TBC Richmond: Recent Episodes
Tabernacle Baptist Church
Scripture: Romans 6:1-11, Sermon by Rev. Sterling W. Severns Reflection Questions 1. The Continuous Nature of Spiritual Growth The sermon emphasized that spiritual growth is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. Baptism represents the ongoing pattern of dying to our false selves and rising with Christ, over and over. Paul calls us into … Continue reading Reflection Guide: Romans 6 and the Pattern of Dying to Self
Romans 5:1-11 (The Message) Reflection Questions 1. Facing Resistance: Reflecting on Our Discomfort The pastor acknowledged his initial resistance to Paul’s teachings, especially the perception of Paul’s arrogance. This resistance is something we often experience when faced with uncomfortable truths that reveal our own vulnerabilities. Paul’s writings, especially in Romans, challenge us to embrace grace over pride, … Continue reading Adult Reflection Guide: Romans 5:1-11
Scripture Reading: If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil work; if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. Isaiah 58:10 God has made us what we are, and … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Journey from Christmas
Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Meg Lacy Vega (recorded in 2019) Scripture: Do not be deceived my dear brothers! Every good gift and every present comes from heaven; it comes from God….” (James 1:17) Meditation: For much of my life I have not been very good at accepting gifts. I guess … Continue reading Advent Devotion: ‘Tis as Blessed to Receive as To Give
Written by Fred & Ginny Karnas Scripture: When anyone is joined to Christ, he [or she] is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. (II Corinthians 5:17) Meditation: In the old terminal of Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport one finds a large, brightly colored mural depicting the legendary phoenix. Egyptian mythology … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Phoenix Bird
Written by Ginny and Fred Karnas Scripture: You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak with the life of Christ himself. So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free men, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Gift of Diversity
Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Rachel Brock (2019) Scripture: … the Lord Jesus himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.” (Acts 20:35b) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Widow and the School Crossing Guard
Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Hogan Brock (2019) Scripture: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Simple Gifts
Written by Fred & Ginny Karnas Narrated by Sterling Severns Scripture: For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Meditation: In their book, The Sacred Romance, Brent Curtis and John Eldredge discuss the various … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Sacred Romance
Written by Fred & Ginny Karnas Narrated by Mamie Ruth (Hitchens) Blanton Seeing Each Other With New Eyes Scripture: What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to- face. (I Corinthians 13: 12). For where two or three come together in My name, I am there with … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Seeing Each other With New Eyes
written by Fred & Ginny Karnas narrated by Penny Jenkins What is Peace? Scripture: Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path … Continue reading Advent Devotion: What is Peace?
written by Fred and Ginny Karnas narrated by Woody Jenkins Scripture: … I was given a painful physical ailment . . . Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked Him to take it away. But His answer was “My grace is all you need, for my power is strongest when You … Continue reading Advent Devotion: My Grace is Sufficient
Written by Ginny Karnas Narrated by Cole Severns Scripture: Peace is what I leave with you; it is My own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Meditation: When we moved to Fredericksburg in 1991 our … Continue reading Advent Devotion: For us…
written by Ginny & Fred Karnas narrated by Anita McCarty Scripture: “A virgin will become pregnant and have a Son, and He will be called Immanuel” (which means, “God is with us”). (Matthew 1:23). For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon … Continue reading Advent Devotional: God is With Us
written by Ginny & Fred Karnas narrated by Fred Karnas Scripture: He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. Just as we have shared in Christ’s many sufferings, so also through … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Journey to Wholeness
"Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place…It is not a method of making our God and our way into the criteria for happiness but the opening of an opportunity to others to find their God and their way… hospitality is… a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own songs, speak their own languages, dance their own dances.. Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own." - Henri Nouwen
written by Fred and Ginny Karnas narrated by Judy Fiske Scripture: Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Matthew 19:13-14) Meditation: As I pulled my car into the parking lot at the shelter, I saw another car follow … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Sticky Kisses
Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Martin Tiller Scripture: Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17) Meditation: Children are an important part of our journey to Christmas. The excitement of little ones as they restlessly prepare for bed on Christmas Eve … Continue reading Advent Devotion: Wisdom Through the Eyes of a Child
Written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Jerusha Tiller The Puppy in the Pocket Scripture: Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in … Continue reading Advent Devotion:
Written by Fred and Ginny Karnas Narrated by Sarala Kennedy The Good Work of the Church Scripture: And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) Meditation: The late Elizabeth O’Connor was a … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Good Work of the Church
Written by Fred and Ginny Karnas Narrated by Jonathan Barton In the Cry of a Tiny Babe Scripture: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, … Continue reading Advent Devotion: In the Cry of a Tiny Babe
written by Ginny & Fred Karnas Narrated by Donna Soyars in 2019 The Gift of the Stranger Scripture Reading: She gave birth to her first Son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger – there was no room for them to stay in the inn. (Luke 2:7) Meditation: It was my … Continue reading Advent Devotion: The Gift of the Stranger
Community bias: It’s almost impossible to see what our community doesn’t, can’t, or won’t see.
