Grow Deep. Reach Out. That’s who we are. That’s what we do. May this podcast remind you that you are a beloved child of God, and we have a lot of work to do together.
There’s a phrase that is sometimes used in Christian circles, that we should be “in the world but not of the world.” It comes from today’s Gospel, but Jesus doesn’t quite mean it the same way.
Scripture: 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
Song: "Make Us One" written by Stefan Van Voorst; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Jesus uses the word ‘love’ nine times in this nine verse reading from the gospel of John. We use the word love a lot too. Let’s see if we mean the same thing.
Scripture: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; John 15:9-17
Song: "Love Came Down" written by Brian Johnson, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
[Click HERE for the piece Chad read as part of his closing: "For Joy"]
The greatest blessing is watching what happens when we all respond together as a community of faith. There is just nothing like the church when people offer their energy, gifts and resources to build up the ministry we share here at POP.
Song: "Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way" written by U2; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Both of our readings today make it clear what it looks like to be a part of the community of God. Jesus uses a metaphor, but John’s letter is a little less ambiguous. In this day and age, in the world the way it is, where hate and mistrust seems like the norm, how can we be love and fruit?
Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
Song: "We Are Called (let us not forget)" written by Nate Bergengren; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
When all feels lost, when darkness closes in and you feel alone, there is an ancient word of hope that will never lose sight of you.
Scripture: Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; John 10:11-18
Song: "Son Was Lifted Up" written by B. Johnson, et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
Jesus appears to the disciples in today’s Gospel. Just shows up. They don’t invite him, they don’t ask him to be there, he just appears. And in their confusion and doubt they witness the very real, very human moments of what a resurrected life looks like.
Scripture: 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48
Song: "Praise The King" written by C. Voss et al.; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
A few times a year, we depart from our usual preaching schedule and hand over the mic to… you… so you can ask any and all questions pertaining to faith, community, theology… And we see what happens. We adjust the usual format of our worship service in order to leave as much time as possible for our pastors to respond to our questions—and we are always left wanting more!
Scripture: John 20:19-31
Song: "Hurricane" written by Lisa & Michael Gungor; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
A few times a year, we depart from our usual preaching schedule and hand over the mic to… you… so you can ask any and all questions pertaining to faith, community, theology… And we see what happens. We adjust the usual format of our worship service in order to leave as much time as possible for our pastors to respond to our questions—and we are always left wanting more!
Scripture: John 20:19-31
Song: "Hurricane" written by Lisa & Michael Gungor; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
…and then everyone was so terrified they ran away screaming and never said a thing about what had happened to anyone. The end. That’s pretty much the way Mark ends his account of the resurrection. That is also why Mark is my favorite gospel. It takes more than guts to set the pen down after writing an ending like that. It takes faith.
Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9; Acts 10:34-43; Mark 16:1-8
Song: "Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way" written by U2; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
The Passion of our Lord. This one speaks for itself...
Scripture: Mark 14 & 15
Song: "Sins Are Stones" written by John Mark McMillan; performed by the Prince of Peace worship band
