Chris Heckert Blog

Several years ago I remember riding the subway to work in New York City on Ash Wednesday.  I was surprised by the number of people who got on and off the subway with ashes on their heads – people of different racial/ethnic backgrounds, dressed in suits, workout clothes, street clothes, young and old.  I was […]

During Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, we remember Jesus’s journey from being praised by people to being persecuted by people, as he is put on trial and executed. On the first Sunday of April, we recall that very first Easter more than two thousand years ago when Jesus rose from the dead. […]

For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. – Psalm 30:5 What I love most about the Lenten season is that it straddles the end of winter and the beginning of spring. We usually enter into Lent […]

Prayer is central to the season of Lent. The season is framed by the story of Jesus going to the wilderness to fast and pray, where he was tempted. During Lent, many people devote themselves to prayer rhythms, disciplines, and other spiritual practices. Lent becomes a time in our lives to remember to pray and to commit […]

Tonight I will eat pancakes (gluten-free) with my church community to prepare for the season of Lent (lente, in fact, meaning “spring”). We feast to contrast a season that is marked by prayerful practices. Traditionally some people choose to fast, give up certain foods or habits, commit to new spiritual practices, or attend special classes […]

To convey my understanding of the nature of Jesus’ beattitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12, I decided to create a piece of visual art. Begin with a blank white board (here, pastel board.) Write the verses, or any important message across the board. Cover the entire surface with beautiful, opulent, shiny, brilliant colors – use heavy […]

Jesus’ Baptism – Oil Pastel, © Chris Heckert 2013 I am going to begin to use this blog as a place to share extended content that I reference in my sermons, or discovered in my research but didn’t use.  Its also a place to give links to art, quotes and other resources I use in […]

This past Wednesday at Morrow Church’s jazz vespers service, we explored what it means to stand in thin space between last year and the year to come. We let go of the past, lift up our needs, concerns and hopes for the moment and lean in to what God is continuing to do in our […]

Christmas is over, the new year has begun, but I find myself sitting in the face of Advent.  A more real Advent than any I’ve experienced before.  That is the countdown to the birth of my second child.  Unlike her sister’s birth almost two years ago, this birth is scheduled and is more predictable, but […]

Tonight I’m listening and singing along to Bob Dylan – old school. It was a long weekend – finishing up our annual conference in New Jersey, then spending a total of 14 hours in the car over a 24 hour period to attend the funeral of David Panther, a dear friend and pastor.  The service […]