![Real Good Courage - The Westwood Podcast](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5.png)
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The Prayer of Good Courage describes the call that God has made to all believers. This podcast explores how the Prayer of Good Courage is made real in the lives of the staff, members and friends of Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, MN. Prayer of Good Courage: O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us, and your love supporting us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Background music written and performed by Kent Gustavson from Mountain Vespers Copyright 2006
Episodes
![What Story Defines You?](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Wednesday May 01, 2024
What Story Defines You?
Wednesday May 01, 2024
Wednesday May 01, 2024
A good actor witnesses to the power of story by seeking to understand the story that defines a character. We as people of faith are people “clothed” with the story coming from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. To join God’s work in the world is to love as Jesus has first loved us.
This message comes from Pastor Jason Van Hunnik.
Our Scripture reading is from Colossians 7, verses 12-13 and our Gospel is from John 15, verses 9-15.
![God Bless the Doubters](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
God Bless the Doubters
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Do you have Faith FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)?
Does it seem like you are missing out on the ability to “have faith”
without proof or experience? It may seem like you are out of step, but you aren't alone. Having doubt isn’t a reason to be ashamed, nor to question your belief.
Needing proof of God’s love just makes you human. Jesus’s appearance to a doubting disciple, Thomas, helps us trust that doubt is an aspect of faithfulness.
It’s also a reminder that sometimes the closest others will get to meeting the living God is meeting YOU and the love you share with others.
Our message is from Pastor Sarah on April 21st, 2024
The lesson is from the Book of Psalms 27, verses 1, 13-14, and the Gospelis from John chapter 20, verses 19-29
![More Than We Can Ever Ask Or Imagine](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
More Than We Can Ever Ask Or Imagine
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
The God who raised Jesus from the dead has an imagination beyond ours. Trust in that imagination is what calls us forward to live with courage as people of faith whether in initiatives like the creation of Rise Early Learning Center or the opportunities presented in our everyday lives.
The Lesson is Ephesians Chapter 2 Verses 20-21, and the Gospel reading is from Luke Chapter 24, Verses 36-44.
This message is presented by Pastor Jason on April 14, 2024
![A Different Kind of Evangelical](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Monday Apr 08, 2024
A Different Kind of Evangelical
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Through Jesus, we can have a quality of life that’s hopeful, gentle, and generous. When we share this with others, it doesn’t look like dragging people into church. Instead, you are invited to join God’s dream out in the big wide world and share love wherever you are.
This message is delivered by Pastor Sarah Scherschligt on April 07, 2024
The Lesson is Philippians Chapter 4, Verses 4-9, and the Gospel is from John, Chapter 20, Verses 30-31.
![The Power of Presence](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
The Power of Presence
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
We are all aware of the Power of Presence of others in the joys and sorrows of our life. The Good News of Easter is that the absence in the tomb pointed to the Presence of the Risen Christ then and now. This news is what transformed the women and for those who experience the Good News to have a presence in all the areas of our life to witness to the hope of the resurrection.
This message is presented by Pastor Jason on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Our Gospel is Mark Chapter 16, Verses 1-8
![Humility in All Things, Including Faith](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Humility in All Things, Including Faith
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Even though the gospel doesn’t change, the way that faith traditions interpret and apply the gospel does. The ecological crisis has caused many people to rethink deeply held beliefs about the centrality of humans in relation to the rest of creation. In Philippians we see what it means that Jesus was in the image of God. He didn’t dominate, instead he became humble. It’s an invitation for us to be humble, to allow for change, and to follow Jesus to the cross.
This message is from Pastor Sarah Scherschligt on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024.
The lesson comes from Philippians 2, Verses 5-11 and the Gospel, Matthew Chapter 21, Verses 1-11
![Groans and Sighs](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Groans and Sighs
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Paul tells us that both creation and humanity groan, and that the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Today, we examine the implications of our scripture lessons for the characteristics of a faith community that faithfully engages the environmental challenges we face.
The Lesson is from Romans Chapter 8, Verses 22-26, and the Gospel reading is from John Chapter 12, Verses 20-32.
![Matter Matters](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18351024/Final_Podcast_cover_v5_300x300.png)
Monday Mar 25, 2024
Matter Matters
Monday Mar 25, 2024
Monday Mar 25, 2024
John 3:16 is a very familiar verse that tells us that whoever believes in Jesus shall have eternal life. This is often interpreted in a way that excludes others sometimes called “non-believers”. In fact, this verse is Good News, in that it isn't exclusionary at all! God loves the WHOLE world, and every person, creature and creation in it.
Pastor Tania Haber delivers the message March 10, 2024
The Gospel is from John, Chapter 3, verses 11 - 17