Holy Trinity Silicon Valley - Homilies & Sermons

As we observe the final Sunday in the season of Epiphany, we move from the revelation of the wise men to the ultimate revelation of Jesus’ divine nature. In this episode, we explore the Transfiguration, a pivotal event recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke that confirms Jesus as both incarnate and divine.
To find out more about Holy Trinity Silicon Valley head to:
https://www.holytrinitysv.org

What would it take to completely reset your life? In this Ash Wednesday message, Rev. John Gorin of Holy Trinity Silicon Valley opens the Lenten season with a powerful reflection on letting go of ego, self-reliance, and the worldly scorekeeping that pulls us away from God.
Drawing on the remarkable story of U.S. Olympic skier Colby Stephenson, who survived a devastating car accident and returned to competition with a transformed perspective, Rev. Gorin explores how Lent invites us into a similar kind of reset. Before his accident, Stephenson described himself as ego-driven and obsessed with winning. After it, he called his renewed athletic career "the bonus years". This was a gift he didn't deserve. Sound familiar?
In this sermon, you'll explore:
Why Lent is less about guilt and more about liberation from the habits that crowd out Christ
The three ancient Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and why Jesus practiced all three
How God meets us in our reset not as a judge with a scorecard, but as the compassionate Father of Psalm 103
What it means to live the "bonus years" of a grace-filled life
Whether you're new to Lent, returning after years away, or simply feeling a nagging distance from God, this message is for you. Lent is not a season of shame, it's an invitation to turn your head from the things of this world and into the loving, truthful presence of Christ.
Recorded at Holy Trinity Silicon Valley's Ash Wednesday service, February 2026.

In this sermon delivered on Mission Sunday during the liturgical season of Epiphany, we explore the calling of every believer to be an agent of rescue in a world that is "harassed and helpless". Drawing from the dramatic true story of a young boy's grueling swim to save his family stranded at sea, the message frames our mission through three distinct lenses: rescue is our experience because we share the grace we have first received; compassion is our guide** as we allow the visceral needs of those around us to direct our focus; and prayer is our action . Rather than simply "working harder," we are invited to petition the Lord of the harvest to send more workers, trusting that the same Kingdom power that overcomes despair, disease, and division will continue to multiply through our faithful presence in our local communities.
To find out more about Holy Trinity Silicon Valley:
https://www.holytrinitysv.org
Socials: @HolyTrinitySV
For any questions or resources:
info@holytrinitysv.org

Podcast Episode: The Foolishness of God
In the series finale of "Church Matters," we explore Paul’s letter to a Corinthian church struggling to find its identity amidst a culture obsessed with **money, sex, and power**. While the world demands visible signs of strength and sophisticated intellectualism, the Gospel offers something seemingly contradictory: a crucified Messiah.
This episode dives into the tension between worldly "wisdom" and the "foolishness" of the Cross. We examine the ancient influences of the **Stoics, Epicureans, and Sophists**—the influencers of their day—and how their pursuit of self-mastery and pleasure mirrors our modern scramble for status and technological dominance.
Join us as we learn to rest in the peace and trust of a God who has already won the battle. The church matters because we are the messengers and the living embodiment of a Gospel that truly saves.

In this episode, we dive into the second part of our "Church Matters" series, exploring Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. While the Corinthians were "sanctified" and set apart for a special mission, they found themselves deeply fractured by earthly allegiances and personality cults.
From favoring the intellectual rhetoric of Apollos to the traditional roots of Cephas (Peter), the early church was struggling with the same divisions we face today.
We examine the "unhealed self"—that part of us that seeks worth in status, talent, or tribalism instead of finding our complete identity in Jesus Christ. Using the powerful example of the Apostles Matthew (a former tax collector) and Simon the Zealot (a political revolutionary), we see how Christ brings together "arch-enemies" to become brothers in a spiritual kingdom.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The Cost of Division: Why internal friction erodes the "fruitfulness" of our ministry and work.
Conflict vs. Division: How the early church used prayer and practical solutions (like the appointment of deacons) to address grievances without breaking fellowship.
The "Smokey the Bear" Principle: Why "only you" can prevent division by practicing proactive humility and forgiveness.
Healing the Unhealed Self: Moving from seeking worldly affirmation to resting in an "unshakable love" that can never be taken away.
Join us as we learn how to move from a place of fraction to a place of flourishing by making Jesus the "be-all and end-all" of our lives.

Does the church still matter in today’s world? In this sermon, Rev. John Gorin opens our three-part series, **"Church Matters,"** by exploring the opening of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. Despite being located in a bustling, secular commercial hub, the Corinthian church was called to be a "sanctified" and "equipped" presence—a calling that remains just as vital for us today in Silicon Valley.
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Rev. Gorin highlights three primary functions of the "called-out assembly" (ecclesia):
Worship God: Our first order of business is to exalt the Lord together, acknowledging His presence and sovereign plan.
Encourage One Another:Using our unique spiritual gifts to build up the body, finding the strength to live for Christ in a challenging culture.
Witness to the World: Acting as ambassadors of grace and hope to those who have yet to hear the Good News.
Whether you are seeking a community, feeling discouraged by past experiences, or looking to deepen your mission, discover why the local church is the vessel God uses to bring His love and power to the world.
**Connect with Holy Trinity Silicon Valley:**
Visit Us: Join our weekly "called-out assembly" for worship and fellowship.
Next Week:
Tune in as we dive deeper into the challenges faced by the church in Corinth and how they apply to our lives today.

