We embark on Advent in the realm of real, present anxiety, shaped by the historical context of Herod’s time. The central divine command guiding this journey is “Do not fear!”

This episode delves into the manner in which God delivers this command, drawing parallels between past deliverance (Lamentations 3:55–57), where God “came near,” and Zechariah’s immediate terror as the promise materializes in “real time” (Luke 1:5–13).

Are you ready to cancel your subscription to adulthood? When the world feels overwhelmed by chaos, global instability, and the feeling of a "crumbling empire," it's easy to succumb to exhaustion and cling to "weak, fake powers" of control. This sermon confronts the deep anxiety that paralyzes us and asks the impossible question posed by Scripture: How can we "endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks"?

The source of that supernatural strength is revealed in Christ, the King in whom "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). Drawing on the profound assurance that God is "our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"(Psalm 46:1), we explore how Christ's sovereignty—defined by reconciliation and peace—empowers us to reject paralysis and nostalgia. Tune in to discover how to "stand firm" and embody this non-anxious presence, making you an agent of authentic refuge in the world today.

(Scripture: Colossians 1:11–20; Psalm 46)

In this sermon on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and Psalm 98, we explore what it means to work together as beloved community. Drawing on the metaphor of creation as symphony, we'll address the balance between wholehearted participation and workaholism, between idleness and holy rest. The key question isn't how much we work, but what we're working for—when we shift from "What's in it for me?" to "How does this serve the beloved community?", everything changes. This passage isn't about productivity or screening who deserves help, but about recognizing that we all have different capacities and gifts. Some seasons allow more contribution; others require receiving more support. The sin isn't in having limitations—it's in refusing to contribute according to your ability or exploiting others' generosity. As we wrap up stewardship season, this sermon invites us to sing a new song together: not one of anxiety or exhaustion, but of joyful participation where each voice matters and rest and work dance together in holy rhythm.

In this sermon, we explore the anxiety-ridden church of Thessalonica, convinced they were living in the final moments of history. Sound familiar? When false teachers led them to believe "the day of the Lord is already here" (2 Thessalonians 2:2), the community became paralyzed—abandoning their work and waiting for cosmic rescue. Paul's response wasn't a detailed timeline of the end times, but a pastoral redirection: even if it were the end, you still have work to do.
We examine how this ancient anxiety mirrors our own—post-election uncertainty, climate crisis, and in the church, the constant narrative of decline. On Stewardship Sunday, when we're asked to pledge for 2026, many wonder if there will even be a church in 2026. But the promise isn't that we'll have all the answers about the future. The promise is simply this: "The Lord is faithful."
Drawing on Psalm 17:8 and connecting to themes of resurrection and God's protective presence, this sermon challenges us to stop catastrophizing and start engaging. The world isn't ending. The church isn't ending. There is hopeful work yet for us to do—today, in this moment, with what we have. Because when we allow God to work in the restoration, what's coming isn't just as good as the good old days—it's better.

On All Saints Sunday, we remember our connection to the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us—from the well-known saints of church history to the beloved everyday saints who shaped our faith. In Luke's Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-31), Jesus presents us with his most radical teaching: blessing the poor, hungry, and grieving while warning the comfortable, then calling us to love our enemies and give generously to all. This isn't metaphor or hyperbole—it's a direct invitation into the upside-down values of God's kingdom. The saints we remember today show us it's possible to live this way, even when it feels dangerous and ridiculous. Now it's our turn to take our place in that great communion of saints, defined not by who we are but by who we love.

In this stewardship kickoff sermon from October 26, 2025, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores Luke 18:9-14 and Psalm 84:1-7, weaving together themes of humility, radical welcome, and faithful stewardship. Through the story of "Wild Joe" and the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, she illustrates how our shared dependence on God's mercy creates space for everyone in God's temple. The sermon challenges us to examine not just how much we give, but why we give, encouraging stewardship that reflects God's radical welcome through both our resources and relationships.

In this week's sermon, we explore Luke 18:1-8 and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, examining the parable of the persistent widow and what it teaches us about prayer, justice, and hope. Through historical context and modern application, we consider how different forms of justice work parallel the widow's persistence at the city gates. The sermon challenges us to find sustainable ways to participate in God's ongoing work of justice while acknowledging the need for both action and rest. Special attention is given to how we can support those who must persistently navigate broken systems, and how our collective persistence can help bend the arc of history toward justice.

Join us for a reflection on Luke 14:15-24, where Jesus tells a parable about a great dinner party and unexpected guests. On this World Communion Sunday, we explore what it means when those initially invited make excuses not to come, and how God's table becomes a place of radical welcome for those who have been historically excluded. This message challenges us to move beyond superficial acceptance to genuine welcome, reminding us that God's invitation knows no borders.

In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells a challenging parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus that goes far deeper than a simple morality tale about wealth. Drawing on Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall," Samuel Wells' A Nazareth Manifesto, and contemporary insights about isolation and community, this sermon explores how we create and maintain barriers between ourselves and others - barriers that can become permanent spiritual chasms if we're not careful. The parable invites us to examine what walls we build, what we're walling in or out, and how we might work toward the kind of beloved community God intends, where no one suffers alone outside the gate.

In this sermon from September 14, 2025 (14th Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 19/Year C), we explore Luke 15:1-10 and Psalm 51:1-10, examining Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. These stories challenge us to consider God's relentless seeking of the lost and the true nature of celebration in community. Against the backdrop of recent events and social division, we wrestle with questions of who we consider "lost" and our role in both seeking justice and extending welcome. This message coincides with the ordination and installation of new church officers, connecting their call to leadership with the broader themes of radical hospitality and communal wholeness.