Faith First

Does God loves us DESPITE us? Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig ponder the question of what God gives us in Holy Communion in exchange for our own death and sinfulness.  

If Christ is in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father as scripture tells us, how can he be in the bread, let alone live in our hearts? Pr. Craig & Pr. Katie answer the question "Where is Jesus" when we take Holy Communion today. 

Pr. Steve and Pr. Craig talk about how unworthy all of the disciples were to receive the very first Holy Communion, yet Christ still showed them grace and fed them.  How much more will Christ welcome us?

Pr. Steve teaches us how Jesus models giving thanks to God and then encourages us to give our thanks away to people in need while Tonya Trudo addresses the reason for a burst of applause at the end of a worship service this week.

Tanya Rosenkranz Malloy & Pr. Katie talk about the reasoning behind the decision to shake up our Wednesday night schedule to better spiritually serve families in our ever changing world, then Pr. Katie chats with Pr. Craig about our final message in our Turning Points series, one of the most dramatic turning points in the Bible. 

New Members Pat Young and Connie Robertson give us some tips on how to help those navigating our church for the first time and Pr. Steve focuses us on what's important as we prepare to gather for a Big Tent Celebration this weekend. 

Find out why New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus calls his new book Whalefall "the most spiritual and meaningful book I've ever written," how it ties into the book of Jonah, and how the journey of the main character might just give you hope in a dark time.

Pr. Craig describes how his childhood friend and New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus's book, Whalefall, is connected to the story of God guiding Jonah and to the story of God guiding us.

Pr. Katie talks about the destruction of the first temple and God turning what should have been the end of the story to the beginning. The people of God no longer hold sacred a building, but a savior.

Pr. Steve, Pr. Katie, & Pr. Craig describe the controversy of deception and stealing happening in the church in 1 Samuel that led God to call upon a youth to lead the church back to good standing on this week’s Faith First podcast.

Special Guest Pr. Trish Decker of Gloria Dei Lutheran engages in a heartfelt conversation with Pr. Craig about the current challenging climate we live in and the courageous choice Ruth made to not only listen but to follow a person with different ideology than hers.  Plus Young Adult William Wicks introduces us to some international friends who are teaching our children this week.

Pr. Katie dives into the story of Lydia, a faithful leader of a different kind in the Bible while she and Michael Beckmann guide our children and youth to special faith experiences to shape their hearts and minds towards Christ developing them as leaders of today's ever-changing church.

Pr. Craig muses with Pr. Steve why God would go to such great lengths such as parting an entire sea to deliver God's people into freedom and create a new nation on the weekend we celebrate the birth of our own nation and gift of freedom in America. 

Pr. Steve describes Moses meeting God in a burning bush as entering a razor thin area between heaven and earth known as a "liminal space" and says we can have those encounters too while Suah Borsay talks about clothing 593 babies at a time halfway across the world with your help.

Pr. Katie describes a wrestling match Jacob has with God and how such divine encounters can turn our humiliation into humbleness.  

Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig talk about Fatherhood through the lens of the "father of many nations," Abraham while Pr. Katie shares great news about kids finding Jesus.

Brett & Marita Wolgast open up about their relationship as they prepare to mark their 40th anniversary this summer while Pr. Steve and Bruce Lindholm prepare the congregation for a pivotal vote on the building project.

Cedar Rapids Mayor and FLC Member Tiffany O'Donnell gives her church the inside scoop as to what the city is doing to replace First Ave. Hy-Vee and Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig discuss our new worship series "Turning Points."

Pr. Steve ponders if Jesus was just a human like us with comic book superpowers...or was their possible more to him? Meanwhile, High School Senior Maya Carstensen gives her thoughts on graduation, the state of the church, and a recent touching experience in worship.  

Pr. Steve, Pr. Craig & Deborah Hansen discuss leadership and how the Spirit guides both our actions as a church and our individual futures as people.    

Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve talk about the significance of Christ choosing a person outside of his circle to reveal himself to the world and what effect that has on you and me to be the best neighbors to people who don't look like us or act like us.  Plus Brett & Marita Wolgast gear up the choir for Jolly Old England.

Pr. Katie chats about the story of Jesus calling the children to him and our call to prioritize youth and young families everywhere in the church while Maddy gives us an opportunity to spring forward in our faith.

Deborah & Pr. Craig reflect on our massive meal packing event and talk about growing young to fuel a warm community welcome to people of all ages.  

Pr. Katie describes why it's important to our youth that our church take Jesus' message seriously as Deb & Pr. Craig take stock in what our church is getting right.

Lexi Kline describes growing up in the church today while Pr. Steve gives us his take on empathizing with today's youth.