Elm City Church Podcast

In 2 Corinthians 6:3–13, Paul shows that pressure reveals what is truly inside of us. Following Jesus is impossible in our own strength, but the Holy Spirit produces in believers the love, joy, endurance, and integrity we could never manufacture ourselves. This passage ultimately points us to Jesus—the only one whose integrity remained perfect under pressure, and the one who now strengthens us to follow Him.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2, Paul shows how the Gospel changes everything. Through Jesus, we are made new and reconciled to God. We’re no longer living for ourselves—we’ve been sent as His ambassadors with the message of reconciliation. And that message carries urgency: the time to respond to God is now.

In 2 Corinthians 5:10–16, Paul shows us what truly drives the Christian life. He lives with an awareness that he will one day stand before Christ, and that eternity is at stake for others. But more than anything, his life is controlled by the love of Jesus. When we understand what Christ has done for us, we’re no longer living out of fear or pressure—we’re living from His love. And that changes everything.

In 2 Corinthians 5:1–10, Paul teaches that confidence in our eternal future, guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, frees us to live with purpose, hope, and trust in the present. If Christ has really been raised from the dead, then how we live in the now matters.

In John 21, we see that the resurrection doesn’t just prove Jesus’ power—it reveals His grace. Peter, who had failed Jesus in a defining moment, is restored not with shame, but with love. Jesus meets him in the very place of his failure and re-invites him to follow Him. Because of that, our failures don’t have the final word—Jesus does, and He continues to restore and call us forward.

In John 20:1–10, we see the first moments of Easter morning—confusion, investigation, and finally belief. The empty tomb and the evidence left behind point to the reality that Jesus truly rose from the dead, proving that His death paid for sin and that new life is available to all who believe. Because Jesus is alive, everything changes—and we are invited to respond by turning to Him and trusting in the life He offers.

In John 13:1–17, Jesus shows us that true greatness looks like humble service. The King of Kings takes the place of a servant, pointing to the deeper reality that we must first be cleansed by Him before we can follow His example. When we understand how deeply we’ve been loved and served by Jesus, we are freed to serve others with the same humility and love.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, Paul teaches that our weakness is part of God’s strategy, and that by fixing our eyes on Christ and eternity, we can endure present suffering with hope and purpose.

In 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, Paul reminds us that the gospel is powerful because it reveals the glory of Jesus. Some people reject the message because their hearts are spiritually blinded, but when God opens someone’s eyes, it’s like light shining into darkness. That’s why we don’t preach ourselves—we simply proclaim Jesus as Lord and trust God to transform lives.

In 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, Paul shows us that real spiritual transformation doesn’t come from trying harder but from beholding Jesus. When the barrier between us and God is removed through faith, the Holy Spirit gives us new life and begins changing us from the inside out as we fix our attention on Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 3:1–6, Paul teaches that true confidence does not come from human credentials or performance, but from the Spirit’s life-giving work — calling us to trust Christ rather than our own qualifications.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14–17, Paul shows us that Jesus is the victorious King, and that those captured by his grace now carry the gospel like a fragrance — life to some, death to others — calling each of us to respond.

This week in 2 Corinthians 2:5–11, we explore how the gospel shapes both discipline and forgiveness, showing that healthy confrontation protects the church, but true strength is seen when forgiven people extend forgiveness and move toward restoration.

This week in 2 Corinthians 1:12–20, we explore how disappointment with people can quietly shake our faith—and how Paul points us back to the unchanging truth that our hope isn’t anchored in human reliability, but in the faithful, never-wavering “Yes” of Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3–11, Paul shows that God meets us in suffering with His presence, using our trials to comfort others and to move us from self-reliance to deeper dependence on Him.

This week in 2nd Corinthians 1:3–7, we explore how God meets us in suffering not with easy answers, but with his comforting presence, reminding us that real hope is found in the gospel of a Savior who suffered for us and walks with us through hardship.

This week we begin a new series in 2nd Corinthians, exploring how Paul’s opening words remind us that the gospel of Jesus brings real hope to messy lives and sustains God’s people as they follow him and seek to see his church take root in hard places.

In Colossians 4:2–6, we explore how devoted prayer is a shared calling that fuels Gospel opportunities and prepares us to speak with clarity. As we pray, live wisely, and speak graciously, God uses our everyday lives to open doors for others to encounter Jesus.

In part 1 of our 2 part mini series on our 2026 theme of “Devoted” we explored what it means to be truly devoted to prayer, and how intentional attention to God reshapes our hearts, realigns our lives, and deepens our dependence on His grace.

