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God’s Acre on the Go

Stephen Chapin Garner

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God’s Acre on the Go Podcast, from The Congregational Church of New Canaan and hosted by Rev. Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner, features weekly sermons and reflections from the church’s pastors, exploring biblical themes and their relevance to contemporary life. This podcast is for anyone seeking spiritual growth and thoughtful engagement with Christian faith, particularly those interested in exploring how faith intersects with everyday experiences and challenges.
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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 …
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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 ki…
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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 …
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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 th…
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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 act…
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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 e…
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Getting lost isn’t always something to fear—sometimes, it’s a gift. In this episode, we explore the power of lostness, both literal and spiritual, as a path toward deeper faith and renewal. From wandering the streets of Jerusalem to a college nightclub, we reflect on how God is always searching for us, no matter how far we may feel. Through the len…
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Miracles aren’t just moments of divine intervention in the past—they’re happening all around us today. While some struggle to believe in biblical miracles like the parting of the Red Sea or Jesus walking on water, the greatest ongoing miracle is the spread of Christianity from a small group of unlikely disciples to a global faith of 2.4 billion peo…
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What does it mean to be a prophetic witness in a divided world? In this episode, we explore the calling of the prophet Jeremiah and how his ministry speaks to us today. Jeremiah’s words in Jeremiah 1:4-19 were both challenging and hopeful, reminding God’s people of both impending consequences and future restoration. But prophecy isn’t just an indiv…
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Forgiveness is at the very heart of the Christian faith, yet it is often one of the hardest things for us to practice. In this episode, we explore the powerful story of the woman who anoints Jesus as told in Luke 7:36-50, an act of love and gratitude that unsettled the religious leaders around her. Why is it that we can so readily accept God’s grac…
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How do we endure hardships, navigate life's disappointments, and maintain our character in the face of challenges? In this episode, we explore Jesus’ homecoming to Nazareth as told in Luke 4:16-30 and how his grounding in Scripture gave him a clear sense of purpose and mission. Jesus’ reading from Isaiah, declaring his call to bring good news to th…
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In this episode, we reflect on Jesus' baptism in Luke 3:21-22 and explore how words—both hurtful and healing—shape our identities and relationships. Drawing from personal stories and the transformative experience of Jesus hearing, “You are my beloved Son,” we consider the power of affirming words to heal wounds, build others up, and inspire hope. H…
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In this episode, we focus on the story of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-15 which offers insight into seeking purpose and direction in life. During the dark and oppressive rule of King Herod, the Magi followed a celestial star, trusting it would lead them to a king. Their journey brought them to Jesus, filling them with joy and changing their course. This…
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In this episode, we reflect on Micah 5:2-5 and the unexpected places where God reveals divine presence and power. From the little town of Bethlehem to overlooked churches and unnoticed communities, we explore how God chooses to work through the small, the hidden, and the forgotten. Through powerful stories of faith, art, and community transformatio…
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In this episode, we reflect on Matthew 1:18-25 and the quiet but profound role of Joseph in the story of Jesus' birth. After 400 years of divine silence, God speaks through the angel Gabriel, inviting Joseph into a new adventure that redefines faith, patience, and trust. Through Joseph's story, we explore how age, experience, and surrendering contr…
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In this Advent message, we reflect on Luke 1:5-24, 57-66, 78-79, focusing on Zechariah’s encounter with the angel Gabriel and his unexpected nine months of silence. But was this silence a punishment—or a gift? This sermon invites us to consider how stillness and quiet can open us to God’s imagination for our lives. In the midst of Advent’s busyness…
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In this episode, we explore Luke 14:7-14, where Jesus transforms a simple dinner into a lesson about humility, inclusion, and the radical hospitality of God’s kingdom. What happens when we invite not just friends and family, but the overlooked, the marginalized, and even our enemies to the table? Through compelling stories and practical reflections…
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In this Thanksgiving Sunday message, we reflect on Psalm 100, the "Old Hundredth," exploring the profound power of repetition in faith. How do repeated words and practices shape who we are and remind us of our identity in God? Drawing on both evangelical creativity and traditional liturgy, this sermon reveals how spiritual disciplines ground us in …
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In this episode, we explore Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus observes a poor widow’s small but powerful offering. On this Stewardship Sunday, we reflect on how acts of sacrificial giving—whether great or small—can inspire others and reveal the heart of faithfulness. From the widow’s mite to modern stories of generosity, discover how giving not only suppo…
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In this episode, we dive into Deuteronomy 6:1-12, exploring Moses' final words to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. With vivid imagery of the "land of milk and honey," we reflect on the spiritual dangers of abundance and the importance of remembering God’s provision. Discover how forgetfulness can undermine faith and why pr…
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In this episode, we explore the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-10, uncovering a powerful message about mislabeling and misjudging others. What if Zacchaeus wasn’t a notorious sinner transformed by Jesus, but a generous man wrongly perceived by his community? This fresh perspective challenges us to see beyond the labels we place on others—and our…
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In this episode, we reflect on Mark 10:35-45 and explore what it means to pursue true greatness in God’s kingdom. From the bold request of James and John to modern examples of faith-filled service, we’ll uncover how ambition can lead to extraordinary acts of compassion and justice. Through stories of those who’ve made a world of difference—like the…
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In this episode, we unpack Mark 10:17-22 and explore the story of the rich man through the lens of A Christmas Carol. What does it mean to be spiritually weighed down by our possessions? How can shedding what holds us back bring us closer to Jesus? Drawing parallels between the chains of Jacob Marley and the rich man’s grief, we reflect on the libe…
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