Artisan Church Podcast

Songs and Poems, Part One: Songs

Sun, 10 May 2026 13:00:00 EST

Revisiting themes from Ecclesiastes through songs that inspire, challenge, and give voice to our longing to make meaning in a world that so often seems meaningless. Pastor Scott is joined by special musical guest Mel Muscarella.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Everything Is Meaning: Ecclesiastes and Existentialism”

Everything Is Meaning-Making

Sun, 3 May 2026 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores how the work we do today is an investment in the support we may need in the mysterious, unpredictable future.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Everything Is Meaning: Ecclesiastes and Existentialism”

Everything Is Meaningful

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:00:00 EST

A reflection on the fact that even simple and seemingly unspiritual things can still point us toward deep meaning, and that this meaning can be found everywhere around us—even (and maybe especially) when the world seems like an unjust, disordered place.

The poem referred to in this message is “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Everything Is Meaning: Ecclesiastes and Existentialism”

Everything Is Meaningless

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores how particular seasons in our lives drain the meaning that we work so hard to store up and offers a glimpse at why less is more.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Everything Is Meaning: Ecclesiastes and Existentialism”

Everything Is Meaning

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:00:00 EST

An introduction to the book of Ecclesiastes and to our series, in which we reflect on some of the least spiritual words in the whole Bible. Or are they the most spiritual? Or is it both?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Everything Is Meaning: Ecclesiastes and Existentialism”

Sun, 1 Feb 2026 13:00:00 EST

Have you ever had a moment where something that was confusing suddenly became crystal clear? Once you see it, it seems so obvious. The good news of Christianity should feel like this—and if it doesn’t, perhaps that is because you just haven’t had the right epiphany yet.

(Note this sermon is based on the lectionary texts from the previous Sunday.)

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Season of Epiphany 2026: Unveiling the mysteries of faith”

Acknowledging the Heaviness

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 13:00:00 EST

The community comes together to process the challenges of current events by "living the questions" that arise in us lately.

Speaker: Pastors Jae Newman and Scott Austin

Part of the series “Season of Epiphany 2026: Unveiling the mysteries of faith”

Properties of Water

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae examines how a “servant song” from Isaiah offers clear reasons why Jesus is “Beloved” to his Father and explores what Jesus’s baptism means for us.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Season of Epiphany 2026: Unveiling the mysteries of faith”

In the Beginning…

Sun, 4 Jan 2026 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae teaches on how the Genesis creation narratives connect with Jesus’s establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Season of Epiphany 2026: Unveiling the mysteries of faith”

The Politics of Christmas

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:00:00 EST

The story of the birth of Jesus is inherently "political," meaning simply that it took place in a particular place and time, with social and civic factors at play. (Just look at how much detail about the government there is in the Christmas story!) We, too, exist in a particular time and place, with our own social and civic factors at play. And if we want Christ to be born into our own hearts, we must take this into account.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “The Will to Dream: Persistent courage to imagine, resist, and rebuild a better world.”

Unexpected Joy

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 13:00:00 EST

Dive into Mary’s “Magnificat,” her famous hymn of praise, as we explore some of the stresses held by Jesus’s mother while she clung to the hope of security in God’s provision.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “The Will to Dream: Persistent courage to imagine, resist, and rebuild a better world.”

Prophetic Peace

Sun, 7 Dec 2025 13:00:00 EST

When we are caught in the tension between a holiday season that calls us to peace and a world that seems to be in ever-increasing discord, we may need to reset our understanding of what peace is, and what it isn't. We are reminded, once again, of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “The Will to Dream: Persistent courage to imagine, resist, and rebuild a better world.”

Vigilant Hope

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 13:00:00 EST

Enter Advent and discover the word of the Prophet Isaiah who calls us to draw strength from real hope in the midst of difficult, heartbreaking days.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “The Will to Dream: Persistent courage to imagine, resist, and rebuild a better world.”

What Large Letters!

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 13:00:00 EST

As we consider the way Paul ends his letter to the Galatians, we not only find the passage we've been anticipating all along (the Fruit of the Spirit!), but we also see the intensity and passion with which our author makes his point. Will we be offended—or inspired?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Roots of the Fruits”

The Spirit Claps Back

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores how Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, models how we can clap back against all that wishes to confuse us or separate us from finding our place in history and God’s family.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Roots of the Fruits”

No Longer Divided

Sun, 9 Nov 2025 13:00:00 EST

One of the earliest formative teachings of the Christian religion is that despite our never-ending desire to come up with ways to sort ourselves into hierarchy, the Spirit has leveled the playing field. We are all One.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Roots of the Fruits”

Old and New Wine

Sun, 2 Nov 2025 13:00:00 EST

Each autumn we contemplate questions both old and new. Explore how determining the vintage of our oldest questions can help us find ways to hold our new thoughts in tension as we pour our best into another year of learning, of aging.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Roots of the Fruits”

Shadows of Fruit

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:00:00 EST

We know the presence of the Lord in our lives by the fruit of the Spirit that others find within us. What happens, though, when that fruit rots on the vine? How do we reset ourselves from the shadow sides of our gifts?

