Open Table MCC Sunday Worship Podcast

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, [...] Read More... The post Mission: Completed appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many ill, blind, lame, and paralyzed people. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. [...] Read More... The post To Be Or To Do appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look [...] Read More... The post Mission: Love One Another appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, [...] Read More... The post The Joy of Life and Living appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going [...] Read More... The post Of Catching Fish and Feeding Sheep appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced [...] Read More... The post Believing in Doubt appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the [...] Read More... The post Easter: Surprised By Joy appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village but was still at the place where [...] Read More... The post Meeting Death and the Dead appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But [...] Read More... The post Meeting an Angel of the Lord appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking [...] Read More... The post Meeting God and the Prophets appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son [...] Read More... The post Meeting The Devil appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members and not all the [...] Read More... The post Grace in Community appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil. Do not let the foreigner joined to [...] Read More... The post Favored: Queers Full of Grace appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain, for he [...] Read More... The post Choosing Grace and Slaying Demons appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [...] Read More... The post Grace Is Its Own Boundary appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

We continue with our preaching series on Grace which is also our year long guiding theme. During our first Sunday we talked about Grace in the metaphor of water and the oceans. And then last week we continued still with water on how to live by grace in the same way we use water. Today [...] Read More... The post Giving Grace appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

How do we live by grace in a world that still struggles with cruelty, hatred, and greed? Paano tayo magpapatuloy na mabubuhay at maglalakbay bilang mga progresibo Kristiano sa mundong patuloy na meron kalupitan at pagsasamantala? Anong magagawa natin bilang indibidwal at bilang isang maliit na simbahan? Parang powerless tayo or that what we do [...] Read More... The post Living By Grace appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before [...] Read More... The post Sino si Grace? Grace in the Flesh! appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

God's grace is an ocean, an endless sea of infinite love, a cosmos onto itself. It surrounds you, embraces you, warms you like the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, like your mother's loving arms, holding you, bringing relief. Grace is only ever given. Never bought, never earned. Every mystical experience is a remembering ancient knowledge [...] Read More... The post An Ocean of Grace? A “Progressive” Perspective appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city [...] Read More... The post Joy and Contradictions appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.' ” [...] Read More... The post Crying Out To God From The Wilderness appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are [...] Read More... The post Crying Out To God With Joy appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah [...] Read More... The post Crying Out To God In Shame appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Their cry for help rose up to God from their slavery. God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them. Exodus [...] Read More... The post Crying Out To God In Suffering appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Does God have a gender and if God does, what is God's gender? Biblically speaking, God is anthropomorphically presented with both male and female attributes. Biblical verses that present God as Female or Feminine: Deuteronomy 32:11-12 – As mother eagle – As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, as it [...] Read More... The post Transgendering Of God In The Bible appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Are there “trans” or cross gendering saints and holy people in the history of the church? The Answer: Both Yes and No. Are there persons we can consider as saints or holy people FOR the transgender, fluid, and non-conforming Christians? The absolute and strictly male and female binary is mostly Western Christian Gender Construct and [...] Read More... The post Joan of Arc: a Saint for Trans and Gender Fluid Christians appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

My name is Allie (or Brigs if you know me through the internet), pronouns They/Them. I have been part of the community for two years now; though I realized that I'm not fond of talking about myself and preferred to listen and follow along conversations. Trying to recount particular notable stories in my life can [...] Read More... The post Now Testament: Allie Almazan appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

I grew up in Los Angeles, Southern California. Not wealthy, but okay. My father worked at carpentry. He made cabinets and dressers and other similar things. I grew up with both my mother and father, and one sister who is two years younger than me. Also, a dog that was a pain in the butt. [...] Read More... The post Now Testament: Don Mueller appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Hi everyone, I'm Mariz, ang tita nyong taga etivac na mapagmahal sa kawali! I am a cisgender female who identifies as pansexual – married to the love of my life, my wife Mikay.   I'm a late bloomer— I was once just an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, unlike many of you na bata palang [...] Read More... The post Now Testament: Mariz Carcillar appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

