Menlo Church Podcasts

James opens with a punch: "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." In the Bay Area, we are experts at fragmentation—we have a "work self," a "home self," and a "church self." But a Follower of the Way seeks integration. James compares the Word to a mirror; it shows us who we really are. The tragedy is looking at the mirror, seeing the mess, and walking away without changing. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

In this series finale of the Menlo Midweek Podcast, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank wrap up seven weeks of exploring the world’s major worldviews by turning their focus directly toward the heart of Christianity: the Gospel. Reflecting on the journey from Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Mormonism, Catholicism, and Agnosticism, this episode draws a stark line between every human transaction, where we try to perform, prove, or bribe our way to God and the true Gospel, where God reverses direction and gives us a way home. Matt and Phil unpack how religion acts as humanity’s attempt to climb back to Eden, why the distinction between a bribe and a gift matters so deeply, and how even well-meaning Christians accidentally turn grace back into performance.

Get to know two familiar faces stepping into new leadership roles at Menlo Church! Our Lead Pastor Phil sits down with Tommy, the new San Mateo Campus Pastor, and Brett, the new Mountain View Campus Pastor, to discuss their journeys, family life, and heart for their respective communities. From fun icebreakers to behind-the-scenes stories of their transitions within Menlo, Tommy and Brett share the unique personalities of their campuses, their deepest hopes and prayers for the coming year, and how you can get plugged in. We know you'll enjoy this one.   Next Steps: Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday.

In every other worldview, you are the one working. In the Gospel, God is the one who worked. Today, you can stop striving and start trusting. We wrap up the series by looking at the final words of Jesus on the Cross: "It is finished." We revisit every religion we’ve studied and see how Jesus is the final answer to every human "Do." Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

In this week's episode, Phil EuBank sits down with Matt Summers to dive into Sunday’s message on irreligion, agnosticism, and the widespread assumption that "good people are fine." They explore the cultural default of the Bay Area, where many people don't claim a formal religion but instead live out a form of secular humanism or moralistic therapeutic deism, hoping their good intentions and decent behavior will ultimately be enough. Phil shares a deeply moving story about pastoring through tragic loss and contrasts the world's transactional thinking with Jesus’s encounter with the rich young ruler in Mark 10. Together, Phil and Matt discuss why Jesus desires our hearts rather than our moral resumes, exposing how easily even church culture can drift into busyness and performance over genuine relationship. 🎙️ In This Episode The Cultural Default: Examining secular humanism and the widespread belief that being a decent person is all God or the universe requires. Relationship Over Transaction: Looking at Mark 10 and Matthew 7 to discover why Jesus asks for our hearts rather than a list of spiritual accomplishments. Processing Brokenness: How moments of tragedy expose the limits of self-reliance and point us toward the true hope of the gospel. Guarding Against Drift: Identifying how easily believers can trade simple abide-and-trust faith for busyness and performance loops. 💬 Discussion Questions Where do you see the "I am a good person, so I will be fine" mindset show up in your own thinking or in conversations with friends and coworkers? In Mark 10, Jesus looked at the rich young ruler and loved him before addressing his heart. How does knowing Jesus loves you right where you are change the way you respond to His invitation? What is one practical way you can prioritize abiding in a relationship with Jesus this week rather than just doing tasks for Him? 📅 Series Schedule Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions. Check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism (Available Now) July 19: Mormonism (Available Now) July 26: Catholicism (Available Now) August 2: The Nones / Agnostics (Available Now) August 9: It is Finished - The Gospel 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon:  https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-religion-of-good-people-the-nones-agnostics  Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe, or if you don't believe anything at all, you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Culture tells us to just be a good person. In this message, Lead Pastor Phil EuBank addresses the most popular "religion" today—the belief that as long as we're better than the person next door, we're fine. When faith becomes a matter of moral comparison, we realize "good" is a moving target. Looking at Matthew 7, we see why "good works" are no substitute for a relationship with Jesus. Christianity isn't about bad people becoming good, but about dead people coming to life—and Jesus doesn't just want your "goodness"; He wants your heart. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

