Best Bethlehem Community Church Podcasts (2024)

A homily is a public speech, so it only makes sense to write it in public, says Scott VanDerveer, who mostly writes his homilies sitting at a long shared table in a coffee shop. “I love looking up at whoever’s in line at the cash register at that moment and thinking, ‘Would this guy, or would this woman care about what I’m saying at all; would this…

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Never start a homily with these 4 words 37:32

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18d ago37:32

37:32

A surefire way to lose your congregation’s attention is to start a homily with “In today’s Gospel reading,” says Thomas Groome. “The purpose of good preaching,” he says, “is to bring our lives to God and God to our lives.” A preacher’s job, then, is to facilitate a meaningful conversation between the two. This week on “Preach,” Tom, a professor of …

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Preachers: Tell a story that will stay with your listeners long after the homily is over. 34:55

25d ago34:55

34:55

Though Jesus preached in parables that still captivate us, not every story told in a homily has a similarly lasting impact. The Rev. Christopher Clohessy shares how preachers can craft stories that linger long after Mass is over. This week on “Preach,” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., is joined by another South African priest. Chris is a priest of the …

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Ron Hansen on bringing fiction-writing techniques to homily writing 23:42

1M ago23:42

23:42

Ron Hansen has written award-winning novels that have been turned into Hollywood hits. As an ordained deacon, he crafts equally compelling homilies. This week on “Preach,” Deacon Ron Hansen, a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Washington and a prolific author, preaches for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B. His homily reflects…

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Be Prepared 37:39

1M ago37:39

37:39

Date: 04/28/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 PeterBy Bethlehem Community Church

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What young adults most need to hear in a homily 32:43

1M ago32:43

32:43

While most parishes struggle to attract young members, Saint Clement Parish in Chicago stands out with a mostly young adult congregation. This week on “Preach,” the Rev. Peter Wojcik, the pastor of Saint Clement Parish in Chicago, Ill., preaches for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B. In his homily, he reflects on the depth of Jesus’ committed love…

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True Grace 37:15

1M ago37:15

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Date: 04/21/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein. Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 5:12-14By Bethlehem Community Church

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Watchful 39:03

2M ago39:03

39:03

Date: 04/07/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9By Bethlehem Community Church

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Dominion 33:12

1M ago33:12

33:12

Date: 04/14/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-11By Bethlehem Community Church

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Humility 31:57

2M ago31:57

31:57

Date: 03/17/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-7By Bethlehem Community Church

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A preacher should offer the congregation a challenge—not cheap grace 36:13

2M ago36:13

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Gemma Simmonds, C.J., a theologian and sister at the Cambridge Theological Federation in Cambridge, England, preaches for the Fifth Sunday in Easter, Year B: In her homily, she reflects on her experience of poverty in Brazil, giving significance to Christ’s words: “Make your home in me as I make mine in you.” Then, in the conversation with host Ric…

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Bishop Stowe preaches on the climate crisis for Good Shepherd Sunday 27:08

2M ago27:08

27:08

“I think there's a major concern for living more in harmony with creation, which is a result of conversion,” says Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., “But I think Pope Francis is also, as our good shepherd, calling us to greater urgency to act because time is slipping away and we haven't done much.” Bishop John Stowe is a Conventual Franciscan, the third…

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To be a good preacher, pray more and read widely 24:51

2M ago24:51

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Good preaching requires mastery of rhetoric, in particular the tools of repetition and organization. “Otherwise, they’re not gonna remember,” says John Baldovin, S.J. “This is a no-brainer, but beginning, middle and end, and not trying to make too many points” are key to a compelling homily. He also adds with hyperbolic emphasis, “If you want to be…

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Striking a chord: The debate on singing in the homily 34:15

3M ago34:15

34:15

“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!” This is how Kim Harris starts her homily for the Second Sunday of Easter—in joyous song. “When Thomas first the tidings heard / How they had seen the risen Lord / He doubted the disciples’ word. Alleluia!...” Such daring from the ambo has long struck a controversial chord with preachers and liturgists alike, promptin…

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Easter - Cross to Crown 30:29

