Prince Of Peace

(Natalia Terfa) Jesus goes to his hometown and encounters some challenges. In light of our own struggles this year, how do we speak hard truths about the places that raised us? Can we hold our identity as people of Jesus at the same time as naming our identity by where we’re from? Why is this important to think about on THIS day? Scripture: Mark 6:1-13 Song: The Light by Loving Caliber & Ooyy Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) She was shamed and ashamed and wanted to remain invisible. But Jesus wasn’t having it. What happens next is her worst nightmare. She is singled out, in public, and all she could think to do was, to tell the truth. The. Whole. Truth. Scripture: Mark 5:21-43 Song: Arms of Gold by Tape Machines Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) So often in the past year and a half, we’ve heard calls to have “faith and not fear.”  But what if fear is not the opposite of faith but a part of it? What do we do then when we’re afraid? And what if this story from Mark’s Gospel has bigger implications than being afraid of a storm? Scripture: Mark 4:35-41 Song: Here We Go by WAT3RS Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) The familiar parables of Jesus are often used as morality plays, designed to modify our behavior. You should be like the Good Samaritan and help those in need. You should realize how good you have it before you run off and blow your money chasing the good life like the prodigal son. So today we will dig in some familiar soil, but we are in search of more than the moral of the story. We’re gonna keep digging until we find something new. Today we will look for hope to grow. Scripture: Mark 4:28-34 Song: Jade Plant by Dylan Sitts Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Georgia Larson) After 452 days of not gathering inside for worship, we're back! It's Grad Sunday and today's reading references how Adam and Eve felt naked and vulnerable after eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge. As our graduates transition to their new lives outside of high school, there may be times where they feel this nakedness. What advice is there for them? Scripture: Genesis 3: 8-15 Song: Happy Pill by Wai Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Stacey Smith) Swiss theologian Karl Barth once said that "faithful Christians should always do theology and live life with the bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other." If Karl were alive today, he probably would have replaced the newspaper with the internet.  How do we discern the word through the lens of the bible so that we can be aware of the troubles of the day and remain faithful? Scripture: John 3:1-17 Song: Legend Of Zea by Cora Zea Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Brent Haglund) When we made promises to these students long ago, we were serious about seeing it through. Back then, they were unable to speak for themselves, and yet they heard the promise of being "sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ, forever." Today, a piece of that promise has been honored. Now, we get to hear their words as they respond to that promise, and we take the next step in faith together. Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 & John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 Song: Sparkles by Daxten Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) This prayer of Jesus can be confusing and wordy (thanks John), but it tells us a lot about the role of God and us in the world after Jesus leaves. When we wonder about what we are “supposed” to do as followers of the way, Jesus gives us instructions for the journey.  Scripture: John 17:6-19 Song: Out of My Bed by Deanz Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Our churches are built to create at least the impression of good order. We arrive for worship at different times, in different moods, states of health, dress, and general appearance. The worship space quickly places us in perfect rows, all facing the same direction, even saying or singing the same words. But what about a church scattered about in the parking lot? What are we learning about the nature of the church? Is this really something new? Picture of Clara with Chad's BMW Bike Scripture: Acts 10:44-48 Song: Lagom by Ooyy Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) Today we hear a story of the first baptism of a Gentile in the Bible. You’d think this would be a core part of our theology, since it is, essentially, our origin story, but instead, it’s often secondary to other faith origin stories, like Pentecost, or Paul’s conversion. What does this origin story have to tell us, and how can we celebrate it together today? Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 Song: Tropic Fun by Maiwan Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) In our reading from Acts today we look at some fascinating power struggles that may hit close to home. The struggle between law and justice. The struggle between shame and forgiveness. The struggle between life and death. No matter where you are today, good news is hot on your trail. Scripture: Acts 4:5-12 Song: Fragile Stevie by Jobii Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke & Natalia Terfa) As we do from time to time, we put the usual preaching schedule on hold while we explore public theology together. We will again field questions from the congregation around the theme of things that cause us to doubt or to question. Song: A Gentle Invitation by Dawn, Dawn, Dawn Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Eric Barreto) Scripture: Acts 4:32-37 Song: Cocoona by Giants' Nest Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) This story in John is my favorite telling of the Easter Story. So many details, almost comedic in places, and filled with reminders of what grief feels like, how good news doesn’t always break through, and how we miss the resurrection in front of us every day.  Scripture: John 20:1-18 Song: Andean Valley by Madison York Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Scripture: Mark 14-15 Song: Sorry by Alex Kehm Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Many of us drag around a heavy burden of shame that wears us down. I know about my sins, and I cannot forget my terrible guilt, the psalmist writes. Would it be too much to ask that God simply look the other way? Apparently not! This famous Psalm asks for that and much more. This is your chance to cut that burden loose. A clean heart and a right spirit are what we’re after. Scripture: Psalm 51: 1-12 Song: Bursts Of Brightness by Chill Cole Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) John 3:16 is one of the most famous verses of the entire Bible. It is a true statement all on its own, full of grace and love. And yet, it has been often turned into something it is not - a statement of condition. There is no “if” here, and when we take this well-known and well-loved statement of love in context, it illuminates the dark night with the bright light of God.  Scripture: John 3:14-21 Song: Borrowed Matches by Tape Machines Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Most of us have a kind of vague idea that we are supposed to hold to a separation of church and state in this country but that standard has never been well defined or attained. The day Jesus tossed over tables at the temple and sent doves flying upset both the religious and the political leaders. Let’s have another look at the separation of church and state. Scripture: John 2:13-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Song: Homeless Soul by Fleurs Douces Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) Peter, who had just witnessed shiny Jesus in all his glory, does what God has told him to do, “Listen.” But it turns out, Jesus doesn’t say anything near what he wants to hear. Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 Song: Eyt by Twelwe Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Wilderness can be a scary place. Nothing is familiar or predictable. This entire past year has felt like a wilderness to so many around the world. Maybe we can learn something about ourselves in the wilderness. Maybe we will return with blessings that bring peace and healing everywhere we go. Scripture: Mark 9:2-9 Song: Retrouvailles by Ooyy Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website