In this week's episode, Phil EuBank sits down with Matt Summers to dive into Sunday’s message, The System of Merit. Framing Roman Catholicism as our theological parent in the Christian family tree, they explore how a system built on human merit, sacraments, and tradition can subtly turn faith into a tollbooth or a self-funded spiritual insurance policy. Together, Phil and Matt discuss the core contrasts of the Protestant Reformation, specifically Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) and salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Drawing from Phil's childhood friendship with a local priest named Father Michael, they highlight the vital need to hold deep conviction without losing the humble, loving posture of Jesus. They also turn the mirror on Protestant culture, exposing the invisible performance tolls we often pay when we try to earn God's love or blame ourselves during life's hardships. Listen to the Menlo Midweek Podcast Tune into new episodes released every Wednesday as we break down Sunday’s sermon, share behind-the-scenes insights, and discuss practical ways to live out our faith. Listen now at menlo.church/podcasts. 🎙️ In This Episode The Family Tree: Viewing Catholicism as our theological parent and recognizing shared history while clarifying key Reformation distinctions. Tollbooths vs. Free Gift: Examining how a system of merit and cooperation can turn faith into an anxious attempt to self-fund eternal security. Posture Over Winning: Learning from Phil’s childhood friendship with Father Michael on how to hold firm conviction without losing the humble, loving heart of Jesus. Invisible Tolls We Pay: Uncovering the subtle ways Protestants fall into merit-based thinking, performance loops, and self-condemnation. 💬 Discussion Questions In what ways do you find yourself paying "invisible tolls" by trying to earn God's favor or blaming yourself when difficult circumstances happen? Phil shared how Father Michael showed a Christlike posture even amidst theological differences. How can you practice holding strong conviction while maintaining humility and grace toward others? How does resting in the truth that Scripture is our ultimate authority (Sola Scriptura) and that grace is completely unearned bring peace to your daily walk with God? 📅 Series Schedule Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions. Check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism (Available Now) July 19: Mormonism (Available Now) July 26: Catholicism (Available Now) August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished - The Gospel 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-system-of-merit-catholicism Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe, or if you don't believe anything at all, you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Catholicism tells us to maintain our salvation through merit. In this message, Lead Pastor Phil EuBank examines the sacramental system and the idea that we must “stay” in a state of grace through our own participation and penance. When faith becomes a system of "maintaining" our status, we lose the joy of our salvation. Instead, we build our lives on the Rock of Christ's finished work, recognizing that the sacraments aren't ways we earn grace, but ways we celebrate the grace already finished on the Cross. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

In this week's episode, host Peter Sherman sits down with Spiritual Formation Pastor Matt Summers to unpack Sunday’s message, The Ladder of Modern Prophets. In the LDS system, salvation is often framed as a partnership where we provide maximum effort and God provides the supplement. But striving to follow laws, ordinances, and temple works to achieve exaltation creates an exhausting, moving finish line. It leaves us trapped in the anxiety of never knowing if we have done enough to qualify for God's presence. Together, Peter and Matt explore the contrast offered by the gospel. Grace is not a top-off to patch up our performance, and the work of Jesus is not a supplement to our effort; it is a total substitute for it. Instead of climbing a spiritual ladder to prove our value, we discover the life-changing freedom of stepping off the performance loop and living from the worth Jesus has already given us. Listen to the Menlo Midweek Podcast Tune into new episodes released every Wednesday as we break down Sunday’s sermon, share behind-the-scenes insights, and discuss practical ways to live out our faith. Listen now at menlo.church/podcasts. 🎙️ In This Episode The "Do" Framework: Exploring the weight of "grace after all we can do" and why striving for exaltation creates an exhausting finish line. The "Done" of Jesus: How Christ's work serves as a complete substitute for our effort rather than just a supplement. Working From Worth: Shifting from working for God's love and approval to living out of the worth He has already granted us. Practical Grace: How to step off personal performance ladders in everyday life and love our neighbors with genuine curiosity and respect. 💬 Discussion Questions Where in your life are you tempted to view grace as a "top-off" for your own efforts rather than a total gift? How does shifting from working for God's love to working from God's love change your daily perspective and peace of mind? What is one practical way you can rest in the "Done" work of Jesus this week instead of trying to prove your worth? 📅 Series Schedule Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions. Check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism (Available Now) July 19: Mormonism (Available Now) July 26: Catholicism August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished – The Gospel 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-ladder-of-modern-prophets-mormonism  Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe, or if you don't believe anything at all, you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

What if grace isn't a reward for climbing a religious ladder, but a gift that meets you right at the bottom? Pastor of Spiritual Formation Matt Summers continues our Let’s Be Honest series by exploring the theology of the Latter-day Saints Church and the idea of grace after all we can do. In a system where salvation is treated as a partnership of human effort and divine supplement, it is easy to get trapped in the anxiety of never knowing if you have done enough. While modern prophets offer frameworks to reach godhood, Christianity points to a God who came down the ladder to reach us. Instead of an endless checklist of requirements, the gospel offers the life-changing freedom of a grace that cannot be earned. We look at the core differences regarding who God is, who Jesus is, and how we are saved, discovering that our worth does not live on the next rung of performance. Join us as we learn to trade striving for the security of a Savior, realizing that when the frameworks falter, Jesus alone is enough. Listen to the Menlo Midweek Podcast Want to dive deeper into this week’s message? Tune into the Menlo Midweek Podcast, released every Wednesday, where we break down the major themes and share behind-the-scenes personal insights that didn’t make it into Sunday’s sermon. Listen now at menlo.church/podcasts. Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 Connect With Us Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)  

