Trek Through the Scriptures: Recent Episodes
Zion Lutheran Church
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they journey through the Scriptures in the year 2022, in conversation and preaching. Each week, they will reflect on the upcoming daily readings, giving you fresh perspective to guide your reading and help you approach the text, and sermons that apply Biblical themes and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for you.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis, Vicar Jason Kohm, and special guest, Seminarian Aidan Moon, as they wrap up our Trek Through the Scriptures this year and look forward to the year ahead.
The end of Revelation is in sight for this final episode! Former Vicar Aidan Moon once again joins Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they wrap up Zion’s year-long study of the Scriptures together. In addition to learning about the highlights and purpose of Revelation, you’ll also hear more about Aidan’s personal life after Zion and some additional details for our next study. You don’t want to miss the conclusion to Trek through the Scriptures!
Join Pastor Tom Marcis, Vicar Jason Kohm, and special guest, Seminarian Aidan Moon, as they discuss 2 Peter, Jude, 1-3 John, and Revelation 1-6 in the penultimate episode of "Trek through the Scriptures".
Are good works necessary for salvation? The Church has wrestled with this question throughout its entire history. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they reflect on the relationship between faith and works according to Hebrews and James. See what the Scriptures have to say about the good things we do as Christians.
You may want to start washing some dishes or begin busy work around the house as you listen; today’s episode covers five different epistles, and it might be our longest one yet! Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they finish Paul’s last epistles and begin discussion on Hebrews. See how, even when we forsake Jesus and give up on Him, He never, ever gives up on us.
We have a lot of ground to cover today between Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and 1 Timothy. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they continue to trek through Paul’s many epistles. This week, we learn more about eschatology (the end times) and his advice for Timothy, a young pastor who carried on his work after he died.
Have you ever wanted to see for yourself what the Bible has to say? Well, you've come to the right place! Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as we explore the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and provide some guideposts and landmarks along the way. Welcome to Trek Through The Scriptures!
You know what’s better than one Pastor Marcis on the mic? Two of them! This week, our guest Pastor Pete Marcis joins Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon to focus especially on Ephesians and Philippians. See how the victory that Jesus won on the cross long ago continues to give us comfort and strength in our own battles!
In this week’s episode, we welcome another former Zion Vicar, Pastor Brock Schmeling, to discuss the rest of 2 Corinthians and some of Galatians with Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon. See how the cross of Christ is a paradox of suffering and exaltation—a mystery that shapes the believer’s life.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they discuss the Reformation, Martin Luther, and the origins of the Lutheran Church.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they discuss 1 Corinthians and begin to discuss 2 Corinthians.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as the discuss Romans 7-16 and begin to look at 1 Corinthians 1-4.
Acts ends with Paul spreading the Good News of Christ all the way to Rome, the pagan capital of the ancient world. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they finish looking at the book of Acts and provide a crash course on reading the New Testament Epistles. From the moment of his conversion, nothing would prevent Paul from strongly preaching the Gospel for the rest of his life. See how Jesus worked powerfully through this former persecutor of the church!
This week’s episode introduces a key player in the formation of the church: Paul, the persecutor-turned-apostle by the Lord Jesus Himself. Join Pastor Tom Marcis, Vicar Aidan Moon, and our guest Pastor Douglas Bergelin as they continue to discuss the church’s movement across the world in Acts. See how the Lord spread the good news of salvation to all people.
If you enjoyed reading Luke’s gospel, you’re in luck—he wrote a second book called Acts that continues the story. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they discuss the overlap between Luke and Acts. Jesus’ work was far from over after His Resurrection. See how Jesus sent His Holy Spirit upon the apostles to spread the good news of salvation way beyond Jerusalem, to the ends of the earth.
Today we begin to cover the last of the four gospels in our Trek through the Scriptures: Luke! Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they set the scene for Luke’s gospel with this week’s guest, our former Vicar Ben Ramthun. See how Luke’s gospel is intended to create and nourish Christians throughout their whole lives.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis, Vicar Aidan Moon, and special guest, Pastor Bill Gauger, as they discuss John's Gospel, both up close and in the bigger context of the Gospels, the New Testament, and the Bible as a whole.
