Episode List

Leadership is the Spirit-given work of helping a community live into its calling. Pastor Emily weaves in the voices of several people with a leadership gift to highlight some godly […]

The gift of faith is the Spirit-given ability to trust deeply in God’s presence and goodness, especially when circumstances make that trust difficult. We talk about how people with this gift […]

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in the book of Acts. As followers of Jesus were busy debating who could be baptized into the community of […]

We talk about what prophecy and discernment look like in practical terms, and how they work together to encourage us and provide wisdom. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]

Sister Elena Guerra, Pope Leo XIII, Agnes Ozman, William Seymour, and Lucy Fallows: The Story Behind the re-emergence of the Spirit’s quirkiest gift. (And a bonus: what Pope Leo XIV […]

The Bible is full of stories about healing, especially the Gospels. For this reason, the expectation of divine healing has been a normal part of the church’s life. In this […]

Looking at the Book of Acts and the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke, we talk about how the gifts of hospitality and generosity can be seen […]

We’re starting a new sermon series this morning on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We talk about how the stories between Easter and Pentecost point to a God whose Spirit […]

We talk about the Road to Emmaus, and the invitation is to keep walking on a journey of faith. To stay attentive. To remain open to the possibility that there is more happening […]

On this Easter Sunday, as we remember the story of Jesus’s resurrection together, it might be surprising to consider that Easter doesn’t take place outside of the wilderness. Easter happens right in the […]

Wilderness tales often include tests of character in the Bible; it’s probably clearest in Jesus’s story. In the wilderness God realized he could trust Jesus to use his authority and influence with […]

We look further at the story of Elijah to help us navigate questions around burnout, rejuvenation, and discerning what’s ours to carry and what’s not ours to carry.  Learn more […]

Using the story of Elijah and the ravens, we talk about how God provides for us and sustains us in the hardest times of life.  Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

The wilderness is a common image in scripture. It signifies the places in life where God feels absent and it seems like we’re alone. The story of Jacob offers us […]

Using the story of Joseph we talk about hard-won survival wisdom gained in the wilderness. The boy who had big dreams becomes a man who can manage a crisis. Learn […]

We open our new sermon series and talk about how remembering God’s faithfulness and other ways we get through hard times builds resilience. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. […]

In 1937, while leading a seminary declared illegal by the Nazis, the German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote one of his most famous books: The Cost of Discipleship. In the book, […]

We look at the ending of the story, focusing on some of the comic elements, and talk about how the story of Gideon is trying to teach us that friendship with God […]

Bishop Tim Wolfe teaches from the story of Gideon to encourage us that God can use us to change the world for the better. He highlights the verse that talks […]

When it seems like everything is on fire and God has abandoned the world, Gideon’s story reminds us that we are not alone. God is with us, inviting us to […]

We open a three-part sermon series on friendship with God using the story of Gideon in Judges 6–7. Who does God say you are? What does it mean to build […]

We use the story of Ruth as scaffolding for talking about care and concern for immigrants. Our message also includes a presentation by Amanda Schwartz, a staff attorney at the […]

The Christmas season ends on January 6th with the celebration of Epiphany. On this day we remember the story of Herod, an insecure king, who was visited by magi from […]

The night Jesus was born, some shepherds were playing a role that would have been familiar to anyone shaped by the Hebrew Scriptures—the role of the watchmen. We talk about […]

From Board Member Lisa Ruby: Pivoting away from quiet anticipation to rejoicing and elation as we light the candle of joy. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

In the second week of Advent, as we continue our series on the legacy of the watchmen, we are invited to consider the story of Ezekiel the Prophet. Ezekiel was […]

It’s the first week of Advent, the season when we wait in the darkness with hope that God’s presence will break through. We talk about how the watchmen of Scripture provide a […]

Using a story from the Gospel of Luke, we offer a few thoughts on gratitude this Thanksgiving week. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past […]

Today we reach the edge of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus brings everything to a choice. There are different ways to live. Which story will we trust? Which foundation […]

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to judge one another and not to get caught up worrying about other people’s issues when we have plenty of […]

