The Rev. Noah Van Niel

Christ and St. Luke’s

July 17^th, 2022

Proper 11 (C) [Track 2]: Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42

(You can view the full service here. The sermon begins at 23:05)

Two weeks ago, I finally got myself organized enough to go over to see the M.C. Escher exhibit at the Chrysler Museum. Like many people, I was familiar with Escher only from college dorm room posters with his mind-bending staircases and perception altering patterns. But as the exhibit makes clear, very effectively, there was a lot more to Escher’s artistic output than that. I encourage those of you who haven’t seen it already to get over and take a look, the exhibit is only here until the end of August.

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The Rev. Noah Van Niel

Christ and St. Luke’s

June 26^th, 2022

Proper 8 (C): 1 Kings: 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62

(You can view the full service here. The sermon begins at 22:40)

It hit me around South Hill. Right where 58 breaks off from 85 and turns into a two-lane roller coaster and the speed limit drops frustratingly low. I’d made that drive a couple dozen times by now, as I was commuting while my kids were finishing out the school year in Chapel Hill, but yesterday, as I looked over my shoulder at a car stuffed with all the random extras that make up a life—things that couldn’t fit, or were too fragile, or we forgot to box—and two boys who were definitely not keeping their hands to themselves in the back seat, this time was different. “Well, I guess this is home now.” I said to myself. Moving day had finally come.

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The Rev. Noah Van Niel

Christ and St. Luke’s

June 12th, 2022

Trinity Sunday (C): Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16: 12-15

 I want to welcome any special guests who may be joining us this morning in honor of our Anglican Heritage Sunday. Welcome, to Christ and St. Luke’s! And this year, we join with much of the world in wishing Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, a happy and healthy birthday, and Platinum Jubilee! As a member of the Anglican Communion, we are always grateful to celebrate the inheritance we enjoy from the Church of England and its head. In truth, our Anglican heritage gives us much to be thankful for—the beautiful architecture of our building, set in the English perpendicular style; the powerful, poetic language of our Prayer Book; the gorgeous English choral tradition we so enjoy. But I think perhaps the greatest inheritance from our Anglican forebearers is their way of approaching the Christian faith. This Anglican approach is notable for seeking a middle way between the historic teachings and traditions of the Church and the experiences of one’s current life. In so doing it has sought a Christianity that is deeply rooted in the wisdom of the past, but continually relevant to the present. To accomplish this delicate balance, it invites us to hold things like the doctrines of the Church strongly, but tenderly; more of a cradle than a stranglehold, leaving space for questions, flexibility, and growth. This is a particularly helpful gift on a day like today which also happens to be Trinity Sunday, the one feast day of the Church year devoted entirely to a doctrine. 

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