The Parish: Recent Episodes
The Parish
This morning we begin a new ministry year with a homily from Matthew 11 and on The Parish' story.
On the third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jordan shares a homily from Matthew 9 & 10 (Matthew 9:35-38, 10: 1, 7-10, 16-20).
This morning we observe Trinity Sunday in the season after Pentecost. The homily comes from Genesis 12:1-4 and Matthew 28:16-20.
Marking the end of Eastertide, Ascension Sunday is a day that celebrates Christ's ascension to heaven. This morning, Benjamin Wills shares a homily.
This morning we reflect on a year of community together and acknowledge the ways Christ is at work.
This morning we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism while also sharing a hope and vision for Family Ministry at The Parish.
This morning, we remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem and was welcomed as King with shouts of praise, with waving palm branches to signify his royalty and victory. This morning, we join in the crowds beginning to recognize Christ as King.
This morning we continue our walk through this season of wilderness, as the people of God journeying toward a promised place of wholeness. In a dry and parched land, where there is no water, we look to the Lord, and the Lord will provide
This morning we receive a homily on Exodus 13 and 14, hearing of the God who journeys with us – the God of faithful care, merciful love, and a mighty hand that saves.
This morning we begin a Lenten Journey together as Jordan shares a homily from Genesis 12:1-4.
This morning's homily is from the lectionary passages Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, and Matthew 5.
This morning Eric Seidel shares a homily that gives empathy and understanding to the story of Joseph.
Kintsugi Nights at The Parish are special quarterly events to create extended space around a particular topic that is contributing to the fracture of our world. As part of this first evening of learning, lament, practice, and prayer, Jordan shared a paradigm for engaging issues of mercy and justice in the way of Jesus.
This morning begins the Season of Advent as we light the candle of Hope. This podcast begins with a brief Parish finance update from Jordan, and a homily is then shared by Ansley Thompson.
From Sunday's Gathering on Nov. 16th, Noel leads us through a brief meditation on the meaning behind the "Sign of the Cross" gesture that is often made by folks during certain parts of the worship gathering liturgy.
Today we celebrate Christ the King and hear about the rhythm of the Paschal Mystery and the liturgical calendar.
This morning Jordan continues an overview of the liturgical elements in Parish gatherings.
On All Saints Day, Jordan begins an overview of the liturgy and movements we engage each week in The Parish gatherings.
This morning we engaged four different lectionary passages from Psalm 137, Lamentations 1-3, Jeremiah 32, and Habakkuk 1-2. They each grapple with Israel's exile into Babylonian captivity and the confusion, chaos, and lament that followed.
This morning was a special day in the Church Calendar - a major feast called Holy Cross Day. Each year this day reminds us of the Cross of Christ, through which Jesus poured out God's love and showed us how to follow in his example.
This morning, we'll wrap up our journey through the Father's House of Love. We'll see how God's house is meant to draw us in and send us out back into the world for the sake of others.
This morning, we walk deeper into our journey of the Father's House of Love and see how God restories our stories with his Story.
This morning we began a new ministry year by considering life in our community as a house of love.
This morning we engage the Good Samaritan story in Luke 10 while being led by Ian and Ruthie North, founders of Presencia Ministry in Atlanta.
Today enter into the Pentecost story, making space for the Holy Spirit to descend on us again.
On Ascension Sunday, we remember the other "rising" of Christ as he ascended into the heavens, coronated as King of an everlasting Kingdom.
This morning we shared what we sense is ahead in the next chapters of our church story, including critical updates around our facility, House Church model, and spiritual formation classes and groups.
This morning Jordan wraps up our series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and reminds of the more beautiful song being offered.
This morning Benjamin Wills shares a homily from the lectionary on John 21:1-19, the story where Christ meets his disciples again on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Family Pastor, Sarah Fetz, shares a brief homily on her experience of faith and baptism before celebrating the sacrament of baptism in this Sunday gathering.
The story of scarcity is deeply ingrained in us. Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, offers a truer counter/narrative about God’s Kingdom of abundance.
This morning we explore greed and possessions while engaging the teachings of Jesus in the Wilderness and his Sermon on the Mount.
This podcast begins with a Lenten Practice and Prayer, and it continues with a homily from Jordan continuing on The Sermon on the Mount.
This morning Jordan teaches on the spiritual realities of wilderness, temptations, and tests. We are invited to be more deeply formed through these into way of Jesus; especially as we begin the Season of Lent this week.
This morning we conclude a deep dive on Jesus' theme of desire in the Sermon on the Mount.
Today we continue on the key theme of desire in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and consider how our core desires can become misaligned or disfigured.
Jordan shares about the key theme of desire in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and invites us to consider how our desires are meant to point towards the fullness of God.
Listen along for a refreshing approach to the fullness and wholeness of life with Christ. The oft complicated passage of "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect," is meaningfully met with the hope and grace of Jesus in this morning's homily.
This morning we hear about the practice biblical hospitality from several of our House Church leaders. Specifically, the Boggs and Carrier families tell a story of a shared Keipi Dinner experience.