We are continuing our summer series, Let’s Be Honest, a thoughtful, humble exploration of what it means to navigate faith, culture, and big intellectual questions today. This week, host Matt Summers sits down with Brett Koerten for an honest, deeply respectful look at Buddhism. Instead of relying on easy stereotypes, they start with a deeply human question we all face: why life feels unstable and why even the good things in this world never seem to last. Using the metaphor of two glasses—one empty, one full—they explore how different paths approach this universal ache. While Buddhism focuses on emptying ourselves of cravings to find peace, Christianity offers a completely different hope. You see, Christianity has an emptying too. But instead of that emptying being a requirement by us to receive freedom, in Jesus, God emptied himself to enter our suffering, take it upon himself, and make us whole. 📍 In This Episode: Naming Reality as It Is: Recognizing what Buddhism sees clearly about the heavy reality of human pain, and why Christians shouldn't just "put a smile on" and ignore suffering. The Empty vs. The Full Glass: Unpacking the fundamental fork in the road between a spiritual path aimed at total detachment and a Gospel aimed at relational restoration. The "GLP-1" of Religions: A fun, insightful look at how emptying ourselves can feel like an inoculation from the noise of the world, and where we must have our antennae up regarding "mindfulness syncretism." From Meditation to Relational Prayer: Brett shares practical, next-step coaching on how to transition from solo, self-reliant emptying into conversational prayer with a God who wants to carry your weight. 💬 Discussion Question: If you’ve been practicing mindfulness or meditation, is it pulling you toward trying to empty yourself of anxiety on your own, or is it leading you to cast your cares onto a living Savior who actively wants to carry them with you? #MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #TheCycleOfSelfLiberation #LetsBeHonest #Buddhism #MenloMidweekPodcast 📅 Series Schedule: Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions—check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism (Available Now) July 19: Mormonism July 26: Catholicism August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished (The Gospel) 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-cycle-of-self-liberation-buddhism Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe—or if you don't believe anything at all—you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)  

Buddhism identifies suffering as the core human problem and offers the Eightfold Path as the solution. It is a religion of radical self-effort and "emptying" oneself to find peace. This week, we compare the "work" of self-liberation with the "rest" of the Gospel. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

We are kicking off week two of our summer series, Let’s Be Honest, a thoughtful, humble exploration of what it truly means to navigate faith, culture, and big intellectual questions in today's world. Host Matt Summers sits down with Menlo Church Lead Pastor Phil EuBank to take an honest, respectful look at Islam. Together, they discuss the critical importance of engaging with other worldviews on their own terms—seeking to understand the strongest, most intelligent form of what another faith actually teaches rather than knocking down weak, uncharitable caricatures. Phil pulls back the curtain on his own inbox to share the raw, tension-filled feedback he receives from both sides of the conversation, using it to highlight how difficult yet vital it is to thread the needle of truth and love in our local communities. The conversation dives deep into the heart of the weekend message, contrasting two fundamentally different documents: the "report card" of performance versus the "birth certificate" of identity. While the five pillars of Islam demand an admirable, rigorous level of human effort, discipline, and devotion, they ultimately leave even their greatest prophets facing a ledger of profound spiritual uncertainty. Matt and Phil explore how the radical promise of Jesus completely upends the scales of behavior modification. Instead of offering a manual or an oppressive checklist to measure up, the Gospel offers an invitation to abide daily in a living relationship with a Savior who already overcame the grave to secure who we are. 📍 In This Episode: Honesty Over Caricature: Discussing how to represent other faith systems with profound respect, intellectual clarity, and curiosity rather than trying to "own" the other side. Report Card vs. Birth Certificate: Analyzing the foundational difference between a performance-driven faith that evaluates your best efforts and the gospel-driven security of knowing your identity is anchored in Christ. The Admirable Weight of the Pillars: Taking a respectful look at the intense devotion, prayer rhythms, and deep commitment required by the five pillars of Islam, and why structure is so compelling to a confused world. Engaging with Our Neighbors: Practical, warm advice on how to initiate honest, safe, and friendly conversations with the Muslim friends and co-workers in your life without feeling the pressure to "seal the deal." 💬 Discussion Question: Are you treating your daily faith like a report card to be graded on your performance, or are you living out of the security of a birth certificate that defines your identity as a child of God? #MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #TheFivePillarsOfEffort #LetsBeHonest #Islam #MenloMidweekPodcast 📅 Series Schedule: Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions—check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam (Available Now) July 12: Buddhism July 19: Mormonism July 26: Catholicism August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished (The Gospel) 🎒 Next Steps & Resources Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Sermon Study Guide Dive into this week's discussion with your small group or family: https://www.menlo.church/resources/2026-07-05-sermon-study-guide-lets-be-honest-week-2-islam Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-five-pillars-of-effort-islam Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402 Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope Explore Faith at Alpha Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe—or if you don't believe anything at all—you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. 📱 Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Islam means "submission," and it offers a clear path of five pillars to please God. But even the most devout lives in uncertainty—will my good deeds outweigh my bad? We explore the exhausting nature of trying to earn the favor of a distant Master. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! We are kicking off a brand new summer series called Let’s Be Honest, a thoughtful, humble exploration of what it truly means to navigate faith, culture, and big intellectual questions in today's world. Host Matt Summers sits down with Menlo Church Lead Pastor Phil EuBank to lay the groundwork for this series. Together, they tackle how to hold honesty and conviction together, ensuring we can explore what Christianity teaches without becoming dismissive, simplistic, or unfair toward other world views. Phil even shares a deeply personal look into his own story, opening up about how his mother was a first-generation Russian Jew whose discovery of Jesus as the Messiah completely reshaped how he reads and understands the biblical text. To start things off, the discussion begins with the historical and biblical foundations of Judaism under the episode title, "The Burden of the Law." While many view religious rules as a ladder to climb up to God or a checklist to prove they are a "good person," Phil breaks down why the Law was actually intended to function as a mirror rather than a ladder. The conversation dives deep into the central promise that changes everything: Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it perfectly in our place. Whether you are a long-time churchgoer evaluating if you've drifted into trying to earn a gift that is already free, or a curious listener trying to sort through different religious ideas, this episode offers an honest look at why we can stop trying to measure up.   📍 In This Episode: Honesty Over Caricature: Setting the tone for the new series and discussing how to "steel-man" other belief systems with profound respect, intellectual clarity, and curiosity. A Personal Legacy: Phil shares how growing up in a home with a Jewish heritage gave him a unique, second-nature perspective on reading the New Testament through a Jewish lens. The Law as a Thermometer: Moving past the idea of the Law as an oppressive checklist to see how it functions like a thermometer—it tells you the temperature of the soul, but lacks the power of a thermostat to change it. Grace vs. Performance: A challenging look at why even regular churchgoers can accidentally treat faith like a ladder, and how Jesus' fulfillment of the Law sets us free from the burden of performance.   💬 Discussion Question: Are you currently living with the assumption that you need to be good enough, do enough, or measure up to be okay, or are you actively resting in the grace that has already been given to you? #MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #TheBurdenOfTheLaw #LetsBeHonest #Judaism #MenloMidweekPodcast   📅 Series Schedule Over the next several weeks, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions—check out the full series schedule below: June 28: Judaism (Available Now) July 5: Islam July 12: Buddhism July 19: Mormonism July 26: Catholicism August 2: The Nones / Agnostics August 9: It is Finished (The Gospel)   🎒 Get Connected Watch or Catch Up Watch this episode on our website: http://menlo.church/podcasts  Watch the accompanying weekend sermon: https://www.menlo.church/sermons/the-burden-of-the-law-judaism   Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you find your place at Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out.   Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids  Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students  Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries  Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church  Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church    Music bed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) | (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)  

