You know that moment when someone tries to pay for your coffee, and you’re like, “no, I’ve got it!” and suddenly you’re in this awkward standoff at the register?

Why do we do this? Why is it so hard to just “thank you,” and let someone bless us?

Today, we are reflecting on Matthew 3:13-17: the story of Jesus’s baptism. Listen until the end to find out the inspiring, yet comforting, messages this passage holds about the importance of receiving, and not only giving, as a part of your community.

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Faith, Christian, Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptist, baptismal covenant, awkwardness, society, communication, acceptance, gifts, righteousness, mutual aid, grace, God’s love, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwest Michigan, South Haven, progressive Lutheran, ECLA, theology, practical faith, stewardship, togetherness

If you’ve ever been lost – not knowing where to go next, not knowing where to turn or who to turn to – this is the episode for you. Today we begin celebrating Epiphany with Gospel reading Matthew 2:1-12. As we begin 2026, listen until the end to hear God’s solution for any time we lose our way. 

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King Herod, Gospel of Matthew, magi, appearance of Christ, wise men, New Year, community, king of the Jews, birth of Jesus, tyranny, displacement, transformation, trust, hope, Southwest Michigan, South Haven, progressive Lutheran, theology, practical faith, God’s love

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Christmas with Gospel reading Matthew 2:13-23: the Escape to Egypt. Today’s harsh Gospel reading can feel at odds with Christmas spirit, but in this week’s episode, Pastor Travis reveals the poignant truths this reading holds. Thank you for joining us today. Merry Christmas!

The song played in this sermon is:

Andrew Peterson - "Labor of Love" [Feat. Jill Phillips] (Official Lyric Video)

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Faith, reality, Christmas, hard truths, Gospel of Matthew, struggle, misfortune, violence, conflict, conflicted, birth of Christ, Southwest Michigan, Berrien County, South Haven, progressive Lutheran, theology, hope, God’s love

Merry Christmas! In our Christmas Eve service, we reflected on Gospel reading Luke 2:1-20 to celebrate the most powerful weapon ever brought to earth – not a bomb, or a sword, but a baby. Stay until the end for some powerful holiday inspiration.

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Christmas Eve, birth of Christ, peace, Advent, choice, power, ministry, faith, Southwest Michigan, South Haven, progressive Lutheran, theology, worship, Christianity, Jesus, hope, change, transformation, disruption, God’s love

Join us today for the fourth Sunday of Advent; we would love to see you at our Christmas service this week, either in person or virtually. Today, we are reflecting on Gospel reading Matthew 1:18-25: the touching story of Joseph’s perspective of the immaculate conception. Listen in for timely messages this underappreciated passage holds this holiday season.

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Jesus, the virgin Mary the mother of God, Gospel of Matthew, Christmas Eve, holidays, Southwest Michigan, Berrien County, faith, inspiration, South Haven, progressive Lutheran, Emmanuel, risk, spirituality, righteousness, choices, vulnerability, strength, angels, son of David                                                    

At this time of year, we’re all about the cozy, gentle parts of life. We love curling up in a soft blanket with a warm cup of cocoa. Yet our Gospel reading this Advent service features John the Baptist. He’s loud, abrupt, and never once gives off cozy energy. Listen in for the vital message this surprising passage holds for us today going into Advent.

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Gospel of Matthew, comfort, disruption, growth, change, holidays, Christmas, Southwest Michigan, Berrien County, faith, inspiration, South Haven, progressive Lutheran

Are we there yet? It's a question every parent hears from the back seat over and over, even when the trip has barely begun. But it's not just kids who ask it. We all want to know where we are in the timeline. We want certainty, but the truth is, only God knows when the promised Second Coming of Christ will happen. Join us today for our first service of Advent to explore how God’s promises aren’t just abstract ideas, but powerful gifts that help us grow. 

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Christmas, holidays, Jesus, apocalypse, Gospel of Matthew, hope, uncertainty, future, trust, God’s love, Southwest Michigan, Berrien County, joy, mystery, faith, inspiration, South Haven, progressive Lutheran

This week’s Gospel reading is Luke 23:33-43, in which Jesus is crucified at Golgotha alongside two criminals. Today, Pastor Travis ties this powerful reading to what it really means to be a baptized Christian. Listen until the end for deeply meaningful inspiration about your own baptism and faith journey. 

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#crucifixion #GospelofLuke #baptism #realtalk #ChristTheKing #practicalfaith #progressiveChristian #GodsLove #Michigan #BerrienCounty #SouthHaven

We hear “apocalyptic” and we think of disaster movies—end of the world, doom and gloom, everything going up in flames. Yet despite today’s Gospel being a type of “apocalyptic literature,” today Pastor Travis has timely and encouraging messages to share about this week’s reading: Luke 21:5-19. Listen in now for some surprising Biblical inspiration. 

Check out the video shown at the beginning of the sermon: Jerusalem Temple at the Time of Jesus

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Endurance, scripture, King Herod the Great, Gospel of Luke, progressive theology, destruction, heaven, conflict, presence, healing, grief, struggling, hard choices, legacy, God’s love, Southwest Michigan, Berrien County, Jesus, inspiration, progressive Lutheran, church life, ministry, real talk, practical faith

There’s a type of question called a “magical question,” because they make everyone in the room want to answer. Things like, what’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Or, what’s your favorite building in town, and why? In today’s Gospel reading, Luke 20:27-38, some Sadducees ask Jesus a less magical question — in fact, they ask a trick question to trap Jesus into saying the resurrection isn’t real! Listen in to today’s episode for the important messages today’s Gospel has for us about not only eternal life, but life on earth as well. 

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Gospel of Luke, progressive theology, afterlife, heaven, death, forgiveness, healing, grief, grace, sermon, Southwest Michigan, Berrien County, faithfulness, Jesus, inspiration, progressive Lutheran, church life, ministry, real talk, practical faith, God’s love