Sermons from Christ Church in Short Hills

There was a time when being a Christian was just weird; they’d do strange things and behave like… well weirdos. But for all their strangeness they were holy; and people would flock to get to know them all the while learning about the good news of Jesus that led them to their strange behavior. Maybe it’s time for us to be weird Christians too. (Col. 3.1-11; Luke 12.13-21)

Why would God ask someone to marry a prostitute? Listen and find out. (Hosea 1:2-10)

Are you more of a Martha or a Mary? A faithful servant, who sometimes tries to do too much, or a quiet disciple, who takes time to listen? Both loved Jesus and he loved them. In church, we need all types of people to learn how to love one another. (Luke 10:38-42)

What would it be like for us to meet Amos today; what might he say? More importantly how would we react? Despite being an 8th century BCE text, there’s a lot about Amos that still rings true. We still need people like Amos, and we still need to hear his diagnosis of the world we inhabit. Only in observing things as they are, can we make a choice to do something else, like addressing the great need...

Summer is here! Do you feel weary? How can your vacation or a staycation refresh you and be a spiritual practice too? Jesus offers advice before sending out the 70 that provides wisdom for us to find peace. (Galatians 6:7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20) 

“Let me inherit a double share of your spirit,” Elisha asks. There’s a lot we can learn from Elisha especially because we too are inheritors of a Spirit. We’ve a lot in common with Elisha; let’s explore it. Perhaps in Elisha, we’ll learn how we can better follow our Master, Jesus. (2 Kings 2.1-2, 6-14; Luke 9:51-62)

The Trinity – One God in three, Creator, Christ, and Spirit – is a foundational doctrine of Christianity. It is also a truth we know because we’ve experienced God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in our relationships with the divine. (John 16:12-15)

Just how broad are the Kingdom of God’s boarders, and who do we find inside of them? They’re bigger than we expect and filled with all sorts. They always have been, Jesus has always shown us their breadth. Today we’re invited to search them out and learn that we’re all encompassed within the Kingdom. Happy Pride. Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26

In the Book of Acts, Lydia was a business woman and head of a household, who became the first convert in Europe, opening her heart and home. How do we translate the ways she was exceptional then into our lives and the church today? (Acts 16:9-15)

St. Peter describes to his friends in Jerusalem the vision he had about a heavenly sheet filled with every sort of animal that helped shake him from his place of comfort and welcome him into the wideness of God’s plan for creation. What would be on the sheet for you? What is hindering you from fulfilling Jesus’ commandment to love as he loves (Acts. 11:1-18; John 13.31-35) 

Rector’s Report for the 2024 Annual Meeting: reflections on breaking bread with the risen Christ, hospitality, spiritual growth, intergenerational relationships, outreach, stewardship, worship, and love as the work we are called to in 2025. (Acts 9:1-20, John 21:1-19) 

How we greet one another is important. Greetings help us to understand how interactions will go and identify who we are speaking to. They also can be a source of blessing and wellness. Jesus does all this when he says, “peace be with you.” Today we explore how Jesus teaches us to greet one another. (Revelation 1.4-8; John 20.19-31)

Sometimes life feels like that first Holy Week, when everything changes so quickly. Easter is the start of a whole new beginning! Be on the lookout for the Risen Christ walking among us, for light and love and resurrection! (Luke 24:1-12, Acts 10:34-43)

Who are we? That’s the simple question I’d like us to answer, because we often confuse who we are for who we think we should be. God isn’t interested in who we ‘should be,’ our Lord is interested in who we are. Today God shows us who we are by showing us who God is: Ecce Homo—here is the man. Alleluia!

Through crucifixion, the political and religious leaders thought they had broken Jesus’ power over the people, scared off his followers, and ended his influence. The Good News of Good Friday is that Christ is in control. (John 18:1-19:42, Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

Today we reckon with how our tongues can both sing “Hosanna,” and scream “Crucify Him.” Today we begin again the devotional journey of seeking to understand Jesus’ response: “forgive them,” he says. We are reminded today, that God is not made in our image, but we are made in God’s. Today we are reminded why we sing Hosanna. 

Imagine the embarrassment: everything went wrong; you’ve worked up the courage to ask for help, to seek forgiveness for what happened and what you’ve done. But rather than the expected shame and punishment, you’re decked out in the finest clothes you’ve ever worn, celebrated, and given a party. Whoa! This is the prodigal son’s experience, and there’s a lot to learn from it. (Luke 15.11-32)

The news cycle and life this winter have been exhausting. Like the fig tree in Jesus’ parable, sometimes we need a little TLC and extra time to find a path forward. And like Moses, after time away, we become ready to respond to God’s call. (Exodus 3:1-15, Luke 13:1-9)

On this Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday whose work extends around the world, from war in Ukraine and Gaza, to natural disasters in California and North Carolina, we remember our faith.  For it is not just what we believe, but also what we do.

On the First Sunday in Lent, the Devil is front and center in Jesus’ temptation and the Great Litany. For these 40 days, we are called to walk with Jesus through the wilderness and put our trust in God. (Luke 4:1-13)

We begin Lent with an act of public repentance by literally putting on ash to remind us of our mortality and penitence. How do we do this genuinely; and what might our public action of lament inspire others to do? (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21) 

To fully live into our baptism and Christian faith, we’ve got to be bold. We need to learn how to read the Bible through the eyes of Jesus; and, as the voice of God implores us, we’ve got to listen to Jesus too! That’s how we learn to be bold, to climb the mountains of life, and to be transfigured. (2 Cor. 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36) 

While some think revenge is satisfying, we choose to make a difference in this world by blessing those who curse us. (Genesis 45:3-11,15 and Luke 6:27-38)

Blessings and Woes, the Beatitudes in Luke are different than what Jesus teaches in Matthew, but should we preference one set over the other? What does it mean if we do? (Jeremiah 17.5-10; Luke 6.17-26)

Is God calling you? Rev. Bowie reflects on her own journey, the call stories of Isaiah and the first disciples, and wisdom from Parker Palmer, Otis Moss III, and resources for discerning vocation in this time of deep need in the world. (Isaiah 6:1-13, Luke 5:1-11)