First Love Church

4th Sunday of Advent

Josephs part in the advent story.  God has a plan, Joseph cares and takes responsibility  for the care and cost of the plan.  We pray for God's kingdom to come,   are we ready to name the plan and give our lives for it.  

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Matthew 11:2-11

3rd Sunday of Advent 

Are You the one- or should we look for another?
You are invited to see and hear ways the ancient Christ who is also the one to come is at work in today’s world. 

“Seeing and hearing” means we must lear to narrate Christ at work our contemporary context and not just declare it in some abstract manner. Learning to truly see and then naming how Christ heals, offers life, and overcomes oppression in today’s world is our invitation into what Jesus offers John.   Tell them the deaf hear.........

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Matthew 11:2-11

3rd Sunday of Advent 

Are You the one- or should we look for another?
You are invited to see and hear ways the ancient Christ who is also the one to come is at work in today’s world. 

“Seeing and hearing” means we must lear to narrate Christ at work our contemporary context and not just declare it in some abstract manner. Learning to truly see and then naming how Christ heals, offers life, and overcomes oppression in today’s world is our invitation into what Jesus offers John.   Tell them the deaf hear.........

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Romans 15:4-13
2nd Sunday of Advent

From the beginning of the letter Paul has argues that the Gospel is for both Jews and Greeks (Romans 1:14-17). So we have here a climax both to Paul’s argument and to his way of arguing. Paul makes it clear in Romans 15:4 that the past (“whatever was written in former days”) was meant for this very present time (“written for our instruction”), in order to give hope.

Paul’s answer, and his prayer for the fledgling community, is harmony and hope. As Paul explains, the past—both Christ’s work and scripture—gives shape to and encouragement for the community’s present harmony, which orients all in hope towards God’s future.

Paul is urging the Roman Christians to find the unity that belongs to them in the Gospel: he urges, but ultimately he knows that whatever unity, hope, or peace that exists in the community depends on God’s work and graciousness, as indeed the community’s existence itself is grounded in the grace of God given in Jesus—the fulfillment of God’s promises.

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This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Romans 15:4-13
2nd Sunday of Advent

From the beginning of the letter Paul has argues that the Gospel is for both Jews and Greeks (Romans 1:14-17). So we have here a climax both to Paul’s argument and to his way of arguing. Paul makes it clear in Romans 15:4 that the past (“whatever was written in former days”) was meant for this very present time (“written for our instruction”), in order to give hope.

Paul’s answer, and his prayer for the fledgling community, is harmonyand hope. As Paul explains, the past—both Christ’s work and scripture—gives shape to and encouragement for the community’s present harmony, which orients all in hope towards God’s future.

Paul is urging the Roman Christians to find the unity that belongs to them in the Gospel: he urges, but ultimately he knows that whatever unity, hope, or peace that exists in the community depends on God’s work and graciousness, as indeed the community’s existence itself is grounded in the grace of God given in Jesus—the fulfillment of God’s promises.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

1st Sunday of Advent 

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

First Sunday of Advent 

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

The apostle Paul reminds us that an attitude and choice of the one who follows the path of Jesus needs to be one of continuous thanksgiving.   How can we practically give thanks in every situation?  

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Colossians 3:10-15
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
Philippians 4:6
Don't worry about anything, instead; pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done.

Thanksgiving and repentance are connected.  Choosing gratitude, making a choice to be thankful is what allows the other practices to transform us into people who choose the loving way in every situation.  

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Guest minister Joseph Thompson talks about creating your world through prayer.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake