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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
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
Raising children can sometimes seem like a dog-eat-dog world of competition and isolation. We are often so focused on the myriad tasks at hand that we can lose sight of the larger community around us, both in terms of other children but also resources that help connect us to community as parents. Jesus didn’t have children “of his own.” He blessed other peoples’ children – and not just the high-achieving ones! - and said they would inherit the kingdom of God.
It’s a gift and a joy to discover a different culture of child-rearing – and of life support for adults too! That’s a culture where we care for one another deeply, recognizing we all belong to each other. As the popular quote summarizes, “there is no such thing as other people’s children.”
In this message we celebrate the culture that the Westwood Early Childhood Center has embodied for 40 years. And it’s part of all of our vocation as Lutheran Christians. We care about the well-being not only of our own kin, but of all God’s children, anywhere in the world.
This message is brought to us by Pastor Sarah, and our scripture is from the book of Deuteronomy Chapter 6. The Gospel is from Mark, Chapter 10.
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
In this Memorial weekend sermon, we are invited, through two examples, to wonder about the connection between our core theological confessions and how they relate to memory.
This message comes from Pastor Jason.
The New Testament reading is from Romans Chapter 8, verses 12-17 and the Gospel is from John Chapter 3, verses 1-17
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Tuesday May 28, 2024
The Journey Outward into community is not one done alone. It is done in relationship with the Holy Spirit who influences, nurtures and supports the life of discipleship. Today we wonder about the gift the of Spirit’s presence in our journey.
This message is shared by Pastor Jason.
The scripture is from the book of Acts, Chapter 2, Verses 1-21
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Wednesday May 15, 2024
When life gets hard or hostile, God’s words bring comfort. “I know
the plans I have for you…to give you a future with hope.” In the same passage, God also empowers us to make a difference while we wait for that future.
Often, we can't imagine how something good or beautiful can happen in the place we reside and we doubt our ability to have an impact. When we commit to the places and relationships where we find ourselves, God transforms the here and now as we join God’s work in this world.
This message is brought to you by Pastor Sarah Scherschligt.
The scripture is from the book of Jeremiah, Chapter 29 Verses 4-11.
Tuesday May 07, 2024
Tuesday May 07, 2024
In our gospel and many other places in scripture, Jesus and others clarified what they wanted their legacy to be. Even as people of faith, we often struggle talking to our family/friends about our dying, our financial legacy, and the stories and values we want to leave behind.
This message comes from Pastor Tania.
Our scripture is from the Book of John Chapter 21, Verses 15 to 18.
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.
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
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