PCOM Podcast

The shepherds, the magi, even the beasts of burden were welcome at the manger. Might we be too? 

Pastor Courtney celebrates the work of God in the churches around Mission Viejo (and beyond!). Plus: stories from the rural Wisconsin Ministerial Association and love for our Lutheran, Episcopal, Baptist, Reformed, Catholic, and nondenominational brothers and sisters.

What do Stille Nacht, a grumpy teenaged choir, and a man named Arlo have in common? A simple, hopeful story of God weaving a beautiful story across the years.

Dan talks about the past and future of church attendance and what it means for all of us at PCOM

Invitations to a few simple, soulful practices to remind you of God's love in this new year. 

On today's show Dan takes one of the stranger stories in the New Testament and why the church has stopped to remember it every year in January

Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri Light from Distant Stars by Shawn Smucker The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See The Talented Ribkins by Ladee Hubbard Liberation Day by George Saunders Bewilderment by Richard Powers

Dan talks about fruitcake, the 12 Days of Christmas, and stories of redemption at Christmas

Nonfiction books on life and faith for 2022. Frederick Buechner - Listening to Your Life Rich Villodas - Good and Beautiful and Kind Madeline L'Engle - A Stone for a Pillow Makoto Fujimura - Culture Care

Jeff brings some more post-apocalyptic literature, a few scripture verses, and an invitation to a new nostalgia. 

Links for Advent: Fleming Rutledge's Advent, the Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ Fleming Rutledge on the perfect books for Advent W.H. Auden's Christmas Oratorio: For the Time Being John's call to repentance: Matthew 3:1-12

Dan tells a story about how our church came to be

Our new Associate Youth Director, Lizzie, sits down with Jeff Given to share a bit of her story including the remarkable circumstances that led her here to PCOM. 

Dan talks about how we think the future effects us in the present

Jeff is somehow a longtime Philadelphia Eagles and Duke Mens Basketball fan, as well as a recent Las Vegas Aces WNBA fan (and not because they just won the title!), yet doesn't see any lack of consistency there... he also has an incredible brother he'd like to share a story about. 

Dan tells a story from the Reformation, talks 10 Commandments, and asks about personal devotional practices

PCOM's new Church Business Manager, Peter Sedlewicz, shares some wit and wisdom along with a few beautiful stories of God's faithfulness.

Dan walks us through a brief history of how we got our modern Bible and the various translations 

From Colombia, to Horticulture classes, to the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeff ponders the ups and downs of “certainty” and what the Gospel might have to say about it.

Dan considers church demographics, the "bigness" of God, and the local church

On this week's episode we get to know PCOM's "Newest" staff member Miranda, our Children's Ministry Director.

Dan dives into a local story near and dear to his own heart and with a connection to PCOM

The heat is upon us! What better time to DO LESS and move VERY LITTLE. Let's sit in stillness, keeping cool, while allowing the Spirit to grow our awareness and acceptance and okay-ness. 

Join us for the PCOM Podcast's Greatest Hits! In this special series, Pastor Courtney leads us through the most popular episodes of past seasons. Today we revisit our most popular episode of ALL time, from April 6, 2020, just a few weeks into the start of the pandemic. Emergency Room Doctor Ian Ellis came to share how we could care for ourselves and our neighbors and where he saw God at work in th...

Join us for the PCOM Podcast's Greatest Hits! In this special series, Pastor Courtney leads us through the most popular episodes of past seasons. Today we revisit Pastor Jackson's interview from May of 2020. Meeting digitally as we prayed for the pandemic to end soon, he and I met for an interview over Zoom to chat books, hope, and how literature helps us find our way through. Subscribe to the PCO...