Facets of Faith

St. John Lutheran Church has been a congregation in Mars, PA since 1897. As you can imagine, there have been a lot of changes over the years, but there have also been some things that have remained constant in the identity of the congregation. Hear some of the stories of the history of the congregation and how these stories shape the values of the congregation and the way St. John worships together. 

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Who does God call? God calls you! But you are not called to be perfect, you are called to trust, to follow, and to walk the road with Jesus. 

Today's Scripture readings:

(Not included in recording - Genesis 12:1-9)

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 

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Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook.

Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE...

Join Pastor Katie, Keith, and David as they explore the gospel reading for Holy Trinity Sunday, Matthew 28:16-20. This text is commonly called “The Great Commission,” but what does it have to offer us in today’s world?

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Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook.

Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copy...

Ready or not, the Holy Spirit is here! Join Pastor Katie, David, and Keith as the explore the story of the Holy Spirit showing up in the community of believers at Pentecost and how this story impacts our faith lives today.

Reading: Acts 2:1-24

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Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. ...

This week brings us to the celebration of the Ascension - when Jesus ascends into heaven 40 days after his resurrection. The disciples are told to wait for the moment when the Holy Spirit will come and send them out into the world, which leaves us in a waiting pattern with them after Ascension Sunday as we wait for Pentecost and ultimately for the Great Commission when the disciples are sent into the world to witness to everything ...

What can we learn about evangelism from Paul? How does seeing an altar to an unknown god invite curiosity about what the God we know is doing in the world? This sermon focuses on Sunday's readings from Acts (Acts 17:22-31) with reassurances from the gospel reading (John 14:15-21)

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Scripture quot...

In this episode of Facets of Faith, Pastor Katie, David, and Keith continue their exploration in the final discourse of Jesus in the fourteenth chapter of John. They dive into the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John as Jesus offers comfort and encouragement to his disciples before his ascension and wonder at the role of the Holy Spirit in their own lives.  

This week's gospel reading is John 14:15-21

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After joining us for some background conversation on the gospel reading, listen to Pastor Katie's sermon as she explores how we can learn how to serve all people and strive for justice and peace following the example of Jesus by following the gaze of Stephen.

Scripture reading: Acts 7:55-60

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In this episode of Facets of Faith, Pastor Katie, David, and Keith dive into the rich language of this Sunday's gospel reading, including the place of God, Jesus as Way, Truth, and Life, and the incredible experience of relationship with God as they detangle the way this reading has been misused to exclude non-Christians from God's goodness. 

This week's gospel reading is John 14:1-14

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After joining us for some background conversation on the gospel reading, listen to Pastor Katie's sermon on the story about the walk to Emmaus. Listen as she explores what it is to be blessed, broken, and sent by Jesus in the resurrection. Because of a joint service at an alternate location, this is a delayed post. 

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After joining us for some background conversation on the gospel reading, listen to Pastor Katie's sermon as she explores the abundant life to which Jesus invites us, the abundant life characterized by living among God's faithful people. 

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Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook.

Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. ...

The Fourth Sunday in Easter is often called "Good Shepherd Sunday." But this year, the gospel reading is about Jesus as the gate. Join Pastor Katie, Keith and David as they talk about the ways this text has been wrongly used in anti-Semitic ways and the good news this text has for all people. 

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Also mentioned: Acts 2:42-47

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After the resurrection, Jesus appeared for the first time in the gospel of Luke to two new-to-us disciples as they return home to Emmaus. They are understandably devastated at Jesus' crucifixion, but Jesus meets them in their brokenness. He blesses them in their joy they rush to spread the good news. How does Jesus meet us in our brokenness? How does Jesus reveal himself to us? How do we experience relationship with Jesus? How does...

After joining us for some background conversation on the gospel reading, listen to Pastor Katie's sermon. This week the sermon took everything in the podcast as foundational ideas, then explored the ways that being in relationship with Christ is what it is to hear and be transformed by the Word of God. This intimate relationship with the Word is what Thomas was seeking, and we can learn to seek to really hear the Word of God from h...