It's Better When You're Here!

It's Better When You're Here!

Download on the App Store

It's Better When You're Here! episodes

  • Week 4: Help, Thanks, Wow

    Join Reverend Michael LeBlanc as he finishes our series from Anne Lamott's book, "Help, Thanks, Wow".

    I hope you've found something meaningful in this series on prayer. Prayer is such a profound gift—one we too often leave unopened.

    My prayer for you, and for all of us, is that we continue to be a people marked by three simple but powerful words: 'Help.' 'Thanks.' And today, 'Wow.'

    May we be overcome by wonder—so much so that our eyes are opened to see God in every moment, every detail, every breath. Let’s step into that kind of awareness together.

    Passage: Luke 19:32-40 CEB

    26 min
  • Week 3: Help, Thanks, Wow

    Join Reverend Michael LeBlanc as he continues our series: Help, Thanks, Wow.

    We cannot tell you how many people have reached out this week about last episode’s message on asking for help—clearly, we hit a nerve! It’s a reminder that vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s the doorway to deeper connection and grace.

    As we continue this journey together, may our hearts be marked by gratitude, so that our lives overflow with generosity.

    Passage: Psalms 23:1-6 CEB

    26 min
  • Week 2: Help, Thanks, Wow

    Join Reverend Michael LeBlanc as he continues our series: Help, Thanks, Wow.

    Today on Pentecost, we pause to remember that who we are in Christ is shaped, in part, by the people God places in our lives. And in that same breath, we recognize: we are shaping others too—intentionally or not.

    So today, let us pray for help, listen for help, and recognize the help God sends—often through one another.

    Passage: Matthew 14:27-32 CEB

    23 min
  • Pentecost Sunday: Who will stand for you?

    Join newly ordinated Reverend Michael LeBlanc as he changed everything on Pentecost Sunday.

    Pentecost is the moment when the Gospel was spoken in a language every heart could understand.

    Fear gave way to faith.
    Silence turned into speech.
    And where death once ruled, hope rose up.

    The Spirit moved then—and still moves now.

    So we ask you…

    Who will stand because of you?
    How will you listen to the saints?

    Passage: Acts 2:1-21 CEB

    29 min
  • Week 1: Help, Thanks, Wow

    Join Pastor Michael as we begin our new book series from Anne Lamont, "Help, Thanks, Wow".

    Prayer is daunting, my friends.

    We've ritualized it, spiritualized it, and in many ways, we’ve made it feel unreachable—like it belongs to someone holier, someone more “put together” than us. And praying with others? That can feel downright impossible.
    But what if we’ve been looking at prayer all wrong?
    What if prayer isn’t about saying the right words, but about showing up with an open heart?
    Today, we’re lowering the barrier of entry. We're stripping away the pressure, the performance, and the perfection.
    Because prayer isn’t about being good enough—it’s about being loved enough to be heard.
    So wherever you are, however you’re feeling, come as you are. Let’s step into the simple, sacred space of prayer—together.

    Passage: Psalms 139:1-12 CEB

    27 min
  • Summer at the Movies I Week 4: Moana

    Join Pastor Michael as he finishes our series through different movies.

    We live in a culture where identity is often weaponized—used to divide, confuse, or control. But today, let’s pause and shift our focus. Let’s look deeper into who we truly are, not through the lens of culture or opinion, but through the eyes of our Creator. Together, we’ll explore not only our own identity, but also the labels we place on others. How does God see us? And how does that change the way we see each other? My hope is that by the end of today’s episode, you’ll walk away knowing not just who you are—but whose you are. And perhaps, you’ll discover that we all have more in common than we think.

    Passage: 1 Peter 2:9-12 CEB

    Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

    28 min
  • Summer at the Movies I Week 3: Lord of the Rings

    Join Pastor Michael as he continues our series through different movies.

    In a world that celebrates the lone hero, may we remember—we were never meant to walk alone. From the very beginning, God designed us for community, for connection, for each other. May we become a people fiercely committed to doing life together, not just as friends, but as brothers and sisters in Christ. Because the fullest life—the one God dreamed for us—isn’t found in independence, but in holy dependence: on Him, and on one another.

    Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:9-13 CEB

    Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

    31 min
  • Summer at the Movies I Week 2: Tangled

    The love of God is beyond our comprehension—immeasurable, infinite, and mysterious. Because we cannot fully grasp it, we turn to metaphors. We call God our Father. We speak of Him as a friend. And today, we’ll explore another powerful image: the love of a mother. Through this lens, we may come to know God’s heart in a new way.

    Our hope is not only to understand this divine love so we can share it with others—but so that we may truly believe it for ourselves. Because the truth is, we cannot fully understand the love of God. But we can begin to know it... by living it, by trusting it, and by daring to receive it

    Passage: Romans 8:37-39 CEB

    Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

    26 min
  • Summer at the Movies I Part 1: Star Wars

    A short time ago, in a galaxy not so far away — in fact, right here — things got... difficult. People were hard to be around. Anger and frustration bubbled beneath the surface of everyday life, threatening to pull us to the dark side. Fear, it seems, has taken hold — lurking in headlines, in our homes, even in our hearts. But today, we celebrate a New Hope. Because perfect love casts out all fear. So zoom out. Take a breath. And let go of the fear that clouds your path.

    On this Star Wars Day, we remind you that light still shines, rebels still rise — and the Force is always with you.

    Passage: Psalms 38:8-15 CEB

    Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

    26 min
  • Pastor Jose

    Join guest Pastor Jose as he brings the word of the Lord today.

    Passage: Revelation 2:4

    31 min

About It's Better When You're Here!

From the publisher's feed

Listen to the weekly teachings of Shepherd's Community United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Florida. Led by Reverend Michael LeBlanc, Shepherd's Community is a church designed for you and your…