Peace of the City

In Luke 15:1–10, Jesus speaks to two very different audiences—tax collectors and sinners who listen with open hearts, and Pharisees and scribes who grumble in judgment. In this message, Pastor Jason Storbakken explore how Jesus disrupts polarized categories, centering the marginalized and revealing God’s heart through stories of a shepherd and a woman searching for what was lost. These parables re...

In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus challenges the crowds—and us—with stark words about discipleship: “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” What does it mean to “hate” family, give up possessions, and count the cost? In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Jason Storbakken explores the cultural context of Jesus’ radical call, the danger of finding identity in politics, possessions, or socia...

In this episode of Peace of the City , we reflect on Trinity Sunday, Pentecost, Pride Month, and Father’s Day through a sermon titled Let Us Make Space . Rev. Jason Storbakken invites us into the paradox of honoring fatherhood while challenging patriarchy, exploring the mystery of the Trinity not as rigid doctrine, but as divine friendship and relational love. Drawing from John 16:12–15, the sermo...

On this Pentecost Sunday—also the second Sunday of Pride Month—Rev. Dr. Jason Storbakken invites us into the fire and fullness of the Spirit. Tracing the roots of Pentecost back to Shavuot and moving through Acts 2 and the prophecy of Joel, this sermon proclaims a radically inclusive vision of church and Spirit. What does it mean that God’s Spirit is poured out on all flesh ? What does it look lik...

In this episode of Peace of the City , Rev. Dr. Jason Storbakken preaches from John 14:23–29, exploring the promise of Christ’s peace: “not as the world gives.” Titled God’s Home , this sermon invites us to imagine a God who does not demand perfection but chooses to dwell with us—in love, in truth, and in peace. Jason contrasts the world’s transactional, performative peace with the liberating, abi...

In this episode of Peace of the City , we welcome Dr. Ashley Moyse, Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics, McDonald Scholar, and Director of the Columbia Character Cooperatives. Drawing from his work at Columbia’s medical school and his research at Oxford, Dr. Moyse reflects on the view from the 14th floor—where the city’s pain becomes quiet, abstract, and dangerously distant. Preaching on Revelat...

In Part 2 (of 2) of our series on John 20, we return to the locked room where Jesus appears not in triumph, but in tenderness. This Mother’s Day, we reflect on Thomas—the twin, the questioner, the one who names what so many of us carry: Unless I touch the wounds, I cannot believe. But Jesus does not shame him. Instead, Christ invites him—invites us—into the liminal space where wounds meet grace. T...

In this first part of a two-part message from John 20, Pastor Jason invites us to breathe deeply and draw near to the sacred. Through the lens of Scripture and spirit, we explore breath as both a physiological and theological gift—infused with divine presence from creation to resurrection. In a world often marked by fear and fragmentation, this episode reminds us that Jesus meets us behind locked...

🎙️ Easter Sunday: Holy Disruption Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship – April 20, 2025 Christ is risen—and nothing will ever be the same. In this Easter Sunday message titled “Holy Disruption,” Rev. Dr. Jason Storbakken invites us to reflect on resurrection not as a tidy conclusion, but as a bold and unsettling beginning. We re-member the wounded body of Jesus, the brokenness of our world, and the frag...

What does it mean to seek the peace of the city —not just for the city, but within it? In this short reflection from Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship, one member, Eric Kanagy, shares his personal journey of faith, family, and community in New York City. He speaks candidly about the challenges of building lasting relationships in a city of 9 million, the quiet grounding found at places like Camp Deer...

In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Jason Storbakken reflects on the radical act of Jesus entering Jerusalem—not on a warhorse, but on a donkey. It was a deliberate move of humility, vulnerability, and resistance without violence. Set against the backdrop of empire, crucifixion, and fear, the crowd’s cry of “Hosanna!” was not just praise—it was a plea for liberation. What does it mean to follow Je...

🎙️ Episode Title : Heroes of the Radical Reformation: Felix Manz and the Birth of Anabaptism 🎧 Guest Speaker : Jason Landsel, graphic novelist In this special episode of Peace of the City , guest speaker and graphic novelist Jason Landsel , a member of the Bruderhof community, shares a powerful presentation from his ongoing trilogy Heroes of the Radical Reformation . Speaking at Manhattan Mennoni...

🎧 Episode Title: Costly Peace Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Matthew 5:9 Featuring the witness of Felix Manz In this sermon titled Costly Peace , we return from retreat refreshed by the Spirit and re-enter a world aching with injustice. Drawing from Paul’s call to the ministry of reconciliation, the teachings of Jesus, and the radical witness of Anabaptist martyr Felix Manz, this episode chall...

Danielle Williams, guest speaker at Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship. Danielle joined  @connect_nyc  in 2021 as a community educator. In her capacity at CONNECT Faith, Danielle collaborates with New York City’s diverse faith communities to create and strengthen their response to gender and family violence. She has a passion or empowering diverse faith communities to live into their values of social...

A message from guest speaker, Rev. Katrina Foster, pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church (Greenpoint).

Guest speaker, Nekeisha Alayna Alexis, intercultural coordinator at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Mark 10:17-27 (the rich young ruler)

A message from Paul Ryneski. https://neosoul.com/religion/queer-black-music/

A message from Hans Smucker, MMF member. John 20:19-31

A message from Laura Lacombe, Princeton Theological Seminary intern at Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship. There is a 5-minute musical interlude where participants are invited to use crayons, colored pencils, etc. to color and draw. This interlude was kept in this episode, so consider grabbing some crayons and paper before the sermons starts! The disciples came up to Jesus with the question, “Who is t...

Guest speaker, Sara Wolcott's message on decolonization, land acknowledgments, and deeper spiritual truths.  To learn more about her work, visit: https://www.sequoiasamanvaya.com/

Special guest, Juan Carlos Ruiz, shares about his work and ministry among the recent wave of migrants into NYC. To learn more about his work, visit: https://goodshepherdbayridge.space/

A special message from Hyacinth Stevens, Bishop in Lancaster Mennonite Conference and Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee East Coast. Matthew 26:36-46; Romans 12:2

Edgar Hayes, guest speaker, shares about the preparing for a child, and about preparing for the Christ child. Note: the sound quality is poor on this episode due to a tech challenge.  Advent 3

A message from special guest speaker, Sarah Augustine (Pueblo, Tewa), founder and cochair of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and the executive director of a Dispute Resolution Center in central Washington state. She is author of "The Land Is Not Empty, Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery." For more information on the Coalitionto Dismantle the Doctrine of D...

Luke 18:9-14 Min. Laura Lacombe, intern, Princeton Theological Seminary