Choral Response: Hallelujah (G. F. Handel) 

Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17-25 Luke 24:1-12 

Description: On Easter morning, the women approach the tomb knowing what is expected of them. But after the tomb turns out to be empty and God’s story turns out not to be over, how should they respond? What can they trust? How can they see the news of the empty tomb as good? And what about us? Our world is full of tombs – empty and otherwise – can we, like the women, find hope? #Remember #Lent #Luke24 #TheHardestPart #everythinghappens #katebowler  

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #luke #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: John 12:1-8 

Description: “Really loving people goes beyond what we think we can afford. But it has a multiplying effect. Even as we are diminished by loving action to the point of costing us time, money, or energy, it makes more.” #love #Lent #luke12 #TheHardestPart #everythinghappens #katebowler  

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #luke #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: 2 Cor 5:16-21 & Luke 15

Description: “We will never be able to make total sense of the pain and suffering we endure. But, somehow, we may find little bits of hard-won wisdom in the midst.” - Kate Bowler #wisdom #Lent #2cor5 #luke12 #TheHardestPart #everythinghappens #katebowler  

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #luke #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Isaiah 55:1-9 & Luke 13:1-9

Description: There is the world as we see it… and there is the world as God sees it. What does it mean to embrace God’s kind of imagination? And how might that relate to repentance or forgiveness? Louisa digs into Jesus’s comments about contemporary tragedies and his story about a fruitless fig tree in the context of Isaiah’s invitation to eat and drink. This is part of our Lenten series: “The Hardest Part,” inspired by Kate Bowler and the Everything Happens project.  #imagination #Lent #repentance #Luke13 #Isaiah55 #TheHardestPart #everythinghappens #katebowler 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #luke #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Psalm 27, Luke 13:31-35 

Description: Suffering is an inevitable part of the landscape of our lives and our world. Jesus models for us a style of prayer that honors our pain and saves us from falling into despair. This kind of prayer, deeply interwoven in the psalms, is called lament. For our own sakes and for the world around us, the Bible invites us to renew our practice of lament. 

Following the sermon: Anthem - My Song in the Night (Mark Shepperd) © 2020 Beckenhorst Press  Chancel Choir  Manami White, violin 

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Luke 4:1-13

Description: It’s the first Sunday of Lent, a season where we don’t have to pretend life is easy or that everything has a solution. Life is beautiful and terrible, often at the same time. Jesus knew that better than anyone. He chose the harder path, rejecting easy versions of power and rule. No story makes that more clear-cut than the story of Jesus in the wilderness, where he rejects each of the devil’s temptations… #Lent #TheHardestPart #Wilderness 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Luke 6:27-38

Description: You know “The Golden Rule,” but have you heard about “The Platinum Rule”? Or how about “The Rhodium Rule”? Jesus’s Sermon on the Plain challenges us to treat others as God would treat them, which is a tall order. Jesus wants us to give away more than is asked of us, to turn the other cheek, and to love our enemies. Thank God no one expects us to be able to do that all on our own… #thegoldenrule #therhodiumrule #sermonontheplain #sermononthemount #loveyourenemy 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 

Description: 500 years ago, Felix Manz, George Blaurock, and Conrad Grebel were among a group of reformers who believed deeply in believer baptisms and started the Anabaptist movement. The Presbyterian tradition embraces infant baptism. How can we be inspired by the beauty of both forms of baptism… and by the third form, found in the profound act Jesus’ baptism? #baptismofthelord #baptism #churchhistory #anabaptists #reformation #solagratia 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #luke #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 

DESCRIPTION: The Christmas season brings so much gift giving and receiving. The wise men were the first to bring Christmas gifts. Were their gifts well chosen? Or might Jesus have preferred something different?

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch #epipany 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Matthew 1:18-25 

“Much like Joseph, people of faith today find ourselves standing at a terrifying intersection between the world we knew and the one in which we actually live. And like Joseph, we are faced with some game-changing decisions. Do we reach backward and cling to tradition, even when it no longer serves us or meets the need of the moment? Or do we hear the timeless words of the holy messengers—do not be afraid—and put all our faith into the world that is still becoming? The new thing that God, even now, might be working in our midst?” #josephsangel #matthew1 #hopesandfears #callingallangels 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Luke 1:26-38

Description: The story of Advent is not meant to be a solo or even just an angelic chorus. It is a call and response. The angels say “do not be afraid,” and the faithful are compelled to answer back.

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #luke #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Luke 1:5-25 

DESCRIPTION: When Zechariah doubts the message of the angel Gabriel, he loses his voice for nine months. Was that a punishment? Maybe. Or maybe it was a gift, a season of quietness when Zechariah could listen for God. In this busy time of year, maybe we are overlooking God's angels in the noise and hectic holiday pace. According to the old hymn, "How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given." Are there gifts from God that we can receive only in silence and stillness?

