And Also With You

In this episode, Charlie and Levi sit down with Resident Pastor Joseph Jumper to ask: Why exactly do we need the church? Can't we just worship God by ourselves? Listen now to learn more about our call to be the Body of Christ in the world. Peace be with you!

In this episode, Lambeth and Charlie are joined by Reverend Michelle Thomas-Bush, Associate Pastor for Youth and their Families to discuss prayer! Why exactly do we pray? Listen in to find out!

This episode was recorded one day before 19 children were killed in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Charlie and Lambeth meet with Lisa Hickman and John Magnuson to ask the question that has been on all of our minds: Why does God let bad things happen? In our broken world, we don't know why bad things happen. But we do know that we worship a loving God who keeps on showing up in the midst of tragedy, heartbreak, and loss. And as John says "God says to us 'I'm coming into this mess with you. That's how much I love you.'" God transforms, God renews, and God loves. God keeps showing up. Grace and Peace to our faith family today and always. "This blessing will not fix you, will not mend you, will not give you false comfort; it will not talk to you about one door opening when another one closes. It will simply sit itself beside you among the shards and gently turn your face toward the direction from which the light will come, gathering itself about you as the world begins again." -Kate Bowler

Welcome to the first episode of our new series: Questions of Faith. Today, we meet with Resident Pastor Nick Carson to finally get an answer to the question we've all been wondering: How EXACTLY do we get into heaven? Turns out the answer is a little different from what we expected. And it has a lot to do with grace. As Nick says "God is a lot more about grace than God is about retribution or punishment or anger." And what exactly is grace??? Listen in to find out!

Zach Cline and the Rev. Doc. Joe Clifford chat about Christmas and how we got from baby Jesus to giant inflatables in a parade. Listen for ways to balance our gift-giving generous culture with a celebration of the new life that is Christ. Holy Days of the Church is a series which looks at the seasons of the church and why we do what we do when we do it. Music in this episode is by Cameron Moore, Coordinator of Contemporary Worship and Arts.

A match made in heaven: Word on the Street + Ava's Advice. Fenley and Ava chat with the youth of Myers Park Pres about how to express love to our faith family, reclaiming Valentine's Day as a free expression of loving generosity.

Kate Hinshaw and McCall Canady chat with MTB about how to carve out time for faith practices amid everything else going on. Maybe it's as easy setting an intention for the day ahead while you brush your teeth or taking a moment to be present while in the shower. Maybe it's reading a quick, daily devotion on your ride to school. Easy, tangible practices for the new year. So come at us, 2019.

Zach Cline and Associate Pastor Michelle Thomas-Bush talk about the Christmas season, and surprise, it isn't over! Turns out, the twelve days of Christmas (you know, five golden rings a partridge in a pear tree?) begins on Christmas Day and runs through Epiphany. Holy Days of the Church is a series which looks at the seasons of the church and why we do what we do when we do it. Music in this episode is by Cameron Moore, Coordinator of Contemporary Worship and Arts at Myers Park Pres.

Zach Cline and Executive Pastor Millie Snyder on what Advent is, what makes it different than Christmas, and when we get to sing "Joy to the World." Holy Days of the Church is a series which looks at the seasons of the church and why we do what we do when we do it. Music in this episode is by Cameron Moore, Coordinator of Contemporary Worship and Arts.

Fenley and Ava tackle faith practices and how they help orient our lives toward God. Julie Hester talks about keeping a gratitude journal and Patty makes a pumpkin. Because fall. Music in this episode is by bensound.com

Many of us struggle with anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide. On this special Ava's Advice episode, we try to break stigma against all-too-common mental health issues facing youth every day. Learn what some Myers Park Pres youth do to create support networks or blow off steam. Remember, you're never alone. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to call the national suicide prevention lifeline @ 800-273-8255.

Hosts McCall and Kate kick off a new season of the MPPC Youth with a live show. They get MTB (that's Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush) to explain how to load up your Cookout tray of faith with some new practices that will stretch you. Ava's back with Ava's Advice, and we've also got a new Word on the Street segment with McCall and Kate. No word on when we get to go to Cookout.

Spencer Wellons and Bennett Pittroff sit down with Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush and CROSS Interns Bailey, Preston and Keaira to discuss college and what advice they'd give to new freshman. Lucy and Finley ask our VBS kids about what they think it takes to be an "adult"...whatever that is!

Busting out the podcast with our friends and partners in Ahuachapan, El Salvador! Knox Long finds great leadership advice from our Habitat for Humanity partners, McCall Canady and Kate Hinshaw ask about the local women's coop, and Camden Thomas-Bush interviews Taylor Yarborough and Daniel (the lead Habitat mason) about their new friendship. Convivimos en paz por un mundo mejor!

During the recent mission trip to Chicago, Ava had a chance to sit down with Rev. Shannon Kershner, the pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, about their motto of being "A Light in the City" and what that means. Learn more about our youth's experiences in Chicago at the link below. Follow the youth @MPPCYouth on Instagram for updates from Chicago and future mission trips.

What's it mean to be a Presbyterian these days? Should we care? Does it matter? Bennett and Spencer sit down with summer interns Nick and Joseph to chat about their absurd levels of Presbyterianism. Stick around for "Word on the Street" asking folks why they love being #Presbytastic.

Guess who's back? Ava's back. We hear scripture every weekend, so why even bother to read the Bible? Ava asks Pastors Joe Clifford, Nicole Newton, and Deborah Conner about why the Bible is still a good read in our day and age. Our youth are challenging one another to learn four scripture verses over the summer! Learn more at the link below and follow @MPPCYouth on Instagram for Scripture Challenge ideas and updates.

Fenley Hamilton recently traveled with the youth group to our partner church in Remedios, Cuba. She sat down with her friend Ernesto, a member of the church, and Jesús (no, not that Jesús) for a quick chat about what leading a life of faith looks like in Cuba.

Waking up early on Spring Break, Zach Cline has some questions for Executive Pastor Millie Snyder about Holy Week and why it's such a big deal for Christians.

This bonus episode features Ava's Advice on how High Schoolers are expressing their Christ-like love for one another on Valentine's Day and every day.