Real Good Courage - The Westwood Podcast

God's promise of freedom and liberation throughout history has been for the oppressed and the captives. Explore how we define freedom as individuals and as a country and how Jesus spoke about and lived it out.  This message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron, and our gospel is from Luke Chapter 4, verses 14-21, and the Lesson is Isaiah 61 which Jesus refers to in the Gospel. 

How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in the birth of Christianity relate to us today? Hope is at the root of the message. That we should live in hope is what the Spirit brought to those in that closed room long ago, and to us today.   Pastor Jason brings us today's message. The Gospel lesson comes from John, Chapter 14.

Trust. We don't do anything alone. Trust is at the heart of relationship. God trusted Jesus with the disciples. Jesus trusted the disciples with his mission after he ascended.  Parents need trust when they hand their children to others for care and education. And we are all responsible for the well-being of all God's children, not just our own. “Child Well-being” is one of Westwood's five core values.  This message addresses the importance of creating trustworthy environments that enable all people to thrive. Our scripture reading is from Isaiah Chapter 40, verses 28-31, and the Gospel lesson is from John 17, verses 6-9.  

How do we move from Troubles to passionate patience to character and how does this result in hope? Where and how does the Holy Spirit flow generously into our lives? Today's message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron, and our scripture is from Romans Chapter 5, verses 1-5 and our Gospel lesson is from John Chapter 14, verses 23-29.  

In this message we wonder about the effect of hope in God's promises has in the present. This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. Our scripture reading comes from Lamentations Chapter 3, verses 21-24. Th e Gospel reading is from the book of John, Chapter 21, verses 9-17.

“I know the plans I have for you…to give you a future with hope.” That's a popular Bible passage, giving hope to people who are in a hard times, but it's only half of the story. Before God gives this promise, God says to settle down and make homes and families there – in this case, in a foreign country as refugees. Our faithful actions now – even if they seem small and insignificant – are part of ushering in God's promise of a future with hope. This message is presented by Pastor Sarah.The Scripture lesson comes from Jeremiah Chapter 29, and our Gospel is from John, Chapter 21.  

Resurrection and hope are out in the world. But we need to step put into the world and be aware and look carefully to find them. Looking past the darkness, because Jesus knows that darkness and suffering to support us through the pain grief and evil, because the Risen Lord is with us.  Resurrection in our lives has many faces and if we look for it we can see it daily. It is authentic, messy vibrant and filled with hope.  This message comes to us from Pastor Tania. Our Gospel reading is from John Chapter 20, verses 24 - 31.   

The Grinch who stole Christmas is not usually considered an Easter story, but in this sermon, Pastor Sarah uses the tale of Grinch to describe the miracle of Easter. Just like the Grinch was surprised to find out he hadn't ruined Christmas, everyone involved in the crucifixion was surprised to find out that God's love was more powerful than sin, more powerful even than death. Even Jesus' closest disciples doubted God's power. And so do we. But the good news of Easter is that resurrection doesn't depend on us. God acted to raise Jesus from the dead. What does depend on us? Sharing the good news so that all the world can know! Christ is Risen Indeed Alleluia! Our Bible reading is from the Book of Luke, Chapter 24

Good Friday, is it a night of sorrow or joy? It is both, for what is the cost of discipleship?  In this message, Pastor Jason provides unique context to the telling of the passion story in John, Chapters 18 and 19. 

Who is to be remembered? Is it those whose might makes them larger than life, or are other traits worthy of memory. We learn about the Roman tradition of the victor entering the conquered city and compare it to how Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Today's message comes to us from Pastor Jason, and he suggests that not only does what you remember matter, but that also memories define who we are as a culture. The scripture is Luke Chapter 19, verses 29-40.  

Today's message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron. Sam Bardwell, brings the Gospel Lesson, John Chapter 12, verses 1 to 8, to life.

Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Tania. The Gospel Lesson, Luke Chapter 15, verses 1 to 3 and 11 to 32 is brought to us today by Sam Bardwell, Theologian and actor, bringing the scriptures to life.

In this sermon we notice that the story of the fig tree is understood as first a story of God's healing when it is read alongside the healing story in Luke 13.  We believe that a characteristic of a culture of grace is the having space for the healing that comes when we can be authentic about our stories of joys, sorrows, and traumas. Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Gospel Lesson, Luke Chapter 13, verses 7 to 16 is brought to us today by Sam Bardwell, Theologian and actor, bringing the scriptures to life.

