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We have a new associate pastor! Ben Spalink joins Senior Pastor Aaron Syvertsen and Steve Polanin to introduce himself to the congregation. We discuss: Ben’s upbringing on the mission field Discipleship in his household growing up His journey to the NYC area How he met Christy, his wife His hopes for beginning his service here at Grace.

Steve and Pastor Aaron discuss the Church season of Advent and how it speaks the truth of Jesus into the much-anticipated holiday season. In this episode ... How advent is different from the popular view of the "holiday season" Why the church celebrates Advent and how it can speak into our lives today How you can participate in Advent all season long, not just on Sundays! This episode features the song Silent Night  by Hyson, CC. Click here for Advent resources recommended by Grace Church staff (if this link doesn't work, check back soon!)  

Steve and Pastor Aaron reflect on the podcast series and Pastor Aaron casts a vision for where God is taking Grace Church into the future. In this episode ... Pastor Aaron and Steve review their favorite moments and trends from the last 4 episodes Takeaways and things to learn from the wisdom of our history episode guests. Pastor Aaron casts a vision of Grace Church's future and tells us how we can began leaving our legacy today. Email us here or click here to leave a voicemail. Your feedback is always appreciated!

Pastor Aaron moderates a panel of three long-time members of Grace Church. In this episode: Jack, Leslie, and Ruth recount their earliest memories of Grace Church Challenges that grew Grace Church and  deepened relationships. Mentors that inspired the faith and life experiences of our guests. As a bonus to this week’s episode, check out this sermon recording of Rev David Marshall preaching at Grace Church in 1985.

Pastor Aaron moderates a panel of four current missions partners of Grace who also grew up at Grace Church. Missionaries: Jenna DeJesus, serves in Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at Yale University, alongside her husband, Stevens. You can find out more about them in a longer interview we did with them here. Phil and Renee Remmers serve on the the Robert Morrison Project, a non profit, non- denominational organization dedicated to legally translating and publishing reformed Christian literature in Asia. David and Susan Parshall have served in Overseas Missionary Fellowship, spreading the gospel to the Uyghur people of China. They currently serve in Nepal with missionaries sent out from China. Nancy Fritz works with Anda Leadership and is also part of a global network of missionaries who train church workers how to run children's ministry.   Resources: Class "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" Missions by Andy Johnson The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Essential Purpose of Your Life by Os Guinness Chi Alpha "We Live Missions" Podcast John Piper's Missionary Biographies 

Steve facilitates a conversation with former Grace Church pastors Bob Bakke (1986-1993), Lloyd Syvertsen (1995-2012), Rob Minor (2006-2016), and Aaron Syvertsen (2017-Present) In this episode: The pastors’ first impressions of Grace Church and the legacy they came to be a part of. Opportunities and challenges during the time of their pastorate. The pastors’ messages to Grace Church members today.

Steve and Pastor Aaron share some insight into Grace Church’s founding and early days, and discuss why reflecting on the past can provide courage for the future.Happy 75th Anniversary Grace Church!  In this episode … We introduce our 5 part miniseries on the history of Grace Church of Ridgewood. We discuss the importance of studying church history, on the local and global levels, The timeline of Grace Church’s founding We read from the actual first minutes typed by the Grace Church Board Secretary in 1946. We discuss what was put in the cornerstone when the old building  was being constructed.

When it comes to growing in our desire and ability to follow Jesus, what is most important? Classes or community? Learning environments or fellowship groups? In this episode, Aaron, Joe, and Christi discuss the both/and aspect of discipleship in the local church.

We're taking a little break! Worship the Lord this Easter with these upcoming events at Grace Church. Click Here for Event Registation

This week, Pastor Aaron Syvertsen unpacks why Jesus' words about salt and light are more important than we think as we extend the conversation on The Sermon on the Mount. Links: Click here for Grace Church's Sermon Podcast 

Dan Rudd is a Grace Church Missionary serving in Japan alongside his wife, Linda. After health concerns brought him stateside, Dan updates us on his health, his ministry, and gives us a window into what it is like serving in Japan. Links: You can give to Dan & Linda through TEAM Japan here. Subscribe to Dan & Linda's email newsletter here.

What are Spiritual Disciplines, anyway? This week, Pastor Joe, Pastor Aaron, and Steve discuss how we can grow closer to God in our relationship with him through practices Jesus taught his disciples.  Timestamps: Part 1: Defining Spiritual Disciplines & Their Importance (0:58) Part 2: What are some spiritual disciplines? (13:34) Part 3: How do spiritual disciplines affect mission? (24:21) Links: John Starke - The Possibility of Prayer Don Whitney - Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Alan Noble - Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age   Email us at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com!

What is a Catechism? This week, Children's Ministry Director Meghan Polanin, and church members Rachelle & Andy Steen join Steve to discuss how a catechism can grow your faith, and the faith of the next generation. Links: Download the New City Catechism App  

This week, Pastor Aaron and Pastor Joe discuss the importance of Biblical literacy amongst Christians and why the lack of it serves as a major threat to the integrity and fruitfulness of a church. Links: Grace Church of Ridgewood Events Page

In a classic New Year's theme, Christi, Pastor Joe, and Steve the importance of setting goals and forming good habits, but also the necessity to rely on and follow Christ in our resolutions, no matter what time of year we make them. Outline: Part 1: What about New Year’s Resolutions? (5:07) Part 2; What are Good Goals? (16:49) Part 3: Reading the Bible in 2021 (31:32) Links:  Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin Email  graceNJpodcast@gmail.com  to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!

How can there be a “Christmas miracle” amidst so much suffering? As we celebrate the birth of Jesus we acknowledge the reality of God made flesh. How does this Jesus, the God-man rescuer provide the answer to suffering and evil? Also, a big welcome to Pastor Joe! Timestamps: Welcome to Pastor Joe! (0:48) Part 1: What is the Incarnation? (3:50) Part 2: How Does Jesus Meet Us Today? (16:52) Part 3: How Does God Help Us? (31:30) Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!

The first episode featuring an elder at Grace Church! John Herlihy, Chairman of the Board of Elders sits down with Steve to discuss the past, present, and future of Grace Church of Ridgewood. Links: Encounter with God - Scripture Union Joshua 24:15 Email graceNJpodcast@gmail.com to comment or suggest another topic you'd like to hear discussed!

Thanksgiving - a Bible word that got it’s own American holiday! This week, Grace Church Communications Director, Mary Capalbo joins Steve and Pastor Aaron to discuss how you can be grateful this Thanksgiving and every other day of the year. Timestamps: Part 1 - Thanksgiving is a Bible word (10:38) Part 2 - Keep Christ in … Thanksgiving! (20:48) Part 3 - A 2020 Thanksgiving (27:41) Links: What Mashed Potatoes Taught Me by Mary Capalbo  One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp Men of Faith Virtual Conference with Paul Tripp

Kevin Kibala is a husband, father, high school physics teacher, and a member at Grace Church in Ridgewood, NJ. He joins Steve on the podcast today for our first Member Spotlight! Timestamps: Part 1: Why Teach Physics? (8:34) Part 2:  Science & Faith (24:20)   LInks: The Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. Wright The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

Grace Extended is back! This week we welcome Christi Scarpa, Grace Church Women's Ministry Director to the podcast to talk about trust and the Christian life. Timestamps: Part 1 - Trust & The Christian Life (5:18) Part 2 - Trust & Uncertainty (14:49) Part 3 - Trust in the midst of betrayal (28:24) Email us at gracenjpodcast@gmail.com Grace Extended is a podcast of Grace Church of Ridgewood, NJ.