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Roots of the Fruits”

The Gospel in Chairs

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:00:00 EST

A reprise of a well-loved sermon that helps us entirely rethink the ugly version of the "good news" that so many of us have heard. Don't miss it!

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Sunday School 2.0”

Stories of Evolved Faith

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:00:00 EST

Members of the Artisan community share the major shifts they experienced as they transitioned from childhood faith to an adult faith.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Sunday School 2.0”

Your Favorite Bible Story

Sun, 5 Oct 2025 13:00:00 EST

How do we know what we believe as we age? Pastor Jae explores how the stories we loved best as children create deep imprints in our understanding of God and how encountering those stories evolves as we do.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Sunday School 2.0”

Good Inside

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 13:00:00 EST

Many children who’ve grown up in church have been taught to see themselves through shame and fear. Together we’ll consider what changes when we believe we are actually good inside, and how that shift makes space for true community, restoration, and flourishing.

Speaker: Pastor Jessie Brajcki

Part of the series “Sunday School 2.0”

A Flannelgraph Faith

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:00:00 EST

Joseph. Daniel. Noah. Moses. Even Jesus himself! Many of us learned of these heroes of the faith as cute, cartoonish characters—sort of a biblical Sesame Street. But few of us really learned the broader arc of the Bible's stories, and without this, we will struggle to apply these mysterious ancient texts to our modern lives.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Sunday School 2.0”

Sobriety: Freedom from Bitterness

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 13:00:00 EST

In our next WSMF message, Zachary Foster shares about his sobriety journey for National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Awareness Month.

Speaker: Zachary Foster

Part of the series “Work of the People (What's Saving My Faith): What's Saving My Faith”

Day by Day

Sun, 7 Sep 2025 13:00:00 EST

Making healthy, thoughtful choices can help us protect fragile parts of us that require boundaries. But what if those boundaries are crossed? What if we outgrow these boundaries? Pastor Jae investigates how daily work can help us navigate a way out of circular mazes.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Do You Still Talk to Grandma?: When the Problematic People in Our Lives are the Ones We Love”

Lost & Found

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:00:00 EST

Many of us experience fractured relationships. No matter where blame belongs, we can often feel “lost” on what our complicated relationships can look like in the future. Pastor Jae explores how accepting little losses every day can direct us to finding something unexpected.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Do You Still Talk to Grandma?: When the Problematic People in Our Lives are the Ones We Love”

"And Who Is My Grandma?"

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 13:00:00 EST

One of the challenges of applying Jesus's teaching to our modern lives (such as trying to negotiate pain that comes from people we love) is that we struggle with who we are in his stories. We will investigate the Parable of the Good Samaritan, considering the possibility that for once, we are not the hero in the story.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Do You Still Talk to Grandma?: When the Problematic People in Our Lives are the Ones We Love”

Do You Still Talk to Grandma?

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:00:00 EST

Join us as author, speaker, and comedian Brit Barron kicks off our Do You Still Talk to Grandma series, where we’ll reflect on the difficult negotiation work of striving to find a way forward without allowing differences with family members to entrap us in Cancel Culture ideologies.

Speaker: Brit Barron

Part of the series “Do You Still Talk to Grandma?: When the Problematic People in Our Lives are the Ones We Love”

Faith Foundations

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 13:00:00 EST

So much of our spiritual life revolves around believing in things that are not yet apparent to us. Pastor Jae explores how through Abraham’s story we can glimpse God’s plan to move treasure from a garden to a city, and how we’re all part of the moving crew.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Merrymaking and Toil

Sun, 3 Aug 2025 13:00:00 EST

What the Bible really has to say about the meaning of our life on earth might surprise you.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Knots and Knocks

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 13:00:00 EST

Reading Scripture across cultures and millenia is not easy work. Our own inner world can quickly become knotted as we seek simple answers to complex questions. Pastor Jae focuses on Luke 11 as a way to point to the power of prayer as a way to navigate some discontinuities in our spirituality.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Penny's Story

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 13:00:00 EST

In a special Pride Month edition of "What's Saving My Faith," Penny Sterling shares about how action saved (and is saving) her faith.

