Rev. Charissa Clark Howe: Recent Episodes

Rev. Charissa Howe

Sermons and other lessons by Rev. Charissa Howe, Pastor at Liberty Presbyterian Church, Liberty, PA.

Good afternoon! Our scriptures for today are JOB 42:1-6, 10-17 and MARK 10:46-52.

Full manuscript can be found at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/10/but-now-i-see-job-421-6-10-17-mark-1046.html

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/10/service-with-smile-psalm-1041-9-mark.html

Yesterday's passages from the lectionary are Psalm 22:1-15 and Mark 10:17-31. We generally only read two of the lectionary passages on Sunday morning at our church, but I read a third this week because it fit nicely. The third passage is Job 23:1-9, 16-17.

Full manuscript is available here: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/10/then-who-shall-be-saved-psalm-221-15.html

Full manuscript of this sermon can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/10/hungry-no-more-isaiah-256-10a.html

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/09/chapel-reflection-on-1-corinthians-21-5.html

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/09/you-dont-know-if-you-dont-ask-esther-71.html

Yesterday in church, our passages of scripture were Proverbs 1:20-33 and James 3:1-12. I found these passages to be especially interesting in the midst of presidential elections - and consequently angry Facebook battles - heating up. I know it offered me a good hard look into how carefully I'm selecting my words.

Full manuscript: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/09/mind-over-mouth-proverbs-120-33-james.html

This morning's lectionary passages fit neatly with some of the trouble we see in the world around us today. We're looking at Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 and James 2:1-17.

The full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/09/mercy-triumphs-over-judgment-proverbs.html

Good Tuesday, dear friends! Once again, in the shuffle of life, I'm a couple days late posting the Sunday sermon. I hope that you are all off to a great start this week!

Our passages for this sermon are Matthew 28:16-20 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/09/i-am-what-i-am-matthew-2816-20-1.html

I just realized how late I am in posting this week's sermon. You have my deepest apologies. We have had both a family celebration this week - the birth of my sweet baby nephew - and a terrible loss. My sweet Oma, my step-father's mom who has taken my sister and I in as her own grandchildren these past 15 years that Dad and Julian have been together has been in declining health over the past year and a half or so. She took a nasty fall early this week and passed away early Thursday morning. The seasons of life have been at the front of things for us lately. In all of the hubbub of life beginning and life ending, I forgot to post my sermon this week until just now.

Our passages this Sunday were Exodus 36:8-19 and 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/08/let-all-those-with-skill-exodus-368-19.html

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/08/does-anyone-remember-gong-show-matthew.html

Good afternoon, dear friends! Today's passages are Exodus 3:1-12 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-31. We're talking about using your gifts for the good of the body. Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/08/who-me-exodus-31-12-1-corinthians-124-31.html

Our passage this morning is 1 Corinthians 11:23-34. May you find your week peaceful and blessed!

Full Manuscript: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/08/1-corinthians-1123-34-remembrance.html

Full Manuscript available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/07/1-corinthians-101-22-exodus-321-10.html

This morning, we move on to chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians. We're focusing on a small section, but it's a piece that I think helps us get to the heart and the urgency of Paul's message. Join me as we listen for God's Word in 1 Corinthians 9:19-27.

Full manuscript at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/07/1-corinthians-919-27-apostolicity-101.html

This morning, we continue our series on 1Corinthians. The full manuscript and the scripture passages are found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/07/1-corinthians-8-tripping-over-idols.html

This week is a somber week for Christians in the United States as we look for ways to love and support our brothers and sisters who were brutally attacked and killed by a white terrorist in Charleston, SC. Paul's letter to the church in Corinth offers some comfort and a call to action for the church in just such times.

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/06/1-corinthians-3-deuteronomy-64-9.html

My dear friends, I apologize that it took me so long to get this past Sunday's sermon up online. Usually I do it Sunday afternoon and because of a medical emergency during the church service and a family obligation later in the afternoon, it totally blew past me until today. But better late than never, right?

