Apex United Methodist Church Podcast

Today is Holy Saturday, when we remember that horrific day between Jesus’ death and resurrection, when there was nothing but grief and the silence of the grave.  Today Pastor Laura Johnson invites you to sit in this valley of waiting by reflecting on the valley of dry bones described by the prophet Ezekiel.

In today’s Good Friday podcast, Pastor Laura Katherine is going to walk us through that moment when Jesus’ breathed his last and the world was forever changed.

Christians call today Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, “maundy” derived from the Latin mandatium novum, meaning “new commandment.”  Today we remember when Jesus shared the Lord’s Supper with his disciples, washed their feet, and gave them a “new commandment” to love one another as he has loved them.  In today's episode Pastor Laura Johnson remembers Jesus at the Last Supper, reflecting on that moment when he offered bread and wine as his body and blood.

Today we hear from Pastor Laura Katherine as she reflects on the meaning and heartbreak of Judas’ betrayal.

In today’s episode Pastor Sheila invites us to trust in God’s good plans, even when things look frightening or bleak - after all, that’s when God does God’s best work.

In today's episode Pastor Laura Johnson explores the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem during the first Holy Week, and encourages us to do some soul spring cleaning of our own.

In today's episode Pastor Laura Johnson reflects on Mary of Bethany's gratitude when she anoints Jesus' feet in the days before his death, offering love unbound to the one whose love would save the world.

In today's Cultivating Grace Lent podcast we’ll hear from Pastor Sheila Ahler as we reflect on our reasons for gratitude in light of those powerful words from Scripture: God’s steadfast love endures forever.

All that we are and all that we have come from God. How often though, do we forget or neglect to be thankful in our dizzying, fast paced world?  In today’s podcast, Norma Wallace, one of our Children’s Ministry Leaders, invites us to be mindful of all the gifts bestowed on us by a kind, and loving Lord.

Scripture tells us to live with gratitude in our hearts.  This is easier said than done, so in today's podcast we hear from Norma Wallace, our Associate Director of Children’s Ministry, who will help us consider how to put these instructions into practice.

Why is it that sometimes we respond to good things in life with gratitude and other times we do not?  In today's episode Pastor Laura Johnson reflects on this question in the light of the story about one grateful person and the nine who were too busy to give thanks.

How do you show your gratitude to God?  Today’s reflection is on one of David’s psalms of gratitude and praise, and it’s brought to you by our Youth Coordinator Tanner Johnson.

Day 28 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series Listen as Rev. Kara Matthews reflects on Jesus’ powerful pronouncement of forgiveness as he died on the cross.

Day 27 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series In today's episode Rev. Kara Matthews help us understand the connection in God’s eyes between forgiving others and being forgiven.

A common piece of marriage advice is to never go to bed angry, which comes directly from today’s Scripture reading.  In today's episode our Lead Pastor Laura Katherine will help us reflect on forgiving just as readily as we are forgiven.

Day 25 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series Listen as Pastor Laura Johnson reflects upon what Jesus has to say regarding our own willingness - or unwillingness - to forgive those who have wronged us.

Day 24 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series In today's episode Tanner Johnson helps us imagine the enormous depth and width of God’s forgiveness.

Day 23 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series You know that feeling of relief and elation when you receive forgiveness?  In today's episode Pastor Laura Johnson discusses Davis’ joy over God’s gift of forgiveness. 

Day 22 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series Listen as Rev. Kara Matthews reflects on forgiveness with Jesus’ timeless parable about the lost sheep in today's episode.

In today's episode our lead pastor Laura Katherine reflects on the importance of laying aside cowardice, laziness, and arrogance as we approach God.

In today's episode of Cultivating Grace our lead pastor Laura Katherine reflects on repentance in light of Jesus’ statement that he came to care for the sinners, not the righteous.

Day 19 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series In this episode Pastor Laura Johnson reminds us that God prefers a repentant hot mess over a self-congratulatory model citizen.

Day 18 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series Listen as Ellen Griffin helps us hear anew the story of Paul's repentance in this retelling of Saul/Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.

Day 17 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series In this episode Pastor Laura Johnson explores the story of Zacchaeus, his repentance, and the prevenient grace of God.  f

Day 16 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series In this episode Pastor Sheila Ahler finishes this week's focus on lament with a reflection on Psalm 30 and the promise that joy comes in the morning.