The decorations are down, the trees are at the curb, and the stores have already moved on to the next holiday. For many, the end of the Christmas season brings a vague sense of disappointment—a feeling that something was missing. In this week’s sermon from **Holy Trinity Silicon Valley**, Deacon Cindy Miller explores why the "holiday" often feels hollow when the true hope of Christ is forgotten or secularized.
As we enter the season of **Epiphany**, Deacon Cindy reflects on the journey of the Magi—the "wisemen" who traveled thousands of miles to find the newborn King. By examining the different ways people respond to the arrival of Jesus—through fear, passivity, or worship—we are challenged to look at our own hearts.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
The Secular vs. The Sacred:Why a colleague’s comment about Christmas being a "secular holiday" prompted a deeper look at the light that continues even after the season ends.
The Mystery Revealed: How Epiphany marks the revelation of Jesus to the entire world, offering redemption to both Jews and Gentiles alike.
True Worship: Lessons from the Magi on honoring God for "who He is", rather than just what He has done for us.
Daily Offerings: Practical ways to worship God throughout the week by offering back what is most valuable to us—our time, our trust, and our love for others.
Join us as we move into the New Year with a renewed focus on the hope that doesn't get packed away with the decorations.
**Visit Holy Trinity Silicon Valley**
Are you looking for a community that seeks to live out the light of Christ in the heart of the Bay Area? We invite you to join us! Whether you are exploring faith for the first time or looking for a place to call home, there is a seat for you at Holy Trinity.
Learn more about our community, services, and mission at:
https://www.holytrinitysv.org

In this insightful message, Reverend John Gorin explores a unique moment in the life of Christ: the story of a young Jesus in the temple. Drawing from the Gospel of Luke, Reverend Gorin examines the only recorded event between Jesus’s birth and the start of his public ministry. He challenges us to look beyond the "Home Alone" moment experienced by Mary and Joseph and instead focus on the profound identity Jesus reveals in his Father’s house.
Whether you are starting a new year or seeking a deeper sense of belonging, this sermon offers a powerful reminder that through Christ, we are adopted into the same intimate relationship with God that Jesus modeled in the temple.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The Priority of Presence: Why Jesus chose to stay behind in the temple courts to seek His Father’s presence.
Living for a Purpose: How Jesus, even as a child, was already "connecting dots" spiritually and aligning His life with His Father’s mission.
Overcoming Barriers to "Father": A compassionate look at how we can embrace God as our "True Father," even if our earthly experiences with fatherhood were difficult or "hot-tempered".
The Gift of Adoption: Understanding the "astounding" reality that we are predestined for adoption and can cry out to God as "Abba, Father".
About Reverend John Gorin: Reverend John Gorin is the rector of Holy Trinity silicon Valley. He provides a thoughtful, relational approach to the Gospel. His ministry emphasizes connecting ancient scriptural truths with the practical, everyday calling of modern believers.

Is it possible to find the holy in the middle of the holiday rush? In the days following Christmas, it is common to feel a sense of "letdown" after the gifts are unwrapped and the guests have gone home. In this sermon, we explore the Prologue of John (John 1:1–18) to discover how the Logos—the Word—bridges the gap between the divine and the daily grind.
Join us as we move from the manger to the theology of the Incarnation, learning how to stop criticizing the secular "Christmas crazy" and start a "treasure hunt" for God’s grace in unexpected places.
In this Sermon Frank Leong covers:
The Theology of Waiting: How Advent prepares us to ponder the mysteries of God, just as Mary did.
The Meaning of Logos: Understanding how the Apostle John used a Greek philosophical concept to reveal Jesus to a Gentile world.
The "Secular" Christmas: Why we should stop judging the commercialism of the season and start looking for the "Invisible becoming Visible" in acts of love and generosity.
A Miracle of Reconciliation: A powerful personal testimony by Frank Leong of how God orchestrated a family reunion, bridging a years-long gap between estranged relatives in the midst of illness.
Scripture: John 1:1–18
Connect with Holy Trinity Silicon Valley:
Website: https://www.holytrinitysv.org
Instagram: @HolyTrinitySV
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holytrinitysv
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To find out more about Holy Trinity Silicon Valley head to https://www.holytrinitysv.org
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, Reverend John Gorin explores the profound significance behind the name given to the Messiah: Jesus. Based on the Gospel of Matthew and the account of Joseph’s dream, this sermon examines the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the dual nature of Christ as both the human Son of David and the Divine Son of God.
Rev. Gorin unpacks the Hebrew roots of the name "Yeshua" (The Lord Saves) and challenges listeners to consider what it means to truly live under that authority today. The message moves beyond viewing salvation solely as a future event, presenting it as a present reality that grants believers a new, transcendent identity.
Key Topics Covered:
The Prophecy Fulfilled: Understanding Matthew 1 and the connection to Isaiah 7:14.
The Meaning of the Name: How "Jesus" signifies both human history and divine intervention.
Identity in Christ: Shedding the "old garments" of social status and past idols to embrace a unified identity in the Church.
Power and Healing: The importance of praying expectantly for healing in Jesus' name.
Reverence: Recovering a sense of awe and holiness in our approach to the Lord.
Scripture References: Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:14, Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-11.