Marda Loop Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Marda Loop Church Podcast
Marda Loop Church is a team and a community of people who are all about engaging God everywhere — via science, sport, art, film, work, politics and more. Our hope is that this podcast will be a helpful way for you to engage with us and the world around you; whether you are sitting in your car, making yourself lunch, or out for a walk, we want you to be able to experience and meet with God along side us. Here you will find our latest sermons and a few other things we wanted to share with you. Thanks for listening!
This week we continue our series on The Theology of Wood with a sermon on the story of the medieval longbow and what it teaches us about how God's good creation can often fall short and miss the mark. Join us as we continue seek, name, and know God everywhere!
This week, Pastor John will be talking about the created potential of wood—God's gift to build a world. In the weeks ahead we'll talk about how that potential sometimes falls short, how it can be redemptive (via a conversation with several woodworkers), and how it can sometimes sound like glory (via the beauty of the violin). Join us as we continue to seek, name, and know God everywhere!
Join us for a three part series on Handel's Messiah and how God is at work in the centuries old music of George Frideric Handel.
Join us for a three part series on Handel's Messiah and how God is at work in the centuries old music of George Frideric Handel.
Join us for a three part series on Handel's Messiah and how God is at work in the centuries old music of George Frideric Handel.
Join us this week as we talk about and look towards God's good future and our place in it.
This week, Pastor John talks about the nature of miracles, proposing a paradigm shift towards thinking about miracles as a natural way of realigning broken things in our world.
Join us as Pastor John talks about the ebb and flow of the God who moves in and in between the mundane and the extravagance of everyday life.
Pastor John talks about the process of truth and reconciliation, and we acknowledge the pain we have caused and been a part of causing. Join us as we mourn, learn, and take steps towards reconciliation.
In the wake of the Blue Jays loss this year, Pastor John preaches on baseball and the God who gives good gifts - even when we lose.
This week, pastor John talks about inclusion and how all people are invited to God's table. Join us as we take communion together, and feel free to participate and partake with whatever you have from wherever you are listening.
This week, we talk about how God speaks through the wind, sailing, and however else we may need to meet with our creator.
Join us as John talks about finding freedom in God's sovereignty and in surrendering our own sense of control.
John's back and ready to dig in, starting with tackling the question of what does it mean to be know by God? A common but cryptic saying with a deep message, join us as we work on knowing and being known by God.
Here's one from the vault's! Join us as John talks about the God who restores us and who has built it into us to restore things as well - like cars.
Join us as guest preacher Jacqui Mignault brings us a word on Peter and Cornelius, Sam and Frodo, and the stories we find ourselves in.
Join us as Pastor John talks about his experience with the power and beauty of horses and how we can see God in and at work in these magnificent animals.
Join us as we talk about some of the ways that God restores us - our minds, our hearts, and our relationship to God.
This week, Pastor John talks about the psalms, patience, and the movement of our great God. Thanks for joining us!
Join us this week as Pastor John Van Sloten speaks about how God sets us free from our bonds.
As we wrap up our "theology of animals pod," Paster John talks about the mysteries and wonder found in the scientific pursuit of the illusive giant squid.
This week, Reverend Paul Verhoef is bring us a message on the beatitudes and seeing God. Thanks for joining us!
As we continue with our "Easter though the lens of Bach" theme, Paster John brings us more words on the hope and joy that are found in the resurrection of Christ and the reflections of this in Johann Sebastian Bach's music. So please Join us as we celebrate, listen, and learn together.
For our 2022 Good Friday service, John thought that words simply weren't enough. So please Join us as we learn about how we can know God more and understand more fully Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross through the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
This sermon was a combination service with our regional classis as we publicly have a ceremony confirming Paster John within the RCA denomination. To see the full confirmation process, head over to our YouTube Channel.
This week, as we wrap up or Old Testament pod, Pastor John brings us a message on the story of Esther. Join us as we talk about courage, brokenness, and the God who is present even in the unnamed and unseen moving of the spirit. Thanks for joining us!
This week's sermon also includes a video on the book of Esther that was created by the BibleProject. BibleProject is the author and owner of their videos. To see their full library of free content, please visit BibleProject.com. For direct access to the video used in our service, you can go to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JydNSlufRIs
Join us for more stories from the Old Testament as Pastor John discusses the Israelites exodus from Egypt and God's saving nature.
