CPC Weekly Sermon: Recent Episodes
Community Presbyterian Church
Weekly sermons from Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. CPC is a progressive congregation in the Presbyterian Church USA committed to sharing the love of God, hope of Christ, and working towards justice and equity in the world. Learn more at www.communitypresbyterianchurch.com.
Here's a promise: By the end of this enlightening conversation, you'll have a whole new perspective on the church's approach to sexuality, and perhaps even your own. We're peeling back the layers of the often misunderstood ‘purity culture’ movement of the 80s and 90s, exploring how it shaped the church's teachings on sex, relationships, and intimacy. We also discuss uncomfortable wedding moments and harmful church scandals, underlining that our sexuality is not a sin, but a divine gift.
Ever wondered if the church's expectations of celibacy are causing more harm than good? We have too, and that's why we're discussing it. Our deep dive into biblical marriage and healthy sexuality contrasts ancient customs with modern realities, questioning the wisdom of prolonged abstinence and its potential to foster unhealthy power dynamics. The real kicker, though, is our discussion on what healthy sexuality looks like within the biblical context, and how constructive conversations on this topic can help combat harmful narratives.
Lastly, we're taking on the responsibility of how to discuss sexuality with teenagers. From showing grace to understanding the difference between sex and sexuality, we're providing practical guidance for navigating such conversations. We also tackle the stigma around sex and marriage in conservative Christian circles, emphasizing the importance of dismantling prejudices to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their sexuality. Trust us, by the end of this, you'll be equipped to engage in these critical conversations. Tune in, as we explore the intersection of faith and sexuality.
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What does the future of the church look like? That's the provocative question we're grappling with in today's enlightening conversation. We're taking inspiration from 1 John chapter four, considering the radical call to love one another and God. Delving into hard conversations, we explore the essence of authentic church work, especially in challenging times.
Our discussion is not limited to the spiritual realm. We also navigate the earthly aspects of the church, questioning the role of the physical structure and wealth within it. We challenge you to reevaluate the church's role in your community and consider how we can embody God's love in action rather than in words alone. Our conversation invites introspection, questioning, and an openness to what the future of the church could, and should, be. Listen in, and join us in reimagining a vibrant, relevant, and loving church of the future.
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Can you still hold on to your Christian faith, even if you question aspects of it like the virgin birth? Does being a Christian necessitate whole-hearted belief, or can actions speak louder than doctrines? We go head-to-head with these existential questions, channeling insights from the gospels of Acts and John, and the Book of Confessions. Through thought-provoking discussions, we'll uncover how the binary of belief and behavior constructs the identity of a Christian, and why it's more about a delicate balance of the two rather than favoring one.
As we move through the intricate landscape of Christianity, we turn our focus on the possible pitfalls of gatekeeping in this faith. Are we inadvertently mirroring the Pharisees by insisting on a rigid definition of what it means to be a Christian? Are there non-negotiable beliefs to be adhered to? Join us as we confront these uncomfortable realities and contemplate if it's time we redefine the parameters of Christianity. Get ready for a transformative conversation that may shift your perspective on faith, belief, and your relationship with Jesus.
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Step into a captivating exploration of life's biggest mystery: the concept of eternal life. What do scriptures tell us about eternal life and what happens when we pass on? We venture into the profound depths of this topic, referencing scriptures from 2 Corinthians and John, and grapple with the complexities and nuances embedded in the words 'eternal' and 'heaven'.
What if our traditional depictions of heaven and angels have been misinterpreted? We challenge these conceptions and navigate the intriguing perspectives on the afterlife, reincarnation, and the soul's journey. From the promise of reuniting with our loved ones in heaven to the Greek philosophy of the separation of the soul and the body, we unfold the fascinating interpretations of eternal life and its closely related concept, the kingdom of God as presented by Jesus.
In the final segment, we contemplate faith's crucial role in our understanding of eternal life and the afterlife. We question the misuse of the promise of heaven and hell for manipulation and the certainty many people hold about who will ascend to heaven or descend into hell. Join us as we delve into the captivating world of subatomic physics where energy can never be destroyed, reigniting the enthralling question of what awaits us in the afterlife.
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Ever wondered why the Bible remains a subject of unending debate and discussion? This episode unravels that mystery, taking you deep into the heart of the Bible's complexity. As your hosts, we're inviting you to join us and the rest of our community in combating the prevailing notion that understanding the Bible is simple. Together, we'll grapple with the different versions, decipher challenging passages and share our unique experiences of interacting with this sacred text.
