Epiclesis

Dr. Carl Peters was the guest in the Ancient-Future Faith radio studio for a conversation about the AFFN, the Network of people and churches- now international. Carl was in town for a Board meeting of the Network and they talked about their ministries, theology, Ancient-Future Faith, God's big story, and worship renewal. Along the way they also spent some time reflecting on what makes a church-- or worship-- Ancient-Future before finally talking about the many resources on the AFFN website.

Two special guests spoke at Epiclesis on this particular Sunday, Dr. Carl Peters and Dr. Teresa Gardner. Both are Board Members of the Ancient-Future Faith Network and were in town for a series of important planning meetings. Pastor Chris, who opened up the teaching time with a brief introduction of Ancient-Future Faith, asked Carl and Teresa to share about their ministry, what Ancient-Future Faith means to them, and some ideas about how it can inform and enhance our worship. Join us!

During the Season of Epiphany, we're looking at Jesus, of course, but in this particular way: What does Jesus do? We often think of asking what would Jesus do in a certain situation; but what are the (many) things that Jesus is doing in the here and now?

Along the way we also talked about praying the Psalms, and looking at Psalm 40 in particular, looked at what Jesus does when we're in the "miry pit." By the way, ever think about setting up a "warehouse" of Scripture in your mind to counter the enemy's attacks? Join us!

On this first Sunday of Epiphany, we looked at the baptism of Jesus, and most especially His call for us to embrace our drowning. How could drowning-- how could death-- be a good thing? Join us!

At Epiclesis, we like to start the new year with a covenant renewal service, and this January 1st Sunday was no exception. But before we got to the declarations and oaths-- and you really need to hear them-- we looked at two important scenes in the life of the Children of Israel: The covenant at Sinai, and the return from Babylonian Captivity. Do you know one of the principal things they failed to remember?

You often hear the Isaiah 7 passage read in the Season of Advent, but do you know the back story? Isaiah (and his sons) had an important word for King Ahaz, but the king wasn't especially in a listening mood. And get this: God asked the king if he'd like to have a sign-- and the king said no. So, God gave him a sign anyway. (And it wasn't a good one). Join us for some teaching about signs, and names, and a marvelous foreshadowing of Messiah.

Isaiah 35 comes along right in the middle of a lot of destruction and doom. Is it a word spoken out of season, as one commentator has said, or just maybe a word spoken right in the nick of time? Speaking a word of joy in the middle of a sometimes gloomy world makes about as much sense as a cow snorting and snickering in gleeful anticipation of spring, even while winter's snow is still on the ground. Join Pastor Chris on this Gaudete Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of joy, as he takes a look at Isaiah 35.

On this second Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of love and Pastor Chris took a look at the fiery message of John the Baptist. What might John's uncompromising, even harsh, message have to do with love? Or baptism? Or communion? Join us for a message that is fierce, fiery, burning, glowing.

Dr. Carla Waterman was the guest for this edition of "Ancient-Future Faith" and she came by the studio to talk with Pastor Chris about something she's been reflecting on for some time now: Lament. We can turn to the psalms, she says, to find examples for how to lament, but did you ever think about learning to lament as being a pathway to deeper intimacy with God? Along the way we also touched on baptism, and baptismal spirituality, and communion. Join us!

On this first Sunday of Advent, Pastor Chris took a look at a passage in Isaiah. In the prophet's day, the people likely could not see their immediate future, much less the astonishing time in the far distance that Isaiah was describing. What could we learn from their situation? And one more thing: Did you ever think of longing as a "stretchy thread" between the already and not yet? Advent has a way of bending time, and if we rest in our longing, we can learn a lot about Ancient-Future faith during the season.