Pastor Dale’s Sermons
Here’s a playlist of my sermons, classes, and other video teaching. When I was at Shepherd of the Ridge, I grouped sermons by series if you’re looking for something in … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer – Intercession
The final installment of the Postures of Prayer series explores Intercession, the act of coming alongside others in prayer, even when they are far away. Rev. Roger Schlechte unpacks the … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer – Intercession
The final installment of the Postures of Prayer series explores Intercession, the act of coming alongside others in prayer, even when they are far away. Rev. Roger Schlechte unpacks the petitions “Thy kingdom come” and “Thy will be done” from the Lord’s Prayer, focusing on Matthew 6:9-13. He explores how praying for others embodies care, compassion, and the desire to see God’s kingdom grow on earth as in heaven. With examples from Scripture like Abraham’s plea for Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33) and Paul’s encouragement to pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-8), Rev. Schlechte challenges us to intercede for those in need, trusting God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Listen now to be inspired by the power of intercessory prayer and its role in reflecting God’s love to the world!
Postures of Prayer: Supplication
In this message, Pastor Larry McGurer examines the Posture of Supplication through Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 7:7-11: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Drawing on the story of … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer: Supplication
In this message, Pastor Larry McGurer examines the Posture of Supplication through Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 7:7-11: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Drawing on the story of the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda and Jesus’ own example of prayer, Pastor Larry explains why God desires us to ask, how asking deepens our relationship with Him, and the humility required to embrace a receptive posture in prayer.
Discover the power of asking—even for small things—and learn how God’s loving provision encourages faith and trust in all circumstances.
Listen now to be inspired to bring your needs to God and experience His goodness!
Postures of Prayer: Mission
Pastor Dale challenges us to add movement to our prayer lives as he explores the posture of Mission from Matthew 28:16-20. Beginning with a children’s message with Mutton Jeff, Dale … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer: Mission
Pastor Dale challenges us to add movement to our prayer lives as he explores the posture of Mission from Matthew 28:16-20. Beginning with a children’s message with Mutton Jeff, Dale shares how even simple, prayerful actions can change lives. With heartfelt stories and practical insights, he emphasizes that mission isn’t just for pastors or missionaries but is part of everyday life for every believer. Dale shares how prayer empowers us to share God’s love, overcome doubts, and embrace opportunities to make disciples wherever we are—at work, at home, or in our communities.
Listen now to discover how prayer and love can transform your mission field!
Mutton Jeff: The Puppet Teaching Kids About Faith
Experience the Bible like never before with Mutton Jeff, a humorous sheep puppet, and Pastor Dale Critchley. Watch these engaging, faith-filled videos for kids and adults alike, and discover how laughter brings Bible lessons to life.
Continue reading →Why Most Christians Fail at Evangelism – Here’s How to Fix It
Discover why most Christians fail at evangelism and learn how to fix it with practical, effective strategies in the Natural Outreach Workshop. Build real relationships, avoid common pitfalls, and share God’s love naturally.
Continue reading →Hymn Uniting Prayer and Communion: “Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God”
I was looking for a hymn that merges the themes of prayer and the Lord’s Supper for our Postures of Prayer series but found nothing that fully encompassed both. So, … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer: Humble
In this sermon, Pastor Larry McGurer continues the Postures of Prayer series by exploring the posture of Humility. Using both scripture and personal stories, he explains the significance of bowing, … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer: Humble
In this sermon, Pastor Larry McGurer continues the Postures of Prayer series by exploring the posture of Humility. Using both scripture and personal stories, he explains the significance of bowing, kneeling, and even lying prostrate in prayer as acts of humility before God. Drawing on examples from Genesis and the life of Jesus, Pastor Larry emphasizes that true humility in prayer reflects a heart reliant on God’s grace and power.
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Postures of Prayer: Adoration
In the second message of the Postures of Prayer series, Dale Critchley approaches the theme of Adoration. Exploring Psalm 146, he challenges us to remember who we are as children … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer: Adoration
In the second message of the Postures of Prayer series, Dale Critchley approaches the theme of Adoration. Exploring Psalm 146, he challenges us to remember who we are as children of God and to praise Him not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is and what He’s done for us. Join Dale as he shares his personal story of rediscovering identity in Christ and the power of adoration in our relationship with God.
Postures of Prayer: Unhurried
In the first installment of the Postures of Prayer series, Pastor Larry McGurer explores the theme of living with an Unhurried posture of prayer. Using Psalm 46 as a guide, … Continue reading →
Postures of Prayer: Unhurried
In the first installment of the Postures of Prayer series, Pastor Larry McGurer explores the theme of living with an Unhurried posture of prayer. Using Psalm 46 as a guide, he reflects on the importance of being still and trusting in God’s sovereignty amidst life’s stresses and busyness. Discover how resting in God, instead of rushing through life, can bring peace and renewal.
How Faith Works: Does Prayer Actually Work?
If you’ve ever wondered if prayer changes anything or if God is even listening, this sermon embraces that struggle. What’s the point of praying when the answer feels like a … Continue reading →
How Faith Works: Does Prayer Actually Work?
If you’ve ever wondered if prayer changes anything or if God is even listening, this sermon embraces that struggle. What’s the point of praying when the answer feels like a resounding “no”? We’ll unpack what James 5:13-20 says about prayer, relationships with God, and why the answer is sometimes hard to understand.