Today we celebrate the 12th day of Christmas and look forward to entering the Season of Epiphany. We follow the example of Magi, being led by the star, the hope, and the voice of the Spirit.
On the third Sunday of Advent, Benjamin Wills shares that Advent joy can be an invitation to become embodied healers to a wounded world.
On this second Sunday of Advent, Jill Carattini encourages The Parish to remember what God has done and to join him in waging peace in our world.
On this first Sunday of Advent, Noel encourages us to embrace our invitation to express hope.
On Christ The King Sunday, Jordan orients us towards the truest story of this age and the next.
Today we hear from Ansley Thompson as she shares a story of setting a table of peace for friends and neighbors.
At Milton North House Church on Sunday, Katherine Carrier led grown-ups and kids alike in a breath prayer exercise, ushering in the peace of Christ.
Today Eric Seidel shares encouragement on facing the anxiousness of our age in light Christ's teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.
We consider the example of Jesus laying down his interests for the sake of others as a framework for our political lives, and we remind ourselves of Christ’s unshakeable kingdom in the midst of a turbulent world.
This morning, we hear Jesus' words on the Kingdom of the Heavens. Jordan approaches the ideas of politics, allegiance, and presence in light of division.
Today we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, and we welcome our new Executive Pastor, Noel Bryant. Listen along for that announcement and a homily on citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven through baptism.
This morning Patrick Borders shares a homily with The Parish, and he invites our community to reimagine the creation story and the shalom God intended for us. Patrick will also be teaching a class this fall called "Shalom, Jesus, & Politics," and you can learn more/register at parish.community/shalom
As you may recall, our community has spent most of this calendar year seeking an Executive / Associate Pastor to join our staff team. We began this process in earnest…
We continue through the Sermon on the Mount focusing on Jesus' teaching about love for enemies, forgiveness, and how to deal with revenge.
This morning we are encouraged to examine anger, contempt, and fear through Jesus' words on The Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, Christ quickly moves past outward anger and into the deeper roots of contempt and fear, and we are invited to participate in Jesus' desire for peace.
Jesus says we are the "salt of the land" and the "light of the world" in His Sermon on the Mount. This morning we are invited into a deeper understanding of those words and into a more Christ-like way of being in the world. Continuing our series through the Sermon on the Mount, this week we find ourselves in Matthew 5 & 6.
Jesus’ Golden Rule of Life, maybe his most famous saying of all, comes amidst lots of “do nots:” don’t judge, don’t worry, don’t make a vow. But in Matthew 7, Jesus at last gives us what we should do, a positive vision for righteous living: “do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law & the prophets.”
We begin a journey through Jesus‘ most famous teaching: the Sermon on the Mount. To frame the narrow path Jesus invites us on, we begin by exploring the Old Testament context in the background of the teaching. How does Jesus invite us to live in the rhythm of a more beautiful song?
This Sunday began our new ministry year! Listening along, you'll hear about the start of our year, the emphasis on community life and Parish House Churches, and the ways everyone can belong, participate, hurt, and heal.
The Parish is seeking an Executive / Associate Pastor to join our team. This pastoral leadership role is primarily organizational in nature, yet includes meaningful ministry responsibilities. The hybrid nature…
We explore the Christian tradition and practices of discernment, particularly in the vein of Ignatian Spirituality. How can we cultivate receptivity to hear the Holy Spirit, and how do we tend to disordered desires that keep us from being free to respond to the call of love?
This morning John Ott shares a homily with The Parish, and his message gives a glimpse into the stories of three people in our community who have lived with chronic pain. Hear about the long road they have traveled and the life they’ve found in the middle of unresolvable difficulty.
As we transition from focusing on Pentecost into Ordinary Time, we consider how Jesus sends his followers in peace to love and serve the Lord. Parishioners Kevin Soderman and Laura Boggs also share ordinary ways they have felt called by God to serve others.
From the gathering on June 23, we were led in an Imaginative Entry of Mark 4, and we shared a soft medley of Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus and Build My Life.
The classic stories of David & Goliath and Jesus calming the storm invite us to consider where our assurance and confidence is really located in life. How can we cultivate a spiritual imagination that sees God as a present and active participant in our lives?
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,” Jesus says. But what does power in the way of Jesus look like? What is the interplay between the cruciform power of Christ’s Spirit and the coercive powers of our age? We explore how power in the way of Jesus looks a lot like faithful presence and redemptive influence.
This morning we divide our time into two parts: First, Family Pastor Sarah Fetz shares some significant updates to our model for Family Ministry at The Parish. Then, Jordan shares a brief reflection on 2 Corinthians 4, asking what it means that God's all-surpassing power (the Holy Spirit) dwells inside fragile, frail jars like us.
Jared Ray offers a written reflection on The Parish gathering from Sunday, May 19, 2024.
On the day of Pentecost, we consider how God's Holy Spirit is the giver of life – beginning with genesis of all things through the birth of the Church. How can we be a community inhaling the breath of God and exhaling it as passers of peace for the renewal of the world?