We continue in our series on the Sermon on the Mount and then have a little chat about the church in lieu of our normal membership series. Learn more about […]

This week we take a closer look at The Lord’s Prayer to help us better understand this prayer we say together each week and how it shapes our hearts. Learn […]

The part of the SOTM we’re talking about today is about rivalry-reducing practices. These are spiritual practices that can help shape us to have the kind of character that helps us […]

This week we continue our Sermon on the Mount series by considering two of Jesus’ most challenging teachings: nonviolence and enemy-love. We explore the logic behind these teachings and consider […]

We look at how Jesus diagnoses the things that most often trip humans up and keep us from being our best selves, and the practical advice he gives to help […]

What does it mean for salt to “lose its taste”? We talk about the part of the Sermon on the Mount that encourages us to keep our “flavor,” be light, […]

Many people see the Beatitudes as high moral ideals we’re supposed to live up to, but that approach makes us focus on our own effort instead of God’s grace. We […]

Pastor Emily opens up a new series on the Sermon On the Mount by setting the stage for Jesus’s most famous teaching. The Sermon on the Mount begins not with a […]

In Luke 14, Jesus responds to the crowds in a surprising way: If you want to be my disciple, be prepared to give up everything. What feels like a harsh […]

From Guest Speaker Kim Robinson: Based in developmental science about how learning happens, I make connections between the process of learning and the process of working toward God’s good realm […]

From Guest Speaker Tom Seiple: The Bible has a great deal to say about money and debt, mentioning money, wealth, and debt over 2,300 times. Given that frequency, these are clearly […]

How do we pray when it seems like the world around us has lost its way? Incorporating insights from indigenous teachers, we explore the world of Psalm 82 and learn what it […]

Best-selling Christian books to the contrary, cognitive and emotional empathy is the ethical heart of the teaching of Jesus and the Law of Moses. Pastor Emeritus Ken Wilson provides guidance […]

From Special Guest Speaker Dr. David Gushee: Drawing from Luke 12:13–21, a family inheritance dispute is the occasion for a teaching moment. Dr. Gushee has been a special friend to […]

From Guest Speaker Nancy Ogilvie: There’s no question that growing old can be a process of loss and diminishment; and when we embrace aging as a spiritual practice, we can turn […]

From Pastor Emeritus Ken Wilson—The manosphere is calling for a return to 1950s gender roles and masculinity. There are other options. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

Emily and Javan have a flock of about 60 sheep, daily they teach them insights about themselves and God—enlightening the words of Scripture. Drawing from Ezekiel 34, they share some […]

Guest speaker Lisa Ruby discusses the challenges of living, and especially growing up, in a society dominated by laws and punishments meant to control our behavior, and the invaluable role […]

We wrap up our series on the dragon theme in the Bible by talking about how Jesus gave us tools for fighting the Chaos Monster. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

We explore the story of Deborah and Jael in Judges 4 as a dragon-slaying story, and talk about the invitation for all of us to participate in the story of […]

We continue our series exploring the dragon-slaying stories in the Bible by revisiting the story of Exodus where Moses leads the Israelites to freedom while Pharaoh and his army are […]

This week we open up a sermon series where we talk about the dragon slaying stories in the Bible and what they’re trying to communicate. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

Pastor Emily interviews our new Associate Pastor of Community Life, Daniel Reaume, so we can get to know him better. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]

TFAM Bishop Tim Wolfe gives a word about the cost of following Jesus. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn where and […]

Practicing resurrection means living as if the resurrection of Jesus already changes everything—how we treat others, how we spend our time, how we respond to suffering, how we imagine the world can and should be. It takes […]

We talk about joy and celebration as acts of resistance against despair. Shared joy rooted in memory and hope, is powerful. Celebration is a sign that the oppressed have not been […]

The shortest verse in the Bible—Jesus Wept—is one of its most profound. It is a moment of deep humanity, a moment where grief meets love, and a moment that shows […]

We talk about how practicing Sabbath isn’t about adding to our load but about rhythm and trust and believing the care of your body and your soul isn’t something you have […]

We look at the history and importance of Communion as a ritual meal that forms trails in the landscape of the body/soul. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

