Who is the greatest in the Kingdom? by Grace Church

Special Grace Church Theatre Podcast | Wizard of Oz Pod 🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode our director, Amy Christie, sits down with Curtis Honeycutt, longtime Grace Theatre performer and current assistant director. Curtis shares his journey from the stage to leadership, reflecting on memorable shows, the reality of casting decisions, and what keeps him returning to Grace Theatre year after year (spoiler: it's the people). Hear about backstage camaraderie, the challenges of directing vs. performing, and why community matters more than the spotlight. Whether you're a cast member, crew, or just love theater, this conversation offers an honest look at what makes Grace Theatre work. Get your tickets to see Wizard of Oz here: https://gracechurch.us/theatre

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: What really happened on the mountain of Transfiguration, and why did Peter want to stay there? In this episode Tyler, Maron, and Barry dive into Matthew 17 and Peter's mountaintop moment with Jesus at the Transfiguration. We explore what it means when God transforms us, why Peter wanted to build tents and stay on the mountain, and how mountaintop experiences shape our faith journey. Plus, hear updates on Grace Church's Wicked production, the Grace Care Center Christmas Store, and Tyler's book club adventures (including some awkward celebrity encounters). ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:07 Podcast Introduction 01:05 Cringe Moments & Family Business 01:40 Wizard of Oz Opening Night 02:27 Grace Church Christmas Store 05:04 Holiday Traditions & Decorating 05:52 Upcoming Podcast Schedule & Guest Preacher 06:49 Barry Family & Theater Involvement 09:23 Maron's Preaching & Academic Update 10:56 Tyler's New Book Club 13:58 Tyler's Solo Work Retreat 15:16 Funny Food Stories 15:43 Transition to Peter Mini-Series 16:12 Maron's Sermon: The Transfiguration 17:20 Preaching for Specific People 18:15 The Transfiguration: Matthew 17 21:16 Moses & Jesus: Mountain Parallels 23:06 Jesus as the New Exodus 24:07 Light, Darkness, and the Cross 26:32 Purpose of the Transfiguration 31:58 Peter's "Can I Touch the Hands?" Moment 43:45 Shelters, Tabernacles, and Jewish Tradition 48:39 God's Interruption: "Listen to Him" 52:18 Transformation Through Presence 54:10 Peter's Growth and Second Peter 58:12 Seeing from God's Perspective 56:00 John the Baptist as Elijah 59:17 The Cross: God's Delight and Silence 1:01:07 Peter's Journey: Best and Worst Moments 1:03:18 After the Mountain: Demon-Possessed Boy 1:07:04 Where Do We Go Next 1:07:44 Podcast Sign-Off 🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW: Church services happen on weekends. And that's all well and good until we get to Mondays and find ourselves asking, "Now what?" Welcome to Between Sundays! Join hosts Tyler, Maron, and Barry every Wednesday as they hang out and catch up on the conversations, sermons, and culture of Grace Church. 🔔 Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to watch new episodes every Wednesday

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: How can we be the rock one moment and stumble the very next? In this episode Tyler, Maron, and Barry explore Matthew 16 and Peter's wild journey from being called "the rock" to receiving Jesus' sharpest rebuke: "Get behind me, Satan!" We unpack what it means to follow Jesus through the messy path of discipleship, wrestle with self-sacrifice, and discover why Peter's story feels so relatable to our own faith struggles. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:07 What's New With the Gang 01:13 Wizard of Oz & Ticket Sales 13:04 Matthew Series & Peter's Role 13:31 Peter's Confession & "The Rock" 15:24 Big Idea: Simple Faith & Misunderstanding Jesus 16:34 Peter Walks on Water Recap 16:45 Gospel Parallels & Jesus Predicts His Death 18:02 Who Do People Say I Am? 21:01 Peter's Name & "Church" Meaning 24:33 Peter's Feelings After Jesus' Declaration 25:37 Faith as God's Revelation, Not Peter's Merit 27:57 Authority & Keys of the Kingdom 29:51 Gates of Hades: Offensive, Not Defensive 32:40 "Get Behind Me, Satan" & Peter's Rebuke 39:36 Jesus' Secrecy & Disciples' Understanding 40:36 Take Up Your Cross: Then and Now 46:33 Mystery, Faith, and Following Jesus 48:42 Avoiding Shortcuts: Embracing Self-Denial 51:19 First Peter & Maturity in Suffering 53:06 Personal Impact of the Passage 54:53 Simple Faith as Foundation 56:18 Where Do We Go Next: Transfiguration 1:00:21 Podcast Schedule & December Special 1:01:01 Closing & Sign-off 🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW: Church services happen on weekends. And that's all well and good until we get to Mondays and find ourselves asking, "Now what?" Welcome to Between Sundays! Join hosts Tyler, Maron, and Barry every Wednesday as they hang out and catch up on the conversations, sermons, and culture of Grace Church. 🔔 Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to watch new episodes every Wednesday

