Hillside Church's Podcast

This Sunday we start our advent series. Emmanuel means ‘God with us.’ During advent, we expect and long for God to be among and with us. And although the Holidays is a joyful time of the year, there are times we feel lonely, confused, and weak even during seasons of joy. This morning we’ll take a look at how God is with us during times of confusion using how God interacted with Joseph as our example.Text: Matthew 1:18-25Message by Pastor Arek O’ConnellSupport the show

We live in a very practical world. All that matters to many people are the results. In our workplaces we might be told—I don't care how, just get the job done. And it can be tempting to do that in the church. We might be tempted to say, "We know what God wants, who cares how we get there?" This morning we'll remember that God cares about how we build His kingdom.Support the show

1 Corinthians 9:19-23We’ve talked about what God is doing and how He has gifted us.  This morning we’ll turn to another question:  Where has God placed us?  If we are to make a Maximum Impact we need to think about how to connect with the people in our community today.  This question becomes really important when we think of how quickly the world around us is changing.  How do we keep sharing the Old Old Story to people today?Support the show

I Corithians 12:12; 18-20We said last week that we are Living Stones. We said that God is using us as He is rebuilding everything – He is making everything new. This week we’re going to ask another question: What kind of Living Stones are we? As individuals and as a church we are not just like everyone else. We have different strengths, gifts and abilities. This morning we’ll think about what those strengths, gifts and abilities might be.Support the show

We kick-off our Maximum Impact 2 campaign this Sunday morning. We'll spend time thinking and praying about what God is calling us to do and to be as a church. This morning we'll start with the big picture of what God is doing and we'll begin to think about how we are a part of that!Support the show

We just recently wrapped up a series on prayer as it relates to discipleship. This morning we're going to continue to see what scripture has to say about prayer. Specifically, we'll take a look at two parables Jesus tells his audience. How do Jesus's parables inform our prayer life today?Support the show

We know that God commands us to pray. We know praying is good for us. But does prayer actually change anything? And if so, what does prayer change? This morning we'll focus on these important questions. Support the show

John 16:13We’ve said that prayer is both talking to God and listening to God. Most of us have an idea of how to talk to God. But how do we listen for God in prayer? Is hearing from God something that is reserved only for a select few or is it something all of us should expect?Support the show

Ephesians 6:18Last week we said prayer is communication with God.  This morning we'll take a look at one part of this communication - talking to God.  We'll take a look at some of the ways that we can bring our hearts and lives to God. Support the show

Matthew 6:9If we want to grow in our relationship with God one of the main things we can do is pray. But that’s not always as easy as it sounds. We know we should pray, but we’re just not sure how to do it. This morning we’ll begin to think about what prayer is and how we can learn to grow in our prayer lives.Support the show

II Peter 3:18Last week we saw that if Christ is alive in us, we should be growing and changing - we should be more loving and kind and obedient in our lives.  The Holy Spirit should be at work in us.  But we also recognized the it doesn’t always feel like we’re growing.  This morning we’ll identify some of the practices that can help us keep growing in Christ.Support the show

When we're younger, we think about growing a lot. We want to grow--taller, stronger, faster, smarter. While there is a time when most of us will stop growing bigger physically (okay, weight might continue to grow), the Bible makes clear that we are never to stop growing as disciples of Jesus Christ. But what does growing in Christ look like? And how can we keep growing? This morning we're beginning a sermon series where we'll be thinking about growing in Christ.Support the show

Acts 16:22-34Will our children have faith?  How many times have you asked that question?  Parents and grandparents alike are worried about the faith of the next generation.  This Sunday we’re going to have the “Blessing of the Backpacks” and we’ll ask God’s blessing upon our kids.  Come explore with us a few principles the Bible teaches us on how to nurture faith in our kids. Support the show

Luke 16: 1-13When we think of the kind of people God wants us to be, most of us think of things like kind, loving, serving, patient, and generous. But this morning Jesus invites us to add a surprising characteristic to the list: Shrewd. This morning we'll take a look at why Jesus wants us to be shrewd.Support the show

Matthew 21:28-32One of the major charges that non-Christians make against Christians is that many Christians are hypocrites. Many believe that those of us who claim to follow God talk a good game but don’t actually live the way God wants us to. It’s one thing when our neighbor says this. It’s another thing when Jesus says this. This morning we’ll look at a story in which Jesus challenges religious people to think about whether we are worried about more than how we look.Support the show

One of the pictures the Bible gives us of heaven is that it's like a great feast, a banquet, a huge celebration. The Bible promises that there will be plenty of food and drink and a great time will be had by all. But who gets to go? Who gets invited to the party? This morning, we'll look at another "upside-down" story in which Jesus surprises us about God's invitation.Support the show

We all have a certain amount of resources (time, talent, treasures, etc.) in our lives. The question we have to ask ourselves every day is where we will invest those resources. What are we going to do with what God has given us? Jesus tells us a story today that makes us think about whether we are being wise or foolish as we invest our resources.Support the show

When Jesus came, one of the main things he talked about was the Kingdom of God. He described it as a place that was wonderful but also weird. In so many ways, the Kingdom was different--upside down. For the next several weeks we'll be taking a look at some of the stories Jesus told about the Kingdom and how Jesus redefined so many things in our world.Support the show

Ever felt awkward sharing your faith?  Jesus does something pretty radical: he sends out his disciples two by two.  In a fast-changing world that changes fast and constantly updates, how do we update as a church in order to reach out to others?  Come explore with us this Sunday what we can learn from what God does around the world to reach the lost.Support the show

Ever feel like you want to tap into God’s treasure chest and grab as many riches as possible? These next two Sundays I’m going to share a few things God has taught me during my sabbatical leave. This week we’ll take a look at prayer practices I’ve experienced around the world, and how God’s promises are released when we seek Him.Text: Revelation 4Message by Pastor Daniel BudSupport the show