We contrast the “yeast of Herod” with the “yeast of the kin-dom of God” and talk about how baptism symbolically aligns us with a story of hope, freedom, and love. […]

Using the story in John 2 about the miracle at Cana, we remember that, when the Spirit invites us to take action, we’re doing it with the abundance of God at […]

One of our spiritual tools is that we can make a pilgrimage of the heart where we can access Divine presence and peace. We talk about what it means to […]

We use the story of David blessing his son Solomon to build the temple to talk about discerning which roles are ours to take on, and which are not. Where […]

Blue Ocean intern El Costanzo draws from the stories of David dancing in worship and of his friendship with Jonathan to talk about love that transcends categories. Learn more about […]

We look at a story about King David that is both a warning and an invitation. It warns us of the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of corruption. […]

Emily and her sister Lindsay talk about the treasures of the church and how to navigate times such as the ones in which we live. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

Pastor Emeritus Ken connects Jesus’s “fear not“ statements with Psalm 56, a psalm David wrote under intense duress. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]

Using stories about David, we talk about how our  limits and character are tested when we meet adversity and pressure. What will we do? What kind of person do we want […]

This morning we begin a new sermon series called “The Heart of the Matter” where we’re interacting with some of the stories about King David in the Hebrew Scriptures in order to reflect on what […]

We look at the imagery of the nativity to talk about how Jesus is the new Eden—the new “home of delight,” in whom we find shelter, safety, and a place […]

As we move toward Christmas and the culmination of the season, we are reminded that love is a transformative power that shapes how we live, how we see ourselves, how […]

For the third week of Advent, Blue Ocean intern El Costanzo preaches about how the announcement of joy of the birth of Jesus was not made in the courts of kings […]

This second week of Advent we practice peace while waiting on the presence of God to show up more fully. Sometimes God’s peace enters into the chaos of our lives […]

Guest speaker Dr. Kim Robinson opens our Advent sermon series talking about the practices of Advent and learning from marginalized voices. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

We wrap up our series on reading the Bible by talking about some guardrails for interpretation. For more information on membership, and to download a copy of our current membership […]

This week we use the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den to illustrate the Fourfold Method of Bible Interpretation. For more information on membership, and to download a copy […]

We start out our series on reading the Bible by embracing an enjoyment of the writings as literature. Many of us have been taught to read the Bible “seriously” instead […]

When others struggle to feel God’s presence, we stand beside them because it is in relationship that we know God. No one is meant to do this alone. In a world that […]

Dr. David Gushee talks about the importance of liberal democracy and addresses the need for living with others in unity, as best we’re able. For more information on membership, and […]

Three different congregants share about their personal faith journey and why they’ve made Blue Ocean their church home. For more information on membership, and to download a copy of the […]

For our membership series, we explore getting outside ourselves to connect with others. Togetherness is the antidote to loneliness. We don’t need to have all the answers or to rely […]

We use the Book of Ruth and the Proverbs to talk about care for the poor. Part of what it means to follow Jesus, part of what it means to be […]

We talk about how healthy spirituality reduces shame, and we are welcome before God in all of our humanity. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings […]

We talk about how the Proverbs caution us to be wary of extreme certainty, and wary of extremes in our thinking more generally. Many of the verses encourage us to be open […]

Pastor Emeritus, Ken Wilson, explores the wit and wisdom of Proverbs as field-tested advice from an oppressed people. Their experiences can help us navigate challenging situations, particularly as it applies […]

Today we explore the Proverbs as riddles. These riddle-type proverbs impart wisdom in witty or clever ways, just as Wisdom plays in the earth and delights in humankind. Learn more […]

Proverbs says everything meaningful in life has both upsides and downsides. Perhaps the most meaningful parts of our lives are enabled by the seemingly mundane things we do, day in and […]

The writer David Brooks talks about résumé virtues and eulogy virtues. The Book of Proverbs is deeply concerned with eulogy virtues—with character. It offers some guidelines that we’ll consider together.  Learn […]

In the imagination of the Hebrew Scriptures, Wisdom is the fabric of the world. When we make wise choices, we have the wind at our back.  Learn more about Blue […]