Speaker: Penny Sterling

Part of the series “Work of the People (What's Saving My Faith): What's Saving My Faith”

Body, Stock, and Soil

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 13:00:00 EST

The metaphor of bearing fruit is one of the most powerful images of the Christian life in all of scripture. What does it mean for faithful followers to bear fruit in body, stock, and soil? How can we bear fruit in every good work?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Jesus Sets His Face

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 13:00:00 EST

On his way to Jerusalem with his disciples, Jesus interacts with several people: some who oppose him, some who want to follow him halfheartedly. His responses to these individuals are hard to understand. We will explore these interactions together, placing ourselves into the story.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Deep Calls to Deep

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores that while Jesus does inaugurate his kingdom on earth, daily discipline is needed to help us discover where, as Frederich Buecner says, our “deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Trinitarian Love

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 13:00:00 EST

On Trinity Sunday, we reflect on one of the deepest theological mysteries of the Christian faith, but ultimately—as always—we return to the Law of Love.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Pentecost Reflections

Sun, 8 Jun 2025 13:00:00 EST

An Artisan Church tradition: Pentecost readings from the Bible in many languages, plus devotional reflections from several different Artisan members!

Speaker: Various

Part of the series “Ordinary Time: No holidays. No feast days. Just "normal."”

Washing Wounds

Sun, 1 Jun 2025 13:00:00 EST

Prayer is one of the main access roads to our spiritual life, but for many it presents daily challenges. As we prepare for the Pentecost, we dust off our prayer life in order to stay awake to the presence of God’s activity in our lives.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Eastertide”

A New Commandment

Sun, 25 May 2025 13:00:00 EST

When Jesus gives a new commandment, it is not complicated. It is, however, challenging. Calling others to love one another, Jesus reorders how we relate to others, God, and ourselves.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Eastertide”

Julia's Story

Sun, 18 May 2025 13:00:00 EST

Julia shares a story of what's saving her faith.

Speaker: Julia Detmer

Part of the series “Work of the People (What's Saving My Faith): What's Saving My Faith”

Which Jesus?

Sun, 11 May 2025 13:00:00 EST

From the time of Jesus's earthly ministry, there have been questions about his intention and purpose in the world. We should not be surprised to find that these questions persist in our day (and into our visions of the last days), but it does leave us with a choice: which version of Jesus will shape our choices, our attitudes, and our interactions with our world?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Eastertide”

High Horses & Life on the Ground

Sun, 4 May 2025 13:00:00 EST

Life on our High Horses leads us further and further from Jesus. When we dismount from our strengths and live from our actual selves that’s the place where God can meet us.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Eastertide”

Breath

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 13:00:00 EST

As the disciples sought to live out the Gospel in their world, they received both threats and peace. Their choice, and ours: how to respond in the way of Jesus, the “firstborn from the dead.”

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Eastertide”

Agents of Hope

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 13:00:00 EST

Rebecca Taylor shares her "Agents of Hope" message with us.

Rebecca is a wife of 29 years, mom to four grown children, and a lifelong learner—mostly because she’s committed to not making the same mistake twice. She went to Northeastern Seminary in search of answers and came away with a master’s degree, more questions, deeper compassion, and a bigger, more resilient faith. With over 20 years of experience in churches and Christian higher education, she brings a love for people, purpose, and a strong cup of coffee. Rebecca is passionate about helping others live as everyday agents of hope.

Speaker: Rebecca Taylor

Politics and Palm Leaves

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:00:00 EST

The oppressed Jewish minority in Rome were hopeful that Jesus would be a conquering king, but he disappointed them by submitting to his own execution. It would be easy for us to point the finger at modern believers who align with political power, but what if there is a message for those of us who wish to be saved from all that?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Walking Toward the Garden”

Pressing On

Sun, 6 Apr 2025 13:00:00 EST

Where can we find hope when we feel vulnerable to events, both global and private, that sap our strength? Tapping into the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi, we’ll investigate, together, how to move forward in difficult seasons.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Walking Toward the Garden”

Return of the Prodigal Son

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:00:00 EST

Once again, this time in one of his most famous parables, Jesus disrupts our expectation of judgment, punishment, and consequences.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Walking Toward the Garden”

Fate, Fruit, and Fertilizer

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:00:00 EST

There are those who believe that every unfortunate event is the result of a particular sin. While there are passages in scripture that might tempt us toward that belief, Jesus explicitly rejects it—and offers a beautiful alternative vision of the role our actions play in our circumstances.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Walking Toward the Garden”

Reimagining Darkness

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae concludes the series and explores an alternative route to rethinking how we deal, collectively, with the inevitability of darkness around and within us.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Learning to Walk in the Dark: Artisan Winter Read 2025”

Pause for Discussion

Sun, 9 Mar 2025 13:00:00 EST

Before we conclude our overview of Learning to Walk in the Dark, we pause to check in as a community. What has resonated with us? What questions do we have? How has our perception of darkness changed, and what will we do with it?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Learning to Walk in the Dark: Artisan Winter Read 2025”

