Going DeeperWith Christ Episcopal Church

Fourth Sunday of Easter 2022: The Temple of Your Heart The Scripture reading is John 10:22-30 On this fourth Sunday of Easter, Father Mark discusses modern equivalents of the temple in this week's Scripture reading. He reminds us that the word translated as “believe” in the New Testament could be translated as “trust,” and that what is asked of us is not to live up to a checklist of beliefs and be...

Third Sunday of Easter 2022: Beloved Child of God The Scripture reading is John 21:1-19 On this third Sunday of Easter, Father Mark invites us to a sacramental breakfast from the risen Christ, at the dawn of a new day, and prays that our every act in the coming week will emanate from the place where we know we are a beloved child of God. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version B...

Second Sunday of Easter 2022: When Your World is Rocked The Scripture reading is John 20:19-31 Reverend Wendy discusses how Jesus responded to “Doubting Thomas,” not with criticism, not with anger, but with love. Jesus was there with Thomas, ready to meet him where he was. She also talks about her “spiritual autobiography”and how she dealt with the personal challenges of how a loving God permits e...

The Scripture reading is Luke 24:1-12 On this Easter Sunday, Father Mark discusses what we have learned with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and today. Life is full of suffering, and yet are saved by a love so powerful that darkness, suffering and death cannot overcome it. We can count on that. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the...

The Scripture reading is John 18:1-19:42 On this Good Friday, Father Mark discusses the true meaning of who God is, the God of self-giving love, and how Jesus empowered us to sing God’s song. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide...

The Scripture reading is John 13:1-17  On this Maundy Thursday, Father Mark explains the humble love of Jesus even for those who betray him and let him down, and how in our lives we can offer this cherishing, nonjudgmental love to support others. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States o...

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday 2022 The Scripture reading is Luke 22:14-23:56 On this Palm Sunday, Father Mark and members of the congregation together read aloud the Scripture. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this final episode of Father Mark's Lenten 2022 series, he summarizes the many things we might fruitfully let go of, and explains why we do this. He concludes that for Christians, the story doesn't end with Good Friday, but with Easter.

The Scripture reading is John 12:1-8 On this fifth Sunday of Lent, Father Mark discusses the the story of Lazarus, and the essential Christian message that death does not have the final word..   Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved w...

Continuing the theme of “letting go” for this 2022 Lenten season, Father Mark discusses all the roles we might identify with: ”I am…a former NFL quarterback…a priest…an asthmatic…a member of a political party.” Some people just can’t let go of their total identification with their roles. But that doesn’t define us; it’s not our true self, and doesn’t survive our death. Our challenge and opportunit...

The Scripture reading is Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 On this fourth Sunday of Lent, Father Mark discusses the power of story in our daily lives and in our relationship to God, applies this to the parable of the prodigal son. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All...

Father Mark tells how he used to judge his rose bushes based solely on their scent, then had an eye-opening experience that changed how he perceives and appreciates roses. He then explains how he, and we, can refrain from judging people and experiences, and appreciate what they offer.

The Scripture reading is Luke 13:1-9  On this third Sunday of Lent, Father Mark explores how our all-powerful, all loving God can let bad things happen to innocent people. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Using responses to his sermons as an example, Father Mark continues our 2022 Lenten theme of "letting go" by discussing how we can let go of desired outcomes, past and present, with the hope that God can use our offerings.

The Scripture reading is Luke 13:31-35 On this second Sunday of Lent, Father Mark explores our opportunity to be courageously vulnerable, as Jesus was. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This Lenten season, our theme is "letting go." Father Mark, speaking from his own experience, discusses the background noise of our lives, how that keeps us from attending to God, and how to "turn down the volume" on the background noise.

The Scripture reading is Luke 4:1-13 On this first Sunday of Lent, Father Mark explores the temptation of Jesus, Jesus’ trust in God, and our own opportunity to trust in God. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Scripture reading is Matthew 6:1-21 Father Mark discusses modern outward displays of piety, including making a big thing of saying “Merry Christmas,” and contrasts such practices with doing the will of God as Jesus taught He encourages us to attend to what lies in our hearts, and our intentions.. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Counci...

In the first of a series of offerings for Lent 2022, Father Mark explores the theme of "Letting Go" and offers simple practices to support letting go.

The Scripture reading is Luke 9:28-36. Father Mark recalls his traumatic memories of the Cold War era, and how present events in Ukraine are activating these. He contrasts actions motivated by vengeance with those motivated by love, and once again encourages us not to act according to the ways of the world, not to be among those who “know not what they do” but rather to be guided by the mind of Ch...

Our Life’s Calling The Scripture reading is Luke 6:27-38 Father Mark explains that our life’s calling is to live from the Kingdom of Heaven within, and not according to the ways of the world. We can become free to embody the loved and loving identity that is our core. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in th...

The Scripture reading is Luke 6:17-26 Father Mark discusses how prayer works, and how prayer enables us to see the world through “God-colored glasses.” He explains how Jesus emptied himself on the mountaintop, and opened himself to being filled by the Divine life of God. This is the path for us, letting go of our egos, our false selves, and then opening ourselves to being filled with God’s love, p...

The Scripture reading is Luke 4:21-30 On this Stewardship Sunday, Father Mark explains what we are pledging financial resource for, and why we pledge. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Scripture reading is Luke 4: 14-21 Father Mark explains Jesus’ “mission statement” and how its realization depends on us both hearing this and acting on it. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Scripture reading is John 2:1-11 Father Mark explores the meaning of the word “wine” as used in Scripture, and explains how Jesus provides the “wine” of life. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.