The catch all word for the stuff we learn that makes our lives work well is wisdom. We start a new sermon series this week on the earthy wisdom of the Proverbs […]

Habakkuk came to understand that living by faith meant that, even if he didn’t understand God’s ways or timing, he could rely on God’s character—Their wisdom, love, and reliability. Learn […]

Guest speaker Lisa Ruby talks about how we can lead responsibly in ways that reflect God’s good realm. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]

Today, we explore Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians on belonging to one sacred body as many members in One. Remembering that we can only be as healthy or as […]

This week we wrap up our sermon series on Original Blessing by summarizing what we’ve learned and looking at it in light of the Sermon on the Mount. Learn more […]

God’s desire is for us to both trust Them and show that we can be Trusted. We’re invited to grow and mature, to become discerning of good and evil, to hold grey […]

We look at another Scriptural metaphor that can help us think about how to live lives that reflect goodness and integrity. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

We look at how the Bible asks us if we’re able to pick up the mandate of Original Blessing. Can we humans be trusted to care for ourselves and the […]

We dwell in a good God; a good God dwells in us. Today, we’ll explore how Original Blessing can help us turn away from the arrogance of thinking, “I don’t […]

On this Pentecost Sunday we talk about the symbolism of the trees and water in Scripture, and how we’re invited to drink from the Spirit to strengthen our souls and […]

We look at the metaphor of the garden in Scripture to explore what it’s saying about Original Blessing. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]

We talk about how the concept of Original Blessing is solving a different problem than Original Sin, which leads to a different gospel message. Instead of humans needing saving from […]

This week we take a closer look at some of the history and shortcomings of Original Sin and why it fails us. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]

We’re starting a new sermon series on Original Blessing and how this idea impacts how we see God, ourselves, and our role in the world. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

Today, we explore two versions of Paul too often used for harm. Then, we consider some new perspectives on Paul, which can transform the meaning of his words. As he […]

Pastor Ken explores the first three books of the old testament—Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus—to highlight the foundations of harm alleviation in scripture. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we see in his teachings and actions a roadmap for how we are called to live in the world. We orient our own deep […]

The story of Palm Sunday offers an invitation to live our lives in ways that bring about peace through justice.  Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]

As we continue our sermon series on following Jesus during a rise in Christian Nationalism, today we look at a repeating pattern: liberation movements followed by a rise in “stiff-necked” […]

We talk about the violent militancy of this white Christian nationalism and then look at Jesus for some guidance for how to relate to it. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

The best predictor that someone embraces Christian nationalism is that they also subscribe to traditional gender norms. We look at how Genesis starts out the Bible narrative with a challenge to gender hierarchy […]

We contrast how Jesus used power with the dominionist theology that’s driving part of the white Christian nationalist movement today. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]

We talk about the deep story driving Christian nationalism, and touch on how that story is counter to the project to which Jesus called his followers. Learn more about Blue […]

This morning we talk about the path to healing after a loss. Healing doesn’t mean getting back to the person we were before the loss, but rather integrating the loss into […]

We talk about how our emotions often feel like they’re in chaotic disarray in the weeks and months (and sometimes years) following a loss—feeling the feelings is part of the path […]

We talk a bit about our shared human experience of grief, and how to care for each other in times of mourning. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]

We talk about God’s work in us during the cold, wintery seasons of our spiritual life using Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the sea beast.Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

Kim Robinson, Executive Vice President of The Forum for Youth Investment and the Managing Director for the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, guest preaches—incorporating some of her research to talk about […]

On Epiphany we celebrate the story of the magi. Today, we also look to the night sky in a reflective exploration of what we can learn from the moon, who […]

Pastor Emily, joined by the children of Blue Ocean, shares stories about St. Nicholas of Myra; followed by a performance by the Ypsilanti Youth Choir, led by Crystal Harding. Learn […]

Guest preacher Lisa Ruby talks about ways to actively find peace in our daily lives.  Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn […]

We look at Luke 2 and talk about how Simeon and Anna understood the story they were part of and the role they played in it. They stood in a […]

