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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.
Episodes

Sunday Apr 27, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Good Energy
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
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 erased in His resurrection; instead, they become symbols of victory and testimony.
Drawing also on John 14:27, where Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you,” this sermon explores how Christ’s peace is unlike anything the world gives. It’s not the absence of scars, but the transformation of them into signs of healing, hope, and renewal. We are invited to claim this peace for ourselves and carry it into our homes, workplaces, and communities—not as perfect people, but as wounded witnesses of God’s redeeming love.
When we accept the gift of peace, we generate good energy—the kind that radiates grace, steadies tension, and restores what’s broken. That’s the call of the Risen Christ: to go into the world as people of peace, scars and all.

Sunday Apr 20, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: How to Start the Day
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
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 and how each morning is an invitation to begin again—grounded in hope and joy.
Drawing on the story of the empty tomb, the enduring words of Psalm 118:24, and even the architectural choices of our forebears who built the church to face the sunrise, this sermon reminds us: Easter isn’t just a day. It’s a way of life.

Sunday Apr 13, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Gethsemane
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
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 personal pilgrimage to the Mount of Olives, this sermon explores the gift of sacred spaces, the purpose of prayer in pain, and the power of spiritual transformation even under crushing circumstances.

Sunday Apr 06, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Great Work!
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
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 kind of work that transforms us. From Stephen and Philip in the Book of Acts to the Stephen Ministers and deacons in today’s church, “great work” begins with the willingness to serve others well.

Sunday Mar 30, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Low Places, Lavish Love
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
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 and judged, but Jesus honors her offering and affirms her faith.
We also share stories from our recent mission trip to Waco, Texas, and how unexpected acts of compassion and connection—like worshipping with Church Under the Bridge—revealed the sacred in everyday encounters.

Sunday Mar 23, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Genius of Jesus
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
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 the world. We also share a modern-day story of kindness that illustrates the transformative power of love in action. Join us as we consider how embracing the genius of Jesus can reshape our hearts, relationships, and the world around us.

Sunday Mar 16, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Making a Masterpiece
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
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 actions of Jesus, we’ll uncover how setbacks can be a prelude to renewal, how destruction can lead to transformation, and how God is constantly at work, crafting something beautiful out of the broken pieces of our lives.

Sunday Mar 09, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Lenten Experience
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
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 embrace.
Lent invites us to imitate Christ, creating space for God’s presence through fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. It’s not about deprivation, but transformation. Whether by setting aside distractions, deepening prayer practices, or engaging with scripture, this season offers an opportunity to receive a word from the Lord and reflect God’s presence in our lives.
What will you give up—or take on—this Lent? How might imitating Jesus’ journey bring you closer to God? Join us as we explore the invitation to walk in Christ’s footsteps and prepare ourselves to fully receive the joy of Easter.

Sunday Mar 02, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Gift of Lostness
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
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 lens of the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, we consider how our disorientation can lead to discovery. What if the moments when we feel most distant from God are actually the moments when God is closest? What if grace is found in the very act of being found?
Join us as we discuss how our stories of being lost can become testimonies of being found—and how an old song, a forgotten band, and a timeless invitation to come as you are can still change lives today.

Sunday Feb 23, 2025
God's Acre On the Go: Living the Questions
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Raymond Fellow, David Stuart shares the message with us this week. The scripture reference in "Living the Questions" is Matthew 7:7-11.