The Good Word Podcast

This episode is for the Third Sunday After Pentecost, which was June 29th, 2025. The Good Word comes from Galations 5:1, 13-25.

Thanks for joining us again after a break in posting sermon podcast episodes! It's good to be back! This podcast is for Trinity Sunday 2025, which was June 15th, 2025. The Good Word comes from John 16:12-15.

This episode is for the Second Sunday of Easter, which is April 27th, 2025 and the Good Word comes from John 20:19-31. This text is often called the story of Doubting Thomas, but perhaps there is much more wisdom here than just a story of making an example out of Thomas.Listen to All Belong Here by The Many: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJBEwqBfw3I

This podcast is for the Third Sunday in Lent, which is March 23rd, 2025 and the Good Word comes from Luke 13:1-9. This reading has two parts both of which sound full of condemnation. But words of grace and life show up beyond what appears to be only death and destruction.

This podcast is for the First Sunday in Lent, which is March 9th, 2025 and the Good Word comes from Luke 4:1-13. Today marks the first Sunday in the liturgical season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday. Every year we begin with the same story, the story of Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and encountering the Devil.

This podcast is for Transfiguration Sunday, which is March 2, 2025. We were blessed to have Elizabeth Faircloth, the Associate Program Director at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp with us to share the Good Word of the Transfiguration of Jesus and stories of the transformative power of camp in the lives of young people, people working on staff, and adults! We give thanks for the ministry of FLBC! Check out flbc.net for more information about camp and to get registered for upcoming retreat, youth camp, and or family camp!

This podcast is for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, which is February 23rd, 2025 and the Good Word comes from Genesis 45: 3-11, 15 and Luke 6: 27-36.  Both of these readings are challenging, inviting us to forgive and love beyond what often feels reasonable or possible.

This podcast is for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, which was February 16th, 2025. Immanuel also celebrated Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday, which is a day to remember and rejoice in our identity as a RIC congregation that has love and welcome big enough for ALL people, but especially LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC folks. The Good Word for this week comes from our Old Testament and Psalm readings: Jeremiah 17: 5-10 and Psalm 1. Link to information about Immanuel as an RIC congregation and our Welcome Statement:https://imluchurch.org/reconciling-in-christ/

This podcast is for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany and the Good Word comes from Luke 5:1-11. In this story we witness Jesus calling the first disciples who were ordinary people, exhausted and burnt out from a hard job. Jesus offers them a glimpse of life abundant and invited them to join him on the journey.

This podcast is for the Presentation of our Lord Sunday, which was February 2, 2025. The Good Word comes from Luke 2: 22-40. In this story Jesus is presented in the temple in Jerusalem by his parents, a ritual that would have occurred for every first-born male in Jewish families. We also encounter Simeon and Anna, prophets who witness to the new thing God is doing through Jesus.

This podcast is for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, which is January 19th, 2025 and the Good Word comes from John 2: 1-11. This is the story of the first act of Jesus' public ministry, turning water to wine at the Wedding at Cana.

This episode is for the Festival of the Baptism of our Lord, which is January 12, 2024. The Good Word comes from Luke 3: 15-17; 21-22.

This episode is for Epiphany Sunday, which is January 5th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Matthew 2:1-12, and we chose to go beyond the lectionary and include verses 13-23.  This is a story of mystery and wonder, being guided by stars and dreams.  And it is also a story of heartbreak and violence and the kind of world that Jesus was born into.  As we hear this story today, we are invited to wonder about how we might search for Jesus amid the mystery, wonder, heartbreak, and violence of our own lives. 

For the season of Advent, Immanuel is departing from the Revised Common Lectionary and following a theme called Words for the Beginning, which is a series of blessings for this season of new beginnings, especially in uncertain and anxious times.  This podcast is for the Fourth Sunday of advent, which is December 22, 2024.  The theme for this week is “Hope is Worth the Risk” and the Good Word comes from Matthew 1:18-25.  This story imagines what Joseph’s experience of the birth of Jesus was like.  Faced with choices that could have given the Christmas story a very different ending, Joseph follows the Angel’s encouragement to stick with Mary and the baby growing in her womb and wonder about what new thing God is doing through his family.  

For the season of Advent, Immanuel is departing from the Revised Common Lectionary and following a theme called Words for the Beginning, which is a series of blessings for this season of new beginnings, especially in uncertain and anxious times.  We also began Advent a week early this year to accommodate some events in our congregational life. So, this podcast is for the Third Sunday in Advent, which was for us December 8, 2024.  The theme for this week is “Do the Good that is Yours to Do” and the Good Word comes from Luke 3:7-18.  In this story we meet John the Baptist at the side of the river, inviting unlikely folks - tax collectors and soldiers - into the Jesus movement, which was just getting started.