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 23:1-5 - John 18:33-37 

Louisa preaches about Thanksgiving pies and that sense of belonging we have – or don’t have – during the holiday season. When Pilate questions an arrested and bound Jesus, Jesus tells Pilate that his kingdom “does not belong to this world.” What does it mean to serve a king whose kingdom does not belong to our world? And what does that mean about where we and others belong? #christtheking #reignofchrist #pies #thanksgiving #jesusandpilate 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #Psalm #acts #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

We explore the ‘Gleaning Laws’ and the ways ancient Israel imagined a world under God’s kind of rule instead of under Pharoah’s kind of rule – a world where there is always enough… and enough to share. But what about when it seems that Pharoah’s power is the only power? Jesus adds his own thoughts on generosity, especially during times when Pharoah’s way seems to be winning. Fair warning – this is a stewardship sermon!  #Gleaninglaws #Stewardship #Enough #Leviticus19 #Deuteronomy24 #Matthew5

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Bonus Content: Stay tuned after the sermon. for Just as I am, I Come (Victor C. Johnson)  © 2011 Lorenz Publishing Company, Chancel Choir. Used with permission. 

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44 

You know what’s easy? Cynicism. The temple is corrupt. There are no good institutions or worthy recipients. We have every reason to be cynical. But what does it mean that the widow gives her mite, anyway? What does it mean that Jesus gives his life, anyway? And how is the church called to do likewise? #stewardship #widowsmite #smallactsofhope #generosityasprotest #Mark12 #thepromiseofenough

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch #revelation

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-6a

Bonus Content: Stay tuned for A New Jerusalem Arise, following the sermon. 

Description: In the midst of election-week anxiety, we take the time to celebrate God’s larger promises along with the specific and intimate hope that comes from remembering those we have loved and lost. For All Saints’, we remember the five Lakeside members who joined the church triumphant since our last All Saints’ celebration. Ultimately, we remember that God offers what is ‘trustworthy and true.’

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch #revelation

A New Jerusalem Arise (Kyle Pederson, ed. Dan Forrest)  

© 2022 Beckenhorst Press, Inc. 

Chancel Choir 

Used with permission

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures:Exodus 35-36

Description: The building of the tabernacle (Exodus 35-36): People who have just barely begun to have more than enough after slavery in Egypt are now willing, even excited to bring a nearly endless list of resources and skills to constructing the tabernacle, the transitional place of worship in the wilderness.

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch #Psalm8 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31  

In Hebrews and in the Gospel of Mark, we are reminded that sometimes God likes to ‘keep it real’ and asks us to be ‘vulnerable.’ Let’s not shy away from these texts but embrace that sometimes Jesus wants to challenge us. After all, in being challenged we might find renewed grace and love!

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Psalm 8

Description: The time has come for a sermon addressing this election season… Louisa shares two main take-aways as we engage with this political moment, both inspired by Psalm 8 and World Communion Sunday. 

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #lakesidepresbyterianchurch #Psalm8 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Mark 9:38-50 

Description: A humorous, insightful, and poignant sermon led by Elders of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: James 3:13-4:3, Mark 9:30-37   

Description: The Letter of James raises the question of what true wisdom looks like. Is it dog eat dog? Is it looking out for Number One? Or does God offer us a different kind of wisdom? If so, what does divine wisdom look like? Maybe it looks like Jesus.

Bio: The Reverend Doctor Michael Brewer is a retired pastor with 28 years of ministry at Crescent Springs Presbyterian and 14 years at Blue Ash Presbyterian. He studied at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and was ordained simultaneously into two denominations: the Presbyterian Church US and the United Presbyterian Church USA. After the Presbyterian reunion in 1983 he added a third denomination to the list. He is a writer and self-confessed Bible nerd; also a hopeful gardener, a harvester of wild foods, and a doting grandfather. #James #Mark #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Mark 8:27-38

Description: The cross is the central symbol of our faith – but have we watered it down? Or have we allowed it to take on entirely different meaning than what Jesus intended? In this passage, Jesus challenges us to re-imagine power and take risks. 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #LakesidePresbyterianChurch #thecross #power #whodoyousaythatIam #takeupyourcross #GospelofMark 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Isaiah 35:4-7a, James 2:1-17 

Description: Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible. Your choices matter.  Drawing from the words of Isaiah, we explore how every choice can resonate with joy and purpose. Let’s all act like what we do matters.

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #Psalm #acts #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Psalm 46, John 16:31-33 

Description: In the gospel of John, Christ promises peace to his followers. But how can we live into this promise when peace often seems so far away? 

Bio: John Hodges-Batzka serves as the Coordinator of the Northern Kentucky Youth Group (Illumination), providing youth programming for several area PCUSA and UCC churches. A Detroit-area native, John received his Masters of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, where he met his wife, Diana. They live in Bellevue with their dog, Annie. When he is not working, John enjoys biking, and happily (every few decades) rooting for the Detroit Lions. #Psalm #John #lakesidepresbyterianchurch #peace #Plantingpeace 

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.

Scriptures: Psalm 22, Acts 27:39-44 

Description: God’s call is a gift for all people – not just a privilege for the few who have the power to choose preferred jobs or control relationships. Even when we find ourselves out of options, in circumstances that feel like dead ends, or in the depths of suffering, God can find us and we can claim vocation. 

Bio: The Rev. Dr. Louisa W. Umphres is pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. She holds a BA in History from Duke University, Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. #Psalm #acts #lakesidepresbyterianchurch

Thank you for joining the Lakeside Light Podcast. This is a copyrighted production of Lakeside Presbyterian Church. You can find out more information about us at lakesidechurch.org.