Christ Church in Short Hills

April 18, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | Good Friday

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)

April 13, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | Palm Sunday

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. 

March 30, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Fourth Sunday in Lent

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)

March 23, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | The Third Sunday in Lent

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)

March 16, 2025 | James McBride, PhD | Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday (Lent II)

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.

March 9, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | The First Sunday in Lent

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)

March 5, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | Ash Wednesday

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) 

March 2, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

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)