On Ascension Sunday, Jordan is joined by special guest Barry Grecu. We consider Jesus’ lived pattern of death, resurrection, and ascension known as the paschal mystery, and how we learn to live in light of the way we did.
The Holy Spirit falls on a household of unbaptized gentiles at Cornelius' house. This week, we reflect on what to make of the surprising Spirit, and the ever-enlarging sense the early Church was beginning to understand around who could be included in God's story.
On a Family Sunday, Sarah Fetz speaks with the Stringer family, and we hear the background and practice of "storying," the unique way The Parish engages scripture in our kids spaces.
In all four gospels, it is the faithful women in the company of Jesus who are the first to bear witness to the resurrection. They are sent with simple instructions: Go and Tell. Yet what exactly is this good news of a whole new world that we are to tell? And in what posture are we to go?
On Palm Sunday, Jesus is greeted by cheering crowds. But this is just the beginning of Holy Week. Christ’s final week before the cross gives us a pattern for the seasons of our own lives - through praise, loss, and renewal.
In this post, Jordan provides an important community update around the season of growth we find ourselves in as a church and asks members of the community to participate in an important survey.
In this podcast, Jordan reflects on the season of growth we find ourselves in as a church community. Every season of growing involves growing pains. Here we remember how the early church (Acts 6) responded to rapid growth by discerning their communal limits, grappling together with how to care well for all.
Central to the way of Jesus is his guidance to “deny yourself, take your cross and follow me," and John Ott begs the question, "What does this mean?"
Lent invites us to seriously consider the way of Jesus, which involves a necessary suffering and taking up of the cross.
On the first Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of Christ in Mark 1 and grow in awareness of the Kingdom of Heaven in relation to Christ's baptism and His journey into and out of the wilderness.
We begin moving away from Epiphany and toward Lent. Sitting in that threshold space, Jordan summarizes the takeaways of Epiphany, which points us to follow the Christ of Another Way.
On the third Sunday of Epiphany, Jordan walks us through the stories of Jonah and Christ's baptism, sharing that God is at work in the great depths of our lives.
This morning we hear from John Ott, a beloved and thoughtful member of our community. He shares a meaningful perspective on the Epiphany while also providing moments of reflection and participation.
Andy Culp begins the season of Advent with a homily on hope. This morning we sit with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth from Luke 1.
This month, we’re exploring the two Sacraments given to the Church by Jesus – Communion and Baptism. In this podcast, Family Pastor Sarah Fetz guides us into reflection on how God is at work in our stories through baptism, and how we practice baptism for all ages at The Parish.
Listen in to hear the call of God to be a saint and explore how we can cultivate a discipline of listening to hear the good things God has for us.
As we continue towards All Saints day, we sit with and explore the traditional liturgy of The Parish gatherings.
As we move toward All Saints day, we explore the patterns our lives are orbiting around and how we can worship in the light of God’s seasons and Story.
This Sunday we welcomed Kris McDaniel of Trinity Anglican Church. The passage taught is "The Parable of the Two Sons" from Matthew 21.
Against the backdrop of the story of manna in the wilderness, we consider prayer - both answered and unanswered - and the importance of expressing our lament and bewilderment to God.
This Sunday we welcomed a long-time friend of The Parish, Christy Gordy, to share the story of her work with Canopy Life International. Christy is the Founder and Executive Director of this ministry, and she shares this morning the success and joy of its partnership with The Parish.
This Sunday we explore the fundamentals of spiritual practice and look through the lens of Moses’ encounter with the burning bush to guide us into the practice of prayer.
This week, Jordan shares our vision, hopes, and heart for this year’s House Churches as we prepare to begin a new season of meeting together in homes on 2nd Sundays.
We conclude our year long look at the story of Scripture, zooming out to see the pattern of Belovedness / Wilderness / Forgiveness / Wholeness at the heart of all God’s stories.
Using similar language to the Genesis 1 and Genesis 3 perspectives of a Christian life, Jordan teaches on the perspectives of Revelation 20 and Revelation 22.
Jordan is beginning to finish the Big Enough Story arch by teaching on Revelation and how in God’s abundant kingdom, every good thing done here will last and continue eternally.
We are nearing the end of A Big Enough Story and beginning Act 5, as we are looking at God’s plan to recreate all things from Act 1. We consider how He uses ordinary people like us and the church in order to move things towards His intended end.
This week we are asked to contemplate how we as individuals within, and cohesively as, the Church bear witness to God’s power.
This morning we enter Acts 3-4 in a new way as Sarah tells the story and asks us simple questions in response. As you hear the story, consider these questions:
What did you like about this story? What bothered you or confused you about this story? What does this story show you about God/Jesus? What does this story show you about people? If this story is really true how does it change you? Who in your life needs to hear this story?
Jesus says, as the Father sent me, so I send you.’ What does it mean to be sent by Jesus into the world, and how do we go in the same manner that he was sent?
