Thursday, February 20, 2014

Stephen Ministry - A Light In the Darkness

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Light in the Darkness" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can down load it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio. 

This is an exciting week in the life of our congregation.  This Sunday, we will commission a new class of Stephen Ministers for service in our community.  We are lifting up Stephen Ministry - here in our community Stephen Ministers shine light in the darkness for people in need of care.

In today's podcast, Pastors Bob and Brett are joined by Melinda Simmons, a Muhlenberg member. Melinda shares as we discuss Stephen Ministry - a one-on-one caring ministry that shines light for people in the darkness of any transition, loss, or need... We thank Melinda for sharing her unique perspective of both receiving transformative care as she received care from a Stephen Minister a few years ago, and now, she is trained as a Stephen Minister herself who will be commissioned this Sunday!  It's powerful to hear her story and her witness to the transformative way in which God is at work through Stephen ministry - a caring, confidential, one-on-one relationship between a trained caregiver and a care receiver.
Listen to the podcast above, and then here's what you can do:
  • Keep our Stephen Ministry caregivers, leaders, and care receivers in your prayers
  • Keep in mind that Stephen Ministry is here - recommend it to a friend or family member who may be helped by Stephen ministry - or reach out for yourself.  It's not just for Muhlenberg members - this is a service (without charge) for our community!
  • Stephen Ministers are trained to care for people in a variety of life situations, and to know their boundaries and refer to other sources of care when necessary.  Keep in mind that a Stephen Minister may be a great help for anyone who is going through any type of loss (divorce, grief, loss of a job) or transition (of life stage, work, other), as well as many other situations where a caring, listening presence might be helpful.
  • Be open to listening for God's call - are you called to serve as a Stephen Minister or leader?
  • Learn more:



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Light in the Darkness - Hunger - at home and around the world

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Light in the Darkness" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can down load it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.


When you think of hunger, what images come to mind?  Who comes to mind?
In this week's podcast, we hear from Barbra Humphrey, who shares the experience of their recent trip to Kinshasa, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Listen in as she and Bob describe the experience and some images of the reality of hunger.
Food at Patchwork Pantry.
In worship this Sunday we'll be lifting up two efforts to fight hunger - locally, Patchwork Pantry, a food Click here to learn more about them or connect with them on Facebook.  Hunger is not just a "third world" issue but the story of neighbors right in our community.  Recent weeks at Patchwork Pantry have seen over 100 families coming to receive food - that's a lot!
pantry housed at Community Mennonite, which is where we bring our food collected on the first Sunday of each month. 
Globally, we'll be lifting up ELCA World Hunger.  Through churches, partners, and local relationships, ELCA World Hunger is seeking to address root causes of hunger and poverty and also provide food, education, and resources, here in the US as well as in 50 countries around the world.  We thank you for the generous ways you give and shine the light in the darkness through these organizations.  Last Sunday, we collected as a congregation about 600 pounds of food for Patchwork Pantry!  Through your gifts to world hunger, every dollar goes further to fight hunger for our brothers and sisters around the world.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Lutheran World Relief - A light in the darkness

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Light in the Darkness" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can down load it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.
When disaster strikes our brothers and sisters across the world, how can we respond?
When we seek to create sustainable development and relief from hunger and cycles of poverty, how can we unite to do this?


The answer is Lutheran World Relief.  LWR is the way we at Muhlenberg are connected with other Lutherans around the world in making God's promises of abundant life real.  This happens in tangible ways - in responding to disaster, in sustainable development, education, quilts, health kits, and other tangible support. 


Listen in to this week's podcast, featuring a very special guest, Kristin Vought, program associate for external relations at LWR.  She shares an overview of the ways LWR shines light and good news all over the world, and also a couple powerful personal stories of people's lives transformed!  We were so glad to have Kristin join us - she was glad to bring her greetings to Muhlenberg, and remembers you all fondly as home!


Thank you for the ways you, as Muhlenberg, joining with so many others, have responded in love.  An example is the recent response of Muhlenberg through LWR to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. 



Our local emphasis this week is a little-known way we are able to provide critical relief for members of our congregation - the pastors' discretionary fund.  Check out this week's Chimes newsletter for more!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

People Helping People & the Malaria Project - A Light in the Darkness

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Light in the Darkness" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can down load it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.


Give a listen to this week's inspiring conversation, in which Jackie Wells, director of People Helping People, tells us about their ministry.  She introduces us to some of our neighbors, not by name but by their situations - folks who we may not think of - but are in need right in our community.