Special Grace Church Theatre Podcast | Wizard of Oz Pod 🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: What happens when theatre becomes the place where friendship, faith, and love collide? In this episode Amy Christie sits down Sophie and Jon Osgood, who play Dorothy and Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz. They reminisce about Grace Theatre memories, from awkward first auditions to falling in love. Now married and starring together, Sophie and John share how theater shaped their friendship, faith, and confidence, and why The Wizard of Oz is the perfect show for these times. Expect laughter, nostalgia, and plenty of behind-the-scenes fun as they reflect on the magic of community and the joy of coming home. Get your tickets: https://gracechurch.us/theatre ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:02 Early Theatre Involvement 01:53 Beauty and the Beast Auditions and Friendship 05:02 Prom, Crushes, and Young Friendship 06:58 College Choices and Personal Growth 07:29 Pursuing Musical Theatre and Career Decisions 08:53 Marriage and Moving to New York 09:33 Life in New York and Returning Home 12:25 Rejoining Grace Theatre and Community Impact 14:01 Performing Together as Dorothy and Scarecrow 17:19 Carrying the Show and Previous Roles 18:55 The Unique Community at Grace Theatre 21:34 Reflecting on Growth and Beginnings 25:03 Bringing Personal Experience to Their Characters 28:00 The Importance and Joy of Theatre 30:14 Closing Remarks and Show Dates

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: What does it take to step out of the boat when Jesus calls us into something bigger? In this episode Tyler, Maron, and special guest Pastor Jeff Unruh dive into the story of Peter walking on water, exploring what it means to dream big, take courageous steps of faith, and (most importantly) get back in the boat after we stumble. We discuss Grace Church's discipleship cohort, the recent high school retreat, and how community helps us stay focused on Jesus when the waves get overwhelming. Plus, hear updates on the Wizard of Oz production and some spirited Halloween candy debates. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the rest of our series on Peter! ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:07 Welcome 01:05 Podcast Banter & Absent Barry 02:32 Wizard of Oz Theater 06:57 Worship at Retreat & Generational Throwback Songs 08:21 Timeless Retreat Structure 13:01 Halloween Candy, Parenting, and Traditions 18:04 Introducing Jeff Unruh & Discipleship at Grace 20:47 Discipleship Models & Church Culture 23:06 Nature Metaphor for Generational Discipleship 25:14 Skiing Stories 28:34 Transition to Matthew Series & Peter Focus 30:15 Peter Walks on Water: Context & Chronology 33:29 Why Matthew Includes Peter's Story 36:29 Discipleship Architecture in Peter's Story 39:03 Would You Step Out of the Boat? 41:06 Peter's Motivation & Youthful Faith 49:54 Stepping Into Chaos: Modern Applications 54:41 Personal Examples of Stepping Out in Faith 57:27 Failure's Role in Spiritual Growth 1:00:55 Encouragement from Peter's Failures 1:02:10 Where Do We Go Next? & Sign Off 🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW: Church services happen on weekends. And that's all well and good until we get to Mondays and find ourselves asking, "Now what?" Welcome to Between Sundays! Join hosts Tyler, Maron, and Barry every Wednesday as they hang out and catch up on the conversations, sermons, and culture of Grace Church.

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: What does it mean to be hidden with Christ, and how do we put off the old and put on the new? In this episode Tyler, Maron, and Barry wrap up the Christ Above All series by diving into Colossians 3 and the ancient Anastasius fresco. We explore what it means to put to death old ways and clothe ourselves in Christ, discover the powerful symbolism of Eastern Orthodox resurrection art, and discuss how devotional imagery shapes our faith. Plus, hear updates on adopting a new pig named Eileen, chili debates (soup or stew?), and more! Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:07 Intro 01:42 Thanksgiving & Family Plans 02:41 New Pig: Eileen's Adoption 05:15 Pig Behavior & Integration 07:42 Dog Bed Destruction & Pet Updates 08:40 Maron's Bible Reading & Routine 09:20 Chili, Soup, or Stew? 10:56 Block Party & Chili Bragging 13:25 Singing at Church & Family Reactions 16:38 Series Wrap-Up: Christ Above All 17:44 Colossians 3 & Living Differently 21:10 Hidden with Christ: Discussion 26:16 Practical Application: Putting to Death & Putting On 31:09 Personal Reflections on Change 34:04 The Anastasius Fresco: Introduction 37:51 Symbolism in the Fresco 39:50 Eastern vs. Western Resurrection Art 41:58 The Great Schism & Church History 44:08 Protestantism & Art in Worship 45:02 Fresco Details: Hades, Keys, and Movement 46:17 Saints, Martyrs, and Color Symbolism 50:37 Art's Impact on Devotion 57:28 Series Feedback & Future Plans 1:01:06 Upcoming Podcast & Sermon Series 1:02:31 Byzantine Hand Gesture Explained 1:04:44 Sign Off 🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW: Church services happen on weekends. And that's all well and good until we get to Mondays and find ourselves asking, "Now what?" Welcome to Between Sundays! Join hosts Tyler, Maron, and Barry every Wednesday as they hang out and catch up on the conversations, sermons, and culture of Grace Church.