Moving past the surface, we then venture into the art of Bible translations and interpretations, an aspect that adds to its fascinating complexity. We tackle the challenges of verse memorization, the intriguing practice of selective focus on certain parts of the Bible, and the historical adaptations of this holy book to fit diverse ideologies. As we explore the significance of study Bibles and the captivating story of how the 'Holy Bible' received its name, we'll also examine its historical lack of accessibility and the vast differences across translations. Brace yourself for an enlightening journey through this profound and intricate work.
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Ever found yourself wrestling with the burden of resentment, or perhaps, caught in the cycle of refusing to forgive? Our latest discourse is a treasure trove of insights as we explore the depths of forgiveness, drawing wisdom from David's Psalm and Matthew's Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. These biblical teachings serve as a guide, unraveling the complexity of forgiveness which is more than just a count of wrongs forgiven.
We unlock the true nature of forgiveness, emphasizing that it is not justification of harm nor an endorsement of wrongs, but a powerful tool for nurturing healthier relationships. Harnessing the power of forgiveness, we also shed light on the debilitating effects of holding grudges and how essential it is to respect the other's timeline in the process of forgiveness. Journey with us as we venture into the spiritual domain, examining the role grace and spiritual practices play in opening ourselves to God's forgiveness, and in the process, freeing ourselves of resentment. Let's embark on this worthwhile journey towards understanding and embracing forgiveness together.
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What does the Bible really say about gender roles and relationships? Can women truly hold leadership positions within the church? We tackle these challenging questions as we examine Biblical scripture, discussing passages from Genesis and Ephesians, and reflecting on the recent decision by the Southern Baptist Convention to disfellow two churches for ordaining a woman to the role of pastor. We also delve into the thought-provoking argument presented by Rick Warren in favor of women in pastorates.
Throughout this enlightening conversation, we pay homage to the brave women featured in the Bible, such as Deborah and Esther, and consider the often overlooked role of Mary in Jesus' ministry. We confront the way some verses from Genesis and Ephesians have been misused to subordinate women and ponder the implications of our modern understanding of marriage and relationships not being mirrored in the Bible. Additionally, we discuss Jesus' interactions with the Phoenician woman and the four daughters of Phillips who were prophets in the Book of Acts.
As we wrap up this thought-provoking episode, we emphasize the importance of grace, love, and humility when interpreting and applying scripture in our lives. We share the inspiring example of a pastor who invited someone to his church and remind ourselves that Jesus never excluded anyone from following him, even the Pharisees. Join us on this journey to uncover a more loving and inclusive approach to interpreting scripture, guided by our understanding of grace, love, and humility.
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Ever wondered what makes Presbyterianism unique and how it has evolved over the years? Join us on a journey to explore the values, traditions, and theologies of Presbyterianism, as we discuss its welcoming and open-minded nature, as well as its system of government that still stands strong today. We'll also offer insights into how Presbyterianism compares to the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, providing a fresh perspective for those who have grown up in that tradition.
Delving into the rich history of Presbyterianism, we trace its roots back to the Reformation and the Church of Scotland, examining the various denominations and their differing theologies. Learn how John Calvin's teachings, such as predestination and his rejection of religious symbols, have influenced some non-denominational churches today. We also explore the significance of communion as an act of remembrance and the importance of being drawn into the presence of God. Finally, we discuss the concept of God's grace and the expectations that come with being part of a faith community, including fellowship, worship, and practicing our faith together.
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We celebrate our high school graduates this week! Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world. What does that mean? Join Pastor Jasson Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
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The Apostle Paul travelled to Athens and marveled at the number of statues, temples, and shines to the pantheon of Greek gods. Three for every one person! He stumbled upon a unique marker dedicated to "The Unknown God". Join us as Commissioned Pastor Mary Shideler preaches on Acts 17:22-31.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
This week, Peter gets schooled by God...again...and Jesus changes the meaning of baptism.
