Eastside Church Podcast

Today we experienced church a bit differently. For the first time in most of our lives, we are livestreaming service because of a sickness that encourages social distancing. We hear Russ discuss today 'what do we do and how do we stand firm during uncertain times?' God gave the ability to have emotions; feeling afraid is not wrong. What He desires is for us to give into His grace more than our ten...

In the midst of this cultural moment, we receive a powerful message from Pastor Russ where he reminds us afresh to keep our focus on the supremacy of Christ and everything else will fall into place.

Pastor Russ introduced the congregation to Pastor Mathias Rukamirwa from the Congo who shared his testimony today in Swahili, translated by Immaculate Nabawe. Russ also shared from Matthew 13:1-9 about the Parable of the Sower and asks us to consider the condition of our "soil" and our receptivity to what God wants to do in our lives.

This week we explore the 3rd part of our vision statement as a church: "A place to become". Part 1: As a place to belong- You are welcome here. Part 2: As a people who are kind- You will find kindness and love here. Part 3: As a process to become- we will see that it's okay to not be okay but not to stay that way; And we find the redemptive process of discipleship to be the best model for creating...

In Part 2 of his sermon on being a kind and compassionate people, Pastor Russ reminds us of the lessons of Jonah, and the kindness God shows toward those He chooses.

For the second year in a row, we are participating in Football Sunday. Football Sunday is a media resource that showcases the faith journeys of current NFL players, including interviews with players competing in the big game. Football Sunday invites men, women, and children to learn about how professional football players are using their platforms to glorify Jesus. And at the heart of it all, Foot...

Pastor Russ continues our Vision series, exploring our call to be a people who are kind and compassionate.

Pastor Russ teaches on the importance of Water Baptism as an outward sign of an inward change. Baptism does not make us Christian, we are submit to baptism because we are Christian and we want to obey they teachings of Jesus. In baptism we are connected with the community of faith.

On this first Sunday of 2020, Alyssa Dunahoo talks to us about Sabbath rest, the kind of rest that restores our souls. Sabbath is rest and worship together--we are invited to fill our souls back up with life as we rest in the Lord and are renewed.

Pastor Porter leads us in the discussion of the age old question "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" We look at what it means to be a neighbor, and are challenged with the story of the Good Samaritan to "go, and do likewise".

On our fourth and final week of advent we focus on peace. This week Pastor Russ uses three different stories to help us understand the peace that transcends all understanding. Music for Selah's testimony: "Once Again" by Bensound.com . Music for Mary's testimony: "Southern" by Sleeping at Last.

This week Pastor Russ reminds us that Jesus was not just born among us, but given to us. We rejoice because this precious gift was one we could never deserve.

Faith come from listening to and paying attention to the Word about Jesus Christ. In Luke 2, the Angels announce the coming of the Jesus to the shepherd and the listen to that word and act on it. In verse 19 we read " ...Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Each of us are called to respond to the Word, but it is so easy to disregard it in the midst of our daily lives...

Pastor Russ tackles the story of the Rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31, exploring all that God has done to bring us into His presence for eternity, and our all-too-common tendency to turn our backs on what God has done for us.

This week we get to hear from Lexie Stratman, as she joins the teaching team at Eastside, and speaks on the topic of women within church. If there is any confusion or controversy about a woman's value or role within the body of Christ, she reminds us that all we need to do is look to Jesus who, in the gospels, time and time again acts counter-culturally by elevating women. He entrusted not only hi...

Pastor Russ wrestles with us though the problem of suffering. While we may not know why God allows suffering, it is clear that He is present with us in our suffering and reminds us of a day when suffering will end.

This week Pastor Russ reminds us that the gospel is about people. He warns us against marginalizing people we feel different from or disagree with, specifically the LGBTQ community and that we, as the church will not be the instrument of redemption and restoration we are called to be unless we are willing to be like Jesus, whose command for us in John 15:12-14 is this: "Love each other as I have l...

Pastor Josh walks us through a deep understanding of Scripture, in all its genres, not as an end in-and-of-itself, but always as a path to understanding wisdom and discovery of who God is and our relationship with Him.

This week Pastor Russ helps walk us through some of the misconceptions of science and Christianity's relationship by looking at 3 things: how science and Christianity actually work really well together, what do you do with doubt, and the power of God that transcends all of it. Here's the link for the youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8XmXSMxXHQ

Pastor David takes a hard look at Christianity and morality in this message, pointing us to our Savior Jesus Christ who has taken upon himself our sins.

Part Five in the series "Confronting Christianity" - Pastor Russ looks at the Crusades, violence across religion and what Christ has to say about it. How can today's Christian take the words of Christ and apply them to their life.

Join us as our Pastor, Russ Schlecht talks about the exclusivity of all world religions and belief systems and how the exclusivity of Christianity is unique and beneficial to ourselves, others, and the world.

Pastor Russ addresses the second question of the Confronting Christianity series. Russ explains how Christianity, from the beginning, is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic.

Pastor Russ continues the series on the book, "Confronting Christianity" by Rebecca McLaughlin by walking us through the first question, "Are we better off without religion?"

This week we hear from guest speaker Rebecca McLaughlin, author of Confronting Christianity - featured in the TED Talks Summer Reading List. She kicks off our series of the same name by challenging us on the common misconception that Christianity is in decline - and that the sands aren't running out on Christianity: they're running in.