Did you know that People Helping People helps with everything from water bills to referrals for other types of support to little but such important things as IDs and eyeglasses?  Did you know that People Helping People has received about 200 people per month on average who are seeking help and listened to each one's story with care and compassion?  Did you know that PHP is entirely volunteer?  People Helping People does all this from a small office space right here at Muhlenberg's MAC, every Monday through Thursday, 9-11:30.  Click here to check out their website and learn more - including how to help!


The other ministry we're lifting up this week is the ELCA Malaria Project.  While it may seem at first that these have little in common, as the Malaria Project is working to eradicate malaria in Africa through education, community resourcing, and direct support through medicine, mosquito nets, and medical support.  But these two have something in common - a ministry that seeks to provide basic health needs - People Helping People provides help with prescriptions, clinic memberships, and transportation to doctors' visits.


Here at Muhlenberg, we've supported the Malaria Campaign through the work of the social ministry team - you remember campaigns and meals to raise money for mosquito nets!  Check out this brief video below, "60 Seconds" - Malaria is completely preventable and treatable - we can make a difference here!  See this amazing short video below about the difference ELCA Malaria Campaign is making on the ground.



Saturday, January 18, 2014

Wellspring of Grace - Our vision for ministry at Muhlenberg!

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Wellspring of Grace" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can down load it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Today's podcast is live from the 2014 Council Retreat!  
Pastors Bob and Brett describe the vision - Muhlenberg as a Wellspring of God's Grace - how it came to be, where God is leading us as a congregation, and how this vision will shape ministry. 

We explain the four "marks" of that wellspring vision - Open, Authentic, Relational, and Serving. 

How is God calling you and us to live out our baptism by being open, authentic, relational, and serving?
Listen in, give us your feedback, and join us in mission in ministry in making this truly a wellspring of God's grace.


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Light In the Darkness - Second Home

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Light in the Darkness" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can down load it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

In this new podcast series for the season after Epiphany before Lent begins in early March, we're exploring the theme of Christ who is and reveals the light in the darkness.  Each week in worship at Muhlenberg we'll be lifting up one local and one global way we're as the body of Christ shining light in the darkness of the many challenges we face in our world - poverty, inequality, hunger, strife, illness, et cetera.  
Each week's podcast will feature a discussion with someone from or related to one of these organizations, and together we'll be honest about the darkness - the challenges we face - and proclaim the light - the ways in which through love and serving our neighbors, this darkness is overcome.

This week, we're lifting up Second Home, an outreach ministry of Muhlenberg, and talking to Second Home director, Patty Sensabaugh.  Push play above to listen!

Many families in our community struggle to make ends meet, working long shift hours that literally involve the darkness - leaving before the sun is up in the morning, and returning after dark in the evening. Second Home was formed in 2007 as an outreach ministry of Muhlenberg in response to the need for quality care that families could truly afford.  

Second Home is based in our own MAC building each morning and afternoon during the week! Since Second Home's beginning, families have seen improvement in grades and attendance, decreased truancy rates and enthusiasm is high! What a light for families in our community!  You can click here for the website, or here for their Facebook page for more information!


This week in worship, we'll also be lifting up a global way we're connected and serve, the Rwamagana Lutheran School.  The Rwanda School Project is a light in the darkness, a part of a future of hope being built in a country torn by so much disaster. 

In agreement with the Lutheran Church of Rwanda, the Rwanda School Project started a Junior-Senior High School in eastern Rwanda in 2010 with a curriculum that focuses on sustainability. 

Muhlenberg's own Robin Strickler, an ELCA missionary, is the founder of the school and currently serves there as head of staff.  If you explore their Facebook page, you might even see some other familiar faces of Muhlenbergers, like Jean!  
Read more about the school on their website or Facebook page and see and read the story of one of the students we support in the Gathering Area this Sunday!

Next week we'll be back to explore other ways we're shining light.  Where are you seeing light in the darkness of the challenges of life this week?

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Advent 4 - Love All


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Advent 4" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can down load it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

So - love all.  This last theme of the Advent conspiracy seems pretty simple on the surface, doesn't it?  But let's be honest.  It's probably the hardest to really live out.  Love itself is a big enough topic - but then when the invitation and challenge is to love all - we've got a tall order on our hands.

Who is the hardest person for you to love today?  Is it someone you know or not?

Is it harder for you to love when you don't feel loved?

