Oaks Parish

TLFPS Ep 8: The Feast of Pentecost

The Liturgical Feasts Podcast Series Martha Van Houten With Special Guest Alex Wenig Click here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sF9bXHUJKbEujyVqG-JtvAYF8yILDYcT/view?usp=sharing] to download liturgy and celebration ideas for Pentecost. Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of Pentecost: 1. The Liturgical Home: Pentecost [https://anglicancompass.com/the-liturgical-home-pentecost/](Ashley Tumlin Wallace) 2. Pentecost: Called and Equipped for the Work of Jesus [https://ccanglicanchurch.org/sermons/20250608] 3. Sacred Seasons [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736986170/?bestFormat=true&k=sacred%20seasons%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k1_1_15_de&crid=2WYDJNBVWWLNY&sprefix=sacred%20seasons%20] by Danielle Hitchen In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special seasons, feasts, and other noteworthy days - and how we can embrace the value and beauty of these liturgical celebrations in our own community. Music: “The Size of Grace” © Courtland Urbano Upcoming Episodes of The Liturgical Feasts Podcast Series: May 26: The Feast of the Holy Trinity (5/31) July 28: The Feast of the Transfiguration (8/6)

Sermon: Ascended & Reigning (May 17, 2026)

Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:17-23 and Acts 1:1-11 Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone In the world of the first century, when someone was enthroned as king, that new authority would take effect through heralds going off throughout the territory in question with the news, ‘We have a king!’ That was always proclaimed as good news, because everyone in the ancient world (unlike many in the modern world) knew that anarchy is always worse than authorized government. Governments may be bad, but chaos is worse. So the heralds, the messengers, would go off to the far reaches of the kingdom (imagine, for instance, a new Roman emperor coming to the throne, and heralds going off as far as Spain to the west, Britain to the north, and Egypt to the southeast), to announce that Claudius, or Nero, or whoever, was now the rightful king, and to demand glad allegiance from supposedly grateful subjects. And that is what Jesus is telling them they must now do. Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity The life the Spirit gives is not an abstract package of blessing; it is his own life that he shares with us, the life of fellowship with the Father and the Son. Thus the Spirit is not like some divine milkman, leaving the gift of “life” on our doorsteps only to move on. In giving us life he comes in to be with us and remain with us. Having once given life, then, he does not move on; he stays to make that life blossom and grow. F.F. Bruce, The Gospel of Luke From the earliest times in Israel, God was acknowledged as king (cf. Ex. 15:18). His kingship is universal (Ps. 103:19), but is manifested most clearly where men and women recognize it in practice by doing his will. Application Questions 1. What is one thing you hadn’t considered before about the meaning of Jesus’ ascension? 2. What does it look like for you to live in the tension of the “already, but not yet” after the ascension—or the bodily absence of Jesus, but the presence of his kingdom and Spirit? 3. How may God be calling you to “not stand around looking up,” but instead to engage with his work in the world around you?

TLFPS Ep 7: The Feast of the Ascension

The Liturgical Feasts Podcast Series Martha Van Houten With Special Guest Jim Byrne Click here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qMT8A-1KFwhVocIIWj2BPPXJV6MGELeM/view?usp=sharing] to download liturgy and celebration ideas for the Ascension. Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of the Ascension: 1. Celebrating the Feast of the Ascension [https://ashley315.substack.com/p/celebrating-the-the-feast-of-the] (Ashley Tumlin Wallace) 2. Ascension Day & The Real Absence of Christ [https://anglicancompass.com/ascension-day-and-the-real-absence-of-christ/] (Anglican Compass) 3. 3 Ways to Celebrate the Ascension [https://thomasmorecollege.edu/2019/05/3-ways-to-celebrate-the-ascension/] (Thomas More College) 4. Sacred Seasons [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736986170/?bestFormat=true&k=sacred%20seasons%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k1_1_15_de&crid=2WYDJNBVWWLNY&sprefix=sacred%20seasons%20] by Danielle Hitchen In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special seasons, feasts, and other noteworthy days - and how we can embrace the value and beauty of these liturgical celebrations in our own community. Music: “The Size of Grace” © Courtland Urbano Upcoming Episodes of The Liturgical Feasts Podcast Series: May 19: The Feast of Pentecost (5/24) May 26: The Feast of the Holy Trinity (5/31) July 28: The Feast of the Transfiguration (8/6)

Sermon: To The Lost (May 10, 2026)

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16 [https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EZK.34.11-16.ESV] and Luke 15:1-10 [https://www.bible.com/bible/59/LUK.15.1-10.ESV] Bryan Buck Quotes for Reflection Kylne R. Snodgrass, Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus Few things are more important than our perception of God, for from that understanding we perceive our own identity, how we should think and act, and how the world ought to be. J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke Christ’s love is a deep and mighty love. Just as the shepherd rejoiced to find his sheep, and the woman to find her money, so does the Lord Jesus rejoice to save sinners. It is a real pleasure to Him to pluck them as brands from the burning. It was His “food and drink” when upon earth to finish the work which He came to do. He felt constrained in spirit until it was accomplished. It is still His delight to show mercy. He is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are willing to be saved. N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone In the stories of the sheep and the coin, the punch line in each case depends on the Jewish belief that the two halves of God’s creation, heaven and earth, were meant to fit together and be in harmony with each other. If you discover what’s going on in heaven, you’ll discover how things were meant to be on earth. That, after all, is the point of praying that God’s kingdom will come ‘on earth as in heaven’. Application Questions: 1. Why is our view of God’s disposition toward us so consequential for our relationships with people who are spiritually lost? Does your view of God match how he is described in Luke’s parables? Why or why not? 2. How do the parables of Luke 15 knock down any sense of spiritual superiority? What specific elements can you point to and elaborate on? 3. How can it be most advantageous to simply invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to church? What is exciting about this idea, and what gives you pause? Who are one or two people of peace in your life who need an invitation?

Podcast Ep 68: Free to Love Our Neighbor

The Oaks Parish Podcast Bryan Buck & Martha Van Houten Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here [martha@oaksparish.org?] to email us!