Matthew begins with Jesus’ birth, and Mark begins with Jesus’ ministry—but John starts His gospel at the very, very beginning, when God created the universe through His Word, revealed to be Jesus Himself. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they discuss the two different endings of Mark and take an in-depth look at John 1. We may not be able to fully wrap our heads around God becoming man, but we do see a wonderful expression of His love in this mystery.
The story of Jesus is so important that not one, but four people wrote an account of His life, death, and resurrection. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they cover the ending of Matthew and turn to Mark, the second of the four gospels. See how Mark tells the same story Matthew does, but in a different way, one that focuses on Jesus’ actions rather than His words.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” In Jesus, God broke into this world like never before to establish His reign over all things. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they discuss what Matthew tells us about Christ’s earthly ministry and God’s eternal kingdom. Through the cross, we see that Jesus offers salvation for all who believe in Him, Jew and Gentile alike; through His resurrection and ascension, His work of proclaiming this good news continues today.
After eight months of trekking through the Old Testament, we’ve finally made it to the New Testament! Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Jason Kohm as they review the story of the Scriptures one last time and provide some context for Matthew’s gospel. We see in the genealogy of Jesus given at the beginning of Matthew that the history of God’s people has been inching towards a goal, the birth of one person: Jesus the Christ. The time has come for God to redeem His people once and for all!
God’s voice has constantly spoken to His people since the very beginning, but after Malachi’s oracle, He suddenly goes quiet for a few hundred years while the ancient world changes. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicars Aidan Moon and Jason Kohm as they finish reviewing the whole story in 2 Chronicles and look to the gap between the Testaments—there’s a surprising amount of history to unpack.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicars Aidan Moon and Jason Kohm as they discuss the last chapters of Malachi as well as 1 Chronicles.
God’s people are returning home – but the story isn’t over yet. Join Pastor Tom Marcis, Vicar Aidan, and guest Pastor Brad Stoltenow as they trek through the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, seeing how these post-exile prophets point forward to the coming Messiah. As we journey through the prophets, we are reminded how themes of priorities, repentance, and God’s mighty work continue even to our own time.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis as he reflects on Daniel 3: 13-30 as we see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand firm in their faith.
It’s tough to be away from home. It’s much worse to be exiles in an enemy land. Join Vicar’s Aidan and Jason as they learn from the stories of exile found in Esther and Daniel, seeing how these heroes navigate their difficult new context, and what we can learn as we live as heavenly exiles in our own times and places. God’s kingdom will overwhelm all other kingdoms, so all we have to do is be faithful where we are.
God keeps his promises to the remnant of his people. Join Vicars Aidan and Jason as they discuss Ezra and Nehemiah, reflecting on the parallel of hope and disappointment in these historical texts, and how they set us up for our soon arrival in the New Testament. See how God’s people return from exile and work to become a worshipping community once again.
Ezekiel continues. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they reflect on the second part of Ezekiel, including reflections on “the Day of the Lord” and how to interpret the new temple. Through these visions, we see God’s ultimate purpose of rescuing, restoring, and returning to his people.
Flying chariot thrones, spinning wheels full of eyes, and dry bones come to life! What do these have in common? They are all just a few of the stunning and bizarre visionary images given to us by the prophet Ezekiel. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they discuss the first part of Ezekiel, a visionary prophet in exile who vividly predicted Israel’s doomsday.
In the heart of suffering and loss, God’s people cry out. Join Pastor Marcis and Vicar Moon as they reflect on the end of Jeremiah, and on the beginning of the book of Lamentations. See how the poetry of these books can help us to reflect on God’s faithfulness, even as we struggle and lament brokenness, sin, and death in the world. In our second half, join Vicar Moon and guest, listener Donna Davidson, as they reflect on the experience of reading through the Old Testament this year and deal with some questions.