For the season of Advent, Immanuel is departing from the Revised Common Lectionary and following a theme called Words for the Beginning, which is a series of blessings for this season of new beginnings, especially in uncertain and anxious times.  We also began Advent a week early this year to accomodate some events in our congregational life. So, this podcast is for the second Sunday in advent, which was for us December 1, 2024.  The theme for this week is “We Can’t Go It Alone” and the Good Word comes from Ruth 1: 1-19.  This is an unlikely Advent text, but offers a word about what it means to be community in times such as these. 

For the season of advent Immanuel is departing from the Revised common lectionary and following a theme called Words for the Beginning, which is a series of blessings for this season of new beginnings, especially in uncertain and anxious times.  We also began Advent a week early this year to accomodate some events in our congregational life. So, this podcast is for the First Sunday in Advent, which was for us, November 24th, 2024. The theme for this week is “You are a Blessing” and the Good Word comes from Luke 1: 26-38.  Here, an angel appears to Mary, names her as one who is blessed, asking her to be the mother of God-with-us.  

In order to accommodate some events in our congregational life, Immanuel has chosen to move Christ the King Sunday up one week and begin Advent a week early. So, This podcast is for Christ the King Sunday which was, for us, November 17th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from John 18:33-37.  Here we enter a scene we usually encounter during the season of Lent - Jesus being tried before Pilate.  Jesus reveals the complexity of the role of King that he fulfills in his words “my kingdom is not from this world”. 

This is the 25th Sunday After Pentecost, which is November 10th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Mark 12:38-44.

This episode is for All Saints Sunday, which was November 3rd, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Matthew 22: 15-22.

This episode is for Reformation Sunday, which was October 27th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from John 8: 31-36.

On Election Day 2024, we invite you into a moment of prayer, song, and reflection. No matter where you find yourself today, peace be yours. Find a video of this project here: https://youtu.be/5ztlafSTMkk?si=3lU6FmeNVCj5cusP This project is a collaboration of Pastor Halcyon Bjornstad (Lord of Life Lutheran - Renton, WA), Pastor Rebekah Cochrane (Immanuel Lutheran and Confluence - Missoula, MT), Pastor Eric Huseth (Emmaus Campus Ministry - University of Montana), Deacon Allen Sasser-Goehner (Immanuel Lutheran - Missoula, MT), and Pastor Sean Avery (Joy Lutheran - Eagle River, AK). For the Healing of the Nation, Performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner, Rebekah Cochrane, and Eric Huseth. Original text, Susan Briehl, ©2009, Augsburg Fortress. Verses adapted by Halcyon Bjornstad, ©2024. Music, John D. Becker, ©1987. Found as adapted by Tom Witt in Singing Our Prayer: A Companion to Holden Prayer Around the Cross,©2010 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN.

All people are made in the image of God, beloved by God. This is true for women, all people who seek reproductive health care, all people who are pregnant, and unborn life in the womb. In this episode, Pastor Molly and Pastor Rebekah talk about what ELCA Lutherans teach about abortion - a complex topic that can stir up strong emotions. At the core of this conversation is love for all of God's Beloved people and acknowledgement of the messiness of reality. Readings that compliment this conversation: ELCA Abortion Social Statement & Summaries: ⁠https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Statements/Abortion⁠    ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s Pastoral Letter on Abortion 5/17/2022 ⁠https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8141?_ga=2.38352871.59788112.1727902623-495929399.1720960172⁠     ELCA Presiding Bishop Pastor Letter on SCOTUS Overturn Roe v. Wade ⁠https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8158?_ga=2.76093393.59788112.1727902623-495929399.1720960172⁠     ELCA Presiding Bishop Letter on Abortion 5/30/2019 ⁠https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/7976?_ga=2.96932059.59788112.1727902623-495929399.1720960172⁠     Book: Reengaging ELCA Social Teaching on Abortion by Dr. Caryn D. Riswold ⁠https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/productgroup/2235/ReEngaging-ELCA-Social-Teaching-on-Abortion⁠     Webinar Kindling Faith ELCA Social Statements: Abortion sponsored by United Lutheran Seminary. Dr. Caryn D. Riswold. ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2BxYdwpdmQgcsduuxx43rECH2lATF3zY⁠     Journal of Lutheran Ethics Article Feb 2023 ⁠https://learn.elca.org/jle/editors-introduction-13/?_ga=2.133585738.59788112.1727902623-495929399.1720960172⁠   Opening & Closing Music Credit: "How Deep, How Wide" Performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner. Text & Music: Jason Bendickson. Copyright © 2007 Beesnest Productions. CCLI License is #1150678

This is the 21st Sunday After Pentecost, which is October 13th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Mark 10: 17-31. Here we get two of Jesus' famous sayings "for God all things are possible" and "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". These two, among others, get pulled out of context, but what does Jesus actually mean?

