Shepherd of the Desert Podcast

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This weekend Jesus storms into the temple courtyard overturning tables and booths, and driving out merchants and animals. Talk about some Spring cleaning! What does this surprising outburst from the Savior say to people like you and me, people who try to be quiet, gentle, and loving all the time? Join us in worship as we consider the Spring cleaning Jesus just might have to do in us. 

Everyone knows who Jesus is, right? We all have the same general idea about His purpose, His power, and His personality... but are we missing something? Join us in worship this week for a deeper look at Jesus' identity, and what it really means, concretely, to follow Him. In the dark and obscure landscape of earthly life it has never been more important to know who you follow.

As the days grow longer, Shepherd begins a new worship series: When Shadows Fall, Careful Steps with Jesus Toward the Cross. Here in Arizona, we take walking somewhat seriously. Diamondback rattlesnake bites can cause serious damage. We've learned to walk, look, and, most importantly, listen. Warnings abound the wary traveler. Join us this weekend as we take our first, tepid, timid steps into Lent. Even when shadows fall, the Light of Christ guides us safely home.

As we step out of a victorious and joy-filled Easter, we step into a world desperate to know Jesus. How can we share our faith, and show how much God loves our neighbors? Let's take a cue from the Apostle John and consider whether our lives reflect God's action on us. Jesus brings us close to the Father, and the Spirit shines through us toward others!

This Sunday we encounter Jesus in a new light, compared to the rest of the Gospel story. He takes three close disciples to the top of a mountain and reveals to them a glimpse of His heavenly glory! Why? This revelation not only surprises and even scares Jesus' closest friends, but it emphasizes His important and trustworthy nature. This is God's Son, and where He leads, we can most certainly follow.

We've spent the last four weeks together digging into what it means to live a life "guided by God's Word." We've heard from the pages of the New Testament about the principles necessary in identifying goals worth following. This weekend we explore the great challenge of dedication - how far will you go, how much will you give in pursuit of this God-guided life? Join us in worship for the conclusion to our series "Good Goals: Life Guided by God's Word."

Who are your goals about? Of course we make goals for ourselves and families, but God''s work in our lives broadens the scope. How can my goals take others into consideration? What would my life look like if I was oriented toward the care of my neighbor? How can I live a life that brings others closer to Jesus? Join us Sunday as we explore the role of consideration in our journey through Good Goals: Life Guided by God's Word.

 There are a lot of competing factors for our attention and devotion in life. If we allow any of one of them to eclipse the central role our relationship with Jesus has for us, we run the risk of constant anxiety and worry because each of them will ultimately fail us. This world is full of things that will eventually pass away, but God gives us the One that will never fail - His everlasting Son. Join us as we dive deeper into Good Goals this weekend!

Getting after a goal can be tough. What if I don't feel like it? What if there are habits or mindsets that get in the way? In 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul gives insight into our relationship with Jesus - that He is the One who has redeemed and paid for us! This fact, which reveals our purpose as temples of the Spirit, answers the toughness of goal-getting. No longer living for "just me," I am free to pursue the life God has marked out for me! Join us in worship as we explore discipline: the key to living free.

New Year’s is full of opportunity and potential - will you make this one count? Do you have a resolution that will change things for the better? On Sunday we are hearing the famous story of the Wise Men and will take a lesson from them about how to approach these kinds of “restart” seasons. Join as we kick off our 2024 preaching calendar with Good Goals: Life Guided by God’s Word!

Join us for today's audio sermon!

Imagine having a heart-to-heart with two pastors who have wisdom to share about life, friendships, family, and the power of encouragement. That's exactly what you'll get with Pastors John Karolus and Scott Seidler in this episode of Valley Chat. This soul-stirring conversation unravels the importance of male friendships, the role of family encouragement, and the profound power of sincere conversations in sustaining your spiritual journey. Whether you're a pastor, a church goer, or someone embarking on their spiritual exploration, you're bound to gain insights into the importance of longevity in relationships and the significance of family support.Now, let's talk about you. How do you give and receive encouragement? Are you an extrovert who thrives on uplifting others, or an introvert who finds solace in quiet motivation? In this episode, we reveal how different personalities perceive encouragement. We also touch upon the joy of being an encourager, the exhilaration of creating dynamic loops of encouragement, and the importance of paying it forward. Pastor Scott, with his wealth of experience, shares his insights on how to nurture these relationships and be a catalyst for positivity. So, tune in to reflect, learn, and most importantly, to be encouraged. This is not just a podcast episode; it's a conversation that promises to inspire and uplift you in more ways than one.

Join us this season for our series "Advent-ually": Adventually. What a great descriptor of the blue season of the Church year before Christmas. A mash up of Advent, the season, and eventually, the adverb, and the outcome is a great summary of “the hopes and fears of all the years [which] are met in Thee [Christ] tonight.” Join us as we delight in a new found word-friend, becoming oriented more keenly toward Christmas and CHRISTMAS [the Last Day when Christ comes again].

Adventually. What a great descriptor of the blue season of the Church year before Christmas. A mash up of Advent, the season, and eventually, the adverb, and the outcome is a great summary of “the hopes and fears of all the years [which] are met in Thee [Christ] tonight.” Join us as we delight in a new found word-friend, becoming oriented more keenly toward Christmas and CHRISTMAS [the Last Day when Christ comes again].

Join us for worship this weekend as we begin our Christmas anticipating Advent series “Picture Perfect.” The cards we send and photos we post this time of year would have you believe everything is perfect and we’re all very happy - but real life is different, and as Christians we remember that Jesus is the true center of our lives, no matter how messy our family photographs get. 

Join Pastor Alan for a Thanksgiving message from our Shea campus

This week our digital worship is a showcase of the resurrected Shepherd Podcast! Join Pastors Scott and John as they dig into what it means to be a Christian who doesn't forget their identity as a human being, created by God for the very life He has placed them in! Check it out at the link below this Sunday.

I love when something is done really well - even if it is not something I am particularly interested in, like a vegetarian dessert, or historical docu-drama. This weekend, we hear a particularly well-executed parable that leaves anyone who hears it exactly where Jesus wants them to be. What does it mean for us, and how can we be ready for His return? Join us at Shea as we dig into the Parable of the Ten Virgins. ~ Pastor John

This weekend our congregation celebrates All Saints Sunday. This is an opportunity for us to recall the lives of those who have finished their courses in this life and now find rest in God's presence.