Faith First

Did God call you to do your current job?  Pr. Craig ponders the question with special guest Dr. Craig Nessan as Pr. Steve introduces us to our new worship series “Follow Jesus Everywhere.”

Pr. Steve shares deeper insights into his Christmas Eve message while FLC Member Stephanie Phelps tells us what's it's like to play elf to 150 kids in need.

Pr. Craig teaches us about how John the Baptist's parents spoke truth into his life at a young age and how that might have given him courage to pave the way for Christ while FLC Member Doug Pauls describes the method to his madness of creating 1,500 Jesse Tree blocks.

Pr. Katie ponders God's choosing of David, a young boy who shepherds sheep, to rise to greatness.. He falters but God still uses the imperfect person to guide God's people, eventually giving us the line that produces Christ, the savior of the world.

We examine what Joseph and the Colorful Coat can teach us in an era of football brawls, family division, and political retribution.

Pr. Katie describes the first story of "The Jesse Tree" and the hope we find in creation and we hear from you what you all are thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

Pr. Steve describes the hope we have in Jesus who sprouts forth from a seemingly hopeless situation while Will Mittelsteadt runs down the plethora of opportunities for us to bask in the birth of our savior.

On this episode our Pastors dig into what it means to be "Salt and Light" on earth today; bringing a zest and vibrancy as we welcome people like Christ.

Pr. Craig asks for help from Pr. Steve & Pr. Katie to take a closer look at his favorite scripture, the Prodigal Son.  How big can God's welcome get for us?  The three take a deep dive into the answer.

Pr. Steve, Marita, & Pr. Craig all describe what All Hollow's Eve (Halloween) and All Saints Day mean for eternally for each of us to experience God's Welcome in Christ and how we can live out that call to welcome others with the same confidence that Christ welcomes us.

Visitation Chaplain Sheila Anderson shares some inspiring stories of home visits during a massive home communion effort while Pr. Steve talks about the Holy Spirit's work in our 9th graders affirming their Baptism this coming weekend.

Are there any bad chairs that don't belong at Christ's Holy Communion table?  Pr. Craig talks about a failed attempt to save chairs from the landfill as we ponder our role in the mission to Build a Bigger Table where all have a seat.  Also Deb Hansen invites you to pray for for peace for our upcoming Presidential election at a brand new style of prayer service on Oct. 31.

Is there a wrong way for a church to do Communion?  Pr. Katie & Pr. Craig ponder Paul's harsh words to a church for not partaking in Communion in a God-honoring way.  Find out how they messed up and what we can do to get it right on this week's episode.

Why do we say the Lord's Prayer before every time we gather for communion when Jesus likely didn't say it before his Last Supper with his friends?  Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve ponder giving thanks before we eat and the forgiveness it brings while Jasmine Wu announces a special distinction for First Lutheran Church as we get ready to battle hunger with another great CROP walk.

Does God loves us DESPITE us? Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig ponder the question of what God gives us in Holy Communion in exchange for our own death and sinfulness.  

If Christ is in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father as scripture tells us, how can he be in the bread, let alone live in our hearts? Pr. Craig & Pr. Katie answer the question "Where is Jesus" when we take Holy Communion today. 

Pr. Steve and Pr. Craig talk about how unworthy all of the disciples were to receive the very first Holy Communion, yet Christ still showed them grace and fed them.  How much more will Christ welcome us?

Pr. Steve teaches us how Jesus models giving thanks to God and then encourages us to give our thanks away to people in need while Tonya Trudo addresses the reason for a burst of applause at the end of a worship service this week.

Tanya Rosenkranz Malloy & Pr. Katie talk about the reasoning behind the decision to shake up our Wednesday night schedule to better spiritually serve families in our ever changing world, then Pr. Katie chats with Pr. Craig about our final message in our Turning Points series, one of the most dramatic turning points in the Bible. 

New Members Pat Young and Connie Robertson give us some tips on how to help those navigating our church for the first time and Pr. Steve focuses us on what's important as we prepare to gather for a Big Tent Celebration this weekend. 

Find out why New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus calls his new book Whalefall "the most spiritual and meaningful book I've ever written," how it ties into the book of Jonah, and how the journey of the main character might just give you hope in a dark time.

Pr. Craig describes how his childhood friend and New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus's book, Whalefall, is connected to the story of God guiding Jonah and to the story of God guiding us.

Pr. Katie talks about the destruction of the first temple and God turning what should have been the end of the story to the beginning. The people of God no longer hold sacred a building, but a savior.

Pr. Steve, Pr. Katie, & Pr. Craig describe the controversy of deception and stealing happening in the church in 1 Samuel that led God to call upon a youth to lead the church back to good standing on this week’s Faith First podcast.

Special Guest Pr. Trish Decker of Gloria Dei Lutheran engages in a heartfelt conversation with Pr. Craig about the current challenging climate we live in and the courageous choice Ruth made to not only listen but to follow a person with different ideology than hers.  Plus Young Adult William Wicks introduces us to some international friends who are teaching our children this week.