Topics featured in the recording include: Unique intent of informal partnership Details from Building and Grounds related to making 3rd floor more hospitable and safer What to expect on June 1 ballot ExCell Program introduction with Cindy Hutchinson (Director) Questions and Responses
Topics featured in the recording include:
Unique intent of informal partnership
Details from Building and Grounds related to making 3rd floor more hospitable and safer
What to expect on June 1 ballot
ExCell Program introduction with Cindy Hutchinson (Director)
Questions and Responses
This is part 2 of a series of messages from our pastor, Sterling Severns, leading us into a time of renewal and new life. In this video, we hear about the last season in the life of our church, and where the Spirit is leading us in the days ahead. Make sure you watch this … Continue reading New Life, New Beginnings: Part 2
This is the first in a series of messages to prepare the congregation for a season of revival. This message was delivered as a sermon to the congregation on May 9, 2021.
Minister of Children & Families Jerusha Moses discusses different types of grief and how we cope with loss. What is your style of expressing grief? How do you process loss and pain? What helps you when you experience grief?
Our pastor reflects upon the life of one of his mentors, a former staff member. God has an extraordinary knack for bringing all of life around, all of us around, full circle.
Rev. Jacque Green reflects on communal grief in light of a world dealing with Covid-19. Articles and Books Mentioned in this Podcast: Doehring, Carrie. (2019). Searching for Wholeness Amidst Traumatic Grief: The Role of Spiritual Practices that Reveal Compassion in Embodied, Relational, and Transcendent Ways. Pastoral Psychology. 68. Healing Our Hurts: Coping with Difficult Emotions, … Continue reading Going Deeper: Communal Grief Part 1
Our Pastor shares a reflection about the gift of meeting God in the alleyway of the church and welcoming "George" back to the place he calls home.
Christy Foldenauer talks to us about the change cycle, and how we process change, from loss to integration.
A video podcast from our pastor on misplaced expectations and the important work of listening to honest stories from the past.
We are indebted to Dr. Tracy Hartman, one of our beloved members, for introducing us to "Life Cycles of a Congregation."
Pastor Sterling Severns tells the story of a pastor modeling sacrificial love, and talks about God sending us just the right people at just the right time. Who has come into your life at just the right time? How have you seen God in the people around you?
Today Pastor Meg Lacy Vega talks to us about how congregations function differently depending on their size.
Pastor Sterling Severns remembers old friends and those who have left us in one way or another. I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about … Continue reading Pastoral Reflection: The Gift of Remembrance
Spencer Law reads and reflects on the article Leading Beyond the Blizzard: Why Every Organization Is Now a Startup. What do you think?
Click here to: ……..sign-up ……..learn more ……..and, upon return, testify about your experience return.
PREPARATION: Please do your best to dive into the data from our church-wide survey and also re-famaliarize yourself with our experimental hospitality covenant from this summer…..prior to our time together. You also have the option of viewing a recorded slide presentation (20 minutes). The presentation gives an overview of the survey results, including a breakdown … Continue reading PREPARING FOR THIS WEEK’S TOWN HALL MEETING, WEDNESDAY @ 9 PM (EST)
In many ways, testimony is the most democratic—and empowering—of all Christian practices. The entire New Testament is a testimony, a record of experiences that early Christians had with the transformative power of God. Those early believers wrote down theirtestimonies their experiences of sharing their testimonies, and the impace of their testimonyes on the people around … Continue reading Continuing the Conversation: Spencer
Join us for worship on Sunday, August 9, or anytime in the week ahead as we begin our conversation on the role of testimony in the life of the church.
Last Sunday, some of our musicians shared different arrangements of “As the Deer”. As we continue the conversation this week, we encourage you to listen to the stanzas of the song. You may choose to use the music, and lyrics, as a prayer guide, or as an entry into prayer.
