The Carry On Cast

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Isaiah 61:1-9. This is a powerful Advent word – it points to a time that is both now and not yet. This promise was for the exiles, for the arrival of Jesus, and for us now. God’s promises are always the same and always new. Jesus reads this passage in the temple at the beginning of his ministry. This promise reminds us who Jesus’ incarnation bring...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Erik, and Pastor Kevin discuss Joel 2:12-13, 28-29. We heard Peter quote this passage in Acts back in August. We hear the promise again – God’s promise to dwell with all people continues to mean all people. The promise is twofold – our repentance is welcome and God’s Spirit is limitless. Sermon series title: how will we live according to God’s word here in Joel? How can we tru...

Pastor Megan and Pastor Kevin discuss Daniel 6:16-27. Daniel faces death because of his confidence in God’s promises. We’re rarely called on to make this commitment. What does that look like in our lives?  Advent begins today, an opportunity to prepare our hearts for Christ’s incarnate arrival in the world. Jesus ultimately endures death for us. We are invited to set aside fear and doubt as we tru...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin, and Pastor Erik discuss Jeremiah 31:31-34. This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday and the start of our new sermon series, According to Your Word. Christ the King Sunday is sometimes called Reign of Christ Sunday. What does it mean for Jesus to reign in our lives? How are we showing that we belong to Him? God makes this promise: to write the law on our hearts. It is alway...

This Sunday’s theme is 1st Communion. Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 6-11. History lesson: when does this reading happen, and why does it matter? When we bring young people to the table for the first time, we’re fulfilling our promises to them (and each other) to do exactly this. But when we come together for communion every time, we’re also living into the p...

This Sunday is commitment Sunday! Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Psalm 146 and talk about what commitment Sunday is all about. Serving others, sharing the gospel, ensuring a place for faith to grow for generations – our giving to the Most High does this! When we give out of sheer gratitude for what God has done, how do we bring in God’s

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday, this is a day to remember those who have built faith in us, who we call saints. Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin, and Pastor Erik discuss Psalm 24:1-6. We recognize everything they have given us so that we might know Jesus. We are called to similarly live and serve, trusting that God’s work is done through us. The blessing we have received from the Lord is through the s...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin, and Pastor Erik discuss Psalm 46:1-7. This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, the reminder that God’s love can’t be bought, that God’s love is sure and steady no matter what. Because God has taken action, we are free to respond. We don’t give to earn God’s grace or to assuage our guilt. We offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. We give what can’t be taken back or earned to celeb...

We start our new sermon series, “Offer to God” Pastor Megan, Pastor Erik and Pastor Kevin discuss Psalm 50:3-6. Psalm 50 is meant to tell people how about how to rightly celebrate festivals and remind them of God’s covenant with them. The whole psalm reminds the people that not only does God delight in our celebrations, but they’re necessary to connect us to our joy in God. We offer to God what Go...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik read Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 4:1-4, 11. They discuss Jonah’s call, God doesn’t deny the brokenness of Nineveh, but God also doesn’t deny that their destruction would not be God’s desire. We might be inclined to judge who is worthy of God’s love and mercy, but God doesn’t see people the same way we do. This Sunday is Bible Blessing Sunday! It’s dangerous and chal...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik read Isaiah 6:1-8. They discuss Isaiah’s call, Isaiah protests that he’s not good enough, and not worthy. In a way, he’s right. God makes him right, ready, worthy. God will do that for us, too. This gift of being made right to do God’s work isn’t so we can be more special or important – it’s so that all people can know God’s love and grace in their lives....

This is Easter Cares Sunday, where we lift up all our wonderful care teams at Easter! Past Megan, Pastor Erik and Pastor Kevin read Esther 4:6-16. They discuss Esther’s call, Esther seems to think the rules are too rigid to be broken, even when it’s a matter of life and death. What excuses do we make to avoid doing the hard things? Esther has power she’s not accustomed to having. We often don’t re...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Erik, and Pastor Kevin read 1 Samuel 16:6-13. They discuss David’s call, the history of David, how we got here, why he will be important (think of Jesus as Son of David). David is written off because he is the youngest and smallest. But God sees something else. What do we use to discredit someone when they’re not who we think they should be? We have to help each other listen,...