Day 15 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series In this episode Pastor Laura Johnson continues our focus on lament by reflecting on Paul's lament over the human condition in Romans 7:15-25.

Day 14 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode continues our focus on lament as Rev. Kara Matthews considers the powerful lament in Psalm 22:1-5.

Day 13 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode continues this week's reflection on lament, with Pastor Laura Katherine Stern discussing Jesus lament over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37-39.

Day 12 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series In today's episode in our daily Lent podcast series Pastor Laura Johnson reflects on grief as a form of lament, focusing on Jesus' own lament over the death of his friend.

Day 11 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode begins this week's focus on lament, with Pastor Laura Katherine Stern's reflection of Psalm 137.

Day 10 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode continues this week's focus on temptation, with Pastor Laura reflecting on how temptation produces endurance as described in James 1:2-4. 

Day 9 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode continues this week's reflection on temptation, with Pastor Laura Katherine Stern discussing Jesus' own experience with temptation as described in Hebrews 4:15-16.

Day 8 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode continues this week's reflection on temptation, with Pastor Laura Johnson reflecting on Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22:39-44.

Day 7 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode continues this week's reflection on temptation, with Pastor Laura Katherine Stern discussing Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 10:13.  

Day 6 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode continues this week's reflection on temptation, with Pastor Laura Johnson discussing Jesus' parable of the seeds and sower in Luke 8:4-8.

Day 5 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series. This episode from Rev. Sheila Ahler is a reflection on temptation and Matthew 6:13.

Day 4 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode is on Prayer (Matthew 6:5-8) with Rev. Laura Johnson.

Day 3 of the Cultivating Grace Lent Series This episode is on Service (Isaiah 58:6-11) with Rev. Kara Matthews.

Day 2 of the Cultivating Grace Lent series. This episode is on Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) with Ellen Griffin.

Day 1 of the Cultivating Grace Lent series.   This episode is on Confession (Psalm 51:1-5) with Pastor Laura Johnson.

Pastor Laura Johnson talks about the importance of prayer as being essential for a true, living faith.

This week, Pastor Sheila Ahler's sermon speaks for itself.

"Once you see something, you can't unsee it."

Our behaviors matter.  James offers timeless advice -  "be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger."  These words are simple in theory, but hard to put into practice.  Let us consider together what this looks like in our own faith life.

In this week’s message, we find out what courage and initiative are through the example of Nehemiah.

Reverend Doug Anderson, a retired United Methodist pastor from the Indiana Conference, preaches on "The Path of Grace."

Pastor Laura Johnson delivers the message in the last in the sermon series, Abide.

Abide in Hope

Abide In Faith

Abide in God.

In today’s Scripture passage, King David longs to strengthen his legacy by building a Temple for God. However God has other plans for David’s legacy: a future king, coming from David’s line, whose Kingdom will never end. Join us this Sunday as we consider how God mysteriously works through us to leave a better legacy than we could ever imagine. Preacher: Pastor Laura Johnson

David escorts the ark of the covenant, the chest that held the stone commandments God gave to Moses, into the newly established capital of Jerusalem. David is so overcome with joy that he dances in an undignified manner. When confronted by his wild dancing, David exhibits why he was chosen by God, and why his kingship was so successful. For David, worshiping and honoring God was the only thing that mattered. In today’s message we will consider how we might be inspired by David and become undignified for Jesus. Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

In today’s Scripture reading David has just won a great victory, but he lost two important people in the process. Today we will sit with David in his grief and consider how often joy and sorrow, hope and despair, light and darkness coexist in our hearts and lives, and how we can find God’s presence in it all. Preacher: Corey Vevera

When faced with a ferocious giant who was threatening his people, young David mustered the courage to stand against him and defeat him. He was only able to claim victory, of course, because God was leading him. This Sunday we will learn that when we allow God to lead us astonishing and remarkable things happen. Preacher: Pastor Laura Johnson

After God rejects King Saul’s reign, God sends the prophet Samuel to identify Saul’s successor as the next King. While Saul was impressive in figure and well-known and well-respected as a warrior when Samuel anointed Saul as King, God had something else in mind this time. This Sunday we will discover that God chose the next King not according to outward appearances or public reputation, but according to inner character. What can we learn from David’s anointing about what God considers “successful” and what God is hoping for in our own lives? Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