Join Pastor Tom, Vicar Aidan, and guest Chris Durham, former vicar at Zion, as they discuss the prophet Jeremiah. See how this timeless book of judgement and grace can guide us to reflect on our own lives in the context of God’s law and his faithfulness to us. Even when powerful, corrupt, rebellious nations like Babylon throw around their weight, God is still behind it all, and he will rescue his people.
What is love? Join Vicar Moon and guest Pastor Jon Bonine as they reflect on God’s love from a variety of different perspectives. Through the language of Solomon’s Song of Songs and the prophet Jeremiah, see how God’s relationship with his people is reflected concretely in human relationships, giving us images of the passion with which Christ loves his Church.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis as he reflects on Proverbs 3, seeing how God has given us the tools to guide us through life.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss the Holy Trinity and Holy Trinity Sunday.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss the feast of Pentecost within the context of our Trek Through the Scriptures.
What is the purpose of life? And how can we live it well? Big questions, but these are the just some of the questions asked by the wisdom literature of God’s people. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they reflect on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, seeing how these books can give us a big picture of living well, seeking to live wisely and simply, placing ultimate meaning in God’s hands.
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” God is God, and we are not. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they finish up the book of Job, delve into the Psalms, and learn from the wisdom of past generations in the Proverbs. See how God’s wisdom can be trusted, even when things don’t look good.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven and the corresponding Bible passages from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts.
Why, God? This is a timeless question, one that people throughout the ages have wrestled with. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they reflect on how the ancient story of Job deals with this, and even more, the question of God’s justice when the righteous suffer. In particular, see how NOT to deal with suffering through this age-old story of human wisdom compared to God’s.
It’s tough being a prophet of Yahweh. Saying what God has to say is not a fun job, but they served him anyway. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they continue to reflect on the minor prophets, reflecting on how these books give us a picture of how to deal with suffering, injustice, and even our own sin by looking to God’s promises.
Ugly, dark, scary… confusing. These might be a few of the words that come to mind when reading some of the minor prophets. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they tackle these shorter prophetic books, seeing the horror of judgement in “the Day of the Lord” and yet the glimmer of hope in God’s character as gracious, abounding in steadfast love.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis as he reflects on Isaiah chapters 52 and 53 and the foretold events of Good Friday.
Join us as we talk with our newly placed vicar, Jason Kohm, about his journey so far throughout his schooling and his excitement to come to Bismarck.
Join Vicar Aidan Moon as he reflects on Isaiah Chapter 6 and his marvelous, yet horrifying vision of God's holiness.
It’s the end of the world as we know it… but I feel fine! Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they finish up the book of the prophet Isaiah, seeing how even amidst the end of the world as the people of Judah knew it, God was still faithful. Learn how when we see the big picture, the end of the world is good news. God is making all things new and has sent a suffering servant who will rescue his people. Isaiah points us forward to restoration and peace, the world made right.
“Yahweh is deliverance.” Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon this week as they trek through the book of Isaiah, one of the most significant of the Old Testament prophetic books. See how God meets his people with his Law and Gospel, judgement and grace, in this beautiful (but sometimes difficult) book.
There’s idolatry everywhere. In this week’s trek, we journey through 2 Kings and Isaiah, and the future is grim for God’s people. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they discuss the significance of some of the significant kings of Judah, Hezekiah, Manasseh and Josiah, and then begin the book of the prophet Isaiah. God’s judgement is real and pressing, but there is still hope for his people, even at their most hard-hearted.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they reflect on Easter Sunday and its importance in the church year.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss the events of Holy Saturday, reflecting on the events of Good Friday and looking towards the Resurrection.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss the somber events of Good Friday and clear up some of the questions often asked about the darkest day on the church calendar.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Moon as the discuss the events of Maundy Thursday, with an emphasis on the institution of the Lord's Supper and the night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss the events of Wednesday in Holy Week, focusing in on Judas Iscariot, the spy among the 12.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss and reflect on the events of Holy Tuesday, looking towards the cross on Friday and the tomb on Sunday.
