A Spacious Christianity

The Joy of Seeing, with Rev. Dr. Steven Koski. Series: Where Your Heart's Gladness Meets The World's Needs. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Mark 8:22-26.

In the Gospel of John, we read the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. When the disciples ask Jesus why this man was born blind, Jesus replies that it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. In other words, Jesus healed the man so that we might see the power of God at work in his life.

This story highlights an important truth about love: it is only possible when we are willing to really see other people. It is easy to turn a blind eye to the needs of others and to view them as a burden or nuisance. But when we take the time to really see other people, we open ourselves up to the possibility of showing them mercy and compassion. As Jesus showed us, when we see the children of God in others, anything is possible. Even miracles.

About the Series, Where Your Heart's Gladness Meets The World's Needs.: We all have a unique role to play in this world. Each of us has something special to offer that nobody else can provide. When we figure out what that is and start using our gifts to bless others, we experience true joy. This is what it means to have your heart's gladness meet the world's needs. It's not about doing things that are easy or convenient. It's about doing what God has specifically called you to do, even if it's difficult or inconvenient. It's about using your gifts and talents to make a difference in the lives of others. When you do this, you may just find true fulfillment and happiness.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

The Joy of Purpose, with Rev. Dr. Steven Koski. Series: Where Your Heart's Gladness Meets The World's Needs. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Mark 10: 17-27.

Where do we find joy? We find joy in using our gifts and living for something greater than ourselves.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

Mission Possible: A Group Project of Love, with Rev. Dr. Steven Koski. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: John 15.12, Matthew 22.35-40, Isaiah 43.18-19.

There are 1000 reasons to clench our fists, harden our hearts, retreat in fear, and give in to despair. There’s only one reason to boldly go forward in faith, risking love. It’s who we are. It is what we do. The church is a group project of love, a group project that needs the participation of every single one of us.

About the Series, Mission Possible: Living the Spacious and Radical Love of Jesus so that all might flourish.: The commitment of First Presbyterian for the past 120 years, "to ground ourselves in the love of Christ so that we might be the presence of Christ’s love in Central Oregon and throughout the world" has not changed. However, the pandemic, the epidemic of gun violence, racial unrest, political divisions, mental health crisis and so much more over the last two years has dramatically changed the landscape around us. It has dramatically changed our lives. And, it has also dramatically impacted church life and community. This fall series will highlight the urgency of our Mission and Strategic Priorities and the opportunities to contribute in our worship and sermons.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Keywords:

church, love, presbyterian, jesus, faith, lives, worship, called, god, young woman, friends, visited, asked, world, husband, people, hope, generosity, spacious, hearts, presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregon

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

Mission Possible: Family & Children’s Ministry, with Becca Ellis. Series: Mission Possible: Living the Spacious and Radical Love of Jesus so that all might flourish. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6; Matthew 19:14.

This Sunday, we welcome Becca Ellis, our director of Family and Children’s Ministry to bring our message and remind us that living the spacious and radical love of Jesus is not an extracurricular activity. But it’s central to our faith and central to what it means to be a follower of Jesus. These are extraordinary times that need extraordinary love.

About the Series, Mission Possible: Living the Spacious and Radical Love of Jesus so that all might flourish.: The commitment of First Presbyterian for the past 120 years, "to ground ourselves in the love of Christ so that we might be the presence of Christ’s love in Central Oregon and throughout the world" has not changed. However, the pandemic, the epidemic of gun violence, racial unrest, political divisions, mental health crisis and so much more over the last two years has dramatically changed the landscape around us. It has dramatically changed our lives. And, it has also dramatically impacted church life and community. This fall series will highlight the urgency of our Mission and Strategic Priorities and the opportunities to contribute in our worship and sermons.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Keywords:

children, parents, life, support, ministry, jesus, people, felt, struggles, heaven, important, welcomes, respond, increase, moral obligation, kingdom, church, ways, stand, world, presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregon

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

Mission Possible: Justice and Mission, with Brenda Simpson. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: 1 John 3:18; Matthew 25:31-40.

This Sunday, we welcome Brenda Simpson, our coordinator for justice and mission to bring our message and remind us that living the spacious and radical love of Jesus is not an extracurricular activity. But it’s central to our faith and central to what it means to be a follower of Jesus. These are extraordinary times that need extraordinary love.

About the Series, Mission Possible: Living the Spacious and Radical Love of Jesus so that all might flourish.: The commitment of First Presbyterian for the past 120 years, "to ground ourselves in the love of Christ so that we might be the presence of Christ’s love in Central Oregon and throughout the world" has not changed. However, the pandemic, the epidemic of gun violence, racial unrest, political divisions, mental health crisis and so much more over the last two years has dramatically changed the landscape around us. It has dramatically changed our lives. And, it has also dramatically impacted church life and community. This fall series will highlight the urgency of our Mission and Strategic Priorities and the opportunities to contribute in our worship and sermons.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Keywords:

jesus, world, love, spacious, people, children, blessed, god, church, presbyterian, neighbors, mission, generosity, family, students, justice, congregation, struggling, called, hungry, presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregon

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

Mission Possible: Youth Ministry, with Tyler McQuilkin. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: John 13:31-35, John 15:10-13.

