In typical fashion, Shane, Kevin, and Karen go down a rabbit hole of discussing old tv shows and movies and come out with a topic idea for a future episode. Shane also shares what character he dressed up as for Halloween based on a popular 80's television show. The main topic for today focuses on the events of last week at the Capitol and how the Girardian philosophy regarding the mob and scapegoat mechanism took over and how that relates to the Bible and today.

This Sunday we will commemorate, along with churches the world over, the Baptism of Jesus, which officially began the mission for which he was born at Christmas. Remembering our Lord’s baptism will also provide us a chance to remember our own baptism and to recall what happened on the day when we too entered the blessed waters and had pronounced over us the name of the Triune God. Much was at stake in that moment and it is only fitting that we renew this Sunday the good work God began in each of us.

It's the first Page - Turner episode of 2021 and Shane, Kevin, and Karen recap their Christmas and New Year's Eve holidays. Today's topic falls on Epiphany which is perfect timing to discuss the Magi and their importance to the Christmas story. Who were they? Where did they travel from? What is the significance of the gifts they brought and what can we learn from them today?

Join us this week as we continue in our journey from Christmas to Epiphany. Epiphany is the culmination of all that we’ve been anticipating during Advent, as we continue taking steps out of darkness and into light. Our biblical text for Sunday is Matthew 2:1-12 the story of the Magi’s journey to see Jesus. We will experience together the gift that the Magi received through this encounter. We will also discover who missed out on this gift. The chief priests in Herod's court had much biblical knowledge--they knew where the Messiah was to be born and here are the Magi saying that it has happened-- and they made no movement toward the manger along with the Magi. They stayed behind with Herod. What’s the lesson here? Biblical knowledge means nothing, unless it takes us on a deeper pursuit of and encounter with Jesus!

This Sunday we will enter the next chapter of the Christmas story, the reading appointed reading for Sunday, concerning the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple (Luke 2:22-40). This passage contains a host of theological themes, Old Testament connections, and several motifs regarding the mission of Christ. This week let's consider a few of them and especially Simeon's ominous prophecy, which he uttered to Mary. There is a sense of foreboding mixed in with the joys of Christmas. The gospel writers want us to notice the shadows of Christ's birth along with its marvelous light.

For the last episode of 2020 Shane, Kevin, and Karen discuss Christmas shopping and New Year's resolutions. This Sunday is the final week of advent and the three discuss love. Shane explains its true meaning and that love is more than an emotion.

“Who are you?” (John 1:19). This is a question that we might hear today as people get to know one another and it is a question John is asked in the Scripture for this Sunday. This week we will explore John’s response to this question and what it means for us. As you prepare for worship, ask yourself the question: Who are you? How would you respond if someone asked you this question?

Karen tells the story about her Christmas tree and Kevin shares how the Christmas Eve service is coming together. This upcoming Sunday in Advent is Joy, and Shane, Kevin, and Karen discuss what the true meaning of joy is and how to find joy during this holiday season.

This Sunday we will reencounter one of the primary figures of Advent, John the Baptist. He is a strange, enigmatic figure and yet the Church finds him and his message essential ingredients for a proper preparation for Christmas. All the gospels relate John’s preaching before they relate Jesus’s preaching. This Sunday let’s hear the gospel according to John the Baptist (Mark 1:1-8) and thereby make ourselves ready to prepare our Savior room.

After three weeks, Shane, Kevin, and Karen are back together! They catch up on what they did over the Thanksgiving holiday, talk about Christmas trees and then discuss reclaiming the real meaning of Advent. Advent is much more than only preparing for the birth of Jesus.