Real Good Courage - The Westwood Podcast

As the disciples walked away from Jerusalem after the crucifixtion, their internal story of the event was limiting their ability to see a future for Christ and Christianity. As Jesus walked with them, he helped explain how their story was an incomplete telling of the events of the past days. We too can allow our stories to be limiting vs. enlivening.  We need to remember that a Savior is with us at all times. 

Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. Our Gosple is from Luke, Chapter 24, verses 18-27.

The Road to Leadership. In a story often called “The Road to Emmaus,” followers of Jesus express the disappointment and heartbreak of Jesus' crucifixion. When we experience disappointment on life's road, it can lead to cynicism, lost hope, and dead ends. This road is hard and the journey is difficult, but it can also be revealing. The road of disappointment can show us our passions and deepest desires. We meet Jesus there, and that road can become the place we discover our call to leadership.

This message comes to us from Pastor Sarah. Our gospel comes from Luke, Chapter 24 verses 13 - 18.

When we create a legacy, it is the small things that build the story. One way to think about this is you are leaving footprints, whether you are intentional about them or not.  Our legacy, our story or footprint is created every day by our choices, our priorities, our commitments on how we spend our time and money.  This legacy looks different for each of us, but we can also create a ‘shared footprint’ in our church community, by supporting and participating in opportunities that match our values.

Today's message comes from Pastor Tania. Our Gospel is from John, Chapter 21, verses 15 - 19.

 

The scars that Jesus showed to his disciples behind those locked doors were the most visible, but not the only scars in the room. The disciples were dealing with their own scars, both named and unnamed. We have the choice to allow our scars to define us, or to get beyond them, and God celebrates our choices. 

Today's message comes from Pastor Jason. The Gospel is from John Chapter 20, verses 24 to 31.

 

Culture is made up of things seen and unseen. It is what is obvious, but also that which isn't as obvious, and is sometimes invisible. Culture is made up of both the external markers as well as that which is at the core. While hardship, fear and shame can infuse and inform our culture in negative situations, we can actively build a culture around hope, love and inclusion.

Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Sarah.  Our Gospel lesson is from John Chapter 20, verses 19 - 23.

Today we hear the resurrection story from Matthew, which is the only Gospel to describe an earthquake when the two Marys went to the tomb. In the recent past, we've experienced our own earthquakes. From school shootings and  killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, to the most recent wars and partisan divides, it can feel like we are under assault.  However the good news of the resurrection is that sin and death do not have the last word. God does and he shares that good news with us. 

Today's message comes to us from Pastor Jason. The Gospel is from Matthew Chapter 28, verses 1 - 10, and the Scripture is from Romans Chapter 6, verses 3 - 5.

Kings are often greeted by pomp and circumstance. However Jesus did not enter jerusalem by the main gate, he came in via backroads sitting on a donkey rather than a war horse humbled, not triumphant. The celebration of kingship is often evinced by an annointing. Messiah translates into Christ in English and contain the idea of being anointed. Even though Jesus anointing , crowning and assuming his throne was different than his followers expected. His anointing gives us the hope that Christ's anointing heals us as a people. Together we follow a God towards love, hope and peace. 

This message is brought to us by Pastor Sarah. The Gospel lesson is from Matthew Chapter 21, Verses 1 - 11. The Scripture lesson comes from Philippians Chapter verses 5 - 11.

Each instance of forgiveness is different and the difficulty of providing forgiveness varies. Many representations in popular culture make this difficult process too simple, forgiveness is asked, accepted and the relationship restored. Unfortunately, in many cases the process can be overwhelming and isn't easy to bring to conclusion. But it doesn't need to work like these simple examples. Relationships may need distance, or may need to be broken completely. In some instances a new different relationship may develop.

The good news is that forgiveness is between God and God's people - all of us.

Our message today comes from Pastor Sarah. Our Gospel lesson comes from John Chapter 20, verses 19-23,  and our scripture is Jeremiah Chapter 31, verses 31-34