2:42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Key Topics * The significance of prayer in difficult times * Living as Easter people beyond Easter Sunday * The internal work of prayer and spiritual awareness * The connection between prayer and deeds of justice and compassion Sound Bites * "Prayer is awareness that the divine is all around us." * "Devoting ourselves to the prayers means to understand that prayer is deed." * "Prayer is communication between the divine and us." Chapters 00:00 Offering and Sacrificial Giving 00:07 Scripture Reading and Reflection 00:52 The Power of Prayer in Easter Living 07:26 Devotion to the Prayers: A Community Practice 13:24 Awareness of God's Presence in Prayer 20:18 Prayer as Action: The Deed of Faith

Fourth Sunday of Easter 2026 - Rev. William H. Lamar IV

In this week's sermon, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the meaning of resurrection beyond Easter Sunday, emphasizing community, fellowship, and reorientation in a world full of death and despair. It encourages living resurrection daily through connection, teaching, and shared life. This week's scripture - Acts 2:42-47: 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.43 Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Key Topics * Living into resurrection beyond Easter Sunday * The importance of community and fellowship in faith * Reorienting ourselves to hope and life amidst death Chapters 00:00 The Call to Keep Pressing Forward 01:28 The Gift of a Glimpse: Understanding Resurrection 04:52 Practicing Resurrection Beyond Easter Sunday 06:18 Reorienting Towards Resurrection in a Challenging World 12:38 Eastering Ourselves: Community and Connection 17:54 The Power of Teaching and Fellowship 24:36 Breaking Bread Together: The Essence of Fellowship