This is the second sermon in our series on 1 Corinthians. The scriptures passages are Proverbs 2 and 1 Corinthians 2. Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/06/1-corinthians-2-how-to-be-real-wise-guy.html

Full manuscript of today's sermon is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/06/1-corinthians-11-17-called-into.html

Full manuscript is available at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/05/romans-812-17-trinity-sunday.html

May the Holy Spirit fill you this Pentecost Sunday!

Our passage this morning is Acts 2:1-21.

You can find the full manuscript at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/05/nobody-saw-that-one-coming-acts-21-21.html

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/05/ascension-sunday-luke-2444-53-psalm-93.html

This morning's epistle reading comes from 1 John 3:16-24. You'll find the full sermon manuscript at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/04/lay-down-my-what-1-john-316-24.html.

The text for this third Sunday of Easter is: Luke 24:36-48. You can find the manuscript for the sermon at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/04/then-he-opened-their-minds-luke-2436-48.html, as well as youtube links for the two songs I reference at the end of the sermon.

Good morning and Happy Second Sunday of Easter! This morning's gospel passage is John 20:19-31 and the second reading is from 1 John 1:1-2:2. The full sermon manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/04/thomas-gets-bad-rap-john-2019-31-1-john.html

Happy Easter! He is risen!

The full manuscript from this morning's sermon can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/04/terror-and-amazement-easter-sunday.html

The full sermon manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/04/the-suffering-servant.html

Tonight's passages of Scripture are:

Isaiah 52:13–53:12

Psalm 22

John 18:1–19:42

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/04/the-sixth-word-it-is-finished.html

Thursday, April 2, 2015 Maundy (Holy) Thursday “Something New” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Full Manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/04/maundy-thursday-something-new.html

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 | LENT PALM SUNDAY Sixth Sunday in Lent YEAR B

Full Manuscript is available here: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/03/a-shadow-on-palms-mark-111-11.html

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/03/written-on-our-hearts-psalm-511-12.html

I was fully planning on singing a popular version of Psalm 51 tonight at our Lenten prayer service. I'd practiced it on the guitar and everything. But for some reason, even though it is a Psalm we're spending a great deal of time with at my church this Lent, it just didn't feel right.

This morning, I was reading the daily lectionary and one of the morning Psalms was Psalm 5. It immediately grabbed me and shook me and wouldn't let go. I had my guitar handy, so I set it to music. I have never been this improvisational before in regards to something like special music, but there you have it. I sang Psalm 5 as the special music tonight and this is the song that was born. Just wanted to share since it's an appropriate Lenten Psalm.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2015 | LENT Fourth Sunday in Lent YEAR B

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/03/living-in-light-john-314-21-ephesians.html

This morning's Psalm is Psalm 19 and our epistle reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

You can find the full manuscript of the sermon at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/03/foolish-wisdom-1-corinthians-118-25.html

Greetings on this second Sunday of Lent! Our passages this morning are GENESIS 17:1-7, 15-16 and Romans 4:13-25. Enjoy!

The full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/03/the-promise-comes-by-faith-genesis-171.html

This morning's passages on this first Sunday of Lent are Genesis 9:8-17 and 1 Peter 3:18-22.

We're hearing a lot this week about Christians killed for their faith. Specifically about the 21 Egyptian Christians who recently lost their lives for their faith. This week's passages speak to that suffering and give us an idea of what we can do for them all these thousands of miles away from our safe homes and churches.

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/02/the-sign-of-covenant-genesis-98-17-1.html

The full manuscript for today's sermon can be found here:

http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/02/havent-you-heard-1-corinthians-916-23.html

This morning, I had the joy of guest preaching at my home church because I was on study leave for a conference. I really enjoyed being home for the day and what a great passage! Our passage this morning is from Mark 1:21-28.

The full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/02/mark-121-28-what-is-this-god.html

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 | EPIPHANY Third Sunday After the Epiphany Year B

Friends, today we explore a part of the Jonah story we often miss. . . the part AFTER he winds up spit out on the shore.

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/01/got-up-and-went-jonah-31-5-10.html

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015 | EPIPHANY Second Sunday After the Epiphany YEAR B MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

This morning's passages that were read in our service are 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and John 1:43-51. The supplementary passages are Psalm139:1–6, 13–18 and 1Corinthians 6:12-20. I encourage you to reflect on all the passages throughout the week as you listen for God to call.

