Welcome to your first day of Bowie 101! This introductory course covers thirty-two years of David Bowie, from 1947 to 1979, spanning his vaudville, pop rock, glam rock, heavy metal, and funk/soul periods, as well as the Berlin trilogy. 

Our full two-part course will also span such topics as suing Napster, musical numbers from A Knight's Tale, bad haircuts, the roadways of West Berlin, and raps about hats. If you have any questions, your instructor Blake or your classmates Ally and Kurt will be happy to fill you in on the details. Take notes--there will be a test at the end. Enjoy!

Episode links: 

YouTube - David Bowie OfficialSteam - Omikron: The Nomad SoulSaturday Night Live - Napster lawsuit sketch (part 1--couldn't find a good copy of the Petshop Boys bit)A Knight's Tale - "Golden Years"The Killers (Brandon Flowers) - Just Another GirlDavid Bowie's 1983 interview on MTV, holding them to the flames for not showing black artistsArlo Guthrie - Alice's RestrauntBlur - Boys And Girls Donald Glover - The Worst Time to Be Alive (Classic Rap)

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Hebrews 13:1-8Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

Let __________ and __________ defeat every kind of fear.

Faith is the strongest __________ we leave.

Jesus Christ is the only __________, and that’s enough.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Tell about a time when you were a stranger, and someone welcomed you. How did it make you feel?

As you read through Hebrews 13:1-6, what are some potential places for fear or concern? What are the acts of love intended to counter them?

What is the significance that the name of this scripture’s human author is unknown?

What are some things you shouldn’t count on to be constant, but maybe you do anyway

Who is imitating your life of faith?

Next Step: What is God saying to you through His word today?

Next Week: One Thing1 Corinthians 2:1-5

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Ezekiel 37:1-14 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

When __________ asks a question, it’s not to look for __________.

What God __________ is more important that how things __________ to us.

New __________ comes when we let __________ be God.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Tell about the most “alive” place you’ve seen, and describe what made it so alive.

What are some questions God is asking the church these days?

Thinking of those questions, how can we, like Ezekiel, turn quickly to God for wisdom instead of trying to simply give God our answer?

Where has God defied our senses by showing us life in unexpected places?

What do you need to let God wash clean so you might have a more tender and responsive heart?

Next Step: What is God saying to you through His word today?

Next Week: What Comes Next?Hebrews 13:1-8

by Rev. Grant ArmstrongLuke 9:18-20 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

Jesus will call us ___________ __________ and __________ __________ the crowd.

Jesus asks no more important question than “Who do you say that __________ __________?”

If you don’t have an __________, ask __________ to show you.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Who explained the Gospel to you for the first time in a way that made it understandable?

Why do you think Jesus calls the disciples away from the crowds to answer this big question?

What should people see from our lives as a result of our answer to that question?

How can you seek wisdom from God about the answer to that question? How might God answer?

Where is Jesus calling you out of the crowd to answer that question today?

Next Step: What is God saying to you through His word today?

Next: Good Question, God:“Can these bones live again?”Ezekiel 37:1-14

He is the sworn protector of the city. The wild blue yonder. He is The Tick. But which Tick are we talking about? All of them, we're looking at the Fox kids cartoon show (1994), the Fox live-action sit-com (2001) and the Amazon streaming live-action version (2016), and even some talk about the comic is involved.

We talk about what the changes in the small screen versions of the Tick shows about our society, why side characters change from version to version of the show, and how the themes of the show hold up over time.

We also talk about absurdist humor, secret identities, and hating your siblings favorite shows.

Links for this episode:

Geekvolution - youtube.com

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Matthew 6: 24-27 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

We’re __________ when we make anything other than God our __________.

Walking in __________ undoes our worries. Dwelling in our worries __________ them.

Worry is a __________ and a __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

How do you acknowledge Mother’s Day?

What are the ways people would be enslaved to money in Jesus’ day? What are ways people are enslaved to money today?

How does God’s kindness towards other creatures help you trust in God’s kindness and provision for you?

Where have you witnessed worry take away from life?

What is the major source of worry for you? How would God have you walk in trust?

Next Step: What is God saying to you through His word today?

Next: Good Question, Jesus:“Who do you say that I am?”Luke 9:20

by Rev. Grant Armstrong John 21:3-19 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC

SERMON NOTES

Jesus won’t let us __________ __________ without a good chase.

Restoration may __________ us of our __________, but won’t rub our noses in it.

Love is an __________ more than a __________.

Tending Christ’s sheep may be the __________ of us.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

What is your favorite thing to do on a lake / beach? Why?

What is the significance of Peter going back to what he did before serving with Jesus? What might “going back” look like in our lives today?

Why doesn’t God shame us about our mistakes? Why isn’t shaming a part of restoration?

How do Christians enact love, even if we’re not feeling it.

What may God ask us to give up, surrender, or put to death if we are to love others into the kingdom of God?

Next Step: What is God saying to you through His word today?

Next:

Good Question, Jesus:“Can your worries add to your life?”Matthew 6:27

With Infinity War out and Deadpool set to return soon. Ally has us look at Logan and talk about superhero movies and what these movies say about society. Focus revolves around Logan, the MCU, and Deadpool.

We also talk about Thelma and Louise, Seven Samurai, and Unforgiven

Note:This episode contains no Infintity War spoilers because Kurt and Ally hadn't seen it at time of recording.

Links for this episode:Logan “Hurt” trailer - youtube.comDeadpool trailer - youtube.comNerdwriter - Logan: Superhero Movies get old - youtube.comAnthony Mackie and Tom Holland - youtube.comPatrick Stewart and Ginger - youtube.com

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Matthew 9:27-31 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

We may not hear the important question if we’re not __________.

Faith is ready when the __________ comes.

Faith doesn’t wait for __________ before building a __________.

Jesus’ question gave them a chance for __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Name something you almost always over-prepare for, and describe why. Name something you almost always under-prepare for, and why.

Name some obstacles the blind men would have faced in following Jesus.

What sorts of responses do people offer when Jesus asks if they believe He can heal or save them?

What are you doing to build your faith so that it’s ready for the opportunity Jesus may present to you?

What does the church need to do to build faith to be ready for the opportunity Jesus presents to us?

Next Step: What is God saying to you through His word today?

Next: Good Question, Jesus:“Do you love me?”John 21:17

As our jobs all got in the way of our recording schedule this week, we sat down for a short [read: long], off-the-cuff episode. We get into the recent events surrounding the Simpsons'/Apu debacle since recording  that episode, and then spend the rest of our time gushing about all the great media we have watched/played/read/listened to lately.

(Due to the large volume of links/things mentioned in this discussion, I'm posting all of them as a pdf here: Links to all the media - hosted locally)