The Local Church

June 23, 2024

Inspired by the popular internet phrase "touch grass," the sermon draws from Genesis and Matthew to offer insights into reducing anxiety, embracing our true selves, and finding peace in God's creation. This sermon will empower you to step back from the digital overwhelm and constant hustle of modern life. By rewilding yourself, you'll discover new ways to find peace, joy, and purpose through a deeper connection with God's creation. Practical steps and spiritual reflections will guide you to live more freely and authentically.

Scripture: Genesis 3:7-11; Matthew 6:25-34

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

June 16, 2024

In this sermon, Leah explores what it means to "rewild" our faith by restoring a right relationship with all of God's creation. You'll learn:

• Why caring for the earth is central to the Christian story, not a side issue
• How to have a "right-sized" relationship with creation that recognizes our smallness and interdependence
• Practices for listening to creation and repairing our broken relationship with the earth

Leah shares a powerful story about geese interrupting her commute that caused her to rethink her relationship with the land. She also dives into the beautiful Job 38 passage to uncover the intimate ways God relates to creation.

By the end of this sermon, you'll be inspired to see your care for creation as a vital part of your spiritual journey. Leah offers the simple but profound practice of spending 30 minutes listening to the world around you as a first step.

Scripture: Job 38:1, 4–41

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

June 9, 2024

In this episode, Pastor Brent explores the story of Moses and the burning bush to invite us into a more expansive, untamed, and transformative relationship with God. Through fresh insights from this familiar narrative, we'll discover how to encounter God in the wilderness places of our lives and in the wildness of the world around us.

You'll learn:

• How to break free from narrow, restrictive views of God and embrace a more dynamic and mysterious divine presence
• Why doubts, questions, and wilderness experiences are a normal part of the faith journey
• How to cultivate a deeper connection with nature as a way to encounter God in your daily life
• What it means to stand on "holy ground" and see the sacredness in all things
• How to push against boundaries that exclude or oppress and live out a more justice-oriented faith

By the end of this message, you'll have practical tools and inspiration to rewild your own understanding of God. You'll be equipped to seek God in unexpected places, stand up for what's right, and ground yourself in the sacredness of the earth. Most of all, you'll be empowered to take your next faithful step on the journey of following the wild, untameable God who invites us all to take off our shoes and come home to our truest selves.

Recommended Reading:

• Speak With the Earth and It Will Teach You by Daniel Cooperrider
• An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor
• Church of the Wild by Victoria Loorz

Join us as we heed the call of the wild and discover a God who is bigger, wilder, and closer than we ever imagined. It's time to take off our shoes and rewild our faith

Scripture: Exodus 3:1–15

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

In this episode of The Speakeasy, host Brent Levy talks with Elisa Rosoff, a humanist chaplain who works with incarcerated and recently released women through the organization Arise Collective.

Listeners will learn about:

• Elisa's unique faith journey from growing up Episcopalian to discovering humanism
• How her background in Montessori education informs her approach to chaplaincy
• The joys and challenges of providing spiritual care to women in prison
• Key barriers women face when reentering society after incarceration
• How Arise Collective helps women overcome those barriers through housing, employment assistance, and more

Elisa's story will inspire listeners to rethink assumptions about incarcerated individuals and consider how to better support women during reentry. Her emphasis on being present, setting boundaries, and honoring the humanity in everyone provides a model for living with more compassion.

To learn more about Arise Collective and get involved, visit arise-collective.org. For more unfiltered conversations on faith and justice, subscribe to The Local Church Podcast.

June 2, 2024

We celebrated PBO Pride and Affirming Sunday with a special Pride Celebration Worship service at The Plant. Here are some highlights from the service, including witness shared by Haley Capps, Deidre Hartley, Larry Hazelwood, and Lolly Dunlap, with a special performance by Bear Roots.

Scripture: Psalm 27

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

May 26, 2024

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Brent explores the story of Isaiah's vision and call, drawing parallels to the overwhelming circumstances we face in our own lives. Through this message, you will:

• Discover how God's presence and truth can overshadow the wounds of uncertainty, fear, and self-doubt
• Learn how to replace the lies we internalize with the transformative word of God
• Find encouragement in the promise of God's assuring love, even in the midst of personal struggles

Pastor Brent shares relatable examples from contemporary life, such as the challenges of 2020, military conflicts, grief, and personal struggles, to illustrate how Isaiah's story speaks to our own experiences. He also shares the inspiring story of John Wesley's "strangely warmed heart" as an example of how God's love can transform our lives.