We finish up our series by looking at the stories of a couple of saints who embody the longing for a healthy relationship with nature and with people of other […]

We talk about the mystical stream of the faith that connects Logos and Woman Wisdom and Jesus—remembering that God transcends gender. We also touch on a couple of the icons […]

We remember these saints to remind ourselves that we don’t have to do anything extravagant to be remembered as a person who shows God’s love to the people around us—we […]

On this All Saints Sunday we’re starting a new series talking about the communion of the saints and the icons we use in our worship space. We start off by […]

In the final sermon in our membership series, we talk about the grace and inclusive welcome of the table of God. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

We talk about how we’re compelled to walk paths of justice on our faith journeys, led by the Creator and in the company of others. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

We talk about what it means for the Creator to provide basic care, concern, and comfort to us in the midst of life’s many troubles, and how being nourished by […]

This morning we talk a bit about our values of connection and intentional community, and then three congregants share a little of their own story. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]

Jesus taught his disciples, “Blessed are you who are poor“ and “woe to you who are rich.” These challenge our expectations on who is truly blessed and chosen by G-d. […]

We’ve been talking about how, when religious meta-narratives undergo seismic shifts, people start to gather at the edges of faith because parts of the core don’t work for them anymore. […]

Innovation and the reimagining of Christianity is happening on the margins of our faith tradition. We chat a bit about TFAM and how our church found fellow travelers on our […]

We interact with the work of Rabbi Benay Lappe, who has a framework for what happens when the stories of our faith traditions start to unravel. It’s an invitation to […]

In a series where we’re exploring a few well-trod prayers, we look at a beloved compline prayer that offers some tools for praying before bed or during the night. Learn […]

We talk about the imagination St. Hildegard von Bingen had for how the Divine interacts with the creation, how her imagination informed the prayer she penned, and how it might […]

We give some history and context for the Sarum Prayer to better understand why we pray it together every week during our Sunday services. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]

Research shows that prayer and meditation are good for our brains. Today, we look at meditation and prayer as food for our mind and soul through the lens of two […]

Sheerah is a builder of cities. Her brief story is tucked away as a remnant within a book of remnants, but it’s an important one for helping some people see […]

Guest speaker Crystal Harding leads the Ypsilanti Youth Choir in a couple songs and then shares about her experience of speaking truth to power. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]

Guest Speaker Christian Axelgard shares a bit of his own story and why he connects with the story of Jonah. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]

Ruth is a story all about deeds of loving-kindness. When we are tempted to judge others or use the Bible for harm, Ruth the “compassionate friend” teaches about the greatest […]

Pastor Emily shares a lighter sermon about why she loves Barnabas—and how his story shaped her spirituality and influenced how we do church here at Blue Ocean. Learn more about Blue […]

We draw inspiration from the story of the Exodus to talk about the importance of supporting reparations. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past […]

Churches have been part of the American myth-making machine since colonial settlers stepped foot on the continent. White theologians and pastors over the centuries created theologies justifying white supremacy. So it’s […]

We have a story in our tradition that I think can help us get at ways of talking about some ways a faith community can help diminish shame. Using the […]

We look at the psalms and how they’re meant to function in a way that shapes us, so that—when we’ve experienced trauma, suffering, grief, injustices—we can learn to articulate our pain […]

Scripture encourages us to love our neighbors, but what does that mean? Helping others and being kind creates connection, reduces loneliness, and increases happiness. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church […]

Rachel Murr, a licensed therapist, shares about resilience and creating communities that help us build it. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, […]

Emily and Caroline have a conversation about mental health and spiritual communities. They touch on the language we use when we speak of mental health symptoms, the overlap of spirituality […]

Faith communities can be healing communities. We start out a new sermon series by talking about the conditions we cultivate as a church to make the space emotionally safe and healthy […]

Using the story of the man who lived among the tombs in Mark 5, we talk about the perniciousness of shame and finding community healing. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

New scholarship by Rev. Dr. Mitzi Smith suggests the possibility that both Mary and Jesus had a slave status. We use that lens to look at how Jesus may have […]