Christian Nationalism has been making the news a lot in the last few years. As Christians, we might wonder what it means... is a good thing? Building on our last episode "What Lutherans Teach About... Government, Civic Life, and God", Pastor Molly and Pastor Rebekah will share in this episode about what Christian Nationalism is, how to recognize it, and how it distorts and hurts both Christian faith and American patriotism. Show Notes: Christians against Christian Nationalism  https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/  ELCA Draft Civic Faith & Life  https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Current-Social-Writing-Projects/Civic-Life-and-Faith?_ga=2.129013967.2131013761.1728587460-495929399.1720960172&_gac=1.57270744.1728587460.CjwKCAjw9p24BhB_EiwA8ID5Bk3M__8ItpZjuz5KMa_eHQJP_2LgJJ8LoQdnDK9WVgpqd90pIS5EVBoCAlQQAvD_BwE ELCA Advocacy Statement March 2024  https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/wearechristiansagainstchristiannationalism.pdf Disarming the Leviathan – Missionaries to Christian Nationalists podcast  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disarming-leviathan-missionaries-to-christian-nationalists/id1690452731  Respecting Religion Podcast  https://bjconline.org/respectingreligion/ Opening & Closing Music Credit: Text & Music: Jason Bendickson Copyright © 2007 Beesnest Productions CCLI License #1150678

This is the 19th Sunday After Pentecost, which is September 29th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Mark 9:38-50. In the beginning of this story, one of Jesus' followers is upset because someone else is healing in Jesus' name. It brings up the age-old questions of "us vs. them"... who is in and who is out? And Jesus reminds us that God isn't confined to the boxes or categories that we make.

It's election season and words like government and politics get us fired up before we even hear the rest of the sentence. In this episode, Pastor Molly and Pastor Rebekah turn to some of the ELCA's teachings and messages about government and civic engagement to help unpack the Lutheran privilege and responsibility to be active in the political sphere - not in a partisan way, but in a way that lifts up the good of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable. Resources for further learning: ELCA Social Message “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy”  https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Messages/Government  ELCA DRAFT Social Statement “Civic Life and Faith”  https://www.elca.org/civicsandfaith  ELCA Social Statement “Faith in Society”  https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Statements/Church-in-Society  Civility in Politics: Lutheran legislators speak out on the importance of being respectful” https://www.livinglutheran.org/2024/08/62448/  ELCA Civic Engagement Guide  https://elcamediaresources.blob.core.windows.net/cdn/wpcontent/uploads/ELCAvotes_civic_engagement_and_voter_education_guide.pdf  ELCA Civic Engagement Guide Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBT2v4P7wVo  ELCA Votes  https://elcamediaresources.blob.core.windows.net/cdn/wp-content/uploads/ELCAvotes_Overview_public.pdf  Guidance for Churches & Clergy in Elections  https://elcamediaresources.blob.core.windows.net/cdn/wp-content/uploads/Being_A_Public_Church.pdf Opening & Closing Music Credit: "How Deep, How Wide" performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner Text & Music: Jason Bendickson Copyright © 2007 Beesnest Productions CCLI License is #1150678

Join Pastor Molly and Pastor Rebekah for a conversation about what Lutherans teach about sin and suffering. At some point in life, we experience something that makes us ask "Where is God in this suffering?". The Bible offers many examples of how people have been in relationship with God through suffering, yet our experiences of suffering are so complex that no one answer seem so be sufficient all the time. In this episode, we offer a Lutheran understanding of suffering, how sin plays a role, and where God might show up in the midst of it all. Opening & Closing Music Credit: Text & Music: Jason Bendickson Copyright © 2007 Beesnest Productions CCLI License is #1150678

This is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, which is September 22nd, 2024 and The Good Word comes from Mark 9:30-37.  In this text, Jesus’ disciples are confused and perhaps unnerved by some of Jesus’ statements and the prediction of his own death, but they’re too afraid to ask him about it and end up arguing about things that don’t matter, like who is the greatest, which in turn sets them up for more misunderstandings in the future. 