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Lamentations 1:1-6
Psalm 137
Luke 17:5-10
God's love and grace is a gift freely given to all, yet God also expects much of us as we seek to follow Jesus. In our reading from Luke, the disciples demand an increase in faith from Jesus to live up to his expectations. Did they not have enough faith? Do we? How do we live into God's expectations?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Jeremiah 31:1-7
Psalm 79
Luke 16:1-13
Today we tackle the most difficult parable Jesus taught. What does it mean to be faithful with our money? Why is the unfaithful servant commended by the master? What is Jesus trying to teach to the disciples, and what does it say to us today?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
Luke 15:1-10
The Pharisees were appalled by the company Jesus kept. They discounted him as a messenger of God based on the sinners and tax collectors he ate with. Who did Jesus come to server? How does God view the ones we label as "sinners"?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Luke 14:25-33
If you approach the Bible from a literal perspective, meaning every word is literally true simply needs to be applied to our lives, this passage in Luke is troublesome. Does Jesus really call us to hate our families in order to follow him? How do we rectify this with Jesus' teaching to love God and our neighbor?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Luke 16:19-31
Revelation 21:1-8
Titus 3:1-7
Jesus came to save humanity, but from what and for what purpose? What about heaven and hell? We have a lot of ideas weaved into the church about heaven and hell, but what does the Bible actually say?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Romans 12:1-2, 9-21
Galatians 5:16-26
Have you ever heard someone described as "a good Christian"? What did they mean by that? What does a good Christian look like? How does a good Christian act? The early Christians, wanting to live out Jesus' teachings faithfully, often found themselves in disagreement. The same is true for us today. But if we look at the teaching of Paul here, we will find a clear picture of how we are to live our lives as we seek to follow Jesus.
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Ephesians 2:11-22 (The Message)
Romans 12:3-8 (The Message)
Acts 2:42-47 (CEB Translation)
How did the early followers of Jesus apply his teachings to their lives? How did they understand their role in the world? What is the Church and why does the Church matter in our modern culture?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Isaiah
John 3:1-18
Luke 4:16-20
Jesus came to bring good news to the people. He says so in the first recorded sermon in the Gospel of Luke. But what exactly is this good news> Who is the good news for?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Isaiah 55:6-7
Psalm 103:1-8
Ephesians 2:1-10
God's grace through Jesus is the cornerstone to our faith. But the free gift often seems too good to be true, and we convince ourselves we are not worthy. How can accepting God's grace affect our lives and the world?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Genesis 3:1-13
Psalm 51
Isaiah 59:1-8
Humans walked with God in the cool breeze of the evenings, face to face. Everything is going so well for humans in the creation story until a wise and crafty snake shows up. What went wrong? What exactly is sin? What role does sin play in our faith and in our world?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Genesis 1:24-31
Psalm 8
Galatians 3:25-29
What does it mean to be human? What is our value, and how do we see the value of others? These questions are fundamental to all humans and play heavily into our culture. But while the world tends to value people based on what they can produce, our readings and the teachings of Jesus call us to a very different view of humanity.
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Ezekiel 36:26-28
Psalm 57
John 14:15-31
We are in week three of a 12-week summer series at Community Pres called Back to Basics. Each week we will discuss scripture around a foundational topic of the Christian faith. Our third installment is about the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? Why is it so important? What does Jesus' promise of the coming Spirit mean for our faith?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Isaiah 9:1-7
Psalm 72
John 1:1-18
We are in week two of a 12-week summer series at Community Pres called Back to Basics. Each week we will discuss scripture around a foundational topic of the Christian faith. Our second installment is about Jesus. Who is Jesus? Why is he so important? What does it mean to follow him? We all are tempted to like certain parts of Jesus' ministry and ignore the parts that challenge us. How can we resist this temptation? How can we hold on to the fullness of Jesus, even if we don't understand it?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Reading: Acts 17:22-28
Today we begin a 12-week summer series at Community Pres called Back to Basics. Each week we will discuss scripture around a foundational topic of the Christian faith. Our first installment is about God. Do you ever think about God? Do you struggle with trying to understand God? If you answer yes to both of these questions you are in good company. We all struggle with trying to understand God. In our discussion, you will hear the congregation wrestle with understanding who God is and how God relates to us.
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Genesis 11:1-9
2nd Reading Psalm 104:24-34
3rd Reading Acts 2:1-17
Pentecost is often celebrated in congregations as the "Birth of the Church". The Prophet Joel promised that God's Spirit would be poured out in the last days. Jesus instructed his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received God's Spirit. Could they have really known what to expect? How did the pouring out of the Holy Spirit change the disciples? What does the Holy Spirit mean for us today?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Acts 16:16-34
2nd Reading Psalm 97
3rd Reading Revelation 22:12-21
Jesus talked about returning to the earth at the end of days. In the Book of Revelation, we have a vision by John recorded as to what that might look like. How should the idea that Jesus will return to earth impact us as his followers?
Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Psalm 67
2nd Reading John 14:23-29
3rd Reading Colossians 3:1-17
What does it mean to live a Christian life? How are we to apply the teachings of Jesus?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Psalm 148
2nd Reading John 13:31-35
3rd Reading Acts 11:1-18
The story of the Bible is often about religion being at odds with what God is doing in the world. We see that over and over in the ministry of Jesus. In our readings today, Peter's religion is challenged by a vision from God. Peter is faced with the reality that God does not affirm Peter's views on who is included in the faith and who is not. Peter must change to recognize the new thing God is doing. We modern reader in the church are no different. We too are consumed with who is included and who is not, often clouding our vision to see God at work in the world. What can we learn from Peter's vision and the last command Jesus gives the disciples?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Acts 9:36-43
2nd Reading Psalm 23
Gospel Reading Revelation 7:9-17
John's vision, the book we call Revelation, shows a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language gathered before the throne of God. All gathered together worshipping God. Revelation is ultimately a book about hope to those under tremendous suffering and oppression. As people in the US with the freedom to worship as we choose, what can this possibly have to say to us?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Psalm 30
2nd Reading Revelation 5:11-14
The book of Revelation belongs to a category of Biblical literature called "Jewish Apocalyptic Literature". It is full of symbolism and imagery as a hope filled commentary on the suffering of the early Christian Church. What does it have to say to us?
Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Acts 5:27 - 32
2nd Reading Psalm 150
Gospel Reading John 20:19 - 31
If you grew up going to church or in a family that discussed faith, how was the topic of doubt handled? Was expressing doubts viewed as wrong or going against God? Was doubt talked about as the opposite of faith? For many, I think this was exactly how doubt was discussed. Faith was talked about in absolutes and doubt was the antithesis of faith. Did that make your doubt disappear, or were you too afraid to acknowledge or voice them? In this week's sermon we look at the well-known story of "Doubting Thomas". Jesus appeared to the disciples, but Thomas wasn't present. When they told Thomas about it, he could not believe unless he too saw Jesus. How does Jesus respond? Where does doubt fit into faith?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Psalm 118:1 -2, 19-29
Gospel Reading Luke 19:29-40
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. We remember Jesus riding triumphantly into Jerusalem to the shouts of "Hosanna in the highest Heaven!" as the crowds of Jewish pilgrims gathered to see this long awaits King. The people were full of expectations...expectations Jesus had no intention of filling. God was doing something much bigger! What does this story have to teach us today? Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Isaiah 43:16 - 21
2nd Reading Psalm 126
Gospel Reading John 12:1 - 8
Passover was six days away. Thousands of Jewish pilgrims were heading to Jerusalem to celebrate and retell the story of God delivering their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. The whispers of a man from Galilee that some claimed was the long-awaited Messiah added to the fervor of the pilgrims. Was God finally going to step in and free them from the oppression of the Romans? Would the throne of David finally be reclaimed? Was God's vengeance to be poured out? As Jesus visited his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany he knew what the next two weeks would hold. Lazarus had been raised from the dead, making Jesus a dangerous man to the Jewish and Roman authorities. He had to be stopped. Mary, a disciple and friend of Jesus, understood what was coming. She anointed his feet and poured out her love for him. What can we learn from Mary's act of love?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Deuteronomy 21:18-21
2nd Reading Psalm 32
3rd Reading Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
Jesus often used parables as a teaching tool in his ministry. It was a common practice among Rabbis in the first century. Each story carried layers of meaning for the listener. In today's reading of Luke 15, The Prodigal Son ends a series of three parables used to teach the grumbling Pharisees and scribes. What were their complaints? How does this story help us understand what God is doing in the world through Jesus? What does this story mean for us as modern listeners?
Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church.
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The new Christian community at Corinth was struggling. They were struggling with various temptations, and it was affecting their faithfulness to God. Paul reminds them of the people of Israel wandering in the wilderness and the trials they faced. He encourages them to learn from their mistakes and remain focused on Jesus. We often find ourselves in a similar situation. What do Paul's words say to us as modern readers? Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Genesis 15: 4-6
2nd Reading Psalm 100
3rd Reading Luke 13: 31-35
When Jesus looked at the city of Jerusalem he lamented for the people. Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, saw the devastation caused by sin and death and longed to bring the people in and lovingly protect them from themselves. But he was not willing to force his will on the people. They needed to choose faith in God. 2,000 years later it can seem like nothing has really changed. What does this passage mean for us as we seek to follow Christ? Are we truly willing to place our faith in God and God alone? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Jesus' ministry begins with two pivotal events, his baptism in the Jordan River and his temptation in the wilderness by the Devil. The first serves to identify who Jesus is, the Son of God. The second serves to show us what kind of Messiah Jesus will be. Join Pastor Jason Schiller for a look at Luke 4:1-13 as we seek to understand what Jesus came to do as the Messiah, and how Jesus' choices impact our call to follow in his footsteps.