Today’s world is a hard place for all of us to be in, but especially young people growing up in this time. What has Jesus shared with us that will help equip young people wherever their lives take them? That they may embody this love of Christ for themselves and tomorrow’s world.

About the Series, Mission Possible: Living the Spacious and Radical Love of Jesus so that all might flourish.: The commitment of First Presbyterian for the past 120 years, "to ground ourselves in the love of Christ so that we might be the presence of Christ’s love in Central Oregon and throughout the world" has not changed. However, the pandemic, the epidemic of gun violence, racial unrest, political divisions, mental health crisis and so much more over the last two years has dramatically changed the landscape around us. It has dramatically changed our lives. And, it has also dramatically impacted church life and community. This fall series will highlight the urgency of our Mission and Strategic Priorities and the opportunities to contribute in our worship and sermons.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Keywords:

youth ministry, disciples, life, jesus, people, god, student, church, love, community, accepted, road, ted, world, equip, flourish, neighbors, serving, faith, spacious, presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregon

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

Mission Possible… Community and Care, with Rev. Kally Elliott. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 4:18-22.

Living the Spacious and Radical Love of Jesus…through the lens of community and care. How are we responding to the many changes surrounding us? And, how we will continue to answer the call of Jesus to follow Him and live his radical and spacious love so that all may flourish.

About the Series, Mission Possible: Living the Spacious and Radical Love of Jesus so that all might flourish.: The commitment of First Presbyterian for the past 120 years, "to ground ourselves in the love of Christ so that we might be the presence of Christ’s love in Central Oregon and throughout the world" has not changed. However, the pandemic, the epidemic of gun violence, racial unrest, political divisions, mental health crisis and so much more over the last two years has dramatically changed the landscape around us. It has dramatically changed our lives. And, it has also dramatically impacted church life and community. This fall series will highlight the urgency of our Mission and Strategic Priorities and the opportunities to contribute in our worship and sermons.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Keywords:

jesus, church, world, friends, brave, people, love, pandemic, showing, community, god, disciples, worship, pray, presence, generosity, support, lives, intertwining, healed, presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregon

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

What is the Work of Love That is Yours to Do?, with Rev. Dr. Steven Koski. Series: Questions A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Galatians 6.2, 1 Corinthians 12.5-7, Matthew 5.14-16.

This Sunday, we’re going to explore what the Apostle Paul said in First Corinthians, that God’s love desires to show up in each person in a unique way for the benefit of all, where no one person is more important than the other person. But each person is important. This moment we’re living through right now matters. And the light you can bring through your life really matters to this moment.

About the Series, Questions: Abraham Heschel said we are closer to God when we are asking and wrestling with questions than when we think we have all the answers. This summer we will center our worship faithfully engaging and responding to the questions you submitted as best we can.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

Does Prayer Really Work?, with Rev. Dr. Steven Koski. A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon.

The question for this Sunday: What happens when we pray? Does prayer really work? We sometimes treat prayer like a quarter we put in God’s vending machine, so that God might release the gumball we wanted. As something so central to our faith, there is no doubt that prayer is both mysterious and complicated. So join us this Sunday as we try to unravel the mystery and the power of prayer.

About the Series, Questions: Abraham Heschel said we are closer to God when we are asking and wrestling with questions than when we think we have all the answers. This summer we will center our worship faithfully engaging and responding to the questions you submitted as best we can.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Keywords:

prayer, pray, god, rupert, jesus, amy, world, life, wheelchair, church, love, blessing, words, generosity, people, flowing, disciples, presence, heart, moment, presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregon

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show

Living as People of Faith in a World in Crisis, with Rev. Dr. Duncan Ferguson. Series: Questions A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12.

Our sermons all summer long have been centered on the questions that you submitted that you would like us to engage. And this Sunday’s question, How then shall we live as people of faith in a world in crisis, and we are really excited to have as our guest preacher, renowned theologian and author Dr. Duncan Ferguson. He and his wife Dorothy are now retired in band and we are thrilled that he is part of our community at First Presbyterian and willing to share his gifts and passions with us this Sunday. Our world is on fire. How do we find our grounding, as well as work together towards building the world that God intends for us? Join us this Sunday as we explore this important topic.

About the Series, Questions: Abraham Heschel said we are closer to God when we are asking and wrestling with questions than when we think we have all the answers. This summer we will center our worship faithfully engaging and responding to the questions you submitted as best we can.

Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.

At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.

We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don’t ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.

Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.

Keywords:

jesus, life, people, love, world, god, faith, wisdom, live, blessed, crisis, power, called, heart, peace, church, truth, generosity, teach, eat, presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregon

Featuring:

Rev. Dr. Duncan Ferguson, Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Kally Elliott, Tyler McQuilkin, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, Guests

Support the show