Orchard Conversations

Lead Pastor Scott Hodge reminds us that death is a part of new life and as Resurrection people, we find that new life through Jesus Christ. 

Lead Pastor Scott Hodge and the Orchard Leadership Team have a conversation as this chapter in the Orchard's story comes to a close.

Our Lenten journey continues with Anna Hammond inviting us to reflect on the story of the Prodigal Son. We are reminded that our journey toward wholeness is not a straight line and it's never too late to rediscover the lost things in our lives.  ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardc...

What if Lent isn’t about striving, but about trusting that new life is still possible? Join us online this Third Sunday of Lent as Scott Hodge unpacks Jesus’ parable of the fig tree—a story about patience, hope, and a God who refuses to give up on us.  ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at o...

Our Lenten journey continues with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge reminding us how we can return to God's loving embrace and turn from the fears and distractions that keep us from hearing God's call. ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: Where in your life do you sense God longing to gather you — to hold you, love you, remind you that you belong? What would it look like to stop running and let...

We begin our journey through Lent with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge taking us through the gospel reading for this week, in which Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week, we’re talking about the struggle to feel worthy, seen, and enough—and how the Transfiguration invites us to stop striving and start seeing ourselves clearly. What if transformation isn’t about becoming someone new, but about uncovering the light that’s already within you? ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: Where are you at war with yourself? Where is the war stopping you...

Another week of Epiphany brings us to some of Jesus' most famous words: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who persecute you.” Anna Hammond shows us how to reexamine this text and apply it to our everyday lives. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite po...

This week we continue our Epiphany journey with an introspective examination of the human heart — can we trust it? Can we trust our instincts? How do we make choices that are truly “spirit-led”? ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION:  What’s been nourishing you?  What’s been draining you? What do you need to let go of? Where is God calling you to plant yourself?  ••• To learn more about...

We continue our Epiphany series with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge taking a look at the themes of faith and abundance found in today's reading from the gospel of Luke, in which Jesus tells Simon Peter to drop his fishing nets again where he has already failed to catch anything. Scott asks the poinant question: Do we have eyes to see the surprising ways in which God moves in the midst of situations whose...

This week, we delve into one of the most renowned passages in the Bible—Paul’s profound discourse on love in 1 Corinthians 13, a scripture often recited at weddings. In our current cultural and political climate, what insights can we draw from this timeless teaching to guide our words and actions today? ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION AND CONTEMPLATION: Are We Open to Hard Truths? Where in my life...

The season of Epiphany continues with Lead Pastor Scott Hodge reminding us of the beauty, essentiality, and connectedness of a body made of many different parts.   ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION:  When you look at your daily life—your workplace, family, or community—what is one practical way you can bring “good news” to someone in need this week? How can we as followers of Jesus...

As we continue through the season of Epiphany this year, we unexpectedly encounter Jesus’ very first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding and Benjamin Jay Thomas shares some unexpected truths that can transform our lives.  ••• QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION: Where has “the wine run out” in your life? What old ways do you need to let go of? How can you embrace abundance ove...

We continue the season of Epiphany by looking at the story of John the Baptist and Jesus' baptism and we ponder how we can face the reality of ourselves and become who God has created us to be. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

What would our lives look like if we fully believed God's grace has already saved us and we don't need to change anything about ourselves to earn God's love? This week, Lead Pastor Scott Hodge guides us into the new year by asking us each to consider what God is inviting us to become. ••• To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in...

Join us this week as Benjamin Jay Thomas shares a teaching, music and poetry for the fourth week of Advent and the Winter Solstice.   Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through this season, we’ll reflect on themes of hope, renewal, and what it means to wait with intentio...

Join us this week as we continue our journey of Advent, preparing our lives and hearts for the Christ light entering into the world, with Scott Hodge sharing a teaching on the powerful hope and transformation in Luke 3:7-18. Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through thi...

In this second week of Advent, Anna Hammond takes us into the story of Zechariah as we ask ourselves how can we make room for the peace of Christ in this season of anticipation. Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through this season, we’ll reflect on themes of hope, rene...

This weekend we mark the beginning of the Advent season with a teaching by Scott Hodge. Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparation—setting the stage for a deeper connection with the sacred and the present moment. As we journey together through this season, we’ll reflect on themes of hope, renewal, and what it means to wait with intention. Join us as we step into Advent with open he...

This week marks our annual “Thadvent” liturgy (yes, our playful merging of Thanksgiving and Advent)! Join us as Scott, Anna, and Benjamin reflect on what we’re grateful for and share simple, practical tips for showing up as our full selves around the Thanksgiving table with our families this year. Benjamin Jay Thomas will also debut his brand-new mantrasong, “Older Than Time.”  We also invite you...

This week we invite you to join us as our team engages in a conversation about the Beatitudes series we just wrapped up, noting the impact these teachings have had on us personally, as well as some observations about what they could mean for us collectively if we fully embraced them. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: Reflecting on our journey through the beatitudes, which of these t...

This week, we continue in the Gospel of Matthew and read beyond the Beatitudes, looking at more wisdom from Jesus spoken in his famous "Sermon on the Mount", starting with "You are the salt of the earth." With these verses in mind, Lead Pastor Scott Hodge tactfully questions how we can move forward as individuals and as a community in the wake of a divisive election and rising tension. ••• Questio...

This week, we conclude our series, The Jesus Sermon, by diving into the final beatitude, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Together, we’ll explore the deep wisdom in Jesus’ words about resilience and hope in the face of adversity. Join us as we reflect on what it means to live with courage and compassion, even when challenged. •••...

This week Lead Pastor Scott Hodge guides us as we look at the seventh and penultimate Beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Scott reminds us of the pragmatic steps we can take to become better peacemakers in our lives in both big and small ways.  ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: How do you currently approach conflict in your life? Consi...

This week Benjamin Jay Thomas takes us into the sixth Beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God." Benjamin asks us to consider what parts of ourselves we find unlovable and how practicing self-compassion can help us see God. ••• Question for contemplation and conversation: What parts of yourself have you hidden away because you felt they were unlovable or unacceptable? When was...