Sermons from Christ Church in Short Hills

"Let's Talk About Praise" | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass

Sermon by the Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, recorded live at the 10am service on Sunday, August 24, 2025.
Year C, Proper 16 on Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6

August 17, 2025 | Libby Clarke | The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Drawing from Isaiah’s vineyard, Psalm 80’s plea, and Jesus’ fire in Luke 12, this sermon reflects on what it means to overturn the empire in our hearts and to welcome one another as kin in God’s house. Through personal memories of exclusion and experiences of grace, the message calls us to resist easy lines of division and to live into the baptismal promise of belonging and love. (Isaiah 5:1–7; Psalm 80:1–2, 8–18; Luke 12:49–56)

August 10, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Transfiguration

In Rev. Paul's farewell sermon, he reminds us of the importance of the Transfiguration and why we celebrate it while reflecting on the mountain journey of life. 

August 3, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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)

July 27, 2025 | The Rev. Canon Robert Griner | The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

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

July 20, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

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)

July 13, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

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 needs of our time. (Amos 7:7-17; Luke 10:25-37)

July 6, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

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) 

June 29, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Third Sunday after Pentecost

“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)

June 15, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | Trinity Sunday

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)