We look at the final part of Paul’s pattern for formation into the image of Christ - 'put on therefore.’ How can we cooperate with God to be clothed in the image of Christ? We explore three ways: restorying, forbearance, and forgiveness.
We explore the third part of Paul’s pattern for formation into the image of Christ - 'put off therefore.’ In light of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, what lesser ways of being no longer belong in our lives? And how can we practically cooperate with God to do for Jesus’ sake what we formerly did for our own? Plus, some thoughts on the “wrath of God”.
As community this morning we walk through the story of Jesus' Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The gathering and podcast are unique for this post, in that it is a full service recording with music and teaching.
We continue exploring Easter's implications for ordinary life using a pattern found in Paul's letters: first since we died and now that we have been raised.
This Sunday we begin exploring Easter's implications for ordinary life using a pattern of spiritual formation found in Paul's letters.
In this podcast, Andy Culp (senior warden of The Parish Vestry) introduces "Parish Night: Our story & the Next Chapters," provides a church financial update, and gives an important announcement about our next steps for our staff team.
Jordan reflects on the baptism of Jesus in light of the Easter event, and how we are carried with Jesus through our own baptisms.
On a Spring Day in AD 30, two parades entered Jerusalem from opposite sides of town. Both were on the way to the temple, but the way they embodied could not have been more different.
Further focusing on the idea of selfdom (my rule) versus the Kingdom (God's rule), we examine the branches of politics & sexuality as case studies for a life in the Kingdom.
The season of lent brings a collision of kingdoms into full focus. The selfdom (my rule) is at odds with Christ’s kingdom (God’s rule). How might we - in the practical areas of life - be born anew into life in the Kingdom of God?
We enter the story of the Transfiguration as a bridge between Epiphany & Lent, noticing how Jesus re-stories the Bible and is endorsed as the final Word of all God has to say.
This week, we consider how Jesus is re-storying the people of God by cleansing imaginations and showing another way of being in the world.
Reflecting on connections in the stories of the 10 Commandments and the Wedding at Cana, Jordan considers how Jesus might be restorying the promised people of God in the light of Epiphany.
We revisit humanity’s fall into sin, seeing how Jesus reshapes stories of brokenness into stories of healing.
Jesus is at work to not only restore, but also re-story all things. This week, we revisit Act 1 of our story (creation) in the epiphany light of Christ, noting how John’s gospel masterfully presents Jesus as creator and re-creator.
We enter the season of epiphany and explore how Jesus not only restores, but re-stories, everything that came before.
This morning Benjamin Wills spoke of a new song, a chorus of liberation, and how we’re invited to be active participants not in an empire, but a kingdom. The kingdom’s cadence is compassion and curiosity, a keenness to where God is working. Can we hear?
In a follow up to a teaching on Exodus from a few weeks past, Megan Ramsey shares a homily on the liberation of Exodus and the song of liberation we hear throughout the big story.
This morning Parishioner John Ott challenges our assumptions around the idea of obedience; recognizing that obedience is fundamental to the Christian path, but, it is more about the location of it in the sense that obedience is located in-between the practice of remembrance and God’s abundance. Obedience is therefore not a formulaic and shamed based response, but rather something we do out of overflow in our remembrance of God’s faithfulness in the past and our hope in God’s presence in the future.
This past Sunday, Jordan took us through the Exodus story, noting that God hears the cries trying times and He responds. In our own stories, we often want instant gratification, immediate transformation, a quick solution, but God has a purpose and plan, seeking our patience, cooperation and discernment to understand what He is up to.
Welcome to The Parish. This morning‘s gathering is a bit different, as we explore a pattern we all tend to experience in our spiritual journeys: seasons of orientation, disorientation, and re-orientation. To make room to enter these three realities, we broke this morning's gathering up into three separate movements. On the podcast today, you’ll hear elements of each movement, one right after each other. It may be a bit choppy, but you’ll get the idea. We hope you’ll notice God coming to you and whichever stage of the spiritual journey you find yourself.
This morning Jordan spoke of sin’s impact on our identity and the fractures that become the false self.
We continue in the Genesis story this week, and we're reminded that Sin grows systemically: beginning with one person, then a couple, a family, generations, communities, society, and ultimately the entire system. The cycle of sin and myth of redemptive violence is present in our story, but we believe Christ calls us to reverse the cycle through forgiveness.
We continue the conversation around love and sin this morning. Jordan shares with us a thought from George Herbert—"There are two vast, spacious things: sin and love." These two forces, while not equals, exist in a zero-sum tension. Where one grows, the other recedes. If one flourishes, the other subsides.
This morning we pick right back up in Genesis 3, continuing to talk about the fall and how the fracturing fault of sin distorts what God created as good. And yet, what we know to be true, is this is not the end of the Story. We're introduced to an old church liturgy that says, "O happy fault, that earned for us so glorious a Redeemer. Fortunate Fall, that gained for us so great a Redeemer!"