Last week, key leadership gathered together for a two hour virtual meeting. We’re pleased to report that the group reached a consensus on our church structure for September – late December 2020. Please set aside half hour to watch or listen to the presentation. Continue to pray for discernment as we have some big decisions … Continue reading Significant Update: Structure for September – Late December (2020)
What happens when God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we expect and/or desire God to do so?
Rev. Sterling Severns’ sermon about God’s work in the brokenness of the world. July 26, 2020
Mary Jo Dailey, Dan and Karen Herman share their thoughts, and some personal stories about healing
Healing Promo from Tabernacle Baptist Church, RVA on Vimeo. join us tomorrow for worship @ 11:00 AM EST.
“We need to tell stories as a testimony to what God has done and is doing. If we do not share the stories, their power and truth are diluted, and their impact forgotten” (Wright/Davis). On April 5, 2017, we invited Mary Jo Dailey to share her call story. We are grateful for her bravery and vulnerability. … Continue reading Tabernacle Stories: Mary Jo Dailey (04/05/17)
This is the fourth installment of Dr. Art Wright’s podcast series on the book of Revelation.
This week Dr. Art Wright is joined by Beth McMahon for a third discussion about the book of Revelation. If you haven’t yet, you can still listen to week one and week two!
Our second conversation in this series, with Dr. Art Wright and Rev. Kristen Koger. If you haven’t listened to week one, you can find it here.
Join us for our final podcast of the Soul Care series, on the gift and challenge of silence prayer. “God’s first language is silence. Everything else, is a poor translation.” -Fr. Thomas Keating Pray as you go: Centering Prayer Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of … Continue reading Soul Care Week Six: Encountering Silence
Join us on the podcast this week as we talk about the spiritual practice of getting lost, learning to navigate the wilderness of place and soul. The wilderness holds answers to more questions than we have yet learned to ask. – Nancy Newhall Pray as you go: The Welcoming Prayer Sink into this three part … Continue reading Soul Care Week Five: Getting Lost
Join us on the podcast this week as we talk about creativity as a spiritual practice! When you were a child, you knew yourself to be co-creator of the universe. But little by little you forgot who you were. -Mirabai Starr, Wild Mercy Pray as you go: Put Two Things Together The practice of creativity … Continue reading Soul Care Week Four: Nourishing Creativity
Join us on the podcast this week as we talk about the science, the art, and the spirituality of gratitude. Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life. -Rumi Pray As You Go: The Examen Prayer St. Ignatius of Loyola was a 14th century catholic priest who founded the … Continue reading Soul Care Week Three: Offering Gratitude
Are our bodies important for our spiritual lives? Join us on the podcast this week as we muse about how wearing skin, being peoples of flesh and blood, can shape and nurture our spiritual lives. The miracle is not walking on water, but on the earth.” -Thich Nhat Hanh Pray as you go: Walking Meditation … Continue reading Soul Care Week Two: Wearing Skin
The best preparation for a life of prayer is simply to become more intensely human -Kenneth Leech The practice of presence is about paying attention, waking up to the world around us. Each day this week we will post meditations, images, poetry and activities inviting us to become present–in our surroundings, with our deepest selves, … Continue reading Soul Care Week One: Becoming Present
This episode speaks to the unique role that each staff member is playing at this critical moment in the life of the church. We encourage you to listen to it….pray for each staff member in the days ahead….and offer assistance if you feel called to do so.
God created us whole. All of us have been created to great things.
The sin we struggle with makes it difficult to fulfill our calling, individually and corporately. Sin makes it difficult for us to love God fully, love ourselves in the way that God loves us, and, in turn, love our neighbors as ourselves. God desires for us to become aware of our sin. God could opt to take complete control and prune us. In turn, we could take (perceived) control and prune ourselves. However, God chooses to work with us in the pruning the sin from our lives.
Pruning, as difficult as it is, helps us to thrive where we've been planted. If we work with God to prune the sin, and nurture the soil, we will naturally bear fruit in the world and draw others to Christ.
This week, we will focus specifically on the role that control plays in our lives. We will talk about our need for control/our unintended God complexes. We don’t provide water, soil, or sun. Relinquishing a false sense of control helps us to remember that we are connected to THE giver of life, the sustainer.
We often mistake lack of comfort for lack of safety. To sit and eat with those who don’t share your convictions can be a courageous act.