After an age of prosperity and power, God’s people divide and face destruction. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Moon as they continue to discuss the books of the Kings, seeing God’s people fracture into two kingdoms. Prophets and kings go back and forth with one another, as destruction comes ever nearer and powerful nations threaten to bring God’s people to an end.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss and reflect on the events of Holy Monday, looking towards the cross on Friday and the tomb on Sunday.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon as they discuss and reflect on Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week.
Solomon the wise abandons reason for madness! Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they finish up Samuel and begin to trek through the books of Kings, and see the peak of Israel’s golden age and its waning. Solomon, despite his wisdom, allows for idolatry to grow again among God’s people, planting the seeds of their destruction. Ironically, the children of Israel who were once liberated slaves now becomes a powerful oppressor themselves. The work of the prophets will call them to account, even as division and destruction await.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis as he reflects on 2 Samuel 7 and how even though we want to be in control of our lives, God is ultimately in control.
Join Vicar Aidan Moon as he shares the good news of Jesus Christ while reflecting on this week's readings.
A man after God’s own heart? Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they continue through the book of Samuel, tracing the transition from Judges to Kings through Saul and ultimately to David, seeing the sobering mess that sin can cause, even in the lives of the faithful. The story is not over yet, for a greater king will come from David’s line who will bring God’s kingdom to all nations.
“Pride goeth before a fall.” Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they trek through the first part of the book of Samuel, especially examining the dynamic of three main characters: Samuel, Saul, and David. We will see how they offer us a contrast of pride, faith, and how God and Israel value different things.
Join Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon on our Trek Through the Scriptures as they reflect on Ash Wednesday, its significance in the church year, and the meanings behind our traditions.
Israel has inherited the promised land, but they are still in sin’s grip. From good to bad, to worse… but there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Join Pastor Tom, Vicar Aidan, and special guest Kristin Nistler, Director of Children and Family Ministry at Zion, as they discuss Judges and Ruth. In Judges, we read a tragic and horrific tale of bad to worse, as the people of Israel spiral into sin. In Ruth, we read a hopeful tale of normal people seeking to live faithfully even in the midst of the chaos of life and get a glimpse of hope in the redemption that God will bring to the world.
Join Vicar Aidan Moon as he considers the text for this week from Joshua 24: 1-18 and reflects on idolatry and who we truly serve in our lives.
Finally! After 40 years of wandering, and the deaths of a whole generation of the people of Israel, they have arrived. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they show how God keeps his promise to his covenant people, and how this promise foreshadows the greater victory and inheritance Christ, the newer and greater Joshua, offers to his followers: victory over sin, death, and hell, and resurrection life together with him.
Join Pastor Marcis as we reflect on Deuteronomy 31:6 look into God's transition from Moses into Joshua and the leading of His people as we conclude Deuteronomy.
Transition is coming. Having given the law, applied and expanded for a new generation, Moses delivers his last words of wisdom to a people preparing to enter the promised land. This week, join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they discuss the end of the book of Deuteronomy, as Moses passes the baton to his successor Joshua and we see that in the end, God is the main character of the story.
Join Pastor Mark Christiansen as we reflect on Deuteronomy 6 and God's call to love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind.
40 years in the wilderness have passed. The old generation is almost gone, and now Moses reminds the people of Israel who they are. Join Pastor Tom Marcis and guest Pastor Mark Christensen as they finish up Numbers and dive into the book of Deuteronomy, where Moses prepares a new generation to enter into the land of promise.
Join us as Pastor Marcis once again shares the good new of Jesus Christ and how He directs and protects his people.
Numbers might sound like a boring book… but in between censuses and descriptions of ritual purity is a gripping story of a rebellious, complaining people, and the gracious God who sticks with them. Join Pastor Tom and Vicar Aidan as they trek through the middle of the wilderness, seeing God’s judgement, but also his provision and grace for his people as they journey through the desert.
Join us as Vicar Aidan Moon once again points us to the good news of Jesus Christ as we reflect on Leviticus 25: 1-17 and how God creates a safe space for His people, Israel.
