July 28, 2024

We all love a good underdog story, but what if the most famous biblical underdog tale has more to offer than we thought? Join Pastor Brent as he revisits the classic story of David and Goliath with fresh eyes and uncovers surprising insights for our modern lives.

What You'll Learn:

• A new perspective on the familiar David and Goliath story
• Three ways this ancient tale reveals how God is with us in our daily struggles
• How to find strength when facing your own "giants"

How It Will Help You:

• Reclaim your true identity when others try to define you
• Face your fears with renewed courage and faith
• Find hope and purpose even in the messiest parts of life

Whether you're wrestling with self-doubt, fear, or life's complexities, this fresh take on an old story will inspire you to face your challenges with the confidence that God is with you every step of the way.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1–50

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.

Duke Divinity Pastoral Intern Isabel Packevicz expands our understanding of the divine by exploring often-overlooked feminine imagery for God in scripture. The sermon encourages us to see God's presence in life's messy, painful moments, offering hope for transformation.

In this sermon, hearers will:

• Explore often overlooked feminine imagery for God in the Bible
• Discover how viewing God as a mother and midwife can provide comfort in times of pain and struggle
• Learn about the historical role of midwives and how it relates to our understanding of God
• Gain a new perspective on familiar Bible stories like Creation and Exodus

How this can help in daily life:

• Offers a more nurturing and intimate view of God for those struggling with traditional masculine imagery
• Provides comfort for those going through difficult times, showing God as present in pain and struggle
• Empowers listeners, especially women, to see themselves as image-bearers of God
• Encourages a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the divine

Queer indie singer/songwriter Spencer LaJoye joins The Local Church and friends for a sweaty night of hope, healing, and humanity at The Plant in Pittsboro, North Carolina. This recording features the full audio from Spencer's set.

July 7, 2024

In this sermon, you will:

• Revisit the classic Bible story of Daniel in the Lion's Den with fresh eyes
• Learn to shift focus from "be like Daniel" to understanding God's presence and activity in the story
• Discover how this ancient tale relates to modern challenges and fears

Key takeaways:

• God meets us in places of uncertainty, fear, and injustice
• Hope persists even when circumstances seem dire
• Our faith can empower us to face threats and resist injustice

How this helps in daily life:

• Provides comfort and perspective when facing personal or societal challenges
• Encourages listeners to ground themselves in hope, even amid difficulty
• Inspires action and compassion rooted in faith

Scripture: Daniel 6:6-27

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.

To wrap up our "The Call of the Wild" series, we gathered outdoors and hear from Pat Watkins and Denise Honeycutt who shared the profound connections between community, creation, and our relationship with God.

What You'll Learn:

• The Interconnectedness of Relationships: Discover how our relationships with God, each other, and creation are fundamentally intertwined.
• Biblical Insights: Gain fresh perspectives on the story of Adam and Eve, including often-overlooked details and their implications for today.
• Community Living: Understand what it means to be a part of a broader community that includes not just people but all of creation.
• Practical Theology: Learn how integrating care for the environment is essential to living out Christian discipleship.
• Personal Reflection: Hear personal stories and reflections that illustrate the importance of seeing God in all aspects of life around us.

From our Sunday Liturgy on June 23, we invited Lenore Braford, Founder and Executive Director of Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, to share insights into the meaningful work of rewilding and community healing. Lenore talks about the refuge’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide lifelong care for farm animals that have been subjected to abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding Rewilding: Learn what rewilding means in the context of community and animal welfare.
• Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge: Discover the refuge's unique approach to animal care, including animal-centered design and providing specialized medical care.
• Inspirational Stories: Hear heartwarming stories of animals like Sweet Mama, a goat who escaped a life of hardship, and Hope, a chicken who found a new lease on life.
• Community Connection: Find out how connecting with animals can foster empathy and help us unlearn harmful societal norms about farm animals.

How This Interview Will Benefit You
Listening to this episode will inspire you to think more deeply about animal welfare, the importance of compassion, and how you can make a positive impact in your community. The discussion about aligning our actions with our values will encourage you to reflect on your daily choices and strive for a more humane world.

June 23, 2024

Inspired by the popular internet phrase "touch grass," the sermon draws from Genesis and Matthew to offer insights into reducing anxiety, embracing our true selves, and finding peace in God's creation. This sermon will empower you to step back from the digital overwhelm and constant hustle of modern life. By rewilding yourself, you'll discover new ways to find peace, joy, and purpose through a deeper connection with God's creation. Practical steps and spiritual reflections will guide you to live more freely and authentically.

Scripture: Genesis 3:7-11; Matthew 6:25-34

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.

June 16, 2024

In this sermon, Leah explores what it means to "rewild" our faith by restoring a right relationship with all of God's creation. You'll learn:

• Why caring for the earth is central to the Christian story, not a side issue
• How to have a "right-sized" relationship with creation that recognizes our smallness and interdependence
• Practices for listening to creation and repairing our broken relationship with the earth

Leah shares a powerful story about geese interrupting her commute that caused her to rethink her relationship with the land. She also dives into the beautiful Job 38 passage to uncover the intimate ways God relates to creation.

By the end of this sermon, you'll be inspired to see your care for creation as a vital part of your spiritual journey. Leah offers the simple but profound practice of spending 30 minutes listening to the world around you as a first step.

Scripture: Job 38:1, 4–41

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.