Words for the Beginning – Week 1 (12.8.24)
We Can’t Go Alone
Advent – Week 2
A look at Ruth 1 – a reminder that we meant to walk through this life together, which is a choice of both doggedly moving toward and graciously accepting mutuality.
We Can’t Go Alone
Advent – Week 2
A look at Ruth 1 – a reminder that we meant to walk through this life together, which is a choice of both doggedly moving toward and graciously accepting mutuality.
Week 1: You are A Blessing
Luke 1:26-38
We return to foundational truths — truths that help us remember who we are to be in these season.
We return to foundational truths – truths that help us remember who we are to be in this season.
We use a familiar framework at The Branch as we process all of the things we might be feeling and thinking after the election.
With the election two days away, we are feeling the fraught-ness of it all. How do we traverse this week in a way that is hopeful, grounded and kind?
We look at four versions of the same story in order to ask the question: can we follow Jesus’ lead, reject violence, and be people of sacrifice?
We look at two stories that demonstrate the different ways power can be viewed and used. What does it tell us about how we might use our power – and how might power be used in the political sphere
Week 1: Fear
Fear is often leveraged in politics. Campaigns try to play off of our fears and use our fears to pit us against each other. There is a better way.
Teresa helps us consider the end product of a life of love — a picture of who we could be and how we might move through the world if love is our primary aim.
We consider the often neglected and ignored command to love ourselves.
Everything — everything — hangs on love – including loving our neighbor. What might that look like today?
Everything important and consequential in this life hangs on love. And our capacity to express love is fundamentally tied to our willingness to receive it. Yes – we are called to love God, but equally, we are invited (and must heed that invitation) to receive and experience love. It sounds simple, but is not easy. What steps can we take to open ourselves up to the divine, endless love available to us?
We end our summer series by looking at one of the few stories found in all four of the New Testament Gospels. It’s typically called the feeding of the 5000, but the text tells us there were many more than that.
What do we learn from this story about the way we approach life’s problems and challenges?
Deb shares her story – including what it is like to navigate a life filled with many moves, loss, and belonging.
The audio quality is lacking in parts; you can also view the live video on our YouTube page.
Three of our recent graduates share some of their spiritual journey – what it has been like to grow up in the church, what their personal journey’s have been like and what they might hope for in the future as they move away from home and begin their adult lives.
Dale shares his recent adventure (in retirement) of starting a new company focused on building net-zero homes. What is a net-zero house? Dale will fill us in — and share something about how we remain hopeful in the midst of overwhelming challenges.
CJ and Elizabeth share their experience of growing up in the church, falling in love, and coming out as an LGBTQ couple.
You may be wondering where June’s podcasts are.
In June we are engaged in Group Sundays, which do not include a sermon — hence, no podcasts in June 🙂
We’ll be back in July with stories from the lives and experiences of Branch folks.
If you want to learn more about Group Sundays, click here.
On 5/19 we took a good part of the morning to have a conversation about our vision – breaking into groups, debriefing each other, and collectively identifying what it could look like if we worked together to see our vision become a reality. Because of the unique nature of the morning, we do not have an audio recording; however, the entire morning can be viewed on our YouTube channel.