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The Power of Love: Sermons, reflections, and wisdom to uplift and inspire
The text of the celebrated 2018 royal wedding sermon, plus four other sermons touching on themes of love, commitment, and social justice, by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church
Two billion people watched Bishop Michael Curry deliver his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) at Windsor Castle. Here, he shares the full text of the sermon, plus an introduction and four of his favorite sermons on the themes of love and social justice. The world has met Bishop Curry and has been moved by his riveting, hopeful, and deceptively simple message: love and acceptance are what we need in these strange times.
Two billion people watched Bishop Michael Curry deliver his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) at Windsor Castle. Here, he shares the full text of the sermon, plus an introduction and four of his favorite sermons on the themes of love and social justice. The world has met Bishop Curry and has been moved by his riveting, hopeful, and deceptively simple message: love and acceptance are what we need in these strange times.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2018
132 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Michael B. Curry
32 books68 followersThe descendant of enslaved Africans brought to North America by way of the trans-Atlantic slave routes, Presiding Bishop Curry was born in Chicago, IL, on March 13, 1953. Presiding Bishop Curry’s father was an Episcopal priest and his mother was a devout Episcopalian. She died at a young age, and Presiding Bishop Curry, along with his sister, was raised by his father and his grandmother. His father, mother and grandmother grounded him in Christian beliefs and practices through their example and their teachings.
He attended public schools in Buffalo, NY, and, even at a young age, he learned about social activism through his father’s leadership and his own dedication to righting a broken world.
Presiding Bishop Curry was graduated with high honors from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, in 1975. He received a Master of Divinity degree in 1978 from Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, CT. He has furthered his education with continued study at The College of Preachers, Princeton Theological Seminary, Wake Forest University, the Ecumenical Institute at St. Mary’s Seminary, and the Institute of Christian Jewish Studies. He has received honorary degrees from Episcopal Divinity School; Sewanee: The University of the South; Virginia Theological Seminary; and Yale.
He is married to the former Sharon Clement, and they have two adult daughters, Rachel and Elizabeth.
Presiding Bishop Curry maintains a national preaching and teaching ministry, having been featured on The Protestant Hour and as a frequent speaker at churches, cathedrals, and conferences around the country and internationally.
He has authored five books: Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times (2020); The Power of Love (2018); Following the Way of Jesus: Church’s Teachings in a Changing World (2017); Songs My Grandma Sang (2015); and Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus (2013). He was one of the subjects of In Conversation: Michael Curry and Barbara Harris by Fredrica Harris Thompsett (2017).
He has authored numerous publications including columns for the Huffington Post and the Baltimore Times.
In 2018, Religion News Association named Presiding Bishop Curry religion newsmaker of the year.
He attended public schools in Buffalo, NY, and, even at a young age, he learned about social activism through his father’s leadership and his own dedication to righting a broken world.
Presiding Bishop Curry was graduated with high honors from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, in 1975. He received a Master of Divinity degree in 1978 from Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, CT. He has furthered his education with continued study at The College of Preachers, Princeton Theological Seminary, Wake Forest University, the Ecumenical Institute at St. Mary’s Seminary, and the Institute of Christian Jewish Studies. He has received honorary degrees from Episcopal Divinity School; Sewanee: The University of the South; Virginia Theological Seminary; and Yale.
He is married to the former Sharon Clement, and they have two adult daughters, Rachel and Elizabeth.
Presiding Bishop Curry maintains a national preaching and teaching ministry, having been featured on The Protestant Hour and as a frequent speaker at churches, cathedrals, and conferences around the country and internationally.
He has authored five books: Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times (2020); The Power of Love (2018); Following the Way of Jesus: Church’s Teachings in a Changing World (2017); Songs My Grandma Sang (2015); and Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus (2013). He was one of the subjects of In Conversation: Michael Curry and Barbara Harris by Fredrica Harris Thompsett (2017).
He has authored numerous publications including columns for the Huffington Post and the Baltimore Times.
In 2018, Religion News Association named Presiding Bishop Curry religion newsmaker of the year.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 3, 2019
If you need a little inspiration or a lot of love, then pick this book up and read one of Bishop Curry's sermons. The book contains his sermon for the royal wedding, but honestly that's not one of his best. He is simple, straightforward, and direct when talking about the Jesus Movement, about the power of love, about equality.
My favorite was his sermon on July 8th, 2018 when joining the protest at the T. Don Hutto Detention Center where refugee women had been incarcerated after being separated from their children at the border. He said this: "Jesus taught us to love our neighbor.
Love your liberal neighbor. Love your conservative neighbor.
Love your Democratic neighbor. Love your Republican neighbor. Love your Independent neighbor.