2M ago30:29

30:29

Date: 03/31/2024 Series: Easter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: VariousBy Bethlehem Community Church

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When preparing to preach, treat your homily like music 35:54

3M ago35:54

35:54

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God often makes Godself known through sound: be it a voice from a burning bush, a resounding clap of thunder or the blast of a trumpet. “God is revealed through sound,” affirms Ed Foley, O.F.M. Cap. “I think of a homily as sound theology,” he adds, “it’s acoustic engagement.” When preparing to preach, Ed, the Duns …

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Ukraine military chaplain: Preaching hope to a world at war on Good Friday 32:12

3M ago32:12

32:12

When reflecting on the life, death and resurrection of the Lord while living in a state of military invasion and active war, Andriy Zelinskyy, S.J., says that “everything becomes more authentic.” For this Jesuit priest, who serves as the chief military chaplain of the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church, the task of preaching to those suffering in Ukra…

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A Preacher’s Guide to Holy Week: These are long liturgies. Be brief! 42:53

3M ago42:53

42:53

The liturgies of Holy Week need to be seen as a unity. With two weeks remaining before the start of this summit of the Christian year, the “Preach” team sought the expertise of two esteemed liturgical scholars and practitioners to give preachers a whistle-stop tour of the readings and liturgies for this sacred week. In conversation with “Preach” ho…

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A Call to Shepherd 59:09

3M ago59:09

59:09

Date: 03/10/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Mike Hannay, Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4By Bethlehem Community Church

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Father Rob Galea’s preaching strategies for reaching disengaged youth 33:23

3M ago33:23

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“Explain the resurrection to me in two minutes without using any church language.” This is the challenge that Father Rob Galea sets for his staff to ensure they can easily relate to the young people they serve. “That takes practice, and that takes hanging out with the kids and understanding the way they speak, the way they reason.” Rob, originally …

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It's Time 39:12

3M ago39:12

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Date: 03/03/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 4:17-19By Bethlehem Community Church

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How a deacon’s past as a taxi driver fuels his preaching 43:43

3M ago43:43

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The best formation Deacon Steve Kramer has ever received were the four summers he spent as a taxi and limo driver. “It really prepared me for pastoral counseling,” he says of his year’s shuttling people back and forth. “They sit, they open their heart, and pretty much they figure out that they’ll never see you again. So they open up in a different …

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Suffering 24:01

4M ago24:01

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Date: 02/25/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Chris Luciano, Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16By Bethlehem Community Church

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Meet a woman who teaches priests to preach 35:14

4M ago35:14

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“Effective preaching is like good butter sinking into warm toast,” says Karla Bellinger. “You’ve gotta give the Holy Spirit a little bit of time to do some work.” As the founding executive director of the Institute for Homiletics at the University of Dallas and president of the Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics, Karla is filled with bi…

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Gifts 39:29

4M ago39:29

39:29

Date: 02/18/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Eksrein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11By Bethlehem Community Church

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Try something new this Lent: Map out your homilies like an org chart 42:55

4M ago42:55

42:55

Russell Pollitt, S.J., approaches his homilies in a manner unlike any other preacher the “Preach” team has yet seen. While some rely on verbatim manuscripts, detailed linear plans, or simply loose notes, when this South African Jesuit priest sits down to write his homily after praying on the Scriptures, the first thing he does is produce an org cha…

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The End 42:25

4M ago42:25

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Date: 02/11/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7By Bethlehem Community Church

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The Vatican’s chief liturgist on why preachers need to take their homilies more seriously 46:09

4M ago46:09

46:09

Cardinal Roche opens the Lenten season on “Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast” with a heartfelt message taken from the Scripture readings for Ash Wednesday: “Come back to me with all your heart.” When asked by host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., why he chose the theme of “Welcome Home” and not to preach “in a heavier way,” to emphasize the penitential …

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Honor your leaders....find life in Jesus 42:15

4M ago42:15

42:15

Date: 02/04/2024 Series: Standalone Message Speaker: Andy Nelson, Pastor/Village Missions/First Baptist Church of East Poestenkill Scripture: VariousBy Bethlehem Community Church

