Beargrass Christian Church

Next week we drop a BONUS EPISODE with Rev. Rob Shrader. You're not going to want to miss this conversation where Rob reveals the first time he realized he was white and how it shaped his life. Support the show

Rev. Julie Richardson, a former minister at Beargrass, filled the pulpit at our weekend worship on Sunday, August 18. Julie is a gifted writer and an eloquent speaker. Julie looks at the story of Ruth and Naomi found in Ruth 1:7-18 and compares their relationship to that of Captain America and Falcon from the Marvel comics and movies. Support the show

Last week we began a new sermon series called “Lost and Found,” which will run through the end of October. In this series, we focus on stories from Luke 15-17 and continue to think about what a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life looks like. This week’s text is the second of three “lost-and-found” parables in Luke 15. Even though the parable of the lost coin is short and sweet, it has some unique things to tell us. How did the coin get lost? Why was it so urgent to find it? Why was there such joy at the end when the lost coin was finally discovered—so much joy that the woman told her family and friends about it? Support the show

All Saints Day is a time in which we remember and honor those in our church family who have gone on to be with God in this last year. All services provide a time to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Our scripture is from the letter to the Hebrews in which the original hearers were being encouraged to keep the faith. The writer gives a long list of heroes of the faith (chapter 11) before going into the sports analogy of running a race and instructing listeners to keep their eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (chapter 12). They (and we) are to be encouraged by “the great cloud of witnesses” that surround us. As we come together this weekend, we will be thinking about those witnesses, saints, who continue to encourage and inspire us in our life and faith. We have saints above and saints below who are heroes in the faith to us. Who are your faith heroes? And in what ways are you encouraging the next generation as so many have and are encouraging you? Join us this weekend as we come to remember and give thanks for many.Support the show

The ministers of Beargrass Christian Church have a conversation about connection, community, and communion. What do we need to do to ensure we are well poised to have an impact on our community in this new era? What does this mean for old ways of doing things? What are their dreams for the future of their ministries? Support the show

In this third Sunday of Advent, Dr. Leigh Bond looks at Isaiah 35:1-10 and invites us to think about joy.  Is there a difference between joy and happiness? When was the last time you felt pure joy? Some celebrate the joy of exchanging gifts or gathering around a fire to bask in the warmth of friendship and love, but the real joy of the season is in celebrating the birth of a child.Support the show

This weekend’s lesson begins with the words, “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.” But Matthew could have easily replaced the word “birth” with “adoption” and the story would have been no less miraculous. It is amazing that Joseph treated Jesus as a son, although he was not his biological father. He put his pride aside and showed remarkable love for God and Mary.  To understand Joseph, we need first to grasp Matthew’s perspectives. Matthew wants to present a version of the Gospel story that will work to change everyone who reads it. All of his images, symbols, half-answered questions, paradoxes, and problems are intended to prod us out of merely reading the story. He wants to get us to participate in and wrestle with this miraculous work of God.  The Gospels provide two birth narratives, one from Luke and another from Matthew. Luke’s account is full of poetic tension, dramatic skill and rhetorical flourishes that resound to this day. We will hear that story on Christmas Eve. Matthew’s account is sparse by comparison. He wants us to know that God’s only Son has arrived on planet Earth.   Matthew and Luke each choose to focus their birth narratives on different actors in the same drama. Consequently, what is essentially the same story takes on a whole new look from these separate perspectives. Support the show

We celebrate the birth of Christ in our Christmas Eve service.Support the show

We begin the season of Epiphany with a new sermon series titled "Eyes to See." The stories that are usually associated with the season are the discovery of the Christ-child by the magi and the baptism of Jesus. The wise men followed the light of the star and saw Jesus for the first time. The gift of the Spirit to Jesus during his baptism helped people see him in a new way. Generally speaking, an epiphany is a moment of sudden revelation or insight - "aha" moments. In the church, we talk about "God moments' - times when we catch a glimpse of the glory and greatness of God-and times when we "get it" and gain a clearer sense of what God is calling us to do. Support the show

Rev. Erin Wathen sits down with us prior to preaching at Beargrass on Sunday, January 26 to talk about how God's invitations to her have shaped her life and ministry. Erin is funny, articulate, and wise with a big heart and a wide smile. Erin knows how to lovingly come alongside folks who need to see Jesus.Rev. Erin Wathen currently serves as the Associate Director for Marketing and Communications at Week of Compassion. She formerly served as Senior Pastor at Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, KS and was also Senior Pastor at Foothills Christian Church in Phoenix Arizona. Erin is the author of two books:  Resist and Persist: Faith and the Fight for Equality (2018) and More Than Words: 10 Values for the Modern Family (2017). You can check out her blog, Irreverin at patheos.com.Support the show

As we continue to proceed through the season of Pentecost, we began what will be an extended journey through the middle of the Gospel of Matthew. The focus in Matthew 10 is on discipleship. Jesus gathers his dynamic dozen and gives them power over the diseases of mind, body, and spirit. Undoubtedly, they feel honored, humbled, and excited to be ambassadors for Jesus and follow in his footsteps.And yet, Jesus also reveals that the honor comes with a cost. He describes the reality of rejection, refusal, and active persecution that they will face. But give them credit—their mission has gone from being glamorous and exciting to what could be a thankless, dangerous, fearful (and possibly one-way) trial of endurance.But he encourages and exhorts them. In all that they encounter, in the face of every challenge and even during outright persecution, the disciples are to find their strength and their identity in being like Jesus, their teacher. He gives them the confidence to proclaim the Good News boldly and tells them not to be afraid.Support the show

