Prince Of Peace

Chad Brekke - A couple of months ago, we heard Jesus say in Mark’s gospel that "whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and the gospel will save it.”  What might these things look like in the real world? When Peter is dragged in front of the powers that be after the resurrection in today's reading, we get our answer. This is what a saved life looks like.  Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

Natalia Terfa The fear and astonishment of the disciples is made so clear in today’s Gospel. They haven’t come very far, have they? Notice how Jesus doesn’t talk at them or around them. He shows them his body. His hands and feet. To show that yes - that happened - and yet here he is. Scripture: Luke 24:36b-48 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

Natalia Terfa & Chad Brekke Join us in this special podcast episode of Ask the Pastors as we set aside our usual preaching schedule to delve into public theology together. We addressed questions from our congregation around the theme of doubt and questioning. How does John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," impact those who do not believe in Jesus, such as those in the Jewish faith? Does this mean they are forgotten or excluded? Natalia & Chad dive deep into the nuances of faith, emphasizing that belief isn't a mere checklist but a journey of trust and understanding. They challenge the notion of turning grace into a set of rules and threats, emphasizing instead the inclusive nature of God's love and the richness of faith as a gift, not a demand. Exploring the story of Thomas and his doubts, we highlight the communal aspect of faith and the continuous invitation to experience God's presence in our lives. We encourage listeners to embrace a faith

Chad Brekke - People come up with some frightening ways to prove their faith. From the power of positive thinking, to handling venomous snakes during worship, efforts to demonstrate personal faithfulness come in many forms. The Easter proclamation turns the tables on this endless quest. The risen Christ defeats sin and death to give us something far better in return. This good news is for you, whether or not you overcome your fear of snakes or are able to declare yourself blessed.  Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

Chad Brekke - Continuing with our tradition of settling in on Palm Sunday to listen to a live reading of the passion of Christ. Somehow, we always hear something new, something that transforms our current time and draws us in. Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

Natalia Terfa Jesus uses the word glorify a lot in this passage, so it’s worth spending a little time thinking about what we think that word means, and what Jesus meant when he used it. The distance between those two answers gives us a hint of what is coming.  Scripture: John 12:20-33 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Much of popular Christianity in the United States is packaged in the always-recurring theme of the power of positive thinking. If we can just focus on that “next level” that God surely has planned for us, we will find true happiness. How does this message sound to the single mother in the refugee camp or the prisoner on death row? Is there hope to be found in darkness? Scripture: John 3:14-21 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Natalia Terfa) When Moses was given the Ten Commandments, things seemed pretty clear. But immediately the people began to do what people do and look for loopholes, exit strategies, and hierarchies. What if we took a little time, and went back to basics? Just the big 10.  Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(Chad Brekke) Do you ever wonder why Jesus had to go the way of the cross, the way of rejection and suffering and dying? Wouldn’t just being an amazing teacher, preacher, and healer have been enough? Great questions, let’s get into it. Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website

(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 Sha

(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