Faith First

First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, IA•firstlutherancr.org

Dig into God’s word with informal conversation around the scripture and ways to apply the message to our lives. We’ll pray for you, chat about what’s brewing around our church, First Lutheran in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and take your questions about faith and life. Join us as we put our Faith First.

Last refreshed: July 15th, 2025 at 6:33 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

A Shy God?

Pr. Steve teaches how the Holy Spirit (sometimes known as the shy person of our Triune God) seals the deal at our baptism.

Sep 27, 2023•33 min

What Do You Believe?

Pr. Craig talks about the powerful words we confess every time there is a Baptism and how our fate is cemented to Christ for all time while Deborah Hansen chats about the Life of the Beloved.

Sep 22, 2023•33 min

Tanzania Reconnection

Tanzania Travelers Julie and Lou Banker talk about their faith-expanding adventure overseas to reconnect with our siblings in Christ while Seminarian Daniel Luepke preaches about the promises we all make in Baptism.

Sep 13, 2023•31 min

Jump In

As we dip our toes into the waters of our Baptism Pr. Craig has us ponder the deep ocean of possibilities before us while Pr. Katie shares ways we can jump in as we start a new worship series and all-church study.

Sep 07, 2023•33 min

Comfort & Challenge

Susan Padget and Karen Seavy describe how FLC provides comfort to people in need all across the world while Pr. Steve wrestles with Christ's challenge to Peter and us of what it means to follow him.

Aug 31, 2023•29 min

A Heavy Rock

Pr. Craig opens up about the heavy weight of the call to be a pastor and all of our shared responsibilities holding Christ's keys to forgiveness while Pr. Steve lays out a road map for a new mission statement.

Aug 25, 2023•38 min

Surprise Ending

Special Guest Pr. Trish Decker chats with Pr. Craig about a surprise twist ending in scripture while Doug Pauls lays out where we might be heading as a church.

Aug 18, 2023•42 min

Stay In or Get Out?

Does trusting in God sometimes mean us just staying in the boat? Or do we get out there and take matters into our own hands? Pr. Steve ponders as he preps for his latest sermon while Pr. Craig and Deborah prepare for us to "Jump In" to life together this fall.

Aug 10, 2023•42 min

RAGBRAI & the Mayor

The RAGBRAI community comes to the aid of a fallen rider and Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell discusses our call to help the least of these in our city.

Aug 02, 2023•32 min

Billboards & Kingdoms

Look up! Pr. Craig tells us where to spot our giant FLC billboard this summer and riffs with Pr. Katie about the Jesus' many kingdom analogies.

Jul 27, 2023•30 min

Translation & Laughter

Jake Stigers and Jenny Bosking share a few laughs with Pr. Craig about their joy and call to hand out toiletries to people in need while Dr. Troy Troftgruben talks about the historical significance of Martin Luther translating the Bible into the people's language.

Jul 21, 2023•33 min

Singing the Faith

Cindy Shadrick talks about meeting Dolly Parton, teaching people to sing, and her call to share the faith through her amazing voice at FLC. Pr. Katie sows some seeds of scripture and Deborah Hansen prays for you.

Jul 13, 2023•35 min

Spirituality Matters

Dir. of Spiritual Formation Deborah Hansen chats about what's in the works for this fall and Pr. Steve and Pr. Craig wrestle with a person's deep question of spirituality.

Jul 06, 2023•40 min

Blast Off!

Pr. Katie describes her best week ever as Pr. Steve dig's in to God's word for our daily lives.

Jun 29, 2023•29 min

Healthy Conflict

Pr. Katie talks about getting to the other side of conflict while Dr. Jorie and Bob Koenig dream about Renewing God's House again.

Jun 22, 2023•40 min

Role Model

Pr. Steve talks about one of his greatest mentors this Father's Day while Michael Beckman gives us the skinny on our once-a-month summer Wednesday night worship services.

Jun 15, 2023•27 min

Equity vs. Equality

Pr. Steve mulls over Jesus' challenge to truly welcome all people and give them each what they need while Brett & Marita Wolgast give us the scoop about our upcoming summer concerts.

Jun 08, 2023•31 min

Racial Justice

Wellington Heights Community Church Pr. Keeyon Carter and FLC Council Member Tonya Trudo discuss what we are doing together as people of faith to promote racial justice in our community.

Jun 01, 2023•40 min

Magic of Art

Worship Artists Dee Anderson, Dawn Hysler, & Will Mittelsteadt marvel at how art can bring people to faith while Pr. Steve chats about Israel and the Word of God.

May 25, 2023•41 min

A Holy Journey

Martha Bonte and Nancy Pugh talk about their life-altering trip to the Holy Land, Michael Beckmann reflects on graduation, Pr. Katie prays for you, and Pr. Craig takes your questions.

May 18, 2023•27 min

Kid Preachers

Tanya Rosenkranz-Malloy describes the magic of reaching little kids’ hearts through music and Spiritual Director Deborah Hansen chats with Pr. Craig about the Engagement Task Force.

May 11, 2023•30 min

Engaging the Faith

Special guest Pr. Katie Lowe Lancaster talks about her return to First Lutheran in Cedar Rapids, the challenges of children's ministry coming out of Covid, and busy parents being present with Jesus. Will Mittelsteadt joins Pr. Craig to talk about our engagement initiatives, and we answer your question, "What happens to all those Offering of Gratitude cards?!" Episode One of the Faith First Podcast is here!

May 04, 2023•31 min

Preview

Learn about Faith First: a podcast about faith and life created for you by First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, IA.

May 04, 2023•44 sec

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