The Verdugo Community Church’s Podcast

Pastor Gail Whitcome Linstrom – “Will You Follow?” – Verdugo Community Church February 4, 2024

In her sermon “Will You Follow,” Pastor Gail takes a detailed look at the Twelve Apostles, as they are described in the New Testament, and draws the parallels between them and us as we also try to be Jesus’ disciples. Jesus chose the Twelve out of the large group of his followers to train them to carry on his work when he was no longer present. They came from every segment of their society. Some had been disciples of John the Baptist, others were tax collectors, political radicals, fishermen, and Torah scholars. Some, like Peter and John, became well known. Others are only names in the Gospels and Acts. Some have entire Gospels and New Testament letters ascribed to them, like Matthew, John, and Peter. Others may have been almost illiterate. What they had in common is that they answered the call of Jesus to follow him. It is up to us to answer that call affirmatively and carry out the work that Jesus gives us.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Verdugo is online at www.facebook.com/verdugochurch and www.verdugochurch.org.

Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

VERDUGO COMMUNITY CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE FEBRUARY 4, 2024

We open our service with song. Pastor Gail Linstrom begins by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family, and calls us to worship with a reading from Psalm 65. We then join in reciting the Lord’s Prayer as our opening prayer. Nick Baltazar and Ed Manacop lead us in our praise singing, and Albert Ramseyer takes up the praises and concerns of the church and our world in the Prayers of the People.

 

In her sermon “Will You Follow,” Pastor Gail takes a detailed look at the Twelve Apostles, as they are described in the New Testament, and draws the parallels between them and us as we also try to be Jesus’ disciples. Jesus chose the Twelve out of the large group of his followers to train them to carry on his work when he was no longer present. They came from every segment of their society. Some had been disciples of John the Baptist, others were tax collectors, political radicals, fishermen, and Torah scholars. Some, like Peter and John, became well known. Others are only names in the Gospels and Acts. Some have entire Gospels and New Testament letters ascribed to them, like Matthew, John, and Peter. Others may have been almost illiterate. What they had in common is that they answered the call of Jesus to follow him. It is up to us to answer that call affirmatively and carry out the work that Jesus gives us.

 

Pastor Gail then leads us in the sacrament of communion, and you are invited to participate as well.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned. All CCLI songs are performed under Verdugo Community Church’s CCLI license # 2486815.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Worship service copyright 2024 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

 

VERDUGO COMMUNITY CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE JANUARY 28, 2024

We begin our service with song. Pastor Gail Linstrom opens the service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family, and calls us to worship with a reading from Psalm 18. Albert Ramseyer opens us in prayer. Nick Baltazar and Ed Manacop lead us in our praise singing and in the songs during the Lectio Divina. Greg Hart takes up the praises and concerns of the church and our world in the Prayers of the People.

 

This week instead of a sermon, we are invited to participate in a Lectio Divina of Matthew 4:1 – 11 setting out the Temptation of Jesus. After each reading of all or part of the text by different voices, a time of reflection and meditation occurs, and an appropriate song is sung. We are all invited to place ourselves into the scene and to be open to whatever the Spirit shows us and invites us to apply to our lives. Jesus resisted these temptations, and stands by us as we are tested and tempted, to strengthen and encourage us to remain faithful to God.

 

Pastor Gail then leads us in the sacrament of communion, and you are invited to participate as well.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Due to the personal nature of the meditation, we did not make a video this week.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned. All CCLI songs are performed under Verdugo Community Church’s CCLI license # 2486815.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Worship service copyright 2024 by Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Whitcome Linstrom – “Baptism – a Practice as Old as Time” – Verdugo Community Church January 21, 2024

In her sermon, “Baptism – a Practice as Old as Time,” Pastor Gail looks at the background and meaning of Jesus’s baptism as found in Mark 1 and Matthew 3 by looking at the deep roots of this practice in the Old Testament. From the earliest days of Exodus God required that men and women immerse themselves in living water before coming before him to worship, or, to signify a change in their lives: One goes down into the water by one set of steps and comes up, renewed, by another. It is easy to miss the connection with baptism because is a Greek word without a Hebrew equivalent. Thus when John was reluctant to baptize Jesus for the repentance of sins, Jesus reminded him that it was a requirement in the Law for other reasons. When Jesus was baptized, he saw the heavens open and his Father affirming him and saying he was well pleased with him. When we acknowledge the baptism of the holy spirit by changing our lives, we are likewise opening ourselves to God’s love and affirmation.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Verdugo is online at www.facebook.com/verdugochurch and www.verdugochurch.org.

Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

 

VERDUGO COMMUNITY CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE JANUARY 21, 2024

We begin our service with song. Pastor Gail Linstrom opens the service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family, and Linda Kozik calls us to worship with a reading from Psalm 118. Luisa Fernandez opens us in prayer. Nick Baltazar and Ed Manacop lead us in our praise singing. Albert Ramseyer takes up the praises and concerns of the church and our world in the Prayers of the People.

 

In her sermon, “Baptism – a Practice as Old as Time,” Pastor Gail looks at the background and meaning of Jesus’s baptism as found in Mark 1 and Matthew 3 by looking at the deep roots of this practice in the Old Testament. From the earliest days of Exodus God required that men and women immerse themselves in living water before coming before him to worship, or, to signify a change in their lives: One goes down into the water by one set of steps and comes up, renewed, by another. It is easy to miss the connection with baptism because is a Greek word without a Hebrew equivalent. Thus when John was reluctant to baptize Jesus for the repentance of sins, Jesus reminded him that it was a requirement in the Law for other reasons. When Jesus was baptized, he saw the heavens open and his Father affirming him and saying he was well pleased with him. When we acknowledge the baptism of the holy spirit by changing our lives, we are likewise opening ourselves to God’s love and affirmation.

 

Pastor Gail then leads us in the sacrament of communion, and you are invited to participate as well.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned. All CCLI songs are performed under Verdugo Community Church’s CCLI license # 2486815.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Worship service copyright 2024 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Whitcome Linstrom – “Wise Ones Worship” – Verdugo Community Church January 14, 2024

In her sermon, “Wise Ones Worship,” Pastor Gail looks at the story in Matthew 2 of the Magi or wise men from the east who using their skills and treasure in faith followed a star that they believed heralded the birth of the King of the Jews. They braved a meeting with King Herod, whose evil intent was clear. Yet they still followed the star to Bethlehem, and worshipped Jesus, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh fit for a King. God then sent an angel to warn them against returning to Herod despite his order to do so, just as an angel told Joseph to flee that night with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Thus these wise ones and the Holy Family were saved from King Herod’s vengeance and the slaughter of the young children in Bethlehem. Like these wise ones, we are strangers who must act in faith to find Jesus and in worship offer him our talents and treasures. While there may be dangers and obstacles, their story reminds us that God’s guidance and presence will be with us at all times.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Verdugo is online at www.facebook.com/verdugochurch and www.verdugochurch.org.

Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

VERDUGO COMMUNITY CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE JANUARY 14, 2024

We begin our service with song. Pastor Gail Linstrom opens the service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family and calls us to worship with a reading from Isaiah 9. Luisa Fernandez opens us in prayer. Nick Baltazar and Ed Manacop lead us in our praise singing. Greg Hart takes up the praises and concerns of the church and our world in the Prayers of the People.

 

In her sermon, “Wise Ones Worship,” Pastor Gail looks at the story in Matthew 2 of the Magi or wise men from the east who using their skills and treasure in faith followed a star that they believed heralded the birth of the King of the Jews. They braved a meeting with King Herod, whose evil intent was clear. Yet they still followed the star to Bethlehem, and worshipped Jesus, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh fit for a King. God then sent an angel to warn them against returning to Herod despite his order to do so, just as an angel told Joseph to flee that night with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Thus these wise ones and the Holy Family were saved from King Herod’s vengeance and the slaughter of the young children in Bethlehem. Like these wise ones, we are strangers who must act in faith to find Jesus and in worship offer him our talents and treasures. While there may be dangers and obstacles, their story reminds us that God’s guidance and presence will be with us at all times.

