pastorbaycast: Recent Episodes
pastorbaycast
Pastor Bay is the Associate Pastor at Faith Community UMC, Rochester, PA, and is the primary preaching pastor at their Faith On 68 campus. He is also the primary preaching pastor at Riverview UMC in Beaver Falls, PA.
This week, Pastor Bay continues in the Simple Things of Life series by looking at work. Are we actually doing the work that God has prepared for us? Let's find out together!
Today in "Simple Things of Life" we look at something near and dear to all of us -- names. We've been called many names throughout our lives, but what is the name that God calls you?
Listen and find out!
In today's podcast, we begin a new series called "Simple Things of Life" where Pastor Bay will show us how God works extraordinarily through the ordinary! Don't miss a single week of this exciting new series!
Today we look at Jesus' Baptism, the simple thing of water.
This podcast begins our journey through Advent in 2019, today we are looking at the journey and the waiting, and how we can safely travel through anxiety and worry...seeking the peace of Christ that is still in the midst of it all. There is worship in the waiting. There is work in the waiting. There is Peace, and we have a job to do.
In today's podcast Pastor Bay takes a long look (and a deep breath) as we explore what it means to endure as God's people...if you've ever struggled with struggle, this one is for you!
In today's podcast, Pastor Bay will take a deeper look at the things we treasure. There could be some jewels in this message...don't miss out!
In today's podcast, Pastor Bay looks at some of the serious things of what it means to put on Christ. The clothes we wear, we change them...but when we put on Christ, he changes us.
Today's podcast finishes off the "Joyful Noise" series by looking at persistence. What does it mean to be an advocate for someone or something, and to keep at it...being persistent?
Pastor Bay will explore how this ancient joyful noise of persistence is something for us to recognize and emulate.
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay continues in the "Joyful Noise" series with what it would look like for us to be more hospitable...the "Joyful Noise of Hospitality."
Do we allow ourselves to see God in the stranger, or do we lock our doors (and hearts) from what it could mean to encounter God in a new way?
In today's podcast, Pastor Bay continues in the "Joyful Noise" series by exploring the joyful noise of prayer. The Apostle Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing in Colossians...how we approach prayer is reflective of how we approach everything else in our lives.
Take a listen, prayer will work "on you" even when it doesn't seem to work "for you"...just keep at it! Give praise to God, thanksgiving...and continue to pray for others (yes, even your enemies).
The power of prayer will truly change the world!
This week we begin a new series, "Joyful Noise!" All throughout the Psalms we see the phrase, "make a joyful noise," so we are to ask ourselves -- "Am I just adding to the noise, or am I really adding joys?"
Pastor Bay will encourage us to explore what the world could look like if we begin to live our lives living into the repeated urging of the Psalmist...what the world would look like if we all made a joyful noise over and over again!
In this special "musical" podcast, join Pastor Bay for the Easter Sunrise Service at Faith on 68 in Rochester, Pa. This service includes an original song that was created by Pastor Bay on his way to the service while driving in his car, as well as the beloved scriptural account of the empty tomb.
This a meditative podcast you won't want to miss, focusing on the resurrecting power of Jesus and what it means to live on this side of the Resurrection!
In today's podcast, Pastor Bay looks at Palm Sunday, and what it looks like for us to lay our palms down in worship!
This is a sermon from our Lenten Lunch series looking at the passion of Christ... "Second Skin" looks at Christ being stripped of his garments, but not being stripped of who he was! Pastor Bay urges us to wrestle with what we would look like without all the fancy clothes, challenging us to put on Christ not just as a garment, but as a second skin.
Today, Pastor Bay finishes off the Don't Give Up! series with "Time, Talent, Tithe." God will always provide, even when it seems like there is not enough, somehow God continuously come through again, and again! This sermon takes place on our Stewardship Sunday at Faith Community UMC...giving is not exactly all that people usually say it is...it's usually more!
Today Pastor Bay gives us a look at "A Guy Named Joe," and how the story of the Prodigal Son still echoes in our world. Pastor Bay will tug on your heartstrings a little with this one...come spend some time with what it means to experience reconciling love.
