Chad Brekke - A couple of months ago, we heard Jesus say in Mark’s gospel that "whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and the gospel will save it.” What might these things look like in the real world? When Peter is dragged in front of the powers that be after the resurrection in today's reading, we get o…

1st John 3:16-24 16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 19 By…

Natalia Terfa The fear and astonishment of the disciples is made so clear in today’s Gospel. They haven’t come very far, have they? Notice how Jesus doesn’t talk at them or around them. He shows them his body. His hands and feet. To show that yes - that happened - and yet here he is. Scripture: Luke 24:36b-48 Support our podcast here Watch the Live…

Acts 3:11-2 While (the man who was lame and healed) clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God …

Natalia Terfa & Chad Brekke Join us in this special podcast episode of Ask the Pastors as we set aside our usual preaching schedule to delve into public theology together. We addressed questions from our congregation around the theme of doubt and questioning. How does John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father exc…

John 20:19-31 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again,…

Chad Brekke - People come up with some frightening ways to prove their faith. From the power of positive thinking, to handling venomous snakes during worship, efforts to demonstrate personal faithfulness come in many forms. The Easter proclamation turns the tables on this endless quest. The risen Christ defeats sin and death to give us something fa…

Isaiah 53:3-6 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crus…

Mark 16:1-8 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And loo…

Matthew 9:27-31 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it don…

Mark 14:12-26 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say…

Chad Brekke - Continuing with our tradition of settling in on Palm Sunday to listen to a live reading of the passion of Christ. Somehow, we always hear something new, something that transforms our current time and draws us in. Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website…

John 12:12-19 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not,…

Natalia Terfa Jesus uses the word glorify a lot in this passage, so it’s worth spending a little time thinking about what we think that word means, and what Jesus meant when he used it. The distance between those two answers gives us a hint of what is coming. Scripture: John 12:20-33 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instag…

Mark 10:32-45 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and th…

(Chad Brekke) Much of popular Christianity in the United States is packaged in the always-recurring theme of the power of positive thinking. If we can just focus on that “next level” that God surely has planned for us, we will find true happiness. How does this message sound to the single mother in the refugee camp or the prisoner on death row? Is …

Pastor Jody Becker, a dear friend of Pastor Scott's, delivers the message today as POP celebrates 5 years of Pastor Scott's leadership. Joshua 1:1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people,…

(Natalia Terfa) When Moses was given the Ten Commandments, things seemed pretty clear. But immediately the people began to do what people do and look for loopholes, exit strategies, and hierarchies. What if we took a little time, and went back to basics? Just the big 10. Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow…

John 2:13-25 13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and ov…

Matthew 8:1-4 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothi…

(Chad Brekke) Do you ever wonder why Jesus had to go the way of the cross, the way of rejection and suffering and dying? Wouldn’t just being an amazing teacher, preacher, and healer have been enough? Great questions, let’s get into it. Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on Instagram Visit our Website…

Mark 8:27-38 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Chr…

(Chad Brekke) Many of us first heard the story of Noah and the ark in Sunday School as children. In our imaginations, we could see all the fun animals and the big boat. But a version of this ancient story has echoed throughout human history and for those who dare to step back into that ark and look around, there is still more to learn. Scripture: G…

Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, a…

God, today my finitude is rubbed on my forehead. The reality of my limits, my fragile body, spoken over me like a curse: From dust I was made, to dust I will return. Some days I need to be reminded that I am not the perfectibility project I set out to be I am full of bounce and brimming with hope. All woes, solvable. All problems, a distant whisper…

Joel 2:12-13 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.…

(Natalia Terfa) It’s the Sunday before Lent, and of course, that means it’s Transfiguration Sunday. What does it mean that we go from such a high place to such a low place in this short period? Especially since we, like the disciples, present with Jesus on that mountaintop, prefer the highs over the lows. Scripture: Mark 9:2-9 Support our podcast h…

Mark 9:2-9 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus…

(Natalia Terfa) “Everyone is searching for you” the disciples tell Jesus as his popularity and reputation grows. But Jesus doesn’t let the lure of prestige keep him from what he was sent here to do. Where do we go when we’re looking for Jesus? What are we hoping to get from him? Where is it that we will find him? Scripture: Mark 1:29-39 Support our…

Isaiah 40:21-31 Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princ…

Mark 1:21-28 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us,…

(Chad Brekke) We are still in the first chapter of Mark, so many voices are vying for attention. The one crying out in the wilderness, the crowds, religious leaders, worshippers, and even unclean spirits. In this passage, Jesus says, “be silent!” When Jesus speaks, something new happens. Healing, restoration, and hope begin to emerge. Let’s listen …

(Natalia Terfa) Pastor Natalia’s favorite story in the Hebrew scripture is in front of us again and of course, she isn’t going to skip it! What do we do when God keeps Their promises? That’s the part of Jonah’s story in front of us today - let’s see what he does. Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Follow us on …

Mark 1:14-20 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus …

(Natalia Terfa) On this Martin Luther King Jr holiday, we’re going to take time to hear the words of Dr King - a sermon not of quotes or cherry-picked but in its entirety. Dr King was a preacher first, and this sermon reminds us that his words have held the test of time, even when the world keeps changing. Scripture: Amos 5:18-24 Support our podcas…

1st Samuel 3:1-20 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in t…

(Chad Brekke) Today we wrap up our Advent/Christmas theme, How Does A Weary World Rejoice? From the Jordan River to Mt. Kilimanjaro, we will stand in awe together of God’s declaration that we are beloved. Video Clip: (1:29:36) https://youtu.be/kosPUYq19lQ?si=lIJ5DG9BDDZyi5TS&t=5376 Scripture: Mark 1:4-11 Support our podcast here Watch the Livestrea…

Mark 1:1-12 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a ba…

(Chad Brekke) Here, on the other side of Christmas, we find ourselves living in the same old world with the same old people and struggling with the same old demons as always. On the other side of Christmas, we can't help but wonder: "Now what?” If we are honest with ourselves, many of us still haven’t found what we’re looking for. And then joy find…

Luke 2:22-40 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of …

(Chad Brekke & Natalia Terfa) On an unusually warm and rainy Christmas Eve, hundreds gathered in our candle-lit worship center to hear the Christmas gospel. We continued to contemplate our theme, how does a weary world rejoice? We find hope and inspiration in the awe surrounding us, often in simple, even ordinary ways. We experienced God's presence…

John 1:6-8, 19-28 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confes…

Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every va…

(Chad Brekke) The angel comes to Zechariah with a promise of good news, but Zechariah can’t fully receive it, and he is cast into silence for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Sometimes, weariness can prevent us from leaving room for joy. We’ve had hard journeys. Grief has left a scar on us. And yet, we are surprised by joy which does not come…

Isaiah 64:1-9 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the …

(Natalia Terfa) It’s Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday. This day was created as an answer to nationalism, so it feels even more important to create space for this day now, as Christian nationalism is again on the rise. When algorithms and broken systems feel like they are running everything, what does it mean to take one day and push back? Scr…

Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King…

Natalia Terfa Support our podcast here Visit our WebsiteOleh Prince of Peace

(Natalia Terfa & Chad Brekke) As we do from time to time, we put the usual preaching schedule on hold while we explore public theology together. We will again field questions from the congregation around the theme of things that cause us to doubt or question. Support our podcast here Watch the Livestream Visit our Website…

Matthew 25:14-30 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also h…