Fresh Progressive God Talk
Get a fresh take on God, spirit, faith, life, love, justice, and community. First Church Berkeley is an open and affirming, progressive Christian church in Berkeley, California, part of the United Church of Christ. We are committed to Jesus’ countercultural and life-giving path. We understand the life of spirit to be a journey, not a destination. Our podcast features the powerful preaching of several of the ministers on staff and special guests. More about the church at firstchurchberkeley.org.
A Mighty Catch • Molly Baskette
03-10-2019
On the first Sunday of Lent, Molly Baskette reflects on the story of a surprisingly large catch of fish as Jesus calls his first disciples. Simon responds by declaring himself a sinner. He may sense that Jesus is about to ask everything of him.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 49.69MB - Duration: 21:26 m (320 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Break Bread and Re-member • Trust Hilton
03-03-2019
Emerging Leader Trust Hilton reflects on the story of Jesus breaking bread with his disciples, noticing that Jesus is excited about sharing a meal with his friends. As he blesses bread and wine, he invites them to remember him.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 52.68MB - Duration: 22:44 m (320 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Beyond Expectations • Kit Novotny
02-24-2019
Jesus invites his followers to a kind of love that is not attached to results or outcomes. If we are willing to release our expectations, perhaps we will have more time for genuine curiosity about reality. We might expect nothing but hope for everything.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 48.77MB - Duration: 21:02 m (320 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Living Juicy • Molly Baskette
02-17-2019
In the Luke version of the Beatitudes, Jesus comes to the level plain to heal the people and speak to them. Molly Baskette suggests that dealing directly with the challenges of life is the path toward blessing and joy—the way to juicy life.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 20.15MB - Duration: 22:00 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Housing, Segregation & Injustice • Phil Porter
02-10-2019
Minister of Art & Communication Phil Porter discusses Richard Rothstein’s book The Color of Law, which demonstrates comprehensively that housing segregation in the United States was systematically supported by federal, state and local laws and ordinances.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 23.47MB - Duration: 24:57 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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The Walls Come A Tumblin’ Down • Molly Baskette
02-03-2019
Senior Minister Molly Baskette explores the ways that walls can either protect us or keep us apart and declares God’s desire to tear down walls of separation.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 21.58MB - Duration: 22:53 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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It's Just Us • Trust Hilton
01-27-2019
Emerging Leader Trust Hilton invites the congregation to view the scripture with the lens of “a preferential option for the poor,” and acknowledges a central reality of the Gospel that Jesus was homeless.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 13.77MB - Duration: 14:21 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Time’s Up • Kit Novotny
01-20-2019
Young Adult Minister Kit Novotny uses the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana to explore the importance of timing. As we listen for God’s call, it may be more important to look for the “ripe” moment rather than the right one.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 21.32MB - Duration: 22:36 m (128 kbps 48000 Hz)
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Warned in a Dream • Molly Baskette
01-13-2019
Based on two dreams described in the morning scripture, Senior Minister Molly Baskette explores the power of dreams. They can give us glimpses of the future and change our lives if we follow them. They are portals to the divine, an entry into mystery.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 37MB - Duration: 15:53 m (320 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Arrival of the Impossible • Rachel Bauman
12-23-2018
Rachel reflects on the story of the meeting between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, both pregnant. Each of is like Mary—with a miracle within us ready to be birthed—and each of us is like Elizabeth—able to recognize and bless the miracles we see in others.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 19.49MB - Duration: 20:36 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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