Pastor Brian Podcast

May you have a blessed World Communion Sunday! This is a Supplemental Episode made for the Gary Church congregation taking Holy Communion on World Communion Sunday from our cars in the parking lot separated by an empty parking spot! Because of COVID-19 here in Wheaton, IL and the greater Chicagoland area we are only able to meet 50 people a day in our sanctuary. Today is World Communion Sunday, where Christians around the world celebrate the sacrament together. We want everyone in our congregation who is able to receive Holy Communion, not just the 50 allowed in our sanctuary. So, we are having Drive-In Communion for all who desire to worship through the sacrament. We are gathering and receiving the sacrament of The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, or Eucharist while “Doing No Harm.” The sacraments are a gift God gave to empower us by the Holy Spirit to faithfully live as disciples of Jesus Christ. We made this podcast so folks can still hear the words and prayers of Holy Communion as they are being said at the same time as Pastor Brian and Pastor Chris in the parking lot, even though we are in separate vehicles. If you are not a part of Gary Church you are still welcome to listen to the prayers as they are scriptural and powerful. However, as you know, this does not make any bread or juice/wine around you at the time you listen to this the sacrament . . . that’s not how it works!!! :) Yet, we would love to partake in this Holy Meal with you if you are ever in Wheaton, IL on a Sunday!
Music featured today:

• "Drip" by Yung Kartz is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Welcome to Season 5! Today we speak with Dr. Michael Graves, the Armerding Professor of Biblical Studies in the Bible and Theology Department at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. His primary area of teaching is the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and is highly respected scholar and amazing teacher. Dr. Graves also teaches and lectures at Gary Church– where he serves in many capacities as well as an usher. Have you ever wanted to ask what scripture actually was . . . and were too afraid to ask? What is the best ways to begin reading the Bible? Why should we read scripture? Does it have any real benefits? Or curious about what scripture can teach about reading scripture? Join us as we have a conversation about faith, scripture, and God’s call in our everyday life.
We begin with a prayer (00:41), our lunch menu (01:27) Dr. Graves' work, and name of new book (02:51), Michael's own story of faith in Christ (04:27), how God called him to be a professor (06:34), the process of becoming a scholar and faculty member (10:31), what he loves about teaching at Wheaton College and in congregations (14:50), what is scripture (16:11), why scripture so important to Christians (22:40), main obstacles people have to reading the Bible (26:58), key concepts to interpreting the Bible (35:13), the ways Jesus uses scripture and "Inner-Biblical Interpretation" (38:39), advice for people picking up a Bible the first time (45:26), ways people who are familiar with scripture can continue to grow in Christ through the Bible (49:35), how scripture has been shaping him in the last 10 years (54:00), what he hopes people find in reading scripture (57:08), and a final prayer and blessing (59:02).
For more information about Michael and his work:

• Armerding Professor of Biblical Studies
• Michael's newest book: "How Scripture Interprets Scripture: What Biblical Writers Can Teach us about Reading the Bible."
• "Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church" (Ad Fontes: Early Christian Sources)
• "The Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture: What the Early Church Can Teach Us Jerome's Hebrew Philology: A Study Based on His Commentary on Jeremiah (Vigiliae Christianae, Supplements) Commentary on Jeremiah (Ancient Christian Texts)"

Menu for Today's Lunch with Michael:

• Gazpacho Paired With Pineapple Carpaccio, Pomegranate & Vanilla Salt by Gordon Ramsay

Hey, y'all! The first year a student attends college or university (or one's "freshman year" as we say in America) is important for a myriad of reasons. It is also extremely vital for one's faith in Christ. Today, we are joined by three freshmen who've just completed their first semester at college: Leah Austin, Anna Mathis, and Carter Gaul. We talk about the tremendous experiences with God in their first semester and also places where they have struggled, doubted, and are asking new questions in their faith. It is wonderful conversation that I hope you can share with other students in your life . . . especially those preparing for college soon!

We begin with an introduction (00:41), a prayer (04:17), our lunch menu (04:51), Leah Austin, Anna Mathis, and Carter Gaul (07:26 ), their stories of faith in Christ (08:58 ), how college helped them discover new and exciting things in their life with Christ (11:08), the biggest difference in their spiritual lives now they are in college (14:43), how college has hurt, challenged, or complicated their faith (18:07), ways the Church could have done better at preparing them for a life of faith in college (24:55), things the Church did right in preparing them for faith in college (27:38), have they found a congregation (32:57), what is different about coming back to their home congregation (36:27), advice for other college and high school students about faith in college (39:01), a final prayer (43:05), thank you (44:40), and a blessing (44:55).
Menu for the evenings snack with Leah, Anna, and Carter:

• Parisian/French Hot Chocolate from The French Cooking Academy with Kate and Stephane

Further Reading:

• "Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids" by Kara E. Powell and Chap Clark
• Fuller Youth Institute

Our hope is that you have been able to relax on this Saturday! Our Podcast includes a: Gathering (00:00), Lighting the Advent Wreath (00:30), Opening Prayer (02:03), Scripture (02:38), Devotion Question from Scripture (03:32), Prayer with Pastor Dan Lee (03:52), Michelle Younkin (06:40), Blessing (07:08), End (07:35). Mary and Joseph journey for a religious ceremony in Luke 2:21-24! Blessings!

• "Christmas Wonder" by Purple Planet Music at https://www.purple-planet.com. Visit the site and you will find a catalog of music which you can browse and use!