Full manuscript is available here: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/01/hearing-things-1-samuel-31-10-john-143.html

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015 | EPIPHANY Baptism of the Lord First Sunday After the Epiphany YEAR B

This morning's passages are Genesis 1:1-5 and Acts 19-7. I encourage you to also read Mark 1:4-11 and Psalm 29. Today's full manuscript and the hymn playlist from today is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/01/hovering-over-waters-genesis-11-5-acts.html

Happy Epiphany! This morning's texts are Matthew 2:1-2, John 1:1-9, and Ephesians 1:1-14.

Full manuscript and hymn playlist can be found here: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2015/01/to-praise-of-his-glorious-grace-matthew.html

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/12/the-gift-of-adoption-psalm-148.html

Merry Christmas, all! I hope this holy night finds you joyful and full of the peace of Jesus Christ.

Our texts for this evening are: Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Luke 2:1-20, and Titus 2:11-14.

The full manuscript and hymn playlist can be found here: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/12/blinded-by-night-christmas-eve-2014.html.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014 | ADVENT FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/12/2-samuel-71-1116-luke-126-38.html

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2014 | ADVENT THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 John 1:6-8, 19-28

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/12/liberty-isaiah-611-4-8-11-john-16-8-19.html

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014 | ADVENT Second Sunday of Advent YEAR B

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/12/isaiah-401-11-mark-11-8-start-car.html

First Sunday of Advent, 2014 (year B)

Happy New (liturgical) Year!

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/11/a-watched-pot-isaiah-641-9.html

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 29/CHRIST THE KING/THANKSGIVING YEAR A

James 1:17-18, 21-27

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/11/all-good-gifts-james-117-18-21-27.html

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 28 YEAR A

Full manuscript: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/11/wide-awake-1-thessalonians-51-10.html

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 27 YEAR A

Amos 5:18-24 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/11/one-fine-day-amos-518-24-1.html

NOVEMBER 2, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST ALL SAINTS YEAR A

Today I tackled Revelation. It was right up there with Leviticus on my "really want to preach this part of the Bible" list, but just like every passage from Leviticus I've ever preached, I really enjoyed wrestling with the text. I suppose that's a good sign for next week when I'm tackling Amos' Day of the Lord. Thanks, lectionary.

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/11/bleached-1-john-31-3-revelation-79-17.html

OCTOBER 26, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 25 YEAR A

This morning's passages are: MATTHEW 22:34-40, DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9, LEVITICUS 19:1-2, 15-18

If you want to find out why I finally got down out of the pulpit this week, you'll have to listen through to the very end! :)

The full manuscript of this morning's sermon can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/10/off-hinges-matthew-2234-40-deuteronomy.html

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 24 YEAR A Psalm 96:1-10 1 Thessalonians 1:1-9

Full manuscript and referenced playlist can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/10/tba-psalm-961-10-1-thessalonians-11-9.html

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/10/psalm-23-wet-shoes.html

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY PROPER 22 YEAR A

Psalm 80:7-15 Matthew 21:33-46

Full manuscript: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/10/vines-psalm-807-15-matthew-2133-46.html

While I did not have to preach at my own ordination this afternoon, I did still have the joy of preaching at my sweet little Liberty Presbyterian Church in the morning. This morning's texts are Matthew 21:23-32 and Philippians 2:1-13.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 21 YEAR A

Full manuscript: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/09/youre-not-boss-of-me-matthew-2123-32.html

Sermon preached at Liberty Presbyterian Church. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 20 YEAR A Psalm 145:1-8 Matthew 20:1-16

Full Manuscript at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/09/matthew-201-16-equal-rights.html

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2014 |AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 19 YEAR A

This morning's scripture readings come from Genesis 50:15-21 and Matthew 18:21-35 and we are exploring the theme of forgiveness.

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/09/radically-forgiven-radically-forgiving.html

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 | AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 18 YEAR A “TATTLETALES”

Full manuscript of this sermon can be found at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/09/matthew-1815-20-tattletales.html

Our lives as individuals and as families and as a church family matter because we are called to be modern prophets – to live a whole life of love and justice and proclamation of God in our world- through our actions and through our words.