In this third week of the Don't Give Up series, Pastor Bay looks at the promise that God will never give us more than we can handle, and will always offer us a way out!
No matter what difficulty you're facing in your life, you won't want to miss this message!
In this second week of our "Don't Give Up!" series, Pastor Bay looks at what it means to wait on the Lord, as revealed in Psalm 27.
On this week's podcast we begin a new series titled, "Don't Give Up!"
So often, for Lent, people focus on giving up... usually in the form of giving something up, or giving someone up; I've even known people who give up giving up something for Lent. The purpose of any fasting experience is to allow us to take on more of Christ, to make more room for God in our lives.
This week Pastor Bay invites us to look at a different kind of giving up... as we see the temptation of Christ in the wilderness and what that speaks to us today in our own wilderness. The message is, "Don't Give Up!"
In this week's podcast, for Transfiguration Sunday, Pastor Bay explores the way Moses used a veil in the OT to conceal the glow of God. Do we still wear veils today? Do we tend to do this to protect others, or to protect ourselves? Find out in this intriguing episode, Veiled God.
We finish off our Church 101 series by looking at the radical love that Jesus calls us to...loving our enemies, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Sit back, open your heart, and join Pastor Bay as we look deeper at the love of God juxtaposed with how we so often love one another.
This week Pastor Bay continues to take us deeper into church basics with the 101 series. Death does not get the final say with Christ...we get to experience Anastasis...a resurrection!
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay continues in the Church:101 series by looking at how we are to measure success in the church. Does our measurement rest in the blessing, or in the One who blesses? How can we not only experience the blessing God gives, but also invite others into it? Or even leave it behind to follow Jesus toward the next miracle we are intended to experience?
This week on the podcast, Pastor Bay continues in the Church: 101 series by going deeper on the basic principle that this is not about us. The crux of the what the Church is intended to be should never be focused on the church...but always on Christ!
Pastor Bay continues in the Church:101 series, we take a long look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and what it means to be the BODY of Christ. This topic of Unity has always been one of the basics of what it means to be the church...we have so many differences, how can we allow our differences to strengthen us as a body instead of drive us apart into just doing our own thing?
In this third week of Church: 101 Pastor Bay talks about miracles. Jesus still performs miracles, but sometimes we don't have the eyes to see them because perhaps they are not "our" miracles, but rather miracles to be experienced in the Church.
*Today's recording is taken from Riverview UMC's Wednesday Communion Service, and you can see a different video of version of this message on Faith on 68's FaceBook page.
https://www.facebook.com/FaithOn68/videos/2277159558975554/
In this week's installment of the Church: 101 series, Pastor Bay looks at the sacrament of Baptism; why we do what we do; the watermark of God's grace that never leaves us, and more!
This week, Pastor Bay starts a new series looking at the fundamental basic of who the Church is...and who the Church was originally called to be. This sermon series will be a re-boot for some, and a re-root for others, but we can all stand for a refresher course on who we are called to be as Christ's Church.
What does it take to bring about something new?
This week, Pastor Bay a look at Revelation chapter 21, and the New Year, and what God is doing & creating as we stand at the beginning of 2019.
In this standalone sermon we see the healing miracle that still exists in Jesus Christ. There are many bandaids in this world, but they will all eventually need replaced.
Pastor Bay looks at Mark 1:29-37 to show us how sometimes we look so hard at our sickness that we stop looking at Jesus...sometimes we focus on getting another treatment or another bandaid, and forget that Jesus heals!
In this closing installment of the Dropping the Ball series, Pastor Bay looks at Mark 1:21-28, thinks of some of our favorite authors throughout popular literature, and asks the question, "who has authority in your life?"
Jesus wants you to know...He is the author. Allow that ball in your life, whatever you have raised up high on a pedestal, to fall so that Jesus can be your light in the night.
Have you ever done something for the wrong reasons?
Ever done something so bad that you were sure that you could never, not in a million years, be forgiven?
God is faithful. God is just. God forgives. Second chances, as we see in Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- is only the beginning!
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay looks at 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and explains how sometimes we have to Listen, sometimes we have to Learn, and sometimes...we have to Leave.
