The Carry On Cast

Pastor Megan and Pastor Jay continue talking about the book of Mathew, the story of temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. This comes right after the baptism story – claimed and loved by God, we can face evil and temptation. Faith does not guarantee we won’t face struggle or temptation, but it does promise that we will have what we need to endure it.

Pastors, Megan, Jay and Jen move into a new sermon series called "The Great Teacher." Entering the season of epiphany, Jesus is revealing himself through these texts as a teacher and as a healer. Focusing on what we learn from Jesus through these stories in Matthew, how do we follow someone like this?

Pastors Megan, Jay and Jen are still in the book of Mathew this week as they talk about the three wise men(magi). The magi followed God over human leaders. This is a chance to talk more about their faithfulness, wisdom, and ability to discern God’s will in a challenging, shifting political climate. What guides you as we end the Christmas season? How will you ensure the light of Christ stays in fro...

It’s Christmas time! This week the pastors discuss readings for Christmas eve, and Christmas Day from Luke and Mathew. Luke 2: 10-11 “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” At the center is the miracle of Jesus, God choosing to come as one of us is the greatest joy...

Pastors Megan, Jay and Jen have a conversation about Mathew 1: 1-17. Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. It can get easy to get lost in the names, but pay attention to the many outsiders, women, and lawbreakers in the list: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, for instance. The promise to the people here is that God has continued to work throughout his...

Pastors Megan, Jen and Jay have a discussion about Isaiah 42: 1-9. We have a promise of a coming savior who brings justice and compassion, for us and the whole world. How does God’s promise in Isaiah give us hope for renewal and salvation today? How will we watch for those new things? How does Advent help us stay alert?

Pastors Megan, Jay and Jen discuss Esther 4:1-16 which kicks off the action of the story and the big burden placed on Esther on behalf of her people. This story is about salvation, confidence and power. They discuss Jews living in diaspora, learning how to be a distinct person in a hostile environment. God’s ongoing work of salvation was true for Esther and her people, through the promised birth o...

Hans Vigesaa joins Pastor Jay Carlson, and Pastor Jen Hackbarth in a conversation about strength, hope and how God shows his presence even after the most painful times. They discuss Habakkuk and how he receives a reminder: injustice and suffering are not God’s intentions for us. While we might have to endure the consequences of our actions, God brings restoration, strength and healing, after the h...

Pastors Megan, Jay and Jen discuss Micah 5: 2-5; 6: 6-8 (walk humbly with God) along with starting our new worship series “People of the Promise.” While almost all of Micah is a dire warning, the last verses remind the people (and us!) that there is always time to live in keeping with God’s desire for us – especially God’s call for us to live in justice and humility. How do Micah’s promises – good...

Pastor Megan, Jay and Jen discuss new things here at Easter including the act of giving, and why we give the way we do, How have God's people looked at the act of giving in this weeks reading from Deuteronomy?

Pastors Jay and Jen dive into Proverbs 16:1-3, 8-9, which is full of advise and ways to live life. How do you think about Wisdom? How will you continue to commit yourself to God in your words and actions?

Pastors Megan, Jay and Jen continue their conversation about the new sermon series “All Things New” with Deuteronomy 14:22-29. A lot of Deuteronomy is focused around how do God's people demonstrate that they are Gods people, and a big part of that is how you worship.

Pastors Megan, Jay and Jen kick off our next series “All Things New” with 1 Corinthians 16: 1-3. This series digs into generosity season, the importance of giving as a part of life, and as a faithful habit.

Pastors Megan, Jay, and Jen wrap up the last week of the sermon series. They discuss who we are, how people mess up and get lost in the wilderness but that does not cause God to stop loving us. There's no promise that life is easy but we do know that God never stops loving us. How will we continue to fulfill this call in the choices we make? How will we call others into the same life?

Pastors Megan, Jen, and Jay talk about Exodus and how it is an incredibly informative and important story. It tells about God saving the people and fulfilling promises. This story gets told and retold to remind us that we belong to God, God will defend us, and incredible things are possible through God.

Pastor Megan, Pastor Jay Carlson, and Pastor Jen Hackbarth have a conversation about Joseph and what went on in his life. The point of this story isn’t that God made it all okay. These were real, unjust, and horrifying struggles. The point is that God goes with Joseph into these struggles. There were blessings even in the worst circumstances. How do we see God at work in our lives, especially in d...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Jay Carlson, and Pastor Jen Hackbarth have a conversation about Abraham and how humanity is sometimes messy. "God of the promise, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and love. Make us faithful to what you command as we trust in the life we know through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen" Genesis 12:1-9.

Pastor Megan welcomes Pastor Jay Carlson, and Pastor Jen Hackbarth to the podcast, their first ever podcast with Easter Lutheran. They discuss Noah and the story of God's grace, Genesis 9:8-17. God promised life to the world, to gather people into his arms and protect with his mercy.

Pastor Megan, Pastor Mary Sue Dreier, and Pastor Gary Dreier start a new conversation about Who We Are. God makes humankind in the image of God, a reflection of God’s presence in the world. We live out that creative, life-giving identity every day. God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness” Genesis 1:26-31. Think of beginnings: start of school year, installation of c...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Mary Sue Dreier, and Pastor Gary Dreier continue the conversation on Faith practices, this week why testimony is important with scripture from Matthew 28:16-20. Why do we share faith? Because it is of value. Because it has changed our lives for good. Because Jesus brings life and hope for all. We are called to community

Pastor Megan, Pastor Mary Sue Dreier, and Pastor Gary Dreier continue the conversation on Faith practices, this week why Worship is important with scripture from Psalm 95:1-7. The style of worship isn’t what’s at stake here. What matters is the time to come into God’s presence, to recognize God as other than us, and to listen for God’s voice.

Pastor Megan, Pastor Mary Sue Dreier, and Pastor Gary Dreier continue the conversation on Faith practices, this week Service with Romans 12:9-21. How can we truly serve all people in God’s name? Service is an act of love. We answer the call to love by actually meeting the needs of others, not as we want to do, but as they need. Service can look like lots of things.

Pastor Megan, Pastor Mary Sue Dreier, and Pastor Gary Dreier continue the conversation on Faith practices, Giving. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 has the often threatened line God loves a cheerful giver, what do these pastors have to say about that?

Pastor Megan welcomes Pastor Mary Sue Dreier and Pastor Gary Dreier to the podcast, their first ever podcast. They continue the discussion on Faith Practices with Fellowship and 1 Corinthians 12:12-20, 26-27. How do you practice fellowship and caring relationships?

Ep 239 | 8th Sunday After Pentecost Pastors Brandon, Megan, and Steve talk about the next faith practice: Prayer from our series “Grow In Faith” with scripture from Mark 11:22-25. How do you engage in conversation with God? There is no wrong way and no right way. This is the last podcast for Brandon and Steve, so be sure to listen to the end for a surprise. *farewell party is postponed