November 10, 2024

In this sermon, we journey with Fannie Lou Hamer, whose unwavering faith and resilience amid adversity offer profound lessons in justice and courage for anyone who has ever felt marginalized or weary from the struggle against injustice. Through her inspiring story and the lens of Hebrews 11:1, we explore how faith serves as our foundation, standing under us, especially when the world feels unsteady. This message invites us to reflect on our role in creating change, reminding us of Hamer's powerful conviction: "You can pray until you faint, but if you don’t get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap."

Scripture: John 1:1–5, Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email us at hello@thelocalchurchpbo.org.

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November 3, 2024

In this sermon, we explore the life of Henri Nouwen—Catholic priest, prolific author, and wounded healer—whose lifelong struggle with feeling worthy of love led him to discover God's grace in unexpected places. Through Nouwen's journey from prestigious academic positions to living among those with disabilities at L'Arche, we learn that our wounds aren't liabilities but pathways to healing, and that like trapeze artists, we're all called to trust in the divine Catcher who promises to hold us. This message will especially resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an impostor, struggled with feeling worthy of love, or longed to be enough—inviting us to consider how our own wounds might become sources of healing for others, just as Nouwen taught us that "when our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers."

Scripture: Matthew 3:13–17; Hebrews 12:1–2

For more information about The Local Church, visit our website. We're also posting good stuff on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram, too. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.

To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.