The Other Senses

Sun, 2 Mar 2025 13:00:00 EST

Many of us rely heavily on our sense of sight to inform our sense of truth. Pastor Jae explores how allowing our other senses to inform our self-reflection can help us to find more rest and make more gains toward our own shalom.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Learning to Walk in the Dark: Artisan Winter Read 2025”

The Dark Night of the Soul

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:00:00 EST

Sometimes, the darkness is an emptiness, an absence, that threatens to consume us. Where is God when we perceive nothing at all?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Learning to Walk in the Dark: Artisan Winter Read 2025”

The Dark Emotions

Sun, 9 Feb 2025 13:00:00 EST

How can we bring the wholeness of our emotional being to God? In what ways does our "darkness" reveal what is true and holy?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Learning to Walk in the Dark: Artisan Winter Read 2025”

Who's Afraid of the Dark?

Sun, 2 Feb 2025 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores the core idea behind our Artisan Read, Learning to Walk in the Dark, and begins our deep dive into coded language, fear, and how we can keep our nerve in difficult seasons of our lives.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Learning to Walk in the Dark: Artisan Winter Read 2025”

On Beauty

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 13:00:00 EST

We welcome Artisan’s founding pastors, and Pastor Jason Condon shares about the building and protecting of beautiful things.

Speaker: Pastor Jason Condon

Part of the series “Coming Home: Revisiting Our Values”

On Roots

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 13:00:00 EST

Dr. Doug Cullum, Pastor at Community of the Savior, visits to share a message on nurturing our roots within the community where God plants us and fosters our growth.

Speaker: Dr. Doug Cullum

Part of the series “Coming Home: Revisiting Our Values”

On Community

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 13:00:00 EST

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Coming Home: Revisiting Our Values”

On Justice

Sun, 5 Jan 2025 13:00:00 EST

Dr. Marlena Graves visits Artisan Church.

Speaker: Dr. Marlena Graves

Part of the series “Coming Home: Revisiting Our Values”

In Our Midst

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 13:00:00 EST

Our contemplation of Awe continues as Pastor Jae attempts to point us toward the very real presence of God in our world today. Can we, even in our trials and distress, glimpse that God is in our midst?

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Immersed in Awe: An Advent Sereis”

Every and All

Sun, 8 Dec 2024 13:00:00 EST

One of the great mysteries of our faith is that it is lived out and shared through particular people and people groups but is available to and intended for ALL people. How can it be true that we receive and pass on a universal salvation while still being a set apart, holy people? Talk about awe-inspiring!

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Immersed in Awe: An Advent Sereis”

Staff and Leadership Team Panel

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 13:00:00 EST

As we prepare our minds and hearts for Advent, members of the Staff and Leadership Team will share experiences ranging from being new to being more introverted at Artisan. This panel will seek to offer safe, authentic connection, and discuss some strategies to overcoming some of the barriers that often hold us back from feeling like we belong.

Speaker: Staff and Leadership Team Members

Berlin and Back

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 13:00:00 EST

What we can learn from other nations about owning the past.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “With God On Our Side?: An election season series about America and what it means to be the people of God”

Now What?

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 13:00:00 EST

Regardless of the results of this election, our country is broken. How can the Church be a part of rebuilding, reconstructing, and re-forming? Where and how do we begin?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “With God On Our Side?: An election season series about America and what it means to be the people of God”

Paging All Prophets

Sun, 3 Nov 2024 13:00:00 EST

How poets are today’s Prophets.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “With God On Our Side?: An election season series about America and what it means to be the people of God”

With God on Our Side

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 13:00:00 EST

We begin with a selection of American songs—including the "title track" of the series—that use satire and symbolism to inspire and challenge us. Each song will be paired with scripture passages and a brief pastoral reflection.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “With God On Our Side?: An election season series about America and what it means to be the people of God”

Sun, 8 Sep 2024 13:00:00 EST

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Artisan Summer Read: Long Way Home”

On Adoption: Belonging in God's Kingdom

Sun, 1 Sep 2024 13:00:00 EST

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Artisan Summer Read: Long Way Home”

Remembering and Moving On

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 13:00:00 EST

A Long Way Home depicts a moment when Saroo is not sure he finds that remembering his early childhood is painful, yet he can't help but continue to remember it because it is all he has. We turn to the scriptures to find God's people being called both to remembrance and to embracing new life in Christ. How do we keep these in balance?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Artisan Summer Read: Long Way Home”

Dual Citizenship: Life Lived between Two Places

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 13:00:00 EST

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Artisan Summer Read: Long Way Home”

Sun, 19 May 2024 13:00:00 EST

An Artisan Church tradition: Pentecost readings from the Bible in many languages, plus devotional reflections from several different Artisan members!

