God’s Acre on the Go

In this quiet yet powerful message from Isaiah 30:15–18, we’re invited to embrace a different kind of strength—one rooted not in hustle, but in trust. “In returning and rest you shall be saved,” God says, but so often, like the people of Judah, we flee. We grasp at control, race ahead, and forget that we are already being carried. Through a tender reflection on a child’s birthday wish and a surprising moment at an airport, this ser...

This week begins our new summer series, “Be the Church,” rooted in a bold truth: the church isn’t a building—it’s a way of life. In this opening message, we turn to Matthew 5:13–16, where Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt flavors what it touches; light illuminates where it shines. In the same way, followers of Christ are called not only to gather, but to go—living out our faith in everyday acts o...

As the Fourth of July brings fireworks and flags, many of us pause to celebrate independence. But what kind of freedom are we really celebrating—and what kind of freedom does Scripture invite us into? In Galatians 5:1, 13–25, the Apostle Paul redefines freedom not as the right to do whatever we want, but as the gift to love well. True freedom, Paul says, comes through Christ and is lived out through the Spirit. It’s not freedom fro...

This week’s sermon takes us to the wild and wonderful story in Luke 8:26-39, where Jesus heals a demon-possessed Gentile man—someone cast aside by society but chosen by Jesus for restoration. We encounter not just a dramatic healing but a moment rich in meaning: Roman military metaphors, echoes of Israel’s liberation, and a striking reminder that no one is beyond God’s reach. Why does Jesus cross a stormy sea just to heal one outsi...

This week’s message invites us to slow down and listen—to the birdsong, to the breeze, to the voice of God speaking through creation. Drawing from Psalm 8 and related scriptures, Pastor Chapin reflects on how summer gives us space not just to rest, but to be re-created. Nature isn’t just beautiful—it’s holy. From newborn babies to starlit skies, the created world reveals the glory of God and restores our weary souls. But it also gi...

On this Pentecost Sunday, we return to the powerful story of Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended like wind and fire and gave voice to the early church. But the true miracle? Understanding. People from many nations heard the Gospel in their own language, reminding us that the Spirit empowers us not just to speak, but to connect. In this message, Pastor Chapin explores how learning another’s language—emotionally, culturally, relat...

This message draws us into a deep reflection on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, known as the Shema—one of the most sacred affirmations in Jewish and Christian tradition: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” In this passage, Moses calls God’s people to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might, and to pass on this love intentionally to the next generation.

In this sermon, we explore how authentic faith is not just spo...

This Memorial Day message draws us into a reflection on Deuteronomy 1:9-13, where Moses invites the people to choose wise, discerning, and reputable leaders from among themselves to help govern their shared life. That same scripture shaped a foundational moment in American history: Rev. Thomas Hooker’s 1638 sermon to the Connecticut General Assembly, which inspired the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut—the first written constitutio...

On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus offers his disciples one final commandment—not a plan, not a parable, but a legacy: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). In this message, we explore what it means to take that command seriously—not as a gentle suggestion, but as the defining mark of the Christian life. This is not sentimental love; it’s love that shows up, bears burdens, washes feet, crosses boundaries, and...

This Mother’s Day sermon explores the transformation of Saul in Acts 9:1-20, not just through a dramatic divine encounter, but through the quiet courage of people like Ananias—and the unnamed hands that led, fed, and cared for him during his blindness. It’s a story of caregiving, community, and the sacred power of showing up. Whether or not you are a mother, you’ve likely played a part in someone’s transformation simply by loving t...

In Luke 24:13–35, two disciples walking to Emmaus encounter a mysterious stranger who opens the scriptures to them and ultimately reveals Himself in the breaking of bread. This moment—alongside the reminder from Hebrews 13:2 not to neglect hospitality to strangers—shapes our understanding of how Christ is often encountered through unexpected people and surprising conversations.

Drawing also from Mark 16:12–13, this sermon explores ...

On the evening of the resurrection, in John 20:19–29, Jesus appears to His disciples behind locked doors. Despite their fear and failure, He offers them peace—not once, but three times. These words are not just soothing sentiments; they are a spiritual command, a declaration of wholeness in the midst of brokenness. The scars on Jesus’ body are not erased in His resurrection; instead, they become symbols of victory and testimony.

Dr...

On that first Easter morning, as articulated in Luke 24:1-12, faithful women rose early, not to witness a miracle—but to finish the hard work of grief. Instead, they found an empty tomb, a rolled-away stone, and an unexpected question: Why do you look for the living among the dead? This Easter message explores how resurrection reshapes our routines and how each morning is an invitation to begin again—grounded in hope and joy.

Drawi...

In the sacred stillness of Gethsemane, Jesus shows us how to pray under pressure. This message reflects on Luke 22:39-46 and the symbol-laden olive grove where Jesus spent His final night in deep, honest prayer. What does it mean to pray, “Not my will, but yours be done”? What can an olive tree teach us about resilience and surrender? Drawing from personal pilgrimage to the Mount of Olives, this sermon explores the gift of sacred s...

What if your greatest work isn’t the loudest or most visible—but the most faithful? This sermon explores the early church’s first internal conflict and how it led to the creation of the diaconate and care ministry. Drawing from Acts 6:1–8, we discover that meaningful service—like waiting tables or preparing Communion—is not only sacred, it’s the kind of work that transforms us. From Stephen and Philip in the Book of Acts to the Ste...

In today’s episode, we reflect on the powerful moment described in John 12:1-8.

This touching story challenges us to consider the power of generosity, vulnerability, and relationship. Mary’s lavish gift reflects not just her love and devotion but also her deep understanding of Jesus’ journey toward the cross. Her act of generosity is misunderstood and judged, but Jesus honors her offering and affirms her faith.

We also share storie...

What makes Jesus’ teachings so powerful and compelling? In this episode, we explore the genius of Jesus—his ability to distill all of Scripture into two life-giving commandments and his radical call to love our enemies. From his interaction with the Pharisees to his life-changing encounter with Saul, we see how love is the most powerful force in the world. We also share a modern-day story of kindness that illustrates the transforma...

Sometimes, life falls apart. Our dreams collapse, relationships break, and our carefully built plans unravel. But what if those moments of brokenness are not the end of the story? In this episode, we explore how God, the Master Potter, takes what seems ruined and reshapes it into something extraordinary. Looking at the words of Jeremiah and the actions of Jesus, we’ll uncover how setbacks can be a prelude to renewal, how destructio...

As we begin the season of Lent, we reflect on its purpose—not just as a time of fasting, but as an opportunity to intentionally draw closer to God. This sermon explores why Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness and how his experience parallels Moses’ time on Mount Sinai. Jesus sought communion with God, modeling a spiritual discipline we can also embrace.

Lent invites us to imitate Christ, creating space for God’s presence through ...