How do you respond?
A new year finds us starting out in a new series, Dropping the Ball, a series where we look at the balls that we raise into the skies, and the ones we joyously allow to fall!
Pastor Bay will take us deeper into Matthew 1:7-11 as we come to grips with the fact that there won't be room for a new ball until the old one is no longer at the top!
As we start out in 2018...this year...this is your ball!
Merry Christmas! In this, the final sermon in the "Home for Christmas" series, Pastor Bay looks at how some sing about dreaming of a white Christmas, but Jesus delivers!
Our salvation is more than a dream, in Christ our sins are washed white as snow. John 3:16, Isaiah 1:18
Week three in our "Home for Christmas" series, Pastor Bay dives into Luke 2:8-14, and the ever-popular John 3:16, to discover how our King decorated a tree with Himself!
From the cradle to the cross, Jesus gave freely so that we may be made free through Him!
In this second installment of the "Home for Christmas" series, Pastor Bay looks at Matthew 2:1-12.
If God is worthy of the greatest gifts we could ever hope to give...how are you doing at giving back to God? What does it look like, to not only allow the Magi in the Bible to come bearing priceless gifts, but to also resolve to lay your gift at the feet of Jesus, as well?
Pastor Bay begins a new series titled, "Home for Christmas" and takes a long look at John 6:38, 42.
What happens when this season is not the "most wonderful time of the year" for one reason or another? How do you shuffle between whose house you will meet up at for the big meal, etc? What does the Bible have to say about any of these things?
Find out in today's podcast!
In this standalone sermon, Pastor Bay takes a deeper look at Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and what it means to b in relationship and truly know the Good Shepherd!
This week we finish off the FOCUS series by looking at the call to dismantle racism. In many ways, we are called to dismantle a dismantling...in the beginning God made one race, we need to undo the undoing of God's original Creation.
Pastor Bay looks at how Heaven is a diverse city -- made up of every tribe, nation, etc.
This week Pastor Bay takes us into the fourth week of our FOCUS series and takes a long look at how we can do our part in improving global health. From water sources to stamping out killer diseases...is there something we can actually do? What if even doing something small is bigger than we could possibly imagine?
*apologies for the sound quality...there is some scratchy interference from time to time during this podcast
This third week in our FOCUS series takes a harsh look at what Jesus meant when he said, "the poor you will have with you always..."
This scripture from John 12:8 is often taken out of context or used as an excuse to do nothing to help the poor because "the poor you will always have..."
What did Jesus actually mean when he spoke these words, and how is he speaking to us still?
This weeks podcast continues in the FOCUS series as Pastor Bay explores breaking out of the stagnant waters we sometimes find ourselves in.
How do we regain the passion and spark that once fueled us?
We cannot grow if we refuse to go beyond where we have always been.
This week starts a new series based on the Five Areas of Focus that Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi delivered to the Western Pa Conference of the United Methodist Church.
This week dives right in Timothy-complexes, youth engagement, and the question, "what does it take to build up future leaders in the church.?"
This week we finish off the lament series by looking at this question: is there meaning in the meaningless? Perhaps we are looking in the wrong place for meaning...
In this, the third week of "Cry Out," Pastor Bay takes us into what it means for us to want to smash things when we lament.
Sometimes our emotions get the better of us, and whatever happens to be in our hands at that moment could take the brunt of our frustration.
Moses smashed the tablets containing the ten commandments, Jesus upturned the moneychangers tables in the temple...sometimes we just want to smash things!
Is this form of lament even healthy? And can we abuse and overuse this physical manifestation of lament?
Today's podcast deals with this and more!
This week we continue into the Lament series "Cry Out" as we look at Room for Doubt. Is there room for doubt in our faith? Does Jesus welcome us in our doubt, or push us away?
All of this and more in today's episode!
Today's episode jumps into the deep end of a brand new series on lament, called "Cry Out." How do we honestly approach God with the things that are too hurtful for us to communicate eloquently? How do we handle our pain, our feeling of abandonment, our resentment toward God in the midst of the struggle?
