Hearts Open to the Word

"Those who would support the terrorization of anyone — especially the terrorization of the vulnerable and those who stand with the vulnerable — Those who would support that terror in the name of Christianity betray the baptism we are called into by the example of Jesus."

We often confuse holiness with perfection, trying desperately to "fit in" to a world that makes unreasonable and unholy demands on us. But Jesus' reaction to John the Baptist’s hesitation in Matthew 3:13–17 reveals a different truth: Join us as we explore Matthew 3:13–17 & Isaiah 42:1–9 to discover why true righteousness means standing with the vulnerable and how our baptism marks us as citizens of a Kingdom that refuses to break the bruised reed.

We often miss God's voice because we expect it to sound a certain way—like a choir of angels or a clear, burning bush. But the story of Epiphany challenges our desire for a "correct" revelation by introducing the Magi: foreign astrologers who found the Messiah through the "weird" medium of the stars. Join us as we explore Isaiah 60:1–6 and Matthew 2:1–12 to discover how the Light of the World breaks through our traditional boundaries.

When we accept that God speaks to all people, our world expands; therefore, we must abandon our limited expectations and train ourselves to perceive God reaching out through the "weird," the foreign, and the unexpected places of our lives.

If you weren't at a church this week that uses this practice, you can use this online star word generator here: https://perchance.org/starwords2022

In a world dominated by the displacing decrees of emperors, fear often feels like the loudest voice in the room. Yet, the narratives of **Luke 2:1–20** and **John 1:1–14** reveal that God bypasses the centers of power to enter the world in the vulnerability of a manger. This sermon explores how the Incarnation is an act of divine solidarity, where God arrives not to fix the decree from above, but to live *under* it with the marginalized. Join us as we proclaim that the Good News of great joy is louder than fear, inviting us to carry this light into the darkness alongside our neighbors.

When we are exhausted, God’s "new thing" can feel like a threat. Drawing on Matthew 11:1–11 and Isaiah 43:19–21, we see that hope is not a guarantee of easy outcomes, but the realization of God’s outlandish grace sustaining life even among the jackals and prison cells.

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.