In this podcast, we have an opportunity to meet Westwood's new Pastoral Intern. Aaron Schutte. Aaron has been a member at Westwood for 3 years, and he and his family are integral to our community. Aaron shares his passions, how he found the ministry, and where he hopes his future lies. 

“Today we notice the direction of Jesus in Luke 13… instead of fleeing Jerusalem he goes in that direction for the gift of God's redemption in the cross and empty tomb.  In this sermon, we wonder if that sense of direction… moving towards each other is a characteristic of a culture of grace. Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Gospel Lesson, Luke Chapter 13, verses 31 to 35 is brought to us today by Sam Bardwell, Theologian and actor, bringing the scriptures to life. 

Our message is brought by Pastor Sarah.  The Gospel Lesson is brought to us today by Sam Bardwell, Theologian and actor, bringing the scriptures to life.

How can we hear Jesus' voice cut through our weariness and fear? We wait, watch our guide, and listen for the signs. This message comes from Interim Pastor Arron Schutte. The Gospel is from Luke, chapter 9, verses 28-36

As recorded in Matthew 6, Verse 21. “For where your treasure is,  there your heart will be also"(vs. 21).  These words are often interpreted to suggest that if you look at how your money (or time and talents) is used then you can find a persons heart/values. What if we reframe it to mean that your heart can and will follow how you use your money/time/talents. What would that mean for our understanding of the Vocation of Generosity? How might that direct how we how we use these God-given gifts? Our message comes from Pastor Jason and the Gospel lesson is from the book of Matthew Chapter 6, verses 19-21.

There's a dominant worldview that says you have to look out for yourself. Numero uno. I did it my way. But the “foolish” way of Christ reveals a different way to live. When we look out for others, we can also trust that others will look out for us. Generosity creates community. Pastor Sarah brings us this message. Our Scripture comes from First Corinthians, verses 18, 26-31. The video referred to is highly worth watching here:

This week, Pastor Jason explores the definition of generosity and how we approach the call to generosity with all that God has given us. How do we orient our lives if Paul's statement that "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. As our core confession, how dow we connect this concept to our theological claims of Grace and Vocation? Our reading is from the Book of Gallatians, Chapter 2, Verses 19-20

Have you ever been in a pay-it-forward drive thru line? That's when the person in front pays for you, and then you pay for the person behind you. As those experiences demonstrate, generosity is connected to what happens before you, and what comes next.   Past. Present. Future. We are always embedded in a story of generosity: God's generosity to us (often through other people!), and our generosity to others. Can you recall a time when you received something from someone else? How will you keep the story of generosity going? This message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our scripture reading is Deuteronomy Chapter 26, Verses 1-11.

In the past years, Westwood's Grace and Vocation focus has spent significant time connecting our roles (family, friend, citizen, work/school/retirement) with our faith. We explore what it means to be God's hands an feet in the world, using our time, talents and financial resources.  This week's message comes from Pastor Jason, and he talks with two Westwood members to help us reflect on the vocation of generosity and the importance of connecting our faith to the use of our time, talent, and financial resources. Our scripture reading is from 2 Corinthians, Chapter 8, Verses 1-15

Fear. It's experienced by every person, a natural part of being human. Does that mean Jesus could have felt it too? In this message Pastor Sarah imagines what it would mean if Jesus was afraid, and discovers a graciousness and honesty about her own fear. Fear, it turns out, isn't the opposite of faith. Fear tills the soil where faith can take root and grow, and our fear is no match for God's love. Our Lesson is from Psalm 36, verses 5-10. The Gospel lesson is from John, Chapter 2, verses 1-11

In these uncertain times, where it's easy to lose hope by just looking at my newsfeed, our faith invites us to turn both to God and our neighbor (think Jimmy Carter as one example in the news this week). This week's message is brought to us by Pastor Tania. The Gospel is from Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 15-15 and 21-22. 

The early months of the year are some of the hardest. Dark and cold, without excitement of the holidays, it can be deflating to discover the same old life awaits. But Christmas changes us. God's birth into this world means that even if we return to life as normal, we are changed. In this sermon, the shepherds serve as an example for all of us. After seeing the baby Jesus in the manger, they praised God even as they returned to their ordinary lives. We too can carry the glory of Christmas into our lives, all year round, because God keeps on coming to us, every day of our lives. Today's message is presented by Pastor Sarah.  The scripture reading is from Ephesians Chapter 1, V 3-14. and the Gospel is Lukem Chapter 2, Verses 15 - 21.

