Denver Community Church

In this podcast, we explore the ancient practice of Lent and why it still matters for Christians today. Rooted in the 4th century as a time of preparation for Baptism and restoration for those who had wandered from the faith, Lent has always been a season of intentional return. Ultimately, Lent invites us into the ongoing call of the Christian life: to identify what must die in us so that Christ c...

Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6ec2TBRKTz3dCqzQ2dPzUor4TKHc/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ejsud9n02yg8 Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

In Acts 7:9-16, Stephen recounts the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy. Rather than demanding the justice he was owed, Joseph surrendered his "right" to retribution, trusting that God was the ultimate judge and provider. This posture of forgiveness not only saved his family from famine but became the very means through which God's redemptive plan unfolded, demon...

In Acts 7:1–8, Stephen begins his defense by recounting how God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia and called him to leave his homeland in faith. Though Abraham had no child, God promised him land, foretold 400 years of slavery in Egypt, and assured eventual deliverance, establishing the covenant of circumcision through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs. Stephen reminds us that God’s redempt...

Stephen does great wonders and signs. Men from Synagogue of the Freedmen argue with him, can't withstand his wisdom and Spirit.  ---------- Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6ec2TBRKTz3dCqzQ2dPzUor4TKHc/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ejsud9n02yg8   Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here:...

In Acts 6:1-7, the Hellenistic Jews complain their widows neglected in daily distribution. The apostles say "it is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve tables." The community chooses seven men "full of the Spirit and wisdom" (including Stephen and Philip). The apostles pray and lay hands on them. Word of God continues to spread; many priests become obedient to the faith. How quickl...

In Acts 5:41-42, the apostles leave rejoicing that they were "counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." Every day in temple and house-to-house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. Sometimes we have been given the vision in the Western church that being a Christian means living the good life… but here the disciples rejoice because they have been considered worth...

The apostles find themselves before the Sanhedrin again, the High priest asks: "We ordered you to stop!" Peter responds: "We must obey God rather than men." he goes on to describe Jesus' resurrection, exaltation. The leaders furious, want to kill the apostles. Gamaliel intervenes: "If this is from God, you can't stop it; if not, it'll fail on its own." The leaders are persuaded and the apostles ar...

In Acts 5:12-26, we see the community grow despite what is referred to as "fear" in the text. Simultaneously, Peter's shadow heals people, signs and wonders are present. In the midst of this, Jewish religious leaders throw the apostles in prison. An angel breaks them out at night, and tells them  "go tell the whole message."  This text encourages us to consider the church as a "brave space" rather...

Join us this winter solstice for our immersive podcast, The Longest Night.  In this liminal space for worship and reflection, we remember the returning of the light after the darkness. Click here to access our accompanying companion guide to support your time of reflection and engagement.

Have you ever noticed that those who have experienced great suffering, are also those who often seem to have a greater capacity for joy? Those who have wept bitterly, are often those same ones who laugh most sincerely. Perhaps there is some nugget of this truth being revealed as Jesus looks to John, the life he led and tells us "yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. In...

This week we reflect on the peace brought through Christ’s coming kingdom. But, Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice. In our text, John the Baptist’s fiery confrontation is the necessary disruption that prepares us for God's true peace. God's Peace calls us to address the violence within us all. There always seems to be something about the season of Advent that heighte...

On the first week of Advent we light the Hope Candle. We are invited to Hope in the coming of Christ... But, Hope is not passive; it calls for our attention. Isaiah’s vision of swords into plowshares requires us to "walk in the light of the Lord" — not a soft image, but one that disrupts our violence. For Matthew, divine timing is placed in this image of a thief in the night. Why a negative vision...

Acts 4:32-5:11 contrasts two responses to the Spirit-filled community. The believers live in radical unity, sharing possessions so no one is in need. Barnabas is highlighted for his generosity. In contrast, Ananias and Sapphira secretly withhold part of a sale of their property while pretending full generosity. When confronted by Peter, both lie and fall dead, causing great fear in the community....

Acts 4:23-31 describes the believers’ response after Peter and John are released. They gather with the community, pray together, and affirm God's sovereignty. They ask not for safety, but for boldness to continue speaking God’s word and for God to heal and perform signs through Jesus’ name. Their prayer is answered immediately—the place shakes, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they speak...

Acts 4:13-22  describes the leaders’ reaction to Peter and John. Amazed by their boldness—despite being unschooled men—and unable to deny the healing, the authorities command them to stop speaking in Jesus’ name. Peter and John refuse, saying they cannot stay silent about what they’ve seen and heard. The leaders, fearing the people who praise God for the miracle, let them go without punishment. So...

Here the text recounts Peter and John’s trial before the Jewish leaders. When questioned about the healing, Peter—filled with the Holy Spirit—boldly declares that the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but whom God raised from the dead. He asserts that Jesus is the cornerstone rejected by the builders and that salvation is found in no one else. ---------- C...

Acts 3:24-4:4 continues Peter’s sermon and describes the response. Peter declares that all the prophets—from Samuel onward—foretold the days now being fulfilled in Jesus. He reminds the people they are heirs of the covenant made with Abraham, and that God sent Jesus first to them to bless them by turning them from their sins. However, as Peter and John speak, the temple authorities—disturbed by th...

Acts 3:17-23 is part of Peter’s message following the healing of the lame man. He acknowledges that the people and their leaders acted in ignorance when they rejected Jesus, but he calls them to repent so their sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come. Peter says Jesus is the promised prophet like Moses, and warns that anyone who does not listen to him will be cut off from God's peop...

While Acts 2 proclaims resurrection in response to Pentecost, Acts 3 proclaims resurrection in response to healing. And just like in chapter 2, Peter interprets the event through the Hebrew Scriptures and calls for repentance—but this time with an even more compassionate tone. ---------- Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6e...

they enter the temple, the man asks for money, but Peter offers healing instead, invoking Jesus’ name. The man is miraculously healed, begins walking and leaping, and praises God. The crowd is filled with wonder and amazement at what has happened. What does the kingdom offer those on the margins, what is our role in not overlooking those in need?  ---------- Click here to access resources for supp...

Acts 2:42-47 describes the shared daily life of the early church community. The believers devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They live in unity, sharing possessions and meeting needs. Their communal life is marked by joy, generosity, and praise, and their numbers grow daily as others are drawn to their way of life. We often picture this as an id...

Acts 2:36-41 concludes Peter’s Pentecost sermon with a direct call to action, declaring that God has made Jesus—whom the people crucified—both Lord and Messiah. The crowd is cut to the heart and asks what to do; Peter tells them to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He assures them the promise is for all generations. About 3,000 peopl...