Hello, and you've reached the Faith First Podcast. Grandparents Day was never anything that I celebrated. I mean, on Mother’s and Father’s Day I always included my Grandparents on those occasions. But Hallmark sets aside one day in the year for us to celebrate Grandparents, but our legacies, our family histories don’t stop there. Our Christian heritage comes from the Hebrew nation. And, that’s what we will be talking about in today’s episode— Honoring our Heritage. I’m joined today with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• What is special about the celebrations such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
• Why these ought to be remembered by Christians
• The importance of the Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus Christ
• The significance of the Feast of Tabernacles for the Christian
• How these feast days bring excitement to the Christian faith

All of these feasts that we discussed today were part of Jesus’ heritage and as His brothers and sisters we should take notice of them to help us better understand the words of Christ and His actions. Let us never forget the important connection that the Old Testament does to tie us together as God’s people

Maybe you know your heritage, where your family came from, that’s great! Also important is our connection as Christians to our Jewish Heritage. Maybe you learned something today that you hadn’t known before, and if you did, hit the subscribe button below and be notified when the next episode of the Faith First Podcast launches. Until then, remember where you come from faith first.

Welcome! You are listening to the Faith First Podcast. We here at First Church in Torrington, CT produce our episodes to help you walk with your faith first in this world. In this episode, we're going to be talking about heritage. Did you know that as Christians, we have a long and vibrant heritage of festivals and celebrations? If not, then this episode is for you. Let's join our Lead Pastor as he brings the message, Honoring Our Heritage.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why the heritage of the Hebrew people is important for us today
• What Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the feat of Sukkot have to do with the Messiah and Jesus' prophetic fulfillment
• How the festivals and feasts point toward the life and death of Jesus
• What instructions God gave the Hebrew people to celebrate the various holy days
• Why we should never forget the heritage and these festivals

The heritage of Jesus is our heritage. Understanding the feasts and festivals of the Hebrew people can help us understand much of what Jesus did as well as understand how Jesus is our Messiah and how he fulfilled many of the Old Testament prophecies.

Maybe you have more questions than answers from this episode, we'd like to answer them. Head on over to our website www.firstcong.com and send us a message and one of our staff will be in touch with you. Until next time, remember where you have come from faith first.

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast! We've got a great episode for you today because I think everyone that has been on this walk of faith has experienced opportunities when you didn't have the time to spend or the desire to reach out or whatever the hundred and one reasons we could give and we've lost that opportunity to be obedient to God and our witness of Jesus. Personally, I could tell stories of my own missed opportunities.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why it's necessary to be aware of when God brings us opportunities
• How come we refuse to get involved in God's purpose and plan
• What criteria do we add to "loving our neighbors" so that we don't have to take the opportunity to share with them
• Why trials and hardships are part of opportunities given
• How stepping through to an opportunity is easier knowing God is with us

We have opportunities in front of each one of us every moment of every day. An opportunity to step out in faith and be the church, the body of Christ that makes the difference in our neighbor's lives and in the life of our towns and cities and even the world. We might be scared to that step to move forward, but the great news is that God goes with us to hold the door that we step through.

We hope that this episode may have sparked you to not lose the next opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. One thing you might do is tell them about the Faith First Podcast so that they can get the same great content and help as they also walk out their faith in this world. So, take the next opportunity to tell someone about your faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. Have you ever had those moments where you thought that God was prodding you to talk about your faith but you didn’t take the opportunity to do so? Or how about you get an opportunity to bless someone by paying it forward and you don’t take that time to do it? Ever have these moments? In today’s episode, you’ll discover that often opportunities are disguised as problems. So, let’s listen in on the message being delivered by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why opportunities are time-sensitive
• Biblical opportunities that people lost
• What is serious about lost opportunities
• How to take hold of God's hand while reaching out toward opportunities

Opportunities are often time-sensitive. If we fail to seize an opportunity God puts before us, it doesn’t necessarily mean God is finished with us, but it probably means He will turn to someone else who will jump at the opportunity. Taking advantage of opportunities is not always easy, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t in it. Sometimes we are met with opposition. Opposition can actually be a sign you’re on the right track and you heard God correctly. 

If this episode has gotten you to widen your eyes to see where God is at work in your surrounding area, good! Hit the subscribe button below to get notified of each and every future episode of the Faith First Podcast. In the end, we need to listen for God’s direction in our lives and seize those opportunities He puts in front of our faith first. 

Hello and thanks for joining in on the Faith First Podcast. Today's episode is the culmination of the I Love My Church Series and I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to talk about how the love within the church can’t stay there it must be sent out into the community to affect the cities and towns we live in. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• How do we love by sharing
• Why being salty is important to project love in the community
• What things can be done when we don't like our town or city
• Know the values of Jesus' community
• How we can help others experience Jesus

There are many things we can do to be active in the world so that others experience the love of Christ through us. To reach our community we need to get involved. Think of all the ways you can get into your community and share the love of Christ with those around you.