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What is Lent? How is it important for our faith and the life of the Church? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for a Reflection on Lent from this week's Ash Wednesday Worship Service at Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
1st Reading Exodus 34:29-35
2nd Reading Psalm 99
Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-36
God has a history of showing up in dramatic fashion. In Exodus, we have God descending on Mt. Sinai with clouds, thunder, and lighting to meet with Moses. God again descends on Mt. Horeb to meet with Elijah. And God again descends on the tabernacle and temple to take God's seat on the Ark in the Holy of Holies. As Jesus prepares to complete his ministry and mission on earth, he goes up on the mountain to pray. God's glory meets Jesus there, and Peter, John, and James witness Jesus' transfiguration. What does this story mean to us? Where do we find God showing up in our lives and modern world?
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40
Luke 6:27-38
Genesis 45:3-15
In the book of Genesis, we find the story of Joseph, his father Jacob, and his eleven brothers. It is a story of favoritism, jealousy, betrayal, and redemption made famous by the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Joseph suffered at the hands of his brothers yet found himself in power in Egypt, saving the people from seven years of famine. How does this story speak to our faith? What can we learn from the life of Joseph? Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler as we join the story with Joseph being reunited with his brothers in Egypt.
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Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota!
Today's Readings:
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1
Luke 6:17-26
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, the Gospel of Luke records an early teaching to the newly called disciples known as "The Sermon on the Plain". Jesus shares a list of blessings and woes, pointing to the difficulty the disciples will encounter as they seek to follow Jesus. Blessings and being blessed are commonly used in the church and larger culture. How does Jesus talk about being blessed? What does it mean for us today as we seek to follow Jesus?
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Spend any time watching or reading the news today and you will quickly be overcome by the amount of chaos in our world. Chaos seems to be growing in all facets of our lives. Chaos was present in Jesus' time also. In the story of Jesus casting out demons in Luke 4:31-44, Jesus teaches in the synagogue and a man with an unclean spirit is present. Jesus silences the demon and casts them out of the man, healing him in the process. What do we make of this story? Are demons reigning in our modern world? Is evil winning? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon from Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
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Who is Jesus of Nazareth? Why is he here? Where does he derive his power? By whose authority does he act in this world? These are the question the writer of Luke seeks to answer for the reader at the beginning of his Gospel. Jesus' identity, power, and authority are vital to us understanding what God is doing through Jesus and the true impact on the world. By seeking to understand Jesus' identity, power, and authority, we can also begin to understand our own as people seeking to follow Jesus. Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler and Pastor Jason Schiller in this week's sermon on Luke 4:31-44 from Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
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Jesus returns to his hometown and finds himself teaching and preaching in the synagogue about bringing good news. The people's reaction starts out as praise and astonishment and ends with them trying to throw Jesus off a cliff. What did Jesus say to cause this change? What does this story teach us as modern readers? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon on Luke 4:14-30.
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Jesus' first miracle is recorded in the Gospel of John 2:1-11. A wedding in Cana seems like an insignificant place for the long-awaited Messiah to begin his ministry, but the simple act of turning water into wine speaks volumes on the nature of God and Jesus' purpose in this world. Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon.
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We come to the beginning of Jesus' ministry this week with the Gospel of Matthew's account of the baptism of Jesus. Why does Jesus seek out John for baptism? What does it mean for us in the modern church? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this week's sermon about Jesus, baptism, and belonging.
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The story of the Magi visiting baby Jesus is a popular part of the Christmas story. Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler as she discusses the visit by "The Wise Men" and what it might mean for us today.
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What do the promises of God in the Old Testament mean for the modern reader? Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler as she discusses the text in Micah 5:2-5a.
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The people were filled with expectations, but thier expectations caused them to miss the clues that God was doing something very different. Listen to Pastor Jason Schiller as we look at the promises found in Zephaniah 3:14-20.
