August 28, 2016. In Jesus' day, it was honorable to give to the poor. But to invite them to your table was shameful. Today, Pastor Penny issues us a challenge: let's help God grow our congregation by inviting people in. Sometimes we are afraid to be seen as "Bible thumping Christians." But if we don't invite people to join us, to share with them the rich food of faith that God has heaped on our plates, are we like the Pharisees in the gospels who hoarded the banquet for themselves? *** [Keywords: Aaron Elliot Bible thumping Emmy Jason Multiple Sclerosis Pharisees Potluck and Praise anchor banquet feast grandfather growing guest list hoarding honeymoon invitation invite a friend inviting non-denominational reception rich food of faith shared youth coordinator skilled nursing center unchurched wedding planning wheelchair]

July 24, 2016. In Genesis 18:20-33, God listens to Abraham as he begs for Sodom. Today, Pastor Penny talks about how not only does God listen to our prayers, but she suggests that perhaps he also needs our prayers. Prayer can be dangerous but is also the safest thing we can do, because by praying we're putting ourselves at God's disposal in building his kingdom and opening ourselves to the needs and concerns of others. Pastor Penny then invites Noah Hornbeck to share his thoughts on the recent trip to Papua New Guinea, what his stay there was like, and what might the people there pray for for us, and what we might pray for for them. *** [Keywords: Abraham Australia Central States Synod Genesis 18:20-33 God needs our prayers God's kingdom I am your parent Islam Jesus Jesus Christ Lord's Prayer Luke Luther Matthew Noah Hornbeck Our Father who art in heaven Papua New Guinea Pastor Penny Holste Small Catechism Sodom St. Louis United States amazing way of life answer to our own prayer at God's disposal audacious bamboo bartering session boat ride brothers and sisters build the kingdom building his kingdom built us a house call me Father call me Mother dangerous death and resurrection depend on each other different state of life disdain dispassionate distant don't lose their way of life facebook feet gift hallowed be thy name hands heart hearts and minds are open held holy homeless person hospitable hospitals hurtful inflict harm on each other killing merciful master mouth needs and concerns of others newspaper organizations organized chaos pray for us prayer purpose receive reciting for our own benefit rough places safer arms safest thing we can do schedule seminary servants someone else's prayer someone we cannot see someone who mourns speaking stamina supporting technology third world country thoughts thy kingdom come tragedies trouble praying turbulent world unconditional love used car lot voting vulnerable walking streets youth representatives]

July 3, 2016. We are living in a time of populist anger and frustration. But if everyday people know better than the wealthy elite, and they seem to be doing okay, then what do we have to offer them? And what about people who have to deal with fear and self-doubt alone? What do we have to offer them? Today, Pastor Penny talks about these issues from the perspective of faith, prayer, community, and the Gospel. *** [Keywords: Anita Brexit Busch Stadium Cardinals game Christ Christ is with us European Union Founding Fathers Mothers Fourth of July weekend Jesus North St. Louis Pastor Penny Holste UK United Kingdom Washington afraid of violence alone anchor baseball bubbled up challenges commentator common people couldn't erase it country cured people with demons dangers without deep problem desperate need didn't earn it disadvantaged people disciples doctor closed urgent care office doing just fine don't control downtown dread drink elevator speech emotions governing city country world faith community family fear footballs friend frustration gifts of food given their lives golf gun battle gun repository hail storm harvest harvest is plentiful have your speech ready health financial issue heroin use immigrants income inequality indelible ink investigate publish truth jobs juggling juicy keep doing laborers love and sacrifice loving God has final say loving family lower class middle class feels disenfranchised money more than we can bear nagging fear need to share neighbors news nice houses no Syrians nobody's listening offering plate office overstepping our bounds peace planted tomatoes play in sports political freedoms political parties populist anger power prayed prayer presumptuous proclaim the Gospel real joy your names are written in Heaven responsibilities ripe school schools scripture self-doubt sharp edge of fear began to melt squirrels strength strong gun sales suicide tell me about church temptations within together too many rules regulations trusted to make decisions uplifted urgent wave of relief we are forgiven wealthy elite western Kansas what do we have to offer them what is it that you believe wheat farmers why do they need to come to church working side by side worship zucchini crop]

June 12, 2016. Storyteller Roger Rose presents an ending to the Gospel story of Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman in the home of Simon, and Pastor Penny relates it to how we can be tempted to use the very advantages God has given us to shelter us from having to face sins of the heart. How nice it would be to feel the sense of forgiveness the woman in the story had. If Simon had been able to feel the same forgiveness, how might his life look different? *** [Keywords: Amos worked in orchard Bible scholars David humble shepherd Egyptian murderer God renounced right to punish us Gospel story Harry Potter Hunger Games James Bond Jesus being anointed Katniss Everdeen Moses Pastor Penny Holste Pharisee Princess Leia Roger Rose Spirit drawn us here today Star Wars The New Simon absolution admit our sins admit sins of the heart advantages alternate ending approval love of God authority of Temple in Jerusalem basket of food bling bowl of water bows of respect bread and wine community confession conversations country bumpkin crashed party decision has already been made defiled different life disapproval dramatist faith forgive means forth giving garb and tattoos go in peace head table host house humble status belie divine nature ice breaker if you could be any character in famous book or movie impudent upstart inferior inner city drive joy love contentment utter peace judgement kissed feet lawn landscaping crew learned scribe less visible sins of the heart lifestyle loose woman model citizen monied and educated motorcyclist no desire or power to punish ongoing problems only speak one language open doors party guests passion of woman priest prostitute receiving full impact of forgiveness reclining around low table reputation saggy jeans scandalized scorn sense of forgiveness sent by God shelter sit down by Jesus' feet smiling look of love and joy songs we sing speak English status storyteller temptation tempted touched sinful woman's elbow true peace unnamed woman voices that have judged contradicted scorned us walked through market warm climate washed feet with tears what would change look like wiped feet with hair words we hear workshop wrong about healer from Nazareth your sins are forgiven]