Grace Extended Podcast: Recent Episodes
Grace Church of Ridgewood
A podcast from Grace Church of Ridgewood where we equip the church by discussing how what we believe affects how we live.
This is Part 2 of a conversation with George McGovern, who works in sports chaplaincy, and Luis Robles, who played professional soccer for over 15 years. Both of them are members at Grace Church and have inspiring stories on how their faith shapes their careers.
This two-part episode features George McGovern, who works in sports chaplaincy, and Luis Robles, who played professional soccer for over 15 years, and now works serving professional sports on the corporate end. Both of them are members at Grace Church and have inspiring stories on how their faith shapes their careers.
The Workplace series continues to a place you go fairly often - the world of hair salons and barber shops! Sandy has made a career of owning her own salon with her husband, and Pedro is out there as an established barber. Hear how Christ impacts their daily work.
This is the second episode of our series, "Faith in the Workplace," where we discuss God's purpose for what many of us devote the majority of our time to. In this episode, we have our first interview focused on one type of workplace - the public school. Perfect for September! Julie, Matt, and Steve discuss how their faith in Christ impacts how they interact with others in their school communities.
Today we begin a new series about living out faith during the 9-5. In this episode, Pastor Aaron, Pastor Ben, and Steve discuss God's purpose for our daily work. You'll hear about the vision and purpose for the series, and how you can start turning your work time over to God.
We have a new associate pastor! Ben Spalink joins Senior Pastor Aaron Syvertsen and Steve Polanin to introduce himself to the congregation.
We discuss:
- Ben’s upbringing on the mission field
- Discipleship in his household growing up
- His journey to the NYC area
- How he met Christy, his wife
- His hopes for beginning his service here at Grace.
Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss the Church season of Advent and how it speaks the truth of Jesus into the much-anticipated holiday season.
In this episode ...
- How advent is different from the popular view of the "holiday season"
- Why the church celebrates Advent and how it can speak into our lives today
- How you can participate in Advent all season long, not just on Sundays!
This episode features the song Silent Night by Hyson, CC.
Click here for Advent resources recommended by Grace Church staff (if this link doesn't work, check back soon!)
Steve and Pastor Aaron reflect on the podcast series and Pastor Aaron casts a vision for where God is taking Grace Church into the future.
In this episode ...
- Pastor Aaron and Steve review their favorite moments and trends from the last 4 episodes
- Takeaways and things to learn from the wisdom of our history episode guests.
- Pastor Aaron casts a vision of Grace Church's future and tells us how we can began leaving our legacy today.
Email us here or click here to leave a voicemail. Your feedback is always appreciated!
Pastor Aaron moderates a panel of three long-time members of Grace Church.
In this episode:
- Jack, Leslie, and Ruth recount their earliest memories of Grace Church
- Challenges that grew Grace Church and deepened relationships.
- Mentors that inspired the faith and life experiences of our guests.
As a bonus to this week’s episode, check out this sermon recording of Rev David Marshall preaching at Grace Church in 1985.
Pastor Aaron moderates a panel of four current missions partners of Grace who also grew up at Grace Church.
Missionaries:
Jenna DeJesus, serves in Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at Yale University, alongside her husband, Stevens. You can find out more about them in a longer interview we did with them here.
Phil and Renee Remmers serve on the the Robert Morrison Project, a non profit, non- denominational organization dedicated to legally translating and publishing reformed Christian literature in Asia.
David and Susan Parshall have served in Overseas Missionary Fellowship, spreading the gospel to the Uyghur people of China. They currently serve in Nepal with missionaries sent out from China.
Nancy Fritz works with Anda Leadership and is also part of a global network of missionaries who train church workers how to run children's ministry.
Resources:
Class "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement"
Missions by Andy Johnson
The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Essential Purpose of Your Life by Os Guinness
Chi Alpha "We Live Missions" Podcast
John Piper's Missionary Biographies
Steve facilitates a conversation with former Grace Church pastors Bob Bakke (1986-1993), Lloyd Syvertsen (1995-2012), Rob Minor (2006-2016), and Aaron Syvertsen (2017-Present)
In this episode:
- The pastors’ first impressions of Grace Church and the legacy they came to be a part of.
