Hearts Open to the Word

When past trauma and betrayals threaten to lock us into an endless cycle of fear and payback, scripture invites us into a radical, redemptive reversal. From Joseph weeping before his brothers in Egypt to Jesus shattering revenge math with seventy-seven-fold mercy, Pastor Charissa unpacks what it means to step out of the judgment seat. Discover how recognizing that "everything is so much more complicated than you know it is" frees us to become an unclenched-hand sanctuary of mutual care, radical inclusion, and grace.

When someone hurts us or crosses our boundaries, our immediate instinct is often self-preservation. We retreat into our "cartoon forts," hide behind passive-aggressive "fig leaves," and triangulate others into our pain. But Jesus offers a drama-free framework for reconciliation in Matthew 18: go directly and privately. Pastor Charissa dives into Romans 13 and Matthew 18 to unpack the ancient, gritty theology of "binding and loosing," showing how Christ’s real, transforming presence is localized not in our perfection, but in the messy spaces between us.

How often do you find yourself living on a highly efficient autopilot, keeping your head down, and navigating your days with your "shoes on"—fully protected, fully scheduled, and completely blind to your surroundings?In this episode, Pastor Charissa explores what happens when God suddenly interrupts our boring routines and pre-written scripts with what looks like wild, disruptive chaos. Drawing on the iconic encounter of Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1–15) and Peter’s struggle to control Jesus’s messianic path (Matthew 16:21–28), this sermon invites us into the active, holy spiritual discipline of Barefoot Curiosity.Rather than viewing the burning bush as a one-time, spectacular magic trick, we ask a deeper question: What if the bush was always burning, and Moses was simply the first person who slowed down enough to notice?When we let go of our exhausting need to manage every outcome and script our own lives, we discover that God's very name—"I AM WHO I AM"—is not a static noun, but a wild, uncontained Verb of active existence. Join us as we learn to kick off our self-protective sandals, step off the paved road, and notice the divine fire already blazing in the messy, unpolished, and unscripted moments of our ordinary lives.The Autopilot of the Paved Road: How our desire for efficiency and safety often makes us blind to the sacred ground right beneath our feet.The Danger of a Closed Script: Why Peter's rebuke of Jesus represents our own fear of a Messiah who goes off-script, and how our rigid control suffocates our spiritual imagination.The Discipline of Turning Aside: Why God did not speak until after Moses stopped to look closer, and what that tells us about curiosity as an active spiritual practice.Living with Our Shoes Off: What it practically looks like to embrace the holy chaos of the everyday—from disrupted summer travel plans and lingering grief to showing up with open eyes of wonder at our local neighborhood Night Market.Worship with us: Sundays at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary or online.Learn more: Visit our website: www.sixthchurch.org

As thousands of students return to Oakland and Squirrel Hill this week, we all re-enter a world governed by the "grading pen"—a relentless meritocracy that constantly measures our performance and leaves us feeling tired, unqualified, or quietly overlooked. But the scriptures refuse to let us stay stuck in this exhausting math. Drawing on Romans 12:1–8 and Psalm 138, this message explores the profound, liberating relief of interdependent grace. In the body of Christ, there are no spiritual report cards, no varsity or junior varsity members, and nothing that God deems "common." Discover how your unique, unpolished gifts are exactly what we need to co-create a resilient, courageous sanctuary of welcome for our neighbors.

What happens when our own human patience, compassion, and endurance run completely dry, leaving us staring at a blank space where our grace used to be?This Sunday, we explore the jarring, scandalous, and wonderfully witty encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, discovering how her bold faith deconstructs our zero-sum myth of scarcity and reveals a Savior who is utterly delighted to have His own boundaries broken open by an outsider.What We Explore:The Cartoon Forts of the Gated Heart: How we build defensive ideological and cultural fortresses to protect our status and comfort, only to find that our walls make our lives and faith sterile.Audacious Little Cynics: Unpacking the brilliant Greek wordplay (kunarion) that turned an ancient insult into a theological masterclass, proving that God's grace is never a finite pie.Dishwasher-Faded Grace: The beautiful, soul-nourishing relief of stepping out of our self-protective boxes and running on the limitless, borderless love of a God whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.Liturgical Details: Sunday, August 16, 2026 | Passages: Matthew 15:21–28 & Psalm 67

