The Verdugo Community Church’s Podcast

Pastor Gail Linstrom begins our service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family. Dale Reynolds does the Opening Reading from Psalm 85. Pastor Gail lightS the second Advent Candle, the candle of Peace. Albert Ramseyer leads us in an opening prayer. Kristina James, Ed Manacop, and Caroline Sandoval lead us in joyous singing. Greg Hart takes up the praises and concerns of our church, our city, and our world in the Prayers of the People. Pastor Gail concludes our service by leading us in Communion, and you are invited to participate.

 

In his sermon, “New Peace,” Chaplain David Saltzman uses the promise in Isaiah 11 of a time when war and even conflicts between predator and prey are abolished so they live peaceably side by side. This is the starting point to consider what Jesus means when he gives his peace to believers. Unlike the temporary times of peace in human experience, this peace is permanent and brings everything into balance. From our point of view, it is a journey of a lifetime, not an end point. Advent reminds us that Jesus came into the world to bring this peace, and that we are to work for this peace in everything we do and with everyone we encounter.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by David Satlzman and Verdugo Community Church.

In her sermon, “The Advent of Our Awakening,” Pastor Gail considers the promises of the coming Kingdom of God in Isaiah 9 and Jeremiah 33. She reminds us of what we must let go of so that we can acquiesce to what God wants us to be and do. Because we have hope, we can rejoice and live knowing the Lord is our righteous savior. We will be asked to take risks if we open our hearts to become a dwelling place for the Lord. We can only do this if we allow him to become the center of our lives. During Advent we take time to explore what this looks like as we await the birth of Jesus, wanting him to be born anew in our hearts again this year. ar.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the services and sermons at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Linstrom begins our service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family. Pastor Gail and Luisa Fernandez lead us in a Responsive Prayer based on Psalm 40 and then they light the first Advent Candle, the Candle of Hope. Ed Manacop and Caroline Sandoval lead us in joyous singing. Albert Ramseyer takes up the praises and concerns of our church, our city, and our world in the Prayers of the People. Pastor Gail concludes our service by leading us in Communion, and you are invited to participate.

 

In her sermon, “The Advent of Our Awakening,” Pastor Gail considers the promises of the coming Kingdom of God in Isaiah 9 and Jeremiah 33. She reminds us of what we must let go of so that we can acquiesce to what God wants us to be and do. Because we have hope, we can rejoice and live knowing the Lord is our righteous savior. We will be asked to take risks if we open our hearts to become a dwelling place for the Lord. We can only do this if we allow him to become the center of our lives. During Advent we take time to explore what this looks like as we await the birth of Jesus, wanting him to be born anew in our hearts again this year.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.

In his sermon, “Advent Amidst Our Fears,” Pastor Daniel Whipple of Rose City Church reminds us that the Advent took place in times of oppression, corruption, and extremes of wealth and power, similar in many ways to the present. Common people, such as Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph, lived in fear of their leaders and uncertainty about the future. Into this seemingly hopeless situation comes the Advent, which in Luke 1 begins with Zachariah encountering an angel in the Temple and being told that he and his wife Elizabeth would no longer be childless but would have a son who would be the herald of the Messiah. Jesus was born in the dirty squalor of a stable. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus would have to flee as political refugees to prevent Herod from killing Jesus. Jesus came into our world experiencing the worst, not the best, life offered. When he calls us to love others and help them in their distress he knows what that means and why we should also proclaim the Good News of the coming of his Kingdom.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the services and sermons at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by Daniel Whipple and Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Linstrom begins our service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family. Dale Reynolds continues the Call to Worship with a reading from Psalm 147. Chaplain David Saltzman opens us in prayer. Ed Manacop and Caroline Sandoval lead us in joyous singing. Albert Ramseyer takes up the praises and concerns of our church, our city, and our world in the Prayers of the People. Pastor Gail concludes our service by leading us in Communion, and you are invited to participate.

 

In his sermon, “Advent Amidst Our Fears,” Pastor Daniel Whipple of Rose City Church reminds us that the Advent took place in times of oppression, corruption, and extremes of wealth and power, similar in many ways to the present. Common people, such as Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph, lived in fear of their leaders and uncertainty about the future. Into this seemingly hopeless situation comes the Advent, which in Luke 1 begins with Zachariah encountering an angel in the Temple and being told that he and his wife Elizabeth would no longer be childless but would have a son who would be the herald of the Messiah. Jesus was born in the dirty squalor of a stable. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus would have to flee as political refugees to prevent Herod from killing Jesus. Jesus came into our world experiencing the worst, not the best, life offered. When he calls us to love others and help them in their distress he knows what that means and why we should also proclaim the Good News of the coming of his Kingdom.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by Daniel Whipple and Verdugo Community Church.

