Pastor Paula continues her series on the Shepherd Psalm--Psalm 23.  Each week she will take a portion of the Psalm and connect it with our lives, as she explores how a Psalm about something like sheep herding, which few of us know much about, has become one of the most beloved texts in all of Scripture.  This week, she focuses on the second part of the first verse, "He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures" and the importance of rest to our spirits and our souls.  If we drive ourselves too much, our bodies and spirits become exhausted and Pastor Paula posits that the creator made us this way for a reason.

"He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures."  Psalm 23:2a

Opening; Scriptures-1:44;  Message-4;03;  Song "Morning Has Broken" 18:22;  Community Connection-20:02;  Closing-24:59

Scripture Texts- Ezekial 34:11-16  The Good News Version ;  Matthew 11:28-30  New Revised Standard Version; 

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer,  Gabrielle Brown who read the Scriptures,    Camy Wenberg who sang Morning Has Broken and Ruth Skinner who sings   the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so  by going to I https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast  if you wish to support this ministry and this link doesn't work,  please let Pastor Paula know. This is for on-going support.  If you wish to make a one time donation, you may do so by Venmoing Pastor Paula at pvmehmel.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected] with any comments or questions.  

Morning Has Broken by Eleanor Farjeon copyright by  of David Highham and Associates used by permission using  One License # 715833

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula continues her series on the Shepherd Psalm--Psalm 23.  Each week she will take a portion of the Psalm and connect it with our lives, as she explores how a Psalm about something like sheep herding, which few of us know much about, has become one of the most beloved texts in all of Scripture.  This week, she focuses on the second part of the first verse, "I shall not want" and how, when we lean into the Lord as our Shepherd, we have to be willing to let go of our illusion of self sufficiency and trust that our God truly will provide all of our needs.

"I Shall Not Want."  Psalm 23:1b

Opening; Scriptures-1:43;  Message-4;02;  Song "Jehovah Jireh" 18:31;  Community Connection-19:50; Closing-24:12

Scripture Texts- Psalm 34:4-10 New Revised Standard Version; Proverbs 3:5-6 New Revised Standard Version; Matthew 6:33-34 New Revised Standard Version;  Philippians 4:1--14; 17-19 The New Living Translation

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer,  my Godchild, Anna Gulland who read the Scriptures,   and Ruth Skinner who sings Jehovah Jireh and  the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so  by going to I https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast  if you wish to support this ministry and this link doesn't work,  please let Pastor Paula know. This is for on-going support.  If you wish to make a one time donation, you may do so by Venmoing Pastor Paula at pvmehmel.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected] with any comments or questions.  


Jehovah Jireh , attributed to Dorothy A Thrupp and Henry Lyte, is a Public Domain Hymn

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula begins a series on the Shepherd Psalm--Psalm 23.  Each week she will take a portion of the Psalm and connect it with our lives, as she explores how a Psalm about something like sheep herding, which few of us know much about, has become one of the most beloved texts in all of Scripture.  This week, she begins with what it means when we call the Lord our shepherd and the importance of that personal relationship, as we listen to the voice of God amid all of the other voices in the world that call to us.

"The Lord is my Shepherd."  Psalm 23:1

Opening; Scriptures-1:48;  Message-3:38;  Song "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us -20:13;  Community Connection-22:38; Closing-27:17

Scripture Texts-John 10:1-14, 27-29 The New Living Translation

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer, Johanna Birchem who read the Scriptures,  Camy Wenberg who sings 'Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us" and Ruth Skinner who sings  the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so  by going to I https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast  if you wish to support this ministry and this link doesn't work,  please let Pastor Paula know. This is for on-going support.  If you wish to make a one time donation, you may do so by Venmoing Pastor Paula at pvmehmel.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected] with any comments or questions.  

Also, this was the first episode Pastor Paula produced using a Mac, so, while in the long run it is going to be much easier for production values, there are a few glitches in this episode as she sorts out how  best to use it.

Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us, attributed to Dorothy A Thrupp and Henry Lyte, is a Public Domain Hymn

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula concludes an eight part series on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5;1-8 with a message on "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake."   This is one of the hardest beatitudes to understand--and to experience.  We live in a world where people don't often associate blessings with pain and telling someone they are blessed when they are being persecuted can come off as heartless.  But when we realize that these words come from our God, we are able to find hope, even as we accept the hardship that comes from following a Savior who died because he took up his cross and who calls us to do the same. 

"Blessed are the those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward  is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "  Matthew 5:10-12

Opening; Scriptures-1:43; Message-6:07; Song "Lead Me Lord" -21:26;  Community Connection-24:07; Closing-26:26

Scripture Texts-Matthew 5:10-12  New Revised Standard Version;  Phil. 3:7-11 The New Living Translation;  Matt.  10:16-23, 26-39  Good News Translation

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer, Dana Stansbery who read the Scriptures,  Camy Wenberg who sings "Lead Me Lord" and Ruth Skinner who sings the  the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so  by going to https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast/about#    There has been some trouble finding Relentless Grace on their search engine, but we are working on addressing that .  If wish to support this ministry and this link doesn't work,  please let Pastor Paula know. This is for on-going support.  If you wish to make a one time donation, you may do so by Venmoing Pastor Paula at pvmehmel.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected] with any comments or questions. 

Lead Me Lord, music by Samuel Wesley, Copyright 1982 Fred Bock Music Company, used by permission using  One License # 715833

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula continues an eight part series on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5;1-8 with a focus on being pure in heart.   Things that are pure are the true essence of that from which it is distilled and our hearts become pure when we draw near to God and focus on what is good and right. When we do that, we are able to see God's presence all around us.

"Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God."  Matthew 5:8

Opening; Scriptures-1:35; Message-3:43; Song "Open My Eyes Lord" 17:56;  Community Connection-19:34;, Closing-24:50

Scripture Texts-Exodus 33:18-33, New Living Translation; Psalm 24:3-4, New Living Translation; Phil. 4:8, Modern English Version; Matt. 23:27-28, Good News Translation

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer, Deb Grunwald who read the Scriptures,  Camy Wenberg who sings "Open Our Eyes Lord" and Ruth Skinner who sings the  the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so  by going to https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast/about#    There has been some trouble finding Relentless Grace on their search engine, but we are working on addressing that .  If wish to support this ministry and this link doesn't work,  please let Pastor Paula know.  This is for on-going support.  If you wish to make a one time donation, you may do so by Venmoing Pastor Paula at pvmehmel.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected] with any questions.

The song "Open Our Eyes Lord" was written by Robert Cull 1976 Maranatha! Music/CCCM Music  and is used by permission  CCLI 20718392

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula continues an eight part series on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5;1-8 with a focus on mercy.    Using the story of the Prodigal Son, Pastor Paula talks about how we find more peace in our life when we approach others with a heart filled with mercy and treat others the way we would like to be treated.  We find mercy when we give mercy.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy."  Matthew 5:7

Opening; Scriptures-1:33; Message-5:13; Song "I Shall Arise:" 19:30;  Community Connection-20:39;, Closing-25:06

Scripture Texts- Luke 15:11-32 from The Message, a translation by Eugene Peterson

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer, Elizabeth Kieschnick who read the Scriptures,  and Ruth Skinner who sings both the hymn and the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so  by going to https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast/about#    There has been some trouble finding Relentless Grace on their search engine, but we are working on addressing that and hope if you wish to support this ministry and this link doesn't work,  that you will let Pastor Paula know.   This is for on-going support.  If you wish to make a one time donation, you may do so by Venmoing Pastor Paula at pvmehmel.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected] with questions.

The song "I shall arise" is taken from the Luke 15 text and the tune is in the public domain. 

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula continues an eight part series on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5;1-8 with a focus on hungering and thirsting for righteousness.  When we crave for God's justice for the world, we can avoid becoming "hangry" at the state of a broken world and be filled with God's joy  as we focus on a world that reveals what God's true will for the world is--a place of justice and peace.

Blessed are the those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

Opening; Scriptures-1:37, Message-6:13; Hymn "All I Need"-18:42; Community Connection-21:36, Closing-25:38

Scripture Texts- Isaiah 58:4-11  New Revised Standard Version; Micah 6;6-8  New Revised Standard Version; Galatians 6:7-10 The New Living Translation;  Luke 4:16-21 The Message

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer, Jen Engquist who read the Scriptures,  and Ruth Skinner who sings both the hymn and the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so  by going to https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast/about#    There has been some trouble finding Relentless Grace on their search engine, but we are working on addressing that and hope if you wish to support this ministry and this link doesn't work,  you will let Pastor Paula know.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected].

The song All I Need, written by Charles Price Jones, is in the public domain. 

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula continues an eight part series on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5;1-8 with a focus on what it means to be meek.  This is one of the most confusing beatitudes, since meekness is often seen as a negative trait.  Pastor Paula shares how she learned a great deal digging into the beatitude and why meekness is not being wimpy or weak, but rather learning to control one's power, take the high road and seek to use power for good.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5

Opening; Scriptures-2:02, Message-4;25; Hymn "Nothing Shall Trouble"-18:44; Community Connection-20:13, Closing-23:26

Scripture Texts- Psalm  37;1-11 New Revised Standard Version; 1 Peter 5:5-7 New Revised Standard Version; Matthew 11:28-30 Good News Translation

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer, Bethany Keyl who read the Scriptures,  and Ruth Skinner who sings both the hymn and the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so at Patreon.com by searching for the Relentless Grace Podcast.  There has been some trouble finding Relentless Grace on their search engine, but we are working on addressing that and hope if you wish to support this ministry that if you can't find us on the search you will let Pastor Paula know.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected].

Nothing Shall Trouble lyrics by Teresa of Avila, music by Jacque Berthier.  Copyright  1986 by Les Presses De Taize, 1986 through GIA 1991. Used by permission using One License #714833

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast

Pastor Paula continues an eight part series on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5;1-8 with a focus on why it is so important to mourn. Pastor Paula shares her concern that there is a recent trend toward not having funerals and talks about why it is so important to grieve in order to find the peace that God offers to give us in the face of loss.  She talks about the importance of going through the steps of grief and in the community connection shares a way to support others as they mourn, in order to be a source of comfort.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Matthew 5:4

Opening; Scriptures-2:02, Message-4;46; Hymn Precious Lord-17:43; Community Connection-20:14, Closing-25:41

Scripture Texts- Psalm 34:15-19-New Revised Standard Version; 2 Cor. 1:3-5 JB Phillips New Testament; John 11:17, 20-29, 32-35 Good News Translation

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer, Kim Olstad who read the Scriptures, Camy Wenberg who provides her gift of music in singing Precious Lord, and Ruth Skinner who sings the closing song.

If you wish to support this ministry, you may do so at Patreon.com by searching for the Relentless Grace Podcast.  You may contact Pastor Paula at [email protected].

Precious Lord, music and lyrics by Tommy Dorsey, copyright 1938 by Unichappell Music Inc,  used by permission using One License #714833

https://www.patreon.com/RelentlessGracePodcast