This week’s story from Matthew 15 will become more powerful for us if we remember the timing and context. Jesus has been trying to get a break. He goes off to pray and get away from the crowds. He even packs up his pals in a boat and sends them out to sea. But after a rather stormy conclusion, Jesus is thrust right back into ministry. So, he tries to get away again by leaving the country.  But this pesky, persistent, parent shows up! She is described as a Canaanite woman, which is an anachronistic adjective. It is an old term. But the phrase is probably used to heighten the tension in the tale. There is a long history of fightin’ and feudin’ between the Israelites and Canaanites. She is an “extreme” foreigner.  And yet, she is also a mother who is desperate. Her daughter is possessed by a demon. She needs help. She has heard about Jesus. She seeks him out, fights her way through the disciples’ defense, and gets an interview with him. And how does Jesus react? First, he is silent. Then he calls her a dog. Is he just having a bad day? Or is she outside of his “circle?” His response doesn’t deter her. She stands toe-to-toe with the Son of God and finally delivers her knockout punchline. “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs from their master’s table.” And Jesus changes his mind. Perhaps this is a powerful, pivotal moment in his life, a time when he realizes that he has been sent not just to a certain group of people—but to all the world’s people?  This centuries-old story is as relevant today as it has ever been. It doesn’t take long to come up with a list of insider/outsider struggles.Support the show

Continuing with Pentecost PerspectivesSupport the show

Our story is about a different labor day. There are many Bible passages with which we agree completely. They are easy to comprehend, make sense, and don’t disturb us. But we have also found some tricky texts in the Good Book, such as this week’s perplexing parable from Matthew 20. The message that Jesus seems to be communicating grates against our understanding of what is fair, just, and appropriate. Equal pay for unequal work—this just isn’t right!?...Support the show

Today we conclude a long series from the Gospel of Matthew. We began in June and have focused on the middle of Matthew. We have learned about the demands and delights of discipleship. Today’s text is no exception—and the context is critical. The story is set in the calm before the storm—during Holy Week—between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Despite the testing and taunting, Jesus keeps teaching. And he’s rollin’ out some of his best stuff in these final days. Religious leaders try to shut him up—but he shuts them down. They question his authority—but don’t play “Jeopardy” with Jesus—he responds with another question and they are clueless. Jesus has already literally turned over the temple tables. Now he turns over the theological tables and they are dumbfounded. Then he pounds home his point with another pointed parable.Support the show

We made our way through the middle of the Gospel of Matthew during the summer. Today I am coming down the home stretch as I share my final series of sermons before my retirement October 31. And I have already picked out my mask for that final day! It seems appropriate to turn to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The letter is thought to be one of his last and he offers many significant reflections on his ministry that remain relevant today. We will be urged to stand, serve, strive, and rejoice together! And I will be weaving in some of my own retirement reflections.Support the show

This Sunday we will keep flippin’ through Philippians as we continue a four-part sermon series called “Together.” Last Sunday we heard Paul’s encouragement to stand together, side by side, as one in the Spirit. This week’s message will be “Serve Together.” In the 2nd chapter Paul speaks of the importance of humility. The prison-setting from which he writes highlights his plea for humility. Followers of Jesus are to think and to act like him. Humility provides the foundation for unity. Spirit-inspired unity leads to a common-unity (community) that exhibits like-mindedness and abounds in love. We have heard it said that “pride comes before the fall.” There is no shortage of examples when it comes to a lack of humility leading to a downfall. There are numerous stories in the Bible, in history, in the church, in politics, in business—the headlines and news feeds are full of them. In the midst of a selfie-centered world, we are called to have a counter-cultural mindset. Humility “levels the playing field” and can open the doors to opportunities for service and ministry and mission. Read through chapter two as you prepare for worship—my colleagues and I hope to be seen as we gather ‘round the Table on Sunday!Support the show

This Sunday we will keep flippin’ through Philippians as we continue a four-part sermon series called “Together.” We have heard Paul’s encouragement to stand together and serve together. This week’s message will be “Strive Together.” In the 3rd chapter Paul refers to his resume—and it is impressive! His ancestry, educational credentials, and religious achievements are second to none. Basically, he says, “If anyone has a reason to boast, I have more!” (What happened to that humility message in chapter two?) But we have to consider the context. He says that in spite of his remarkable resume, it doesn’t matter anymore. He has found something much better and more valuable. He describes his “before and after” life. He has let go of his “saved by the law” mindset and discovered the immeasurable mercy and love of God. Can you think of times in your own life when you have had this kind of experience? Think about your faith journey. What are some ways you think you have made some progress? What are some ways you would like to grow stronger or improve? As a church family that is preparing to welcome a new senior minister, what can we strive together to accomplish? Support the show

We have been flippin’ through Philippians and this Sunday we will conclude a four-part sermon series called “Together.” We have heard Paul’s encouragement to stand, serve, and strive together. This week’s message will be “Rejoice Together”—and it will also be my “farewell address” as Senior Minister. The 4th chapter of Philippians is one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible. Paul is writing from jail to a congregation he clearly loves. He encourages and challenges them to keep serving God and to stick together, rejoicing in Christ. Rejoicing in the Lord—always—is a central theme in this letter. It is remarkable that Paul can proclaim those words from prison—but he does! He urges the church to rejoice, pray, be thankful, and be unified so that they are able to take their minds off all-consuming worries. Paul could write a similar letter to us today. What are your greatest worries? How do you handle them? He suggests that we focus on the “excellent things.” Is this the way we normally think—especially in the midst of COVID and the upcoming elections? How could this approach impact our life and our relationships? Give it some thought… see you ‘round the Table!Support the show

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