The people of God, dissatisfied with being led by the prophet Samuel and his sons, ask for a King so they can be like all the other nations. God’s desire is that they will choose to let God lead them through God’s chosen vessels. God grieves over the people’s request but gives them the leader they want, though first warning them that it will have dire consequences for generations to come. In today’s message, we will consider the importance of choosing mentors, teachers, and leaders. Preacher: Ella Volpe

In John 3 we listen as Nicodemus, eager as he was, could not fully grasp the mysteries of Jesus. That didn’t stop him from trying, nor did it stop him from having faith and following Jesus to the end.  Today, on this Trinity Sunday, join us as we grapple with the mysteries of God while we also remember the power and importance of faith. Preacher: Sheila Ahler

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.  What can we learn from the work of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost to help us understand the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and our church today? Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and prepared them to carry on this ministry. Then he ascended into heaven, leaving his disciples with his mission, instructing them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Join us this Sunday as we consider what we can learn from the disciples about waiting on God. Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

Join us this Sunday as we ponder Jesus’ commandment that as Easter people, we must love each other as Jesus has loved us. Jesus’ greatest desire for us is that we be people of love. What are the qualities of Christ-like love, and how can we develop this kind of love in our own hearts and lives? Preacher: Laura Johnson

This Sunday in worship we will meet an Ethipoian eunuch, who is seeking God even though by law he cannot be part of the worshipping community.  We watch and listen as Philip, one of the leaders of the early church, welcomes this man into the fellowship of Christian believers.  As Easter people, we are called to be people who are always ready to welcome others into the good news of Jesus.  What can we learn from this encounter between Philip and the Ethipoian man that can help us embrace this calling? Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

In worship this Sunday we will remember that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the one who gives up his life for us, his people. Join us as we consider how, as Easter people, we are called to imitate the sacrificial love of Jesus, trusting that it is through sacrificial love that God creates new, abundant life. Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

In Luke’s account of the resurrected Jesus’ appearance to the disciples, Jesus invites himself over for dinner. In those days, sharing a meal in one’s home was the ultimate sign of friendship, intimacy, and unity. This invitation to fellowship helped to empower the disciples to carry on their mission in Jesus’ name. In worship this Sunday we will learn about the power of fellowship and its importance in our lives as Easter people. Preacher: Pastor Laura Fine Ledford

On the Sunday after Easter, we encounter the Scripture passage that is often referred to as Doubting Thomas.  Thomas not only doubts the story of his fellow disciples, Thomas doubts the very authenticity of Jesus.  At the climax of the story, Jesus invites Thomas to touch his hands and his side - to literally touch the wounds of Christ.  It is a compelling image of Jesus as both Resurrected and scarred.  Join us this Sunday as we explore the tension of what it means to follow a Savior who embodies new life, but still bears the wounds of the past. Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

This Sunday's Easter sermon will be from Mark 16:1-8 which could easily be called the Best Worst Ending. It is the only one of our Easter texts that ends abruptly, in fear and bewilderment. This sense of fear and bewilderment is an appropriate sentiment as we face this Easter in the end stages (we hope) of a global pandemic. And yet, this story is the Best Worst ending because even in hard realities, there is still the Good News of Easter. Preacher: Laura Katherine Stern

Join us in worship as we remember the moments leading up to Jesus’ death. Experience music, scripture, and reflections given by members of our congregation as we journey together through Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. We hope you will participate in this important service that helps us experience the entirety of Holy Week, together. This podcast includes reflections from Ed Poston (Palm Sunday), Josey Snyder (Maundy Thursday), and Tim Clapp (Good Friday).

In a world that is dazzled by status and power, Jesus offered a different vision of "success." Success in God's Kingdom is defined not by how high one can climb, but by how compassionately one chooses to serve others. Join us this week in worship as we learn about Jesus' servant leadership and his call for us to follow. Guest Preacher – Cooper Sykes

In Sunday's Scripture Jesus gives hard news to Peter and the rest of the disciples. Jesus tells them how he must go to Jerusalem and once there he must face suffering. Peter doesn't want to hear it. But Jesus tells Peter, and us, in no uncertain terms that there are hard and uncertain places we must go. Preacher: Pastor Laura Katherine Stern

In the Scripture for this week, we hear about a mother whose love and concern for her little girl causes her to go to Jesus. She begs for Jesus to heal her daughter from the evil spirit that torments her. Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman engage in a fiery debate which ends with Jesus healing the little girl. In the end, we are left in awe at the way even the crumbs of God's grace can bring about seismic change.  Click to listen to Pastor Laura Katherine's sermon!

