South Bend City Church

Mallory Wyckoff - In Luke 13:10-17, we read a story about a synagogue leader’s criticism of a woman being healed on the Sabbath. As we imaginatively engage the text, we find ourselves in the story and sense an invitation to healing being extended to us—including our own critical parts—so that every system—internal and external—can be set free. If you would like to join us in the Eucharist, make su...

In this weekend's gatherings, we centered ourselves on a Lectionary Reading as found in Psalm 145; focusing ourselves on the joy and the glory of the Divine. To follow along with the transcript, head over to our website . Ways to Get Connected Support the ongoing work of SBCC by  giving  to our general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deducti...

Mike Goldsworthy - In Matthew 26, when a woman performs an act of needless beauty on Jesus and the disciples react against it, wondering about the pragmatic good that could have been done instead, it forces us to enter into the tension of beauty and pragmatism. Could it be that in our particular context we need to create more space to pursue and allow for more beautiful ways of being in the world?...

In this weekend's gatherings, our liturgy was created around and centered on the Revised Common Lectionary (Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)). We spent time reminding ourselves and focusing on thankfulness, praise, and love through the Lectionary readings and songs that help us further reflect. Follow along with the transcript on our website . Ways to Get Connected Support the ongoing...

Dr. Angela Logan - Jesus' interaction with Martha and Mary has been one that has confounded people for centuries. When taken in the context of the laws of his time, Jesus was wrong. And yet, when we look at the text in the context of the text, we see the surprisingly subversive way Jesus was right, calling Martha, and us, into a life of radical self-care and a deeper understanding of what matters...

Jason Miller and Beth Graybill - This week we kicked off a series of teachings where we interact with peculiar moments in the life of Jesus from the Gospels. We're asking teachers to take us into a moment with Jesus where his words and actions are working on them, in the hope that they can work on us. This week had an added layer as we celebrated the release of the first book from our lead pastor,...

Jason Miller and Matt Graybill - This Sunday, we shared an emerging vision for downtown South Bend. The Tribune Project (our efforts to secure a new home for our church in the old printing press building of the South Bend Tribune) has drawn us into unexpected collaborations with other downtown stakeholders, dreaming together to reimagine downtown. Ways to Get Connected Donate to the Jefferson Unif...

Jason Miller and Principal Chiquita Adams - This Sunday we began a brief series on loving our neighbors well, and we were briefed on an opportunity for us to serve the students of Jefferson Traditional Middle School. This gathering also included time to engage in some practices and, when we get there, we would love for you to join us in the ways in which you can. Ways to Get Connected Donate to th...

In this weekends gatherings, we centered our liturgy on the Lectionary Reading from Psalm 69. We heard the personal story of our Director of Worship and Arts, Mariah, as she shared moments that she has felt like an outsider and she shared her new song, Jesus-Loving Queer Kid. We then took some time to encourage ourselves and each other with singing and opened up the table for all of our community...

Earlier this month, we hosted a night for members of SBCC and the broader community who want to learn more about creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people. The event featured a panel of SBCC members telling their stories as LGBTQ+ people and followers of Jesus, and as a parent to a gay son, navigating the complicated and often painful experiences of exclusion and harm in religious communities, and th...

Jason Miller - In the past year, we've seen the rapid acceleration of publicly available AI technologies like ChatGPT. Along with this acceleration, we've seen growing warnings about the dangers of AI. In our final week of Idols, Icons, and Tech, we considered a framing theological story to help us make sense of where all of this might be headed. Ways to Get Connected Save the date for our SBCC Pi...

Jason Miller - In spite of the dangers we've been learning about regarding the negative impact of digital devices and social media, it turns out there are clear, positive ways to reverse the effect. This week, we learn that the spiritual problems and the spiritual possibilities of technology are related. Ways to Get Connected RSVP  to the LGBTQ+ Table (June 27th) Save the date for our SBCC Picnic...

In this weekends liturgy, we centered ourselves on the Lectionary Reading of Psalm 33. South Bend City Church proudly calls itself a place for believers and doubters and those that are a bit of both, but this liturgy specifically lands on the belief side of things. We spend time thanking, praising, and proclaiming the greatness of God through song and reading. If this liturgy doesn't resonate with...

