Faith First

This week we celebrate that Christ is our King, but Pr. Steve ponders what kind of power will he exert in our lives? The "hard" power we know and use to get our own way in this world or a "soft" power that leads to eternal forgiveness and peace?

This Veterans Day Week Pr. Craig recounts the story of meeting a military chaplain who brought a Christmas Miracle to our congregation. It's a great example where 1st John says Christ compels us to help each other because of the great love he has first given us.

FLC Member Alicia Murphy talks about our church's response to the increased need in our community as Pr. Steve challenges us to "see" Christ in the middle of it as it plays out in real time around us.

Pr. Craig talks about announcing for the Hawkeye Marching Band and how God announces to all of us on All Saints Day that you belong! This is all thanks to God's work on the cross through the power of the Holy Spirit which connects us to all those who have lived and died in the faith.

Pr. Steve shares the moments that gave him the most goosebumps while walking in the footsteps of Paul in Greece and Turkey with church members and gives us some insight to his upcoming message about the Holy Spirit of Reformation to our Confirmands.

Martin Luther said, "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord or come to him, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified me and kept me in the true faith." Pr. Katie will talk about how the Spirit works today as we prepare for Healing Services this weekend and Wednesday.

Pr. Craig & Pr. Katie discuss the power of Jesus' resurrection to swallow up all the world's anger and hate on the cross once and for all, allowing us the opportunity to build a world of peace. But are we ready to take hold of it?

Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig describe an amazing encounter they both had with a Bishop of the Country of Hungary, who described trying to be the church under the totalitarian governments of the Nazis and then the Iron Curtain and how Christ sets us free from the inside out of all evil forces that would oppress us.

Pr. Steve asks us what side of Jesus do you connect most with? Is it the divine authority who can do miraculous things including giving us eternal life or the real human being who cares about feeding and healing us from our day-to-day issues?

Pr. Steve teaches us how the first person in the Trinity, our Creator, protects us and provides for us through life's many dangers. An important word for us today amidst life's many ups and downs in the chaotic world in which we live.

Pr. Katie teaches us how God the Creator is the maker of it all and still creates and re-creates in and through us despite all the brokenness of the world around us. After all, in Genesis 1:1 it says in the beginning God created out of the chaos.

What are we confessing when we say "I Believe" nearly every week in church? Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve break down classic statement of Christian faith, The Apostles' Creed, and how it opens up the door to understanding to our vast and loving God.

What if we weren't meant to be a church that sits around but gets up and moves for God? Pr. Steve ponders this question and many more like it as he shares with us his Top Ten Things he learned while on sabbatical.

Pr. Steve returns! He gives us his first impressions after four months away on sabbatical while Pr. Katie talks a radical act by Jesus transforming forever our notion of sabbath.

Pr. Craig points out that scripture implores us to run OUR race and not someone else's. As we do Jesus warns that might come with some obstacles but we can make it through with the faith from God just like our ancestors.

Pr. Katie tells a story of Pr. Craig's wife Katie blessing the church with extra cantaloupes this week and how our small acts of kindness can be a great way of living out this weekend's scripture of living for today and looking out for others.

Pr. Craig shares what he learned from a talk with Hall of Fame Duke Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski about the importance of an organization holding each other accountable, including the leader, and how this concept applies to Christ's Church today.

Pr. Katie teaches us the importance of the Lord's Prayer isn't necessarily learning how to the say it (saying the right words) or why we say them (because Jesus said to), but WHOSE prayer it is and learning to have a relationship with the man behind it.

Pr. Craig dives deep into the story of Mary and Martha with our long-time Worship Producer Megan Fleming to talk about being present with Christ in new and exciting ways as peal back the curtain to "meet the wizard" to learn how our excellent online worship happens each week. Plus Youth Natalie Fersdahl takes us inside the fun of Vacation Bible School as young people from all across our community learn to Trust Jesus.