Elm City Church Podcast

This week we started a new series by focusing on the question, “What is the purpose of the church?” When you don’t have clarity on the main thing it is easy to get sidetracked by focusing on things that are not central. This week’s message highlighted the three purposes of the church: 1. The worship and glory of God, 2. To equip, encourage, and care for believers, and 3. To share the Gospel with t...

Just as Mary and Joseph misplace Jesus. Sometimes we can get caught up in our ordinary lives and miss out on extraordinary moments with Jesus. If we aren’t careful, our routines can drag as away from Jesus. In order to practice the way of Jesus we must look to find him in our everyday lives. Don’t miss Jesus.

In Matthew 2 we see three distinct responses to Jesus. Herod was hostile, the religious leaders were indifferent, and the magi responded with devotion. As we start 2025 you are invited to reflect on this question, “how am I currently responding to Jesus?” The invitation of the passage is to respond to Jesus in the same way the magi did and bring him gifts that are truly fit for a king.

In this week’s message, we follow up on the birth of Christ and gain insight into what unfolded after Jesus’ arrival. In Luke 2, we see how patience plays a role in the journey of following Christ and how Jesus’ redemptive role demonstrates the joy and hope His presence brings to those who are faithful to God.

In part four of our Christmas Stories we take a look at the birth of John the Baptist and the Zechariah’s song that follows. Two big connected themes emerge from our passage: God’s covenant faithfulness and his mercy. God’s mercy is the fundamental basis for his actions and God always keeps his promises, often in unexpected and surprising ways. Listen in and learn how you can experience this good...

The third message in our Christmas Stories series explores the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth in Luke 1, highlighting the reversal of status as Elizabeth honors Mary, and emphasizing the theme of joy in serving Jesus. We are invited to place our faith in Jesus as a response to God's unfolding plan of redemption and encouraged to embrace the joy of serving and doing hard things for God.

Luke 1:26-28 This week in our "Christmas Stories" series, we explored the Annunciation narrative from Luke. All throughout Luke’s narratives we see that God always keeps his promises, often in unexpected and surprising ways. This message invites you  to make the story of Jesus—His crucifixion and resurrection—the central defining story of your life and to respond to God's offer of s...

The sermon delved into how God enters our story, often in unexpected ways, and invites us to be part of His greater narrative. We examined the cultural context of shame and honor in biblical times, and how God worked through Zechariah and Elizabeth's situation to not only answer their prayers but also to advance His redemptive plan. This narrative reminds us that God sees value in what the wo...

In the final Part of our Practicing the Way Series, we explore the vital role of community and spiritual friendships within Christianity. He emphasizes our instinctual need for authentic connections, highlighting the increasing loneliness amplified by social media. Through scripture and personal testimony, McGarvey illustrates how deep, vulnerable relationships can transform lives and enhance spir...

In part 7 of our Practicing the Way Series we explored the teaching of Jesus in John 15:1-11, emphasizing the importance of aligning our life’s aim with Jesus as the true target we need to aim in order to experience lasting joy. Albie introduced the concept of a “Rule of Life”, a structured approach to spiritual growth that can act as a spiritual trellis to help us remain connected to Jesus and be...

In part six of our “Practicing the Way” series we looked at the link between confession and healing from sin. Jesus has both forgiveness and healing on offer. In a world where we are all impacted by sin, either sin done by us, to us, or around us, we are all people in regular need of forgiveness and healing. Confession is God’s great gift to us and allows us to access through the power of the Gosp...

In part five of our “Practicing the Way” series we explore what it means to meet God in our pain and suffering. Most people’s instinctive response to pain is to deny it, detach from it, or to drug it. We see in the example of Jesus that we can instead bring our pain to God and encounter his presence in the midst of our pain.

In part four of our “Practicing the Way” series we explore the practices, or the spiritual disciplines of Jesus. The practices of Jesus create the TIME and SPACE needed for us to encounter the PRESENCE and POWER of God so we can be transformed from the inside out.

Jesus once said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but every student when he is fully traine`d will be like his teacher.” If the call of the Christian life is to become like our teacher Jesus, how do we do that? Listen in as we discuss the process the New Testament gives us for becoming more like Jesus.

In part three of our "Practicing the Way" series, we continue to explore the concept of spiritual formation and how followers of Jesus are continually shaped by their habits, relationships, and environments.

In part two of our "Practicing the Way" series, we explore the concept of spiritual formation and how followers of Jesus are continually shaped by their habits, relationships, and environments. Although many things change immediately upon following Jesus, much of our transformation takes time and requires intentionality and cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Listen in and be challenged to...

What does it mean to become a disciple of Jesus? Often when the Gospel is presented it tells people how to BECOME a Christian and leaves out Jesus’ instructions on how to BE a Christian. Listen in as we explore what it means to say yes to Jesus’ invitation of “follow me.”

Our theme for 2024 is “Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known.” Listen in as we talk about how the invitation of Jesus is an invitation to a relationship and a task. This is the invitation that Jesus is still offering to us all. Finally we introduced our “40 Days of Courage” where everyone is encouraged to take steps of courage in sharing Jesus over the next 40 days. Our motto for the next 40 days is...

Did you know new churches reach 10x’s as many new people as existing churches? Multiplication is costly but it’s worth it. Listen in as we talk about the cost and the importance of planting River Valley Church in Walpole, NH. 

2 Timothy 2:9-22  Followers of Jesus are called to be “saints together.” Listen in as we finish up our series going through 2nd Timothy and see why the cost of community is worth it. The life of Paul also shows us that even when our community lets us down we can be comforted by the God who will never leave us nor forsake us.

When all is said and done will you be proud of what you have accomplished with your life? Reflecting on his life the Apostle Paul says, “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” LIsten in as we explore how a life spent serving Jesus rather than living for ourselves is the path to the meaningful life we all want to life. 

Listen in as we explore Paul's final charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-6, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of preaching God's Word. Remember how high the stakes are when it comes to our faith and the importance of sharing the Gospel message with passion and patience.

Tune in for a message from Jeff Ebert from 2 Timothy called "Your Spiritual GPS"

2 Timothy 2:22-26  We spend so much of our lives trying to figure out what we are going to do with our lives. More important than what you do however is who you are becoming. In 2 Timothy 2:22-26 Paul gives Timothy five actions in helping him follow Jesus. They are flee, pursue, avoid, be, and trust. Listen in and see how these actions still apply to us today.

Have you ever found yourself incredibly busy yet wondering if you’re accomplishing anything meaningful? In this message we are reminded that  the church's primary mission is to make disciples. A key component of doing that is rightly handling God's Word. Listen in as we explore not  only the importance of teaching God’s word accurately, but also the danger of false teaching.