Awaken Community

Explore the emotional challenges of waiting and the power of vulnerability in navigating life's uncertainties. Through personal stories, the conversation highlights how community support can foster resilience and growth during tough times. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their feelings, express their struggles, and find hope in shared experiences. The biblical narrative of the Israelites showcases the profound connection between faith and the human experience, emphasizing that we are not alone in our cries for help.

Vanessa Lucius, an artist at Awaken Community, discusses her artwork inspired by themes of waiting and fertility during Advent. She explores the emotional journey through darkness and the rich symbolism it carries. The conversation emphasizes embracing patience and finding hope amidst uncertainty. Vanessa shares personal stories of resilience and community support, highlighting how moments of waiting can lead to transformative growth. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and recognize the strength found in shared struggles.

Micah closes out the Take Heart series by looking at Psalm 27 to help us navigate the difficulty of balancing hope for the world and the harsh realities we have to be reconciled to. 

Micah talks through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 and invites Awaken into the work of civil disobedience in the name of sacrificial love for others.

Micah brings us to Mark 6:45-52 when Jesus appears to the disciples in the midst of a storm on the sea. He points us to the ways that Jesus has proven himself a presence of peace and comfort to those in distress.

Awaken starts a new series this month as we find ourselves in a tumultuous political season. Micah kicks things off by adding context to Jesus words in John 16:33, "take heart for I have overcome the world". What does it mean to find peace in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty?

The Wells and Fences series comes to a close with a powerful message from Micah as we near Election Day. What does it mean to be a peacemaker? How do we do this for even those we might find ourselves at odds with? We can't make peace in the world if we haven't made peace within ourselves.

Micah is back at Awaken to talk through the concept of power and empire in scripture. How does power look in the kingdom of God and how do we integrate the ways Jesus has modeled what it means to hold power within the context of our own lives in this election season?

Awaken's Youth Director Trevor speaks for the first time on a Sunday morning and invites the congregation into the story of Jesus journeying through the wilderness. How does the human Jesus experience these tests and what example does it set for how we might find encouragement and grace in the midst of our own struggles?

Pastor Jenna dives into the challenging intersection of faith and politics, exploring the implications of white Christian nationalism. The discussion highlights how this ideology contrasts with the teachings of Jesus and the need for humility in community engagement. Reflecting on Jesus' triumphal entry, the podcast encourages listeners to reconsider concepts of power and vulnerability. The conversation wraps up with a call for healing and connection through communion, inviting further reflection on communal pain and personal growth.