South Bend City Church

In this weekends gatherings, we centered our liturgy on the Lectionary Reading from Psalm 69. We heard the personal story of our Director of Worship and Arts, Mariah, as she shared moments that she has felt like an outsider and she shared her new song, Jesus-Loving Queer Kid. We then took some time to encourage ourselves and each other with singing and opened up the table for all of our community to share in the Eucharist together. If you would like to join us in the Eucharist, make sure to have some form of bread or cracker and some form of juice or wine with you.

Earlier this month, we hosted a night for members of SBCC and the broader community who want to learn more about creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people. The event featured a panel of SBCC members telling their stories as LGBTQ+ people and followers of Jesus, and as a parent to a gay son, navigating the complicated and often painful experiences of exclusion and harm in religious communities, and the ways their faith has sustained them. The panel also responded to questions from those in attendance. Want to know more about historic and progressive understandings of sexuality, the Bible, and Christian theology? Check out these reads: Historic View: Washed and Waiting, by Wesley Hill People to Be Loved, by Preston Sprinkle What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung Progressive View: God and the Gay Christian, by Matthew Vines Changing Our Mind, by David Gushee Bible, Gender, Sexuality, by James Brownson

Jason Miller - In the past year, we've seen the rapid acceleration of publicly available AI technologies like ChatGPT. Along with this acceleration, we've seen growing warnings about the dangers of AI. In our final week of Idols, Icons, and Tech, we considered a framing theological story to help us make sense of where all of this might be headed. Ways to Get Connected Save the date for our SBCC Picnic on July 2 and, if you want, give towards making the morning happen Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to our general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller - In spite of the dangers we've been learning about regarding the negative impact of digital devices and social media, it turns out there are clear, positive ways to reverse the effect. This week, we learn that the spiritual problems and the spiritual possibilities of technology are related. Ways to Get Connected RSVP to the LGBTQ+ Table (June 27th) Save the date for our SBCC Picnic on July 2 and, if you want, give towards making the morning happen Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to our general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

In this weekends liturgy, we centered ourselves on the Lectionary Reading of Psalm 33. South Bend City Church proudly calls itself a place for believers and doubters and those that are a bit of both, but this liturgy specifically lands on the belief side of things. We spend time thanking, praising, and proclaiming the greatness of God through song and reading. If this liturgy doesn't resonate with you today, that's okay, and we hope that you can still walk away feeling supported and seen by our community. Follow along with the transcript on our website

Jason Miller - Many of us are aware that our increasing exposure to social media and other digital entertainment isn't entirely good for us. Today we explored a spiritual perspective on why that may be the case, and we offered a challenge for a practice this week. Ways to Get Connected Register for our Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Panel Night (June 13th) RSVP to the LGBTQ+ Table (June 27th) Save the date for our SBCC Picnic on July 2 Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

This weekend we were led through a meaningful liturgy of rest including songs, readings, and the opportunity to hear from some of our community in an open floor time. Our hope for this episode of the podcast is that, wherever you are in the world, you're able to take a minute to disconnect from distractions and take a real rest. Ways to Get Connected Register for our Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Panel Night (June 13th) RSVP to the LGBTQ+ Table (June 27th) Help us write our Father’s Day Reading by submitting before June 14th Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller - Technologies are advancing at a swift rate, bringing with them profound possibilities and alarming liabilities. For the next four weeks, we'll explore some big questions, theological frameworks, and practical approaches to our relationship with technology. Ways to Get Connected Register for our Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Panel Night (June 13th) RSVP to the LGBTQ+ Table (June 27th) Help us write our Father's Day Reading by submitting before June 14th Find more information or support The Tribune Project Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller, Mariah Keener, and Zach Gillis - In our final week of Old Creed, New World, we came to the final "amen" after reflecting on the story the Creed tells and the joy of finding our place in it. This episode includes teaching, reflections, prayers, and songs. Songs and Readings Included: At the River Clarion by Mary Oliver Writing #6 from the enfleshed Weekly Lenten Prayers This I Believe by Ben Fielding and Matt Crocker So Will I by Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, and Michael Fatkin Jesus Is A Friend of Mine by Rev. Timothy Wright The Doxology Ways to Get Connected Come to the Tribune Consecration on Thursday night Register for our Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Panel Night RSVP to the LGBTQ+ Table Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller - When the Creed looks ahead to the future it teaches us to expect, it speaks of the resurrection of bodies. If our bodies are so beloved by God that God will raise them up in the end, then how should we honor them right now? If you would like to join us in the practice of Eucharist, make sure to have some form of bread and juice with you. Ways to Get Connected Check out the Student Tables Summer Schedule Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller - Can violence and vengeance really build the world we want? And if not, how do we sustain a posture of mercy in world with so much harm? This episode also includes a time of reflection and a prayer of confession and absolution borrowed from our Anglican sisters and brothers in the Book of Common Prayer. Ways to Get Connected: Join the South Bend City Church Open Forum and Collective on Facebook. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller, Matt Graybill, and Kem Meyer - Our lead pastor, Jason Miller, announced this week that his first book will be released in August. We wanted to take a moment to celebrate the book and hear the heart behind it. SBCC celebrates the work our team does in the world when it’s aligned with our message and mission. We’ve also seen too many examples of this being done badly, where potential conflicts of interest are ignored and accountability is lacking, so we wanted to offer some transparency about the process and plan we've pursued to do this in a way that honors our values. In this conversation, you'll hear Jason, our executive pastor Matt Graybill, and board member Kem Meyer sharing the story behind the book, the questions we've wrestled with as it's being promoted and released, and the plan for SBCC's relationship to the book. If you have any further questions, please email info@southbendcitychurch.com.

