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Progressive Christian voice from a conservative area. Most of the sermons are from Rev Jim CastroLang, Pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Colville, WA.
Episodes
Wednesday Mar 21, 2018
Wednesday Mar 21, 2018
So much of the Lenten story comes through in today's sacred texts from Jeremiah 31:31-34 - God renews the covenant and it is adjusted to what we need at the time and place in history and John 12:20-33 where the core purpose for Jesus culminating in this significant holy week. In this Jesus shows us the difficult but fruitful path we must walk for all of life to be fulfilled. Then, there will be so much to celebrate at Easter.
Wednesday Mar 21, 2018
Wednesday Mar 21, 2018
(Ephesians 2:10) "For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." As an alternative to a sermon talk, the congregation broke into small groups to discuss this version and the full passage verses 1-10 using this discussion guide - https://www.dropbox.com/s/2utjvujuhb0h6wy/18-0311%20Sermon%20Guide.docx?dl=0 . The open and close is with the whole group with one small group discussion recorded in the middle.
Monday Mar 05, 2018
Monday Mar 05, 2018
There is Soft Christianity and Hard Christianity. Soft Christianity begins with gentle baby Jesus. It has expectations of his followers that they be kind, gentle, compassionate and offer service to those in need. Then thee is Hard Christianity that teaches that we must fight for what is right and yes, event upset the applecart at times to square things back on track as God intended. Today's Gospel is about Hard Christianity so let;s dive in. Sacred Texts: Exodus 20:1-17, John 2:13-22
Monday Feb 26, 2018
Monday Feb 26, 2018
At some point in life, most of us believe some of the promises we are told about life. Then we experience broken promises and our own doubts sneak in. This leads us to not living into the promises and then things go astray and we lose our way. Today, we look at this process for Abraham and Sarah. Today, we receive the promise of what it means to follow Jesus - we must lose our life to save it. Can you live into that promise? Sacred Texts: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-26 and Mark 8:31-38
Monday Feb 19, 2018
Monday Feb 19, 2018
This is the first Sunday following the horrific and devastating school shooting in Parkland, Florida. As we begin Lent, what do we do with the 18th School shooting of 2018. God renews the Covenant with humanity with Noah following the devastation of the flood. What is God doing now? What would Jesus do about all these school shootings. This sermon considers how we can use Lent to follow the wisdom of Jesus to respond in new ways. Mark 1:9-15, Genesis 9:8-17
Tuesday Feb 13, 2018
Tuesday Feb 13, 2018
The story of the Transfiguration was transformative for Peter, James, and John. As followers of Jesus, what have been our transformative experience. What is it that loosens our allegiance to the gods of this world -- the things we make gods in out need for power and control? This is the way of the spiritual journey -- to see the new and bigger realities and possibilities in God's infinite love. Mark 9:2-9, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Monday Feb 05, 2018
Monday Feb 05, 2018
Have you ever watched those Healing Preachers on TV? Instant healing - Do you believe it happens? In this sermon, we explore Jesus healing as portrayed in Mark. It seems to be instant but there is so much more to say. Today we look at the reality of the healing process straight in the eyes.
Monday Jan 29, 2018
Monday Jan 29, 2018
Paul says, "Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up" -- what does this mean? We explore this in the context of this raging Information Age and a time that seems chaotic. How do we get it right in these times? Paul's instruction to the Corinthians - how does it apply to us today? Sacred Text: Mark 8:1-13.
Monday Jan 22, 2018
Monday Jan 22, 2018
We sat in a circle and had an intimate worship today. We had many people gone either flu sick or at the Women's March in Spokane. My message focused on "Stubborn Minds" such as the ones who have closed the Government done in Washington D.C. But really we can't escape it...we too often have stubborn minds that close others out. We notice today that the scripture tells us that even God changes her mind. This may be the fundamental issue of our day. How can we bridge the divide if no one changes their mind? Sacred Text: Jonah 3:1-5,10 and Mark 1:14-20.
Monday Jan 15, 2018
Monday Jan 15, 2018
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr - pastor, theologian, activist, and worker for God's Justice deserves more attention in our Churches. As a follower of Jesus called to attack the structural injustices of our world, he has much to teach us about living the faith. This sermon relies on the Good Samaritan story -- an important story to MLK and also on the speech he gave 8/31/67 on the "Three Evils of Society."