Oakhurst Baptist Church

As Jesus parades into Jerusalem we shout hosanna, but we know a storm is looming as Jesus’ enemies begin to grumble. Life can be like that – one day a parade, the next day a violent storm. Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West ponders how the storm sometimes surprises us in the midst of the parade and hear the response by Cindy Clark, Laura Johnson, Ashley Robinson, and Marjorie Hall Snook as they sing a rendition of the Walin’ Jennys’ “Storm Comin'”.

Does God ever want to throw a party in our honor? The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 says yes, God’s boundless and joyful love yearns to throw a party for us just because God missed us so much while we were away. Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West asks if we will allow ourselves to be celebrated by God’s love. And how will we love and celebrate others as God’s children? Let the partying begin!

“Get a life!” You hear it from poets, punk rock artists, and even Jesus. Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West suggests that all it might take is a little more manure.

We are still journeying in the wilderness of Lent and exploring how we can take A Leave of Presence during this season. Part of that journey is saying “No.” While Jesus said, “Yes,” to many people, Pastor Lauren Colwell takes a closer look at his “No” in Luke 13:31-35.

While we often fantasize about our wilderness times being a chance to escape, disengage, or numb-out from life, if we follow Jesus’ example of his 40-day wilderness time, wilderness time is a chance to be fully present. During the Lenten season, we will explore what it looks like to take A Leave of Presence and what it means to be more fully alive with God, with one another, and with ourselves. Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West ushers us into the season.

On Mardi Gras Sunday, listen as Karen Bryant Shipp talks about Holy Play and all the ways we can worship the God who created each unique person. Her story is based on Anatole France’s “The Juggler of Notre Dame.”

We often fear being judged by others, and yet also know we are typically our own worst critics. Once we finish tearing down ourselves, we move on to those closest to us, trusting they will stick around no matter what. Listen as Pastor Melanie Vaughn-West reflects on Jesus’ words in Luke 6 and encourages us to embody God’s grace and kindness while in community with one another.

How we understand God to be defines how we love, how we think, how we choose, how we treat others, and how we treat all of God’s creation. Listen as Tere Tyner Canzoneri explores how we can do relationship with God differently – in ways that lead to deeper and more loving connection with God and with others.

As a Gwinnett County Recreation Swim League stroke judge Bob Duvall learned two guiding questions to check his perspective before disqualifying a swimmer: “What did you see?” and “Where were you standing? When we check our perspective on our relationship with Creation these questions offer us a way forward.

How can we Do Relationship Differently with those in our neighborhood? Jesus answered the question, “Who is my neighbor?” with a story. Listen as Oakhurst member Anna Hall revisits that tale, tells a story of life in her neighborhood, and calls us to consider how we might love our neighbors, at home and at church.