Speaker: Various

Either-Or Enclosures: Use of Full Measure Prayers

Sun, 12 May 2024 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores how Psalm 1 sets a narrow path for believers and how we view Jesus is everything in how we process "crossroad" decisions in our faith.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Eastertide 2024”

Love, Burdens, and Commandments

Sun, 5 May 2024 13:00:00 EST

The way of Jesus is centered on loving others, which was his consistent commandment. We are told in scripture that his commandments are not burdensome, but what about when we need to love someone who is unlovable?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Eastertide 2024”

From the Vine: Thoughts on Picking Fruit

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores waiting for the "fruit" inside us to ripen while we abide on the branch.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Eastertide 2024”

Walking With the Good Shepherd

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 13:00:00 EST

Pastor Jae explores Psalm 23 and how the Psalter permeates through all Jesus' parables until they become like landmarks of our own faith journey.

Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman

Part of the series “Eastertide 2024”

Ghosts, Revelations, and Burning Hearts

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 13:00:00 EST

The third Sunday in the season of Easter.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Eastertide 2024”

Thomas On His Worst Day

Sun, 7 Apr 2024 13:00:00 EST

Thomas's story in the Bible usually begins and ends with his refusal to believe in Jesus without proof. But his story is much more complicated than that—and so is yours.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Eastertide 2024”

Resurrection Bodies

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 13:00:00 EST

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 13:00:00 EST

In between two instances of hearing a voice from heaven name him "my beloved son," Jesus experienced much trial, temptation, and suffering. For those of us who are in between our mountaintop transcendent spiritual experiences, we can use Lent as an opportunity to practice the repentance of a transformed mind: trusting God and waiting with hope for the next reassurance.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Lent”

From the Mountaintop: Embracing Mystery on Transfiguration Sunday

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 13:00:00 EST

Ken's Story

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 13:00:00 EST

Ken shares a story of what's saving his faith.

Speaker: Ken Tryon

Part of the series “Work of the People (What's Saving My Faith): What's Saving My Faith”

Midwives of God

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 13:00:00 EST

As we ponder in our hearts the search for Christ's peace in a war-torn world, we are asked to reflect on our own willingness to birth Jesus into our own lives.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Advent”

Magnificat: Mary's Righteous Anger

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 13:00:00 EST

The Magnificat, Mary's hymn of praise to God, is full of righteous anger at the injustices of her world—and ours. We can easily imagine her with her fist raised in protest! Yet we must not move too quickly toward an unrighteous anger. Following the example of Mary at the Annunciation, we can see two other gestures of Mary that prepared her heart to sing such a song.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Advent”

Advent Anxiety

Sun, 3 Dec 2023 13:00:00 EST

Some of the biblical texts chosen for the season of Advent are downright apocalyptic! This is because they emphasize the second coming of Jesus. While these passages can cause us to feel some anxiety about the world, if can trust and rely on Jesus, we can still live lives that are marked by joy, prayer, and peace.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Advent”

Christ the King Sunday

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 13:00:00 EST

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Scott's Story

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 13:00:00 EST

Scott shares a story of what's saving his faith.

Speaker: T. Scott Burgess

Part of the series “Work of the People (What's Saving My Faith): What's Saving My Faith”

Honor Every Living Thing

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 13:00:00 EST

Making peace in the world starts in what might seem like an unlikely place: by honoring everything that God made. We look to surprising biblical source for this idea: the flood narrative in Genesis 9.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Make Peace”

Overcome Fear

Sun, 5 Nov 2023 13:00:00 EST

Making peace requires us to overcome our fears—and it might be helpful to realize that many of our "phobias" are actually forms of hatred of the Other.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Make Peace”

Cultivate Inner Peace

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 13:00:00 EST

The Gospels tell us that Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness to pray as he cultivated his own consciousness of God in the midst of his activities. Christian sages and mystics from the past and in the present day have emphasized the link between contemplation and meditation and continuing Jesus’ acts of healing and peacemaking.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Sun, 3 Sep 2023 13:00:00 EST

For those who find the "verse by verse" approach unsatisfying or unconvincing, it may be helpful to think instead about the broad principles expressed and implied in scripture. Identifying the moral logic found in the Bible and seeking to apply it consistently to all social issues of our day is a valid method of applying biblical truth.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “All Are Welcome: Queer Inclusion From a Christian Perspective”

Approach 1: Verse by Verse

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:00:00 EST

The most obvious (if not the most helpful) approach to this topic is to examine the relatively few verses in the Bible that directly address LGBTQ+ matters. Although these verses have traditionally been used to exclude queer folks, it is reasonable to reach a different interpretation after a more careful reading of the text.

Recommended article: "Brief Biblical Case for LGBTQ Inclusion" by The Reformation Project

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “All Are Welcome: Queer Inclusion From a Christian Perspective”

Ally's Story

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:00:00 EST

Ally shares a story of what's saving their faith.

