Mission Hills Christian Church

Stations of the Cross - Meditation

Reflection Station 1: What do you pray for? How do you face moments of pain and suffering? Station 2: What cross or burden do you bear? What bears you? What is it like to be you or to walk in your shoes? Station 3: What do you stand for? How are you learning who you are? Station 4: Where do you struggle with accountability? Who in your life is a source of affirmation and call out when you need it? Station 5: How do you stand up for what you believe? Station 6: What hurts have you exper...

Peter Rollins Live at Mission Hills

Radical theologian and philosopher Peter Rollins joined us at Mission Hills for a live event entitled "Absurd Cross" in November 2017 with 120 friends over pints and pints of MacLeod Ale. If you would like to support Peter's work, you can become a supporter on Patreon. Thanks for listening!

Transcend and Include

Read Matthew 23:1-13 1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples, 2 “The legal experts and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore, you must take care to do everything they say. But don’t do what they do. 4 For they tie together heavy packs that are impossible to carry. They put them on the shoulders of others, but are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others. They make extra-wide prayer bands for their arms and long tass...

Story Catchers

A reflection for Dia de los Muertos. Momentarily distinct with our own bodies and our own consciousness, we are blessed to risk love, to parent new life, to create and innovate, to strive and to rest. And then, finally, to return to You. Knowing that the tasks are never completed, the relationships never simple, the twists life takes often surprising, at last we rest in You, as we once rested in our parents’ loving arms so long ago. Oneness from Whom we emerge at birth, we kno...

Give & Give

Matthew 22:15-22 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 22:16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 22:17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" 22:18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me t...

They Called Us Peacemakers

The Beatitudes (Altered with John Dear’s Rendering) Arise and walk forth! Those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Arise and walk forth! those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Arise and walk forth! Those who are meek, for they will inherit the earth. Arise and walk forth! those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Arise and walk forth! Those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy. Arise and walk forth! Those who are pu...

The Blurriness of Joy

Joy is a flash of eternity illuminating time. - Christian Wiman

Re-wild Conversation

Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions for this episode! Join us Sunday as we wrap up our environmental series with a conversation on this episode and your questions! Links Third Act Sunrise Movement Buy Nothing Project Clean Out Your Closet One Percent For The Planet Our Climate Resources Page!

Tend to the Tender Wild

Week 3 of our environmental justice series “Re-Wild.”

The Four Paths

WHAT DO YOU SEE? - Thomas Berry What do you see when you look up at the sky at night, at the blazing stars against the midnight heavens? What do you see when the dawn breaks over the eastern horizon? What are your thoughts in the fading days of summer as the birds depart on their southward journey or in the autumn when the leaves turn brown and are blown away? What are your thoughts when you look out over the ocean in the evening? What do you see? Questions What are your values or core p...

Re-wild - Week One

Recommended Reading Matthew Fox: Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth Questions Why is it important to cultivate eco-spirituality? How does eco-spirituality differ from the dominant Christian and cultural narratives about the world and climate crises? What difference does it make if Christian spirituality begins with original blessing instead of original sin? How might this shift impact our planet if blessing and wholeness were the domina...

Shameless: A Conversation on Sex and Sexuality

A conversation based on Nadia Bolz-Weber's book - Shameless: A Sexual Reformation. In this conversation, we summarize her points on how the Church has caused harm through purity culture and "abstinence only" teaching. Instead, we approach broad definitions of a healthy sexual ethic. It is important to hold Consent, Care, Covenant, and Communication (coined by Rev. Josh Lee) at the forefront of any conversation around sexuality. We are fully affirming of the spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identities and...

unforced rhythms of grace

Matthew 11:28-30 11:28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."   /////////   28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—w...

Reconstructing Our Values - Part Two

In this special edition of the podcast, Kelly and Ryan talk specifically about how our reading, reflections, practices, and language at Mission Hills are a reflection of Mission Hill’s values and evolution as a community that creates spaces of belonging, healing, and wholeness. Let us know what you think on social media @missionhillsla, or send us an email at missionhillsla@gmaildotcom! Thanks for listening.

Reconstructing Our Values - Part One

We are excited to share this special edition episode of the podcast with Kelly and Ryan in conversation about some of the frequently asked questions about the concepts of Mission Hills that we do not often have time to explore fully. Please give us your feedback about this episode, what you found helpful, and what questions it raised for you! Part two will be released Friday, June 30th!

Colors of Our Rainbow

2 Corinthians 13:11-13 And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

With You

Text John 20:19-23 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and sai...

Return to You

John 17:1-11 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it’s time. Display the bright splendor of your Son So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human So he might give real and eternal life to all in his care. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent. I glorified you on earth By completing down to the last detail What you assigned me ...

I am.