The radical, groundbreaking nature of Christ is that in his ministry, teachings, and life, we know that all is truly the intent.  Jesus sought to love and reach out to those at the margins.  The coming of God in Jesus means John 3:16 but also John 3:17 - "for Christ did not come to condemn the world, but that the whole world (kosmos) might have eternal life."  As Christians, reflecting Christ's love, then, the invitation is not to let any barrier stop us - of social status, race, age, class, gender, conflict, disagreement, politics, past, but simply to love ALL.  The challenge is to live it out.
In Galatians 5 we read about the hope and waiting we live out in Advent, and the fact that in Christ no label or division can keep us, but only love:
5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.  6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.
At the end of today's podcast, we're giving you a brief preview of where we're headed.  This podcast/blog will go on hiatus for a couple weeks and pick up mid-January, for the Epiphany season.  Listen to today's podcast and stay tuned for what's ahead!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Advent 3 - Give More


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Advent 2" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Last week was "Spend Less" - now you want me to "Give More?"  How does that make sense? 
We are talking about giving this week - about the best gifts we've ever given and been given.  And usually it isn't the most exciting or highest price items.
Sometimes giving is really appealing, exciting, glamorous even . . . we like to give to need, to meaningful causes . . .  But what about giving that is pretty ordinary? 
Giving as in. . .  
. . . giving your attention to your child's question;
. . . giving your time to doing your work well;
. . . giving to your church each week;
. . . giving your taxes;
. . . sometime these are pretty ordinary - but they are still giving that can free us - and create positive change for those around us. 
Giving More isn't about guilt.  It's about giving relationally, and it may not even cost a penny.  Maybe it's giving some quality time with your family.  Maybe it's giving forgiveness to someone who needs it in your life. 
In reclaiming Advent as a time of peace and preparation, it will mean giving more - to things that really matter - even the ordinary, beautiful, important stuff of life.
Giving and receiving is not about obligation and expectation, but about freedom and relationship, about joy that's given and shared. 
Think about the best gift you've received.  Think about how powerful that gift is in your life.   Join us for worship this Sunday (8, 9:30, and 11) or Wednesday at 6:45pm and we'll be given great gifts - of forgiveness, peace, nourishment... and because we are freed in Christ, challenged to give more. 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Advent 2 - Spend Less


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Advent 2" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

With this second week's theme, we reflect on God freeing us and inviting us to SPEND LESS!  It's not about guilt, but it's about of freeing ourselves from stressing about the things that don't matter and spending less of our money, time, and energy on them.  Click above to listen to our discussion on this, using the scripture for this Sunday, and reflect -
What does it spark in you?   
What could you spend less on?   
How are you feeling "spent?"  Hear that you are freed - and use this week as a time to reflect on how you could spend less...
From adventconspiracy.org:
Quick question for you: What was the one gift you remember getting for Christmas last year? Next question: What about the fourth gift? Do you remember that one? Truth is many of us don't because it wasn't something we necessarily wanted or needed. Spending Less isn't a call to stop giving gifts; it's a call to stop spending money on gifts we won't remember in less than a year. America spends around $450 billion dollars during the Christmas season, and much of that goes right onto a credit card. By spending wisely on gifts we free ourselves from the anxiety associated with debt so we can take in the season with a full heart.

Here's another video to inspire this week's reflection . . .

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Advent 1 - Worship Fully


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "Advent 1" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

We're looking ahead to this Sunday, the first Sunday of the new church year and of the Advent season.  This season is full of expectation, hope, but also anticipation and themes of wonder as we encounter scripture that foretold Christ's coming and also anticipates God coming again to bring in the kingdom and reconcile the whole world.

But what is this season really like for you?
Is it more about the to-do list, or the expectations of all the things we are "supposed" to do and be at this time of year?
Whose message is that?

For this season of Advent, we're joining in on the Advent Conspiracy.  Started a few years ago by a small group of churches, it aims to offer a refreshing alternative to the culture's pressure and stress of the season.  So each week has a theme (see the picture at right) to help us slow down, focus, and open to God working among us. 

So this week our theme is Worship Fully.  What does this mean to you?  What holds you back from worshipping fully?  In this week's podcast, we're discussing what it means to us and how we might challenge each other to be freed from everything else that holds us back and be able to worship fully . . .

Join us for Sunday worship.  You'll notice a couple changes, as we allow some time to slow down, reflect, and also profess our faith and be inspired to use our faith actively in the real world. 

On Wednesdays, at noon we'll continue to offer a brief service of Holy Communion - take it as a gift to pause and relax in worship. 
Wednesdays at 6:45 will be a special worship service for the three Wednesdays in Advent (Dec. 4, 11, 18).  We'll gather in prayer, scripture, discussion, and interactive activities to challenge ourselves and continue to explore our weekly themes. 

Then, tune in here each Thursday as we look to the week ahead and begin exploring together the next theme!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

We've got all the answers!