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God sent a messenger before Jesus to prepare the people for the Messiah. The reading of John the Baptist's story is challenging for modern Christians. What does John's message mean for us if we are people following Jesus and have already been baptized with the Holy Spirit? Join Pastor Jason Schiller as we look at the Gospel of Luke 3:1-6.
Learn more about Community Presbyterian Church at www.communitypresbyterianchurch.com
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Advent begins a season of waiting. We wait on the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ. But as we wait, we are called to be people of hope. What does that mean and how should our lives look as people living in hope? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for his sermon on waiting in hope based on Luke 21:25-36.
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Moses received the Ten Commandments a long time ago. By the time Jesus comes into the picture, the Law had been used for centuries to hold power over people. This is not what God intended, and Jesus made this known repeatedly in his ministry. Jesus summed up the Law, all 613 commandments, to two; love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. What do Jesus' words mean for us as we seek to follow him? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this conclusion of our sermon series with Mark 12:28-34.
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We come to the last of the Ten Commandments with Exodus 20:17, Do Not Covent. Our culture conditions us to never be satisfied, to always envy the life and possessions of others. But coveting others has severe consequences to our lives and our faith. Join Pastor Jason Schiller as we seek to understand what God we getting to in this last commandment.
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Does the truth matter? How does lying affect out relationships and impact the lives of our neighbors? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for week nine in our sermon series on The Ten Commandments.
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Do not steal. That seems like an easy commandment we can all get behind. But diving into this commandment brings up many questions. Join Pastor Jason Schiller this week for week 8 of our sermon series on The Ten Commandments.
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Join us this week as we pause our sermon series on The Ten Commandment to celebrate the gift of music in the church and the retirement of Mary Jo Jess as our choir director. Pastor Jason Schiller discusses Colossians 3:12-17 and the role of music in our faith and our lives.
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Most of us can recognize that cheating on a spouse or partner is wrong, but what if this commandment goes beyond that understanding? Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler for our seventh sermon on The Ten Commandments, Do Not Commit Adultery.
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Finally, a simple commandment...do not kill. But as we look at the Sixth Commandment, we quickly find a lot of nuance, especially when we examine how Jesus interpreted this commandment. Join Pastor Jason Schiller for week six in our sermon series on The Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:13.
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What does it mean to honor your parents? What does that look like practically for a community? In week five of our series on The Ten Commandments, Pastor Jason Schiller explores the challenges of this commandment in our modern times and what it might mean for us today. (Apologies for the audio quality!)
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This week we discuss the fourth commandment, "Keep the Sabbath Holy". What does a holy Sabbath look like for us, the modern reader? Our culture does not value rest. In fact, we often think of rest as laziness, and we fill our calendars beyond the breaking point to avoid being seen as lazy. But God rested and called the rest day holy. Join Pastor Jason Schiller in the fourth sermon in the series on The Ten Commandments.
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Exodus 20:7 "You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name."
We hear the word God used often throughout our day, though not usually in a good way. It seams to be some people's favorite way to curse! But if we really think about it, we are all guilty of misusing God's name. God's name is set apart in the third commandment, it is special and needs to be used in ways that honor God. What does that look like for us as modern Christians? Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler this week for the third sermon in our series on the ten commandments.
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Exodus 20:4-6 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments."
What is an idol and why should we avoid them? God new the destructive way idols could affect the people of Israel, and they did repeatedly. Our relationships and community suffer when we place or focus on idols instead of God. Join Pastor Jason Schiller this week for the the second of an eleven week sermon series on the Ten Commandments.
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This episode begins an 11 week sermon series on the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments find their way into the public square from time to time, but what did they mean for those in the book of Exodus and what do they mean for us today? Join Pastor Jason Schiller for this journey into the Law.
We begin with the first commandment, found in Exodus 20:1-2.
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As humans, we hold to many meaningful traditions in our lives. Most families have traditions build around celebrating holidays. The church is full of traditions. But how do our traditions affect our faith and our calling to follow God? Are all our traditions good? Join Pastor Jason Schiller as he explores the role of tradition in faith in this sermon on the Gospel of Mark 7:1-13.
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What does it mean to put on the armor of God? Are we under attack? Are we to prepare for battle? Join Lay Pastor Mary Shideler for her thoughts on this text and what it means for us today.
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Sermon from Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on Ephesians 5:15-20. What does it mean to be wise? What is wise living? Join Pastor Jason Schiller and the community of CPC in this week's sermon.
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