Marva Dawn writes, "To worship the Lord is— in the world's eyes— a waste of time. It is a royal waste of time, but a waste, nonetheless." We assume that wasting is a bad thing, and when it comes to everyday things like time, we'd probably be right. But in this sermon, Pastor Chris encourages us to waste time royally. And there’s a big difference between a Royal Waste and a regular one. Join us for a look at what it means to be poured out like a sacrifice and engage in royal wastes of time.   Note: The painting associated with this sermon is titled "Waste of Time" (detail) by Benny Kacerovsky. It is viewable on the Epiclesis podcast page but not in the iTunes app.

Rev. Steve Pearson was with us on this weekend to lead a wonderful retreat for Epiclesis. This sermon, from Sunday, focuses on a dramatic and also tender scene after the resurrection. On the beach by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus reveals Himself to the disciples for the third time. On that beautiful morning, he challenges Peter on what it means to follow Him and live the cruciform life. We hear the same call to us today, to love Jesus above all else. He is our North Star. The painting associated with this podcast (viewable on the Epiclesis website but not in the iTunes podcast app) is titled "Cast Your Nets on the Right Side" by Greg Olson.

Pastor Chris says that he can't get the Apostle Paul out of his mind. The prison from where Paul was writing Timothy is hard to forget, too. What Paul writes to Timothy in our Scripture passage for today takes on extra meaning when you consider that dark place where Paul was incarcerated. Isn't it ironic that the very last thing the faithful, chained saint gave his young colleague was the ultimate Key? Join us as we look at some of the remarkable insights that the Apostle Paul gives Timothy, and us, in this last piece of correspondence before his execution.

In the week leading up to this Sunday, Pastor Chris wrote the congregation asking if folks needed some encouragement. We could probably all use something like that. The world out there seems awfully prickly and tense these days. Getting a blessing would be, well, a blessing. Paul's second letter to Timothy was an encouragement and a blessing-- even though the circumstances around its writing were grim. Join Pastor Chris as he encourages the congregation to be blessed for their faith, to rekindle their gift, and to trust in God and not be ashamed. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!   Note: The artwork associated with this podcast (viewable on the Epiclesis website but not through Apple iTunes) is "Uplift a Friend" (detail) by Cynthia Christine (see "ColorsofCynthiaChristine" for additional information.

On this Sunday, Pastor Chris took a close look at Psalm 113, one of the "Hallel" Psalms, and also called the "Egyptian Hallel." Our marvelous God is both transcendent and immanent. What else can we learn about God the Father and His divine name through this psalm? Praise the Lord! And join us.

If we’re not careful, we can teach others, by the way we live, that Christianity is a means to something else. C.S. Lewis writes about avoiding a "Christianity And..." way of living-- in other words Christianity plus something else for some kind of gain. Lewis was always arguing toward truth from "merely" Christianity. Christianity, alone, doesn’t need any additions, no matter how noble they seem. And yet Paul writes to his young protégé Timothy about how godliness combined with contentment is great gain. Living out both of those things sound hard. So, what are some things we can do to experience that gain? Join us!

The events of the past week in the United States were shocking and sickening. The murder of innocents: Two school children, a young war refugee, a conservative activist. And that's not even the whole list. Many people are hurting and even afraid. And, it would seem, many people are also celebrating murder and reveling in extremely divisive politics. What in the world is a Christian to do? Pastor Chris gave a heart-felt and pastoral response to the rawness of the world by starting with a look at Moses and one of the (many) times he interceded for his nation. Join us for what we hope will be an encouraging and hopeful message.   The artwork associated with this sermon/podcast is titled "Moses Pleading" by Yitchok Schmukler (viewable on the Epiclesis podcast page but not in iTunes).

Dallas Willard asks, "How many people are radically and permanently repelled from The Way by Christians who are unfeeling, stiff, unapproachable, boringly lifeless, obsessive, and dissatisfied? Yet such Christians are everywhere . . ." bearing not the slightest resemblance to Jesus.  This sermon explores the spectrum of simple to profound enjoyments Jesus knew in His life and ministry, and suggests that Jesus is not the problem, but the solution to the problem as we make Him the leader of our emotional lives. The artwork associated with this sermon/podcast (viewable on the Epiclesis podcast page but not in the Apple app) is "Joy" by Yongsung Kim.

“Lord of the Rings, Politics, and What’s a Christian to Do?” That’s the theme for our annual Fall Retreat (October 17-18) with special guest teacher Rev. Steve Pearson. Back for a fourth and final conversation in the series, Steve joined Pastor Chris to talk about the third movie in the trilogy, “The Return of the King.” Steve summarized the plot and characters, then he talked about themes in the movie through the lenses we’ve been using: power (the nature of); fellowship; and sovereignty and freedom. We're hoping that these conversations are a blessing to you, and most especially you'll think about joining us for the retreat in October. Join us! For more information about both the retreat and Steve, please go here.

Memory, and also remembering, are important parts of our faith and worship. Always have been. So, what happens when we forget? Or worse, what happens when God's people seem to have willful amnesia? This Old Testament reading in Jeremiah is a rebuke by God to His people for their willful amnesia. And they are about to be harshly and devastatingly judged for it. One question: Where is a critical place in Christian worship where we purposefully remember? Join us and find out! The artwork associated with this podcast/sermon (seen on the Epiclesis website posting, not in iTunes) is titled "Willful Amnesia" (detail) by Shadia Derbyshire.