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/08/the-best-laid-plans-jeremiah-1515-21.html

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/08/unsearchable-psalm-138-romans-1133-36.html

Full Manuscript of this sermon is available at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/08/genesis-45-1-15-matthew-1521-28-dogs.html.

This morning I was blessed to be back at Liberty Presbyterian Church where it looks like I'll be for a while. It's a super, friendly, warm little congregation that we have already grown to feel at home with. There are a few Sundays in August on which someone else is preaching there still, but for the most part, you can come to expect a sermon posting from me every Sunday afternoon now.

This morning's passages are ROMANS8:12-25 and MATTHEW 13:24-30, 36-43. It was so neat to see how well the lectionary passages fit with what I wanted to share about my trip to Scotland, so this sermon served as a great opportunity to share my experiences with everyone.

You can read the manuscript at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/07/todays-sermon-also-more-about-my-trip.html

This morning I had the pleasure of worshipping with the sweet people at Liberty Presbyterian Church on the other side of the city. What a great little congregation. I hope to be granted the honor of sharing the Word with them again sometime soon.

Our lectionary passage this morning is 1 Peter 2:2-10 and my full manuscript is available at http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/05/1-peter-22-10-building-permits.html

This morning, I preached at my internship church - Bellevue United Presbyterian Church. I just love that church so very very much and it'll be terribly bittersweet when I have to leave after graduation this year. I can't say enough how honored I've been to be a part of the community there and how great it's been to have such an incredible place to learn and grow.

This morning's passages are: Psalm 121, Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-15 Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/03/stop-trying-so-hard.html.

This is a piece of music that my father-in-law, Kirk Howe and I recorded. It weaves the traditional hymn "I Sing the Mighty Power of God" with some original lyrics I adapted from the book of Job. I've been working on a project studying Eliphaz's first speech to Job and it struck me that we give Eliphaz's speech to people in the church frequently at very inappropriate times of life. Listen carefully to this conversation between Job and Eliphaz.

Today, I preached at my internship church, Bellevue United Presbyterian Church. There was a representative from the committee that will soon (I hope) approve me for ordination there to hear me preach. It's also the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.

The lectionary text for the day is 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.

Full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2014/01/1-corinthians-11-9-united-front.html

As preached at Paris Presbyterian Church on December 29, 2013.

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/12/the-great-things-that-god-has-done-for.html

This morning, I preached at my internship site, Bellevue United Presbyterian Church. Our scripture passages were Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44. Today marks the beginning of Advent in the traditional church calendar. This is the time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of Jesus. It's a holy time in our tradition and has a special place in my heart.

Full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/12/isaiah-21-5-matthew-2436-44-disperse.html

Today I preached my second sermon for my "Preaching the Headlines" class at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. This was a difficult text to wrestle with, but I'm glad I did it.

The full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/11/matthew-141-12-silver-lining.html

This sermon was delivered at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on October 22, 2013. The main text was Matthew 11:25-30 and the full manuscript is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/10/bring-your-burdens-to-christ-matthew.html

The scripture today is from 2 Kings 23. This was delivered in a class at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The full manuscript can be found at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/10/2-kings-234-5-21-25-tearing-down.html.

This morning I was back at my internship site, Bellevue United Presbyterian Church. After a summer of circuit-riding, it was nice to be back at a familiar pulpit.

The recording app I use on my iPad crashed this morning, though. This is not the original recording of the sermon. I would just leave you with the manuscript only, but many friends and family across the country have mentioned how much they enjoy hearing me preach, so I re-recorded it at home for all of you. That and I just really enjoyed this one.

The text today is Hebrews 12:1-7.

Full manuscript text is available at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/08/mile-19-hebrews-121-7.html

July 28, 2013 Riverview Presbyterian Church

Text: Luke 11:1-13

Full text at: http://www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/07/say-it-like-you-mean-it-luke-11-13.html

Preached at Bellevue United Presbyterian Church April 28, 2013. Texts: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; John 13:31-35 Full sermon manuscript found at: www.thesquirrelfactor.com/2013/04/wholly-holy-people.html