Author: Derek Michael Larson

Derek is an Episcopal priest and a Franciscan tertiary in the Third Order, Society of St. Francis. Derek currently serves as Associate Rector at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Tequesta, FL. Derek has also worked as a school chaplain, a youth minister, worship leader, and bilingual (Spanish-English) preacher. He lives with his wife, two sons, and two cats in Jupiter, FL.

New Homily: In the Darkness of Night

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

Hope in Pharoah’s World – Sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16A (8/23/2026) – Homilies from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church- Tequesta

A homily preached on Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16A on August 23, 2026 by the Rev. Jim Cook at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Tequesta, FL.  
  1. Hope in Pharoah’s World – Sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16A (8/23/2026)
  2. When Jesus Changed His Mind – Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15A (8/16/2026)
  3. This is Our Boat – Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14A (8/9/2026)
  4. The Banquet of Death and the Banquet of Life – Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 13A (8/2/2026)
  5. You are the Pearl of Great Value! – Sermon for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12A (7/26/2026)

Find the full text here.

A Beautiful Easter Vigil

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

Tonight was the Great Vigil of Easter at Good Shepherd, and it was absolutely beautiful. While it’s not the most attended service of the year, it IS the climax of the church year. Beginning in the prayer labyrinth with a fire to light the paschal candle which leads us in procession into the darkness of the church where we hear passages of Scripture and songs that tell the history of salvation, before then renewing our baptismal vows and proclaiming the arrival of Easter, it’s a packed and rich service!

Check out this beautiful photo, Merike, our parish administrator caught while I was chanting the Exsultet.

Church on the Green Tonight!

by Derek Michael Larson, posted in Uncategorized

Its the second Sunday of the month and that means Church on the Green at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church! This week we are celebrating St. Patrick early and the celtic voices of Christianity who often teach us about the God who meets us outside (outside buildings, outside boundaries, outside of ourselves!).

Church on the Green is our twice, monthly outdoor service that lives at the intersection of the seasons of nature and the seasons of the church. Every week has it’s own theme that brings together our liturgical traditions with the natural world.