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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
Monday Oct 30, 2017
Monday Oct 30, 2017
Five Hundred years after Martin Luther tacked those 95 Theses complaining against corruption in the Church, we celebrate the transforming difference these Reformers made to Christianity and the world. Could there be another revolutionary time in Christianity that is part of a new emerging world. I say YES and expect on our Exodus journey to the promised land and to the vision of the Kingdom of Heaven - there are more dramatic moments to come. Who will lead the next Reformation? Sacred Text: Romans 2:19-28
Monday Oct 23, 2017
Monday Oct 23, 2017
In the continuing sermon series about our appeal to God to help us see who "is right" on so many issues of our day, this day we looked at how we know God's ways. We explored Moses conversation about this with God on the Mountain. We explored the approach of Jesus as the Pharisees are trying to entrap him. We consider all the Christians who speak in God's name at the School Board meeting about the so-called Transgender bathroom issue. Our Church was on one side and all the other self-declared Christians spoke on the opposing side. Please God! Whose Right? Sacred Texts: Exodus 33:12-23, Matthew 22:15-22
Monday Oct 16, 2017
Monday Oct 16, 2017
Week 2 of my sermon series - Please God! Whose Right? This week focuses on the Bible. Some Christians are so sure that every word of the Bible is without flaw and that they know what it all means. It is black and white - no greyeng. Others have had bible verses thrown at them and it feels like the Bible is a weapon. So, now they run from the Bible. In a dangerous time in our culture when some people are creating their own truth and using it to judge others - with Bible in hand. As a progressive Christian, I try in this sermon to show the central role the Bible plays in my life, passion with which I engage it. I try to give it a new look for those progressives who have pushed it away. Sacred Texts: Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14
Monday Oct 09, 2017
Monday Oct 09, 2017
One of the tension points in the culture divide in America is the Ten Commandments. Not so much the content but the role of these laws etched on stone tablets that Moses brought to the people. Some want to prominently display these in monument form in public places. As followers of Jesus, I discuss the role of the Ten Commandments and how Jesus shifts our focus to something greater we can reach for in the Greatest Commandment. This shift has something to do with why Jesus rarely answers questions straight on but tells stories usually in parable form. Sacred Text: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (included in audio) and Matthew 21:33-46
Monday Oct 02, 2017
Monday Oct 02, 2017
The "Take a Knee" movement in the NFL has me wondering about the meaning of our posturing. In my Catholic background, we knelt often. What are you willing to kneel or bow before as a sign of your allegiance? I would suggest that we do it at the Communion Table of Resistance. What a powerful act on this World Communion Sunday! Now maybe we can go out and break down the "Power Over" dynamics that push people down and oppress. Now maybe we can create "Power With" dynamics that mirrors the Covenant Love of the Communion Table. Read - Matthew 21:23-32
Monday Sep 25, 2017
Monday Sep 25, 2017
The Exodus story is a template for human journey through life. It applies to our individual story and to our communal story. Today we here about the Complaining part of the journey. In Matthew, we get the message that the way we think about things is not the way God thinks about things - often a totally reversal. Wake Up and move through your complaining. Grow up and learn through the Wisdom Teacher Jesus a broader perspective on many things. Sacred Texts: Exodus 16:2-15, Matthew 20:1-16
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Monday Sep 18, 2017
Consider this podcast in three parts. 1) Key Sacred Texts - Exodus 14:19-32 & Matthew 18:21-35; 2) Words shared about "Just Peace Sunday" and its link to Transgender bathroom issue coming to a head in Colville soon, and 3) My sermon focus on the topic at hand. A call for us as a church to look at the real reason many of our churches are struggling or in decline. Following the Biblical principles surrounded the 40 years to the promised land and the instructions to the Church from Jesus. This can save us.
Monday Sep 04, 2017
Monday Sep 04, 2017
Moses and the Burning Bush. Peter rebuked "Get Behind Me Satan". Whenever we hear the call of God or agree to be a follower of Jesus - our mission will be "To Go Now" from where we are to a new and better place. The sermon image is my hand drawn quadrant diagram that I used in the Sermon to frame this subject. We must go so why do we resist when we know it will be better? Sacred Text: Exodus 3:1-15 and Matthew 16:21-28
Monday Aug 28, 2017
Monday Aug 28, 2017
With the help of the prophet Isaiah and the writings of St Paul, I explored an understanding of Salvation that may not match what you have been taught. Listen to find out what the Three Elements of Salvation might be! Sacred Texts: Isaiah 51:1-8 and Romans 12:1-8
Wednesday Nov 17, 2010
Wednesday Nov 17, 2010
It was a great day Saturday, November 13, 2010 as I was Installed as Pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Colville, WA.