GSLCVA Podcast

Our Lenten Wednesday messages this year feature monologues given by various biblical figures. In this service we remember that King David followed God’s will to shepherd his people, but often failed to live up to God’s dream for him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, fulfills God’s dream perfectly to gather his wandering sheep into the sheepfold of heaven.

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy this week’s hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

We’re all familiar with the idea of having baggage in our lives: burdens we carry with us and are hard to set down or walk away from. Christians think about another type of burden: a cross to bear. In this message, “Your Own Luggage,” Pastor Johann says that one way to think about this cross is to consider that we have been crucified with Christ and have died a spiritual death, no longer living in opposition to Jesus but acknowledging Him as the Lord over our lives. He is the way to eternal life. 

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy this week’s hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

Our Lenten Wednesday messages this year feature monologues given by various biblical figures. In this service for the first Wednesday of Lent, we listen to Moses as he recalls his reluctance to tell Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But God gave Moses the confidence to carry out His will. In Lent, we remember that God sent his Son to do His will and set all people free from the slavery of sin.

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy this week's Hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

Temptation: We all face it. Each and every day, Satan is right there offering us a full plate of sin-filled temptation. In today’s Gospel we find Jesus being tempted face-to-face with the devil in the wilderness. God was there for Jesus to ward off the devil and his crafty temptations. And Pastor James echoes the Good News that God promises each one of us that He will be there for us too, in our face-to-face battles with the Tempter – Satan – because of His unconditional love for us.   And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy this weeks Hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

Our Lenten Wednesday messages this year feature monologues given by various biblical figures. On Ash Wednesday, we hear Isaac recall the time his father, Abraham – trusting that the Lord would provide, knowing that God can do the impossible – was prepared to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. The harrowing memory underscores Abraham’s faith in the will of God. And we know that God’s will was done when Jesus came into the world to redeem his people.

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy the hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

Today we hear about the dazzling brightness of Jesus during His transfiguration. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we also hear that many of us are blind to the glory of Christ, and that the truth about His saving grace is hidden behind a thick veil of unbelief and defiant distrust. Why do we prefer this veil to the pure truth of Christ? In this message, Pastor Johann urges each of us to cast aside this veil and to ask God to let us walk in the light of His truth – forever.

And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy this weeks Hymn of the day as you reflect on the message

When the liturgical season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (next week), the Church stops singing “Alleluia.” This custom dates back to at least the 5th century, and another tradition – that of “burying” our alleluias – has its roots in the Middle Ages. In this Midweek Recharge, Pastor Johann helps us better understand the reasons behind these traditions and also talks about how we can be “keepers” of Lent. Following the devotion, reflect on what you’ve heard as pianist Dan Lamaestra provides music.

In today’s gospel, we see Jesus tirelessly healing many people, including Simon, and Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus’ work of healing and spreading the Good News of God’s love and saving grace was ongoing – yet He made time for prayer and devotion. In this message, Pastor James reminds each of us that we need to take “Time Out” to pray every day, even in the midst of our busy lives. For like Jesus, we will never just “find” the time to pray – we must make the time.  And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy this weeks hymn of the day as you reflect on the message.

In this Midweek Recharge, Good Shepherd's Sanctuary Choir and the Virtual Service singers provide three musical selections for you to listen to during a time of prayer and reflection. They sing "Do Not Be Afraid" (words by Gerard Markland, music by Philip W. J. Stopford), "Go Down, Moses" (choral setting by Larry Shackley), and "Don't You Let Nobody Turn You 'Round" (spiritual; arranged by Lena J. Miclin). May you be blessed as you listen to this music.

God forbids the use of the occult to “find answers” when darkness overwhelms us. Why? As Pastor Johann explains in this message, it’s because God knows what’s best for us and has given us prophetic voices to speak His truth. Jesus, the Word of God, spoke with true prophetic power, with authority, and speaks to us still through the Bible. Many people do not listen to Jesus. But with Peter, we proclaim, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Alleluia!  And at the end of the sermon, please enjoy this weeks Hymn of the day as you reflect on the message