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

It's been an interesting series, of engaging, honest questions. So today we're wrapping it up with a little reflection and looking forward to what's ahead.  So listen in as we reflect together on questions the whole concept of pat answers for questions of faith, questions we've encountered, questions of faith in general, and where we're headed next. 

Which is - into Advent - and we'll be picking up the theme of Advent Conspiracy:
We all want our Christmas to be a lot of things.  Full of joy.  Memories.  Happiness.  Above all, we want it to be about Jesus.  What we don’t want is stress.   Or debt.   Or feeling like we “missed the moment”. Advent Conspiracy is a movement designed to help us all slow down and experience a Christmas worth remembering.  But doing this means doing things a little differently.   A little creatively.


So starting on Thanksgiving day, we'll publish a blog/podcast each Thursday which looks ahead to the following Sunday's theme.  Each week in Advent Conspiracy has a theme -
             Worship Fully (12/1),
             Spend Less (12/8),
             Give More (12/15), and
             Love All (12/22). 
Then Sunday join us for worship - it'll be a little creative - give space for reflection, interactive professions of faith and inspiration to take with you for the week...
Then end your week with a different worship service Wednesday evenings at 6:45 - we'll use some technology, discussion, singing, praying together - and again engaging our weekly theme in a fresh way.


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Universal Salvation?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.


The question someone asked us to tackle this week is -
what about universal salvation?
  Is this something that worries you or makes you wonder?  Are you worried for someone specific?  Are you worried about whether in the end you are "right" or whether it matters at all?

How do we interpret verses like John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  and John 3:17:  "‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.'"

If you're still curious, there's a lot of overlap between this question and one we covered earlier - Is Jesus the only way?

Tune in and listen as we wrestle honestly with this one.

Join us Tuesday at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Rd at 7:00pm.  We can take this topic further or discuss this and other questions of faith...

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Prophecy?


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

An icon of the prophet Micah.
People are hungry for answers, hungry to know about the future.  So this week we're tackling the topic of prophecy and prophets - in scripture and in our day.  In scripture God gives revelations and words to the prophets.  We are about to begin a series of readings through Advent which will use themes of prophecy and apocalyptic in speaking of God's coming kingdom and how we wait in anticipation of God's reign.  

But what about prophets today? 

Predictions of the future and apocalyptic themes are popular - we don't have to look too far in movies or books . . .  The Left Behind series has captured a lot of attention and conversation, for one.  Street preachers speak of doomsday - are they prophets? 



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1865425/
Are there modern-day prophets?  Are prophets just opportunists who either after the fact assert "see, I predicted that!" or who use interpretation so loosely (like fortune tellers) that we read into it what we want? 
One documentary, Kumare, tracked this phenomenon that people are so eager to follow someone who says they have the answers.  The filmmaker created a persona of a (guru) prophet out of thin air, as an experiment to see if people would follow him.  And oh, how they followed . . .  He discovered the depth of this basic hunger for answers and acceptance - and then had to tell them he was false.

In any case, we wrestle with these questions in our conversation this week...  Listen in.  Share with a friend.  Join us Tuesdays at 7pm at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Rd for some conversation on these and any other questions of faith.




Wednesday, October 30, 2013

What about heaven?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Is this a familiar image of heaven? 
(Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel)
What do you picture when you picture heaven?  Do you have questions about heaven? 
We've been asked in a couple different ways to discuss what we/Lutherans/the bible believes about heaven.  We've also been asked - if we believe in the resurrection of the dead when Christ returns and God reconciles the whole world - what's with all this heaven stuff?  What's heaven about?
How do we balance our beliefs and views of heaven and resurrection?

This is one podcast where we definitely give no "pat answers" . . . probably because ultimately there aren't any.  Whereas the Hebrew Scriptures in the Old Testament speak very little about anything after death, the New Testament has many and various references to heaven.  We rest ultimately the words of Paul's letter to the Corinthians - "Listen, I will tell you a mystery. . .

Come explore the mystery with us.  Listen to the podcast, share with a friend, send us your questions!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

What do we believe about healing?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

As we prepared for and led today's worship with a special focus and prayers for healing, it seemed timely that we take on a set of questions that often come up in pastoral care.  At least for us pastors, we are confronted often thinking: What do we actually believe about healing?
Why are some people healed and others seem to be overlooked?
What does healing mean?  What does it mean to be healed, well, whole???
Our culture and the self-help aisles and millions made in this industry seem to promote a self-help, self-healing model...  What does faith have to say to this?