Pastor Megan, and Pastor Kevin read Exodus 3:1-6, 13-14. They discuss Moses’ call, who is Moses? Why does he become important? How did he end up in the wilderness? Balance of response: understanding that the land is holy, that God’s call is something deeply spiritual, but also, that we get to question, consider, push back to learn what God really wants of us and who God really is. How are you list...

Pastor Megan, and Pastor Kevin discuss Genesis 12:1-9. This week we start our new series called HEAR THE CALL. We look to Old Testament stories of Abram, Moses, David, Esther, Isaiah, and Jonah, each one had a calling and each one heard in their own ways.  We can take heart knowing that they had difficulty with what God asked.  We know God is calling each of us. What is your call?  When we look at...

Pastor Megan and Pastor Erik discuss Acts 2:43-47. “All who believed were together and had all things in common” – v44. This isn’t a fable – this is gospel truth. This is what Christian living looks like. How are we truly called to generosity in all things?  How are we living and giving as if we truly are together and have all things in common?

Pastor Megan and Pastor Erik discuss Acts 2:37-42. Verse 39 says “For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” This Sunday, we will bless backpacks to send our kids out into the world. How will we truly remind them – and all children – that the promise of Jesus is for them? Our actions inspire faith in the next generatio...

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Acts 2:29-36. Verse 36 says “Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Peter meets criticism and confusion with conviction. We are likewise invited to bold proclamation. His invitation is to “the entire house of Israel” – this good news is for everyone. How are we in...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Erik and Pastor Kevin continue reading Acts; this week is Acts 2:22-28. This is another example of Jesus’ death coming front and center in proclamation. How do we avoid death in our culture? At what cost? What among us needs to die? What could live and flourish instead?

Pastor Erik and Pastor Kevin have a discussion about doubt, shame, and question while reading Acts 2:12-21. How will we face doubts, criticisms, and despair as we choose bold faith? Peter doesn’t give in to the doubts – he speaks more boldly because of them. What would it look like to meet criticism with transparency and gospel truth?

Pastor Megan and Pastor Kevin discuss Acts 2:1-11. What does it look like for us to truly include and invite? In what ways do we make sure to speak about Jesus in a language others can understand? What brings us together today? Or, to reflect from the text: how can we be sure we’re speaking each others’ languages?

Pastor Megan and Pastor Erik discuss John 3:1-10. Nicodemus shows up by the cover of night to ask questions and learn from Jesus. But that’s not the only time he appears in scripture and the other moments are a lesson in what it means to risk little, and show up too late. How might these later stories of Nicodemus teach us that there is always more to learn about ourselves, each other, and God?

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik are joined by Easter lutheran’s Outreach Director, Rhonda Doran. They discuss Acts 27:7-11, 13-14, 18-22. Paul is a prisoner on a ship that sets sail in less than ideal conditions and they run into trouble. In a moment of crisis, Paul stands up and tells them that in order to survive, they’re going to have to wreck the ship. Paul tells the truth, and how the different...

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Erik discuss Revelation 3:14-20. Revelation is the scariest book of the Bible for many in our communities. But it contains intimate correspondence to real churches and a vision for God’s promise that sustains all of creation. Apocalypse literally means unveiling. How can the apocalyptic verses at the end of scripture wake us up to the pressing concerns that are crying aroun...

Pastor Megan, Pastor Erik, and Pastor Kevin discuss Luke 2:41-52. They continue our new sermon series “The Good Book” and talk about young Jesus in the temple, growing up, and growing into faith. Coming of age stories show up throughout our common experience on television, in novels, and in our families. But what if God’s only son is coming of age? Dig into the tension between God being fully divi...