Lakeside Light Podcast

Scriptures: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22  Description: 500 years ago, Felix Manz, George Blaurock, and Conrad Grebel were among a group of reformers who believed deeply in believer baptisms and started the Anabaptist movement. The Presbyterian tradition embraces infant baptism. How can we be inspired by the beauty of both forms of baptism… and by the third form, found in the profound act Jesus’ baptism? #b...

Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12  DESCRIPTION: The Christmas season brings so much gift giving and receiving. The wise men were the first to bring Christmas gifts. Were their gifts well chosen? Or might Jesus have preferred something different? Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Pr...

Scriptures: Matthew 1:18-25  “Much like Joseph, people of faith today find ourselves standing at a terrifying intersection between the world we knew and the one in which we actually live. And like Joseph, we are faced with some game-changing decisions. Do we reach backward and cling to tradition, even when it no longer serves us or meets the need of the moment? Or do we hear the timeless words of...

Scriptures: Luke 1:26-38 Description: The story of Advent is not meant to be a solo or even just an angelic chorus. It is a call and response. The angels say “do not be afraid,” and the faithful are compelled to answer back. Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princ...

Scriptures: Luke 1:5-25  DESCRIPTION: When Zechariah doubts the message of the angel Gabriel, he loses his voice for nine months. Was that a punishment? Maybe. Or maybe it was a gift, a season of quietness when Zechariah could listen for God. In this busy time of year, maybe we are overlooking God's angels in the noise and hectic holiday pace. According to the old hymn, "How silently, ho...

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 23:1-5 - John 18:33-37  Louisa preaches about Thanksgiving pies and that sense of belonging we have – or don’t have – during the holiday season. When Pilate questions an arrested and bound Jesus, Jesus tells Pilate that his kingdom “does not belong to this world.” What does it mean to serve a king whose kingdom does not belong to our world? And what does that mean about where...

We explore the ‘Gleaning Laws’ and the ways ancient Israel imagined a world under God’s kind of rule instead of under Pharoah’s kind of rule – a world where there is always enough… and enough to share. But what about when it seems that Pharoah’s power is the only power? Jesus adds his own thoughts on generosity, especially during times when Pharoah’s way seems to be winning. Fair warning – this is...

Bonus Content: Stay tuned after the sermon. for Just as I am, I Come (Victor C. Johnson)  © 2011 Lorenz Publishing Company, Chancel Choir. Used with permission.  Scripture: Mark 12:38-44  You know what’s easy? Cynicism. The temple is corrupt. There are no good institutions or worthy recipients. We have every reason to be cynical. But what does it mean that the widow gives her mite, anyway? What do...

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-6a Bonus Content: Stay tuned for A New Jerusalem Arise, following the sermon.  Description: In the midst of election-week anxiety, we take the time to celebrate God’s larger promises along with the specific and intimate hope that comes from remembering those we have loved and lost. For All Saints’, we remember the five Lakeside members who joined the church triumphant si...

Scriptures: Exodus 35-36 Description: The building of the tabernacle (Exodus 35-36): People who have just barely begun to have more than enough after slavery in Egypt are now willing, even excited to bring a nearly endless list of resources and skills to constructing the tabernacle, the transitional place of worship in the wilderness. Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor wit...

Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31   In Hebrews and in the Gospel of Mark, we are reminded that sometimes God likes to ‘keep it real’ and asks us to be ‘vulnerable.’ Let’s not shy away from these texts but embrace that sometimes Jesus wants to challenge us. After all, in being challenged we might find renewed grace and love! Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with...

Scriptures: Psalm 8 Description: The time has come for a sermon addressing this election season… Louisa shares two main take-aways as we engage with this political moment, both inspired by Psalm 8 and World Communion Sunday.  Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Lo...

Scriptures: Mark 9:38-50  Description: A humorous, insightful, and poignant sermon led by Elders of Lakeside Presbyterian Church.  Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: James 3:13-4:3, Mark 9:30-37    Description: The Letter of James raises the question of what true wisdom looks like. Is it dog eat dog? Is it looking out for Number One? Or does God offer us a different kind of wisdom? If so, what does divine wisdom look like? Maybe it looks like Jesus. Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Sp...

Scriptures: Mark 8:27-38 Description: The cross is the central symbol of our faith – but have we watered it down? Or have we allowed it to take on entirely different meaning than what Jesus intended? In this passage, Jesus challenges us to re-imagine power and take risks.  Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History fro...

Scriptures: Isaiah 35:4-7a, James 2:1-17  Description: Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible. Your choices matter.  Drawing from the words of Isaiah, we explore how every choice can resonate with joy and purpose. Let’s all act like what we do matters. Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Div...

Scriptures: Psalm 46, John 16:31-33  Description: In the gospel of John, Christ promises peace to his followers. But how can we live into this promise when peace often seems so far away?  Bio: John Hodges-Batzka serves as the Coordinator of the Northern Kentucky Youth Group (Illumination), providing youth programming for several area PCUSA and UCC churches. A Detroit-area native, John received his...

Scriptures: Psalm 22, Acts 27:39-44  Description: God’s call is a gift for all people – not just a privilege for the few who have the power to choose preferred jobs or control relationships. Even when we find ourselves out of options, in circumstances that feel like dead ends, or in the depths of suffering, God can find us and we can claim vocation.  Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor a...

Featuring: Lora Davis Scriptures: Ruth 1:15b-18, Mark 6:7-13  Description: We were never meant to experience vocation solely as individuals. Wherever and whenever we are called, we are called with one another and with the Spirit’s companionship. Who we partner with, what communities we walk alongside, and which friendships we foster are all deeply vital to God’s call in our lives.  Bio: The Rev. D...

Scriptures: Acts 9:10-19,  Ephesians 4:25-5:2  Description: As we explore our own vocation and the vocations of our communities, we also become part of God’s call to others. God calls us through one another – through mentors and friends, through people who know us deeply and through people who meet us in the right place at the right time. Our baptismal promise is to help others find God’s call thr...

Scriptures: Psalm 145:10-18, Ephesians 4:1-16  Description: God’s call draws us into and toward a greater vision and story, one where God’s heaven is felt on earth and all the world’s people see the promises fulfilled. What does it mean to live in the ‘already and not yet’, always being called toward something more than we can see?  Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with...

Scriptures: Psalm 145:10-18, Ephesians 4:1-16  Description: God’s call draws us into and toward a greater vision and story, one where God’s heaven is felt on earth and all the world’s people see the promises fulfilled. What does it mean to live in the ‘already and not yet’, always being called toward something more than we can see?  Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff a...

Scriptures: Isaiah 43:1-7, Ephesians 2:10-22  Description: 2nd week in the Vocation Bible School Series. God calls us each by name, calling us as we are. Our vocations are found within our particular time and place and people. Whatever our age or circumstance, God can use us.  Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History...

Scriptures: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32, Mark 4:35-41 Description:  This story from Mark is one of the early miracle/healing stories in this Gospel and is filled with irony and open questions: Jesus, the carpenter, commands his disciples (several of whom are experienced fishermen) to set sail with him.  Yet when the weather gets rough, it it the fishermen who panic and the carpenter has to save them.  Ir...

Scripture References: Lamentations 3:22-33, Mark 5:21-43 Description: An exploration of spiritual practices such as feeling what we feel, hanging onto hope, and choosing joy during our times waiting. Bio: Rev. Bosarge is a Teaching Elder in the PC USA, a member of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, with a Master of Arts in Spirituality and a ministry focus of Spiritual Formation. She divides her time b...