Many people believe that if they just follow the "rules" (The Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule), they will be right with God. We look at the rich history of Judaism and the 613 laws intended to guide God's people. However, the Law was never meant to be a ladder to heaven; it was meant to be a mirror showing us we can't get there on our own.  Text Our Team: (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us 

Father’s Day in the church can often feel like a strange, high-stakes tension—usually landing somewhere between a heavy guilt trip and a shallow Hallmark greeting card. In this Father's Day episode, Matt Summers and Tommy Lum sit down to unpack a weekend message that intentionally tried to be neither. Instead, the conversation centers on Joseph, perhaps the quietest major character in the entire New Testament, and how his life offers us an incredibly honest, generous, and grounding picture of what faithful presence actually looks like in our lives today. The discussion dives into the powerful, counter-cultural reality of Joseph’s story: he never gives a single speech, he never argues with God, and he never demands to explain himself to the culture around him. Instead, he simply wakes up and does exactly what he is told to do, over and over again, in the midst of wild, scandalous circumstances that would easily unravel most of us.  The conversation holds space for every kind of father, father figure, and family dynamic in the room, ending with a deeply hopeful look at why Joseph’s quiet disappearance before Jesus' public ministry might just be the most encouraging thing we can say to anyone showing up and doing the hard work for someone else right now. 📍 In This Episode: **Beyond the Greeting Card:** Tearing down the traditional, often exhausting cultural stereotypes around Father's Day to look at a healthier, more sustainable framework for men, fathers, and families. **The Quietest Major Character:** Examining the unique biblical narrative of Joseph, a man of zero recorded words whose radical obedience was defined by steady action rather than a microphone. **Faithful Presence Under Pressure:** How Joseph navigated deeply complex, confusing, and high-stakes life circumstances by simply waking up and taking the next right step of obedience every morning. **The Grace of Disappearing:** Unpacking the profound, hopeful truth behind Joseph fading into the background of the New Testament, and what that teaches us about legacy, humility, and pouring into the next generation.  💬 Discussion Question: When you think about the people who have impacted your life or faith the most, how did their quiet, consistent presence shape who you are today? **#MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #FathersDay #StrengthDoesntHaveToBeLoud**

The most faithful people in the room are often the ones nobody's talking about. Joseph shows us that strength doesn't require volume; it requires presence, obedience, and the willingness to play a long game you'll never see completed. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

We have reached the finale of our Glitch series, a month-long conversation about what it truly means to be human in a machine world. After exploring awe, agency, and identity, host Matt Summers sits down with teaching pastor Phil EuBank to tackle the final, most vulnerable layer of this cultural moment: intimacy. Reflecting on the real-time feedback from the Menlo Church lobby over the last few weeks, Matt and Phil unpack how living in a hyper-optimized, digital environment has quietly exposed a profound undercurrent of loneliness and exhaustion in our community. This episode dives deep into the weekend message, "Going Offline," moving past abstract fears of AI companions to look at the immediate reality of how technology is actively retraining us. When we become accustomed to frictionless, digital interactions, our tolerance for real-world relational messiness plummets. Phil challenges us to consider a sobering reality: relationships that never push and pull only take and never give. By looking at Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11 and Paul's words on being "fully known" in 1 Corinthians 13, this conversation serves as a beautiful, practical roadmap for recovering our humanity through the slow, messy, and restorative work of real community. 📍 In This Episode: The Retraining of Relationships: How technology isn't just replacing human connection, but actively altering our expectations, making us less patient with the natural friction of real-life intimacy. The Push and Pull of Intimacy: A breakdown of why authentic relationships require vulnerability, inconvenience, and the willingness to be stretched rather than simply mirrored or tracked. The True Definition of A.I.: Unpacking the double meaning behind the entire series—how the modern world constantly offers us artificial awe, artificial agency, artificial identity, and artificial intimacy. The Cross-Shaped Human: Exploring the beautiful imagery of the four directions of humanity (awe up, agency out, intimacy across, identity within) and how the cross forms the true shape of a whole, thriving human being. 💬 Discussion Question: In what areas of your life have digital connections or screens started to replace real, face-to-face relationships? #MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #GoingOffline #Glitch Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