Speaker: Ally Turner

Part of the series “Work of the People (What's Saving My Faith): What's Saving My Faith”

Little Faith

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 13:00:00 EST

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 13:00:00 EST

The good news of resurrection told at Easter came from unexpected voices. “It was the women,” says Luke. What happens when unexpected people proclaim unexpected news? The gospel goes to all the world.

Speaker: Dr. Kristen Brown

Palm Sunday: A Triumph of Misunderstanding

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 13:00:00 EST

Sometimes, God gives the people what they want, but not in the way they were expecting. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem is a classic example: Jesus enters as a conquering king, not on a war horse and wielding a sword but on a donkey and prepared to die.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”

Temptation Comes at the End

Sun, 3 Apr 2022 13:00:00 EST

The famous Gospel story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness offers a hint to how the forces of evil work: it is only at the very end of Jesus’s time of wilderness and deprivation, just when he is about to “go back to normal,” that he is truly tempted.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”

New Things for Those Who Hate Change

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 13:00:00 EST

The story of God’s people includes many turning points: new revelations, new realizations, and grace upon grace. But God’s people have not always responded well to these changes. Are we ready for what God is making new, or are we too committed to the status quo to see it?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”

A Fig Tree in a Vineyard

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 13:00:00 EST

A peculiar parable by Jesus about a tree that can’t produce fruit gives us hope after a season that has often seemed fruitless, and maybe even pointless.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

On the final Sunday in the liturgical year, Christians celebrate the reign of Christ in the world. But for so many reasons, it is hard for us to grasp what it means to think of Jesus as our king. His words say it well: “My kingdom is not of this world.”

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Thanksgiving in Suffering

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Giving thanks even in the midst of our suffering is easily one of the most difficult concepts for Christians to practice, or even accept. We will take a gentle look at the idea and see how we might be able to apply it in our time.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Thankful”

Gifts Great and Small

Sun, 7 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Sometimes it is easier to start out small with a spiritual practice. Before we can even begin to think about giving thanks in the midst of suffering, we must learn to recognize God’s small gifts in ordinary life, and to give thanks as our gift back to God.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Thankful”

The work of the Spirit is disruptive, a holy fire, a rushing wind. Sometimes, it’s even disruptive to our “biblical” understanding of God. What are we to do when the Spirit seems to lead away from the Scriptures?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Deconstruction Project: Faith for When Things Are Falling Apart”

Dreams That Demolish

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 13:00:00 EST

Joseph had holy dreams that changed his worldview. But it put him at odds with his brothers, ultimately ripping his family apart. God’s work might hurt before it heals.

Part of the series “Deconstruction Project: Faith for When Things Are Falling Apart”

Anger, Pain, and God

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 13:00:00 EST

Processing the emotional aspects of deconstruction can be as hard as figuring out the spirituality of it all. We can take some reassurance from the Psalms of Lament, which legitimize the pain of religious experience.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Deconstruction Project: Faith for When Things Are Falling Apart”

A Prophet’s Question

Sun, 8 Mar 2020 13:00:00 EST

John the Baptist spent his entire life—literally from before he was born!—understanding himself to be tied up in the story of Jesus. And yet near the end of his life, he was in crisis and plagued by doubt. Not even being a prophet can guarantee certainty.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Deconstruction Project: Faith for When Things Are Falling Apart”

Wise Builders

Sun, 1 Mar 2020 13:00:00 EST

“The wise man built upon the rock, the foolish man upon sand.” When the storms rage and your spiritual house falls, does that make you a fool? And what is underneath all that sand, anyway?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Deconstruction Project: Faith for When Things Are Falling Apart”

That Word You Keep On Using

Sun, 23 Feb 2020 13:00:00 EST

Our religious vocabulary matters, because it gives meaning to our life of faith. But some words we use (repeatedly!) can be confusing, or have evolved new meaning over the years. Today we examine a few of these words, considering what they mean to us.

Part of the series “Wintry Mix: A Series to Get Us Through to Spring”

Be Perfect

Sun, 16 Feb 2020 13:00:00 EST

“Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” This line tucked into the middle of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount seems impossible. What could Jesus mean by this? We’ll explore this strange idea this week, and in doing so learn more about what it means to be beloved children of God.

Speaker: Kristen Brown

Part of the series “Wintry Mix: A Series to Get Us Through to Spring”

Moderate Justice

Sun, 19 Jan 2020 13:00:00 EST

We celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by engaging with the Hebrew prophet Amos, whose writing inspired some of Dr. King’s most challenging words: his letter to white moderate Christians.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Wintry Mix: A Series to Get Us Through to Spring”

The Shelter of Mother Bird

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 13:00:00 EST

How does vulnerability before God provide rest when we feel defeated and destroyed?

