Faith First

Pr. Craig is floored how a contestant on the TV show Survivor is willing to risk a million dollars for a personal relationship. Perhaps just as wild as Mary dumping a year's salary worth of perfume on Jesus' feet to show her love for him. Discover what situation you feel it's ok to extravagantly spend money on someone in this week's Faith First podcast.

In the 100th episode of the Faith First podcast we talk with special guest Bishop Amy Current about the future of the church and Pr. Steve and Pr. Craig take you inside the numbers and count down your Top 10 favorite episodes so far.

How long do you let something good that is seemingly no good? Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve ponder what Jesus was trying to tell us about NOT cutting down a lifeless tree and how we might learn about God's grace for us and our call to have mercy on others.

Cedar Rapids Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover chats with Pr. Craig about possibly renovating McKinley Middle School while Pr. Steve proposes a new way for us to wait for God to fulfill God's promises.

Do you know who studied with artist Grant Wood? FLC Members Tom Olmstead and Susan Padget's grandfather, that's who! Find out his connection to our church and learn how Jesus is able to avoid temptation as we begin to Hunger for God.

Nancy Scheumann talks about her call to bring light into the darkness to families dealing with child abuse while Pr. Steve wrestles with more challenging words from Jesus to us to "Do unto others as you would have them do to you."

Henry & Ellen Mueller share some exciting news they believe will help our church grow young while Pr. Craig lets you in on his his secret to how he always wins The Game of Life and how that might run opposite to how Jesus warns us to live in the scripture know as the Beatitudes.

FLC Member Marcia Ziemer shares how God is calling her at her job at TransAmerica while Jesus reaches beyond the chosen peoples' borders and Pr. Craig desperately seeks a sermon to call his own.

FLC Member Kristin Wolfe shares her story how she sees God moving in her life as a school teacher, Mom, and person of faith while Pr. Steve talks about proclaiming Christ to people in our midst.

Fireplace Installer Jason Shire shares the ways God has called him and continues to work through him as a dad, a business owner, and a person of faith while Pr. Katie shares the faith in the everyday of a house blessing and a wedding party as we continue to study what it means to follow Jesus everywhere. 

Pr. Craig opens up about his struggles to see God's purpose for his life as a news reporter as we all ponder where God may be guiding us professionally.  Plus Daniel Luepke stops by with an update on his pastor training and a listener shares an inspirational Christmas story.

Did God call you to do your current job?  Pr. Craig ponders the question with special guest Dr. Craig Nessan as Pr. Steve introduces us to our new worship series “Follow Jesus Everywhere.”

Pr. Steve shares deeper insights into his Christmas Eve message while FLC Member Stephanie Phelps tells us what's it's like to play elf to 150 kids in need.

Pr. Craig teaches us about how John the Baptist's parents spoke truth into his life at a young age and how that might have given him courage to pave the way for Christ while FLC Member Doug Pauls describes the method to his madness of creating 1,500 Jesse Tree blocks.

Pr. Katie ponders God's choosing of David, a young boy who shepherds sheep, to rise to greatness.. He falters but God still uses the imperfect person to guide God's people, eventually giving us the line that produces Christ, the savior of the world.

We examine what Joseph and the Colorful Coat can teach us in an era of football brawls, family division, and political retribution.

Pr. Katie describes the first story of "The Jesse Tree" and the hope we find in creation and we hear from you what you all are thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

Pr. Steve describes the hope we have in Jesus who sprouts forth from a seemingly hopeless situation while Will Mittelsteadt runs down the plethora of opportunities for us to bask in the birth of our savior.

On this episode our Pastors dig into what it means to be "Salt and Light" on earth today; bringing a zest and vibrancy as we welcome people like Christ.

Pr. Craig asks for help from Pr. Steve & Pr. Katie to take a closer look at his favorite scripture, the Prodigal Son.  How big can God's welcome get for us?  The three take a deep dive into the answer.

Pr. Steve, Marita, & Pr. Craig all describe what All Hollow's Eve (Halloween) and All Saints Day mean for eternally for each of us to experience God's Welcome in Christ and how we can live out that call to welcome others with the same confidence that Christ welcomes us.

Visitation Chaplain Sheila Anderson shares some inspiring stories of home visits during a massive home communion effort while Pr. Steve talks about the Holy Spirit's work in our 9th graders affirming their Baptism this coming weekend.

Are there any bad chairs that don't belong at Christ's Holy Communion table?  Pr. Craig talks about a failed attempt to save chairs from the landfill as we ponder our role in the mission to Build a Bigger Table where all have a seat.  Also Deb Hansen invites you to pray for for peace for our upcoming Presidential election at a brand new style of prayer service on Oct. 31.

Is there a wrong way for a church to do Communion?  Pr. Katie & Pr. Craig ponder Paul's harsh words to a church for not partaking in Communion in a God-honoring way.  Find out how they messed up and what we can do to get it right on this week's episode.

Why do we say the Lord's Prayer before every time we gather for communion when Jesus likely didn't say it before his Last Supper with his friends?  Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve ponder giving thanks before we eat and the forgiveness it brings while Jasmine Wu announces a special distinction for First Lutheran Church as we get ready to battle hunger with another great CROP walk.