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Above All 30:28

5M ago30:28

30:28

Date: 01/28/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-9By Bethlehem Community Church

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Judged 39:42

5M ago39:42

39:42

Date: 01/21/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 4:4-6By Bethlehem Community Church

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An update from the Preach team 38:35

5M ago38:35

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You may have seen that we haven’t had any episodes for the last two weeks. We are taking a break after the bumper set of episodes we put together for you during the Advent and Christmas seasons. We are reviewing the results of our survey—which you can still respond to here— and planning our offering for Lent. In the meantime, in this great week whe…

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Arm Yourself 35:12

5M ago35:12

35:12

Date: 01/14/2024 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-3By Bethlehem Community Church

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The star first leads the wise men to Jerusalem—where Old and New Testament meet—not Bethlehem 34:07

5M ago34:07

34:07

Preaching on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, David Neuhaus, S.J., explores a curiosity in the story of the Wise Men’s journey from the East to the Bethlehem manger. “Why didn’t the star take them straight to Bethlehem? Why did it take them to Jerusalem?,” he asks. "I think it took them to Jerusalem, as we are always taken to Jerusalem, b…

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Testimony / New Year, New Faith 39:40

6M ago39:40

39:40

Date: 12/31/2023 Series: Standalone Message Speaker: Chad Stidom / Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/ElderBy Bethlehem Community Church

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A Syriac Catholic priest and father in Bethlehem preaches on the Feast of the Holy Family 34:48

6M ago34:48

34:48

Yunan Frédéric, a Syriac Catholic priest living in Bethlehem with his Latina-American wife and their three children, preaches on the Feast of the Holy Family, even though the Syriac Church does not observe this feast in its liturgical calendar. For the past two years, he has served as the pastor of the Syriac Catholic community in Bethlehem; a smal…

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The Christmas Word 23:42

6M ago23:42

23:42

Date: 12/24/2023 Series: Christmas Eve Service Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: John 1:1-3,14By Bethlehem Community Church

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Immanuel 27:05

6M ago27:05

27:05

Date: 12/24/2023 Series: Christmas Message Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: Isaiah 7:14By Bethlehem Community Church

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Keeping Christmas joy alive in our preaching—even amid war, violence and poverty 35:17

6M ago35:17

35:17

The anticipated joy of Christmas unfolds against a backdrop of pain and violence this year. “I think one of the most important things in these extremely troubled times is that we do have the lights, both metaphorically and physically,” says Barbara Reid, O.P. “Our most important gift and our most important approach, not only to the advent and Chris…

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Baptism 32:51

6M ago32:51

32:51

Date: 12/17/2023 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 3:21-22By Bethlehem Community Church

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Preaching about joy starts with paying attention to life’s difficulties 31:19

6M ago31:19

31:19

This week on 'Preach,' the script is flipped: Ricardo da Silva, S.J., the regular host, becomes the guest preacher, and Maggi Van Dorn, a usual producer, takes the mic as the host. Maggi and Ricardo, who work together extensively on “Preach,” “Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols” and “Inside the Vatican,” compare how preachers an…

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Suffered 38:26

6M ago38:26

38:26

Date: 12/10/2023 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17-20By Bethlehem Community Church

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Preaching in Native American communities responding to generational trauma 36:24

6M ago36:24

36:24

Despite his advanced studies in Scripture, it wasn’t until Victor Cancino, S.J., became the resident pastor at St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Western Montana that he properly grasped the Bible’s deep connections with Native American spirituality and practices. “The Bible is from a tribal world with a spirituality that is…

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Righteousness 36:04

6M ago36:04

36:04

Date: 12/03/2023 Series: A Study in the Book of 1 Peter Speaker: Geoffrey Ekstein, Pastor/Elder Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-16By Bethlehem Community Church

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A preacher's guide to Advent 47:57

7M ago47:57

47:57

“How do we really enter into a season like Advent when the world around us is already celebrating Christmas?” This is the question host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., sets before his guests, Scripture scholars Barbara Reid, O.P., and Victor Cancino, S.J., at the start of this episode, which breaks the usual mold of the podcast. Instead of the usual show w…