In this episode, Pastor Molly and Pastor Rebekah share what Lutherans teach about scripture and biblical interpretation. The Bible is complex and has been used in all kinds of ways over the centuries. For Lutherans, we see scripture as a sacred story. We seek an expansive understanding that takes into account historical context, literary intention, and the identities or "lenses" that color our reading. Opening and Closing Music Credit: "How Deep, How Wide" performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner Text & Music: Jason Bendickson Copyright © 2007 Beesnest Productions CCLI License is #1150678

This is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, which is September 8th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Mark 7: 24-37.  In this text we hear two stories of Jesus' healing ministry.  These stories are not merely about physical healing, but rather they assure the listener that God attends to the needs of all people and calls us to set aside our judgements so that we might do the same for our neighbors.

Join Pastor Molly and Pastor Rebekah as they explore together what Lutherans teach about the Sacraments. For Lutherans, the Sacraments are Baptism and Holy Communion. These sacraments are not merely special rituals that stay within the confines of church buildings. Rather, these practices ground Christian identity and sense of belonging in the teaching and ministry of Jesus. Therefore, we are free and empowered to engage in the world around us knowing that we are beloved by God and can return again and again to the sacraments for refreshment on our journey of life and faith. Notes: In this episode, Pastor Rebekah references a podcast interview with Kate DiCamillo. Here is a link to listen to the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jGyICkUHVPr71JgtNSl54?si=b8c32f9663784565 Opening and Closing Music Credit: "How Deep, How Wide" performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner Text & Music: Jason Bendickson Copyright © 2007 Beesnest Productions CCLI License #1150678

Welcome to Immanuel's Fall 2024 special podcast series: What Lutherans Teach About... In this 8 episode series we will take a Lutheran, grace-filled approach to learning about theological and social topics that matter in our lives as civically and morally engaged Christians. The first three episodes will cover important theological ideas that are foundational for Lutherans: the Sacraments, scripture and biblical interpretation, and sin and suffering. The following five episodes will build on that theological foundation to consider some of the social topics that seem to be ever-present in the news, politics, and culture: government and civic life, Christian Nationalism, abortion, education, and economic life. This series is intended to spark personal reflection and be a springboard for curious conversation, so we encourage you to share these episodes with friends or family! Thanks for listening! New episodes will drop weekly on Wednesdays starting on September 11th, 2024.

Woohoo! We’re all caught up.  You might have noticed that that past few episodes were throwbacks to a few weeks ago when we forgot to upload.  But we’re back on track and this episode is for Sunday, August 25th, 2024 and the Good word comes from John 6: 24-35.  This is part of what is known as the Bread of Life discourse and is part of a long section in the Gospel of John where Jesus talks about himself as the bread of life.

Summer has been busy!  And just in case you thought that pastors were perfect… we’re not!  We’ve missed a few weeks of our podcast and we’re sorry to those of you who count on an episode each week.  Though they’re a few weeks behind us now, we wanted to share the sermons that we missed and put them out into the world in the hopes that the person who needs to hear these words now will.   So this episode is from Sunday, August 11th, 2024 and the good word came from Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.  

You might have noticed that we missed a few weeks of publishing The Good Word Podcast! Now, we're playing catch up! We wanted to put these sermons from past weeks out into the world in the hopes that those who need to hear these words will now be able to. So, this episode is from the final week of our Created to Be series, which connected us to the ELCA National Youth Gathering and our local Lutheran camp, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. This week we learned about how we are Created to Be Disruptive. The Good Word comes from Luke 5:17-26.

We're going back in Lectionary time! During the month of July, we were using a worship and sermon series called Created to Be. But we missed out on some great texts that were offered in the Lectionary during that time, so we wanted to revisit them! So, this podcast is for Sunday August 18th, 2024 but we are using the texts from Sunday July 28th, 2024, which was the 10th Sunday After Pentecost. The Good Word comes from John 6: 1-21.

This week we continue our sermon and worship series, Created to Be, which connects us to Lutheran Outdoor Ministries across the country, including our own Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, and the 2024 ELCA National Youth Gathering which took place last week in New Orleans. Today we hear about how we are Created to Be Disciples. The Good Word comes from Mark 6: 6b-13.

This week we continue our sermon and worship series, Created to Be. This theme connects us to Lutheran Outdoor Ministries across the country, including our own Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, and to the 2024 ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Today we hear how we are Created to Be Authentic. The Good Word comes from Genesis 1: 26-27 and Luke 10: 38-42.