Have you ever tried to fix a crumbling wall by simply slapping some trendy wallpaper over the damage? We all have a natural instinct to hide our deepest vulnerabilities and systemic failures behind the flashy, polished display of performative religion.When Jesus encounters a leafy but fruitless fig tree by the side of the road, He doesn't curse it out of anger—He performs a merciful act of prophetic deconstruction. By stripping away our flimsy "fig leaves," Christ frees us from our exhausting charades so we can stop pretending and be clothed in the secure, permanent garment of His grace.What We Explore:Wallpapering Over the Rot: Why our self-protective habits and spiritual "wallpapering" only deepen our isolation and exhaustion.The Merciful Withering: Understanding the withered fig tree not as a condemnation, but as a loving invitation to step out from behind our defenses.Fruit vs. Works: Cultivating the true, community-building fruit of the Spirit naturally, rather than treating them like artificial decorations tied to a dead branch.Liturgical Details: Sunday, August 9, 2026 | Passages: Matthew 21:18–22 & Galatians 5:22–26

How often do we burn through our relationships and peace just to win an argument or prove that we’re "in the right"? In a hair-trigger world that urges us to stand our ground at all costs, yielding is often mistaken for weakness.When tax collectors confront Peter in Capernaum, Jesus reveals a counterintuitive master strategy of Kingdom living. As children of the King, our true Gospel freedom isn't the right to insist on our own ways, but the holy freedom to lay down our privileges for the flourishing of our neighbors.What We Explore:Truth Wielded with Discernment: Why being right is never a sufficient warrant for rudeness or hostility.The Coin in the Fish's Mouth: How Jesus uses His authority not to demand His rights, but to avoid giving unnecessary offense.Kingdom Restraint: Becoming a sanctuary of "soft answers" and extravagant grace in a reactionary culture.Liturgical Details: Sunday, August 2, 2026 | Passages: Matthew 17:24–27 & Proverbs 15:1–8

Have you ever been so starved for connection, meaning, or security that you grabbed onto the first thing that looked helpful, without realizing it was actually toxic? When we are exhausted and living with a scarcity mindset, how do we keep from consuming the world's poisonous outrage?This week, we explore a bizarre Old Testament story about a group of hungry prophets who accidentally ruin their communal stew with poisonous wild gourds, paired with Luke’s account of Jesus miraculously feeding a massive crowd. We look at what happens when our attempts to fix our own desperation go terribly wrong, how God's grace drops into our mess to neutralize the poison, and how we are commissioned to be the "flour in the pot" for others.The dangers of a scarcity mindset and how it drives us to unthinkingly consume toxic theology, echo-chamber politics, and manufactured outrage.A look at the "God of exploding cucumbers" and how divine grace quietly and miraculously transforms our deadly mistakes into life-sustaining sustenance.A call for the church community to be the basic, everyday ingredient of subversive peacemaking, turning hostility into hospitality so that everyone can safely come to the table.Liturgical Details: July 26, 2026 | Summer Sermon Series | 2 Kings 4:38–44 & Luke 9:10–17

Have you ever noticed how quickly a minor annoyance—like being cut off in traffic or a neighborhood dispute—can escalate into an all-out war? Why is our cultural default setting always to fight back and exact vengeance the moment our egos are bruised?This week, we explore a tense standoff between a foolish landowner, a hot-headed future King David, and a wise woman named Abigail who steps directly into the path of an approaching army. As we ordain and install our new elders and deacons, we look at the education of a leader and what it means to actively practice the grace of de-escalation.The danger of reactionary leadership and why immediately "strapping on our swords" only perpetuates an endless cycle of destruction.How Abigail models subversive peacemaking by actively absorbing wrath, offering extravagant generosity, and reminding others of their God-given identity.A charge to our newly ordained officers and our entire congregation to become a community of "Abigails," exercising wise restraint and offering protective love in the face of hostility.Liturgical Details: July 19, 2026 | Summer Sermon Series Week 4 | 1 Samuel 25:2–42 & Psalm 86:11–17