The ultimate result of the machine world is isolation. We are connected to everyone but known by no one. The series concludes by inviting people to "Go Offline" to find a real connection. We move from "Self-Optimization" to "Community Formation." Jesus invites us into the "unforced rhythms of grace," a pace of life that feels like a glitch to the world but feels like home to the soul. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! We are in Week 3 of our series, "GLITCH: Being Human in a Machine World." This week, host Matt Summers and Phil EuBank are joined by a special guest: Paul, co-founder of Faith Work and Tech. In an episode titled "Hardware Crash," the three of them dive into the very real, physical nature of burnout. Living and working in the Bay Area, it’s incredibly easy to operate as if we are just a "brain in a jar," ignoring our hardware (our physical bodies) to constantly serve our software (our productivity, careers, and output). But as we see in the story of the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19, when you crash hard, God doesn't send a software update or a productivity hack. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap and eat a snack. 📍 In This Episode: Dust and Breath: We discuss why burnout is ultimately what happens when our biology finally rebels against the pace of our technology. Faith in a High-Tech World: Paul shares his unique perspective on navigating an industry designed around constant connectivity and how we can faithfully set boundaries when our jobs demand endless output. Elijah’s Broom Tree Moment: A look at how God met one of the most powerful prophets in history at his lowest point with deep physical care and compassion, rather than a new assignment. High Tech / Deep Touch: Why living in a highly digitized, screen-heavy world requires us to be intentional about physical restoration—addressing how our bodies hold onto stress and why we need physical healing, not just spiritual ideas. 💬 Discussion Question: When Elijah crashed, God started his restoration with a nap and a snack. What is one practical way you need to step away from your "software" (productivity) and care for your "hardware" (your physical body) this week? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Burnout is what happens when biology rebels against technology. We ignore our hardware (bodies) to serve the software (productivity). We revisit Elijah under the broom tree, a prophet who crashed hard. God didn’t send a software update; He sent a nap and a snack. We will address trauma, the body keeping the score, and the "High Tech / Deep Touch" reality that we need physical restoration, not just spiritual ideas. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, host Brett Koerton sits down with Phil EuBank to dive into Week 2 of our GLITCH series. In an episode titled "Infinite Loop," they tackle the exhausting reality of anxiety and why relying on our intellect to solve our emotional struggles often leaves us stuck buffering. In the Silicon Valley, we naturally prize "processing power," leading us to believe we can logic our way out of fear. But as Brett and Phil discuss, you simply can’t out-think a broken feeling. 📍 In This Episode: The Buffering Mind: We explore the neurology of the "looping thought" and why anxiety so often feels like a program we can't force-quit. Processing Power vs. Present Peace: A candid conversation about how we try to use "Algorithms" (predictive anxiety) to control our lives, and why the peace of God isn't a logical conclusion, but a spiritual download. Renewing the Mind: We take a deep dive into Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 10:5. What does it actually look like to take a spiraling thought captive in real time? Algorithm to Spirit: Practical steps for shifting your operating system from the exhausting loop of "what-ifs" to the grounding reality of the Holy Spirit. 💬 Discussion Question: When you feel anxious, what is the typical "infinite loop" your brain gets stuck in? What would it look like this week to stop trying to out-think that feeling and instead ask God for a "spiritual download" of peace? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Anxiety is the mind stuck in a buffering loop. In the Valley, we prize "processing power," so we try to logic our way out of fear. But the peace of God isn't a logical conclusion; it's a spiritual download. We will look at the neurology of the "looping thought" and Paul’s command to "renew the mind." This is about moving from "Algorithm" (predictive anxiety) to "Spirit" (present peace). Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, hosts Matt Summers and Phil EuBank kick off our brand-new series, "GLITCH: Being Human in a Machine World," with an episode titled "Fatal Error." Living in the Bay Area, we are surrounded by a culture that demands constant optimization—from our schedules to our sleep to our diets. Yet, despite having all the right "life hacks," anxiety is at an all-time high. Why? Because we are trying to run an infinite soul on a finite operating system, and we are crashing. This episode is an invitation to stop debugging your life and start actually living it. 📍 In This Episode: The "Fatal Error": We discuss the exhaustion that comes from trying to operate like machines and why our souls are breaking under the pressure of constant performance. Bay Area Burnout: A candid look at our local obsession with optimization and why you cannot fix a spiritual problem with a productivity tool. Tending vs. Fixing: Exploring the profound truth that you are not a machine to be fixed; you are a soul to be tended. A Rebellious Act: We talk about the radical, rebellious act of unplugging from the matrix of expectation to recover the breath of God. 💬 Discussion Question: Think about your current routines. Where in your life are you currently treating yourself like a machine to be "fixed" or "optimized," rather than a soul to be tended? #MenloChurch #GlitchSeries #FatalError #MentalHealth #BayArea #Unplug #SoulCare #MenloMidweek Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

