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(Chad Brekke) Many of us first heard the story of Noah and the ark in Sunday School as children. In our imaginations, we could see all the fun animals and the big boat. But a version of this ancient story has echoed throughout human history and for those who dare to step back into that ark and look around, there is still more to learn. Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

God, today my finitude is rubbed on my forehead. The reality of my limits, my fragile body, spoken over me like a curse:  From dust I was made, to dust I will return. Some days I need to be reminded that I am not the perfectibility project I set out to be I am full of bounce and brimming with hope. All woes, solvable. All problems, a distant whisper. When I don’t feel like dust, bless me O God, in the ways I trick myself into believing that my life is something I’ve made, that all my accomplishments and successes and mastered mornings add up to something independent of you. But on days like today, when my head hangs low, sunk with the grief of my neediness, bless me o God.  When my joints don’t work like they should, when I grow sick or turn gray too soon, when my body betrays me… or perhaps it is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. Tell me again exactly how you made me: from dust to dust. Blessed are we, a mess of contradictions, in our delusions and deep hopes, in our fragility and finitude. Sim Shalom

(Natalia Terfa) It’s the Sunday before Lent, and of course, that means it’s Transfiguration Sunday. What does it mean that we go from such a high place to such a low place in this short period? Especially since we, like the disciples, present with Jesus on that mountaintop, prefer the highs over the lows. Scripture: Mark 9:2-9 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) “Everyone is searching for you” the disciples tell Jesus as his popularity and reputation grows. But Jesus doesn’t let the lure of prestige keep him from what he was sent here to do. Where do we go when we’re looking for Jesus? What are we hoping to get from him? Where is it that we will find him?  Scripture: Mark 1:29-39 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) We are still in the first chapter of Mark, so many voices are vying for attention. The one crying out in the wilderness, the crowds, religious leaders, worshippers, and even unclean spirits. In this passage, Jesus says, “be silent!” When Jesus speaks, something new happens. Healing, restoration, and hope begin to emerge. Let’s listen in. Scripture: Mark 1:14-28 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) Pastor Natalia’s favorite story in the Hebrew scripture is in front of us again and of course, she isn’t going to skip it! What do we do when God keeps Their promises? That’s the part of Jonah’s story in front of us today - let’s see what he does. Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) On this Martin Luther King Jr holiday, we’re going to take time to hear the words of Dr King - a sermon not of quotes or cherry-picked but in its entirety. Dr King was a preacher first, and this sermon reminds us that his words have held the test of time, even when the world keeps changing.  Scripture: Amos 5:18-24 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Today we wrap up our Advent/Christmas theme, How Does A Weary World Rejoice? From the Jordan River to Mt. Kilimanjaro, we will stand in awe together of God’s declaration that we are beloved. Video Clip: (1:29:36) https://youtu.be/kosPUYq19lQ?si=lIJ5DG9BDDZyi5TS&t=5376 Scripture: Mark 1:4-11 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Here, on the other side of Christmas, we find ourselves living in the same old world with the same old people and struggling with the same old demons as always. On the other side of Christmas, we can't help but wonder: "Now what?” If we are honest with ourselves, many of us still haven’t found what we’re looking for. And then joy finds us again! Scripture: Luke 2:21-38 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke & Natalia Terfa) On an unusually warm and rainy Christmas Eve, hundreds gathered in our candle-lit worship center to hear the Christmas gospel. We continued to contemplate our theme, how does a weary world rejoice? We find hope and inspiration in the awe surrounding us, often in simple, even ordinary ways. We experienced God's presence, not in the booming voice from heaven or the burning bush, but in the babe in swaddling clothes, held out for each of us… the God we hold. Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) The angel comes to Zechariah with a promise of good news, but Zechariah can’t fully receive it, and he is cast into silence for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Sometimes, weariness can prevent us from leaving room for joy. We’ve had hard journeys. Grief has left a scar on us. And yet, we are surprised by joy which does not come necessarily to replace the weariness.  Rather,  joy simply chooses to squeeze in right next to us… in a manger, in the wilderness keeping watch by night, in our old age, a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Scripture: Luke 1:1-23 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) It’s Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday. This day was created as an answer to nationalism, so it feels even more important to create space for this day now, as Christian nationalism is again on the rise. When algorithms and broken systems feel like they are running everything, what does it mean to take one day and push back?  Scripture: Matthew 25: 31-46 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website