Have you ever noticed how easily a careless comment or a short online clip can be stripped of its context and escalate into a toxic attack? What happens when our culture loses control of its tongue and words are weaponized for sport?This week, we dive into one of the most bizarre and misunderstood stories in the Bible: the prophet Elisha, a gang of mocking youths, and two hungry she-bears. We discover that this isn’t just a quirky ancient fable, but a profound warning about the destructive power of arrogant speech and the modern phenomenon of digital mobs inciting manufactured outrage.Why the defenses "I was only joking" and "I'm just telling the truth" are never sufficient warrants for speech.The communal dangers of internet trolling and performing for the "likes" of an ideological echo chamber.How the apostle Paul's mandate in Ephesians 4 calls us to practice "Active Hope" by refusing to return hate with hate, and instead using our words strictly as instruments of healing, grace, and community building.Liturgical Details: July 12, 2026 | Summer Sermon Series | 2 Kings 2:23–25 & Ephesians 4:25–32

On Independence Day weekend, we are bombarded with messages about patriotism, but for Christians, the line between a healthy love of country and dangerous, idolatrous nationalism can be incredibly delicate.This week, we dig into Daniel chapter 6—the familiar story of the lions' den—to uncover a profound act of subversive faith. Discover how we can rescue the word "patriotism" from those who use it as a disguise for power, and redefine it as fiercely loving our neighbors enough to hold our nation to God's higher standard of justice, liberty, and the common good.Bullet Points:The critical distinction between a healthy devotion to our community and the toxic idol of blind, unquestioning nationalism.How Daniel’s seemingly simple act of praying with his windows open actively denied the corrupt empire’s ultimate authority.A close encounter with real lions on a South African safari that reveals the terrifying vulnerability Daniel faced—and the miraculous power of God's liberating love to shut the mouths of systemic abuse.Liturgical Details: July 5, 2026 | Daniel 6:6–23. (Please note: We are off-lectionary for our summer sermon series).

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the crushing weight of systemic oppression, or noticed how society tends to push its most difficult problems "out of sight, out of mind" beneath the floorboards?As we prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, Pastor Charissa explores the terrifying reality of the Gerasene demoniac and the occupying "Legion" that torments him. Discover why Jesus refuses to turn a blind eye to the tombs, and how the church is called to stop hiding in comfortable sanctuaries so we can join Christ in the holy work of liberation.The ancient, military meaning of "Legion" and how it mirrors the violent, bruising forces of systemic oppression and racism at work today.The danger of our human tendency to isolate marginalized people in the tombs because their suffering makes us uncomfortable.The delayed but triumphant promise of Juneteenth, and our holy commission to practice "Active Hope" by praying with our feet to dismantle unjust systems.Liturgical Details: June 14, 2026 (Proper 6) | Isaiah 61:1–11 and Mark 5:1–20 // Not the lectionary passages for this week.

What happens when stepping into the beautiful truth of your God-given identity costs you your entire safety net?Pastor Charissa explores the terrifying leap of faith it takes to leave our familiar origins behind. Looking at an ancient patriarch's journey into the unknown, we discover a profound challenge for the church today to become a new, radical community of grace for those who have lost their support systems.The ancient meaning of the "father's house" (beit-av) and the terrifying vulnerability of leaving it.How the troubling binary of rigid religious rules can bring wrath and exclusion rather than belonging.Our holy obligation to become the "chosen family" and protective network for those in the LGBTQ+ community who have had to leave theirs behind.Liturgical Details: June 7, 2026 (Pride Sunday) | Genesis 12:1–9 and Romans 4:13–25.

Do you ever find yourself preferring a domesticated, predictable faith over one that pushes you out of your comfort zone? Why is it so terrifying to truly listen to people who are completely different from us?This Pentecost, Pastor Charissa challenges our tendency to stay in our safe silos and demand that others learn our "Christianese" to belong. We explore how the Holy Spirit breaks in to shatter the status quo, reminding us that true communion assumes difference, not uniformity.May 24, 2026 | Pentecost Sunday | Acts 2:1–21Watch the full worship service and experience the joyful reception of our new members on the Sixth Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel.

The scripture passage for May 17, 2026 (Ascension Sunday) is Acts 1:6–14. The modern church often makes the exact same mistake as the disciples—paralyzed by anxiety, staring up at the empty sky, or fixating on the past because the unknown is terrifying. However, the Ascension is not an abandonment, but a mandate to mobilize. We are challenged to stop looking in the rearview mirror, let go of our need for perfect blueprints, and step boldly into our neighborhoods equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit. For the full worship service, you can subscribe to the Sixth Presbyterian Church YouTube channel.

Are you frustrated by a church culture that demands conformity and hides behind exclusionary jargon? You aren't alone. Today, we live in a highly secular, pluralistic landscape full of deep spiritual hunger, yet the church often responds by hiding behind its walls or stepping out swinging.In this episode, Rev. Dr. Charissa Howe explores the Apostle Paul’s dramatic shift in strategy at the Areopagus in Acts 17. We discuss how the modern American church has alienated the world by forcing its own terms, often resulting in deep, church-related trauma. Discover how to drop the defensive posture, step out of your comfortable shrines, and adopt the "Areopagus Approach." Learn how to look for God's fingerprints in the unexpected, messy spaces of your city and offer true "soul friendship" to those who are desperate for authentic connection.If you are ready to build bridges instead of walls, tune in now! Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with a friend.

In this message for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores the counter-cultural imagery of 1 Peter 2:2–10. We live in a world that builds monuments to the powerful and the victorious, and it is easy for the church to fall into the exhausting trap of trying to be a pristine monument made of perfectly polished bricks. But what happens when we realize our foundation is a cornerstone that the empires of the world rejected and discarded?Using the metaphor of running a marathon—where things rarely go according to plan and the true beauty is found in the shared camaraderie of the struggle—Pastor Charissa reminds us that God doesn't demand perfection. Instead, we are called to be "living stones," brought together with all of our rough edges, painful blisters, and dying earbud batteries. Tune in to discover the immense freedom of letting go of worldly status to embrace the messy, beautiful reality of running the race together and offering radical solidarity to those the world pushes to the margins.

In this message for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe reexamines the familiar words of Psalm 23 alongside Jesus' teaching of the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-10. While "The Lord is my shepherd" is frequently read as a private, individualized comfort during times of personal grief, this sermon challenges listeners to expand their theological imagination.What happens when the "I" in the Psalm is expanded to represent our collective church community, or even the Earth itself? Exploring the congregation's need for "unstructured fellowship" and the call to practice "active hope" through holistic Earth care, this message reveals that God's compassion is not compartmentalized. Instead, the Good Shepherd's care encompasses an interconnected ecosystem, leading us together and preparing a table of abundant life right in the middle of our most difficult valleys.

On the Third Sunday of Easter, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores the familiar story of the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13–35 through the poetic framework of 19th-century Black and Indigenous activist Olivia Ward Bush-Banks. The fight against systemic injustice and the violence of the empire often leaves us carrying the heavy, traumatized weariness of modern-day martyrs, blinded to God's presence by our own grief.In this message, we examine how the resurrected Christ meets the defeated disciples exactly where they are—not with quick fixes or theological debates, but with pure presence and a listening ear. Furthermore, as the congregation celebrates the baptism of Austin Brown, this sermon highlights how the physical, communal solidarity of the sacraments serves as the ultimate antidote to our exhaustion. It is through the breaking of the bread and the waters of baptism that our trauma is reframed, our hearts are rekindled, and we are given the collective resilience to turn around and return to the messy work of liberation.Original Poem can be found here: https://scalar.lehigh.edu/african-american-poetry-a-digital-anthology/olivia-ward-bush-banks-the-walk-to-emmaus-1899

