Spark Cast

What happens when we read sacred texts? In addition to it being a moment of meditation, it is the reading that draws us closer to the author.

Pastors Danielle & Kevin are going to #COP26, the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. In this brief introduction, we share a glimpse of what COP26 is, why we're going, and how you can journey with us. https://www.spark.church/cop26

Pastor Kevin and Spark's Worship Leader, Junior, sit down for a conversation on worship, what it is, why it is important, and what it tells us about our practice of faith. We discuss a bit about Junior's background and upbringing, in addition to his evolution of thinking over time. Together, we are inspired to consider worship far more than the "singing" portion of our services.

We introduce a new series on the presence of God IN PRACTICE. The characteristics of our faith are all encompassing of the fullness of our human experience. Embracing the contemplative, prayerful, and meditative aspects of our relationship with God is just as necessary as theology.

The conclusion of our series on Spark's core values.

Spark's next core value, Rescue, is our call to bring salvation to all, just as God brought salvation to us.

Last week's discussion on reconciliation culminates in the restoration of God's reputation, how God is viewed and understood by everyone, most especially Christians.

Our next core value of reconciliation is not only a prime characteristic of Jesus followers, but is also a worldview, and even an archetype of the progress of the universe. Embodied in Jesus followers is a cosmic force that exemplifies what we say in our services each week, that God really is "one."

As we approach Spark's 9th Anniversary, we'd like to revisit the foundational teachings, principles, and values that form the identity of our church.

Before his death, Jesus lived the life of a human being, but was MORE. After his resurrection, that MORE became evident to those with whom he interacted. The final chapter of the book of Luke gives us a glimpse into what that MORE is, and provides insight into how we can be MORE as well.

Chapter 24 of the Gospel According to Luke narrates some details of the morning of the resurrection, the most significant, meaningful, and central event of the Christian faith. And yet, to claim that a dead man rose from the dead is dubiously incredible. Our heritage and history affirm both of these perspectives as a challenge to carefully consider.

Chapter 23 of The Gospel According to Luke chronicles the trials of Jesus before he's crucified. The narrative culminates in a guilty man who goes free, and an innocent man who is condemned to die. It is upon the bodies of these two men that we see the dire need for the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

It may be easy to dismiss Judas Iscariot as an anomaly, a bad actor, or perhaps just a fulfillment of God's ordained prophecy. Perhaps we should consider more carefully the underlying lessons.

Jesus' description of the destruction of the Temple in Luke 21 is frightening and disheartening. The very center of socio-religious identity is going to be destroyed and desolated. Bad things are going to happen, and many persecutions. But while the heavens are shaken, the Son of Man is coming, and redemption is drawing near, and the Kingdom of God is about to be established. How in the world does...

In chapter 20, Luke describes a series of encounters at the Temple between Jesus and various groups and individuals. The thread connecting each interaction is the debate over authority: who has it, who doesn’t, how do you get it, and how do you live by it?

In the well-known "cleansing of the temple" story, Jesus makes reference to two passages in the prophetic tradition that speak quite forcefully about who we exclude, and what we include in our worship. The answer to both is predicated on one principle. This is not our house. This is God's house.

In the story of the blind man from Luke 18, we will consider what this precious gem of scripture has to offer, and try to determine what we can "see" in the text, what the blind man "saw," and how we are "seen" by Jesus.

The good news of Jesus asks us not just what is possible with our resources, but with our souls.

Lightning covering the sky from end-to-end, fire and sulfur raining down from heaven, people taken away while sleeping or at work, vultures circling dead bodies. These are all images Jesus associates with “the coming of the Son of Man”. But what is a Son of Man? And when will this mysterious figure come? And why the (seemingly) world-ending language to describe his arrival? How do we unpack and di...

The two parables in Luke 16 magnify Jesus's perspective on money. As expected, what we think, and how we use our resources are central to understanding the gospel message.

(Please forgive the bad audio recording this week due to technical difficulties.) This well known set of parables is perhaps one parable, not about our morality, but about God's amazing love, grace, acceptance, and forgiveness. Through our conversation, we will discuss the structure, context, and message, keeping our focus on the character and nature of God.

In discussing the events of Jesus, two disciples, after the crucifixion and before they knew anything of the resurrection, declared their inner desire, that they had hoped that Jesus was going to be the one to redeem Israel. In this story, we find Jesus walking with us in our disappointment.

Our hope springs from the well of the stories we tell. Let us reconsider day three of the creation story and the gathered waters, an etymological connection to biblical hope and how that image and metaphor speaks of the great potential of God's love poured out on each of us.

Jesus is a dinner guest at the household of a religious leader on the Sabbath. Under their watchful eye, Jesus takes the opportunity to heal the sick and teach about the kingdom of God. His actions and stories about dinner parties are a challenge to his audience—and us today—to rethink what (and who) we prioritize in our lives.

A live, public conversation on the topics and intersection of race, faith, and science.