Burden and Blessing Podcast

CPR: A discussion about the purpose of church based on a recent article in USA Today

Pastor Sam Rodebaugh joins Pastor Nathanael Mayhew to discuss an article in USA Today by a teenager about the problems with Christianity and the church. We will take a look at how she and others view church and discuss the problem with where they are coming from. We will also discuss the purpose of church and why it is important to be different from the world. Join us for this insightful discussion.

Word of the Week: Disciple

What is a disciple? Basically it means "one who follows" but we find that it is much more than just that. Pastor Mark Tiefel defines the word disciple and also points to what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Following Jesus implies endurance. Those who follow Jesus will be disciplined as His disciples, and while that may be difficult, it is better to be disciplined then to be lost and separated from God.

Hymn Review: O God of Mercy, God of Might

What is the relationship between justification and sanctification? This hymn answers that question. Join Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew as they dig into the theological riches of the Stewardship Hymn: O God of Mercy, God of Might. This hymn correctly points us to who God is and what God has done to redeem us and every sinner. It also points out that knowledge of this precious truth moves the Christian to respond in love to his/her neighbor. This hymn weaves together a host of Biblical passages and narratives to teach us Universal Justification, Stewardship, Christian Love and much more!

Word of the Week: Priest

Join Vicar Drew Naumann as he highlights the work of the priest in the Old Testament. He will show the role that priests served in that time, both for God and for sinners, and will show how that office points us to Christ and His work for us at the cross. Because Christ has made complete and full atonement for us through His death, we have no need for priests today. Instead each Christian serves as a "priest" before God, but in a different way.  

Bible Study: Samuel

Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew dig into the Old Testament history recorded in First and Second Samuel. Review with them the history of God's people as they transition from the period of the Judges and the Theocracy to the period of the Kings and a monarchy. These books were originally one book in Hebrew, but were separated when it was translated into Greek. Even through all of this, the LORD was still in control and worked through the good and the bad of the kings that would follow. We can learn from the failures of even great men of God, who fell into temptation, but God remains faithful and offers forgiveness even for the greatest of sins. These books point us to the Savior who would come from the line of David and establish an eternal kingdom.

Word of the Week: Apostle

Are there modern apostles? What were they and what did they do? How did they differ from an evangelist or a prophet? Literally, an apostle someone who is sent with a message. But in a more narrow sense, the apostles were the twelve men whom Jesus chose, instructed and sent out to lead His church. Learn who they were and what they did in this episode.

CPR: The ELCA 2019 Assembly Recap

At the beginning of August the largest Lutheran church body in the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) held their general assembly. Pastors Sam Rodebaugh and Tom Naumann sit down to review and discuss the decisions and actions of this assembly, what these actions mean and why they are important for us to know about.  

Word of the Week: Prophet

What is a prophet? What role does a prophet serve? What is the difference between and true and false prophet? Are there prophets in the New Testament? Hear answers to these questions and more in our episode today on the office of prophet.

Word of the Week: Evangelist

Over the coming weeks we will be looking at different offices and roles of believers in the Old and New Testaments. Today we consider the term "Evangelist." We will consider what an evangelist does, who some evangelists were, and how this office differs from others in the early New Testament.

Bible Study: 1 John

God is Love. What does that mean? While the world may take that passage from first John and use it for all different kinds of purposes, we see from this letter what that Love really is. Love is Jesus, being both true God and true Man, coming to earth, being seen by people like John, and dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world. The only way that we can love is by being in His love and being in His light. Of course, the sinner does not want to remain in this light and love, but because He has given us His spirit of love, we can believe that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We love because He first loved us!