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, relationally—is a sacred act that still changes lives. With reflections on the Confirmands’ faith journey and practical insights from Acts 2:1-9, 41-42, this episode challenges us to be Spirit-filled witnesses in our own time. What does Pentecost mean for us today? Tune in and find out.

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 spoken but lived—written on the hearts of children, youth, and communities through everyday acts of love, mentorship, and presence. The preacher shares a personal testimony of choosing a life of ministry with young people, reminding us that sacred work is often found in quiet, consistent faithfulness rather than fame. Just as Moses commanded the people to teach these words diligently to their children, the church today is called to be a spiritual family—where faith is formed not only in programs, but through relationships.

We are invited to consider how we are imprinting God’s love on others, and how our lives can become visible expressions of devotion. In a culture that often prioritizes individual achievement, this message calls us back to communal faithfulness. What are we writing on the hearts of those around us? Who are the saints helping to shape the next generation?

In a world that is watching, this message asks: what kind of legacy are we leaving? Are we choosing to live the Shema?

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 constitution in the Western world.

In this sermon, we consider how biblical values of justice, shared leadership, and God-centered governance became the spiritual roots of American democracy. From the peaceful fields of Gettysburg to the personal story of a modern immigrant student filled with gratitude for opportunity, we are invited to build lives that are living memorials—marked by wisdom, service, and righteousness. In a divided world, this message asks: what legacy will you leave behind? What will your life stand for?