On the Second Sunday of Easter, we usually point the finger at "Doubting Thomas" for his skepticism. But in this message exploring John 20:19–31, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe suggests taking Thomas off the hook and looking instead at the terrified disciples hiding behind dead-bolted doors. At a time when so many are walking away from the modern American church due to a disconnect between what is preached and what is practiced, we are challenged to stop cowering in our comfortable, safe silos. The greatest proof of the resurrection isn't an empty tomb, but a resilient, grassroots community that unlocks its doors, receives the peace of Christ, and steps out into the margins to offer radical compassion, inclusion, and solidarity to a hurting world.

On Easter morning, the empty tomb isn't the final destination—it’s the starting line. In this Easter message, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores the world-shaking events of Matthew 28:1–10 and the surprising instructions given to the terrified but joyful women at the grave.Instead of lingering at the site of the miracle or marching to the halls of power in Jerusalem, the resurrected Jesus immediately heads back to Galilee. He returns to the diverse, unpolished margins where his ministry of feeding and healing everyday people first began.Drawing on the reality of trauma and the biological rewiring of healing, this sermon examines how resurrection is not just a distant promise for the afterlife, but an immediate, present-day reality. It challenges the church to stop functioning as a museum guarding an empty tomb and instead look for the moments of healing and justice happening right now in our own modern-day Galilees. The good news is alive in the world, and Christ is already out there, waiting for us to catch up.

When confronted with the terrifying realities of the world, our deeply human instinct is to either scatter into isolation or draw our swords to fight. Yet, the cross calls us to an entirely different response.Preached during a joint Good Friday worship service with Church of the Redeemer, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores the tragedy of human isolation and the radical, non-anxious presence of Jesus. Grounded in the passion narrative of John 18:1–19:37 and the call to communal solidarity found in Hebrews 10:16–25, this message challenges us to resist a culture of fear that conditions us to lash out or retreat into silos.Rather than meeting the world's hostility with our own violence, we are invited to drop our ideological weapons and stand at the cross together. Choosing to gather, sit in the dark together, and hold onto one another in a stripped-bare sanctuary becomes a profound act of spiritual defiance—a testament that human solidarity and God's love are always stronger forces than division and fear.

Does it feel like you're living in a brewing storm right now? We are caught in a clash of temperatures—between the profound hope of seeing "real church work" happen and the exhausting, terrifying realities of a violent world pressing in. That same heavy, electric tension filled the air in Jerusalem on the very first Palm Sunday. In this week's message, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe takes us into the dusty streets of a city under occupation, where the people are desperate for a spark to rescue them. But Jesus completely upends their expectations. Instead of arriving on a warhorse to match the empire's violence, he stages a piece of subversive "street theater" on a humble, borrowed donkey, showing us a profoundly different sort of King.Hit play to discover how the good news of this messy, grassroots parade challenges our own desires for control and inspires us to act. If you are ready to step into the storm and walk through the gates of righteousness together, this message is for you.Please subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder of God's steadfast refuge! (Scriptures: Mark 11:1-11 & Psalm 118)

Is a heavy stone of judgment or a deep resentment weighing you down? In a world filled with hostility, cancel culture, and sharp disagreements, it’s incredibly tempting to grip our stones tightly and use our "rightness" as a weapon.Join Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe as we step into the tense, loud temple courtyard of John 8, where a self-righteous crowd has weaponized the law against a vulnerable woman. Noticeably absent from this patriarchal trap? The man involved. Yet, instead of matching the mob's aggressive energy or treating the woman as collateral damage, Jesus utilizes a profound de-escalation tactic that changes everything.Discover why the "weightier matters" of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23) require us to confront our own hypocrisy and let go of our moral superiority. If you are exhausted by the world's hostility and want to learn how to build bridges instead of bonfires, this message offers the liberating relief of standing before God with empty hands.Hit play to explore the scandalous nature of unmerited grace! If this message resonates with you, please subscribe and share it with a friend who could use a reminder that God's mercy is for everyone.(Scriptures: John 8:2-11 & Matthew 23:23)

