Pastor Sam shares about how Christmas is the time to remember God's great faithfulness in our lives. May you all find renewed hope knowing that our Savior is born!

This is a meditative audio visual art collaboration contemplating the Hope of God in our most difficult moments. Before the film begins, Daniel Kytonen and Pastor Sam share their thoughts and process on how this collaborative project came about for Advent. While this was created for video you can listen to the audio of it on this podcast.  

If this season is hard, may you know that the Compassionate Light of God is there with you in the darkness.

This message reflects upon the need for us to have a gospel that addresses people of all abilities. Is our understanding of healing and the resurrection sufficient to include all people? Are we a church that seeks to truly welcome all with the good news of God?

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Marcia Patton and Nora Percival discuss their latest book, "Sacred Decisions: Consensus in Faith Communities". We talk about the counter-cultural nature of consensus, its spiritual foundations, and its hope for a divided world.  The book is released through Judson Press and is now available for order through a wide range of retailers.

Ephesians 4:11-16

Rev. Avilesbernal, our Executive Minister of Evergreen shares with us his thoughts on the need for valuing our past, our community and our diversity.

Acts 10:9-33

Let us be brave when we encounter those who are not like us. May the Holy Spirit lead us forward to see God's heavenly vision of reconciliation and peace.

Pastor Sam joins Rev. Paul Schneider and Rev. Dr. Bob Reid to discuss the latest supernatural thriller on Netflix, "Midnight Mass". In this episode, we reflect upon the need for the church to have deeper interactions with popular culture, poignant theological issues addressed in the show and also muse further about existential issues related to life and redemption.  

SPOILER ALERT: we talk about the series as a whole and we do mention things at the end of the series!

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

This message challenges the church to think about how the church encounters many different narratives but not all of them are true. How can we wisely discern where the Spirit is moving and to hold on to the good things that we learn from other people's stories? How can we also reject harmful and prejudiced narratives that move us away from the Kingdom of God?

Ephesians 2:13-22

This message challenges us to think about how Christ has united us through God's salvation, but it does not mean that our unique stories are done away with. As we come together in the beautiful diversity God has created, we see the fullness of God's glory.

Matthew 16:24-27

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ means that one is committed to living in the way of Jesus Christ. As we enter into the "holy dojo" of God, we invite the Holy Spirit to transform us for calling in the kingdom of God. In light of God's great salvation, let us heed the call to be followers of Jesus.