This week's episode finishes off the Back to School series. We look at James chapter 2 and how it pertains to the math of our faith...and what that means for how our works enter into the equation.
On this week's podcast Pastor Bay digs into Psalm 102:18-28...the things we write can become lost-it notes of love...showing God to the future generation.
Find out what it means to be a post-it note people of God!
In this week's podcast, we continue deeper into our Back to School series with "Reading."
What is on our reading list matters. We often read things that we don't choose to read because they are on the world's reading lists for us...so when it comes to us reading what we actually choose to read, what are we choosing?
These are important questions for us as a church, because what we put into us overflows into our families and communities.
This week we begin a new series called "Back to School." Within every learning situation there are tasks that must be done, work that must be wrought, lectures that must be withstood, but before any of that there are some "Class Rules" that must be made known so that everyone is aware of expectations, boundaries, and consequences.
In this podcast, Pastor Bay spends some time with covenant making, the "Class Rules" that we all live by. Listen and enter the classroom as we attempt to become more covenantal in our relationships with one another, and with God!
This week, Pastor Bay looks at how Jesus taught an ancient rhythm of rest to his disciples; also, not only are we to follow this example in the midst of the storms that we face, but the storms themselves are calmed when we invite Jesus into the midst of the turbulence!
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay finishes off the "Creative God" series by spending time with how God works, even outside of the lines, when we stray from the straight and narrow.
By looking at the story of Noah, the question arises, "How has God made a way in your life?"
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay looks at what it means for us to work...not just for others, but for God. Work and worship are not all that different when observed and approached in a biblical way.
In this week's sermon podcast, Pastor Bay continues with the "Creative God" series by looking at what it means to be a mirror. Are we struggling to change what we see in the mirror...or are we living into what we were designed to be all along? Listen to find out!
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay looks at the re-creation we have in Christ! Through Jesus we are brought back to the original Creation...through Christ, when God sees us we once again hear the words, "it is good." All this, and the ability to not just live, but to live abundantly...our creative God with an on-going creation!
In this week's podcast, we start a new series, "Creative God." Starting with Genesis, "in the beginning," we see that we are the creative children of a creative God, and Pastor Bay challenges us to be a creative force in the world! After all...it's how we were made!
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay looks at an Old Testament encounter with God where the supernatural takes place! When the supernatural takes place, people pay attention...as followers of Christ, we should be compelled to do our part in sharing the way God calls dry bones to life!
This week, Pastor Bay finishes off the "Good Monkey" series by focusing in on what it looks like to live a life that reflects Christ in both thought and in deed. As individuals, we can oftentimes construct our own towers that will allow us to reach God... but we are not called to build towers!
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay continues in the "Good Monkey" series with "Through the Hands." A reflection on Romans, on knowing what we need to do, but doing the opposite...of knowing what we need in our lives, but focusing on the distraction instead.
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay looks at how we are to speak as children of God.
"Oracles of God" in scripture is not referencing some mystic with supernatural visions and ability to channel God -- rather, it denotes the Holy of Holies where, in the Old Testament, it was believed God dwelled...it was holy ground!
When God has something to say, it is often said from our mouths...our mouths are now holy ground!
The second week in the "Good Monkey" series, Pastor Bay spends time with what we allow ourselves to listen to. How does what we listen to affect how we live our lives as disciples of Christ? Are we hearing what is being said, or merely what we want to hear?
The first sermon in the "Good Monkey" series...in this week's podcast Pastor Bay talks about the importance of what we see. What we allow in...what we look at...it all matters!
We also take a fresh look at the mysterious nature of the Lord's Table in Eucharist.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
In this podcast, Pastor Bay finishes off the Takeback series with this impactful Easter message. Jesus came to take back our lives!
What fuels you... and what drains you? Sometimes they are not so very different.
At Easter we celebrate God's love coming down into the world to take it back! What grave has Jesus conquered in your life?
In this week's podcast, Pastor Bay goes deeper into the Takeback series: Holding Nothing Back! Jesus came in humility...fully human, fully God...yet not holding on to that equality with God while on earth -- not exactly as the people of his time expected the Messiah to arrive on the scene. What does this mean to us as co-heirs in Christ?
