“Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.” Prayer is a mystical union between the Church and the Trinity. We pray to the Father, through the Holy Spirit, in the words Jesus taught us. Yet just because prayer is mystical does not mean it must remain mysterious. Jesus brings prayer back to three simple movements: acknowledging who God is, who we are, and how things could be. As we begin People of Prayer, may we grow confident in our prayers, participate in God’s Kingdom, and see those prayers come to life. May our prayers be as faithful as our actions. Passage: Matthew 6:9-13 CEB

Today we are wrapping up our Summer at the Movies series, and for this final week, we are stepping into the world of Zootopia. At first glance, Zootopia looks like a colorful city full of every kind of animal imaginable. Different species, different backgrounds, different instincts, different stories—all trying to live together in one place. But as the story unfolds, we begin to see that even in a place that looks diverse, not everyone is fully seen, fully heard, or fully welcomed. In Luke 14, Jesus is at a table. But as always with Jesus, the table is never just about food. The table becomes a picture of the Kingdom of God. It becomes a place where status is challenged, pride is exposed, and invitation becomes holy. A church that lacks a kaleidoscope of experiences and stories will not look like the Kingdom of God. Our diversity and our differences do not weaken the Church. They make us stronger. They help us see more clearly, love more deeply, and reflect the heart of God more faithfully. The Kingdom table is not complete until the forgotten, the overlooked, and the unexpected have a seat. Passage: Luke 14: 1-10 CEB. Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

The Summer at the Movies series continues this week, and we are stepping into one of the most iconic stories ever told on screen: Star Wars. At its heart, Star Wars is a story about light and darkness, good and evil, hope and redemption. And one of the most powerful moments comes when everyone else sees Darth Vader as a monster, but Luke Skywalker still sees something more. Everyone else sees judgment. Luke looks for light. And that brings us to one of the most familiar stories Jesus ever told: the story of the prodigal son. So today, we are asking: Who are we in the story? Are we the younger son? Are we the older brother? Or are we being invited to become more like the Father? Because when people encounter the Church, may they encounter people who look like Jesus: full of truth, full of grace, and ready to run toward the ones God has never stopped loving. Maybe the Church is called to be the love they were looking for. Passage: Luke 15: 11-32 CEB. Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

Last week, we talked about our true identity and why it really matters. I said often that who you are—who you truly are—matters to God. This week, I want to zoom out a little. Because who we are does not only matter personally. It matters communally. It matters because we belong to one another. We need one another. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that the church is not simply a room full of individuals. The church is a body. And a disconnected body will never thrive. So as we continue our Summer at the Movies series with Avengers Assembled, we are asking what it means to be part of the team God has called together. Because every super needs a team. And the church exists to be that team. Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 CEB. Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

The Summer at the Movies sermon series has begun, and it is always one of my favorites. It gives us the chance to dive deeply into our faith while also giving us permission to laugh, wonder, and hold lightly some powerful lessons. Sometimes the stories that seem the most familiar can help us see the truth of the Gospel in a fresh way. This week, we are stepping into the world of Toy Story and asking a question that matters deeply to every single one of us: Who am I, really? Because who you are—who you truly are—matters to God. So often, we chase identity in what we do, what people think of us, what we accomplish, or where we feel like we belong. But Ephesians reminds us that our truest identity is not something we earn. It is something we receive in Christ. You are loved. You are chosen. You are redeemed. You are a child of God. So grab your popcorn, pull up a seat, and let’s head to infinity and beyond—toward the truth of who God says we are. Passage: Ephesians 1:3-14 CEB. Used with Permission. Streaming License Number: 1535932.

It's my privilege to serve as the summer pastoral intern here at Shepherd's. This season has given me the opportunity to learn and grow alongside our incredible staff, and it has also given me the chance to spend a lot of time with Michael LaBlanc. When we hear the word *piety*, we often think about personal spiritual disciplines—prayer, reading Scripture, fasting, worship, and personal devotion. All of these are essential to the Christian life. Yet Christian piety was never meant to be lived in isolation. The Christian life is both personal and communal. We are called to grow in our relationship with God, but we are also called to help one another grow. The writer of Hebrews reminds us not to neglect gathering together, but to encourage one another and spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Jesus reinforces this truth in Luke's Gospel. When He sends out His disciples into the mission field, He doesn't send them out alone—He sends them in pairs. From the beginning, the work of God's Kingdom has been a shared mission. Today, we're reminded that piety is not simply about becoming holy by ourselves; it's about becoming holy together. Hebrews 10:24-25 CEB

It's Father's Day, a day when we celebrate not only our dads but also one of the many ways Scripture speaks about God—as Father. But here at Shepherds, it's also Pie + Tea Sunday. Why Pie + Tea? Well, because one Sunday I wanted to preach about piety, and "piety" sounds a little bit like "pie and tea." That's the honest answer. But there's a deeper reason too. At Shepherds, we aspire to be slightly odd, a little different from the norm. We believe faithfulness sometimes looks strange to the world around us. And that's exactly where today's passage takes us. It invites us into a way of life that may seem unusual, even countercultural—a life shaped by God's kingdom rather than the expectations of everyone else. So happy are we who seek to live a little strangely, a little differently, and a little more faithfully. Passage: Matthew 5: 3-11 CEB

This week, we're excited to share a message from our guest preacher, Reverend Emily Hotho. As we listen, we pray that God will encourage, challenge, and strengthen us through His Word. So wherever you're listening from, let's lean in together and hear what the Lord has for us today. Passage: John 10: 11-16 CEB

Thank you for joining us. Today, we answer questions submitted by members of our church and community—questions about God, Scripture, faith, life, and what it means to follow Jesus today. While the questions may come from different experiences and perspectives, our goal is always the same: to seek biblical truth, offer Christ-centered encouragement, and help one another grow in faith. So let's open God's Word and explore today's submitted questions. Welcome to "Ask A Pastor" anything.

Last week we talked about silence, and honestly, I've never felt more countercultural. As followers of Jesus, we often live in a tension. We are called to love the people of this world deeply while also recognizing that the way things are is not the way God intended them to be. We celebrate what is good, beautiful, and true, while also naming the places where our culture pulls us away from the life God desires for us. Last week's conversation about silence was a prime example of that. So many of you reached out afterward and thanked me for the sermon, and I think part of the reason is because noise has become the drug of choice in our culture. We are constantly surrounded by distractions, notifications, entertainment, and information. Many of us have forgotten what it feels like to simply be still. This week, I want to take on another heavyweight: busyness. In many ways, busyness has become a badge of honor. We wear packed schedules like trophies. We equate activity with significance and productivity with worth. Yet Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry. He was fully present, fully engaged, and yet deeply rested in the Father's love. Today, we're talking about one of God's greatest gifts and one of our most neglected means of grace: Sabbath. My prayer is that we would boldly love God through rest, not because we've earned it, but because God has given it. And as we learn to embrace Sabbath, may we more fully experience the love, light, and hope of Jesus Christ. Passage: Psalms 92: 1-15 CEB