But we also get personal—have you ever prayed in desperation and felt like the help came just in time? Is prayer just about the outcome, or is there something deeper happening? What is it like to connect with a God who feels our joy and pain?
Want to dig deeper into how prayer shapes our faith? Stay connected for next week’s series, where we’ll go beyond the surface and tackle the big questions.
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How Faith Works: When Being Right Is Wrong
Pastor Dale tackles the deep struggles of how we use our words, especially when we’re driven by the need to be right. Inspired by James 3:1-12, he explores the tension … Continue reading →
How Faith Works: When Being Right Is Wrong
Pastor Dale tackles the deep struggles of how we use our words, especially when we’re driven by the need to be right. Inspired by James 3:1-12, he explores the tension between righteousness and love, particularly in divisive debates like the LGBTQ+ controversy. Is it possible to speak truth while showing genuine love? And when does being right become self-worship? Dale offers a challenging message, urging us to reflect on how we use our tongues.
Mutton Jeff makes an appearance, with a surprising lesson on loving others—even when we’re right!
How Faith Works: Is Your God Just a Reflection of You?
Do we see God as He truly is, or just as a reflection of ourselves? In this episode, we dive into James’ message on faith and mercy, exploring how our … Continue reading →
How Faith Works: Is Your God Just a Reflection of You?
Do we see God as He truly is, or just as a reflection of ourselves? In this episode, we dive into James’ message on faith and mercy, exploring how our actions reveal who we believe God to be. Are we showing His mercy to others, or remaking Him in our own image to justify our choices?
Mutton Jeff makes an appearance, asking tough questions about forgiveness.
How to Fight Like Jesus
In a world filled with complex villains and ever-shifting morals, how do we, as Christians, stand firm in righteousness? Join us as we explore Ephesians 6:10-20 and uncover what it … Continue reading →
How to Fight Like Jesus
In a world filled with complex villains and ever-shifting morals, how do we, as Christians, stand firm in righteousness? Join us as we explore Ephesians 6:10-20 and uncover what it truly means to put on the full armor of God. Mutton Jeff thinks fighting like Jesus is inconceivable!
Pastor Dale challenges the way we view our enemies and reveals how to stand strong against the real threats to our faith. Equip yourself with the truth, shield yourself with faith, and learn how to bring the gospel of peace into every battle.
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How to See God Accurately
In a world full of misrepresentations and deepfakes, how can we truly know God? Pastor Dale tackles this question by exploring Isaiah 29:11-19, diving into the challenges of seeing God … Continue reading →
How to See God Accurately
In a world full of misrepresentations and deepfakes, how can we truly know God? Pastor Dale tackles this question by exploring Isaiah 29:11-19, diving into the challenges of seeing God clearly when we can’t even see ourselves accurately. He reveals the key to understanding God lies in how He views us—through the lens of the cross.
Mutton Jeff, the sheep puppet, humorously searches for God in all the wrong places before realizing the importance of seeing God’s love in everyday life.
The Secret to Finding Peace
In a world obsessed with busyness, where can we find true peace? Pastor Dale Critchley dives into Psalm 34:12-22, revealing the surprising source of lasting peace. Discover how seeking righteousness, … Continue reading →
The Secret to Finding Peace
In a world obsessed with busyness, where can we find true peace? Pastor Dale Critchley dives into Psalm 34:12-22, revealing the surprising source of lasting peace. Discover how seeking righteousness, speaking wisely, and trusting in God’s presence can transform your life.
But first, Mutton Jeff struggles with a mean classmate, but Pastor Dale shows him—and us—how praying for those who hurt us leads to real peace.
Stay connected and grow in peace by subscribing to our podcast.
How to Eat the Bread of Life
Jesus proclaims, “I am the bread of life.” We unpack the importance of receiving what we need most in life and what happens when we truly embrace the living bread … Continue reading →
How to Eat the Bread of Life
Jesus proclaims, “I am the bread of life.” We unpack the importance of receiving what we need most in life and what happens when we truly embrace the living bread that Jesus offers. Through the lens of everyday experiences—whether it’s the stress of daily responsibilities or the longing for deeper spiritual fulfillment—this sermon explores how the Word and the sacrament of communion nourish us completely. We also discuss how our faith in Jesus as the living bread not only sustains us but empowers us to spread His love to others.
Key Points:
The significance of Jesus as the bread of life and how it fulfills our deepest needs.
The contrast between physical bread and the spiritual nourishment provided by Christ.
How consuming the living bread impacts our daily lives and relationships.
The call to share the living bread with others, extending Christ’s love and provision to the world.
Reflection Questions:
What are you still hungering and thirsting for in life?
How does recognizing Jesus as the bread of life change the way you handle stress and unmet needs?
What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God, trusting Him to fill them with His presence and provision?
If this message touched you, share it with someone who might need to hear about the living bread that only Jesus can provide. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to help others find this podcast.
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Confession and Absolution for Epiphany 5A
Confession & Absolution based on the readings for Epiphany 5A: Psalm 112:1-9; Isaiah 58:3-9a; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20 P Until heaven and earth pass away, not the … Continue reading →
Race, Privilege, and Justice: How to make lives matter
You’ve probably read the rhetoric on both sides of this issue, but I’m hoping to provide some clarity to better understand what’s going on. Of the eight people who will … Continue reading →
Ministry during #SocialDistancing
As our world responds to the COVID-19 outbreak by staying home, many churches are scrambling to keep the Body of Christ connected. At Saint James in West St Paul, thanks … Continue reading →
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