The Local Church Podcast

November 17, 2024

In this sermon, we discover how a 19th-century French saint's radical embrace of smallness offers surprising wisdom for our exhausting, power-hungry world. St. Thérèse of Lisieux's "Little Way"—finding strength in weakness and trusting in small acts of great love—provides both a liberating alternative to our culture's demands for constant achievement and a radical roadmap for navigating our present moment of social upheaval and disillusionment. This message speaks directly to anyone feeling inadequate or overwhelmed, revealing how our perceived weaknesses might actually be the exact places where God shows up most powerfully.

Scripture: Psalm 131; 2 Corinthians 12:2–10

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook and Instagram. 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.

November 10, 2024

In this sermon, we journey with Fannie Lou Hamer, whose unwavering faith and resilience amid adversity offer profound lessons in justice and courage for anyone who has ever felt marginalized or weary from the struggle against injustice. Through her inspiring story and the lens of Hebrews 11:1, we explore how faith serves as our foundation, standing under us, especially when the world feels unsteady. This message invites us to reflect on our role in creating change, reminding us of Hamer's powerful conviction: "You can pray until you faint, but if you don’t get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap."

Scripture: John 1:1–5, Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email us 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.

November 3, 2024

In this sermon, we explore the life of Henri Nouwen—Catholic priest, prolific author, and wounded healer—whose lifelong struggle with feeling worthy of love led him to discover God's grace in unexpected places. Through Nouwen's journey from prestigious academic positions to living among those with disabilities at L'Arche, we learn that our wounds aren't liabilities but pathways to healing, and that like trapeze artists, we're all called to trust in the divine Catcher who promises to hold us. This message will especially resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an impostor, struggled with feeling worthy of love, or longed to be enough—inviting us to consider how our own wounds might become sources of healing for others, just as Nouwen taught us that "when our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers."

Scripture: Matthew 3:13–17; Hebrews 12:1–2

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.

October 27, 2024

In this sermon, we explore the profound significance of feasting in the way of Jesus, juxtaposing it with Herod's feast of scarcity, exclusion, and death. You'll be inspired by stories of past community feasts and challenged to practice hospitality and generosity in a world often marked by division, echoing Pádraig Ó Tuama's call to "flex the muscles of hospitality" in the face of hostility. Reflect on the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21) as a transformative invitation to embrace abundance and radical inclusion, and join us in finding life and hope at the table, where everyone has a seat and there's always enough.

Scripture: Matthew 14:13–21

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.

October 20, 2024

In this sermon, Talley Wells, chair of the Ministry Table (church council) continues our Potluck series, reflecting on Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians 12:1–13 and 1 Corinthians 13:1–13, exploring how each of us brings unique gifts that contribute to the body of Christ. You’ll learn how to identify the specific gifts you have to offer your community and how practicing those gifts with love transforms not just the church, but your everyday life. This message helps us see that what we bring—whether service, leadership, or compassion—creates a deeper sense of belonging and purpose when rooted in love.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1–13 and 1 Corinthians 13:1–13

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.

October 13, 2024

In this sermon from Duke Divinity intern Victoria Pannullo, we enter into the parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1–14) and explore what it means to be invited, welcomed, and clothed in compassion and kindness as we approach God’s table. This message invites those who feel excluded or out of place to see themselves as cherished guests in God’s kingdom, learning to clothe themselves in humility, love, and forgiveness. It will resonate with anyone grappling with belonging and identity, reminding us to release our judgments, embrace our welcome, and live into the generosity of God’s invitation.

Scripture: Matthew 22:1–14

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.

October 6, 2024

In this sermon, we launch the series Potluck: Finding Hope in What We Bring to the Table by asking, "Whose table is it?" and examining Acts 2:42-47 to understand how the early church's table fellowship reflects Jesus' ministry and offers a model for our lives today. We explore Robert Farrar Capon's meditative approach to cooking an onion as a metaphor for slowing down and encountering the divine in everyday acts, challenging listeners to resist the cultural trend of disappearing gathering spaces. This message will resonate with those feeling disconnected or rushed in modern life, offering practical ways to create meaningful community and find hope through intentional table fellowship, reminding us that Jesus often did his best work around tables.

Scripture: Acts 2:42–47

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.

September 29, 2024

In this sermon, we explore the fourth chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians, focusing on cultivating a heart for blessing and the transformative power of living out God's future in the present. Those struggling with cynicism, seeking joy, or longing for a more meaningful spiritual practice will benefit from this message, learning how to "think about these things" (Philippians 4:8) and embody hope in their daily lives. By embracing this perspective, listeners will discover a path to joy and liberation, finding themselves in two places at once—present reality and God's promised future—thereby bringing glimpses of God's kingdom into their everyday experiences.

Scripture: Philippians 4:4–13

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.

September 22, 2024

In this sermon, we explore Paul's letter to the Philippians, focusing on cultivating a heart for trust through the practice of being a "regular" in our relationship with God. Those struggling with doubt, uncertainty, or a desire for deeper faith will benefit from this message, learning how consistent, intentional engagement with God—even in small, everyday moments—can foster a transformative intimacy that enables us to trust in God's promises amidst life's challenges. Drawing from Philippians 3:7-14, this sermon offers practical ways to integrate spiritual practices into daily routines, empowering listeners to move from a transactional faith to a relational one, ultimately leading to a more joyful and resilient spiritual life.

Scripture: Philippians 3:7–16

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.

September 15, 2024

In this sermon, as we celebrate five years of weekly worship, we explore more from Paul's letter to the Philippians, focusing on cultivating a heart for humility as exemplified by Jesus in Philippians 2:1-18. We learn how embracing humility and prioritizing others' interests over our own can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life. This message inspires listeners to find joy in selfless service and to be "on the ground" for the sake of others, reflecting on how they can be "a gift that keeps on giving" in their daily lives.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1–18

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.