PCOM Podcast

Good stories shape our appetites. Can movies draw us closer to Jesus? Can they help us love our neighbors well? What is the role of empathy in the Christian life, and how can film grow our compassion? Plus: favorite movies from our pastors. Common Sense Media Christ and Pop Culture 's Mission Statement: Christ and Pop Culture exists to acknowledge, appreciate, and think rightly about the comm...

Favorite poems and poets, and where to go for more. Brett Foster's The Tree Felled, The Tree Raised Jane Kenyon's Let Evening Come Jose Hernandez Diaz's The Fall Langston Hughes's I, Too  Ogden Nash's The Duck T. S. Eliot's Ash Wednesday Mary Oliver's Maybe Wendell Berry's This Day

Jeff shares the name of a new daughter and some wisdom from Henry Nouwen.

Pastor Courtney is bad at waiting. How about you? How the Lenten school for patience can shape, form, and hearten us. Plus: wisdom from Charles Spurgeon, Jim Elliott, Edna Hong, and Psalm 37 on God's presence with us in the ache of longing.

Lent is commonly a time when Christians turn to spiritual practices. Some fast from a particular food or another comfort item, others take on a spiritual discipline like prayer journaling. Why do faith leaders encourage the practice of Lent, and how might we enter into this season in a special way during this odd year? Plus: a short, simple prayer to start you on your way.

What is Lent and why do we practice it? What role do rhythms, rituals, and rest have for our spiritual growth? Join us as we prepare together for the 40 days of Lent. Plus: a story from a beloved college professor on Lent's abundant lessons of grace and frailty

New books. Is there anything better? Fiction and nonfiction releasing in 2021. Plus: Pastor Courtney's next book and the spiritual delight of waiting for a "bird from the Lord." (No, that isn't a typo.)  Esau McCaulley's Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope Makoto Fujimora's Art & Faith Tish Harrison Warren's Prayer in the Night: for those w...

Looking for a devotional read for 2021? We've got you covered! From topical Bible studies to artistic expressions of faith, you've come to the right place. Paul J. Pastor's The Listening Day NT Wright's Philippians for Everyone Kludt and Jenkins' Field Guides for the Way A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter Michelle van Loon's Growing Sage

(That's just, like, your OPINION, man!) Pastor Courtney's favorites, your favorites, and best reads of all time.

PCOM members share their love of story + award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner pops in to say hi. PCOM Readers' Faves Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem (Lauren Popkowski) Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen (April Rudge) Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano + The Other Americans by Laila Lalami (Elaine Pappas-Puckett) We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride + Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist (April Lehman) The...

Jeff talks trees, Easten's namesake and the poetry of Langston Hughes 

The tragic, hopeful story behind It Came Upon the Midnight Clear. (Also: did you know it was "the" and not "a" Midnight Clear? It was news to Pastor Courtney!). How God's peace meets us beside the weary road with the singing of angels. PLUS: Don't forget to send in your book recommendations for our January series - best books of 2020, books to look forward to in 2021, and best books of ALL TIME. E...

A brief history of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Pastor Courtney's favorite reminder from 1 Kings on God's grace when we reach our exhausted end, and exciting news about our upcoming January podcast series.  Hear the carol from a variety of different voices: Jeff Given + Anna Simon The Petersons Bluegrass Band King's College, Cambridge Nat King Cole Keith & Kristen Getty Jars of Clay

Join Pastor Courtney in learning the theology and ecumenical history of the hymn "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus." Plus, Advent wisdom from Fleming Rutledge, what longing can teach us about hope, and a bit about Susanna Wesley's apron. The hymn, from a variety of voices: Jeff Given & Awake Red Mountain Music Fernando Ortega Christ Church Mayfair Sara Groves St. Olaf Choir Lexington Road Band

Join us for the hymns of Advent! This week features "O Come Emmanuel," its ancient roots, Scriptural allusions, and timeless truths. Plus, a little joy from Wilson Ellis. Click below in the show notes to listen to different artists performing this phenomenal hymn. A Collection of Artists Performing "O Come Emmanuel" Jeff Given & The Awake Service The Piano Guys The Petersons bluegrass band Suf...

Jeff speaks to the coolness of winter, the darkness of night, and the interconnected nature of darkness and light. Also Christmas decorations and a revisit of Psalm 139, featuring Easten Given.

Hear from beloved PCOM members Evie Olson, Clayton Simon, Mary Smith, Arlene Weller, Ralph Parris, and Linda Payne about their gratitude on this Thanksgiving holiday. We at PCOM are thankful for each one of you, dear friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

A very special good-news-is-on-its-way episode. Emergency room doctor Ian Ellis - no relation to our pastors! - shares his experiences fighting COVID on the front lines, and his wife, professional actress Sonia Ellis, shares what it's been like to support an essential worker and step back from her own career. They have lots of hope to offer, along with wisdom in how to stay the course as we wait f...

Gratitude & Giveaways part 2. Hear stories of gratitude from PCOM members Dennis Hirschberg and Kelly Colvin on God's faithfulness. Discover wisdom in a world that seems chaotic from a martyred faith leader. Hear Jesus' reminder to look for the signs of what is right and true and good. Plus: recommendations for Advent devotionals as we look toward that season of holy longing. And remember: it'...

Gratitude & Giveaways Part 1. Stories of small gratitudes and how they can transform us from the inside out. Plus, a book recommendation and wisdom from Colossians. Seven Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude from Forbes Magazine Beholding and Becoming by Ruth Chou Simons Happy Now - Pastor Courtney's new book (out August, 2021) Colossians 3:17

It is election day here in the US, but that's not really what we're talking about. Not really.  Perhaps an old song has something for us. Perhaps we can sing it together. 

We are taking a deep breath and drinking from the well of hope and peace. We are praying for our neighbors. We are sitting with the Psalms and singing blessings.  As the PCOM Podcast series on politics draws to a close, we reflect on what's next. Plus: THERE IS A PCOM APP! I know, right? Exciting times. Richard Rohr on centering ourselves amidst the storm . (Thanks to  April Rudge for se...

Checking your sources, spotting  misinformation, and stopping the gossip train. Plus, Pastor Courtney nabs a plagiarizer, and inspiration from the book of Proverbs. Snopes Fact Checking Site Proverbs 1 The Osterholm Update podcast - Dr. Michael Osterholm, epidemiologist at CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Prevention) Magnatiles Children's Toy Fathom Mag Center Political Sour...

Join us for a very special episode with longtime PCOM member and current Mission Viejo City Council Member Wendy Bucknum to chat about how and where to vote in 2020! Plus, comfort from the gentle Jesus in Matthew 11, praying for our politicians, and a countdown to the election. https://www.ocvote.com/ https://cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/city-clerk/election-information https://www.sos.ca.gov...

As a kid, Jeff stood on tables at fast food restaurants and sang at the top of his lungs. And other examples of what our worship might look like.