Creating Hope
Pr. Katie describes the first story of "The Jesse Tree" and the hope we find in creation and we hear from you what you all are thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Nov 27, 2024•36 min
Faith First
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.
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Episodes
Jesse Tree
Pr. Steve describes the hope we have in Jesus who sprouts forth from a seemingly hopeless situation while Will Mittelsteadt runs down the plethora of opportunities for us to bask in the birth of our savior.
Nov 21, 2024•34 min
Salt and Light
On this episode our Pastors dig into what it means to be "Salt and Light" on earth today; bringing a zest and vibrancy as we welcome people like Christ.
Nov 14, 2024•30 min
Prodigal God
Pr. Craig asks for help from Pr. Steve & Pr. Katie to take a closer look at his favorite scripture, the Prodigal Son. How big can God's welcome get for us? The three take a deep dive into the answer.
Nov 06, 2024•34 min
Welcome Like Christ
Pr. Steve, Marita, & Pr. Craig all describe what All Hollow's Eve (Halloween) and All Saints Day mean for eternally for each of us to experience God's Welcome in Christ and how we can live out that call to welcome others with the same confidence that Christ welcomes us.
Oct 31, 2024•30 min
Stir Up in Us Your Holy Spirit
Visitation Chaplain Sheila Anderson shares some inspiring stories of home visits during a massive home communion effort while Pr. Steve talks about the Holy Spirit's work in our 9th graders affirming their Baptism this coming weekend.
Oct 25, 2024•27 min
Failed Dumpster Dive
Are there any bad chairs that don't belong at Christ's Holy Communion table? Pr. Craig talks about a failed attempt to save chairs from the landfill as we ponder our role in the mission to Build a Bigger Table where all have a seat. Also Deb Hansen invites you to pray for for peace for our upcoming Presidential election at a brand new style of prayer service on Oct. 31.
Oct 16, 2024•33 min
Good/Bad Communion
Is there a wrong way for a church to do Communion? Pr. Katie & Pr. Craig ponder Paul's harsh words to a church for not partaking in Communion in a God-honoring way. Find out how they messed up and what we can do to get it right on this week's episode.
Oct 10, 2024•35 min
Why the Lord's Prayer?
Why do we say the Lord's Prayer before every time we gather for communion when Jesus likely didn't say it before his Last Supper with his friends? Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve ponder giving thanks before we eat and the forgiveness it brings while Jasmine Wu announces a special distinction for First Lutheran Church as we get ready to battle hunger with another great CROP walk.
Oct 03, 2024•36 min
Receiving Forgiveness
Does God loves us DESPITE us? Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig ponder the question of what God gives us in Holy Communion in exchange for our own death and sinfulness.
Sep 27, 2024•34 min
In, With & Under
If Christ is in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father as scripture tells us, how can he be in the bread, let alone live in our hearts? Pr. Craig & Pr. Katie answer the question "Where is Jesus" when we take Holy Communion today.
Sep 20, 2024•30 min
Welcome All
Pr. Steve and Pr. Craig talk about how unworthy all of the disciples were to receive the very first Holy Communion, yet Christ still showed them grace and fed them. How much more will Christ welcome us?
Sep 13, 2024•31 min
Giving Thanks Away
Pr. Steve teaches us how Jesus models giving thanks to God and then encourages us to give our thanks away to people in need while Tonya Trudo addresses the reason for a burst of applause at the end of a worship service this week.
Sep 05, 2024•34 min
New Wednesday Slate
Tanya Rosenkranz Malloy & Pr. Katie talk about the reasoning behind the decision to shake up our Wednesday night schedule to better spiritually serve families in our ever changing world, then Pr. Katie chats with Pr. Craig about our final message in our Turning Points series, one of the most dramatic turning points in the Bible.
Aug 29, 2024•37 min
New Here?
New Members Pat Young and Connie Robertson give us some tips on how to help those navigating our church for the first time and Pr. Steve focuses us on what's important as we prepare to gather for a Big Tent Celebration this weekend.