In Jordan’s sermon, adapted from a message by Rob Bell, he points to the trouble with jumping straight to the problem of sin as introduced in Genesis 3. When we pass over “God saw that it was good,” we’re left with a story chiefly about sin and a God who exists only to solve it. This morning's message is on reminding us to begin with "the beginning," God made all things good.
We step into God’s Story, beginning with the beginning and imagining the end. As we chart the Creator’s work from Genesis to Revelation, we see images of God’s intent for the renewal of our world and lives.
Jordan introduces the direction The Parish will head for the next year as we learn about and participate in A Big Enough Story.
Jesus meets disciples on the Walk to Emmaus and leads them to communion. This morning Jordan talks about our approach to House Church beginning this week and significance of our shared meal and gathering.
We continue preparing as a community for the start of our House Churches. This week, we consider the dreams and concerns we share with our neighbors and how we hope to practically care for others through House Churches.
Rooted in 1 Corinthians 12, Jordan speaks further into our upcoming House Church model and the gift of this shared belonging.
Our Family Pastor, Sarah Fetz, shares a message this morning from Colossians 2 on our Shared Identity in Christ, and she introduces our new Elementary and Middle School curriculum for the coming church year, "God's Big Story."
Today’s passage from Colossians is one of the earliest known Christian hymns. Christ, Paul tells us, is the perfect picture of the otherwise-invisible God. What does this tell us about theology and understanding the Bible? And how do we make Christ the key to unlock the rest of our living?
This morning our friend, Rev. Benjamin Wills, shares a fresh perspective on The Good Samaritan story of Luke 10, encouraging us to consider the ways mercy is shown without limit and without bounds.
Jesus’ Kingdom is the freest of countries. It is absolutely clear God calls you to a free life, Scripture says. But what does freedom in Christ’s Kingdom really mean? And how do we become fluent in the words and ways of freedom while living in a culture that understands freedom very differently?
As we transition from Pentecost to Ordinary Time, Jordan reflects on the fruit and flow of the Holy Spirit in daily life. Galatians 5 helps us enter the imagination of two ways of being in the world. How can we participate in the holy rhythm of life in God’s way?
Keith Jennings shares the message with The Parish this morning. Listen along as we discuss the inward and outward, Holy Rhythm through all of scripture.
Staying with the theme of Pentecost, Jordan recounts how Jesus restored and re-storied the life of Peter around three fires. How might Jesus be at work in us too, to give a new Spirit and imagination for life with God?
On the Day of Pentecost, we enter into the story of the early Church becoming a community formed by the Holy Spirit, and consider what Pentecost might mean for our local church in light of our upcoming House Churches.
As Jordan continues discussing our new house church model at The Parish, he uses the Prodigal Son story as a framework to navigate conflict and reconciliation together.
Jordan shares how we plan to cultivate community moving into the fall and beyond. As we enter a new season as a church family, we have dreamed and planned for what community life at The Parish could look like and are excited to finally share more with you!
Reverend Benjamin Wills, Founder and Head of School at Peace Prep Academy, is with us again and is teaching on Acts 11:1-18. The morning's big idea is this: "An encounter with God in us, could begin to transform the world around us."
The beginning of a series on Luke 15, the Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
This morning we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism at The Parish. Listen along to a brief introduction to the sacrament.
When the Kingdom looks to be in gravest danger, it is eternally secure. When Jesus appears to be most powerless, his choice to “empty himself ” is the greatest demonstration of divine strength. And when the greatest of human humiliation plays out in the hours before and on a wooden cross, Christ’s glory now resounds thousands of year later and forever and ever into eternity.
This morning Andy Culp leads us through the Lord's Prayer as preparation for the evening of Gethsemane.
Our guest this morning is Benjamin Wills, Founder and Head of School at Peace Prep Academy. Listen along as he walks us towards Jesus' passions and invites us to consider God's purposes above our own.
Our world feels fractured, and behind the fractures are forces that reinforce division and dehumanization. Yet, if anyone is in Christ – Paul claims – there is a new creation! Dare we believe that a whole new reconciling force is at work in the world now and we are invited to participate?
“This is my Son, my Chosen” the unseen voice rang out. “Listen to him!” This week we enter the story of the Transfiguration with prayers and practices to help us listen. Like the disciples, we tend to elevate other voices alongside Jesus', only to find ourselves overwhelmed by all the noise. How might we create space through silence to amplify Christ as the Living Word in our lives?
On the plains of Moab, the Israelites sat poised on the edge of a promised land. Just before walking into this new reality, God gave guidance on how they were to steward their practical resources. Giving, it turns out, is the inspired response to God’s gracious rescue and the through-line of redemption in their story. Might it be the same for us?
Sunday’s message was based on the parable of the prodigal son. As Jordan walks us through the choices of the younger and elder sons, we are invited to see the goodness of the Father.
Our gathering begins with a special announcement from Family Pastor, Sarah Fetz, and is followed by a brief financial update from Senior Warden of the Vestry, Andy Culp. Jordan leads us in a homily on Luke 6.