We live split lives: The Optimized Self (Avatar) vs. The Exhausted Self (Soul). We treat our emotions like "bugs" in the code, things to be patched or ignored. Your glitch isn't a mistake; it's a dashboard light. It’s your soul screaming that the system is incompatible with your design. God doesn't want to fix your Avatar; He wants to resurrect the Real You buried under the optimization. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect with us

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, host Matt Summers and Phil EuBank sit down to reflect on a truly special standalone weekend across our campuses: Baptism Weekend. Whether faith feels deeply familiar to you, totally unfamiliar, or honestly a little complicated right now, we hope this conversation meets you right where you are. We’re diving deeper into the weekend message, looking at baptism not just as a church tradition or a religious box to check, but through the epic biblical story of Joshua 3 and 4. Israel is standing on the edge of a promise, facing a flood-stage river, and stuck in the heavy tension of "almost." 📍 In This Episode: The Weight of "Almost": What is it about the word "almost" that carries so much emotional and spiritual weight? We discuss what it feels like to be stuck on the edge of where you are and where you want to be. Getting Your Feet Wet: Phil and Matt unpack the profound reality that the Jordan River didn't part until the priests actually stepped into the floodwaters. We explore the deep connection between hope, faith, and the obedience required to just get your feet wet. Memorial Stones: A look at why Israel built a monument of twelve stones after crossing the river. Why do we as humans desperately need visible, physical markers—and how does baptism serve as that kind of anchor in our own lives? What Baptism Is (and Isn't): A clarifying conversation on the theology of baptism. If it isn't an act of salvation, why does it matter so much? Hesitating on the Banks: Encouragement for the person who believes, but has been lingering on the shoreline for a long time. 📢 Upcoming at Menlo: Worship Night: Join us for a powerful night of worship on May 29th at our San Mateo campus! Next Week: We are kicking off our brand-new series, GLITCH. You won't want to miss it! 💬 Discussion Question: Phil mentioned that "Faith is what you believe enough to get your feet wet with." What is one practical way you can step off the bank and get your feet wet in your faith this week? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

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Welcome to a very special Mother's Day edition of the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, we have a takeover in the studio: Rachelle Summers steps in to host, and she is joined by special guests Allison Li and Joan Parker. In an episode aptly titled "No one ever told me," these three women sit down for an honest, refreshing, and deeply relatable conversation about the realities of motherhood. They also unpack the highlights and raw moments from this past weekend's Sunday panel, which featured Phil and Alyssa EuBank alongside Vince and Jo Vitale. 📍 In This Episode: "No One Ever Told Me": Rachelle, Allison, and Joan swap candid stories about the surprises, the challenges, and the beautiful chaos of motherhood that doesn't always make it into the parenting books. Sunday Panel Recap: The group dives into the biggest takeaways from the weekend panel with the EuBanks and the Vitales, discussing the unique tensions and joys of raising a family in today's world. The Messy Middle: A conversation that strips away the pressure of "perfect parenting" and offers grace for the moments when you feel like you’re just figuring things out as you go. Wisdom and Solidarity: Whether you are in the trenches of the toddler years, navigating the complexities of teenagers, or supporting a mom in your life, this episode is packed with laughter, wisdom, and a reminder that you aren't alone. 💬 Discussion Question: Fill in the blank: "When it comes to parenting (or simply navigating adulthood), no one ever told me ________." Share your honest answers below! Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

We want moms to be seen, valued, and know that their work is invaluable. And they are not alone. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, we are incredibly excited to kick off a brand-new series titled "GLITCH." Host Matt Summers sits down with special guest Joey Odom (co-founder of Aro) to talk about the system errors in our modern lives—specifically, our relationship with our phones and technology. In this opening episode, "Digital Thorns," Matt and Joey explore how the constant hum of digital distraction is causing a glitch in the most important parts of our lives, our relationships, and our faith. 📍 In This Episode: The Modern Thorns: We look at Jesus' Parable of the Sower and discuss how the "thorns" that choke out the good seed today often look a lot like our smartphones, social media feeds, and constant notifications. Presence vs. Proximity: Joey shares his personal wake-up calls, highlighting the hard truth that just being in the same room as your family or friends isn't the same thing as being truly present with them. The Psychology of the Scroll: Why is it so hard to put the phone down? We dive into the intentional design behind our devices and why we must be just as intentional about creating boundaries to fix the glitch. Reclaiming Connection: Practical, guilt-free steps to start unplugging, creating healthier rhythms, and opening up the space needed to hear from God and connect deeply with the people right in front of us. 💬 Discussion Question: Think about your screen time this past week. What is one "digital thorn" you can remove today to fix the glitch and be more fully present with God and the people around you? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