Scripture Reading: If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil work; if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. (Isaiah 58:10) God has made us what we are, and … Continue reading DEVOTION: The Journey from Christmas
Scripture: Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b) I have come that you might have life — life in all its fullness. (John 10:10) Meditation: Michael was nearly dead when he came to the Christ House medical recovery facility for the homeless. Years of poor choices had all … Continue reading DEVOTION: Christmas Brings Abundant Life in Christ
Scripture: But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord! (Luke 2:10-11) You will leave Babylon with joy: you will be led out of … Continue reading DEVOTION: Give Yourself the Gift of Joy
Scripture: Then [Jesus] poured some water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist . . . “I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet… Now that you know this truth, how happy you will … Continue reading DEVOTION: Servant Leadership
Scripture: Jesus told them still another parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises.” (Matthew 13:33) Meditation: I was not a very good steward of my piano-lesson days. I didn’t practice enough! (Great thanks to … Continue reading DEVOTION: The Yeast-Infused Gift
Scripture: Do not be deceived my dear brothers! Every good gift and every present comes from heaven; it comes from God….” (James 1:17) Meditation: For much of my life I have not been very good at accepting gifts. I guess I could blame it on an upbringing that etched on my brain the old … Continue reading DEVOTION: ‘Tis As Blessed to Receive as To Give, Dec. 20
Scripture: When anyone is joined to Christ, he [or she] is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. (II Corinthians 5:17) Meditation: In the old terminal of Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport one finds a large, brightly colored mural depicting the legendary phoenix. Egyptian mythology tells of a bird that rises … Continue reading DEVOTION: The Phoenix Bird, Dec. 19
This is the seventh session of our fall 2015 Wednesday night Adult series. Our topic this week is "The Biology of Sexuality." We're making these podcasts available if you are unable to join us on Wednesday nights in the fellowship hall. You are also invited to join us on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15am in the parlor to discuss the previous Wednesday's topic. These sessions will be led by Rev. Kristen Koger.
Note: The podcast this week does include slideshow images from Dr. Tracy Hartman's presentation. If you download the podcast, you should be able to view them. The slides do include textbook illustrations of human anatomy. Tentative Schedule for the Series
Introductions and Context September 9 Week 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, and Big Questions
September 16 Week 2 - Sexuality and Objectification in Contemporary Culture
Sex and Sexuality in the Bible September 23 Week 3 - Sex and Sexuality in the Old Testament, part 1
September 30 Week 4 - Sex and Sexuality in the Old Testament, part 2
October 7 Week 5 - Sex and Sexuality in the New Testament, part 1
October 14 Week 6 - Sex and Sexuality in the New Testament, part 2
Healthy Sexual Relationships Today October 21 Week 7 - The Biology of Sexuality
October 28 Week 8 - Sex and Marriage
November 4 Week 9 - How to Talk to your Young Children about Sex and Sexuality
November 11 Week 10 - How to Talk to your Teenagers about Sex and Sexuality
November 18 Week 11 - How to have Difficult Conversations
December 2 Week 12 - Dealing with Shame and Guilt
December 9 Week 13 - Toward a New Theology of Sexuality (Closing session)
This is the first session of our fall 2015 Wednesday night Adult series. We're making these podcasts available if you are unable to join us on Wednesday nights in the fellowship hall. You are also invited to join us on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15am in the parlor to discuss the previous Wednesday's topic. These sessions will be led by Rev. Kristen Koger.
Tentative Schedule for the Series
Introductions and Context September 9 Week 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, and Big Questions
September 16 Week 2 - Sexuality and Objectification in Contemporary Culture
Sex and Sexuality in the Bible September 23 Week 3 - Sex and Sexuality in the Old Testament, part 1
September 30 Week 4 - Sex and Sexuality in the Old Testament, part 2
October 7 Week 5 - Sex and Sexuality in the New Testament, part 1
October 14 Week 6 - Sex and Sexuality in the New Testament, part 2
Healthy Sexual Relationships Today October 21 Week 7 - The Biology of Sexuality
October 28 Week 8 - Sex and Marriage
November 4 Week 9 - How to Talk to your Young Children about Sex and Sexuality
November 11 Week 10 - How to Talk to your Teenagers about Sex and Sexuality
November 18 Week 11 - How to have Difficult Conversations
December 2 Week 12 - Dealing with Shame and Guilt
December 9 Week 13 - Toward a New Theology of Sexuality (Closing session)
Our Worship Service centers on the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20. Rev. Severns’ sermon, entitled “The Long Way Home” serves as plea for unity. There is tremendous value in maintaining healthy tension in the church. Worship leaders include: Charlotte Wright, Alicia Phillips, Wade Severns, Tin Par, Sanctuary Choir, Kathy McGraw, and the Pastoral Staff.