The Good News From The Gardens Podcast

On this Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, amid signs of fire, wind, and a variety of languages, the people were amazed and astonished at Jesus’ promise coming true. During this message we pondered and then engaged in some spiritual spontaneity! All thanks to the Holy Spi...

A vision compels Paul to move his ministry into Greece. There he meets Lydia, an important person in the business community, whose heart has been opened by God to receive the gospel. Her conversion and baptism provide the impetus for the founding of the church at Philippi. But it’s the question she poses to Paul that might give us pause, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay a...

Would You Like to Try One of Our Specials? | Acts 11:1-18

In defense of his earlier baptism of non-Jewish believers, Peter demonstrates to the members of the Jerusalem church that God’s intention to love Gentiles as well as Jews is revealed in Jesus’ testimony. This revelation came to Peter through an odd dream involving food. Listen to this message about embracing God’s men...

This week guest preacher Mary Winsor shares her thoughts on holy patience, those times when we find ourselves living in uncomfortable, in-between spaces of our lives. After the resurrection, Peter and the disciples slip-slide back into doing what they think they know best, fishing. Jesus then challenges Peter to get busy living, by tending to, and feeding God's people. Step into the unknown good people. Resurrection, new and abunda...

Artwork by Thomas Ribble of Alison, Iowa

The unprecedented events of the day of resurrection continue as the risen Jesus appears to his fearful disciples. A week later, after Thomas worships Jesus, Jesus pronounces that the blessings of the resurrection are also for those who “have not seen and yet believe.” In this message Pastor Steve challenges the congregation to see the...

What does the pupae stage of a butterfly's life, the resurrection of Christ and our individual and communal transformation have in common? A lot more than you may think. In this message Pastor Steve connects the metamorphosis of a butterfly, and our future selves in a way that you may never have considered. Listen to the message to be affirmed that God's image of life is alive and well within you, and what that means in this day an...

In this Maundy Thursday message Pastor Steve shares a number of Holy Communion occasions as a guest, a parishioner, a seminary student, and pastor that have shaped his faith life. Each occasion was an opportunity to reflect on the centrality of the sacrament to our faith, and understanding of God's grace for us in Jesus Christ. On any given Sunday, how does the Lord's Supper make you feel and why is that important to your faith jou...

Lazarus’ sister Mary anoints Jesus for his burial with an expensive perfume. She is ahead of everyone else in caring for Jesus' coming death. She is on the offensive. On the other hand, Judas is offended, as he feigns concern for the poor. What does it smell like to be the church? Does sacrifice have a smell? Join us this Sunday at 9AM for a message of love that hopefully lingers within you for the Lord. 

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Because Jesus is cozying up to tax collectors and sinners (aghast!), he is compelled to tell his longest parable, The Prodigal Son, to grumbling Pharisees and scribes. There are so many points in this parable for us to consider. Which character do you identify with, and why? The younger son? The older son? In this message we explore the character of a God that moves and works through the muddiness of li...

God Moves…into the Desert | Luke 4:1-13

Jesus is in the wilderness being tested, or is it tempted, by the devil. Both are used in translations. But tested and tempted are not as interchangeable as you would think. “Tested” identifies with an individual’s ability to contend with something pushed upon them, wherein “tempted” identifies with an individual being pulled away and ...

Unlimited Love | Luke 6:27-38

In this second half of the sermon on the plain, aka “the level place”, Jesus provides real world examples of how His followers are to respond to the hurt and hate of the world that will be exacted upon them. In short, they are to always respond in kind, with forgiveness. Easier said than done, right?! In this message we ponder the life altering,...

Love Levels Life | Luke 6:17-26

Jesus has drawn a huge crowd to a large level place. They want to hear him, be healed by him, and ultimately, all want to touch him. They want what he possesses. They need what he possesses. In the midst of this scene Jesus looks up to his disciples and delivers hope-filled blessings alongside a few “woes”. The lesson: Followers of Jesus are n...

Catching Grace | Luke 5:1-11

Jesus’ teaching of God’s word has begun to draw great crowds. For Simon, James, and John, Jesus’ teaching inspires hospitality, then obedience, and then risk. After Jesus’ creative power is revealed, fear and amazement leads these three fishermen to leave everything behind to become apostles. Listen to this message about God’s faith motivating gr...

Being Bias: A Message on Seeking Partiality for Jesus

Luke 4:21-30

Last week’s text ended with Luke 4:21, “Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’” This week’s reading begins with it. The world of God is the beginning and the end of our readings, and the beginning and the professed beginning and en...

What’s In Me For This?

Luke 4:14-21

You have heard it said, “What’s in this for me?” Someone wants to know what their gain will be in giving of themselves to something. What if instead we said, “What’s In Me For This?” What if our first inclination was to prayerfully assess our ability to be an asset to the person, the cause, the issue? Instead o...

Unexpected and Urgent Grace

John 2:1-11

Jesus and his disciples show up to a wedding late. They wine has run out. The celebration is in jeopardy of ending early and possibly in shame. Jesus takes charge and turns water into wine. Not just average wine, but great wine! Shame is not just averted, but the caliber of wine has people wondering why it ...