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Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank continue our series, "God, If You’re Real," by stepping into the heart-wrenching and hope-filled story of Jairus and his daughter (Luke 8). When we are in the middle of our most desperate prayers, one of our biggest questions is often: “God, are you even paying attention? And if you are, why are you taking so long?” 📍 In This Episode: The Interruption: We explore the tension of the story—Jesus is on his way to save a life, but He stops to address someone else. How do we handle it when God seems to "delay" our miracle to attend to someone else’s need? The Father’s Fear: We put ourselves in Jairus' shoes. What does it look like to approach God with a desperate request when the situation feels like it’s slipping through your fingers? "Do Not Fear, Only Believe": We break down Jesus’ command in the face of impossible news. Is this just a platitude, or is it a radical invitation to trust a different kind of outcome? The Courage to Keep Walking: When the worst-case scenario happens, what keeps us moving forward with Jesus? Reframing "Late": A conversation on the difference between God being late and God being on time—even when that timing defies our human logic. 💬 Reflection Point Jairus had to watch Jesus stop and talk to another person while his own world was falling apart. What does it feel like to wait on God when it feels like He is "distracted" by other things? How can we cultivate trust in His character even when His timing doesn't match our emergency? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Jairus risks his reputation to plead with Jesus. And when all hope seems lost, Jesus still shows up. This message is for those on the edge—wondering if it’s too late.

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! In this episode, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank unpack the raw, honest, and often desperate place where faith meets our most challenging life circumstances. Following up on this past weekend’s message, "If You’re Real, Help Me," we take a deep dive into the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8. This conversation is for anyone who has reached the end of their own resources and is ready to move from the armor of cynicism to the vulnerability of faith. 📍 In This Episode: The Weight of Humanity: We address the reality of being "mentally overloaded and emotionally tired" and why acknowledging our limits is the necessary starting point for a relationship with God. The Isolation of Suffering: We break down why the woman’s condition was so much more than a medical problem—how it affected her social, spiritual, and relational life—and how Jesus stepped into that isolation to offer restoration. The Significance of "Who Touched Me?": Phil explains why Jesus’ question wasn't about annoyance or performance, but about assigning significance to someone the world had forgotten. The Power of Being Called "Daughter": A reflection on how one word from Jesus can restore identity to someone who has been defined by their struggle for years. Cynicism vs. Honest Doubt: Matt and Phil tackle a tough tension: why cynicism is often "pride in disguise" (hopelessness), and how it differs from the honest, questioning doubt that leads us toward God. The Hardest Question: We navigate the tension of unanswered prayers—what do we do when we or those we love don't receive the healing we hope for? 💬 Reflection Point Phil noted that cynicism is often just pride in disguise. If you’re feeling cynical, try to identify if you are protecting yourself from potential disappointment rather than honestly seeking God’s presence. Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

The bleeding woman reaches for Jesus with no words, no plan—just pain. And Jesus stops everything for her. This message speaks to those who are suffering silently, unsure if God notices. Text Our Team (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to the start of a brand-new series at Menlo Church! This week, Matt Summers and Phil EuBank kick things off by leaning into the tension, the doubt, and the honest curiosity that many of us carry. In a world that often demands certainty, we’re starting a conversation titled "God, If You’re Real." This episode focuses on a core value at Menlo: Giving people permission to ask questions. Whether you’ve been a follower of Jesus for decades or you aren’t even sure if God exists, this series is a safe space to bring your "what-ifs" and "how-comes." Join ALPHA: https://www.menlo.church/alpha 📍 In This Episode: Permission to Doubt: Matt and Phil discuss why "I don't know" is a valid spiritual answer and why the church should be the first place people go with their hard questions. The Strength of a Challenged Faith: We dive into the idea that a faith that isn't allowed to be questioned is a faith that cannot grow. Why challenging our own beliefs actually leads to a deeper, more resilient trust in God. Wrestling with the Divine: A look at how some of the most influential figures in the Bible (like Thomas and David) built their relationship with God through honest, raw questioning. Safe Space vs. Echo Chamber: How Menlo strives to be a community where intellectual honesty and spiritual growth go hand-in-hand. 💬 Discussion Question: What is a "God, if You're real..." question you've been afraid to ask? How would it change your faith to know that God isn't intimidated by your curiosity? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Thomas is remembered for his doubt, but maybe he should be remembered for his honesty. Jesus doesn’t scold him—He shows up. This message affirms that doubt is not the enemy of faith. It’s often the doorway to deeper trust. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect with us

Happy Easter! In this climactic episode of our "I AM" series, we gather to celebrate the most life-changing news in history. But we aren’t just looking at an empty tomb; we’re looking at the God who meets us in the shadows of grief and confusion. Hosts Matt and Phil dive into John 20:1-18, focusing on a moment so personal it changes everything: the moment the resurrected Jesus stands in the garden with Mary Magdalene. 📍 In This Episode: The Darkness of the Morning: We explore why Mary was at the tomb while it was still dark—both physically and emotionally—and why we often miss God when we’re blinded by our own pain. The Turning Point: Why didn't Mary recognize Jesus? We discuss the tension between her expectations and the reality of the Resurrection. "Mary": The core principle of our Easter message. Jesus didn't come back just to prove a point, fulfill a prophecy, or win an argument. He came back to say your name. Personal Resurrection: What it means for us today that the Creator of the universe knows us intimately and calls us out of our "dark" seasons by name. 💬 Discussion Question: Mary was looking for a body, but she found a Savior. In what area of your life are you looking for a "solution," but perhaps Jesus is trying to offer you His presence and a personal call instead? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