If you grew up in Sunday School, you might picture Jesus blessing the children as a sweet, sentimental moment. But in the first-century world, children occupied one of the absolute lowest rungs of social status. In this week's episode, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores how Jesus’ command to “let the children come” wasn't just about childhood innocence—it was a radical, political demand to center the powerless.The children in this Gospel story serve as a metaphor for the migrant worker, the immigrant, the unhoused, the undocumented, and anyone whom the empire finds undesirable. Drawing on God's laws for the harvest in Deuteronomy 24, we are reminded of the command to leave the gleanings of our fields for the vulnerable. God demands this justice not out of pity, but out of a shared vulnerability, constantly repeating the refrain: "Remember that you were a slave in Egypt".In a modern society obsessed with extracting every ounce of profit and "stripping the vines bare," how can the church stop acting as gatekeepers? Tune in to hear how we are called to be a disruptive, "scrappy" sanctuary and a refuge of radical welcome for all people. Scriptures: Matthew 19:13-15 & Deuteronomy 24:17-22

It has been a heavy week. When we are confronted with horrifying headlines, global crises, and the escalating realities of war, our first human instinct is often to retreat, pull the covers over our heads, and tell the overwhelming crowds of the world to fend for themselves.In this week's episode, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe acknowledges our deep exhaustion and looks to the Feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6 for a radically different response. We explore the stark contrast between the "math of empire"—a myth of scarcity that claims we can't afford to care for the vulnerable while miraculously finding limitless resources for bombs—and God’s economy of ridiculous abundance.We are not expected to fix massive, systemic nightmares single-handedly. Tune in to discover how we can resist the empire's violence and practice "active hope" simply by bringing our own meager "loaves and fishes" to the community.Scriptures: Mark 6:32-44 & Ephesians 3:20-21

What does it really mean when we invite someone in and say, "Make yourself at home"? Is it a sterile, performative greeting where we guard the decorative towels and point out the drink coasters, or is it a true welcome where guests know they can open the refrigerator without asking?On this Second Sunday of Lent, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe continues the "Tell Me Something Good" series by exploring the inseparable loop of loving God and loving our neighbor. Looking at the story of Simon the Pharisee and the woman with the alabaster jar (Luke 7), alongside Jesus's ultimate mandate to care for "the least of these" (Matthew 25), we are challenged to examine our own hospitality.We can't literally crash a first-century dinner party to wash Jesus's feet with costly perfume. But as we discover in this episode, when we abandon performative religion and offer true, messy, uncurated welcome to the hungry, the stranger, and the outcast, we are breaking open the alabaster jar right at the feet of Christ himself.

We often treat our faith and our institutions like a perfectly manicured lawn—exhausting ourselves to keep everything orderly, respectable, and predictable. But what happens when the wine runs out and our carefully cultivated resources fail?.On this First Sunday of Lent, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores the surprising nature of God’s Kingdom through the Wedding at Cana and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Jesus completely flips our expectations of power and order. Instead of a majestic Cedar of Lebanon or rigid jars of purification, he brings 180 gallons of extravagant joy and plants an invasive, scrappy weed that grows into a sanctuary for the vulnerable.Listen in to discover why the Good News catches us by surprise, why we don't need to be a pristine lawn, and why the church does its most profound work when it embraces being the "scrappy underdog".