Speaker: Carrie Starr

Part of the series “Wintry Mix: A Series to Get Us Through to Spring”

Sun, 21 Jul 2019 13:00:00 EST

Kicking off our series on the parables, this week we’ll consider the significance of small things in our lives and community that become signs of the kingdom.

Speaker: Kristen Brown

Part of the series “Artisan: A Parable: Pastoral Residency: Kristen Brown”

Stories We Need

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 13:00:00 EST

The centrality of story in scripture and the scope of stories that are part of God’s story.

Speaker: Pete Strub

Stories of Faith

Sun, 7 Jul 2019 13:00:00 EST

Stories of how Artisan members have and continue to encounter God in the way of Jesus.

Speaker: Del Ippolito, Angela and Dan Glading

Who We Are Now: Sounds of Reorientation

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 13:00:00 EST

A series closing sermon by our friend Rev. Matthew Martin Nickoloff about music as worship in all aspects of life (not just Sunday).

Speaker: Rev. Matthew Martin Nickoloff

Part of the series “Decorating Time: The Psalms of Artisan”

Disrupting Time: Songs of Disorienting Rage and Reorienting Joy

Sun, 16 Jun 2019 13:00:00 EST

In observance of Juneteenth, an exploration of how voices in blues, hip hop, and folk challenge white supremacy and gesture towards the possibility of a more beloved community.

Links to music featured in the sermon are below:

Speaker: Rev. Matthew Martin Nickoloff

Part of the series “Decorating Time: The Psalms of Artisan”

This Is the Sound of One Voice: Songwriters’ Panel

Sun, 9 Jun 2019 13:00:00 EST

Songwriters’ panel discussing song writing solo, in community, with faith and without.

Part of the series “Decorating Time: The Psalms of Artisan”

How We Decorate Time: Sounds of Orientation

Sun, 2 Jun 2019 13:00:00 EST

An introductory sermon by our friend Rev. Matthew Martin Nickoloff to our series Decorating Time: The Psalms of Artisan.

Speaker: Rev. Matthew Martin Nickoloff

Part of the series “Decorating Time: The Psalms of Artisan”

Making a commitment to Unity in Diversity

Sun, 26 May 2019 13:00:00 EST

In Jesus final prayer, Jesus does not pray that his disciples would be prosperous or profound or right, but that they would be protected from the things that would try to pull them apart. What if people saw our unity in diversity and said, “Something or someone has certainly saved them from division, this is such BETTER NEWS that we want the church to teach us how to do this!” This is the gift of unity in diversity, a gift that is not simply to be pursued by us and for us, but a gift to be pursued by us, for the sake of the world, so that the world will also come to believe in the three dimensional Savior that comes to rescue the world three dimensional ways

Speaker: Pastor Judy Howard Peterson

Part of the series “Pastoral Residency: Judy Howard Peterson: #Better News”

Learning the art of Gracious Integrity

Sun, 19 May 2019 13:00:00 EST

The root meaning of the world integrity is found in the word integer, which means to be whole and we if we are going to be BETTER NEWS we must begin by acknowledging that there isn’t one of us who is completely whole. We are able to stand in this vulnerable position because we know the grace of Jesus Christ comes to us while we are still living in a place that lacks integrity. If we are to become BETTER NEWS we must then go and do likewise, longing for a world that sins no more while remaining committed to a gracious integrity that proclaims, “neither do I condemn you.”

Speaker: Pastor Judy Howard Peterson

Part of the series “Pastoral Residency: Judy Howard Peterson: #Better News”

Passionately Devoted to the Better News

Sun, 12 May 2019 13:00:00 EST

It is important that the people of God are passionately devoted to this BETTER NEWS. Passion is usually described as an emotion, but the word passion is also the world that is used to describe Jesus laying down his life for the love of the world. If we are going to be BETTER NEWS I want to challenge us to not only lay down our life for Christ, but to also lay down our life like Christ. Being BETTER NEWS means that we show up as real people willing to loving lay down our lives for the world.

Speaker: Pastor Judy Howard Peterson

Part of the series “Pastoral Residency: Judy Howard Peterson: #Better News”

Beyond a Two-Dimensional Faith

Sun, 5 May 2019 13:00:00 EST

Anyone who wants to be BETTER NEWS needs to be devoted to a 3 dimensional God and not just a 2 dimensional idea. Part of the BETTER NEWS is that we believe in a God who showed up in the flesh and that we too must show up in the flesh.

Speaker: Pastor Judy Howard Peterson

Part of the series “Pastoral Residency: Judy Howard Peterson: #Better News”

One Last Thing

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 13:00:00 EST

Three ideas have come to shape Pastor Scott’s understanding of what it means to be a Christian. These ideas combine to be the “last word” from this season of Scott’s ministry.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 13:00:00 EST

Too often, we think of salvation as a transaction: pray a prayer or do a ritual, and you’re done. But Jesus and the scriptures reveal to us a different model: a lifetime of ongoing transformation.