...
Love your refugee neighbor. Love your immigrant neighbor."
The Christianity being espoused by the current U.S. Government is the sort of perversion of faith that Jesus railed against. Read Bishop Curry to know what the real thing is about.
My favorite was his sermon on July 8th, 2018 when joining the protest at the T. Don Hutto Detention Center where refugee women had been incarcerated after being separated from their children at the border. He said this: "Jesus taught us to love our neighbor.
Love your liberal neighbor. Love your conservative neighbor.
Love your Democratic neighbor. Love your Republican neighbor. Love your Independent neighbor.
...
Love your refugee neighbor. Love your immigrant neighbor."
The Christianity being espoused by the current U.S. Government is the sort of perversion of faith that Jesus railed against. Read Bishop Curry to know what the real thing is about.
December 16, 2018
The loving, challenging essence of Bishop Michael Curry. Moving, powerful, hopeful, and much needed in these days.
January 4, 2019
Love is the way. Such a beautiful book about the “Jesus Movement” and God’s Love.
December 8, 2018
This is a short collection of sermons by Michael Curry, the presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal church. The book starts with the message he shared at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, then includes a few similar sermons presented at other events. The primary theme of each message is love. Curry has made it his mission to remind all Christians that the central focus of Christianity is love, that the central teaching and command of Christ is love God, love your neighbor, and love yourself. It seems so simple when you think about it. But there are too many Christians who push love to the sidelines when it gets in the way of their own political agendas. There are too many Christians who would rather follow a list of rules and regulations--and insist that everyone else must follow the same rules--than follow the very clear, very simple command of Jesus to love. Every Christian should read this book--and take it to heart.
February 15, 2019
This book has been a blessing to me. As someone who is a very lapsed Christian, it gave me hope and renewal in my faith.
November 7, 2018
As a lifelong Episcopalian, there are many things I absolutely adore about our liturgy and rituals; however, I am the first to admit that the Episcopal Church is not particularly well known for its preaching. Until now. The Most Reverend Michael Curry is the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, but he is now best known as the vibrant and animated preacher at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. It's hard to steal the show at a royal wedding, but Bishop Curry—with his unbridled enthusiasm and extraordinary passion in that staid, old pulpit at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle—came really close to doing just that. The man can preach it!
This book is a compilation of several of Bishop Curry's fiery and fearsome sermons, beginning with the now-famous royal wedding sermon. They all have one thing in common: The power of love to change the world. As Bishop Curry writes in the introduction, "The message of God is very simple. Love one another. Take care of one another. Take care of creation. And while you're at it, love me—love God. Do that and you will find your way. That is the core of the gospel. That is the only sermon that matters."
This is a short book. If you have the time, you can easily read it in one sitting. But chances are you will do what I have done—go back and reread parts later. His words are a goldmine of inspiration, encouragement and awe. Bishop Curry calls himself "a country preacher" and not a Biblical scholar. All I know is that this easy-to-read and easy-to-understand book is accessible to everyone—and it is filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a delight to read and an inspirational treasure.
Best of all, this is truly a book for all Christians, not only for those who call themselves Episcopalians.
This book is a compilation of several of Bishop Curry's fiery and fearsome sermons, beginning with the now-famous royal wedding sermon. They all have one thing in common: The power of love to change the world. As Bishop Curry writes in the introduction, "The message of God is very simple. Love one another. Take care of one another. Take care of creation. And while you're at it, love me—love God. Do that and you will find your way. That is the core of the gospel. That is the only sermon that matters."
This is a short book. If you have the time, you can easily read it in one sitting. But chances are you will do what I have done—go back and reread parts later. His words are a goldmine of inspiration, encouragement and awe. Bishop Curry calls himself "a country preacher" and not a Biblical scholar. All I know is that this easy-to-read and easy-to-understand book is accessible to everyone—and it is filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a delight to read and an inspirational treasure.
Best of all, this is truly a book for all Christians, not only for those who call themselves Episcopalians.
January 22, 2019
I’m in tears as I write this, just finishing this beautiful, simple, easy to read book. I decided to read this because my word for 2019 is “love” and I thought this would bring me inspiration for living my life with God’s love acting in me and through me. It delivered on that 100 fold! Bishop Curry says in the introduction that he hopes we “recognize love as the most powerful force for personal change and for changing the world around us.” And in the last sermon of the book he mentions a way of evangelism that spoke so deeply to my core that I am filled with joy and ready to move through the rest of my life evangelizing that I must share! He describes it thus: “A way of evangelism that is deeply grounded in the love of God that we’ve learned from Jesus. A way of evangelism that is as much about listening and learning from the story of who God is in another person’s life as it is about sharing our own story. A way of evangelism that is really about helping others find their way to a relationship with God without our trying to control the outcome. A way of evangelism that’s authentic to us. We can do that.” I can do that. I can do that!!! Watch out world, because I’m going to love you! In Jesus’ name!
