Facets of Faith

There isn’t a set pattern for “Lutheran worship.” Instead, it’s easier to talk about worship that happens in the United States. As we started talking about worship we went down this rabbit hole and you are invited to this bonus episode that offers a very basic approach to Lutheranism in the United States.  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church...

What does it mean to take Jesus' yoke upon ourselves?  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copyright 2011 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Pastor Katie explores some of the items used throughout the worship service, explaining some of the origins of the items as well as how they help in St. John's current worship practices.  This and all other 101 episodes may be found on our YouTube channel with visuals at youtube.com/@stjohnchurchmars Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church a...

Abraham's story is full of challenge and complication. His faith story, like ours, is full of a combination of trust and anxiety, confidence and fear, selflessness and selfishness.  Genesis 22:1-14 Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. ©...

Pastor Katie explains the patterns of the church calendar as well as the colored fabrics that help guide our focus in worship for each season.  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copyright 2011 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. All rights reserved. U...

God's love is for all people.... yes those people. Sometimes the people of God fall short on being God's love in the world, but God never does. Hear how the story of Sarah and Hagar help us remember how expansive God's love really is.  Genesis 21:8-21 Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on F...

Stained glass windows surround the congregation in worship. In this episode, we explore the stories behind these windows and how they  connect with the culture of the worshiping body of people at St. John Lutheran Church in Mars.  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from...

Scripture Readings: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 Romans 5:1-8 Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copyright 2011 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

St. John Lutheran Church has been a congregation in Mars, PA since 1897. As you can imagine, there have been a lot of changes over the years, but there have also been some things that have remained constant in the identity of the congregation. Hear some of the stories of the history of the congregation and how these stories shape the values of the congregation and the way St. John worships togethe...

Who does God call? God calls you! But you are not called to be perfect, you are called to trust, to follow, and to walk the road with Jesus.  Today's Scripture readings: (Not included in recording - Genesis 12:1-9) Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quot...

Pastor Katie talks a little about the beginnings of the Lutheran church back in 1517 as well as the Lutheran church in today’s world.  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copyright 2011 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. All rights reserved. Used by pe...

This Sunday, we hear "The Great Commission" from Jesus in Matthew 28:16-20. But what does it mean to go out and disciple all nations?  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copyright 2011 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. All rights reserved....

Join Pastor Katie, Keith, and David as they explore the gospel reading for Holy Trinity Sunday, Matthew 28:16-20. This text is commonly called “The Great Commission,” but what does it have to offer us in today’s world? Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON E...

Happy Pentecost! Today's reading (including in the episode) is Acts 2:1-24.  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copyright 2011 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Ready or not, the Holy Spirit is here! Join Pastor Katie, David, and Keith as the explore the story of the Holy Spirit showing up in the community of believers at Pentecost and how this story impacts our faith lives today. Reading: Acts 2:1-24 Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quo...

Text: Acts 1:1-14 Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture quotations from the COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. © Copyright 2011 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

This week brings us to the celebration of the Ascension - when Jesus ascends into heaven 40 days after his resurrection. The disciples are told to wait for the moment when the Holy Spirit will come and send them out into the world, which leaves us in a waiting pattern with them after Ascension Sunday as we wait for Pentecost and ultimately for the Great Commission when the disciples are sent into...

What can we learn about evangelism from Paul? How does seeing an altar to an unknown god invite curiosity about what the God we know is doing in the world? This sermon focuses on Sunday's readings from Acts (Acts 17:22-31) with reassurances from the gospel reading (John 14:15-21) Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.or...

In this episode of Facets of Faith, Pastor Katie, David, and Keith continue their exploration in the final discourse of Jesus in the fourteenth chapter of John. They dive into the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John as Jesus offers comfort and encouragement to his disciples before his ascension and wonder at the role of the Holy Spirit in their own lives.   This week's gospel rea...

After joining us for some background conversation on the gospel reading, listen to Pastor Katie's sermon as she explores how we can learn how to serve all people and strive for justice and peace following the example of Jesus by following the gaze of Stephen. Scripture reading: Acts 7:55-60 Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnch...

In this episode of Facets of Faith, Pastor Katie, David, and Keith dive into the rich language of this Sunday's gospel reading, including the place of God, Jesus as Way, Truth, and Life, and the incredible experience of relationship with God as they detangle the way this reading has been misused to exclude non-Christians from God's goodness.  This week's gospel reading is John 14:1-...

After joining us for some background conversation on the gospel reading, listen to Pastor Katie's sermon on the story about the walk to Emmaus. Listen as she explores what it is to be blessed, broken, and sent by Jesus in the resurrection. Because of a joint service at an alternate location, this is a delayed post.  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John L...

After joining us for some background conversation on the gospel reading, listen to Pastor Katie's sermon as she explores the abundant life to which Jesus invites us, the abundant life characterized by living among God's faithful people.  Let us know what you think or send us a question! Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook . Scripture...

The Fourth Sunday in Easter is often called "Good Shepherd Sunday." But this year, the gospel reading is about Jesus as the gate. Join Pastor Katie, Keith and David as they talk about the ways this text has been wrongly used in anti-Semitic ways and the good news this text has for all people.  Scripture: John 10:1-10 Also mentioned: Acts 2:42-47 Let us know what you think or send us a qu...

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared for the first time in the gospel of Luke to two new-to-us disciples as they return home to Emmaus. They are understandably devastated at Jesus' crucifixion, but Jesus meets them in their brokenness. He blesses them in their joy they rush to spread the good news. How does Jesus meet us in our brokenness? How does Jesus reveal himself to us? How do we expe...