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ revealed”

Prophetic Boundaries

Sun, 3 Feb 2019 13:00:00 EST

At times, Jesus enraged his religious community, not only by identifying himself with Messianic prophecy, but by reminding the people that God has always been interested in caring for people beyond the strict boundaries that people construct.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ revealed”

Faith and Feelings

Sun, 27 Jan 2019 13:00:00 EST

How mad can you be at God?

Speaker: Penny Sterling

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ revealed”

The Spirit and the Voice

Sun, 13 Jan 2019 13:00:00 EST

At the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit descended like a dove and a Voice thundered from the sky. We rejoice in the knowledge that the same Spirit and Voice hover over us, and the same God loves us. Do not fear! God is with you.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ revealed”

The Mystery of Openness

Sun, 6 Jan 2019 13:00:00 EST

We kick off the season of Epiphany with a reflection the revelation of a great mystery through Jesus: God’s “eternal purpose” to welcome all people.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ revealed”

In a message that seeks to respond to recent news events, we explore Romans 13. What does it mean to “be subject to the governing authorities” when the governing authorities are acting in a way that seems contradictory to our understanding of God’s will as revealed throughout Scripture?

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “The Church and the Governing Authorities: A Christian response to family separation”

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 13:00:00 EST

Scott abandons plans to preach on the changing of God’s minds, and invites members of the congregation to ask any question on their mind.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ, realized”

MLK Sunday at Baber AME Church

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 13:00:00 EST

Our recurring joyful worship celebration with our friends at Baber AME Church is an incredible way to build friendships and learn from each other! Don’t miss this inspiring event, 10AM at 550 Meigs St. (No services held at the Artisan building on this date.)

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ, realized”

Epiphany of the Lord

Sun, 7 Jan 2018 13:00:00 EST

We celebrate the revelation of God to the Gentiles by remembering the story of the magi, pagan astrologer priests who found Jesus in the stars.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Epiphany: Christ, realized”

Christmas All Year Long

Sun, 31 Dec 2017 13:00:00 EST

In this special family worship service, we will discuss what it means to observe the truth of Christmas all year long.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Christmastide: Christmas as a Season”

After promising the Holy Spirit, Jesus offers his disciples peace: a peace that he reassures them will remain even after he has left them. We all need the reassurance of Christ’s peace when he seems absent!

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Journeying with John: Signs of Faith, Part Ten”

Refugee Sunday

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 13:00:00 EST

Opening of Arleen Thaler’s photography exhibit featuring local refugee families, as well as sharing from local refugees.

Part of the series “Pentecost”

Pentecost Reflections

Sun, 4 Jun 2017 13:00:00 EST

An Artisan Church tradition: Pentecost readings from the Bible in many languages, plus devotional reflections from several different Artisan members!

Speaker: The People of Artisan

Part of the series “Pentecost”

Becoming Christian (Baptism Sunday)

Sun, 28 May 2017 13:00:00 EST

As we conclude our series, we welcome new believers into the faith through baptism!

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Being Christian: Artisan’s Spring Read”

Reflections on Being Christian

Sun, 21 May 2017 13:00:00 EST

We hear from several individuals at Artisan about their experience of reading Being Christian: realizations they came to, new understandings of their faith, and significant steps on their path to faith.

Speaker: The People of Artisan

Part of the series “Being Christian: Artisan’s Spring Read”

Prayer: Alignment With Jesus

Sun, 14 May 2017 13:00:00 EST

Prayer is letting Jesus “pray in you,” and beginning that lengthy and often very tough process by which our selfish thoughts and ideals and hopes are gradually aligned with his eternal action.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Being Christian: Artisan’s Spring Read”

Eucharist: Thanksgiving and Welcome

Sun, 7 May 2017 13:00:00 EST

When we gather as God’s guests at God’s table, the Church becomes what it is meant be: a community of strangers who have become guests together and are listening together to the invitation of God.

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Being Christian: Artisan’s Spring Read”

Bible: Where God Speaks

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 13:00:00 EST

The Bible is the territory in which Christians expect to hear God speaking. But you soon discover that what the Bible is not is a single sequence of instructions, beginning with “God says to you…”

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Being Christian: Artisan’s Spring Read”

Baptism: A New Identity and a New Job

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 13:00:00 EST

Baptism restores a human identity that has been forgotten or overlaid. Baptism takes us to where Jesus is. But you don’t go down into the waters of the Jordan without stirring up a great deal of mud!

Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin

Part of the series “Being Christian: Artisan’s Spring Read”

Lent: April 16th Easter Sunday

Sun, 16 Apr 2017 13:00:00 EST

Lent: April 16th Easter Sunday

Speaker: Scott Austin