This week, Pastor John unpacks the story of Noah's Ark. Join us today as we talk about floods, wars, and what it means to live looking towards the end.
This week's message marks the beginning of our Old Testament series. In this sermon, John breaks down the story of the brothers Cain and Abel, while drawing parallels to the tragedy that has been taking place in Ukraine. Join us as we delve into God's word today.
This week, John talks about the status of our church, our journey so far, and the lessons we have learned as we have been walking through this pandemic.
This week, Pastor John shares the truth of the gospel message using the lens of the Disney film, "Encanto." We go into this movie as a spiritual parable that shines a light on generational trauma and it's damaging power to relationships. Unresolved trauma echos through generations, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The truth embedded in this beautiful story is one of reconciliation and redemption. Our miracle is that we can be healed, restored, and redeemed. There is hope for our broken, damaged, and weary souls through Christ - our light.
Join us as we begin this month's series: "the Gospel According to Children's Stories." This week, John is preaching on Margery Williams' "the Velveteen Rabbit" and the realness that comes from being loved.
Come join us this week as Pastor John Van Sloten Speaks about finding God through maps.
For week two our our Theology of Winter pod, Pastor John prepares us for our winter skating party and gives us a new way to look at the beauty in ice.
Happy New Year! This week Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church begins a short series exploring ”The Theology of Winter.” In the natural world, winter is a time of slowing down, of mustering the meagre resources to get through a difficult time in preparation for a magnificent transformation. Gods invite us to embrace this time of reflection, to slow down and be still in His presence. Beneath the icy chill and snow, God is at work in us, speaking to the deep to bring us through to the light - His. Light. God is God of all things and all seasons. Each moment, even now in this seemingly dark and dreary world, is His invitation to slow down, seek His face, and be transformed.
Join us this week as Pastor John talks interviews a psychologist about managing stress in the midst of a pandemic.
Pastor John of Marda Loop Church continues his sermon series exploring pandemic stress and the doctrine of the incarnation. The message of the incarnation is “God with us”. The ultimate antidote for pandemic stress and trauma is knowing who we are with and experiencing that "with-ness” in a real and saving way. Pastor John unpacks how God being with us can change our response to pandemic trauma and stress. God was with us in the midst of our deepest trauma and He is here with us now ready to restore us into being fully ourselves and free.
Join us this week as Pastor John speaks on how we deal with trauma better when we share our burden with others.
This week's message is about the God imaging, lifesaving work that ICU nurses carryout. Join us as Pastor John unpacks all this in our 2nd week of this months' "What it Means to Image God" series.
Join us this week as John talks more about the ways in which we image God and what all that entails!
Join us for this week's message as John talks about God's invisible, sustaining presence.
"Without the kind of faith in God that is larger than life, and therefore worth dying for, and therefore worth living for, without a LIVED LOVE AFFAIR with God, life is vanity of vanities, the shadow of a shadow, a dream within a dream." - Peter Kreeft
Pastor John Van Sloten delivers his message on how to read the bible for all its worth! “As you read the various narratives, [we have to] be constantly on the lookout for how the inspired narrator discloses the point of view from which you are to understand the story.” – Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart.
Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church shares the gospel message with Part two of the three-part series “God and Science.” This week, Pastor John shares the “Story of the Saving Parable of mRNA Vaccines.” Imagine, God has given all of us an incredible immune system - a vaccine-receptive, physiological saving divine gift! God’s saving work is eternal and everlasting. This saving power is seen in the healing of our bodies, our relationships and our hearts. Indeed - it is but a small taste of the eternal saving power of Christ!
This week's sermon comes from the first of our "God and Science" series. This month, we are getting started with our new model for Church which includes doing Church (the body of Christ) away from church (a building). For more information on what the next few weeks will look like, you can check out the full service on our YouTube channel, find the plan on our social media platforms, or check our our website!
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church shares the gospel message of God's ever-present comfort using Psalm 23. As the summer comes to a close, surely we need to "shake off" the weight of not only the pandemic experience, but also life in general. Psalm 23 brings us to a place of deeply centred, rejuvenating rest. God is truly a "God of All" when he shepherds our life, we lack for nothing and can rest in his amazing compassionate love and care - knowing that "goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives."
