Pomona Valley Church

This week, Curtis looks at what Genesis tells us humanity was made to do and be: God's partners in the work of helping all creation to flourish. Connect with us at pomonavalleychurch [dot] org or on instagram [at] pomonavalleychurch. 

This week, Meredith considers how the Bible tells us that we ought to celebrate, and also that we ought to mourn. How do we do both, and what practices might allow us to engage with that reality?

Meredith and Curtis jump on the pod with some ideas of practices we might try to be more intentional about listening to God in solitude or engaging in and developing meaningful relationships.  Follow us [at]PomonaValleyChurch, and get in touch at PomonaValleyChurch [at] gmail [dot] com.

This week, we asked whether following God is all about relationships, or about meeting with God in solitude. Curtis looked at creation, and the stories of Elijah and David, to say that most of us need more of both. 

Meredith delivers a sermon about how following Jesus means connecting to, getting-to-know, and learning more about both God and the world. 

Sorry we didn't get this out last week! Curtis starts our 2020 series on Rhythm of Life talking about how following Jesus means being both fully a part of the world and fully separate at the same time. 

Meredith leads us through a practice that helps us stay connected to Jesus, so that we can be both fully in the world and fully separate.

In this special year-end episode of the Launch Pod we look back at 2019, what has happened, where we've been, and what we're looking forward to in 2020.  Thanks to all our listeners, supporters, and friends. Special thanks to Justify. ME

This week, Meredith looked at John the Baptist's role in the Christmas story, and how the practice of repentance is crucial preparatory work for us to join Jesus in peacemaking.

This week, Curtis began our look at the Christmas story, considering what it might mean to make room for Jesus by welcoming the stranger, both near and far.  Meredith then led us through an exercise to equip us to practice welcome this week. Note: This week we have both the sermon and experience in one podcast.

In this week's sermon, Meredith talks about what it means to celebrate a meal each week "in memory of Jesus". Unfortunately podcasting technology doesn't allow us to let you share in the bread, wine, and cheese. Sorry about that...

In this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis looks at some of the cultural context in which the story of Jesus eating at the Pharisee's house takes place. Topics include Honor and Shame, the Patronage system, sin as a contagious force, and the worldview of the Pharisees. Resources mentioned in this podcast include: The Gospel of Luke (The New International Commentary on the New Testament Series) b...

This week, Curtis looks at the story from Luke 7 when a woman anoints Jesus' feet while he eats at the house of Simon the Pharisee. Why is she so foolishly generous, and what might that mean for us? Note: it didn't make sense for there to be a separate experience podcast this week, so instead there is a short epilogue to this sermon podcast explaining what we did together on Sunday. 

In this episode of The Backdrop, Meredith talks more about discernment, the social "map" that is a meal, and why eating with Cornelius was such a problem for Peter. Resources mentioned in this episode include: The Social World of Luke-Acts edited by Jerome Neyrey

In this episode, Meredith leads us through the discernment experience that Lesley facilitated on Sunday. Note: This is one of those experiences that was highly interactive in person in a way that it unfortunately just can't be as a podcast! Feel free to pause, reflect, and talk back at Meredith as needed.

Meredith takes us through the story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10-11, and asks what it means to discern what God is up to, and how we might join in.

On this episode of The Backdrop, Meredith gets into the story of Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman, including who she was, and how it's ok if we don't identify with her.

This week, Meredith preached on John 4, the story of Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well. She invited us to come and see that we are known and wanted by Jesus.

In this episode of The Backdrop, Curtis goes on tangents about condemnation, spiritual practices, and the Kingdom of God. Resources mentioned this episode: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren John:...

Meredith leads us through an experience that is one great way to open ourselves up to being shaped by the Spirit. This Lectio Divina was originally led by Lesley on Sunday night. And yes, there's a fair amount of silence in this one, so don't worry, the podcast hasn't stopped!

This week Curtis preaches a sermon on John 3, where Jesus encourages us to open ourselves up to God's Spirit, so that we can be shaped, both as individuals and as a church.

In this episode of the Backdrop, Curtis talks about when exactly Jesus cleared out the temple, whether we follow culture, more about ancient temple building stories, and other odds and ends that flesh out John 2. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Lost World of Genesis One and Ancient Near Eastern and the Old Testament , both by John Walton

Meredith walks through a framework for how we might join Jesus in engagement with the injustice we find in the world around us.

In this week's sermon, Curtis looks at the story of Jesus clearing out the temple courts in John 2, asking what it might have to do with our commitment as a church to "do justice".

Meredith talks about things big and small that inform our understanding of John 2. Resources mentioned in this podcast include: John: A Commentary by Marianne Meye Thompson