Welcome to the first installment of “Hold Fast,” our Lenten podcast. In this segment, Pastor Sean reminds us of the deep, unending love of God as we look back on the difficulties of the past year. We invite you into a season of hope as we look forward with expectation to what God has in store for us in this season.

Pastor Sean Palmer begins a new series that will guide us toward Resurrection Sunday as the journey of Lent continues. Engaging with the practices undertaken by Jesus during the night he was betrayed, Sean leads us to consider first the vitality of serving others; following in the example of our Savior.

Pastor Chris Seay concludes our series in Ecclesiastes, as Solomon honestly reflects upon his failures and calls us to learn from the wisdom of his experience. When we commit to being real with God, with ourselves, and with others, we help to cultivate space for others to do the same, and to create communities of truth and trust.

In the wake of the widespread impact felt by Winter Storm Uri, Pastor Sean Palmer continues our time together in the wisdom and mystery of the Book of Ecclesiastes with a timely reminder that none of us are immune to disaster and suffering. We are called to be a people with instinctual empathy and solidarity in these inevitable times of trial, while also living fully and joyfully in these fleeting days under the sun.

Pastor Chris continues our time engaging with the wisdom found in the Book of Ecclesiastes. As we look ahead to the season of Lent, traditionally a time of abstaining, you might be keenly aware of the things which have already been given up over the course of a challenging year. Chris urges us to shift our perspective about this invitation into fasting, and enter into these “solemn” weeks with surprising joy and gratitude.

Pastor Chris continues to walk us through key lessons from the Book of Ecclesiastes. As many of us seek to establish and practice new rhythms, the wisdom of Solomon reminds us that satisfaction will not be found in what we can accumulate or achieve, but primarily in the relationships that we have the opportunity to nurture.

Pastor Sean Palmer continues the conversation we began last week; engaging with the book of Ecclesiastes and what it reveals about our search for meaning and purpose in life. Will we cling to the things we know will fade, or turn our attention and energy toward the things that will outlive these days under the sun?

As we continue seeking God’s direction to meet both the possibilities and the challenges of this new year, Pastor Chris invites us to examine our own patterns which are so often repeated and leave us feeling stuck. Learning from the past, and committing anew to discipline in the present, we pray for Jesus to show us the way as we step with trust into the days and months ahead.

Pastor Chris Seay urges us to consider how the radical transformation of the Apostle Paul speaks to our role as followers of Christ in a time of division. Opposing hate is only the beginning. The more challenging work to which we are called amid the turmoil is choosing connection across places of disagreement and difference.

Through the story of Jacob, guest speaker Ericka Graham guides us to understanding that acknowledgement of our true selves is the pathway to true belonging.

Pastor Sean brings us into the new year reminding us that without our willingness to change, 2021 won’t bring the changes we desire. Through the teachings of Jesus in the gospels, Sean shows us how a sober view of reality, being intentional, and choosing wisdom set us up to be people able to be changed.

As we continue celebrating the joy of Christmastide, Pastor Mike Yager offers a message of hope as we look ahead to the new year. The Incarnation once again reminds us that God keeps his promises, and offers the invitation to trust anew today; releasing the weight that hinders us from living fully in the moment to which we have been called, and committing to do so in community.

As we look ahead to our Christmas celebration, Pastor Chris Seay reflects upon the incredible transformations that have taken place in communities near and far due to your faithfulness and generosity. As we seek again to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all, we anticipate the ways that God will continue to change us, and the whole world, through our participation in this sacred season.

To find out more, and to take part as we gather our best gifts to Jesus as a family to provide clean water around the world, click here.

Pastor Chris Seay invites us to consider once again the tenets which guide us into living a different kind of Christmas. As we seek to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all, we anticipate the ways that God will continue to change us, and the whole world, through this sacred season. Join us in this ongoing Advent Conspiracy. To find out more, and to take part as we gather our best gifts to Jesus as a family to provide clean water around the world, click here.

Pastor Sean Palmer invites us to remember what the apocalyptic vision of Revelation tells us about the world into which Jesus is born. When we neglect to see Christmas as the hopeful scene of a cosmic battle, it becomes easy to instead focus upon the sanitized and distorted version offered by a culture of accumulation and consumption.

Pastor Chris Seay invites us into the season of Advent, in which we remember and await Jesus’ coming. As part of a global family of faith, we believe that we are called especially in this season to share joyfully from our abundance, and we will continue doing so as a church family this year by partnering with efforts to bring clean water to places in desperate need. Chris enters the scriptures to remind us that generosity springs from a grateful heart, and suggests practices to grow us in gratitude.