Jason Miller - The gift of the Holy Spirit was meant to give birth to a church that carried on the work of Jesus. So what do we do with a church that so often betrays Jesus? At the end of this weekend’s gatherings, we were reminded that each of us shares in the communion of saints and we got to celebrate the baptisms of 6 of our community members. Ways to Get Connected: Sign up for our Work Day at the Tribune on May 13th. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Sean Palmer - What does it mean to believe in the Holy Spirit? And what should we expect from the Holy Spirit? When so many of us have seen so many questionable claims about the Spirit, what if the real promise of this line of the creed is in the kind of community the Spirit births? Ways to Get Connected RSVP to either our in-person (May 7th at 12:15p) or virtual (May 8th at 8:30EST) New to SBCC Table. Join the South Bend City Church Open Forum and Collective on Facebook. Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller - What does it mean to believe that Jesus will return and judge? And when judgement so often evokes fears of punishment, shame, and exclusion, are their other ways of understanding it? After we explore these questions, we spend some time reflecting on, praying through, and meditating on the questions we have and the hopes we have for the world. The reflections and prayers from this time were written by Cole Arthur Riley and published through her Instagram, @blackliturgies. If you would like to donate to help us provide comfort food to the 6th graders at Jefferson Traditional Middle School, after the tragic loss of their classmate, T'yon Horston, you can visit our give page and make sure to designate it to the Jefferson Traditional fund. The money donated to this fund will help purchase the Chick-fil-a lunches and any money that surpasses that cost will be given directly to the school to be used at their discretion. As always, we have strict guidelines in place that our care funds cannot be access

Jason Miller - When the Apostles' Creed talks about Jesus ascending, how do people with a modern understanding of the universe imagine this moment? Is this just an embarrassing scene for people who know that God isn't dwelling in some finite place just above the ozone layer? Ways to Engage with Our Community Sign up for a New to SBCC Table Let us know if you are interested in baptism Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

Jason Miller - There's a tragedy in the story of Jesus' crucifixion. It's found in the life and death of Judas, but the tragedy we're talking about may not be what you think. What happens to our hearts when we retreat into hopelessness, and how might the resurrection of Jesus actually lead us back to hope? If you'd like to join us in the practice of Eucharist, make sure to have some form of cracker or bread and some form of wine or juice. Ways to Get Connected Sign up for a New to SBCC Table Let us know if you are interested in baptism Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

This Good Friday, we invite you to join us to reflect on the gift of God's love for us and for the world. This brief episode offers the same songs and readings that we'll share when we gather in person in South Bend. You may want to grab some bread and a cup of juice or wine before you listen - we'd love to share this Good Friday Eucharist with you, wherever you are. You can always support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving at: southbendcitychurch.com/give. Just select the “podcast” option from the drop-down menu to let us know how you’re participating in the life of SBCC. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

In a week where many of us have been weeping over the violence committed against the vulnerable in a school in Nashville, we take a minute to acknowledge the grieving and broken-heartedness in our lives and in the world around us. If possible, we encourage you to listen in a quiet space as we sing together, take some time for personal reflection, and have the chance to hear some vulnerable stories of how members of our community are processing. Follow along with the transcript.

Jason Miller - In a week where many of us have been weeping over the violence committed against the vulnerable in a school in Nashville, we also find ourselves turning to the Palm Sunday story of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. This story includes an implicit confrontation between two very different visions of how to hold the world together, and it brings a challenge for all of us. Ways to Get Connected Let us know if you are interested in baptism Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.