Real Good Courage - The Westwood Podcast

Prince of Peace

Our message today comes from Pastor Tania, who explores what the Prince of Peace brings to us in this holiday season. 

Paying Attention to God, Who Pays Attention to You

In the “attention economy,” many voices compete for your attention. It can be hard to prioritize. In Handel’s Messiah, the word “Behold” appears multiple times. As our almighty leader, God is drawing your attention to the peace, hope, and love that are always here, even in difficult times. How do you pay attention to God? And how can you give someone your attention who needs it today?

Today's message comes from Pastor Sarah.

 

Handel's Messiah, Part 1

During Advent, our music and worship team are performing Handel's Messiah in lieu of scripture readings. The performance includes the following pieces, and their scriptural basis.

THE WORD IN SONG “Messiah” George Frideric Handel

Overture
Scene One: God’s Comforting Promise
Recitative: Comfort, Ye My People (Isaiah 40:1-3)
Aria: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted (Isaiah 40:4)
Chorus: And the Glory of the Lord (Isaiah 40:5)

Scene Two: The Purifying Messiah is Prophesied
Recitative: Thus Saith the Lord (Haggai 2:6-7)
Aria: But who may abide? (Malachi 3:1)
Chorus: And He shall purify (Malachi 3:3)

Comfort Food

“Some may describe familiar works of music as “comfort food”… meaning a piece of music that invites an escape from the joys a challenges of the real world.  The background of Handel’s Messiah and the use of scripture both suggest that this work of music functions not to turn away from the world, but as a call to turn towards to world with hope.”

This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. 

What Does Baptism Have to do with My Bank Account?

Baptism isn't a one time event; it's a life long journey. Every part of our lives is an opportunity to live out our faith. This includes our economic lives. Martin Luther said there were three conversions: the heart, heart, and wallet. This sermon talks about how "conversion of the wallet" helps us live deeply into the life promised at baptism, a life of love, community, and meaning.

 

Pastor Sarah connects how baptism impacts our day to day lives as Chrisitians. Our Gospel lesson is from Mark Chapter 8 verses 27 to 37. 

What is Reasonable?

In his commentary, Biblical Scholar Don Juel says the following.  “The disciples speak for reasonable people.  They do not expect anything from Jesus.”  In this sermon we wonder in our own time about our definitions of “reasonableness” and how a definition that includes faith in Jesus has an affect on how we think about generosity.

This message comes from Pastor Jason. The Gospel Lesson is Mark Chapter 6, Verses 30 to 44. 

Calming the Waves

When you are in a boat far from land, high winds and rough seas can cause worry. Following the national elextion, the seas in which the United States sails seem uncertain too. Pastor Sarah provides modern day context from the nautial world, and applies these lessons to help us identify why we can remain calm, and exactly what our boat actually is. 

The Gospel lesson today is from Mark Chapter 4 Verses 35 to 41. 

 

We Are All saints

All Saints Sunday is a day when we give thanks for people who have gone before. We remember not only that there are those who have died in our lifetimes, but there is also a great cloud of witnesses above, and that we too will be in their ranks soon. We draw on the powerful image of dancing saints to depict the community that those of us still living have with those who have died.

This message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our lesson is from Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 1-2, and the Gospel is from John Chapter 11, Verses 32-44.