On this Ash Wednesday, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe reflects on the Parable of the Great Dinner in Luke 14:15–24. When the comfortable and secure make excuses to avoid the feast, the host doesn't cancel the party—he expands the guest list to the streets and alleys. Too often, the modern church expends its energy fretting over empty pews and courting those who are already safe and full. But what if our true calling is to fill our sanctuary with those who actually need a sanctuary—the vulnerable, the fearful, and the neighbors pushed to the edges by the "wolves" of our world?Listen in as we explore what radical, protective welcome looks like, and how the ashes we wear today level the playing field, destroying worldly hierarchies by reminding us that whether we are an "insider" or an "outsider," we are all made of the exact same dust.

We often think of "mountaintop experiences" as spiritual highs, but in Scripture, they are usually terrifying. On this Transfiguration Sunday, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores Matthew 17:1–9, where Peter reacts to the glory of God not with joy, but with a frantic desire to build tents—to freeze the holy moment and avoid the hard road ahead.Listen in to discover why God interrupts our attempts to stay comfortable, why Jesus’ touch is the only cure for our fear of change, and why we must eventually pack up and head back down the mountain. Because while tents are for staying, Transfiguration is for sending.

We often curate our spiritual lives like a social media feed—cropping out the mess to present a picture of perfect piety. But God isn't scrolling for likes; God is looking for justice. In this sermon on Isaiah 58:1–12 and Matthew 5:13–20, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe confronts the trap of performative religion.Jesus calls us to be salt and light—elements that are useless if they stay in the shaker or hide under a bowl. True worship requires us to dissolve into the world, using our spiritual practices not as a trophy, but as fuel to feed the hungry and break the yoke of oppression. Listen in to explore how we can move from empty rituals to becoming "Repairers of the Breach."

Micah 6:8 is often treated as a comforting quote for a cross-stitch sampler, but in its original context, it is the dramatic verdict of a cosmic lawsuit where God pleads a case against humanity before the mountains. In this sermon, we explore why we are so tempted to offer God "ten thousand rivers of oil"—transactional sacrifices to buy our way out of guilt—rather than the intimacy of a relationship. Connecting the prophet’s call to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1–12, we discover that God doesn't want our "stuff"; God wants our walk. Join us as we move from the exhaustion of transactional religion to the freedom of walking humbly with the God of hesed—a sticky, loyal love that refuses to let us go.

When the headlines are heavy and the world feels overwhelming, it is validating to remember that even Jesus needed to withdraw after receiving bad news. But his retreat in Matthew 4:12–23 was not an escape; it was a strategic move to gather a community that could shine in the "deep darkness" prophesied in Isaiah 9:1–4. Join us as we dismantle the myth of "pole fishing" spirituality and discover why the true Light of the World is found not in individual heroics, but in the collective net of a community willing to drop its expectations and weave its lives together.

When we are stuck in the "miry bog" of life's crises, patience feels impossible and the old songs of hope can feel worn out. Exploring Psalm 40:1–11 , this sermon challenges us to stop fighting the "quicksand" of our circumstances and instead trust in the God who has a history of lifting us from the pit. Join us as we learn how our past deliverance becomes a testimony for today, giving us the strength to endure while we wait for God to put a "new song" in our mouths.

"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.

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.

In this sermon exploring Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, we examine how God works both individually and communally to shape us into vessels for justice. Using imagery of pottery and knitting, we consider what it means to remain malleable in God's hands while navigating the tensions between personal spiritual formation and systemic change. The sermon reflects on how covenant community bridges the gap between individual transformation and broader societal reformation.

In this sermon on Luke 14:7-14, Rev. Dr. Howe reflects on Jesus' teachings about power, vulnerability, and radical hospitality in the context of another tragic school shooting. Jesus' words about dinner party etiquette reveal deeper truths about the upside-down nature of God's kingdom. This sermon examines how our cultural obsession with power and control contributes to violence, while Jesus calls us to intentionally choose vulnerability and authentic community. Through the metaphor of the shared table, we are challenged to examine the ways we cling to false power and invited to participate in dismantling systems of violence through radical welcome and genuine relationship.