Citizens Church Eugene

*Note: some audio difficulties* 

April 19, 2026 - Living the Story - 

Michelle Jones digs into the practice of wisdom, noting that it's not just understanding or information. All of those things can fail us at some point. Wisdom, according to the text with Jesus, is usually revealed in a storm, in a challenge, when you've got problems. Wisdom speaks truth over what's simply true. It thinks algebraically versus arithmetically, and it acts before the storm, acts in obedience, and is not alone in the storm. Wisdom is the living out of our covenant with God.

Michelle is Pastor of Prayer and Teaching at Imago Dei Community in Portland, OR. 

/// Third Sunday of Eastertide /// 

The Story of God: Part 9

April 12, 2026 - Living The Story - 

Jerell Carper continues our series through the story of God by surveying the covenants God makes with his people. A covenant is a loyal, family partnership, and God offers life-giving instruction. If God's people live wisely as covenant partners, their community will flourish and faithfully reflect God's goodness to their surrounding nations. 

/// Second Sunday of Eastertide ///

The Story of God: Part 8

April 5, 2026 - The Gospel of Mark - 

Jerell Carper asks the questions, "How do we experience the joy of Easter when we still feel stuck in Lent?" Mark abruptly concludes his story of Jesus' resurrection by drawing us into the emotions of three women who are trying to make sense of the empty tomb. The resurrection of Jesus is a cosmic turning point and promise that one day God will make all things new. 

/// First Sunday of Easter ///

The Gospel of Mark: Part 8

March 29, 2026 - The Gospel of Mark - 

Chris Watkins shows how Jesus preaches and enacts peace for all nations during the politically and religiously charged environment of Holy Week. As we pay attention to Jesus' actions, teachings, and Old Testament references during the week before his death, we discover a Jesus who does not overthrow power with violence but one who offers peace to all nations, especially the meek, poor, and outsider. Jesus does not, in fact, wield a light saber. 

March 22, 2026 - The Gospel of Mark - 

Jerell Carper takes a closer look at the three times Jesus predicts his death while he and the disciples are on the road to Jerusalem. Each time, his closest followers miss the point, and Jesus uses these moments to teach his disciples about the costly path of discipleship. Rather than climb the social hierarchy, abundant life is found in the cross-shaped life of service and giving up our lives. 

/// Fifth Sunday of Lent ///

The Gospel of Mark: Part 5

March 15, 2026 - The Gospel of Mark - 

Jerell Carper takes a closer look at Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees, whose preoccupation with cleanliness traditions was preventing them from dealing with their corrupt character and lack of neighbor-love. Jesus flips the script and shows how he's arrived to offer cleanliness to the unclean, and he shows this new mission to the Greek population through his travels to Tyre, the Decapolis, and a repeat bread-multiplication in Gentile territory. 

/// Fourth Sunday of Lent ///

Gospel of Mark: Part 4

March 8, 2026 - The Gospel of Mark - 

Justin Bruce takes a closer look at Jesus' parables in the gospel of Mark. In subversive ways, God's kingdom takes root in the world and creates space for unexpected people. Those who respond in faith participate in the kingdom's growth. 

/// Third Sunday of Lent ///

Gospel of Mark: Part 3

March 1, 2026 - The Gospel of Mark - 

Kristin Wall shows us what the kingdom of God looks like when it collides with the real world. After coming out of the desert, Mark retells five scenarios where Jesus confronts every category of human bondage - intellectual, spiritual, physical, social, and moral. As God sent his Son into the world, so Jesus sends us to offer the presence of God's kingdom into the world and people around us. 

/// Second Sunday of Lent ///

Gospel of Mark: Part 2

Kristin Wall is the Executive Director of Every Child Lane County. Every Child mobilizes the community to uplift children and families impacted by foster care in Oregon. 

February 22, 2026 - The Gospel of Mark - 

Jerell Carper introduces our journey through the good news according to Mark and invites us to journey into the wilderness. Mark begins his telling of Jesus' life with a nod to Isaiah 40 and an invitation to see Jesus as a shepherd who leads his people into new life. 

/// First Sunday of Lent /// 

Gospel of Mark: Part 1

February 15, 2026 - Living the Story Series - 

Jerell Carper takes a closer look at the inward turn of the human heart as humanity mistrusts God's goodness and seizes wisdom on our own terms. This rebellion unravels God's creation project, fractures our relationships, and leaves us outside of God's rule in the world we made. 

/// Sixth Sunday of Epiphany ///

Story of God Part 7/19