The Village Church

Send us a textIn this Village Church Easter sermon podcast, Pastor Eric Cepin presents a profound comparison—one that invites you to reflect not just theologically, but existentially. He traces two archetypal roads.The first is the road out of Eden. It’s the path humanity took after the catastrophic realization of good and evil. Eyes opened, yes—but not to clarity. To fear. To shame. To isolation. It's a road we all walk when we choose knowledge without wisdom, when we grasp for autonomy and end up fractured, hiding from the very presence that gave us life.Then, there's the road to Emmaus. Two individuals, disoriented and disillusioned, walk away from Jerusalem—the city whose name literally means peace. They're not just leaving a place; they’re abandoning hope. But something unexpected happens. Christ meets them. He doesn’t overwhelm. He walks. He teaches. And in the breaking of the bread, their eyes are opened—not like Eden’s painful awakening, but an awakening into recognition, into meaning, into communion.They turn around. They go back to Jerusalem. Back to peace. Back, metaphorically, to Eden—not the paradise lost, but the paradise reimagined, restored through resurrection.This isn’t just about history. It’s about every one of us. Which road are you on? And more importantly—who’s walking it with you?Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a text In this episode of the Village Church sermon audio, the community gathers to reflect on the cross. Through selected readings from the Gospel of Matthew and a series of symbolic actions, we are invited to consider the weight of Christ’s death and the cost of our sin. Woven throughout the recording are songs chosen to shape the atmosphere—anchoring us in sorrow, hope, and reverence as we remember what Jesus endured. Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a textIn the final sermon of the Hot Seat Model series, Pastor Eric teaches on what it looks like to help someone move across the table—from the side of false beliefs and chosen relief to the side of Jesus’ story, true identity, and life in the Kingdom. He focuses on how our God-given longings often get turned into demands, and how that shift can lead us away from trust and toward control.Pastor Eric encourages the community to rely on the Holy Spirit—both in listening to God and in learning how to walk with one another. He emphasizes that helping someone isn’t about fixing them but staying present, asking good questions, and pointing them back to Jesus.The sermon also includes specific ways to help people reconnect with the gospel: questions that surface what they believe, who they think they are, and what it might look like to respond to God rather than react to pain. The goal isn’t just awareness—it’s renewal. And that happens best in community, with the Spirit’s help.Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a text In this episode of the Village Church's sermon podcast, Pastor Eric Cepin continues the Lenten series, The Hot Seat Model, by focusing on Jesus' place at the Table of Decision. Eric takes time to unpack what the Gospel truly is. He reflects on the invitation to receive Jesus’ story as our own—how it shapes our identity and calls us into a life marked by repentance, grounded in the Kingdom of God. Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a text In this episode from the Village Church’s sermon podcast, Pastor Susan Cepin continues our teaching series on the Hot Seat Model. This model—crafted by her husband, Pastor Eric Cepin—is designed to help people slow down, pay attention to their emotional reactions, and begin tracing them back to the false beliefs shaping their lives. It also creates space to hear the voice of the Gospel, especially where it stands in sharp contrast to the Enemy’s heavy-handed lies. Pastor Susan walks us through what it looks like to sit across from the Enemy, recognize his tactics, and stand our ground in the truth of Christ. Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a textIn this episode of the Village Church sermon podcast, Pastor Mark continues unpacking the Hot Seat Model. This week, he turns our attention to what is called the Table of Decision.He begins with a familiar image from the Gospels—the moment when friends tear open a roof to lower a paralyzed man into the presence of Jesus. Mark invites us to consider where we find ourselves in that story. Are you the one being carried? Or are you one of the ones doing the carrying?From there, he moves to a different kind of table—the one set in Psalm 23. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” The Table of Decision isn’t just about choices—it’s a place of presence, of trust, of being seen by God when the world feels hostile. It’s a space where the Spirit invites us to pause, listen, and respond.Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a textIn this second installment of our podcast series on the Hot Seat Model, Pastor Eric thoughtfully explores how our primary negative emotions—fear, disgust, and surprise—often become fertile ground for cultivating false beliefs about ourselves, others, and ultimately, about God. He gently guides us through understanding how these potent emotions, when unexamined, can distort our narratives, leading us away from the truth of who God created us to be. Eric invites us into a reflective journey, encouraging listeners to uncover these hidden narratives and begin the healing process by bringing them into the compassionate presence of Jesus.Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a textIn the latest episode from the Village Church sermon podcast, Pastor Eric introduces a fresh series centered around what many warmly call the "Hot Seat Model"—or, perhaps better, the "Table of Decision." This isn’t a novelty, mind you; it's an idea Eric shaped with his community some eighteen years ago. Ever since, it's grown and shifted, refined by experience and shaped by wisdom gleaned along the way.Eric guides listeners through the heart of this model, laying out how it functions within the rhythms of discipleship. It’s about how real life, with all its messy complexities, intersects with the faithful path we are called to walk. He then turns to explore the first crucial component: the "Problematic Event." That’s the tricky bit—the place where life snarls up, confusions arise, and our growth often stalls.At the close, Eric leaves listeners with a thoughtful set of questions. They're not merely theoretical—rather, they're practical tools designed to illuminate the problematic events in your own journey, and in the journeys of those around you.Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a textIn this episode of the Village Church podcast, Intern Pastor Daniel wraps up our series on The Secret to Contentment. After rejoicing and releasing, what comes next? He explores how we’re called to embrace our freedom, recognize our limits, and rest in the truth that we are not God. Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com

Send us a textIn this episode of the Village Church podcast of sermons, Pastor Susan reflects on the secret to contentment—letting go of the burdens we cling to so tightly. With plenty of classic Sue stories and more than a few tears, she directs our gaze toward the cross, urging us to cast our cares upon Jesus. Contentment, she reminds us, isn’t something we stumble into; it’s something we learn, often in the crucible of suffering. Support the showThe Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose. Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age. The Village Churchvillagersonline@gmail.comMore information at www.villagersonline.com