Ordinary Time - Week 6 (Responding To The Spirit)

In Reachway's Summer journey through the book of Acts, the life of Stephen is considered, as accounted for in Acts chapters 6 & 7. What can be learned from this story of someone who goes from 'food pantry director,' to wrongfully murdered? Let's explore that together.

Holy Week Reflections - Seventh Word (ft. Jonathan Thomas, St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Peoria)

The Seventh Word - Luke 23:44-46 - It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.    

Speaker - Jonathan Thomas

The Rev. Jonathan Thomas serves as Co-Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Peoria. He received his M.Div. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he first met his wife, Jenny. After getting married they looked for a church they could serve together as priests and found the wonderful congregation of St. Paul's to be the sort of place willing to try something new. He previously served on the staff in churches in Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Holy Week Reflections - Sixth Word (ft. Heather Robertson, St. Paul United Church of Christ Church - Pekin)

The Sixth Word - John 19:30

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Speaker - Heather Robertson

Pastor Heather Robertson is delighted to co-pastor St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin. New to this faith community, while coming home to Pekin, she marvels at the experience of this current journey. Saying yes to God even when it seems impossible has been a theme for a while now. Currently completing her seminary education at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, while being mom to three amazing kids with an unbelievable partner, life is certainly full. Only the movement of the Spirit could make it possible. May we all see with new eyes (from a distance) and hear with new ears the story of resurrection waiting to shock and awe us yet again.

Holy Week Reflections - Fifth Word (ft. Rob Collins, First Baptist Church - Peoria)

The Fifth Word - John 19:28

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.

Speaker - Rob Collins

Rob Collins is the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Peoria. He comes from the great state of Texas and holds degrees from Mercer University (GA) and Gardner-Webb University (NC).

Holy Week Reflections - Fourth Word (ft. Mary Beenken, Grace and Peace Lutheran Church - Peoria)

The Fourth Word - Mark 15:33-34 - At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).   

Speaker - Mary Beenken

Reverend Mary Beenken is new to the Peoria area, where she has recently begun her first call as pastor of Grace and Peace Lutheran Church. She is married to Reverend Nathan Johnson, who serves St. John's Lutheran Church in Toluca, Illinois. Prior to beginning their ministry here, Mary and Nathan attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and went on to complete a post-graduate fellowship, travelling the globe to learn from the religious experiences of people who have experienced persecution. Their travels took them to Turkey, Rwanda, Germany, Guatemala, and India, before returning them home to the United States, where their ministry includes advocating for justice and building relationships rooted in compassion and peace. God has sent them across the world, but they have been blessed to settle here in Peoria where they live with their two dogs, Obie and Nergal.

Holy Week Reflections - Third Word (ft. Josh Lee, Imago Dei Church - Peoria)

The Third Word - (John 19:26, 27)

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Speaker - Josh Lee

Josh grew up in Elgin, IL, a suburb of Chicago. While attending Garrett Theological Seminary for his Masters of Divinity in May 2019 — he served at Kingswood United Methodist. Prior to this, he attended Moody Bible Institute for his Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry in May 2013. Both of these experiences have exposed him to a wide spectrum of theological and social thought.

Since joining the staff at Imago Dei church in January 2019, Josh's primary role is the Sunday morning service, teaching and communications. He also provides pastoral care, oversight of building and grounds and implementing ways to communicate our mission and vision in the community and partnering with other organizations.

Holy Week Reflections - Second Word (ft. Debra Avery, United Presbyterian Church - Peoria)

The Second Word - (Luke 23:43)

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Speaker - Debra Avery

Rev. Debra Avery serves as pastor and head of staff at the United Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She has served as a second career pastor in four Presbyterian congregations in New York, Arizona, California, and Illinois. She has a skill set for vision and strategy work, and a passion for missional and justice endeavors. She previously served as the moderator of her presbytery in the San Francisco area. 

Holy Week Reflections - First Word (ft. Seth Major, Reachway Church - Peoria)

The First Word - Luke 23:32-34 

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 

Speaker:

Seth Major serves as the Lead Pastor of Reachway Church in Peoria, overseeing the church's mission, direction, and health. He and his wife, Tai, moved into the North Valley neighborhood to plant Reachway as a church that served the community in which they lived. Seth also serves as the CARES Director of the Dream Center, guiding their outreach efforts in the community.

Lent - Week 3 (Wilderness Obedience)

We consider the quarreling and testing the nation of Israel did when they became thirsty in the desert and discuss how we are to faithfully engage with moments of wilderness ourselves. The scripture passages we pull from are Psalm 95 and Exodus 17:1-7.

Lent - Week 2 (New Birth, New Life)

For the second Sunday of Lent we look at John chapter 3’s dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus - who has a few questions. Having questions [for God] is natural and healthy. The season of Lent positions us to be able to receive the answers / feedback with grace and resilience. We also consider John chapter 2 as we wonder what it could mean to be ‘born from above of the Spirit.’

Lent - Week 1 (Trust The Process)

On the first Sunday of Lent we look at Matthew chapter 4, where the ‘attempt to tempt’ Jesus is made in the wilderness, and compared that to the events of the Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 3. In light of these stories we learn that we are to trust God with both pace AND process as we journey throughout life.

Epiphany - Week 7 (The Transfiguration)

In this final week of Epiphany we consider The Transfiguration of Jesus, accounted for in Matthew chapter 17. We ask the question, ‘When we want to grow, where do we go?’ and conclude that in our moments of doubt, assurance, and everything in between, we are to seek out the presence of God as we journey along.

Epiphany - Week 6 (Choose Life)

The words of Deuteronomy chapter 30 frame our discussion on the often ‘hard-hitting’ teachings of the Sermon On The Mount. These ancient words in Deuteronomy encourage us in that A) We are able to choose [in general] B) The Word is near to us, and C) We can choose life. Teachings of Sermon On The Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) give us a picture of what it looks like to ‘choose life.’

Epiphany - Week 5 (Jesus Fulfills)

For Epiphany week 5 we consider the theme of righteousness that Jesus addresses in Matthew chapter 5, and, by walking through Isaiah chapter 58, consider the differences between a righteousness that is motivated by law and one that is motivated by love.

Epiphany - Week 4 (There IS Another Way)

As we consider the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) we ask the question, “What is the world telling me, and, in light of that, what is God telling me?” We explore the tensions of these profound differences.