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PODCAST

Hearts Open to the Word

Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe

Rev. Dr. Charissa Howe brings vibrant energy and deep theological insight to her preaching ministry. A Presbyterian pastor of a vibrant Pittsburgh congregation and the former Director of Chaplaincy at an urban county jail, she weaves together academic wisdom with real-world pastoral experience. Her engaging style combines thoughtful biblical interpretation with practical applications for daily life. Drawing from her diverse background in both institutional and congregational ministry, she offers

religion & spirituality

All Episodes

00:14:32

Making Space

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/10/28

In this stewardship kickoff sermon from October 26, 2025, Rev. Dr. Charissa Clark Howe explores Luke 18:9-14 and Psalm 84:1-7, weaving together themes of humility, radical welcome, and faithful stewardship. Through the story of "Wild Joe" and the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, she illustrates how our shared dependence on God's mercy creates space for everyone in God's temple. The sermon challenges us to examine not just how much we give, but why we give, encouraging

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00:18:22

We Persist with HOPE: Sunday, October 19, 2025 |...

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/10/19

In this week's sermon, we explore Luke 18:1-8 and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, examining the parable of the persistent widow and what it teaches us about prayer, justice, and hope. Through historical context and modern application, we consider how different forms of justice work parallel the widow's persistence at the city gates. The sermon challenges us to find sustainable ways to participate in God's ongoing work of justice while acknowledging the need for both action and rest. Special

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00:13:14

Pull Up a Chair

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/10/05

Join us for a reflection on Luke 14:15-24, where Jesus tells a parable about a great dinner party and unexpected guests. On this World Communion Sunday, we explore what it means when those initially invited make excuses not to come, and how God's table becomes a place of radical welcome for those who have been historically excluded. This message challenges us to move beyond superficial acceptance to genuine welcome, reminding us that God's invitation knows no borders.

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00:15:49

With: Sunday, September 28, 2025 | After Pentecost...

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/09/28

In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells a challenging parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus that goes far deeper than a simple morality tale about wealth. Drawing on Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall," Samuel Wells' A Nazareth Manifesto, and contemporary insights about isolation and community, this sermon explores how we create and maintain barriers between ourselves and others - barriers that can become permanent spiritual chasms if we're not careful. The parable invites

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00:17:38

What About the Party?

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/09/14

In this sermon from September 14, 2025 (14th Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 19/Year C), we explore Luke 15:1-10 and Psalm 51:1-10, examining Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. These stories challenge us to consider God's relentless seeking of the lost and the true nature of celebration in community. Against the backdrop of recent events and social division, we wrestle with questions of who we consider "lost" and our role in both seeking justice and extending welcome. This message

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00:16:32

We are Clay

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/09/07

In this sermon exploring Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, we examine how God works both individually and communally to shape us into vessels for justice. Using imagery of pottery and knitting, we consider what it means to remain malleable in God's hands while navigating the tensions between personal spiritual formation and systemic change. The sermon reflects on how covenant community bridges the gap between individual transformation and broader societal reformation.

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00:16:57

This is Exhausting

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/09/01

In this sermon on Luke 14:7-14, Rev. Dr. Howe reflects on Jesus' teachings about power, vulnerability, and radical hospitality in the context of another tragic school shooting. Jesus' words about dinner party etiquette reveal deeper truths about the upside-down nature of God's kingdom. This sermon examines how our cultural obsession with power and control contributes to violence, while Jesus calls us to intentionally choose vulnerability and authentic community. Through the metaphor of the shared

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00:17:30

God Is Not a Fluffy Cat

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/08/17

In this week's sermon, we explore Jeremiah 23:23-29, examining how we often try to contain and domesticate God to fit our human expectations. Using imagery of cats in boxes, wheat and straw, and various types of hammers, we consider the difference between temporary comfort and lasting spiritual nourishment. The sermon addresses current events like challenges to civil rights, connecting them to the biblical call for justice and authentic prophecy. Through Jeremiah's metaphors of fire and

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00:16:42

Unseen: Hebrews 11:1-16 & Genesis 15:1-6

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/08/11

In this sermon exploring Hebrews 11:1-16 and Genesis 15:1-6, Pastor Charissa examines what it means to live by faith rather than sight. Through a personal story about navigating unfamiliar roads in England, she illustrates how faith calls us to journey forward even when we can't see the complete destination.

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00:18:07

Beyond Bigger Barns

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/08/04

Today's Gospel lesson is from Luke 12:13-21. Jesus responds to an inheritance dispute with a parable about a rich fool who hoards his abundance rather than sharing with the community. The sermon explores different forms of greed beyond material wealth, examining how our relationship with resources - whether money, attention, or influence - reflects our spiritual priorities and understanding of God's kingdom economics. Through this lens, we see how true security comes not from what we store up, but

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00:16:48

20250727-101800

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/07/28

Exploring Jesus' teaching on prayer through the lens of community and trust, this sermon examines how the Lord's Prayer shapes both our relationship with God and our connections with neighbors. Beginning with the parable of the midnight visitor, we discover how persistent prayer and radical hospitality transform our understanding of God's provision and our role in meeting one another's needs. The message challenges us to move beyond transactional prayer to embrace a deeper trust in God's abundance

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00:15:19

Choosing the Good Part

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/07/20

In this July 20, 2025 sermon exploring Luke 10:38-42 and Colossians 1:15-28, we examine the familiar story of Mary and Martha through the lens of Christ's reconciling presence. The sermon unpacks how Mary's radical choice to sit at Jesus' feet connects with Paul's cosmic vision of Christ as "the firstborn of all creation." Through three movements - Martha's dilemma, Mary's unconventional response, and Jesus' affirmation of "the better part" - we discover how choosing relationship with Christ over

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00:17:11

July 13, 2025

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/07/20

July 13, 2025 by Charissa Clark Howe

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00:17:03

Shake off the dust

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/07/06

Year cProper 9 First Scripture Reading Psalm 66:1–9 Second Scripture Reading Luke 10:1–11, 16–20

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00:14:50

Pentecost Tongues Like Fire

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/06/08

Today’s scripture is Acts 2:1-21

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00:17:58

Ascension Sunday, 6/1/25

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/06/01

In this Ascension Day sermon focusing on Ephesians 1:15-23, we explore how Jesus' ascension completes the narrative arc of his earthly ministry and transforms our understanding of power. Through the metaphor of adjusting to light in a dark room, borrowed from Archbishop Rowan Williams, we see how Jesus becomes not just the light that blinds us, but the light by which we see the world anew. The sermon contrasts worldly power, which takes and dominates, with Christ's power, which serves and uplifts

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00:18:50

Center of Peace

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/05/25

First Sunday as the new installed pastor at Sixth Presbyterian Church. Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 25, 2025. Preaching on John 14:23-29.

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00:19:45

Anointing Oil and Rusty Gates.mp3

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/05/04

From Psalm 133 and 1 Corinthians 13

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00:19:05

Be Merciful

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/02/23

Preached at Center Presbyterian Church 2/23/25, Luke 6:27-38

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00:19:32

Woe to the Rich, the Well-Fed, the Carefree, and the...

Hearts Open to the Word ·

2025/02/16

Woe to the Rich, the Well-Fed, the Carefree, and the Famous by Charissa Clark Howe

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296 results

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