Faith First

Pr. Katie dives into the story of Lydia, a faithful leader of a different kind in the Bible while she and Michael Beckmann guide our children and youth to special faith experiences to shape their hearts and minds towards Christ developing them as leaders of today's ever-changing church.

Pr. Craig muses with Pr. Steve why God would go to such great lengths such as parting an entire sea to deliver God's people into freedom and create a new nation on the weekend we celebrate the birth of our own nation and gift of freedom in America. 

Pr. Steve describes Moses meeting God in a burning bush as entering a razor thin area between heaven and earth known as a "liminal space" and says we can have those encounters too while Suah Borsay talks about clothing 593 babies at a time halfway across the world with your help.

Pr. Katie describes a wrestling match Jacob has with God and how such divine encounters can turn our humiliation into humbleness.  

Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig talk about Fatherhood through the lens of the "father of many nations," Abraham while Pr. Katie shares great news about kids finding Jesus.

Brett & Marita Wolgast open up about their relationship as they prepare to mark their 40th anniversary this summer while Pr. Steve and Bruce Lindholm prepare the congregation for a pivotal vote on the building project.

Cedar Rapids Mayor and FLC Member Tiffany O'Donnell gives her church the inside scoop as to what the city is doing to replace First Ave. Hy-Vee and Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig discuss our new worship series "Turning Points."

Pr. Steve ponders if Jesus was just a human like us with comic book superpowers...or was their possible more to him? Meanwhile, High School Senior Maya Carstensen gives her thoughts on graduation, the state of the church, and a recent touching experience in worship.  

Pr. Steve, Pr. Craig & Deborah Hansen discuss leadership and how the Spirit guides both our actions as a church and our individual futures as people.    

Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve talk about the significance of Christ choosing a person outside of his circle to reveal himself to the world and what effect that has on you and me to be the best neighbors to people who don't look like us or act like us.  Plus Brett & Marita Wolgast gear up the choir for Jolly Old England.

Pr. Katie chats about the story of Jesus calling the children to him and our call to prioritize youth and young families everywhere in the church while Maddy gives us an opportunity to spring forward in our faith.

Deborah & Pr. Craig reflect on our massive meal packing event and talk about growing young to fuel a warm community welcome to people of all ages.  

Pr. Katie describes why it's important to our youth that our church take Jesus' message seriously as Deb & Pr. Craig take stock in what our church is getting right.

Lexi Kline describes growing up in the church today while Pr. Steve gives us his take on empathizing with today's youth.

Ruby kicks off our week of youth-led pray-ers while Pr. Steve and Pr. Craig begin our 6-week look at how we can become a church that is Growing Young.  Jesus passes the keys to Peter in today's story as we're challenged to share the keys of our church with our capable youth. 

Pr. Steve and Pr. Craig walk us down the road Jesus journeyed through worship from Palm Sunday to Easter known as Holy Week while Maddy Newhouse talks about the massive volunteer effort it takes to make it all happen.

Deborah Hansen and Pr. Craig Brown plan to switch things up with an interactive look at Christ's passion story and Pr. Ryan Roth-Klinck challenges us to grow our passion for the poor. 

Pr. Steve teaches us about Jesus' challenge to us to love our uncomfortable neighbor as we look for your feedback about possibly building a new front door of the church open to all our neighbors.

Pr. Leroy Bradway teaches us the first step to being in a relationship with others in the church is learning to trust as Jesus trusts us and Michelle Kline tells us a way we can help others by packing Meals from the Heartland. 

Meet New Ministry Engagement Coordinator Maddy Newhouse and be inspired by the powerful personal testimony of Aaron Amundson from Willis Dady as we learn what it means to be the body of Christ.

Deborah Hanson stops by to discuss how grieving can be healthy for us while Pr. Steve talks about worshipping God with your whole soul. 

Laura Draeger shares the meaning behind filling cups for communion while Pr. Katie & Pr. Steve discuss how God will fill our cup with God's love this Lent.

Pr. Craig explains Christ teaches us how spouses should love each other sacrificially while Deborah Hansen talks about the importance of prayer in all relationships.  

Pr. Steve Knudson and Bob Koenig break down the numbers and the story behind the story of the past year and calculate what that might mean for God's mission for all of us in an exciting year ahead.

Pr. Anna Peck and Jean Kvach drop their well-earned wisdom on us about our active senior ministry while Pr. Steve delivers his wit on the ups and downs of faith.