Sermons from Christ Church in Short Hills

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) 

February 23, 2025 | The Rev. Dr. Timothy Mulder | The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

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)

February 16, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

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)

February 9, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

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) 

February 2, 2025 | The Rev. Paul Keene | The Presentation of Our Lord

We all need to be a bit more like Simeon. We need to be bold in seeking out the Light, taking it up, and sharing it with the world. We need to be like Anna and tell everyone about the Light. We need to let the Light come into our hearts and shine forth from them. (Luke 2.22-40)

January 26, 2025 | The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass | The Third Sunday after Epiphany

Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Luke 4 is the lectionary gospel the same week as the US presidential inauguration and a sermon by Bishop Mariann Budde that broke into the national spotlight. What did Jesus say? How do we respond as the body of Christ in the world today? (Luke 4:14-21)