The women come to the tomb expecting closure. Instead, they meet the risen Christ—alive, personal, and present. The darkest place in history becomes the dawn of eternal nearness. God is not distant. He is risen, and He is here. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to a powerful and timely episode of the Menlo Midweek Podcast. This week, host Matt Summers is joined by special guest Vince Vitale to unpack a message that hits home for anyone feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. As we continue our "I AM" series, we travel to the Garden of Gethsemane. It’s here we see the ultimate contrast between the crushing weight of human expectation and the sustaining presence of God. 📍 In This Episode: The Atlas Complex: We discuss the myth of the Greek god Atlas, sentenced to carry the celestial heavens for eternity. Why do so many of us—especially in our careers—feel like we are living out this myth today? Gethsemane vs. The World: A deep dive into the "Garden of Pressing." We explore how Jesus faced a weight no human could bear, so that we wouldn't have to carry ours alone. The Career Burden: Matt and Vince discuss the unique pressures of the modern workplace. How do we stop "performing" for our worth and start resting in our identity? Strength in Surrender: Moving from "I have to handle this" to "He is with me in this." Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

In Gethsemane, Jesus prays “not my will, but yours.” Even as God in flesh, He wrestles—and chooses intimacy over escape. This week, we follow Jesus into the garden where closeness to the Father led Him toward the cross. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to a very special edition of the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, we reach a beautiful and intimate turning point in our series, "I AM: The God Who Gets Close." Taking inspiration from Luke 22:14-30, Phil and Matt move the conversation from the mountain-tops and caves directly to the dinner table. In a uniquely cinematic weekend message featuring four chairs—each representing a different perspective at the Last Supper—we explore how Jesus chooses to be with us in our moments of greatest transition, tension, and even betrayal. 📍 In This Episode: The Table Setting: We discuss the "four chairs" on stage and who they represent in the story of the Last Supper. Beyond the Ritual: A deeper look at how the Passover meal was transformed into a promise of God’s permanent presence. The Table Tensions: From the "greatest among us" argument to the heartbreak of Judas, we talk about how Jesus handles the messiness of the people sitting right in front of Him. The God Who Sits With Us: How the "I AM" doesn't just watch us from a distance but pulls up a chair to our real-life situations. 💬 Discussion Question: If you were sitting at that table in Luke 22, which "chair" would you most likely be in today? The one seeking status, the one full of questions, or the one simply resting in His presence? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Jesus shares a table with tax collectors, sinners, and doubters. The intimacy of a shared meal breaks down shame and separation. God doesn’t wait for our perfection—He sits with our mess. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, hosts Phil EuBank and Carly O'Rourke go behind the scenes of our current series, "I AM: The God Who Gets Close." We’re moving past the "big and loud" moments of faith to explore the profound truth that God meets us personally and unexpectedly—not just in theory, but in the middle of our real, often quiet lives. This episode centers on the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19 and what happens when we find ourselves waiting for God in the silence. 📍 In This Episode: The Elijah Journey: Phil and Carly discuss Elijah’s retreat to the cave and the surprising way God chose to meet him there. The Still, Small Voice: We break down why God often speaks in a "gentle whisper" rather than the wind, the earthquake, or the fire—and what that means for our busy, noisy lives. The Tension of Transition: A deeper look at the scriptures and ideas that shaped this weekend's message, focusing on how God gets close when we feel most alone or exhausted. Real-Life Application: Practical ways to recognize God’s presence when you feel like He’s being silent. 💬 Discussion Question: Elijah looked for God in the spectacular, but found Him in the silence. Where have you been looking for God lately, and is it possible He’s actually speaking in a whisper you haven't heard yet? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Elijah’s moment on Mount Horeb shows that God isn’t always in the loud, dramatic, or obvious. Sometimes He comes as a whisper. For anyone who feels forgotten or ignored—this week is a quiet reminder that presence doesn’t have to shout. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

This week, we continue our "I AM" series by stepping into one of the most iconic stories of the Old Testament: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When life gets "seven times hotter" and the pressure to conform feels overwhelming, where is God? We’re looking at Daniel 3 to discover that God’s nearness isn't proven by the absence of the fire, but by His presence in it. Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't delivered from the furnace—but in it. The fourth figure in the fire reminds us that God’s nearness isn’t proven by avoidance of pain, but by faithfulness through it. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

This week on Menlo Midweek, we dive into the second installment of our "I AM" series, focusing on the powerful promise: I am with you in the fight. Whether you’re facing internal struggles or external challenges, we explore what it means to wrestle with God.   It was also a high-energy weekend across our campuses as we celebrated Baptism Weekend and Student Weekend! We witnessed incredible stories of transformation and welcomed the next generation into the heart of our church.   📍 In This Episode: The Fight: A deeper look into this week's message on God's presence in our battles. Celebration: Highlights from a powerful Baptism Weekend. The Next Generation: Matt sits down with Brett to discuss the state of our students. They explore the unique pressures students are facing in this current season and how we, as a church family, can show up for them.   How has knowing "God is with you" changed the way you approach your own "fights" this week? Let us know in the comments! Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide: Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Jacob’s story at the riverbank is not about winning—it’s about being seen. God shows up in the form of a wrestling match, not a throne room. Sometimes closeness comes through confrontation—and God still blesses us in the limp. Text us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us