September 30, 2019
This is a short collection of sermons from the Episcopal Primate, Bishop Michael Curry. Including the royal wedding sermon we all watched online, his sermon for the opening Eucharist of the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, a Episcopal 'Revival' sermon, a sermon delivered at a immigration detention center in July of 2018, and the sermon he delivered in 2015 on the occasion of his installation. As the title suggests the theme that unites these sermons is the power of love.
Cue Hewy Lewis because this is the good news. Curry is a compelling voice and a good preacher. That said these are uneven. His detention center sermon, reads like an ode to civil religion, and every Anabaptist leaning I had convulsed while reading it. But the stand out sermon is his General Convention address where he lays out a rule of life for Episcopalians called "The way of love." Curry exhorts people to: turn (repent), learn (read the Bible daily), pray, worship, bless, go (and make disciples) and rest (Sabbath). This seems excellent to me.
Cue Hewy Lewis because this is the good news. Curry is a compelling voice and a good preacher. That said these are uneven. His detention center sermon, reads like an ode to civil religion, and every Anabaptist leaning I had convulsed while reading it. But the stand out sermon is his General Convention address where he lays out a rule of life for Episcopalians called "The way of love." Curry exhorts people to: turn (repent), learn (read the Bible daily), pray, worship, bless, go (and make disciples) and rest (Sabbath). This seems excellent to me.
May 22, 2019
Bishop Curry truly understands the message of the Jesus movement - Christianity has to be more than an energetic leader. But he helps focus what the goal is - Love the Lord with all your mind, soul, heart and love your neighbor as yourself. In these sermons and reflections, Bishop Curry brings that focus that causes us take that message and go out to serve. His message is more than just God's love to us, as important as it is, it is what we do to help heal this broken world. This is a great book to come back to every 6 months to re-read and re-focus on what we do.
December 29, 2018
Listening to Michael Curry on NPR his words really spoke to me during this time when the political climate has become so tense and the interplay of religious values has become so oft confused / misconstrued. The book was enjoyable, but I think I liked hearing him live better, if available on audio, that may be a good way to go. Still, enjoyable sermons with a good message.
January 22, 2021
The heart of the belief
The words of Bishop Curry are powerful in their simplicity. He has one message, not several. He doesn’t say that loving all people will be easy, bring you wealth, keep you healthy, help your political candidate be elected, make your enemies think like you. The list goes on. He says only that loving our neighbor is the right thing to do.
The words of Bishop Curry are powerful in their simplicity. He has one message, not several. He doesn’t say that loving all people will be easy, bring you wealth, keep you healthy, help your political candidate be elected, make your enemies think like you. The list goes on. He says only that loving our neighbor is the right thing to do.
April 30, 2023
A must read
For Episcopalians this is a great opportunity to hear from our Presiding Bishop about the power of love. For other Christians, people of faith and those of little faith this book is an inspiring account and introduction to the way of love and ultimately the way of Jesus and God.
For Episcopalians this is a great opportunity to hear from our Presiding Bishop about the power of love. For other Christians, people of faith and those of little faith this book is an inspiring account and introduction to the way of love and ultimately the way of Jesus and God.
July 20, 2020
No matter what religion or no religion you are, it's brilliant!
I couldn't put this down. I do not attend church and was raised methodist but this book transcends to all humans. Just loved it
I couldn't put this down. I do not attend church and was raised methodist but this book transcends to all humans. Just loved it
November 6, 2018
Very Powerful!
Very easy to read, understand and relate to in today's world! His sermons are powerful with so much meaning, putting love as our means for successful living!
Very easy to read, understand and relate to in today's world! His sermons are powerful with so much meaning, putting love as our means for successful living!
November 9, 2018
Nothing better than listening to the Bishop preach. He inspires me to be a better Christian.
November 27, 2018
The Way of Love in words
Bishop Curry's Sermons in words calls us to deeds of love. An easy and enjoyable read, but a challenging life to live. A life of love.
Bishop Curry's Sermons in words calls us to deeds of love. An easy and enjoyable read, but a challenging life to live. A life of love.
January 13, 2019
Really nice, easy-to-read reflections on love and what it means to be a Christian.
Definitely a keeper and a re-reader.
Definitely a keeper and a re-reader.
January 25, 2019
I love this man and his message. This G_d he speaks of is the one I believe is the One true Creator.
