Port City Community Church Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"Walking Together" with Katie Robinson and Samantha Slezak Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

Entering into "messy" conversations with our kids can feel scary. We want to say all the "right" things, and we want to be able to answer any questions they might have. The reality is that we rarely feel prepared!

That is why we are SO excited to tell you about a resource from our church called "Walking Together!"

Walking Together is a book collection designed to help elementary-aged children process common yet difficult topics alongside their parents.

We have loved hearing how this collection has already been impactful to families. Today we thought it would be a great opportunity for you to hear about how these books visually have come to life!

So today, we sat down with author Katie Robinson and illustrator Samantha Slezak to talk about art, gifting, and the creative process. Katie and Samantha are two different generations of women who have been shaped by our church, and today we get to hear how they are using their giftings to encourage others in their walks with God.

You can learn more at www.portcity.church/walkingtogether!

"What You Find" - Mike Ashcraft | You've Heard It Said, Week 4 Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

In the journey towards stability, Jesus, in Matthew 7:7-8, offers a simple yet profound directive: Ask, Seek, Knock. It's not a formula to apply but a call to commit ourselves to truly "seeing" by following Him. Jesus isn't handing out principles; He's elevating the importance of reconciliation. Stability, it turns out, is all about proximity to Jesus. Our stability hinges on the depth of our trust in Christ, and our recognition that in Jesus and His Kingdom lies the fulfillment we seek. It's a persistent pursuit, an unwavering commitment to ask, seek, and knock until we find ourselves in the very presence of the One who brings stability.

"Where We Find Ourselves" - Mike Ashcraft | You've Heard It Said, Week 3 Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

We need to live with attentiveness to what is happening in our inner worlds. We have to do routine gut checks and learn to take inventory of our motives. We should take “snapshots" and allow ourselves (and others) to see what’s happening. The words of Jesus challenge us to confront the messiness of our hearts. At its core, this spiritual expedition calls for a focused examination of our motives and a deliberate consideration of our identity. Who we are becoming is intricately tied to what we hunger and thirst for—the desires that fuel our actions and shape our character.

"Where We Find Value" - Mike Ashcraft | You've Heard It Said, Week 2 Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Jesus introduces a radical reorientation to others—the way of grace and enemy love, extending beyond the first mile to the second. He calls us to take sin and fidelity seriously, emphasizing a commitment to a life that transcends the superficial and embraces the depth of grace. In this transformative perspective, stability isn't a product of our achievements but a result of embracing the countercultural teachings of Jesus. It's a call to find stability, not in our strength, but in surrendering to a kingdom where grace, righteousness, and justice reign supreme.

"Where We Find Stability" - Mike Ashcraft | You've Heard It Said, Week 1 Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

In the profound teachings of Jesus, we find a challenge to rethink the foundations of our control. Stability, a sign of maturity, is built on trust—a foundation supporting the weight of our hopes and emotions. What we rely on for security reflects our trust. True stability, found in Christ, brings peace in all circumstances. Fulfilling Christ's purpose means living as His people, navigating chaos with faith and hope. It's not just about how we navigate but the kind of people we become in the process. Our identity, more than our skills, shapes our journey through this world.

Epiphany - "The Revelation of God With Us" | Mike Ashcraft Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Epiphany is the moment of revelation when something becomes seen or unveiled. Similar to a light bulb moment, it's not about comprehending everything entirely but understanding something in a way that transforms your perception of everything else. The profound impact of encountering Jesus is emphasized, as he is described as the light of the world who entered darkness, making previously unseen aspects visible. Delving into the Gospel expands our worldview, revealing a more complex and challenging world ripe for redemption. His presence opens us to a new perspective on everything around us. What if we approached God's presence as if we were in the company of someone adept at navigating the chaos of a broken world with faithfulness and hope, and our responsibility was to stay close to that guiding presence?

"Unexpected Love" - Mike Ashcraft | Unexpected Christmas, Week 4 Dec 24, 2023

Show notes

This Christmas Eve we celebrated the gift of Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us. Join us in listening to this Christmas Eve message.

Between Chapters: Honoring Endings + New Beginnings Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

This year, we are inviting our church to participate in the Personal Retreat Experience. The Personal Retreat is titled "Between Chapters: Honoring Endings + New Beginnings." The Personal Retreat is designed in two parts to thoughtfully reflect on 2023 and to turn the page and look ahead to 2024. Each part has 5 sections. So, to help set a pace through this experience, we will guide our church through one section a day (starting December 27th), with various staff members contributing their voices and perspectives each day through the website and social media. This will take us through the last 5 days of this year and the first 5 days of the New Year, with the following day being Epiphany (our first Sunday gathering of the year). Our goal this year is to feel a sense of unity as we go through the Personal Retreat together. We hope this is something that you can encourage your small groups, family, and friends to participate in. We believe this experience will be impactful in your walk to finish this year well and to start this next year strong! Check out www.portcity.church/retreat for the full Personal Retreat and additional content!

"Unexpected Joy" - Mike Ashcraft | Unexpected Christmas, Week 3 Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Joy is the opposite of cynicism, and if we can't find joy, we're likely to become cynical. Being in the presence of God brings a profound sense of joy. Joy isn't indifferent to our emotions, but it's not just about how we feel in the moment. When we receive joy, we need to be open and ready for it. It's like adopting a posture that lets us take in all the good things from God. Trust is crucial because it builds a path to joy. This joy is more than a fleeting feeling; it becomes a way of facing life. It gives us the strength to endure tough times, keep going, and have faith. Learning to trust is the key to discovering the fullness of joy. This resilient joy helps us keep moving forward, fueled by a belief that goes beyond what we can see, feel, or understand.

"Unexpected Peace" - Mike Ashcraft | Unexpected Christmas, Week 2 Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Jesus came to restore what was stolen. He declared, "I don't give peace the way the world does," challenging our worldly notions of peace. We'll uncover the key to experiencing true peace - one that passes our understanding and offers hope and healing to our troubled souls. Peace is not contingent on external circumstances, but on who He is.

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