Sunday, Joe helped us see how the Bible’s story truly ends—not with escape, but with restoration. Beginning in Revelation 21:1–7, the sermon explored the hope of the new heaven and new earth, showing how God is undoing what sin has broken and inviting us to live as a preview of that future right now. Scripture calls listeners to trust the story God is telling and step into the purpose they were created for.

In this Christmas Eve message from Luke 2:1–20, Albie showed how the Christmas story is more than just a familiar story—it’s a royal announcement. Set against the power of Caesar and the promises of empire, the birth of Jesus declares a greater King, a true Savior, and a new decree of grace. This sermon invites listeners to move beyond sentimentality and step into the story God is telling through Jesus.

This week we explored Mark 1 to see that Christmas is not a sentimental tale but the arrival of Jesus the King.  Jesus’ unexpected kingdom confronts us and calls us to repent, believe the good news, and surrender our lives to Him.

This week’s sermon explores Act 3 of God’s story through Genesis 12 and Matthew 1, showing how God’s promises to Abraham and David are fulfilled in Jesus. Albie Powers called the church to embrace faith, risk, and obedience. Elm City Church is celebrating how God has multiplied the mission through bold steps in church planting and student ministry. In this next stage, this challenges listeners to take faithful risks in the mission that God has called us to.

This Sunday, we continued our Advent series with Act 2: What Went Wrong?, exploring the story of the Fall in Genesis 3. We looked at how sin entered the world, why our relationships feel fractured, and how this ancient story explains the brokenness we experience today. But even in humanity’s failure, God speaks hope—promising a future Redeemer who would crush the serpent and restore what sin destroyed. Join us as we unpack why Act 2 makes the Christmas story necessary and how Jesus steps in as the long-awaited answer to the world’s deepest problem.

Albie kicked off Advent by showing how the Christmas story fits into the bigger story of Scripture, beginning with Creation. We were made by God, made for God, and made with purpose—and the incarnation is God stepping into His own story to redeem what He created. Christmas invites us to live into God’s true story and find our place in it.

In Philippians 4:4–9, Paul reminds us that thankfulness isn’t the result of an stress-free life—it’s a practice that reorients our hearts and minds toward God’s peace. Joe McGarvey shared how, even in anxious or chaotic seasons, intentionally remembering and expressing gratitude—through journaling, prayer, or sharing with others—shifts our perspective, reduces stress, and strengthens our resilience. This week, as we head into Thanksgiving, the challenge isn’t just “What are you thankful for?” but “How will you practice thankfulness?” Making space for gratitude lets us experience God’s presence, trust His provision, and live with peace, no matter our circumstances.

This Sunday, we explored Baptism as Public Testimony of God’s Grace—why we do it, what it means, and how it declares the transforming grace of Jesus. Baptism is more than a symbol; it’s a public proclamation that through Christ our old life is gone and a new one has begun. Join us as we unpack why Jesus commands baptism, how it connects to the early church, and why every testimony—even the ordinary ones—are a powerful story of God’s saving work.

This week, we explored Psalm 32—a powerful invitation to freedom through confession. In a culture that hides weakness, David shows us that the blessed life is found not in perfection, but in forgiveness. “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven.” Join us as we unpack how confession restores our joy, unburdens our hearts, and leads us back to the God who covers, carries, and forgives.

“Everyone who is made new in Christ is sent out with the message of reconciliation—because the love of Jesus reshapes our identity, purpose, and mission.”

This Sunday, Albie shared from John 14, where Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In a world filled with competing ideas about God, Jesus alone provides the way to the Father and the promise of eternal life. Join us as we explore what it means to know Him personally, trust Him completely, and experience the life only He can give. “When the good news becomes your good news, Jesus changes you.”

This Sunday, Pastor Albie Powers returned from sabbatical to share from John 10, where Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” In a world full of competing voices, Jesus alone offers true life. As Albie put it, “A rich and satisfying life is given to those who stay close to the Good Shepherd.” Join us as we explore what it means to trust His care and follow Him into the kind of full, abundant life only He can give.

This Sunday, we explored John 11, where Jesus makes one of His most powerful declarations: “I am the resurrection and the life.” In the story of Lazarus, we see that God’s glory isn’t revealed by avoiding pain—but by entering it. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to believe that Jesus is not just the giver of life but life itself, even when hope feels lost.

This week, we explored what it means that Jesus isn’t just a giver of bread, but the Bread itself, the One who satisfies the deepest hunger of our souls. As we looked at the hungry crowd, the true bread from heaven, the offense of His words, and the responses of those who heard Him, we wrestled with a vital question: Are we seeking Jesus for what He gives, or for who He is?

This Sunday, we dived into John 10:1-10, where Jesus declares, “I am the door of the sheep.” In a world full of competing voices, Jesus stands apart as the True Shepherd—the one who calls us by name, protects us, and leads us into abundant life. Together we’ll explore what it means to recognize His voice, trust His care, and follow Him into the kind of life only He can give.