- Opportunities and challenges during the time of their pastorate.
- The pastors’ messages to Grace Church members today.
Steve and Pastor Aaron share some insight into Grace Church’s founding and early days, and discuss why reflecting on the past can provide courage for the future.
Happy 75th Anniversary Grace Church!
In this episode …
- We introduce our 5 part miniseries on the history of Grace Church of Ridgewood.
- We discuss the importance of studying church history, on the local and global levels,
- The timeline of Grace Church’s founding
- We read from the actual first minutes typed by the Grace Church Board Secretary in 1946.
- We discuss what was put in the cornerstone when the old building was being constructed.
When it comes to growing in our desire and ability to follow Jesus, what is most important? Classes or community? Learning environments or fellowship groups? In this episode, Aaron, Joe, and Christi discuss the both/and aspect of discipleship in the local church.
We're taking a little break! Worship the Lord this Easter with these upcoming events at Grace Church.
Click Here for Event Registation
This week, Pastor Aaron Syvertsen unpacks why Jesus' words about salt and light are more important than we think as we extend the conversation on The Sermon on the Mount.
Links:
Click here for Grace Church's Sermon Podcast
Dan Rudd is a Grace Church Missionary serving in Japan alongside his wife, Linda. After health concerns brought him stateside, Dan updates us on his health, his ministry, and gives us a window into what it is like serving in Japan.
Links:
You can give to Dan & Linda through TEAM Japan here.
Subscribe to Dan & Linda's email newsletter here.
What are Spiritual Disciplines, anyway? This week, Pastor Joe, Pastor Aaron, and Steve discuss how we can grow closer to God in our relationship with him through practices Jesus taught his disciples.
Timestamps:
Part 1: Defining Spiritual Disciplines & Their Importance (0:58)
Part 2: What are some spiritual disciplines? (13:34)
Part 3: How do spiritual disciplines affect mission? (24:21)
Links:
John Starke - The Possibility of Prayer
Don Whitney - Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Alan Noble - Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age
Email us at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com!
What is a Catechism? This week, Children's Ministry Director Meghan Polanin, and church members Rachelle & Andy Steen join Steve to discuss how a catechism can grow your faith, and the faith of the next generation.
Links:
Download the New City Catechism App
This week, Pastor Aaron and Pastor Joe discuss the importance of Biblical literacy amongst Christians and why the lack of it serves as a major threat to the integrity and fruitfulness of a church.
Links:
Grace Church of Ridgewood Events Page
In a classic New Year's theme, Christi, Pastor Joe, and Steve the importance of setting goals and forming good habits, but also the necessity to rely on and follow Christ in our resolutions, no matter what time of year we make them.
Outline:
Part 1: What about New Year’s Resolutions? (5:07)
Part 2; What are Good Goals? (16:49)
Part 3: Reading the Bible in 2021 (31:32)
Links:
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
graceNJpodcast@gmail.com
to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
How can there be a “Christmas miracle” amidst so much suffering? As we celebrate the birth of Jesus we acknowledge the reality of God made flesh. How does this Jesus, the God-man rescuer provide the answer to suffering and evil? Also, a big welcome to Pastor Joe!
Timestamps:
Welcome to Pastor Joe! (0:48)
Part 1: What is the Incarnation? (3:50)
Part 2: How Does Jesus Meet Us Today? (16:52)
Part 3: How Does God Help Us? (31:30)
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
The first episode featuring an elder at Grace Church! John Herlihy, Chairman of the Board of Elders sits down with Steve to discuss the past, present, and future of Grace Church of Ridgewood.
Links:
Encounter with God - Scripture Union
Joshua 24:15
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
Thanksgiving - a Bible word that got it’s own American holiday! This week, Grace Church Communications Director, Mary Capalbo joins Steve and Pastor Aaron to discuss how you can be grateful this Thanksgiving and every other day of the year.