Text John 14:15-21 MSG with non-binary pronouns for The Spirit 15-17 If you love me, you will guard my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. They are the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because the world neither sees them nor knows them. You know them because they abide with you, and they will be in you. 18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while, the world will no longer see m...

Continue Through the Changes

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b]3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I a...

can only a communist be a christian?

Text Acts 2:42-47 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily...

Love God, Embrace Beauty, Live Life To The Fullest

Abandon your plans of escape and be where you are. Plant gardens. Live and live well. I don't know what your planting gardens may look like, but let me end by providing a glimpse of what they might be like.. Live. And live well. Breathe. Breathe in and breathe deeply. Be present. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 75-degree day, roll down the windows and feel the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun. If you run, then allow those first few ...

show me your wild doubt

John 20:19-31   19-20 Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. 20-21 The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” 22-23 Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he sa...

Embrace The Void

Mark 16 - Common English Bible When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young ma...

Meditation - Stations of the Cross

Artwork is Fran Moyer’s Stations of the Cross at Saint Anselm’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette, CA. To follow along with the audio, visit missionhilsla dot com. Readings in the meditation are by Pádraig Ó Tuama from his book Daily Prayer with the Corrymeala Community Music in the meditation is by Apouria.

Of Grief and Love

A Kind of Hunger

Matthew 21:1-11 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. 2 He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. 4 Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, 5 Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, h...

Life After

What You Give, Gives Back

The Changes

The Middle of It/The Unfolding

John 4:5-42 4:5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 4:6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 4:7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 4:8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 4:9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not s...

Damon Garcia Live at Mission Hills

Damon Garcia live at Mission Hills, talking about his latest book, The God Who Riots - Taking Back The Radical Jesus. Thank you, Damon, and to everyone who made this event possible. Damon Garcia (he/him) is a writer, video essayist, and public theologian. His work is centered around the intersection between liberation and faith. He is the author of The God Who Riots: Taking Back the Radical Jesus (Broadleaf Books, 2022). He lives in Santa Maria, California. Follow Damon’s work on Twitter a...

Becoming Ourselves

John 3:1-17 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew,[a] it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.” 4 Nicodemus asked, “How is it possible for an adult to be born? It’s impossible to enter the mother’s womb for a second time and be bor...

The World Is Not a Stage

Opening Song: Dust We Are and Shall Return by the Brilliance Closing Song: Forgone by Tow’rs

Nothing/Everything Hidden

Matthew 17:1-9 1 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain. 2 He was transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here. If you want, I’ll make three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still ...

Centering Prayer

The Method of Centering Prayer Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to cooperate with this gift. It is an attempt to present the teaching of earlier time (e.g. The Cloud of Unknowing) in an updated form and to put a certain order and regularity into it. It is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; it simply puts other kinds of prayer into a new and fuller perspective. During the time of prayer we consent ...

Restore the Root

Gospel of Mary – Chapter 4  Will matter then be destroyed or not? 22) The Savior said, All nature, all formations, all creatures exist in and with one another, and they will be resolved again into their own roots. 23) For the nature of matter is resolved into the roots of its own nature alone. 24) He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 25) Peter said to him, Since you have explained everything to us, tell us this also: What is the sin of the world? 26) The Savior said There is no sin, ...

Why Y'all Are Here

Let me tell you why (y’all) are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: (y’all) are here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to ...

Of The Essence

Matthew 5:1-12 5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 5:2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, ...

A Very Holy Thing

Read Matthew 4:12-25 MSG “When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. This move completed Isaiah’s revelation: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the s...

Bradley Onishi Live - Christian Nationalism And The Future Of California

Dr. Bradley Onishi is the co-host of Straight White American Jesus, one of the most listened-to podcasts on Apple’s Political charts. Bradley is a graduate of UCSB, Oxford, and L’institut catholique de Paris. Bradley is currently teaching at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of multiple books, including his latest, Preparing For War: The Extremist History of Christian Nationalism and What Comes Next. Thank you to Bradley for sharing his work with us! For more information abou...

The Dwelling Place

John 1:29-42 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 1:30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' 1:31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." 1:32 And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 1:33 I myself did not know hi...

Trailing Lights

Text Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!” But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it. The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: ...

A Love to Believe In

Matthew 1:18-251:18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.1:19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.1:20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary a...

When The New Hasn't Settled In Yet

When The New Hasn't Settled In Yet Matthew 11:2-11 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went...

A Peace of a Whole

Opening Song: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Tow’rs

Be Still My Soul

The Five Mothers Of Jesus

The Last Time

Luke 9:1-6 Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick. He said, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.” Commissioned, they left. They traveled fro...

Road To Awe

John 8:31–36 31 So Jesus said to those who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly mydisciples, 32 and you will dknow the truth, and the truth ewill set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave3 to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains fore...