This sermon will help you:

• Find hope and comfort in God's presence during difficult times
• Identify and replace negative self-talk with God's truth
• Trust in God's love and assurance, even when you feel overwhelmed

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1–8

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

May 12, 2024

In this sermon, Brent brings together graduation weekend, Mother's Day, and the Ascension with some help from cicadas, the Northern Lights, and our Local Kids. You'll learn:

• The meaning of the Ascension and how it enables Jesus to be present with us always, no matter where we are.
• How to recognize Jesus's presence in our lives through the little moments and interactions we experience each day.
• The importance of remembering Jesus's constant love and presence during life's transitions, challenges, and threshold moments.
• How the Ascension empowers us to be witnesses of Jesus's love, justice, and the Jubilee reality in our world.

This message will help listeners:

• Find comfort and strength in knowing that Jesus is always with them, even in times of fear, loneliness, or pain.
• Develop a greater awareness of Jesus's presence in their daily lives and learn to lean on His love as an anchor in a rapidly changing world.
• Feel inspired to share Jesus's love and justice with others and make a positive impact in their communities.

Scripture: [Acts 1:1–11](https://www.bible.com/bible/3523/ACT.1.1-11)

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

May 5, 2024

In this episode, Pastor Brent Levy explores the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 and what it teaches us about embodying Jesus's mission to "set free those who are oppressed." You'll learn:

• How Zacchaeus's salvation was tied to making things right with those he had exploited as a tax collector
• Why there is no such thing as liberation in isolation - our salvation is bound up together
• What it looks like to not just passively receive the story of Jesus, but to actively live it out for the sake of others' freedom

Pastor Brent challenges listeners to consider:

• Who in your life is in need of freedom and liberation?
• What relationships or situations require forgiveness, reconciliation, and repair?
• How is God calling you to use your influence to work for others' healing and wholeness?

This message will inspire you to "grab your purple crayon" and courageously draw the world of justice and joy that Jesus makes possible now. 

Scripture: Luke 19:1–10

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

April 28, 2024

This week, Pastor Brent shares a message about the transformative act of truly seeing one another, drawing on the rich narrative of Jesus' teachings and a modern-day story of social enterprise and empowerment.

What You Will Learn:

• The Power of Names: Discover the significance of acknowledging individuals by their names as a step towards recognizing their humanity and the stories they carry.
• Overcoming Social Divides: Learn about the importance of bridging the gaps between "us" and "them" to foster a community of inclusivity and understanding.
• The Jubilee Reality: Understand Jesus' vision of a world where liberation, freedom, justice, and joy are possible, and how we can participate in bringing this vision to life.
• The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: Reflect on this parable's message about wealth, compassion, and the consequences of ignoring those in need.
• Practical Steps for Daily Living: Gain insights into how small, everyday interactions, like learning someone's name, can lead to a greater awareness of the needs around us and how we can respond with grace and action.

How It Will Help You:

• Empathy and Action: This episode will inspire you to practice empathy in your daily life, encouraging you to see beyond your own experiences and to act in ways that support and uplift others.
• Spiritual Growth: By examining the themes of Jesus' teachings, you'll be challenged to grow spiritually and to consider how your faith can inform your actions towards social justice.
• Community Building: Learn how to contribute to a stronger, more connected community by recognizing the inherent worth in every individual and working towards a shared vision of equity and belonging.

Where to Learn More:

• To explore the concept of social enterprise and its impact on communities, check out Invisible Cities, the organization mentioned in the sermon that empowers individuals who have experienced homelessness.
• For further reflection on the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, consider reading commentaries on Luke 16:19-31, which provide additional context and interpretation.

Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring messages and practical guidance for living out your faith in everyday life.

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.

April 21, 2024

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Brent explores the well-known Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15, focusing on the theme of "release to the captives" from Jesus's Jubilee sermon in Luke 4.

Key Takeaways:

• The story of the Prodigal Son reveals God's unconditional love and grace, demonstrating that no one is ever too far gone to return home and be welcomed with open arms.
• The older son's story highlights the captivity of bitterness, resentment, and self-righteousness that can consume us when we feel unseen or unappreciated.
• The father's response to the older son models the particular way God loves us, providing a safe space to authentically express our feelings without fear of abandonment or retaliation.

Practical Applications:

• If you feel far from home or defined by your past, know that God welcomes you with joy and sees only love in you.
• If you struggle with bitterness, disappointment, or rage, find freedom in releasing it to God, who will "sit on the bench" with you and love you through it.
• As a community, we can model God's love by encouraging authenticity, holding space for one another with grace, and loving each other toward liberation.

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at [email protected].

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.