A claim of the resurrection is that we have a rabbi who is still with us, able to teach and guide us, and—as part of that leadership function—to mediate Scripture […]

On Easter, Christians insist that Death has been overcome because, if the Creator can get through to us that we don’t need to be afraid, then maybe we’ll be less […]

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into the heart of Jerusalem—not as a conquering hero, but as a champion of the poor and the oppressed. He signals his commitment to a […]

Jesus understood the incredible power differential between Rome and the his people; he knew the Jewish people would need to be creative in how they fought back against their oppressors. We […]

Jesus lived his whole life under Roman occupation, and the particular region where he grew up—in the Galilee, in the north—bore deep scars from the Roman presence. We talk about the […]

Today, we explore the Pharisees. We look to transform widespread contempt for this ancient group through greater understanding and affirmation. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch […]

We talk about the Maccabean Revolt and the context for some strands of Judaism that existed in Jesus’s day. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can watch recordings […]

We take a broad-stroke look at the history of the Jewish people (understanding broad strokes mask nuance and complexity); the creation of the Torah; and the early formation of Jewish identity as […]

NOTE: sound quality for this episode is poor due to failure of our sound system. The recorded audio has been processed to try to improve intelligibility, but some sections are […]

God is still experiencing new things in relationship to you and me and all creation. There is more to God than we yet know or can put to words. The […]

Metaphors help us to see reality in new ways, but for some, the metaphor for God as a Big Powerful Person doesn’t work very well. Today, we explore the metaphor […]

We look at the metaphor of God as consuming fire, learning that God’s fiery nature exists because God is in the business of transforming the unjust systems of the world. Learn […]

God being my heart’s rock suggests there’s a place inside of each of us where we can turn for help in times of trouble. A place where we can be fed, and […]

Using the story of Jacob in Genesis 28, we talk about God as Ha-Makom, The Place. We recognize God can meet us wherever we are, no matter what’s going on […]

On this Epiphany Sunday, we hone in on Jesus’s dad, Joseph, and wonder about his role in being an ally to Mary both in her pregnancy and in facing the threat […]

Caroline reframes the legacy of St. Nicholas of Myra in light of Jesus’s teaching, that we are all children of God (who is both yours and mine). It’s not about […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

The prophet Isaiah promised God would “prepare the way” and send comfort to a suffering people. A few hundred years later John the Baptist came to enact that promise—bringing the […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today: Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living Water Believing in the Threeness, Witnessing […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in joy as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

We can embrace the darkness in Advent, face it, name it, and turn our attention to the the coming Light. But, as we learn from the stories of oppressed people, […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Guest speaker Gayle Boss, author of All Creation Waits, shares about her own discovery of Advent and how its practices are deeply rooted in the biological rhythms of creation. Includes an […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Variation on a Prayer of St. Patrick I breathe in hope as I stand today:Calling on the Source, the Wellspring and the Living WaterBelieving in the Threeness,Witnessing the OnenessOn my […]

Each podcast lasts approximately 8–10 minutes, and the format goes like this: A brief word about Advent for those of you for whom it might be new: The word advent […]

We start Advent with the story of Zechariah in the temple. Sometimes our words, like Zechariah’s, manifest our own limits of what we can imagine, while silence makes more room for the […]

The word advent means waiting—it’s a four-week season when we practice waiting on the presence of God to show up, symbolized in the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas […]

From the Sea of Reeds to the bitter springs of Marah to the oasis at Elim, Exodus 15 tells a story of finding spiritual refreshment and hope. Learn more about […]

Today, as we continue our vision series, we focus on cultivating open hearts and generous giving as the birth of the compassionate self and as resistance to harm. Learn more […]

Using a brief tour of church history as a framework, we talk about how “Solus Jesus” fits into how we view the Bible—taking it as a “means of grace” or […]

We talk about the church holiday of Allhollowtide and remember together those who have died and been gathered to their ancestors. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

Dr. Sarah Emmanuel, a Jewish scholar of the New Testament, continues her talk on understanding Jesus, the movement that built up around him, and the texts we call the New […]

Using Jesus’ picture of needing new wineskins for new wine, we talk about the changes taking place in the wider church and the task we feel we’ve been given as […]