This morning we continue the conversation around our Parish community. The message begins with a look into the financial life of our church from vestry member, Mike Nelson, and continues with words from Jordan on 1st Corinthians 12-13 around our hope to be a community of wounded healers.
Beginning with a thoughtful reading of 1st Corinthians 12 via The Message, Jordan talks about The Parish' desire to build something more than a Sunday morning community. A community where we can all belong and participate, as one body with unique roles to play, just as Paul describes in 1st Corinthians 12.
This week Jordan continues a conversation around our Parish community. We hear the words of John, see the baptism of Christ, and gather an understanding of our expectations, questions, and hopes in this journey.
This week Jordan begins a journey with our community. In the reading from Luke 3 & 4, we hear about how some people misplaced their expectations on John the Baptist when Christ alone is Savior and Deliverer. Listen along as Jordan shares insight on expectations in his own story and the story of all believers.
While Epiphany began with Three Kings Day, we continue to celebrate the season of Jesus becoming known and his glory being revealed. This Sunday, guest speaker and Parishioner, Eric Seidel, shares a message on The Wedding at Cana. Listen to how Jesus' glory is revealed to his disciples and see the gifts Christ gives to everyone at the party.
This morning we consider the story of Epiphany and how we too are formed in following the great light to walk by another way.
Family Pastor Sarah Fetz shares the homily, helping us see that Jesus' birth was actually his first teaching to us.
This year, the "joy" week in Advent includes a passage from the prophet Zephaniah. The beautiful and uplifting words console us, but when we set them against the backdrop of life at the time, they take on deeper meaning. In this podcast, we consider how Zephaniah's words of joy fall right in the middle of the mess, and how we might look then for Jesus adventing in to the midst of all we'd prefer to exile.
Throughout this semester, we've explored the invitation from Jesus to build a big enough table for the Great Thanksgiving. This week (in a rare "full/extended gathering" edition of the podcast), we explore the mystery and miracle of the Eucharist - what it means, why it matters, and why our entire gathering each week culminates at the Table. Against the backdrop of Advent's call to Peace, we remember Jesus in the Center of our worshiping community.
As the season of Advent begins, we lean into Hope. In today's podcast, Luke Warner untangles a difficult passage from Luke 21. Here, the sky is literally falling. But Jesus invites us to behold restoration, reconciliation, re-creation in the midst of chaos and catastrophe. Rather than an end, this is the birthing of a new beginning.
Today we explore the final "leg" of our big enough table - the charismatic traditions in the Church that help us lean into a Spirit-dependent life. We'll look at both the gifts and potential pitfalls of these traditions and how we might make space for a faith that is radically responsive to the Holy Spirit while remaining rooted in cruciform love and sacramental presence.
A Soul Care gathering from the Kalen Center on October 17, 2021. This morning we begin the final leg of our series, "Watch How I Do It."
This week Keith Jennings leads us in an exploration of the connections between active contemplation and contemplative action, that we might become people who work with Jesus for the flourishing, justice, and peace of the world.
Jesus demonstrates a life radically dependent on His Father and invites us to follow suit. "I only do what I see my Father doing," he says. What if we took this example seriously? And how might we discern direction in the midst of daily life? This too, is part of Jesus' invitation to work with him in cultivating a Kingdom-directed life.
As we enter the "Work with Me" section of our Fall sermon series, John Ott guides us in an exploration of discerning vocation. How can we determine the work God has for us, versus what our ego/ethical expectations require of us? How can we settle into Jesus' promise of a light, well-fitting yoke?
This week, we reflect on the shaping power of the influences and atmospheres around us. What is forming our understanding of what is true and good? What are we being taught to love? We assess our use of media and practice soul care to meet Jesus amidst the ongoing pandemic. Use the handout below for your own time of journaling practice and to follow along.
Building on last week's introduction, we dive deeper into the cultivation of a prayer-filled life. This time we're led by special guests Larry & Jody Green from Cloud Walk and Evan Chasteen from the ThinSpace podcast. After a casual conversation on prayer, Larry leads us in an imaginative exercise to Be with Jesus.
This week, we explore Jesus' call to a prayer-filled life, and how the great contemplative traditions within Church guide us in practicing the presence of God. After a short talk, Jennie Wheaton guides us in an extended prayer practice to Be with Jesus.
In this talk, Jordan reminds us of the great feast we are invited to with God. To hold up such a broad, expansive, and inclusive meal we need a big enough table. So we explore how we might "say yes" to all we see in Jesus, which means building a table with legs grounded in all the great Church traditions (contemplative, formational, justice, sacramental, and charismatic). For the guiding image we're using in this series, see here: https://thepari.sh/a-big-table
As we enter a new season of gatherings at The Kalen Center, we begin a series as a way of rooting and re-orienting ourselves in the way of our Rabbi, Jesus. We'll reflect on the way and work Jesus invites The Parish into, and how we might respond to Jesus' invitations from Matthew 11: Come to Me, Walk with Me, Work with Me, Watch How I Do It.