Special Grace Church Theatre Podcast | Wizard of Oz Pod 🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: In this special episode, Christina Pantaleo sits down with the legendary Amy Christie to chat all things Grace Church theatre! Amy shares her inspiring journey from musical theatre student to beloved pastor and director, reminiscing about decades of productions, community, and the magic of intergenerational casts. From behind-the-scenes hilarity to heartwarming stories of lives changed, you’ll hear how Grace’s theatre ministry has become a joyful, welcoming home for artists of all ages. Plus, get the inside scoop on this year’s “Wizard of Oz” and why there’s truly no place like Grace! Get your tickets to see the Wizard of Oz today! gracechurch.us/theatre

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: How do we live out authentic faith in a world full of high-sounding nonsense? In this episode Tyler, Maron, and Barry continue the Christ Above All series, tackling empty philosophies and the challenge of spotting bad fruit in our lives. We unpack how to let the Holy Spirit shape us, avoid syncretism, and pursue Christ-centered living with humility and community. Plus, hear updates on family traditions, new babies, and the buzz around Grace Church's Wizard of Oz production! Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode as we continue exploring Christ Above All! ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:07 Welcome & What's New with the Gang 00:31 Wizard of Oz at Grace Church 01:45 Family Traditions & Thanksgiving 05:03 Parenting, New Babies, and Family Life 07:17 Maron's Life Updates & Old Testament Studies 09:01 Home Repairs & Family Mishaps 10:00 Parenting & Video Game Rivalry 12:03 Transition to Sermon Series: Christ Above All-Week 2 12:26 Recap of Week One & Introduction to Week Two 14:51 Rooting Metaphor & Spiritual Growth 16:10 Identifying Bad Fruit: Self-Reflection vs. Community 22:02 High-Sounding Nonsense: What Qualifies? 23:45 Example 1: "I Know What's Best for Me" 29:31 Example 2: "I Do My Own Research" & The Algorithm 34:37 Learning Together & Community Discernment 38:49 Example 3: "Christianity Must Win" & The Cross 41:30 Roman Imagery & The Meaning of the Cross 44:44 Living as Witnesses, Not Winners 47:17 Boldness, Justice, and Love 49:30 Fruit of the Spirit & Social Media Bitterness 52:10 Additional High-Sounding Nonsense Phrases 59:01 Boundaries, Ghosting, and Crucial Conversations 1:04:01 Preview of Week Three & Series Wrap-Up 1:06:12 Closing & Sign Off 🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW: Church services happen on weekends. And that's all well and good until we get to Mondays and find ourselves asking, "Now what?" Welcome to Between Sundays! Join hosts Tyler, Maron, and Barry every Wednesday as they hang out and catch up on the conversations, sermons, and culture of Grace Church. 🔔 Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to watch new episodes every Wednesday

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE: How to stay faithful in a divided world? How do we live out Christ's call in a world dominated by the gods of self and power? In this episode Tyler, Maron, and Barry dive into the challenges facing today's church, exploring the "god of self" and the "god of domination" from the new Christ Above All series. We discuss how to prune bad fruit from our lives, stay rooted in Christ, and embrace grace and humility amid cultural division. Plus, hear playful banter about homemade soup mishaps, video game defeats, and more. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode as we continue the Christ Above All series! ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: (0:00:00) Cold Open: Why This Series Matters (0:02:16) Podcast Introduction & Series Announcement (0:03:10) Church Updates: Wizard of Oz Musical (0:05:47) Personal Updates & Life Together (0:13:19) Academic Connection & Signed Book Story (0:18:22) Why Change the Sermon Series? (0:23:03) Responding to Tragedy: Charlie Kirk's Murder (0:26:33) Strategic Retreat & Spirit-Led Decision (0:28:01) Sermon Overview: Week One on Syncretism (0:30:20) Asking for Trust on Controversial Topics (0:35:31) Then and Now: Syncretism in Colossae & America (0:36:53) What Is Syncretism? (0:41:08) Self-Examination: Where Are We Mixed? (0:42:49) Colossians 1: Christ Above All Powers (0:43:37) Discipled by Algorithms: Cable News & Social Media (0:46:39) Are We Victims or Responsible? (0:49:31) The God of Self and The God of Domination (0:57:33) What Domination Looks Like Daily (1:01:30) Biblical Justice vs. Domination (1:05:50) The Third Way: Justice Without Division (1:10:06) The Weight of Shepherding a Divided Flock (1:13:21) How to Support Your Pastors (1:15:58) Next Week's Challenge: Digital Detox (1:17:52) Closing & Sign Off