Apex United Methodist Church Podcast

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - Tabitha (also called Dorcas) was known and loved for living out Jesus' commands in simple ways, like making clothes for those in need. When she dies, the community grieves both the loss of her and of her ministry.  Join us as we contemplate how being SENT in mission and ministry involves simple acts of daily kindness to others.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - In this passage, we read of the way the Holy Spirit worked in two men's lives - Paul and Annaias.  Through related stories, both men come to know the power of Jesus and are SENT out to share the Gospel. 

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - In this passage, we read about Simon the Sorcercer.  Simon saw the gospel as a way to increase his own fame.  The disciples had no tolerance for Simon's greed and called him out on it.  Join us as we seek to be people SENT to share the Gospel in ways that are good and honorable.

Pastor Danny Berrier - Barnabas - the “Son of Encouragement” - donates to the church and then is used by the Spirit to help spread the gospel. His role as a SENT disciple not only encouraged others on their journey, his willingness to share his time, talent, and resources serves as a model for modern day Christians.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - This passage is a great mash up of powerful moments from the tongues of fire, to a violent wind, to a cacophony of languages.  These events also mark the birth of the church where we are SENT individually and collectively into the world. 

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - Acts 1:1-11 In this passage, Jesus commissions his disciples and ascends to heaven.  Jesus explains to the disciples how they will need to wait for the Holy Spirit to descend, but then they will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Join us as we hear the disciples, and by extension all of us, are SENT into the world i...

Pastor Laura Johnson - This passage is an excerpt from the larger, "high priestly prayer" offered by Jesus just before his arrest.  As the father is in Christ, so Christ is in the Father, so are we also in them - unified as one divine family.  As Easter People we work to be one with God and one with each other.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - Jesus asks the man at the Pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to be made well?" This man has been coming to the same pool, day after day, for 38 years so one can presume the answer is, "Yes!" But he doesn't say yes.  Instead, he explains why healing hasn't happened.  Join us this week as we grapple with the topic of faith and healing.

Pastor Laura Johnson - The disciples are hungry and weary with grief. Jesus makes a surprise appearance and joins the disciples for breakfast on the beach. In this special moment, the disciples learn anew what it means to be Easter People who keep going in the midst of pain and grief. 

Pastor Laura Johnson - Thomas missed out.  He wasn't able to see what his friends were able to see - a Resurrected Jesus. To steal a line from Hamilton, Thomas wasn't "In the Room where It Happens."  Join us this week as we explore what it means to be Easter People who long to see new life in our world today.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - Even the grave could not stop Jesus. Join us this Sunday as we marvel at the empty tomb and celebrate that Jesus is alive, active, and moving in our and lives and in our world. 

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - In gratitude for raising Lazarus from the dead, and perhaps with a premonition of his upcoming death, Mary of Bethany gives Jesus an incredible gift - anointing him with costly perfume. Join us this Sunday as we consider our response to God’s movements in our own lives, how we might pour out ourselves with grateful hearts.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son might also be called the parable of the Extravagant Father.  Join us this Sunday as we marvel at the good news that, like the forgiving and loving father, God is always running to meet us, even when we have squandered his grace.

Pastor Laura Johnson - Instead of gazing at the grass on the other side of the fence, Jesus challenges us to focus on realities that will bring change and growth in our own back yard.  Join us this Sunday as we consider the importance of self-reflection and heed God’s call to tend to the health of our souls.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern | God Moves…Into Human Experience Jesus is tempted in the desert, showing us how fully God has moved into human experience and can identify with our every moment.  Join us this Sunday as we consider how does God’s closeness to us, especially in the time of trial, helps us move closer to God.

Pastor Laura Johnson - On this Transfiguration Sunday, we will experience anew the way that Jesus' light is meant to shine for all to see. This "all" includes people across space and time who in this one, amazing moment truly comprehend Jesus' power and glory.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - This difficult text gives all new meaning to "tough love."  Jesus' form of unlimited love expands even to our enemies.  Join us as we are challenged to open our hearts in ways only God can make possible.

Pastor Laura Johnson - In this Lukan take on the Beatitudes, often called the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus describes a series of reversals.  They are both good reversals like the poor will inherit the kingdom of God and the hungry will be filled and bad reversals like the full will be hungry and the laughing will mourn.  Join us as we discuss the way Jesus' mission is full of unexpected outcomes...

Pastor Laura Johnson - We are both called and sent. In this story of Jesus' calling the first disciples, there is immediately this instruction that they are called in order that they might then be sent "to be fishers of all people." Join us this week as we commit anew to being called…and to being sent.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - Jesus is received as the hometown boy who has grown too big for his britches rather than the fulfillment of prophecy.  His words are heard as a threat, not the invitation they are intended to be.  Join us this week as we explore Jesus' sermon and how we might better receive his Good News.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - In this passage from Luke, Jesus defines his mission. In doing so, he defines our mission as well. Join us as we hear anew the ways Jesus brings good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free. 

Pastor Laura Johnson - At Cana, Jesus performed his first miracle - turning water into wine.  There is this beautiful, celebratory element here - the light Jesus comes to shine forth is a bright one, filled with joy. 

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - A great deal happens in these short verses - Jesus is baptized by John, the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove, and a voice declares, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."  And with that - Jesus is commissioned to go forth into the world.  Join us as we celebrate this Baptism of the Lord Sunday. 

Christ's love and light is so intense it draws in the whole world.  In this text about outsiders becoming insiders, "wise men from the East came to Jerusalem."  Join us this week as we celebrate a Jesus who in his very nature elicits both curiosity and adoration.

Pastor Laura Katherine Stern - Zechariah's song, traditionally called the Benedictus, answers the neighbors' question, "What then will this child become?"  This response is full of praise for God who has blessed the people with a "mighty Savior."  We invite you to join us in worship, so that we, too, might ponder what this child will become.