What are your New Year's resolutions? With the societal ritual of New Year's resolutions upon us, Jason invites us to wonder what a New Year's Resolution list might look like based on Colossians 3.   

Was your Christmas imperfect? Welcome to the club. It can be easy to idealize the perfect Christmas, and then judge yourself accordingly. Here's a little secret: the first Christmas wasn't as ideal as the manger scenes make it out to be. The point of Christmas is that God became real flesh in a real world - a world that was full of the kinds of troubles you are dealing with too. God loved that world which means that God loves you too. And God worked with real people, which means that God is working through you too.  Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Sarah. The Gospel is from the Book of John, Chapter 1 Verses 1-14. 

Our message today comes from Pastor Tania, who explores what the Prince of Peace brings to us in this holiday season. 

In the “attention economy,” many voices compete for your attention. It can be hard to prioritize. In Handel's Messiah, the word “Behold” appears multiple times. As our almighty leader, God is drawing your attention to the peace, hope, and love that are always here, even in difficult times. How do you pay attention to God? And how can you give someone your attention who needs it today? Today's message comes from Pastor Sarah.  

During Advent, our music and worship team are performing Handel's Messiah in lieu of scripture readings. The performance includes the following pieces, and their scriptural basis. THE WORD IN SONG “Messiah” George Frideric Handel Overture Scene One: God's Comforting Promise Recitative: Comfort, Ye My People (Isaiah 40:1-3) Aria: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted (Isaiah 40:4) Chorus: And the Glory of the Lord (Isaiah 40:5) Scene Two: The Purifying Messiah is Prophesied Recitative: Thus Saith the Lord (Haggai 2:6-7) Aria: But who may abide? (Malachi 3:1) Chorus: And He shall purify (Malachi 3:3)

“Some may describe familiar works of music as “comfort food”… meaning a piece of music that invites an escape from the joys a challenges of the real world.  The background of Handel's Messiah and the use of scripture both suggest that this work of music functions not to turn away from the world, but as a call to turn towards to world with hope.” This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. 

Baptism isn't a one time event; it's a life long journey. Every part of our lives is an opportunity to live out our faith. This includes our economic lives. Martin Luther said there were three conversions: the heart, heart, and wallet. This sermon talks about how "conversion of the wallet" helps us live deeply into the life promised at baptism, a life of love, community, and meaning.   Pastor Sarah connects how baptism impacts our day to day lives as Chrisitians. Our Gospel lesson is from Mark Chapter 8 verses 27 to 37. 

In his commentary, Biblical Scholar Don Juel says the following.  “The disciples speak for reasonable people.  They do not expect anything from Jesus.”  In this sermon we wonder in our own time about our definitions of “reasonableness” and how a definition that includes faith in Jesus has an affect on how we think about generosity. This message comes from Pastor Jason. The Gospel Lesson is Mark Chapter 6, Verses 30 to 44. 

When you are in a boat far from land, high winds and rough seas can cause worry. Following the national elextion, the seas in which the United States sails seem uncertain too. Pastor Sarah provides modern day context from the nautial world, and applies these lessons to help us identify why we can remain calm, and exactly what our boat actually is.  The Gospel lesson today is from Mark Chapter 4 Verses 35 to 41.   

All Saints Sunday is a day when we give thanks for people who have gone before. We remember not only that there are those who have died in our lifetimes, but there is also a great cloud of witnesses above, and that we too will be in their ranks soon. We draw on the powerful image of dancing saints to depict the community that those of us still living have with those who have died. This message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our lesson is from Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 1-2, and the Gospel is from John Chapter 11, Verses 32-44.

This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Lesson comes from Romans Chapter 3, Verses 21-24 and the Gospel is from John Chapter 8, Verses 31-36

This message is brought to us by Pastor Tania. The Gospel is Hebrew Chapter 12, verses 1-2.

This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The New Testament lesson is from Romans 12:verses 3-8, and the Old Testament Lesson is from Exodus Chapter 18, verses 13-23.

Pastor Sarah brings us this message. The Gospel lesson is from John 14, verses 27, 30-31.

Joseph is the Old Testament character (and leader) of the week…someone whose life included being thrown into a pit, being sold into slavery, being thrown into jail for a misunderstanding…and yet out of his life experiences and his pain/betrayal/hurt, God stayed with him and used him for good.  Out of your “pits” and pain, God still sees incredible potential in you, and chooses you and uses you to bring about good in our world. This message is brought to us from Pastor Tania. The scripture reading is from Genesis, Chapter 45 verses 1-12.