In his sermon, “Hey, Siri, When Is Judgment Day?,” Chaplain David Saltzman considers the answer Jesus gave his disciples to this question in Luke 21 in the context of our present world and local situations. Jesus said that no one knows the answer to that question, and that the true calling of his followers was to share the good news of salvation. Instead of being anxious about the bad news of potential signs and wonders, we are to trust God and patiently seek his guidance on how we can advance his Kingdom in our lives and the lives of those we encounter.

 

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the services and sermons at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by David Saltzman and Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Linstrom begins our service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family. Dale Reynolds continues the Call to Worship with a reading from Psalm 37. Luisa Fernandez opens us in prayer. Kristina James, Ed Manacop, Caroline Sandoval, and Jessica Jimenez lead us in joyous singing. Greg Hart takes up the praises and concerns of our church, our city, and our world in the Prayers of the People. Pastor Gail concludes our service by leading us in Communion, and you are invited to participate.

 

In his sermon, “Hey, Siri, When Is Judgment Day?,” Chaplain David Saltzman considers the answer Jesus gave his disciples to this question in Luke 21 in the context of our present world and local situations. Jesus said that no one knows the answer to that question, and that the true calling of his followers was to share the good news of salvation. Instead of being anxious about the bad news of potential signs and wonders, we are to trust God and patiently seek his guidance on how we can advance his Kingdom in our lives and the lives of those we encounter.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by David Saltzman and Verdugo Community Church.

In her sermon, “Story of Suffering,” Pastor April Fearon, on staff with Empowering Lives International, considers the meaning and role that suffering plays in the Christian life. James, the half brother of Jesus, knew what it meant to face the death of family members, the discovery that he was wrong about Jesus, and the rough and tumble of life in the early Church. In James 1, he reminds us that enduring suffering can result in our faith becoming more mature, giving us the ability to recognize suffering in others and be able to help them. Everyone goes through periods of suffering. We need to be aware of their problems and share the Good News that in all their circumstances God is with them and wants to give them his love and peace.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the services and sermons at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by April Fearon and Verdugo Community Church.

Pastor Gail Linstrom begins our service by welcoming all to worship and to participate in the life of our church family. Dale Reynolds continues the Call to Worship with a reading of Psalm 138. Albert Ramseyer opens us in prayer. Kristina James, Caroline Sandoval, and Jessica Jimenez lead us in joyous singing. Greg Hart takes up the praises and concerns of our church, our city, and our world in the Prayers of the People. Pastor April Fearon concludes our service by leading us in Communion, and you are invited to participate.

 

In her sermon, “Story of Suffering,” Pastor April Fearon, on staff with Empowering Lives International, considers the meaning and role that suffering plays in the Christian life. James, the half brother of Jesus, knew what it meant to face the death of family members, the discovery that he was wrong about Jesus, and the rough and tumble of life in the early Church. In James 1, he reminds us that enduring suffering can result in our faith becoming more mature, giving us the ability to recognize suffering in others and be able to help them. Everyone goes through periods of suffering. We need to be aware of their problems and share the Good News that in all their circumstances God is with them and wants to give them his love and peace.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the service and sermon at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

Prayers of the People have been edited to respect the privacy and confidentiality of those participating or mentioned.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by April Fearon and Verdugo Community Church.

In her sermon, “Living Faith – Living Faith – Living Hope,” Pastor Gail looks at what it means to be a “saint” on this Sunday celebrating All Saints’ Day. She notes that the Bible considers “saints” to be living followers of Jesus, not just persons who are honored after their death for remarkable and even miraculous deeds. In Ephesians 1 Paul affirms that God has chosen each of us and that through the Holy Sprit we will have the power to do the things we need to do. Saints are any believer who reaches out to help others. Their actions share the good news of salvation as much as their words.

 

Verdugo makes its Sunday sermons and select worship services available to you on Facebook at https://facebook.com/verdugochurch and posts audio copies of the services and sermons at https://verdugochurch.podbean.com. Please note that video copies may be deleted after 90 days under Facebook rules.

 

All song titles, lyrics, and music are used with permission. 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 2025 by Verdugo Community Church. Sermon copyright 2025 by Gail Whitcome Linstrom and Verdugo Community Church.