Sanctuary Video Podcast

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the moment Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem as the people cheered wildly with the expectation that he was their Messiah. What had he done to receive such adulation? Why would they believe that he was the one? Just days before, Jesus had done an extraordinary miracle: raising a man from the dead. It was a sign that gave people something to believe in. But before the miracle, Jesus did something just as important. He stepped into the heartbreak of grief and death with his dear friends and faced the painful question many of us still ask: If God can fix my problem, where is He? In this sermon, we reflect on the encounters that Mary and Martha have with Jesus just after their brother Lazarus has died, and we wrestle with what our own faith looks like when everything else falls apart.

Pastor: Rev. Philip Rhodes Scripture: Acts 10:34-48 34 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.' 44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?' 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

Rev. Sean McDonald has a conversation with Marriage and Family Counselor Tayrn Mau. Speakers: Rev. Sean McDonald, Tayrn Mau

Pastor: Rev Edlen Cowley Scripture: Luke 15:1-2 and 17-32 NRSV  1 Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.' 17 But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.'” 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” 22 But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. 25 ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” 31 Then the father[a] said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”'

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Dreams unlock our potential. When God plants them in our hearts, He equips each of us with a unique set of skills and gifts to pursue them. But turning those God-given dreams into reality is difficult. It's one thing to believe that dreams are from God and carry power; it's another to stay committed to them through setbacks. If God gives us dreams, why are they so hard to achieve? What steps can we take to see them through? This week, we will explore what it really takes to bring a dream to life and how we can embrace the challenges along the way.  

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Fifty yards. This is the distance that lepers had to maintain between themselves and everyone else—including spouses, family, and friends. This week, we'll explore the powerful story of Jesus healing 10 lepers. He changes their whole lives, freeing them from both their physical pain and the emotional pain of their forced isolation. Yet, only one returns to thank him. It's a familiar story, but have you ever considered Jesus' perspective? What does it feel like for him when their gratitude goes unspoken? How do we handle the sting of feeling unappreciated, especially when we are tempted to tie our sense of worth to others' recognition? In this sermon, we reflect on the significance of gratitude and the God who sees us even when no one else does.

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Our culture celebrates efficiency. We prioritize getting from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, and we are good at it! But what if closing the gap between problem and solution isn't always the goal? Some things—like heartache, grief, and struggle— cannot be rushed. Though we crave instant relief, Scripture tells us what we truly need: patience. Of all the commands in the Bible, which is the hardest for you? To rejoice? To forgive? To serve? For many of us, patience might top the list! Why is it so difficult to wait? And where is patience when we need it most? In this sermon, we explore what James 5 has to say about this Fruit of the Spirit, and what it looks like to practice patience in difficult circumstances and in our relationships with God and others. 

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. The average adult makes about 35,000 decisions per day, large and small. That's an unbelievable number! Every day, we find ourselves at forks in the road and have to choose which path to proceed down. Many are referring to this election and the outcomes afterward as a big fork in the road for our country, but how can we let our faith shape our perspective? As Jesus followers, what do we do in the days and weeks afterward? What do we put our hope in during times of uncertainty? We believe that God brings goodness out of uncertain, difficult, and troubling moments, and in this sermon, we explore what we can do to faithfully follow His lead and put our trust in Him.