Definitely no pat answers here.  Listen.  Reflect.  Share.  Give us some feedback - what do you think?

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

What role do I play?


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

In a special episode of "No Pat Answers" we're joined in this episode by Bishop Jim Mauney, our bishop of the Virginia Synod of our denomination, the ELCA.  (He's seen below in the video below with an original rap at a synodical youth event.)  We had a lot of fun discussing together - and getting into this really important topic for Lutherans.  We're tackling a question we've heard a lot of different ways, and specifically in an email from a listener...


What role do I play in my own salvation? 
What role does acceptance play? 
Do I/we have to accept God's love? 
God reaches out, but we have to reach back. . . 
God gives the gift of salvation, but we have to unwrap it . . .

Listen in, let us know what you think, share a question, share this with a friend . . .

Join us Tuesdays at 7pm at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Road for small-group discussion with the pastors of this and any other questions of faith.  No judgments, all are welcome, no pat answers.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Why do we question our faith?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Today, we're tackling part of another listener's question, who wrote:
Why do we question our faith?

We probably know people who are always wondering, questioning faith.  Likewise we probably know some people who seem to just be so solid and never question.  Where do you feel you fit?  Does doubt creep in occasionally, or is it a daily struggle?  Is doubt a curiosity, or does it lead to despair and frustration?

Pastors Bob and Brett are tackling some of these things this week - take a listen.  Let us know what you think.  Then share it with someone you know  - maybe someone who has their own questions . . .

Also, we're still taking questions for future podcasts.  Is there a question - about faith, God, church, life. . . which you'd like us to tackle?  Our promise remains - no pat answers.

We continue to welcome folks to join us at Bowl of Good on Tuesadays @ 7pm to continue these discussions in person.  We've had great small group conversations so far.  But, we will not meet next Tuesday, 10/15 as Pastors Bob and Brett will be out of town - we'll resume Tuesday 10/22 @ 7pm - join us!


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Glory to God?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "no pat answers" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Here's the question that was emailed to us:
If our purpose is to glorify God (even if that's just one of multiple purposes), how are we to contextualize and understand that? Specifically, to understand it from a human point of view makes it grossly egotistical, if not egomaniacal and sociopathic ... any human being that would compel others to glorify him/her, worship him/her, would be rightly seen as a dangerous individual. If God creates us ultimately to glorify God, what's that say about God?
So - is God an egomaniacal overlord who created a bunch of mini-me's to bow down and glorify God's self?  
                     Does God need our praise? 


                                      Why do we worship? 
 
So we're tackling this - "we" this week being Pastor Brett and special guest, her husband, Pastor Evan Davis, of St. Jacob Spaders and Trinity Lutheran Churches.  Pastor Bob will be back for next week's edition - keep sending those questions. 

Enjoy our podcasts?  Hear something interesting or you think would be helpful?  Share it with a friend!

ALL are welcome to join us Tuesday nights at 7pm at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Rd.  We'll gather and discuss the question of the week, plus whatever questions of faith you might have.  No judgments.  No pat answers.  Just an open conversation about faith.  Come and grab a drink or something to eat, or just come join us.  See you then!
 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What's the deal with the devil?


To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

This week we're diving into a question that came up in one of the Sunday school classes and also in conversations and comments - "What's the deal with the devil?"


We're diving into it and wrestling with why this question might come up...  Listen in - and let us know what you're thinking.


Then remember, that you're invited to join us every Tuesday at 7pm at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Road.  We'll discuss the most recent podcast's question and any questions of faith you bring to discuss.  One or both pastors each week will join and are open to conversations - invite a friend!  No judgments, no pat answers - all are welcome!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Calling All Questions!

As we get this series going, we're asking for your questions.  They can be questions about God, faith, religion(s), scripture . . .  general or specific . . .
Questions you've never been able to ask.
Questions that you may just be wondering about.
Questions that are risky. 
Questions that seem safe but deserve a second look.
Questions that you have - or someone you know has.

So send them to us - we'd love to have a pile of them - we promise to respond to them all in some way - either with a podcast episode, discussion, or an email/comment response.

You may ask your questions:
- anonymously - by clicking on comments at the end of this post...
- emailing wellspringmlc@gmail.com
- emailing davis@muhlenberglutheran.org  or humphrey@muhlenberglutheran.org
- post a comment on facebook
- write us a note and get it to our box at church.

Don't forget to join us tomorrow (Tuesday) night, at 7pm, at Bowl of Good on Port Republic Road.  This week we'll continue talking about last week's question - is Jesus the only way?  and whatever else you bring to the table!  All are welcome. 

All questions welcome!