Timestamps:
Part 1 - Thanksgiving is a Bible word (10:38)
Part 2 - Keep Christ in … Thanksgiving! (20:48)
Part 3 - A 2020 Thanksgiving (27:41)
Links:
What Mashed Potatoes Taught Me by Mary Capalbo
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
Men of Faith Virtual Conference with Paul Tripp
Kevin Kibala is a husband, father, high school physics teacher, and a member at Grace Church in Ridgewood, NJ. He joins Steve on the podcast today for our first Member Spotlight!
Timestamps:
Part 1: Why Teach Physics? (8:34)
Part 2: Science & Faith (24:20)
LInks:
The Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. Wright
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Grace Extended is back! This week we welcome Christi Scarpa, Grace Church Women's Ministry Director to the podcast to talk about trust and the Christian life.
Timestamps:
Part 1 - Trust & The Christian Life (5:18)
Part 2 - Trust & Uncertainty (14:49)
Part 3 - Trust in the midst of betrayal (28:24)
Email us at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com
Grace Extended is a podcast of Grace Church of Ridgewood, NJ.
This week Steve and Pastor Aaron conclude the Fruits of the Spirit series with an episode on Self-Control. What about ourselves are we called to control? Is it possible to remove Christ from the spiritual fruits?
We also still need questions for our upcoming Fruit of the Spirit Q&A episode! Submit them at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com
Timestamps:
Returning to School (1:42)
Self Control (7:41)
How Self-Controlled is Self-Control? (14:12)
Motivations to Control Yourself (19:52)
Self-Control as the Capstone Fruit (24:32)
The Fruits are Yours in Christ (28:46)
We need questions for our upcoming Q&A episode! Email us at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com and have your question answered on the show! (If we know the answer!)
On the home stretch, Pastor Aaron and Steve discuss Gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit. How is Jesus our example of Gentleness, and how do we remain gentle while speaking up when the time calls for it? Also, always be gentle to your recording equipment!
Timestamps:
Gentleness & Strength (5:11)
Jesus’ Gentleness (11:41)
When do we speak up? (15:34)
Corporate Gentleness (21:35)
Gentleness in Social Media (26:24)
How do we live a faithful life as believers? Listen this week as Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be faithful to others. Plus, how we know God is faithful to us and to his promises even when we feel he's abandoned us.
Timestamps:
How you can be assured God saved you 10:42
What does Christian Faithfulness look like? 18:24
A Spirit Wrought Trend 23:21
Depended on to depend on God 26:04
Faithfulness on Social Media 31:56
Donate to Project Backpack at sohm.org/backpack
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
What is goodness, anyway? This week Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss what it means to say “God is good” and what goodness looks like in our lives. For goodness sake, tune in!
Timestamps:
What is goodness, anyway? 9:21
Is God great or good? 17:02
What does Christian goodness look like? 23:55
Corporate goodness 32:37
Goodness on Social Media 38:22
Donate to Project Backpack at sohm.org/backpack
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com
to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
Be kind. It’s a popular phrase today, and an ancient word from the Bible. How does God define kindness and how does He lead us in showing kindness? Join Steve and Pastor Aaron as they discuss Kindness this week.
Timestamps:
Kindness in the Bible - 0:49
Worldly Kindness - 13:39
How are we called to be kind? - 18:12
Corporate Kindness - 26:04
Kindness in Digital Media - 31:30
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
We know you’ve been patiently awaiting our 4th episode in our Fruit of the Spirit series! This week, Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss how trusting in God, the Holy Spirit, gives us the ability to wait and endure difficult times.
Timestamps:
How do you "live by the spirit?" - 1:48
Patience in the Bible - 7:29
Examples of Patience - 10:13
Becoming More Patient - 19:07
Patience in Digital Media - 31:08
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
This week we welcome Jenna & Stevens DeJesus to the podcast. Jenna & Stevens serve on the leadership team of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at Yale University and are missionaries supported by Grace Church.
Check out Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at Yale University and support Jenna and Stevens DeJesus by emailing them at jennavanlenten@gmail.com
Email Steve and Aaron at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com to comment or request new topics!
Our world seeks peace and we long for peace in our lives and relationships. How does the Holy Spirit work perfect peace in our lives and within our church? This week Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss the peace that passes all understanding - God's peace, brought to you by the Holy Spirit.
