Rev. Charissa Clark Howe

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