Leadership is a term that has lots of definitions.  In today's sermon, we seek to define what that means based on the words of Jesus in his farewell discourse in the Gospel of John. Pastor Jason presents this message. The Gospel comes from John Chapter 15.

In today's sermon we further describe our understanding of leadership as a result of God's gracious activity in Christ.  The story of Jacob and Esau's reconciliation is the launching pad for wondering what leadership defined by humble courage might look like. This message is presented by Pastor Jason. Our Scripture comes from the book of Genesis, 32:22 - 33:4

Pastor Sarah brings us this message. The scripture reading is from I Phillipians Chapter 1. verses 3 - 11.

A culture of perfection says that you must always strive to get everything right. A culture of fear says that you must always be protective and defensive. Jesus created a different kind of culture: a culture of grace. In a culture of grace, there's roominess and permission to keep the main thing the main thing. This sermon features a story about a peace-maker in Northern Ireland who had to set some ideals aside in order to work toward peace. This message is presented by Pastor Sarah. The Gospel lesson is from the book of Mark, Chapter 7, verses 1 - 7.

Too often we are caught up in the comparing our selves with others. Unlike stealing, if we can work within the existing legal constructs to use our position to gain over others, that is all well and good, right? Unfortunately Commandments 9 & 10 tell us that desiring other's possessions is wrong, and Martin Luther explains that using societal, political or legal power to disadvantage others is just as wrong as stealing as prohibited in the 7th Commandment. This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The scripture reading is from 1 Kings, Chapter 21 and the Gospel is from Matthew Chapter 6.

“Bearing false witness”, i.e. lying, starting rumors, speaking ill of another person in any way, seems to be a popular thing to DO (not refrain from doing!) in politics, every day, by almost everyone. But, the Commandments invite us to also look into our OWN hearts, as this is an easy one to break. Our words matter, in all contexts, in all our relationships, and online. Pastor Tania brings us this message. The scripture reading is from Ephesians Chapter 4  verses 25-30 and the Gospel is Mark Chapter 14, verses 66-72.

This sermon explores how we as Lutheran Christians see this commandment functioning to give boundaries to healthy communities, like a mirror inviting us to honest reflections of ourselves, and how the commandment provides further direction to seeking the thriving of our neighbors. Pastor Jason brings us this message. Our Scripture comes from Leviticus Chapter 19, verses 1-2, 9-13, and our Gospel is from March Chapter 10, verses 17-27.

The commandment “do not commit adultery” is not as straightforward as it seems. In this sermon, Pastor Sarah shows how this commandment applies to our actual modern lives, including a discussion of healthy sexuality, how community helps strengthen relationships, the prevalence of attraction, the sacredness of sex, and the promise of grace, saying “God has more mercy than you have mistakes.” Our scripture reading is from Second Samuel, Chapter 11, verses 1-5 and 14-17. The gospel lesson is from John, Chapter 8, verses 1-11.

Often, the 5th commandment seems to be pretty straight forward. Murder means killing a fellow human being. However, Martin Luther extends this prohibition to not harming our neighbor either bodily or mentally. This sermon looks at how we as Lutheran Christians reflect on the 5th commandment in relationship to setting limits in which a community can thrive, beyond just the act of physical killing. Luther points us to the promises of God in Jesus, and how it calls us to serve our neighbor.  This commandment can actually be broadened from not only harming, but as importantly, the requirement to care for them as well. The sermon also spends time looking at the root challenge that both Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and Martin Luther in the Large Catechism point to. This message comes from Pastor Jason, and the Gospel is from the Book of Mark, Chapter 5, verses 21-24, and 38-48.

First, important to note that this 4th Commandment about honoring parents should never be used as an excuse or to affirm a parent who is abusive or neglectful.  This is a call to attend to, value, honor and love our parents, other elders and even those we don't know!  It is about our own family, AND how we take care of elders in our community and society! This message is from Pastor Tania, and the Scripture lesson is from Romans 13, verses 8-10. The Gospel is John Chapter 19, verses 25-27.

Our lives are so busy, we often think that we can't afford to take any time. There are so many things to do, when are we finished? If we can only rest when we are finished, will that ever happen. God is at work for us, even when we are at rest. The sabbath invites us to rest, watch and listen. We can then hear God's messages for us.  This message comes from Pastor Sara, and the Scripture comes from the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 5, verses 12-15, and the Gospel comes from March, Chapter 2, verses 23-28.