Dr. Sarah Emmanuel, a Jewish scholar of the New Testament, lays a foundation for understanding Jesus, the movement that built up around him, and the texts we call the New […]

The Apostle Peter calls us living stones, cut and shaped by the hands of nature and nurture and the transformative work of the Spirit. We’re constantly being formed and arranged […]

Ken’s final sermon as a pastor explores how the parable of the mustard seed expresses the kind of church we are. Extended version: includes Emily’s introduction and ends with a […]

The traditional reading of this parable doesn’t hold up if examined closely. We examine this story through a different lens to see what it has to say to us about the […]

Special Guest Speaker Liz Dyer is the founder of the Mama Bears, a group that started as a private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ+ kids and has evolved into […]

Using the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, Jesus talks about how the laborers in the story are more worried about being paid fairly than in whether or not the […]

In this final series before retiring, Ken reflects on the role Blue Ocean played in nurturing his faith and preserving his hope that faith communities can play an important role in enhancing our […]

Jesus tells the story of the great banquet to communicate that the kin-dom of God is for everyone. You can be offended and leave if you want, but this kin-dom is for […]

The word translated “save” in the gospels means “safety from harm”—and it’s what I’ve experienced as pastor of Blue Ocean, especially, freedom from the pressure of religious scrutiny that afflicts […]

We take a look an an alternate interpretation of a familiar story, using the lens of liberation theology. Summary: Build just systems, and don’t give money to unjust systems. Learn […]

In the Christian tradition we have the writings of a 16th c. mystic, St. Ignatius, who talked about contemplation as a way of praying either through our thoughts or through […]

Ken reflects on things he loves about our community—this week, focusing on learning to notice, loosen his grip on, and when it’s helpful to spend some of it. A rambling […]

In the midst of the chaos of violence that can feel as overwhelming as a global flood, we are held in an Ark of Nests during the worst of storms […]

Exploring ancient wisdom of identity (divine and human) as a dynamic discovery: I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE and the white stone with a hidden name on it. Learn more […]

Guest speaker Susan Shaffer shares some of her experiences with the creative process of song-writing. Contemplating on Psalm 61, unifying communal experiences, and near-death experiences; how are all of these […]

At his baptism, the Spirit alighted on Jesus in the form of a bird. Because creation conveys divine presence, especially if we are attentive to the sense of expansiveness, nearness, […]

  We talk about how all of nature is infused with the Spirit of God, and look at the bird-God of the Bible. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at […]

  Our guest preacher, Sarah Bessey, uses the story of the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24 to help us name unmet expectations and dashed hopes, making space for the […]

  On this Pentecost Sunday, we remember the Spirit of God as uncontainable force that came in the form of a mighty wind and tongues of fire to show us […]

  Just like romantic love, friendships can end in loss or even betrayal. But, Jesus offers us a powerful example of friendship-love as he calls us to love one another […]

Presented by Kathy Baldock, introduction by Ken Wilson Kathy tells the gripping story of her original historical research into the RSV decision to introduce “homosexual” into an English translation of […]

  Looking at John 21, John wraps up his gospel with this story because he sees the lesson that Peter learned as foundational for understanding the role of people who […]

Presented by Dr. Megan DeFranza with Anunnaki Ray Marquez, introduction by Ken Wilson Megan DeFranza with her colleague Anunnaki Ray Marquez, present the science behind gender variation and share a […]

Presented by Dr. David Gushee Ethicist David Gushee was arguably the top Evangelical ethicist in 2014 when he published Changing Our Mind. In this class he offers personal backstory, summarizes […]

Presented by Dr. David Gushee Ethicist David Gushee was arguably the top Evangelical ethicist in 2014 when he published Changing Our Mind. In this class he offers personal backstory, summarizes the book […]

We now know the harm that the traditional policies cause, but we are less aware that Scripture itself contains a robust “Do No Harm” ethic, one that runs much deeper […]

Presented by Ken Wilson We now know the harm that the traditional policies cause, but we are less aware that Scripture itself contains a robust “Do No Harm” ethic, one […]