January 27, 2019
There are some really important sermons in this book, and others that are pretty good as well. The Royal Wedding sermon is genius on many levels, and inspirational to us all.
April 13, 2019
LOVE IS ALL
Bishop Curry stresses the LOVE that is GOD is the only force that will mend all of us who are broken.
Bishop Curry stresses the LOVE that is GOD is the only force that will mend all of us who are broken.
May 28, 2019
Can I give it more than 5 stars?
March 8, 2020
Absolutely awesome. Even if your not fully religious or not...he is just an awesome speaker/writer.
May 30, 2020
I love Bishop Curry! He challenges me and gives me hope that the church can be used in our world for good, for reconciliation, for hope, and especially for love.
June 12, 2020
Enjoyed this collection of Bishop Curry’s famous sermons. His straightforward approach to Christianity hits the spot during these chaotic times.
January 6, 2021
I loved this book and devoured it in less than a day. If you like reading sermons, this is for you!
January 23, 2021
Wow, just wow. These sermons on love are powerful.
November 21, 2024
An everlasting message
Love Is The Way, an important message along with The Power of Love, for today and all days. Thank you for this message.
Love Is The Way, an important message along with The Power of Love, for today and all days. Thank you for this message.
December 15, 2024
Preach! This culturally Catholic but Episcopalian curious person is here for the joy and thoughtfulness found in the passionate and intellectually curious Bishop Michael Curry.
Read
July 4, 2025p unexpected harry and Megan cameo
July 23, 2022
This book will initially appeal because it opens with Michael Curry's sermon from the Royal Wedding. It is indeed a powerful sermon - one made even more powerful by the setting he gave it in and who he was speaking directly to. That power is present on the page, but not in the same way as watching it.
There are four other sermons in the book. The middle three center around a gathering of the Episcopal Church that happened in Austin Texas in 2018. I found the second sermon the most powerful and resonant for me. "At the Last Supper he [Jesus] says 'A new commandment I give you'. Not a new option, he said, but 'a new commandment I give you:that I you love one another." This is Michael Curry at his best - when he's preaching the love of Jesus Christ and helping us recognize how to reach it. Such as when he tells us to embrace love and realize it's not a law to follow, but a way of life we must live.
If this is the Christ you see, Bishop Curry's words will be familiar and a warm embrace. If you've not known the love of Christ or you've lost it, the words can bring comfort. The words embody what I believe is the best of the church. That said, if you don't believe in Christ, I'm not sure this words change that, but hopefully the Church's actions and displays of love will help change that. If you have doubt, I'd recommend the book, but recommend watching the sermon from the Royal Wedding more.
The sermon's aren't perfect. Some aren't as tight as they could be. Some ramble more than they probably should The written word doesn't do justice to what is a spoken medium. The last sermon in the book is from when Bishop Curry took over as leader of the Episcopal Church, so it's the earliest sermon he gives chronologically in the book, but placed last. It likely would have served better as the first, and then let the book end with the Royal Wedding sermon, given a stronger chronological and narrative arc to to book. But these imperfections aside, Bishop Curry's voice still comes through and it's easy to reach for his words and read a sermon when you need an uplifting moment.
Such is the power of love.
There are four other sermons in the book. The middle three center around a gathering of the Episcopal Church that happened in Austin Texas in 2018. I found the second sermon the most powerful and resonant for me. "At the Last Supper he [Jesus] says 'A new commandment I give you'. Not a new option, he said, but 'a new commandment I give you:that I you love one another." This is Michael Curry at his best - when he's preaching the love of Jesus Christ and helping us recognize how to reach it. Such as when he tells us to embrace love and realize it's not a law to follow, but a way of life we must live.
If this is the Christ you see, Bishop Curry's words will be familiar and a warm embrace. If you've not known the love of Christ or you've lost it, the words can bring comfort. The words embody what I believe is the best of the church. That said, if you don't believe in Christ, I'm not sure this words change that, but hopefully the Church's actions and displays of love will help change that. If you have doubt, I'd recommend the book, but recommend watching the sermon from the Royal Wedding more.
The sermon's aren't perfect. Some aren't as tight as they could be. Some ramble more than they probably should The written word doesn't do justice to what is a spoken medium. The last sermon in the book is from when Bishop Curry took over as leader of the Episcopal Church, so it's the earliest sermon he gives chronologically in the book, but placed last. It likely would have served better as the first, and then let the book end with the Royal Wedding sermon, given a stronger chronological and narrative arc to to book. But these imperfections aside, Bishop Curry's voice still comes through and it's easy to reach for his words and read a sermon when you need an uplifting moment.
Such is the power of love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews