Just in time for the holidays we decided to watch Frank Capra's perennial holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life. But why was this the movie that became one of the great Christmas classics? And why is so little of this movie set at Christmas time? And does this movie have anything to do with holiday depression? (And is it really such a wonderful life after all?)

We also talk about sci-fi vs fantasy, inflation, pixelation, and goats; All this, plus constant Jimmy Stewart impersonations from Kurt and Blake. 

 

Links for this episode:

Roseanne - It’s A Wonderful Life bit

The Simpsons - Bart starts a run on the bank

Crazy Train - Ozzy Osborne 

MST3K Intro Seasons 5-6 

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town trailer  

Etymonline - “pixelated”

Vertigo trailer

Rear Window trailer 

Jim Gaffigan - Mr. Universe “Four Kids” 

IMDb It’s a Wonderful Life (trivia) 

Splinter - “How the U.S. Government Locked Black Americans Out of Attaining the American Dream”

When a Quirk of Copywrite Creates a Christmas Classic - copyrighttrademarkmatters.com

Inflation Calculator - in2013dollars.com

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Luke 1:46-55 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

Our joy increases God’s __________.

We celebrate what God has done for __________ and __________.

We celebrate that God turns the __________.

We rejoice that God keeps His __________.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

What would you be curious to see under a microscope, and why?

In your time in worship for you, God or both? Describe how.

Mary proclaims that God has been merciful from generation to generation. Give an example of how God has shown mercy in your family before your generation.

If God were to flip our position from where we currently are (proud, humble, rich, poor, hungry, filled), where would we find ourselves?

What promise of God are you celebrating today? How do you keep that joy with you?

Next: Christmas at the Movies: The Love of It’s a Wonderful LifeLuke 1:67-79

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Luke 1:26-38 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

“Don’t be __________” is a command.

God gives enough ___________ to take the next faithful step.

Our __________ and our __________ are both shown through our obedience.

“For the __________ of God will never fail.”

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

When do you feel most at peace?

The angel offers the words “the Lord is with you” as an assurance. How is that a help to Mary?

Mary didn’t learn of all that Jesus would face with that announcement, but some. Where have you experienced God giving you enough information to act, but not all the information at once?

How would we live differently if we knew that God’s word will never fail?

What is one way you need to accept the peace God has given you to act in faith this week?

Next: Christmas at the Movies: The Joy of ElfLuke 1:46-55

Ally kicks off our Christmas season with A Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and Elf (2003). With these movies in hand, she's questioning the true meaning of Christmas, why it is that there have been so few memorable Christmas movies in recent years, and how well the classics really hold up.

More broadly, we discuss consumerism, capitialism, cardiomegaly, diabetes, and how Kris Kringle is a filthy red communist. 

 

Links for this episode:

Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus

Elf trivia IMDB

Miracle on 34th St. trivia IMDB

by Rev. Grant Armstrong 1 John 3:1-3 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

Our hope is based on what God says is __________.

Don’t fight a childlike __________ that trusts in a Father’s __________.

Christians get to celebrate with hope in __________, and not in __________.

Christ’s love makes us desire God’s __________ for our lives.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

During childhood, what gift do you remember wanting most of all?

Most religious people of Jesus’ time didn’t understand God as “Father,” but as a distant and powerful law-giver. Do we take the idea of a Father God for granted today? Why or why not?

When John says “people who belong to this world,” who do you think that would refer to today?

How does the Christmas season reveal and magnify our heart’s desires?

What is God purifying in your life right now? Where are you being remade more like Christ today?

Next: Christmas at the Movies: The Peace of Home AloneLuke 1:26-38

by Rev. Grant Armstrong, Mark Ross & Sheila BurtonPsalm 66 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

How Great Thou Art - CCLI Song # 14181© Copyright 1949 and 1953 Stuart Hine Trust CIO Stuart K. Hine Trust (Administration: USA All rights by Capitol CMG Publishing, except print rights for USA, North, Central and South America administered by Hope Publishing. All other non USA Americas rights by the Stuart Hine Trust. Rest of World – Integritymusic.com.)

It Is Well With My Soul - CCLI Song # 25376© Words: Public Domain | Music: Public Domain

Draw Me Nearer - CCLI Song # 4429971© Words: Public Domain | Music: 2004 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

Sweet, Sweet Spirit - CCLI Song # 18204© 1962. Renewed 1990 Manna Music, Inc. (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC)

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - CCLI Song # 4768151© 2006 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

It's the Wrath of Lacan as Blake has us watch Slavoj Zizek's The Pervert's Guide to Cinema in a backdoor attempt at explaining Lacanian psychology. This episode is full of phallic symbols, and the fatherly figure you must overcome. Come and decide for yourself which of us is the id, ego, and superego. 

We also discuss musicals in the key of authoritarian, the Boy Scouts of the U.S.S.R., and which celebrities Slavoj Zizek most closely resembles. 

Harvey Danger - Carlotta ValdezHuey Lewis - I Want a New Drug  Death Wish trailerSoap - Ventriloquist arguing Comrade Detective trailer  Zlad! - Elektronik Supersonik

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Jonah 4 Online Offering - Secure web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

The church __________ away, __________, __________, and the revival spreads when God’s word is __________.

It’s God’s __________ that leads to repentance.

Christ-followers love __________ more than their own __________.

God is calling the church to __________ __________ the light.

“I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a __________? Who will __________ for us?’”

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

What is your most comfortable place to rest?

Read the passage from Romans 2:1-4. What makes us so blind to our own need to repent?

What are some things that the U.S. American church of today seems to value more than saving people? Why is that?

The book of Jonah ends with a question. Imagine you were sitting there hearing God ask that question of you? How would you respond to God?

God asks in scripture, “Whom should I send?” If you’re honest in your assessment of your faith, can God send you? If not, what would it take for you to be someone God can send to spark revival?

Next:Mix TapePsalm 66

Kurt brings Lego Batman to the show for a wonder at what life after grimdark looks like.

We also take some time to talk about Batman as myth rather than comics media, as well as Nietzche, Billy D. Williams, and Bojack Horseman (three people who have never been in Kurt and Ally's kitchen).

 

Links for this episode:

Death of the Family - Wiki

The Real Marvel Agenda - Movie Bob

Breaking Macho - Comics Alliance

Batman name of my pain - youtube.com

Music Meister - youtube.com

Shout outs:

Dead Ringers Podcast 

Batman and Psychology

by Rev. Grant Armstrong Jonah 3 Online Offering - Web based giving to First UMC 

SERMON NOTES

In the pattern of revival shown through Jonah so far,The church __________ __________The church is __________The church __________

Your __________ may be the catalyst that starts a chain reaction.

The revival spreads when God’s word is __________.

Sometimes the outsiders “__________ __________” more quickly than the insiders do.

Transformed __________ put God’s incredible mercy on display.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

Who is a veteran that you’re honoring this Veteran’s Day weekend?

Do you think the message of destruction is the whole message God gave Jonah to proclaim? Do you think there was more that Jonah didn’t include?

Nineveh is shown taking extreme measures to repent, juxtaposed against Jonah’s own stubborn heart. In what areas do you see the people outside of the church more ready to repent than those within the church?

This passage says that God changed His mind. Why would that cause a problem for Jonah?

Where do you need to be faithful in sharing God’s word with others?

Next: Jonah: Dead Vines and Sour GrapesJonah 4