Epiclesis

Pastor Jay Dudley gave us a glimpse into the teaching content he shared at the Epiclesis-sponsored Trail Life troop's summer camp, June 2024. Jay serves as the troop's chaplain, and his sermon on this day explored three biblical stories of "garment gifts" that yielded insights into the meaning of salvation-- and a look at those gifts also set up a stunning backdrop for an intimate and little-known aspect of Christ's return. Join us for a masterful time of teaching....

The picture associated with this podcast post is of the actual scarf from the TrailLife camp week that Jay talked about in his sermon.

We're in part three of a four-part look at Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. This time, we're looking at chapter 5 where he says, "be careful how you walk." In fact, the construction in the original language is more like be "carefully careful." What's Paul warning us about, and what's he assuming, about the way we walk and live in the world? Along the way, we looked at two places in Scripture where Jesus Himself showed His disciples how to walk-- and how to do so even when the days are evil. Join us!

The Church needs to grow up. The Apostle Paul said so. But where did his authority come from, and just who gets to be an Apostle, anyway?

In this second in the series on Ephesians, Pastor Chris took a look at those questions, plus talked about what it means for the Church to grow up.

Do you ever get a commercial jingle stuck in your head? They're catchy, and sometimes we quote or sing them without really knowing what the product is. Sometimes Bible verses can be that way-- even monumentally important Bible verses. We know the verses, but we're not sure about the original and intended context and meaning.

In this first of a series of sermons on Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, Pastor Chris takes a look at several well-known Bible verses and Paul's intention for them. In this teaching we did an overview of the first three chapters and revealed God's big mystery for the world. Join us!

Dr. Carl Peters was the guest on this Sunday and he brought a message about division-- but not the mathematic kind. We live in a day when so many are divided and mired in disagreement. Where does the division come from, and how can we heal the great divide? Along the way we also talked about the work of the devil, "two races" of humankind, and a warning sign from antiquity found on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Join Pastor Carl as he shares some wonderfully encouraging news about the person and work of Jesus.

Note: The photograph associated with this podcast is of the "Temple Warning Inscription" mentioned by Dr. Peters. The sign warning non-Jews from entering the Temple precincts was discovered in the late 19th century and is now on display in the Archeological Museum in Istanbul, Turkey.

It is when I run out of my strength that God shows up. In this sixth and final of the series on 2 Corinthians, Pastor Chris shares a beautiful treatment by the late theologian Marva Dawn on a pivotal passage in chapter 12.

We took a close look at some of the Greek text, but the main focus was on another, refreshing possibility of a translation that puts even more emphasis on God's power showing up in our lives. And here's a hint: weakness is the very place that Jesus tabernacles. We also talked about weakness being the way forward for Christians especially in a time of contentious politics and potential societal unrest.

Note: The artwork associated with this podcast recording is "The Good Shepherd is On the Way" by Kevin Carden.

The Bible is full of examples of weakness-- and the way that God shows up in and uses weakness. Why is it that we Christians are still beguiled by worldly power and those who wield it? Join Pastor Chris for the fifth in a six-part series in 2 Corinthians as he lays a foundation of weakness by listing some of the many examples in Scripture where human weakness ends and God's begins.

Note: The work of art associated with this post is "Too Weak to Climb" by Jacqueline Hoebers.

Dr. Dianne Collard, along with husband Glenn, was on hand on this Sunday morning to give us an update on her life in ministry. Epiclesis has long been a supporter of Dianne Collard and her ministries through the arts, which include “Montage International” and “Meraki Connection.” Dianne is the Europe Director for “Artists in Christian Testimony, International,” the author of I Choose to Forgive, and is a veteran missionary and intercultural trainer.

Dianne herself is a montage of many experiences, abilities, and roles, including being the wife of Glenn, a mother of three, and grandmother of five. She’s been a missionary and intercultural trainer since 1986 and is a well-traveled speaker and writer and spiritual mentor to many artists. She holds degrees in speech and communication, intercultural studies, and missiology.

Join Dianne as she talks about her story-- and three callings.

In this part four of a short series on 2 Corinthians, we find Paul once again defending his ministry and mission. In commenting on what he's been through and how he's responded to challenges, Paul shows us the marks of a true apostle. Join Pastor Chris as he continues a look at the second letter to the church in Corinth.

Where do we go when we die? Are we going to get new bodies? Who do we live for in the meantime? Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is full of very practical theology. It's also full of a lot of plain, personal talk from Paul. In making his case for the ministry and mission that Christ gave him, he's taking on what must have been serious charges from some detractors in Corinth.

In this teaching from our series on 2 Corinthians, we hear from Paul about our future home and body, the Spirit's work in us, death, judgement, and living for Christ in the meantime.

The photo posted here is of ruins of ancient Corinth and comes from Theodoros Karasavvas.