Morning Watch Podcast

This week Andy reflects on the ways Jesus continually widened the circle of belonging, inviting in the very people others pushed away. In a world that encourages division and exclusion, this episode reminds us that the Kingdom of God is bigger than our categories, fears, and assumptions. Through stories from Scripture and reflections on the Tar Hollow community, we’re invited to resist shrinking the circle and instead make room for compassion, connection, and grace.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

This week Lee invites us to look beyond the beauty of creation at Tar Hollow and lift our eyes to the vastness of the night sky. Through reflections on constellations, galaxies, and the wonder of the heavens, we’re reminded that the same God who created and sustains it all also knows us, loves us, and calls us by name. In the midst of such awe-inspiring creation, this episode centers on a powerful truth: you are more important than all of it, because the God who made the stars chose to come close and give everything for you.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

This week Michael reflects on Exodus 34, where God describes Godself as merciful, gracious, and “slow to anger.” Exploring the original Hebrew phrase meaning “long of nose,” Michael shares how this image points to patience, the kind of deep breath God takes before responding in anger. As we grow to become more like Christ, this episode encourages us to pause, breathe, and remember God’s love and patience toward us before reacting to others.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

This week Andy reminds us that rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity God built into us. Reflecting on the story of Elijah being cared for by an angel with simple rest and nourishment, this episode invites us to slow down, listen to what we truly need, and allow ourselves to be refilled. In a world that pushes us to keep going, we’re reminded that sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is pause, rest, and trust that God is still at work.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

This week Andy invites us to slow down and reconnect with God through creation. Reflecting on a walk at Charleston Falls, he reminds us that our minds and souls are wired to find peace in the natural patterns God designed. In a world full of noise and distraction, this episode encourages us to step outside, be present, and simply breathe, trusting that God often meets us in the quiet, everyday moments we tend to overlook.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

In this episode of Morning Watch, Jayden Groppi delivers a powerful message on the true meaning of spiritual surrender. Drawing from the Book of Romans, Jayden explores the significant difference between accepting Jesus as your Savior and submitting to Him as your Lord.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

We often believe we need more—more time, more resources, more certainty, before we can offer anything meaningful, but this episode reminds us that God simply asks for what we already have. Through the story of the feeding of the 5,000, Abby invites us to move from scarcity to gratitude, trusting that even the smallest offering, placed in God’s hands, can become more than enough.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

We often think of "no" as a negative word, a wall, a rejection, or a sign of selfishness. But for the Beloved, a "no" can be one of the most sacred acts of stewardship we perform. This week, we’re following up our series on the Four-Fold Life by looking at the practical side of being Chosen, Blessed, Broken, and Given. If we are to be "bread for the world," we must ensure we aren't being crumbled into dust by the demands of everyone else’s expectations. Join us as we explore "The Holy No", the grace-filled boundary that protects our "Yes" for the things that matter most.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

In the final installment of our series on the Beloved, Michael brings us to the ultimate purpose of the spiritual journey: becoming Given. Building on what it means to be chosen, blessed, and broken, we explore how our lives are not meant to be lived for ourselves alone, but to be poured out for others. True fulfillment isn't found in hoarding our gifts or hiding our scars; it’s found in the "extraordinary ordinary" moments of service and the legacy of love we leave behind. If you’ve ever wondered how your personal pain or hidden joys fit into the bigger picture, this episode is a call to see your life as a gift meant to be shared.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.

This week, Michael continues our journey into the "Four-Fold Life," moving from our identity as the Chosen to the lived reality of being Blessed and Broken. In a world that often speaks curses of inadequacy and shame, we explore the power of the benediction, the "good word" that God speaks over us from the very beginning. But how do we reconcile that blessing with the parts of us that feel shattered? This conversation is a gentle guide on how to take our unique suffering out of the shadows and place it firmly under the light of God’s favor. If you are struggling to see your worth in the midst of your pain, join us as we learn to befriend our brokenness and trust the voice that calls us Beloved in all things.

*The voices shared in this program come from individuals who hold Tar Hollow close to their hearts. While their stories and perspectives are deeply valued, they may not reflect the official views of the Tar Hollow Committee or Sidney First Methodist Church.