 

Pastor Gail then leads us in the sacrament of communion, and you are invited to participate as well.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned. All CCLI songs are performed under Verdugo Community Church’s CCLI license # 2486815.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Worship service copyright 2024 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Whitcome Linstrom – “The Rewards of Waiting Well” – Verdugo Community Church January 7, 2024

In her sermon, “The Rewards of Waiting Well,” Pastor Gail looks at the stories of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2, who are present at the Temple when Mary and Joseph present Jesus to fulfill the Law. Both have waited to see the Messiah, and through the Holy Spirit God has promised Simeon that he will not die until this has occurred. Anna has been living and working in the Temple for many years, through changes in governments, wars, and even the reconstruction of the Temple by Herod. As a widow, Anna has patiently and faithfully served in the Temple. When these two see Jesus, they immediately recognize who he really is, and are led to prophesy about his life and ultimate victory. We are like Anna and Simeon, waiting for the return of the Messiah, walking with the Spirit to do what God requires us to do. Their story reminds us that God will fulfill his promises.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Verdugo is online at www.facebook.com/verdugochurch and www.verdugochurch.org.

Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

VERDUGO COMMUNITY CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE JANUARY 7, 2024

We begin our service with song. Pastor Gail Linstrom opens the service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family. Michelle Hensley calls us to worship with a reading of Psalm 130, and Albert Ramseyer opens us in prayer. Nick Baltazar and Ed Manacop lead us in our praise singing. Greg Hart takes up the praises and concerns of the church and our world in the Prayers of the People.

 

In her sermon, “The Rewards of Waiting Well,” Pastor Gail looks at the stories of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2, who are present at the Temple when Mary and Joseph present Jesus to fulfill the Law. Both have waited to see the Messiah, and through the Holy Spirit God has promised Simeon that he will not die until this has occurred. Anna has been living and working in the Temple for many years, through changes in governments, wars, and even the reconstruction of the Temple by Herod. As a widow, Anna has patiently and faithfully served in the Temple. When these two see Jesus, they immediately recognize who he really is, and are led to prophesy about his life and ultimate victory. We are like Anna and Simeon, waiting for the return of the Messiah, walking with the Spirit to do what God requires us to do. Their story reminds us that God will fulfill his promises.

 

Pastor Gail then leads us in the sacrament of communion, and you are invited to participate as well.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned. All CCLI songs are performed under Verdugo Community Church’s CCLI license # 2486815.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Worship service copyright 2024 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2024 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Whitcome Linstrom – “The Unexpected Power of God’s Plan” – Verdugo Community Church December 17, 2023

In her sermon, “The Unexpected Power of God’s Plan,” Pastor Gail continues our Advent studies by looking at the promises of God set out in Isaiah 9 and John 1 and the praises of Mary in Luke 2. She notes that Christmas is more than a time of celebration of a birth. It is a reminder that God sent Jesus to comfort those who are in mourning and who wait in the darkness for release. If we encounter problems at Christmas we are in good company. The main characters in the Christmas story are ordinary people with problems – Elizabeth, an older woman with the shame of barrenness, married to the minor priest Zachariah; Mary, an unwed pregnant teenager, and Joseph, a carpenter; and a group of dirty and probably smelly shepherds, outcasts from polite society. After Joseph and Mary traveled for days to get to Bethlehem, Mary gives birth in a stable. Angels joyously proclaim the good news to shepherds, who rush to Bethlehem and barge into the stable to satisfy their curiosity. How can all this be part of God’s plan? Yet Mary sees beyond these difficulties and treasures all these things up in her heart. Our experience of Christmas is to find love and solace in God’s presence, and to carry that love and concern to others.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons available to you on Facebook and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com.

 

Verdugo Community Church is a Free Methodist congregation serving the Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, and Glendale areas in Los Angeles. It is located at 4300 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Our email address is verdugofmc@gmail.com. Contact Pastor Gail at (323) 500-3343.

 

Verdugo is online at www.facebook.com/verdugochurch and www.verdugochurch.org.

Sermon copyright 2023 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.