On the day of Pentecost, we notice and name the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and community. In this brief homily, Jordan also introduces us to our theme for the season of Pentecost - Life with God.
In this final week of Easter, we explore a practice of evangelizing our own false selves by introducing our hearts the good news of Jesus. Because the false self is loved, it can finally let go.
"Through many small crucifixions, the life of Christ is born in us" (Adele Calhoun). These words set the tone for the next step in our journey into the Christ self identity. The Kingdom of Love is greater than the Kingdom of fear, but entering it involves a dying of life as we have known it. Our passages come from 1 John 4, and we see love's effect on fear.
This morning we celebrate the Baptisms of several members in The Parish community, and we are reminded of the inner journey of the Christ Self rising.
Join us as we continue our series "The Christ Self". As the Kingdom of God parades into a realm governed by the False Self, we experience both awakening and confrontation. This morning's passage is from 1 John 3.
The False Self appears early in the biblical narrative. We'll trace its exponential growth in the human experience from Genesis on, and how the eastward movement of the False Self is invited to return home to God's garden through the resurrection of Christ.
We begin a journey to explore how Jesus calls the Christ Self to receive Easter's invitation to rise into new life. Throughout this series we'll look at the nature of the false self, and provide a pattern for how spiritual formation happens.
On Easter morning, we follow Mary Magdalene and the faithful women to the garden of resurrection. Listen along to Jordan's homily on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021.
This year, we're entering into Holy Week one day at a time. Holy Saturday invites us into the place between the pain and the promise. Morgan leads us in a reflection of how often life can seem like a Holy Saturday, in-between reality, and how we might meet Jesus in all that is unresolved.
This year, we're entering into Holy Week one day at a time. On Good Friday, we step into the courts to listen in on the trial of Jesus and the cries of the mob as it turns on him. As on that day, we are presented with the choice between two visions of Jesus, two contrasting Messiahs, two sons of the Father. Which image of Jesus will we allow our lives to be conformed to?
This year, we're entering into Holy Week one day at a time. This Maundy Thursday, we enter the Upper Room & follow Jesus to the garden. We notice the postures of the disciples – around the table, eating, reclining, sleeping, denying, betraying. How might we be invited to prayerfully discern the difference between "my will" and "thy will"?
This year, we're entering into Holy Week one day at a time. This first video covers the events from Palm Sunday through Spy Wednesday and in it we see how Holy Week is a symbol of sorts for the full range of human experience. We'll zoom in on the contrasting postures of Judas the Betrayer and Mary the Anointer - where are we grabbing on, and where are we pouring out?
In anticipation of "rainy days" during this season of outdoor church gatherings, we've created some simple and spacious prayer services to call on when needed. This first "Rainy Day" gathering was created by David Darnell and a handful of others in our Parish community. We encourage you to find a quiet space to meet with God as this video guides you in a 25 minute time of prayer.
Learning to release control is imperative to spiritual formation. Robert Mulholland says, "Spiritual formation is the great reversal: from acting to being acted upon, from being the subject who controls to being a person who is shaped by God." Listen along as we continue the journey of being shaped to the image of Christ.
Join us as we discuss Spiritual Formation and the journey of becoming more Christlike. This morning Jordan suggests this question of Spiritual Formation: in which direction are we being formed: as agents of God’s healing or carriers of the sickness of the world?
Join us as we begin meeting at Mount Pisgah Christian School in March. This morning Jordan introduces again our series for the month, The Hidden Heart.
Our last digital-only gathering. Listen along as Jordan teaches through Exodus 13 and shares an important update on our search for a gathering place.
This morning we begin our Lenten season with the Baptism of Jesus, and it is important that we begin there. Like Christ, our invitation into the wilderness is from a place belovedness and into a place of preparation, detachment, and fasting, but our wilderness journey is not without benefit. We move this way for the sake of our wholeness and our freedom in the hidden heart. Listen along as Jordan teaches from Mark 1.
We see a mountain top experience on Transfiguration Sunday: Christ clothed in glory among Moses and Elijah and the disciples in awe of it all. Peter suggests they stay up there for a while longer, but Jesus must descend back down the mountain. This Sunday we explore what Henri Nouwen calls "downward mobility," and we share a breath prayer saying "for the love of Jesus, I will let go."
Jordan shares this morning the story of Peter's mother-in-law. She was sick and alone when Jesus raised her up and restored her health, and in this new place of life, she discovers a resurrected purpose and a Christ-like service.
This week Jordan leads us through 1 Corinthians 8 and its implications in a pandemic world. Listen along as we discuss Paul's words, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up," and hear his response to cultural affairs of that time.
This week Jordan dives deeper into the stories of Samuel and Eli and into the story of Jesus' baptism. Just as Samuel hears the voice of the Lord in the evening and Christ hears the voice of the Father in the water, we too can hear His voice speak love over us, His children and His servants. Listen along as Jordan unpacks the hope in being spoken over.