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church shares the gospel message of Christ through the final blessing from Jesus in the Beatitudes- a blessing for the persecuted. When we truly LIVE what we believe to the point of standing up for the truth of Christ through all adversity, we are most fully ourselves and living closer to God. When we speak and live the truth of Jesus Christ, the slings and arrows of suffering will without a doubt fly our way. The joy, the blessing of living and breathing in HIS presence, power and love is more than enough to see us through to the other side.
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten takes us through part 7 of our journey through the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Pastor John discusses what it takes in order to truly make peace, by breaking the cycle of vengeance that so often harms us all. By taking a look at key historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr, we see that by stopping the cycle of revenge and boldly standing firm in our faith, we open a path for true healing and true peace to take place.
Florists are made in the image of a God who arranged and is arranging everything! What they do, and how they do it, can TEACH US something about the World Arranging Heart of God. Join us this week as Pastor John talks to us about growth, order, and beauty through the lens of a florist.
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten takes us through the godliness of the profession of an Optometrist. Why the eye doctor? First, they have front-row seat to a miraculous part of creation called the “human eye” (a part of creation that reflects some of its Maker’s wisdom!) Second, Optometrists are made in the image of a God who wants people to SEE! Their passions are an expression of God’s passions… and point to God’s heart!
What does the nature of an audiologist teach us about God’s sense restoring heart? Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda loop Church brings us the gospel message of a God who wants to restore our hearing. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” - Jesus (Luke 8:8).
Put your exercise gear on! Today, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church brings us the gospel message by unpacking the exercise regimen called “Cross Fit.” As Pastor John says, “All good workouts are God’s good work outs.”
Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop presents part 6 of our series on the Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount- “Blessed are the Pure in heart, for they will see God.” Pastor John discuss what it means to be pure in heart and what keeps us away from that place – what we lose when we live impure in heart lives. God made us and wants us to live full abundant lives. Our desires were made for God more than anything. His desire for us is pure and he wants more than anything to give us a new heart, to make us pure again. What joy is found in seeing the face of God smiling back at us!
Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop presents part 5 of our series on The Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Pastor John unpacks these words using the powerful example of Father Fagba, a Catholic priest in the Central African Republic. We live in an all too merciless world. When we own our own fallibilities and take the right actions in love, there is a better chance to be more merciful with each other. Can we be in the right relationship with God when we are not in the right relationship with his people? It is one thing to be morally tough but quite another to be mercifully soft in that toughness.
Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Chuch presents part four of our series on The Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. This week, Pastor John unpacks the fourth Beatitude (blessing), "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Considering recent events around the world today, vaccine inequality, racism, climate change… it is hard to imagine that God faces this continually moment by moment, time after time and weeps with us… and here we are, yearning to make things right, hungering and thirsting for justice. Knowing we can not live with out God’s justice and victory prevailing. Hopeful that God will keep his promise and make all things new again. In the meantime, all we can do is reach out to each other. See each other. Wonder, rage, grieve with each other. And Transform together knowing God through our small acts of love and acceptance.
Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church continues his series on The Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Today, Pastor John discusses the third Beatitude (blessing),” Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” Pastor John unpacks for us what it means to be “meek.” Given the life and times of our world today, meekness seems to be quite counterintuitive! We live in a world that praises strength and power. So, what does it really mean to be of a “meek” nature? And, what does it have to do with inheriting the earth?! Jesus lived it so that we could learn from his example and be to others what he is to us. And then, well, we gain everything – in short, we, “inherit the earth” and can live a life renewed with God.
Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop continues his series on The Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes are blessings spoken by Jesus to us; to receive a blessing from God is to know that God is with us. Today’s Pastor John discusses the second Beatitude” Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Mourning, as Eugene Peterson says, is present in ALL our lives, ALL the time. It can break out into the surface of our lives at the most banal of moments triggering a deep, deep brokenness. Jesus offers us a way out, a way to be whole again. He knows your name, your story – Jesus KNOWS you. When we step into our grief and pain, admitting our loss to God, we open ourselves up for healing and comfort.