As we move into Lent, this Sunday we look back at the first time Jesus revealed himself as Son of Man. A healing occurred when Jesus took note of the faith of a paralyzed man and his friends. Join us as we find how that faith is shared. Hear Pastor Sheila's sermon today!

In this first Sunday in Lent, we encounter the story of Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness. We give thanks for a God who not only seeks to live among us, but who is willing to enter the wilderness of our world and of our lives. In Mark's account of this temptation story, there is this really interesting aspect - there are angels in the wilderness. Angels that minister to Jesus throughout the 40 days he spends there. Who are the angels ministering to us in our wilderness season? How are these messengers from God helping us to grow in our faith? Preacher: Pastor Laura Katherine Stern

This week's Scripture is the Transfiguration account from the Gospel of Mark.  We journey with Jesus (and Peter, James, and John) up the mountaintop where Jesus encounters the prophets of old - Moses and Elijah.  In that moment, Peter asks a question we can all relate to - "can we just stay here?"  In other words, can we stay where it is good, safe, happy and whole?  Peter does not receive a direct answer.  However, what happens next is the ultimate answer. Preacher: Pastor Laura Katherine Stern

Jesus’ ministry feels like a whirlwind, healing someone here, feeding people there, and teaching people all along the way.  How did he do it without growing weary?  How did he discern the Divine voice deep within?  Join us this Sunday as we learn from Jesus the art of listening for God’s voice.

Jesus’ message is one given with power and authority.  The Gospel of Mark opens with God speaking directly to evil.  What are the evils/the unclean spirits of our day? How is God speaking directly to them? How might I be amazed at the cosmic power of God?

Sometimes, when God speaks, we are offered very specific invitations to go and do.  Go to Nineveh and proclaim what I have said.  Drop your nets and follow me.  We always have a choice as to how and if we respond. What might the implications be if we choose to ignore God’s voice? What might happen if we said yes?

Are you stressed? Anxious? Does life feel chaotic? Oftentimes the holidays bring chaos, anxiety, and stress, and in an already chaotic and stressful year, many of us are feeling weary and run down. If this is you, we invite you to join us this month as we explore the spiritual discipline of meditation. For thousands of years, God’s people have found meditation to be a consistent avenue to find peace and calm in God amid life’s uncertainty and chaos. So how might God speak to you if you take time to sit in silence, enter prayerfully into The Word, and wait for the Holy Spirit to make its presence known? Join Pastor Ellen Rose each week for a short, guided meditation on an Advent Scripture.

Are you stressed? Anxious? Does life feel chaotic? Oftentimes the holidays bring chaos, anxiety, and stress, and in an already chaotic and stressful year, many of us are feeling weary and run down. If this is you, we invite you to join us this month as we explore the spiritual discipline of meditation. For thousands of years, God’s people have found meditation to be a consistent avenue to find peace and calm in God amid life’s uncertainty and chaos. So how might God speak to you if you take time to sit in silence, enter prayerfully into The Word, and wait for the Holy Spirit to make its presence known? Join Pastor Ellen Rose each week for a short, guided meditation on an Advent Scripture.

Are you stressed? Anxious? Does life feel chaotic? Oftentimes the holidays bring chaos, anxiety, and stress, and in an already chaotic and stressful year, many of us are feeling weary and run down. If this is you, we invite you to join us this month as we explore the spiritual discipline of meditation. For thousands of years, God’s people have found meditation to be a consistent avenue to find peace and calm in God amid life’s uncertainty and chaos. So how might God speak to you if you take time to sit in silence, enter prayerfully into The Word, and wait for the Holy Spirit to make its presence known? Join Pastor Ellen Rose each week for a short, guided meditation on an Advent Scripture.

Are you stressed? Anxious? Does life feel chaotic? Oftentimes the holidays bring chaos, anxiety, and stress, and in an already chaotic and stressful year, many of us are feeling weary and run down. If this is you, we invite you to join us this month as we explore the spiritual discipline of meditation. For thousands of years, God’s people have found meditation to be a consistent avenue to find peace and calm in God amid life’s uncertainty and chaos. So how might God speak to you if you take time to sit in silence, enter prayerfully into The Word, and wait for the Holy Spirit to make its presence known? Join Pastor Ellen Rose each week for a short, guided meditation on an Advent Scripture.