Aug 22, 2024•37 min
Daniel Kraus
Find out why New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus calls his new book Whalefall "the most spiritual and meaningful book I've ever written," how it ties into the book of Jonah, and how the journey of the main character might just give you hope in a dark time.
Aug 15, 2024•41 min
Jonah & Whalefall
Pr. Craig describes how his childhood friend and New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Kraus's book, Whalefall, is connected to the story of God guiding Jonah and to the story of God guiding us.
Aug 07, 2024•39 min
Is All Hope Lost?
Pr. Katie talks about the destruction of the first temple and God turning what should have been the end of the story to the beginning. The people of God no longer hold sacred a building, but a savior.
Aug 01, 2024•33 min
Here I Am!
Pr. Steve, Pr. Katie, & Pr. Craig describe the controversy of deception and stealing happening in the church in 1 Samuel that led God to call upon a youth to lead the church back to good standing on this week’s Faith First podcast.
Jul 25, 2024•40 min
Ruth's Courageous Choice
Special Guest Pr. Trish Decker of Gloria Dei Lutheran engages in a heartfelt conversation with Pr. Craig about the current challenging climate we live in and the courageous choice Ruth made to not only listen but to follow a person with different ideology than hers. Plus Young Adult William Wicks introduces us to some international friends who are teaching our children this week.
Jul 19, 2024•43 min
Developing Leaders
Pr. Katie dives into the story of Lydia, a faithful leader of a different kind in the Bible while she and Michael Beckmann guide our children and youth to special faith experiences to shape their hearts and minds towards Christ developing them as leaders of today's ever-changing church.
Jul 11, 2024•35 min
Parting Ways with Bondage
Pr. Craig muses with Pr. Steve why God would go to such great lengths such as parting an entire sea to deliver God's people into freedom and create a new nation on the weekend we celebrate the birth of our own nation and gift of freedom in America.
Jul 04, 2024•31 min
Fiery Encounters & Liminal Spaces
Pr. Steve describes Moses meeting God in a burning bush as entering a razor thin area between heaven and earth known as a "liminal space" and says we can have those encounters too while Suah Borsay talks about clothing 593 babies at a time halfway across the world with your help.
Jun 28, 2024•36 min
Wrestling with God
Pr. Katie describes a wrestling match Jacob has with God and how such divine encounters can turn our humiliation into humbleness.
Jun 20, 2024•35 min
God Makes the Impossible Possible
Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig talk about Fatherhood through the lens of the "father of many nations," Abraham while Pr. Katie shares great news about kids finding Jesus.
Jun 13, 2024•37 min
40 Years of Wolgast
Brett & Marita Wolgast open up about their relationship as they prepare to mark their 40th anniversary this summer while Pr. Steve and Bruce Lindholm prepare the congregation for a pivotal vote on the building project.
Jun 07, 2024•35 min
Food Turning Point
Cedar Rapids Mayor and FLC Member Tiffany O'Donnell gives her church the inside scoop as to what the city is doing to replace First Ave. Hy-Vee and Pr. Steve & Pr. Craig discuss our new worship series "Turning Points."
May 30, 2024•43 min
Pokemon Jesus
Pr. Steve ponders if Jesus was just a human like us with comic book superpowers...or was their possible more to him? Meanwhile, High School Senior Maya Carstensen gives her thoughts on graduation, the state of the church, and a recent touching experience in worship.
May 23, 2024•38 min
Spiritual Leadership
Pr. Steve, Pr. Craig & Deborah Hansen discuss leadership and how the Spirit guides both our actions as a church and our individual futures as people.
May 16, 2024•39 min
Be the Best Neighbor
Pr. Craig & Pr. Steve talk about the significance of Christ choosing a person outside of his circle to reveal himself to the world and what effect that has on you and me to be the best neighbors to people who don't look like us or act like us. Plus Brett & Marita Wolgast gear up the choir for Jolly Old England.
May 09, 2024•36 min
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