This week, Pastor Tom Marcis and Vicar Aidan Moon wrap up the book of Leviticus and set out on the journey from Mt. Sinai with God’s people in the book of Numbers. We see how God graciously provides for his people, setting them apart and giving them structures to guide their life as a community. We also see how he chooses some from the midst of many to be his representatives. Join us as we follow the people of God on their journey in our trek through the Scriptures this week.
Join Pastor Marcis as he reflects on Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement and its impact on God's people.
If someone has ever asked you what to read first in the Bible, chances are Leviticus wasn’t your first recommendation. Why? It’s a difficult, foreign book, with lots of confusing details. This week Vicar Moon is joined by Reverend Rick Jones, chaplain at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, for a discussion on ritual, holiness, and God’s grace, and how all these themes in the book of Leviticus lead to Christ, and through him, apply to you too.
Join Pastor Marcis as he reflects on Exodus 19 as we see how quickly the children of Israel forget God's loving action, delivering them from Egypt, and yet God does not forget them.
God has delivered his people. Now what? Join Pastor Marcis and Vicar Moon as they dig into the second half the Exodus narrative, looking at the rituals, laws, and worship that will set God’s people apart. Rooted in God’s identity as the one that saved them, God’s people will be given a new identity, with new expectations and responsibilities. Yet, even in all of this, it seems that Pharaoh was not the only hard-hearted one. God’s people rebel. There is still a divide between God and his people waiting to be restored.
Join Vicar Aidan Moon as he reflects on the Song of Moses from Exodus 15 and God's mighty deliverance of His people Israel from the land of Egypt. Hear how this song becomes our song through our baptism into the death of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Power-hungry dictators, babies in baskets, burning trees… Exodus is a wild story, with larger-than-life characters and images of God’s power. In the midst is the picture of a faithful God and his plan for his people. Join us this week as we continue our trek, seeing how God calls individuals to serve his purposes, specifically the prophet Moses. God uses this seemingly unqualified man to do his will, and ultimately to demonstrate his power over all other powers by rescuing his people from slavery and bringing them into new life.
God chooses. It’s just what he does! As we continue our trek this week, join Pastor Marcis and Vicar Moon as they discuss the family that God chose to carry his promises for the world. This week we hear of how God is faithful, even to a dysfunctional family and through painful and uncomfortable stories. Ultimately, we will hear how even that which man intends for evil, God ultimately uses for his own good purpose. Join us as we continue to hear how God fulfills his promises of deliverance for his chosen family.
Join us as we hear the good news of Jesus Christ and the promise of a savior through the lineage of Abraham.
Join us as we go through our first week of reading! We start this week in Genesis, reading chapters 1-28. Happy New Year!
Join us as we hear the good news of Jesus Christ and his story of salvation. This sermon is meant to accompany Episode 2: Creation, The Fall, and the Covenant with Abraham. Have a great week!
Listen as Pastor Marcis and Vicar Moon introduce the Trek Through the Scriptures for the year 2022. Get your tools and your resources ready for our trek!
Singing and music in general is big part the Advent/Christmas season. But why do we sing? Why do we celebrate freely in this month of December? A local FM station has been playing only Christmas music for the past several months. And do you know what most Christmas music is all about? It is about Jesus – The Savior of the World!! Yes, we sing of a baby, but we also sing of the salvation of the World. We sing of God’s involvement in the world. Our Text for today speaks of the reality of uncontrolled singing. Mary sings and rejoices in song and teaches us much about our God and just how He breaks in on our reality! The call is to sing! Yes, to sing with Mary, to SING, to CELEBRATE, and to WORSHIP. It is a call to change our focus from merely our circumstances and ourselves to our lovely and caring God. So, what is Mary’s Song? Mary’s song is a song of Praise (vs 46-49). Mary’s song is a song of Purpose. Mary’s song is a song of Promise. It is time to sing! It is time to celebrate. God is to be praised. God has a purpose. God has fulfilled his promise. Are you singing! Are you rejoicing? Sing Mary’s Song!!
Pastor Tom Marcis preaches on Philippians 4:4-5, and how we can find true joy amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy season.