Epiclesis

Author and passionate genealogist William "Bill" Cole was in the Chapter House studio to talk about his latest book, Puritans, Plagues, and Promises. It'd be a fascinating enough-- and historically consequential-- story if it was about someone else's ancestors. But that the tale involves his own family and an important piece of Christian history makes Bill's story all the more remarkable. In this first of what we hope will be several conversations, we talk about King Henry VIII, the Church of England, the dreaded "Star Chamber," and religious freedom. Join us!

Aubrey Asche was on hand in the Ancient-Future Faith studio to talk about her recent missions appointment in Spain. Daughter of Rick and Deanne Asche, Aubrey's last nine months have been a whirl, really, with a Christian-based mission-minded trip to Ecuador followed by a lengthy appointment in Santiago de Compostela. The international destination city is the finish line for the famous "Camino de Santiago," the Way of St. James. Aubrey joins us for a conversation about her work there to help pilgrims finish their Camino well-- and process their often life-changing journeys.

What if your struggle is actually part of God’s plan to bless you? This Sunday, Dr. Rick Asche looked at Jacob’s first encounter with God. God shows up, not as a wise guest or a Savior, but as a combatant who wrestles with Jacob. Learn how Jacob’s unusual encounter with God can help shape our view of our circumstances and our view of who God really is.

Very special guest Susan McCrary was at Epiclesis on this Sunday to talk about her work in Europe with "TeachBeyond." Serving as a Member Care Coordinator with the organization, Susan is one of three missionaries we support. TeachBeyond recruits and sends Christian educators, administrators, and workers to serve in many different schools and organizations across the globe. She and husband Larry live in Madrid, Spain.

Join us as we hear from Susan!

Missionary Susan McCrary was in town to meet the church family at Epiclesis. A lifelong friend of Pastor Chris, the two carved out some time during her short stay in Sacramento to sit down and have a conversation about her life and work.

Susan serves as the Europe Regional Member Care Coordinator with TeachBeyond and she and husband Larry live in Madrid, Spain, loving their urban lifestyle.

In 2001, following 11 years of church planting with the North American Mission Board, they partnered with the IMB (International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention) and moved to Madrid with their two children, then 6 and 9, to begin church planting among urban professionals.

After their affiliation with the IMB ended in 2019, Susan began to seek God’s will for where she could work that would allow them to remain in Madrid and continue their vibrant local ministry. She soon began work with TeachBeyond, responsible for ensuring that staff in Europe have the resources and care needed to thrive in their overseas ministry and service.

TeachBeyond is an organization that recruits and sends Christian educators, administrators, and workers to serve in many different schools and organizations across the globe.

Less a sermon and more a practical teaching session, Pastor Chris used this occasion to show the congregation some of the ways we can sing the psalms. The lesson included a look at how hymns and their tunes are categorized, how Gregorian Chant works and sounds, and finally how to use a simple melody to sing Psalm 86.

Pastor Chris refers throughout the teaching to a sheet that he passed out to the congregation. If you'd like to see and use what they did, please click here: (.pdf file, front/back).

Listener warning: Pastor Chris "sings" a lot during this teaching. He's not a professional singer. Try to push through the pain and listen anyway.

Pastor Chris continued his look at the psalms with a brief discussion of... Beethoven's sixth symphony? Well, you'll just have to listen. Along the way we also found places and ways that the psalm points to the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ. Join us for another excursion into the psalms.

Is anxiety a sin? Curtis Chang says we should see it as a possible pathway to spiritual growth... and a pathway to a better understanding of our future. How might we go about "holding" anxiety? Join Pastor Chris as he continues a look at the psalms, and a familiar episode in the life of Christ, to discover how Jesus dealt with His own anxiousness.

Pastor Chris continued his series on the Psalms with a look at.... satellite dishes? In a sermon about the "motion of the soul," we talked about good receptivity and the good activity that results. As sinful, fallen creatures, our natural inclination is inward and toward ourselves. But what happens when our "satellite dishes" point straight to the source?

Join Pastor Chris and the Rev. Donald Richmond for a wonderful conversation about the essentials of the faith-- and the importance of today's evangelical church to return to them. Is that even possible, and can Christians agree on what the essentials are? Don brings a lifetime of wisdom and scholarship, not to mention a pastor's heart, to this very important topic.