Faith First

Pr. Craig talks about all the decluttering books getting suggested to him on his social media this week. A message from God, maybe? At the same time, John the Baptist has a similar call for us to "clear the way" in our hearts for the coming Christ.

Remember circling things you wanted for Christmas in the Sears, JC Penny, or Montgomery Ward's catalog? Pr. Steve talks about similarly what people of faith do to prepare for the coming of Christ in this week's episode.

This week we celebrate that Christ is our King, but Pr. Steve ponders what kind of power will he exert in our lives? The "hard" power we know and use to get our own way in this world or a "soft" power that leads to eternal forgiveness and peace?

This Veterans Day Week Pr. Craig recounts the story of meeting a military chaplain who brought a Christmas Miracle to our congregation. It's a great example where 1st John says Christ compels us to help each other because of the great love he has first given us.

FLC Member Alicia Murphy talks about our church's response to the increased need in our community as Pr. Steve challenges us to "see" Christ in the middle of it as it plays out in real time around us.

Pr. Craig talks about announcing for the Hawkeye Marching Band and how God announces to all of us on All Saints Day that you belong! This is all thanks to God's work on the cross through the power of the Holy Spirit which connects us to all those who have lived and died in the faith.

Pr. Steve shares the moments that gave him the most goosebumps while walking in the footsteps of Paul in Greece and Turkey with church members and gives us some insight to his upcoming message about the Holy Spirit of Reformation to our Confirmands.

Martin Luther said, "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord or come to him, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified me and kept me in the true faith." Pr. Katie will talk about how the Spirit works today as we prepare for Healing Services this weekend and Wednesday.

Pr. Craig & Pr. Katie discuss the power of Jesus' resurrection to swallow up all the world's anger and hate on the cross once and for all, allowing us the opportunity to build a world of peace. But are we ready to take hold of it?

Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig describe an amazing encounter they both had with a Bishop of the Country of Hungary, who described trying to be the church under the totalitarian governments of the Nazis and then the Iron Curtain and how Christ sets us free from the inside out of all evil forces that would oppress us.