Spark Cast

The command to love God and love people is much more transformative than mere piety. It radically alters our view of our world, others, and ourselves.

The Advent season, a word that means "arriving," is here. How shall we prepare for the coming of Light, and the King?

A follow up Q&R (question & response) time after Pastor Omair's message.

Numbers 30, where women make vows is yet another example of "divine accommodation," a strategic way by which God redemptively moves people forward. In addition, it sets up beautifully the vows that God ultimately makes in the Advent season.

Numbers 28 & 29 is a list of sacrifices at certain times. Far from ancient practice, we too, in the modern world, also sacrifice. Understanding what this is all about actually helps us understand who we are, why we sacrifice today, and how we can move redemptively to the ultimate aim God intends.

We are at another point in the book of Numbers where there are actually a lot of numbers. Here we discover the power of those numbers in light of slavery, and the responsibility of those numbers in light of succession.

Julie sits down with Pastor Kevin for a conversational interview, Question & Response.

Our special guest, Julie Lythcott-Haims gives an impassioned talk on raising Adults.

In light of current events, it's appropriate to take time and lament. Another reason our faith is so powerful, for our Bible is full of them.

The ceremony of the Red Heifer of Numbers 19 is perplexing and mysterious. Most recognize there's a paradox of clean and unclean switching places. In this talk, we consider what this may mean for the evolution of this ancient religion, and a grounding ethic for the faith that has emerged.

The rebellion of Korach leaves many questions...unanswered. Regardless, we still have a responsibility, to ourselves, to our community, and to our God.

During the teaching time of our Sparkiversary Party, we took some time to simply remember, and honor the work that God has been doing in and through this amazing community. We then invite you to join us in living The Way of Jesus.

In chapter 15 the Israelites are commanded to make "tassels" and put them on the "fringes" of their garments. In this teaching, Pastor Danielle is joined with Rabbi Ari to help explain why.

(We apologize for the poor audio quality this week, due to technical difficulties). There are giants in the land. Many of us either deny or despair that reality. But we don't really have a choice. The battle is before us. Let us believe, not in what is seen, but rather in what is unseen.

The story of sibling rivalry is a lesson in how to redeem difficult and challenging relationships with the most difficult people in the world with whom to reconcile, our family.

Do we want God's blessing, provision, and goodness without God's judgment? We pick up on our series in Numbers that we began a while ago to dive deeper into these questions and lessons from the desert.

One of our young adult Sparkers discusses his upbringing, journey through education and creative work.

The follow-up live public conversation Q&R (Question & Response) time.

From birth control and abortion, to sexual harassment and sex education, R. Marie Griffith's most recent work Moral Combat is a sweeping historical account of the people and ideas that shaped how American Christianity taught, lived, and legislated sex over the last hundred years. We have asked Dr. Griffith to come share on the topic "Moral Combat: How Sex Formed and Fractured American Christianity...

Some more direct thoughts on how the Way of Jesus needs to move forward into the future.

As we look to the past to help us guide our future, Pastor Danielle shares insights and stories from the lesser known figures of history to inspire us that there is a long tradition of social engagement in our Christian tradition.

This short series begins with some thoughts on how the Way of Jesus is moving forward into the future. As an introduction, Pastor Kevin shares some musings on what kind of thinking is required to help us even frame the conversation.

After the journey of re-inquiring about basic Christian beliefs, so what? What does it matter? What does it mean? And how does it answer the most important questions and inquiries of our existence?

The most widely distributed book in the world is also widely misunderstood and misused. In this talk, Pastor Tom helps us grasp an understanding of the Bible on its own terms, not on ours.

The word "heaven" is seen as a distinctly separate, better, and personally centered location outside of this world. It is popularly understood as "the place where we go when we die." However, the way in which the Bible uses the word "heaven" is far closer to us than we think.