Rev. Mitchell Boone made a momentarily comeback from paternity leave to join Rev. Phil Dieke to talk about the weather event that took place in Dallas over the last week. They discuss the snow, ice, and record colds as well as the city opening up the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center at the last minute and the catch up it took to shelter people, then also get them fed. 

Most importantly we talk about the incredible generosity of White Rock UMC and the community as a whole. We gathered together to raise over $35,000 to feed people being sheltered at the Convention Center and now, also at Austin Street Center. Y'all showed up with your money, but also with your hard work. The love shown has been truly inspiring.

At the end of the episode we talk about sharing your story. This week both the Texas Senate and House will hold hearings regarding the failure of the electric grid. Our elected officials want to hear from you. You can submit your story here:

And, as always, you can watch this episode on our YouTube Channel here:

Josh kicks off Lent preaching from Mark 14:3-9. Our series this year for Lent is "More Than Just a Day." We'll be looking at the last 24 hours of Jesus' life. Josh invites us into Lent asking some wonderful questions regarding generosity and the fully lived experience:   

What are we holding back?  What are we waiting to begin because we're too afraid to start?  What are the things God is calling us into the challenge the people around us?  We hope you'll join us for our Lenten practices. Learn more about them here: https://www.wrumc.org/blog/lent2021

Rebecca Garrett Pace, Minster of Worship & The Arts at White Rock UMC, preached the wrap up sermon for our series: Love, Local.   

She preached from 1 Corinthians 13, often known as "The Love Chapter," which it does indeed talk about love, but as Rebecca points out the love Paul speaks of is more than just a romantic love we often hear preached about at weddings.   

Rebecca invites us to take a deep look at how we are loving. The song she references is "We Will All Be Changed," by the band Seryn.

If you prefer to watch this sermon you can find it on our YouTube Channel here:

Rebecca and Phil discuss the craziness that has come with this extreme cold in Dallas, and how that has forced adjustments in worship and beyond.  

They also talk about the final week of our Love, Local series. It just so happens Rebecca preached yesterday. 

Each week you can join the conversation live at 9:30am CST. You can also go back and watch each episode on our YouTube Channel:

William (Bill) H. Lamar IV, Pastor of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington D.C., joined Rev. Phil Dieke for this week’s Sit Down. 

Seeing as it is the conclusion of our series "Love, Local," it is Transfiguration Sunday, AND it is Valentine's Day they of course talked about love. They talk about the various words used in the Scriptures to speak of love, how love is an invitation to the divine dance of God, and how sometimes love requires accountability. 

This fantastic conversation wraps up our Love, Local series inviting us to a deep discipleship of love.

If you prefer to watch this episode of the Sunday Sit Down you can find it on our YouTube Channel here:

Rev. Josh Esparza concluded the fourth quadrant of our Discipleship Plan preaching about STUDY through the lens of Matthew 7:7-12. Ask, Seek, and Know is the refrain. Josh invites us embrace curiosity as we ask, continue the path of seeking justice, and to keep knocking so we may find opportunities of transformation as we discover ourselves and commune with God. 

Let us know your thoughts and how you prefer to STUDY. If you'd like to join us in STUDY head over to www.wrumc.org/events.

If you prefer to watch Josh's sermon, you can find it here:

Rebecca and Phil discuss Sunday's worship, which focused on the final quadrant of our discipleship plan: STUDY. They talk through the theology associated with "Ask, seek, knock," found in Matthew 7:7-12. They also talk behind the scenes on the app Acapella and what it takes to make the choir ensembles we have seen in worship lately.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the podcast, or what you experienced in worship on Sunday. 

As always, you can watch this episode on our YouTube Channel:

Rev. Elizabeth Moseley joined Rev. Phil Dieke on this week's Sunday Sit Down to discuss the final quadrant of our discipleship plan: STUDY. They share how study has played a crucial role in their discipleship development, and how study not only provides opportunities for intellectual growth, but a deeper knowing of God and one another. 

If you would like to get involved in more aspects of STUDY, check out www.wrumc.org/events for all the study opportunities coming up.

If you'd prefer to watch this episode, you can find it on our YouTube Channel:

Rev. Keith Boone invites us to consider what it means to serve, specifically through the lens of Mark 9:30-37. Keith calls to attention the bickering of the disciples, their fear to ask Jesus a question, and the possibility that they may be asking the wrong questions entirely.   Let us know your thoughts on the text, and how it inspires service and a greater sense of discipleship.

If you prefer to watch this sermon, you can find it on our YouTube Channel:

Rebecca and Phil talk about the importance of egg shaker songs and how we are all bickering disciples. They talk about discipleship through the lens of serving, and serving through the lens of curiosity. 

Rebecca mentioned the book "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver. This book is a great example why we curiosity and listening is such an important aspect of discipleship.

As always, if you'd prefer to watch this episode, you can find it on our YouTube Channel: