Faith First

New Members Pat Young and Connie Robertson give us some tips on how to help those navigating our church for the first time and Pr. Steve focuses us on what's important as we prepare to gather for a Big Tent Celebration this weekend. 

Find out why New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus calls his new book Whalefall "the most spiritual and meaningful book I've ever written," how it ties into the book of Jonah, and how the journey of the main character might just give you hope in a dark time.

Pr. Craig describes how his childhood friend and New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus's book, Whalefall, is connected to the story of God guiding Jonah and to the story of God guiding us.

Pr. Katie talks about the destruction of the first temple and God turning what should have been the end of the story to the beginning. The people of God no longer hold sacred a building, but a savior.

Pr. Steve, Pr. Katie, & Pr. Craig describe the controversy of deception and stealing happening in the church in 1 Samuel that led God to call upon a youth to lead the church back to good standing on this week’s Faith First podcast.

Special Guest Pr. Trish Decker of Gloria Dei Lutheran engages in a heartfelt conversation with Pr. Craig about the current challenging climate we live in and the courageous choice Ruth made to not only listen but to follow a person with different ideology than hers.  Plus Young Adult William Wicks introduces us to some international friends who are teaching our children this week.

Pr. Katie dives into the story of Lydia, a faithful leader of a different kind in the Bible while she and Michael Beckmann guide our children and youth to special faith experiences to shape their hearts and minds towards Christ developing them as leaders of today's ever-changing church.

Pr. Craig muses with Pr. Steve why God would go to such great lengths such as parting an entire sea to deliver God's people into freedom and create a new nation on the weekend we celebrate the birth of our own nation and gift of freedom in America. 

Pr. Steve describes Moses meeting God in a burning bush as entering a razor thin area between heaven and earth known as a "liminal space" and says we can have those encounters too while Suah Borsay talks about clothing 593 babies at a time halfway across the world with your help.

Pr. Katie describes a wrestling match Jacob has with God and how such divine encounters can turn our humiliation into humbleness.