The Village Church

Send us a textThis episode features a replay of the Village Church sermon on the first chapter of Ruth. Pastor Eric Cepin opens the series by guiding the community into the world of the text, helping us recognize how our Western lens—framed by right and wrong, guilt and innocence—can obscure the deeper cultural undercurrents of shame and honor that shaped the story. He highlights how Ruth’s bold loyalty toward Naomi mirrors something much greater. In her, we catch a glimpse of Jesus—one who steps into our shame just as Ruth stepped into Naomi’s. 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 textChatGPT said:In this episode of the Village Church sermon podcast, Pastor Daniel brings the story of Esther to its close. He draws our attention to the powerful theme of reversal and Esther’s bold decision to speak on behalf of her people. As the narrative concludes, Daniel asks us to consider where we hand over authority in our own lives—and how we might use the influence we carry to serve others and make the Gospel visible.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 sermon, Rod Hugan reflects on Esther 5–6, focusing on the contrast between Haman’s pride and Mordecai’s quiet humility. Through storytelling, personal reflection, and biblical insight, Rod explores how pride distorts our view of honor and how true humility allows us to return to the gates—to serve, to wait, and to trust God’s quiet work in the shadows. A thoughtful invitation to examine whose approval we seek and what kind of character we’re cultivating. Sermon NotesSupport 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 podcast, Pastor Mark walks us into week three of Esther. The story is starting to unravel. Power is shifting. Plans are tightening. And God? He seems nowhere to be found. But even in the silence, something is stirring beneath the surface. 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, Pastor Mark carries us further into the Eastertide series, guiding us into the rising storm of Esther chapter 3. The story tightens. What once seemed like palace intrigue now begins to expose something far more urgent, far more familiar—the clash between pride and faithfulness, fear and courage, self-preservation and quiet trust.Here, Mark introduces us to two unforgettable figures: Mordecai, the man of conviction, whose refusal to bow sparks the fury of empire; and Haman, the embodiment of ego, whose power is as fragile as his pride is inflated. The story doesn’t resolve quickly, nor does it offer easy answers. Instead, Pastor Mark invites us to remain with the tension—to recognize that this is the world we live in. A world where injustice often goes unchecked, where the faithful are misunderstood, and where God’s hand is hidden—but never absent.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 podcast, Pastor Eric opens our Eastertide journey with the story of Esther—a story often tucked between grander tales, yet brimming with quiet, unsettling brilliance. From the start, he reminds us that Esther was written not as a fairy tale of triumph but as a mirror held up to those living in exile. This isn’t a tale of fire from heaven or seas splitting open. No—this is a story for those who feel the silence of God, who wait in the shadows, and who wonder whether faithfulness still matters when God seems to be hiding. Esther whispers what we often forget: deliverance may come not in spectacle, but in subtlety. Not with fanfare, but with faith. 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 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