For the next five weeks we will take a break from using the Revised Common Lectionary, and dive in to a series using the theme Created to Be. This theme connects us with the bible study curriculum used by Lutheran Outdoor Ministries around the country, include Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. It also connects us with the ELCA National Youth Gathering that will take place in New Orleans later this month. This is the first week of the series and the theme is Created to Be Free. The Good Word comes from Ephesians 2:4-10. Here, Paul reminds the early church at Ephesus of the gift of grace, given freely to us through faith, that we are called to share with others.

This is the Sixth Sunday After Pentecost, which is June 30, 2024, and the Good Word comes from Mark 5:21-43. In this text we hear two stories of Jesus healing people and as we read we might wonder "what does healing really mean"?

This is the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, which is June 23, 2024. The Good Word comes from Mark 4:35-41. We also invite you to read this week's Psalm, which is Psalm 107: 1-3, 23-32.

This is the 3rd Sunday After Pentecost, which is June 9th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Mark 3:20-35. We also invite you to read the Old Testament scripture for this Sunday, which is Genesis 3:8-15.

This is the First Sunday after Pentecost, or Trinity Sunday, which is May 26, 2024. The Good Word comes from John 3:1-17. In this Gospel, Jesus' miracles prompt Nicodemus to visit him in secrecy. Jesus tells him about being born of the Spirit and about the Son who has been sent by God to save.

This is the Second Sunday of Pentecost, which is June 2nd, 2024 and the Good Word comes from Mark 2:23-3:6. In this story, Jesus shows through his words and deeds, the true, lawful, and gracious meaning of remembering the sabbath.

Pastor Molly and Pastor Rebekah sit down to reflect on our own ideas and experiences of "A Longer Table"! Podcast Cover Art Doodle: Rev. Emmy Kegler  Music Copyright:   For Everyone Born performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner  Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1931-; Sp. Tr. John Glaser, 1961-; Pr. Tr. Ervelyne Bernard, 1973-  Music: Brian Mann, 1979-  Words © 1998 Hope Publishing Company  Music © 2006 Brian Mann (admin. General Board of Global Ministries, GBGA Musik) 

This is Pentecost Sunday, which is May 19th, 2024 and The Good Word comes from John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15. This text helps us understand the Holy Spirit as the Advocate, or Spirit of Truth. The other readings this week, Psalm 104:24-25, Acts 2:1-21, and Romans 8:22-27, help round out our understanding of the Holy Spirit.

Confluence is a gathering grounded in Jesus vision for liberation. Connected to the earth and one another, Confluence is fed and formed by art, music, poetry, contemplation, and ritual. Confluence invites participants to acknowledge their own stories, wrestle with life's messiness and complexity, and seek to live the questions of faith together. Colter Murphy and Karin Craven are two members of the Confluence Leadership Team, which is a team dedicated to creating the Gathering experience in playful and deeply meaningful ways. Connect with Confluence at https://www.confluencemissoula.org/ or find them on Facebook and Instagram as Confluence Missoula Podcast Cover Art Doodle: Rev. Emmy Kegler  Music Copyright:   For Everyone Born performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner  Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1931-; Sp. Tr. John Glaser, 1961-; Pr. Tr. Ervelyne Bernard, 1973-  Music: Brian Mann, 1979-  Words © 1998 Hope Publishing Company  Music © 2006 Brian Mann (admin. General Board of Global Ministries, GBGA Musik) 

This is the 7th Sunday of Easter, which is May 12th, 2024 and the Good Word comes from John 17:6-19. Here Jesus prays for his disciples before he goes to the cross, knowing that they have a challenging road ahead of them. But Jesus doesn't just pray for his disciples, but for all disciples that will come after them... including you and me.

Colter McCarty is the Director of Technology and Communication for the Montana/N Wyoming Synod of the ELCA. His work helps congregations all over the Synod discover and implement forms of digital technology that might help them continue to spread the Gospel in their own contexts. Podcast Cover Art Doodle: Rev. Emmy Kegler  Music Copyright:  For Everyone Born performed by Allen Sasser-Goehner  Words: Shirley Erena Murray, 1931-; Sp. Tr. John Glaser, 1961-; Pr. Tr. Ervelyne Bernard, 1973-  Music: Brian Mann, 1979-  Words © 1998 Hope Publishing Company  Music © 2006 Brian Mann (admin. General Board of Global Ministries, GBGA Musik)