This week, Steve Aldrich preached on Jesus’ claim, “I am the vine.” We reflected on how abiding in Christ is the only way to experience true life and lasting fruit. The pruning process may be difficult, but it leads to growth. The invitation is to remain connected to Jesus each day, drawing strength from Him and bearing fruit for God’s glory.

This week in our series I AM: Believe and Abide, guest speaker Jeff Ebert preached on Jesus’ claim: “I am the light of the world.” We explored how Christ’s light is greater than any darkness, both infinite in power and personal in care. To follow Him is to trust His direction one step at a time, believing that His light is enough for each day. Receive the Light. Follow the Light—Jesus Himself!

This week we explored John 1:35–46 and Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see.” Abiding with Christ means more than curiosity—it means remaining with Him in fellowship. That abiding naturally draws us into community and sends us on mission, echoing the disciples’ invitation: “Come and see.”The message reminds us that faith is never “me and Jesus alone.” To follow Jesus is to follow Him together, rooted in Christ’s identity, bearing fruit in community, and sharing the life He offers with others.

The Least of These. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the suffering in the world. Unintentionally, we can become numb to the suffering simply because we are inundated with so much of it. But it is clear in Matthew 25 that to serve the hurting is to serve Christ.

This week we welcomed guest speaker, Pastor Paul Voltmer, from Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Windsor, VT. Paul is also our Northwest Regional Superintendent from the EFCA and part of the church that originally planted the church that planted us! Paul is preaching from the passage John 4:1-26. In this passage we see a source and strategy for sharing the Gospel that is worth replicating. Once the Samaritan woman drinks deep of the living water Jesus offers her, she can't help but tell others about him.

We wrapped up our Lord’s Prayer series by looking at “Garden Moments”—those times when we must choose between God’s will and our own desires. Temptation is a trap; testing is an opportunity to trust. Jesus invites us to pray in advance for God’s protection and guidance, knowing our weaknesses. And because Jesus overcame His Garden Moment, we can face ours with His Spirit’s strength.

This week, we explored Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer. We learned that sin is a debt we owe to God—and forgiveness is the act of releasing that debt. Through confession, we receive healing and freedom. And as people who have been forgiven, we’re invited to extend that same mercy to others. Forgiveness isn’t weakness, it's an invitation to freedom.

This week, we explored what it means to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” Jesus teaches us to depend on God for our most basic needs and to trust Him one day at a time. In a world of anxiety and self-reliance, this prayer calls us into peace, presence, and participation—both receiving from God and becoming a source of provision for others.

This week, we looked at what it means to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” Jesus invites us to long for God’s reign and trust His desires above our own. Prayer becomes an act of surrender and participation—believing that God's best is better and choosing to live like it’s true.

This week, we reflected on how the Lord’s Prayer begins with intimacy and reverence. Jesus invites us to relate to God as our Father—and to remember His holy, unchanging character. How you approach God in prayer shapes how you live this life. Prayer starts not with asking, but with remembering who God is.

This week, we reflected on Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 6 about how not to pray—and how to pray. Prayer is not performance or persuasion, but a relationship rooted in faith and honesty. Rather than settling for a superficial or empty prayer life, listeners are invited to rediscover prayer as a deeply personal connection with God the Father.

This week, we explored Psalm 119 and how true spiritual life comes not from our own effort, but from God’s Word and power. Listeners are invited to join us this summer in reading through the NT as a community.

This week we kicked off our new series called “Rooted to Bear Fruit.” Psalm 1 invites us into a life rooted in God’s Word—one that bears lasting fruit even in difficult seasons. In this message, we explore how regularly engaging with Scripture is both a spiritual keystone habit and connects us to the source of true happiness.

This past Sunday we heard from Bill Hayes. Bill reminded us the truth that we are the object of God’s affection. In 1 Kings 19 we are told about how the prophet Elijah fell into deep despair right after he had experienced an incredible victory. There are going to be times in our lives when our emotions are not a solid indicator of our situation, and in those moments we need to cling to the truths of God’s word that tells us a truer and better story.

On Sunday, we explored Acts 2:42-47, which vividly depicts the early church's community life. We witnessed how the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, creating a foundation of unity, generosity, and support. This is a model for living as a faith community today. We were encouraged to assess our own commitment to these practices and challenged to engage deeply with one another and the wider community, embodying the principles of the early church in our lives.

Acts 2:14–41This week we looked at Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2 and how the Gospel speaks directly to our deepest longings for identity, belonging, and purpose. In Jesus and his Church, we find the best answers to our deepest questions and a solution to our greatest problem.