 We know that you have many other podcasts that pull at your attention and we are so thankful that you have chosen to stick with the Faith First Podcast as a resource to encourage you on your walk with Jesus. Until the next episode, we hope that you will get out there and get involved in your community faith first.

Hello there! You are listening to the Faith First Podcast. In this episode, our Lead Pastor Steve Darr presents a message entitled, Projecting Love in Community. It is about sharing the love and light of Christ right where you are because this is how people come to the new life in Christ by others sharing with them their stories of how Christ has transformed them. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why connection is necessary for loving one another
• How others come to new life with God
• Why you are called to be salt and light
• What others experience when we love unconditionally
• How the values of Jesus' life must be part of your life

Light removes the darkness. We not only carry the light of the gospel of the Kingdom of God, but we ARE that light. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our transformation has produced kingdom light in us, affecting every aspect of our being, turning us into positive influencers in this sin-darkened world. 

If this is your first time listening to the Faith First Podcast, we say welcome! You can get notifications of other upcoming episodes by hitting the subscribe button below. You are the light in this dark world, now go and share your faith first.

Welcome, you have reached the Faith First Podcast. I have to admit I have a little secret stash cabinet at my house where I put things only for me. Yes, for me no one else is allowed to go into that cabinet. Well, today we are talking about sacrificial giving— OUCH! I know you are probably like me and have some special things you don’t want to give up, so that’s why I am here with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to chat more about what it means to think about the needs of others. 

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why we hold onto items especially when we think they are precious
• What we can take away from the actions of the early church
• How to change your perspective on everything we have
• Why time, talents, and resources are some of the most precious things we have
• What loving our church truly means— within the walls

One of the ways we communicate love is through generosity. God wants us to share our needs and share what we have with others in the body of Christ. We must be willing not only to share our blessing but also to let others know we have needs. A healthy church, a church that can fulfill God’s purpose and plan is one that loves both inside and outside the walls.

We are so grateful here at the Faith First Podcast that you stop by each and every week to hear new topics and conversations on how to have a real relationship with Jesus. If you are new, we would ask that you hit the subscribe button and be alerted each time there is a new episode to listen to. And, until next time, show how you love your church through giving generously faith first.

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast where we try to give some practical insights into God’s word that will help you live out your faith in the world. When you hear the word sacrifice, do you tune out what is said next or do you lean in to find out exactly what sacrificial giving is all about? Our Lead Pastor Steve Darr continues the series on I Love My Church by sharing with us a message on sacrificial expressions of love. Let’s tune in.

In this episode you'll discover:

• How to take precious objects and share them with others
• Why we need to change our perspective on what is mine and what is God's
• What the early church did to demonstrate their love toward one another
• How you can show love to those within the church through giving
• What it means to give, to share with one another

When it comes to possessions, the early church, the first church knew how to help one another, to show love to one another. By changing our perspective on all that we have is given by God maybe, just maybe we will hold things a bit looser in our hands and be willing to sacrifice something so another person can be blessed.

The message today is not about stewardship it is about having and offering love in many different ways. We can pare it down to if you see a need, meet the need— if you can. Well, that’s it for this episode and I hope you’ll plan to join us next time. Until then, let us all be willing to sacrifice in love faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. Do you have any favorite superheros? Maybe it is Superman or Batman. You know if a superhero is not using their super power they no longer really super nor are they a hero. You see as we dive in to today’s episode, it takes action to make one a hero. And here’s the hero of the hour, our lead pastor Steve Darr! 

In this episode you'll discover:

• What kind of super powers we have as believers in Jesus Christ
• How we allow God to work in us
• Four ways we can discover our giftings
• How we know that God gave us our gifts
• Why God chose us when He doesn't really need us

Imagine what your church would be like if everyone was working in their gifting. How amazing that would be! If you are a follower of Christ, you are meant to be using your gift. Discover ways you can passionately utilize your gift and serve your church and community.

We would love for you to share the Faith First podcast with others. If this is the first time you’ve tuned in, hit the subscribe button and be alerted each week when a new episode is launched. And until next time, use your God-given super gift faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. In today’s episode we continue talking about how we love our Church and in particular how we do it through service. If you are a believer did you know you have been given a gift or maybe a couple of gifts by the Holy Spirit so that you can be the super hero God intends for you to be? Let’s listen in as we discover what service has to do with Superheroes and Christmas presents.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why God gave you super powers
• What the gifts are that God gives through the Holy Spirit
• How to find out what your giftedness would be
• Why God chooses to use us in His plan and purpose for humanity
• Why action is necessary for us to change the world for God

Superheroes are more than extraordinary, super-powered, exceptionally skilled people. Superheroes are superheroes because they utilize their abilities within a specific context to help in a specific way. If a superheroe is not utilizing whatever super power they have to help in a specific way, then they’re just not really super. As believers we’ve been given gifts that if we don’t use them to build up the body of Christ, what good are they? It takes action to step out and use our gifts to influence others and help transform the world around us.

We hope that you’ve been encouraged by the message in this episode and ask you to hit the subscribe button to get a notification when the next episode will be launched. Until then, use your super gifts to show the love of Jesus faith first.