Timestamps:
How does the Bible describe peace? 06:38
The reality of peace vs. the feeling of peace 17:08
Perfect Peace 23:10
Corporate Peace 26:57
Peace on Social Media 38:53
Mary’s Blog Post - Waiting Well, 5/9/2017
Email us at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest a new topic for the show!
Are Christians just supposed to be happy all the time? What is the key to having joy in the midst of suffering? This week Steve and Pastor Aaron unpack Joy as an outworking of the Holy Spirit and what the Bible tells us true joy looks like.
Timestamps:
0:00-8:45 Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
8:45-20:50 What does Christian joy look like?
20:50-24:11 How does joy manifest corporately?
24:11-28:20 Being joyous on social media
Email us at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like us to discuss!
Love comes first when Paul lists the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the Letter to the Galatian church. This week, Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss what love looks like and how the Spirit enables the work of love in our lives as followers of Jesus.
Timestamps
0:00-8:02 Where does Paul get the Fruits of the Spirit?
8:02-27:44 What does it look like to Love in the Spirit?
27:44- 31:07 How does the Spirit work love corporately within the Church?
31:07-39:52 How can we allow love to enter our digital lives?
Check out Blue Letter Bible here!
Email us to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
This week, we are introducing a new series of episodes on Fruit of the Spirit. Before we dive in, Steve and Pastor Aaron take a step back to ask, who is the Holy Spirit, anyway? Listen as they discuss who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, and why He is often the misunderstood or forgotten person of the Trinity. Also an insider’s perspective on getting your COVID reopening haircut.
Email us to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
Links:
God Video by the Bible Project
Rediscovering the Holy Spirit by Michael Horton
Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves:
Jeff Graves is the current Associate Pastor at Grace Church and is retiring at the end of this month. We wanted to take some time to sit down with Jeff and discuss his memories, ministry highlights, and hopes for the future.
Email us to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
This week, we welcome Pastor Scottye Halloway to the podcast to discuss racial reconciliation and what we, as Christians, can do about it. He had powerful messages for us and we hope you are encouraged and challenged by it! Pastor Scottye is the President of Mendenhall Ministries in Mendenhall, Mississippi.
Grace Church is proud to partner with and support Mendenhall Ministries. You can visit their website at mendenhallministries.org
Email us to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
We invite you to take a posture of learning and listening during this unfortunate time in our country where the conversation about racism has reached a fever pitch. In this episode, we offer resources by Black Christian leaders who we want to learn more from regarding the systemic racial injustice in America. We look forward to listening to Pastor Scottye Halloway, a Grace Church ministry partner and director of Mendenhall Ministries, for Part II in the coming days. Stay tuned!
Email us to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear on our podcast.
Links:
People:
Carlos Whitaker (Instagram) Fill in the Blank Racism 2020 Podcast Episode
Latasha Morrison - bethebridge.com How Be the Bridge Began
Priscilla Shrirer Instagram, Twitter
Eric Mason Instagram, Twitter
Books:
Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby:
The AND Campaign
Why is preaching so important to the weekly Christian gathering? This week, Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss how faithfully heralding God's message impacts the faith of believers and non-believers. Also, we find out if either of our hosts know anything about each other's hobbies, at all!
Note: in this podcast, we use “expositional preaching“ to describe “expository preaching.” We think you get what we mean, though. Our bad!
Email us to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
Juan Garcia has been featured on Fox News and TBN. He speaks on the importance of mental health and leadership development and is recognized by the world’s most well known pastors and athletes. He is a licensed counselor with the National Christian Counselors Association and author of The Men’s Struggle Cycle.
Links:
Emotionally Healthy Spiritually book package by Pete Scazzero
Juan Garcia’s Website
Life Focus Center
The Men’s Struggle Cycle by Juan Garcia & Joe Pellegrino
Email us to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
This week on the podcast, Pastor Aaron and Steve talk about what Sunday worship can look like separated from the gathered body. We discuss how Christians can worship alone and with family, especially while following stay-at-home orders. Steve also inadvertently leads Aaron down the path of reliving his recent birthday parade.
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!
Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!