Jason Miller - Many of us are aware that our increasing exposure to social media and other digital entertainment isn't entirely good for us. Today we explored a spiritual perspective on why that may be the case, and we offered a challenge for a practice this week. Ways to Get Connected Register  for our Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Panel Night (June 13th) RSVP to the LGBTQ+ Table (June 27th) Sa...

This weekend we were led through a meaningful liturgy of rest including songs, readings, and the opportunity to hear from some of our community in an open floor time. Our hope for this episode of the podcast is that, wherever you are in the world, you're able to take a minute to disconnect from distractions and take a real rest. Ways to Get Connected Register  for our Creating Safe Spaces for LGBT...

Jason Miller - Technologies are advancing at a swift rate, bringing with them profound possibilities and alarming liabilities. For the next four weeks, we'll explore some big questions, theological frameworks, and practical approaches to our relationship with technology. Ways to Get Connected Register for our Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Panel Night (June 13th) RSVP to the LGBTQ+ Table (June 27...

Jason Miller, Mariah Keener, and Zach Gillis - In our final week of Old Creed, New World, we came to the final "amen" after reflecting on the story the Creed tells and the joy of finding our place in it. This episode includes teaching, reflections, prayers, and songs. Songs and Readings Included: At the River Clarion by Mary Oliver Writing #6 from the enfleshed Weekly Lenten Prayers This I Believe...

Jason Miller - When the Creed looks ahead to the future it teaches us to expect, it speaks of the resurrection of bodies. If our bodies are so beloved by God that God will raise them up in the end, then how should we honor them right now? If you would like to join us in the practice of Eucharist, make sure to have some form of bread and juice with you. Ways to Get Connected Check out the Student T...

Jason Miller - Can violence and vengeance really build the world we want? And if not, how do we sustain a posture of mercy in world with so much harm? This episode also includes a time of reflection and a prayer of confession and absolution borrowed from our Anglican sisters and brothers in the Book of Common Prayer. Ways to Get Connected: Join the South Bend City Church Open Forum and Collective...

Jason Miller, Matt Graybill, and Kem Meyer - Our lead pastor, Jason Miller, announced this week that his first book will be released in August. We wanted to take a moment to celebrate the book and hear the heart behind it. SBCC celebrates the work our team does in the world when it’s aligned with our message and mission. We’ve also seen too many examples of this being done badly, where potential c...

Jason Miller - The gift of the Holy Spirit was meant to give birth to a church that carried on the work of Jesus. So what do we do with a church that so often betrays Jesus? At the end of this weekend’s gatherings, we were reminded that each of us shares in the communion of saints and we got to celebrate the baptisms of 6 of our community members. Ways to Get Connected: Sign up for our Work Day at...

Sean Palmer - What does it mean to believe in the Holy Spirit? And what should we expect from the Holy Spirit? When so many of us have seen so many questionable claims about the Spirit, what if the real promise of this line of the creed is in the kind of community the Spirit births? Ways to Get Connected RSVP to either our  in-person  (May 7th at 12:15p) or  virtual  (May 8th at 8:30EST) New to SB...

Jason Miller - What does it mean to believe that Jesus will return and judge? And when judgement so often evokes fears of punishment, shame, and exclusion, are their other ways of understanding it? After we explore these questions, we spend some time reflecting on, praying through, and meditating on the questions we have and the hopes we have for the world. The reflections and prayers from this ti...

Jason Miller - When the Apostles' Creed talks about Jesus ascending, how do people with a modern understanding of the universe imagine this moment? Is this just an embarrassing scene for people who know that God isn't dwelling in some finite place just above the ozone layer? Ways to Engage with Our Community Sign up for a New to SBCC Table Let us know if you are interested in baptism Support the o...

Jason Miller - There's a tragedy in the story of Jesus' crucifixion. It's found in the life and death of Judas, but the tragedy we're talking about may not be what you think. What happens to our hearts when we retreat into hopelessness, and how might the resurrection of Jesus actually lead us back to hope? If you'd like to join us in the practice of Eucharist, make sure to have some form of cracke...