Pastor Bay also presents us face to face with the fact that Humility and humiliation are not the same thing...who are you called to be?
In this sermon, Pastor Bay closes out the Lenten Lunch Series by inviting us to spend time with the final words of Jesus, "I thirst."
Week six in our Takeback series! Pastor Bay takes us into the heart of the psalmist, Psalm 130 sets the backdrop for the question, "what if God didn't allow takebacks?"
We see the grace of God extended through Jesus in the Lord's Supper, and enter into that grace together!
In this fifth installment of our Takeback series, Pastor Bay takes us deeper into looking at the lengths God goes to, to take us back! God wants us to reclaim what it means to be children of light!
Pastor Bay challenges you to journey through Lent with this recording of an ancient rhythmical prayer dating back to around 1100 A.D. Set aside 30 minutes each day to focus on this prayer in an undistracted setting. May this recording bring you deeper into your Lenten journey and a heightened sense of focus as you reflect on your sinfulness before God and your own mortality.
*This special podcast is also available for purchase at a higher audio quality as an album on iTunes!
What is Ash Wednesday? What is Lent? In this standalone sermon, Pastor Bay looks at both the tradition and the heart of what this liturgical day means for believers...what it means to recognize our sinfulness before God, and come to grips with our own mortality.
In this sermon, week two of the Re Solution series, Pastor Bay takes us deeper into the things that we have done, the things we are doing, and how those line up with what God would have us to do.
Are there some things in your life that you need to Re Consider?
This New Year finds us taking a deeper look at what God is calling us to. Re: Shape is the first sermon in a series titled Re: Solution...is this a New Solution? A Solution Again. Or is this merely pertaining to , or regarding Solution...
Whatever your New Year's Resolution...God has plans for you...for someone with your exact S.H.A.P.E.
In this episode, the third week of our "Purpose of Christmas series, Pastor Bay journeys into yet another purpose for Christmas...Salvation!
What are we saved from? What are we saved for? What are we saved by?
This week in the "Purpose of Christmas" series pastor Bay takes us deeper into understanding what we have been given through the gift of Jesus Christ...we have great cause to celebrate!
In this episode, we dive into Advent with a new sermon series called, "The Purpose of Christmas." Purpose...in a world of "Merry Giftmas!" in a fast-paced world where we have little margin in our lives, we need to be purposed about making time for Christmas.
In this episode, pastor Bay presents the dangers of anxiety. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we should dismiss anxiety and focus on giving thanks in all circumstances. Through the miracle of prayer, we don't have to wait for the last Thursday in November to give thanks, but every time that we pray we can enter into thanksgiving.
In this episode, with Halloween quickly approaching, Pastor Bay looks at the masks that we wear. The scary mask, the princess & hero mask, the mask of the pop-star or invisibility mask...what does the bible say about these masks that we wear?
In this episode, Pastor Bay finishes off the Fruit Salad series from Galatians 5. Self-Control is not something that is within our control, rather, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Listen as Bay unravels this fruit of the spirit that is available for each of us!
This week Pastor Bay looks at the great power that we have been given in the Holy Spirit, and how we are to be Gentle Giants with our blessings! "Gentleness is when you show strength by not using strength."
In this episode, week six of our Fruit Salad series, Pastor Bay looks at the Spiritual Fruit of Faithfulness. Listen think about your understanding of this fruit while we explore the question, "is it faith that we are given, or is it fullness?"
This week in our Fruit Salad series, Pastor Bay looks at the fruits Goodness and Kindness and how these fruits look when lived out as a reflection of God instead of merely a projection of how we want to be seen.
In this, the fourth installment of the Fruit Salad series, Pastor Bay takes a look at Patience. "Be still and know that I am God." takes on a new meaning as we look at the word "still" as a lingering...a waiting...that which was promised yet has not yet come to be.
Week 3 in the series "Fruit Salad" looks at the Peace that is available to us at any time through the Holy Spirit.
Week two in our "Fruit Salad" series, we look at the Joy we receive through the Holy Spirit.
The first week in a series on the Fruit of the Spirit, Bay talks about love and sets up the entire series.