As a child, Samuel famously says "Speak Lord, Your servant is listening." Andy shares in this homily breath prayers to be more like Samuel and perspectives to be more like Samuel's teacher, Eli. Listen along as we learn to be more present to God and to others.
Jordan talks on Three Kings in an unexpected way this Epiphany. Listen along as he shares a perspective on Pharaoh, King Herod, and Christ the King.
Third week of Advent. Mike and Beth share on the candle of joy with moments of teaching and reflection.
We sit down with Kai Loving, a high school junior in our Parish community, to discuss her work toward racial justice and peacemaking.
In our second week of Advent, we light the candle of Peace. Eric continues our rhythm of hearing a different voice each week, and this week we hear how to become a people of peace in a season of waiting.
Listen along as we begin the Advent Season. Each week, we will hear from a different voice in our church. This morning we from from Canopy Life International founder and good friend, Christy Gordy.
The conclusion to our A King & A Kingdom series. Listen along as Jordan directs our attention to Jesus on Christ the King Sunday.
Listen as we continue through The Lord's Prayer. Jordan teaches this morning on the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.
Week two of A King & A Kingdom. Listen as Jordan talks through liturgies, loyalties, lenses, and loves.
Join us in leading up to Christ the King Sunday. This series, A King & A Kingdom, focuses on God's dominion over all things and our response to that truth. We begin with the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6.
As we return to in-person gatherings, we zoom out from the individual stories of This New Life in Acts to see the big picture of God's good news. We also discuss our Fall gathering rhythm and how we can learn from the early church in times of scattering.
Paul's conversion is one of our best examples of This New Life. Listen along as we think about Jesus' work in the life of Paul and the Good News for all of the wayward.
In this series, we learn of the Good News for all people. This Sunday the focus and teaching comes from Acts 8, Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.
Through many signs, we are reminded of the way of Jesus. Today's focus is on Jesus' first sign of His way, the Wedding at Cana.
Jordan leads us through a reflection on John 2, The Wedding at Cana, during this week's Soul Care Sunday.
Beth leads us through a Lectio Divina during this week's Soul Care Sunday.
Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is in your midst; He is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by His love; He shouts for joy over you.
As part of our three day call to prayer, we create space to pray for unity, love, and perseverance in the midst of Covid-19.
We explore Acts 4 and how the early church moves to prayer in the midst of difficult times. Then, following their lead, we shape a prayer as a church using the framework of Acts 4.
Using guidance from Bishop Todd Hunter, we explore current issues facing Christians, including division, partisan politics, social media, heated rhetoric, covid-19, and how to stay sane in these challenging times.
Evan Chasteen leads us in a brief, experiential podcast to start your morning. In the midst of life's noisiness, we encourage you to carve out time to sit with God in loving presence.
Acts 2 provides unique insight into the deep rhythm of spiritual practices that sustained the life of the early church. How did followers of The Way practice that way? And what byproducts of their practice were God's work?
We look at the unique role God has for his church as we live between the times of the "not yet" and the "now".
Evan Chasteen leads us in a brief, experiential podcast to start your morning. In the midst of life's noisiness, we encourage you to carve out time to sit with God in loving presence.
Evan Chasteen leads us in a brief, experiential podcast that beckons us into the spiritual practice of silence. In the midst of life's noisiness, we encourage you to carve out time to sit with God in loving presence.
Having walked through each step of the Holy Week journey, we know why Easter matters. With our feet firmly rooted in the reality of life’s present pain, we gathered our whole church community to look with hope on the One whose death and life makes all things new.
We invite you to find a quiet space, and allow this 15 minute reflection to guide your experience of Jesus in the tomb on Holy Saturday.
On Friday, we'll create space to experientially place ourselves in the midst of Jesus' final hours, where lament and loss are palpable. How is the lifted up Savior drawing all to himself? And how can the most ugly act in history become a beauty that will save the world?
A meditation from the Upper Room, as Jesus offers his followers Peace in the midst of tumultuous times.
Through music, meditative prayer, and Scriptural reflection, we'll listen in on Jesus' final words to his followers in the Upper Room. With the disciples, we'll breathe in Christ's Spirit of peace for difficult days. Finally, we'll travel to Gethsemane, kneeling in the garden of our own grief as we learn to say "thy will be done."
Join Keely and David Darnell for this imaginative reflection on John 11. This spacious reflection leads us through the story of the death, healing, and resurrection of Lazarus, and the grief and loss carried by those who loved him.
In this episode, we reflect on fear. In the midst of so much unknown, fear is simply a reality for all of us in our own ways. How can we navigate our anxieties, stressors, worries, anger and irritability in a way that is spiritually formative and emotionally honest?
Spoken by Keely Darnell, music by David Darnell, liturgy by Douglas McKelvey. This prayer comes from Every Moment Holy: New Liturgies for Daily Life. If you don’t yet have a copy of this beautiful book, we highly recommend it.
Throughout this season, we'll be releasing special mini-episodes of the podcast to guide our response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Flowing out of our church's Rule of Life, we'll engage this season with reflections on following Christ with our heart, mind, and body.