When Pastor Joseph first approached me to do a testimonial preaching and share about my life and faith, my initial reaction was, “Meron bang matutunan sa story ko? Parang wala naman.”  But let me try to summarize and unpack my 34 years of existence and see if there is anything that can be learned from [...] Read More... The post Now Testament: Joshua Cheng appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And [...] Read More... The post Laksamba: The Long Journey Ahead appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can. Scripture ReadingMatthew 19:12 (NRSVUE) [...] Read More... The post Potentials and Possibilities appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in [...] Read More... The post Growth and Refinement appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, son of [...] Read More... The post Being Raised By Many appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, [...] Read More... The post A Coming Of Age appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Nang malapit na siya sa Betfage at Betania, sa lugar na tinatawag na Bundok ng mga Olibo, pinauna niya ang dalawa sa mga alagad. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Pumunta kayo sa susunod na nayon. Sa pagpasok ninyo roo'y makikita ninyo ang isang batang asno na nakatali na hindi pa nasasakyan ng kahit sino. Kalagan ninyo [...] Read More... The post Pride March Continues appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Bumalik si Jesus sa Galilea sa kapangyarihan ng Espiritu at sa buong lupain ay kumalat ang balita tungkol sa kanya. Nagturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga taglay ang papuri ng lahat. Dumating siya sa Nazareth na kanyang nilakhan. Gaya ng kanyang nakaugalian, pumasok siya sa sinagoga nang araw ng Sabbath at tumindig upang magbasa. Iniabot [...] Read More... The post Lumaya at Magpalaya Veks appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Kayo ang ilaw ng sanlibutan. Hindi maikukubli ang isang lungsod na itinayo sa ibabaw ng isang burol. Hindi nagsisindi ng ilawan ang mga tao at ilalagay lamang sa ilalim ng isang takalan. Sa halip, ilalagay ito sa ibabaw ng isang patungan, nang sa gayo'y magbigay liwanag ito sa lahat ng nasa bahay. Sa gayunding paraan [...] Read More... The post Magningning At Magpaningning appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Matapos silang makapagpatotoo at maipahayag ang salita ng Panginoon, bumalik sina Pedro at Juan sa Jerusalem na ipinangangaral ang magandang balita sa maraming nayon ng Samaria. Matapos ang mga ito, inutusan ng isang anghel ng Panginoon si Felipe, “Tumindig ka at pumunta patungong timog, sa daang pababa mula sa Jerusalem patungong Gaza. Ito'y ilang na [...] Read More... The post Mamulat at Magmulat ng mga Accla appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Pagsapit ng Araw ng Pentecostes, nagtitipon silang lahat sa isang lugar. Biglang nagkaroon ng isang ugong mula sa langit, gaya ng isang napakalakas na hangin, at napuno nito ang bahay na kanilang kinaroroonan. May nakita silang tila mga dilang apoy na nahahati at lumapag sa bawat isa sa kanila. Napuspos silang lahat ng Banal na [...] Read More... The post Lumabas at Chumika appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, [...] Read More... The post Last Prayer Of Jesus appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and [...] Read More... The post Agape – Love As A Way Of Life appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in [...] Read More... The post Vine and Branches appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, so when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away—then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters them. The man runs away because [...] Read More... The post Radically Inclusive Love appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; [...] Read More... The post Category Is: Legacy appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced [...] Read More... The post Doubting Thomas: Redefining Doubt appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the [...] Read More... The post Searching For Easter appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

“A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.” Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying to us, ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will [...] Read More... The post Grace In Progress appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

You make darkness, and it is night, when all the animals of the forest come creeping out. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they withdraw and lie down in their dens. People go out to their work and to their labor until the evening. O [...] Read More... The post Grace Found In Impermanence appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in [...] Read More... The post Grace Through Imperfection appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God's mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern [...] Read More... The post Perfection Demanded By Empire appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.