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten begins a new series on the Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Today’s topic focuses on the first part of the Beatitudes – “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Pastor John discusses what it means to be “poor in spirit,” what the Beatitudes are, and how we can respond to blessings like these from God. Those of us who have hit rock bottom, who are desperate, fallen short, are left with no options certainly can fall into the category of "poor in spirit." However, this is exactly where we can find God: walking with our spirit, crushed and looking for a way out as we may be, blessing us and inviting us to let him in on our life’s journey.
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten talks about the tenth commandment: you shall not covet. From buying a new stove to a new house, join us as we listen to Pastor John's message and try to realign ourselves with God's desires for us, rather than our own.
Today, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church discusses “Engaging God Through Character”. What does it look like? How can our ‘good character traits” be a means through which we can engage God in the world around us? Consider where we are in this pandemic - how has God grown our character over this past year? How can we LOVE like Christ? When we’ve seen the truth about ourselves, we can choose to own it and rise above it. This is the work of God in our lives.
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church brings us part 2 of his 3-part series on change in the church. Following up last week's question – "Are you willing to change?" – today's message is addressing how we want to change. Specifically, we are looking at the new vision for Marda Loop Church and what the change occurring in our building and in our community will look like in the months to come. God is calling us to step into the faith life he has placed before us. We are a church that seeks to help people Engage God Everywhere – at home, at works, at school, at play, in the valley and on the mountain top. God is everywhere and is in everything, and we would like to invite you to join us on this exciting journey.
Today, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church begins a 3-part series on Change in the church. Pastor John‘s message is an overview on how the church has always changed and how it always needs to change. We are increasingly challenged to trust and make space for God’s new thing to happen. What is holding us back? How do we move forward to be who God is calling us to be? These are exciting times! We, Marda Loop Church, are amid a season of change that began long before COVID and we are looking forward to exploring what the seasons to come will look like!
This week, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church talks about the ninth commandment, "You shall not lie".
Today, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church concludes his Lenten/Easter Art Series with Rembrandt’s painting “Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene.” Pastor John asks us to remember and re–enter the event that changed the course of history and has the power to transform our lives. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our Christian faith. Just as Jesus met Mary and called her by name, he is standing in front of us, today, calling. He knows our name. He knows everything about us and still loves us. This is the miracle of Easter! The power of the resurrection is found in the voice that whispers to our hearts, reaching out and into us – calling us to him.
In this Good Friday message, Pastor John Van Sloten of Marda Loop Church shares the gospel message of Christ’s crucifixion using Rembrandt’s painting “The Raising of the Cross”. Rembrandt knew the truth about the human condition. He knew what Jesus knew- that we are a broken people and we have fallen short of the glory of God. Just as Rembrandt put himself into the painting, Pastor John asks us to imagine ourselves standing at the foot of the cross. What would we have done? Are we ready to enter the story and own our part? Rembrandt’s painting asks us to follow the light and see ourselves for who we truly are and remember that we can follow the story to the end, rejoicing in the very perfect ending of the grace, love and mercy we find on Easter Sunday. Pastor John ends this message with communion.
We invite you to take part by making sure you have something to eat and drink (like a cup of juice and a piece of bread) on hand.
For Easter 2021, our team at Marda Loop Church decided to put together a new way for you to engage with God through the Easter story. No matter where you are or who you are with, we hope that you will be able to meet with God and know Christ through this short podcast series.
For Easter 2021, our team at Marda Loop Church decided to put together a new way for you to engage with God through the Easter story. No matter where you are or who you are with, we hope that you will be able to meet with God and know Christ through this short podcast series.
For Easter 2021, our team at Marda Loop Church decided to put together a new way for you to engage with God through the Easter story. No matter where you are or who you are with, we hope that you will be able to meet with God and know Christ through this short podcast series.
For Easter 2021, our team at Marda Loop Church decided to put together a new way for you to engage with God through the Easter story. No matter where you are or who you are with, we hope that you will be able to meet with God and know Christ through this short podcast series.
For Easter 2021, our team at Marda Loop Church decided to put together a new way for you to engage with God through the Easter story. No matter where you are or who you are with, we hope that you will be able to meet with God and know Christ through this short podcast series.
For Easter 2021, our team at Marda Loop Church decided to put together a new way for you to engage with God through the Easter story. No matter where you are or who you are with, we hope that you will be able to meet with God and know Christ through this short podcast series.