All Souls Missoula - Fresh Encounter, Ancient Faith

Weekly Updates

2012-02-13T20:35:00.001-07:00

Hi folks! What's going on in the All Souls Community this week? Read on!

On The Radar - Special events and ways to get involved...

Membership Groups - Beginning Tuesday, February 14. If you want to learn more about All Souls or why we have membership, then you'll want to attend. Please contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) if you're interested.

Farewell Wishes - Elizabeth Adams and her husband John will be moving to California in a week! Please join us for a going away party on Saturday, February 18 @ 5 PM at 2309 Sherwood Lane (between 3rd and River Rd. off of Davis - this is NOT Sherwood Street!). Please bring your favorite food or beverage to share. Let's send them off with lots of love and support!

To Give Away - John Sporman, our bass player, has a queen mattress and box spring to give away. It's in great shape!

All Souls' Nursery - We now have nursery available for infants (6 months to 2 years) in room 302 during worship. Children 3 to 5 years will continue to meet in our regular nursery space across the hall from the main worship area. **As a reminder, MCT has asked us to keep children out of the hallways and stairwells during the service. If you see kiddos without their parent(s), please gently lead them back into worship. Thanks for helping keep our little ones safe!**

The Church in Worship - For 2000 years, weekly worship has been the most definitive feature of Christian community. If you’re curious about who we are or what we're up to, this is a great place to begin...

Sunday Worship - Sunday @ 10 AM on the 3rd floor of MCT [map]. Whether you're a follower of Christ or someone who is skeptical, this is a great chance to experience Christian worship and wrestle with the claims of Jesus. Kid friendly, with a casual yet reverent atmosphere. Hope to see you soon!

The Church in Action - At the same time, church is more than just a service on Sundays; it's a community of friends meeting throughout the week. Here are some of the ways you can move deeper into the life and community of All Souls...

Community Groups - Please contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468).

Membership Groups - Tues @ 6:30 PM at the Cryder's (2307 River Rd.) -OR- Thurs @ 6:30 PM at the Sutherland's (1601 W. Kent).
Instruments Group - Wed @ 6:30 PM at location TBD (still looking for a host location!). Learn how to grow in personal ministry to others. We'll read Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands. Contact Marilyn (529-5569).
Men's Leadership Group - Thurs mornings @ 6:30 AM at the Holiday Inn Parkside (downtown). Order breakfast and wrestle with other guys (not THAT way!) about how the Scriptures call us to be leaders. All men are encouraged to attend.
Easy Street Group - Thurs @ 6:30 PM at the Ballengees (217 S. Easy St). Working through the book Resolving Everyday Conflict. Leaders: Bob (241-8067) & Laura (404-909-5793)
Draught Works Fridays - Fri @ 5 PM at Missoula's newest brewery, Draught Works (915 Toole). Come hoist a pint with friends!
Fireside Group - Sun @ 5:30 PM at the Lewis' (838 Stoddard). Share a meal and discuss worship. Leaders: Ron (360-7202) & Kelly (360-7676)

Have questions about All Souls? Want to get together over coffee, lunch or a beer? Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468).

See you soon!
Christian & Ryan
http://allsoulsmissoula.org

Joseph and the Dreamers (Genesis 40)

2012-01-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Joseph listens to two dreams and then proceeds to tell the two men what their dreams mean...and he gets both of them right! What does this mean for us? Is it that God still speaks through dreams? Or is there some deeper meaning for us embedded within?

Joseph and the Dreamers - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

All Souls Ale Reborn (2012)

2012-01-28T22:08:00.001-07:00

All Souls Ale is back for real in 2012, and it's better than ever! As some of you might know, there was a technical problem with the original batch due out at Christmas Time. The folks at Big Sky Brewing have re-brewed, and the results are amazing - a daring Dark Tripel (10.8%) that marries Belgian yeast with American hops to create a truly stunning Easter Ale, loaded with hints of pear and apple.

While it will be released in April, All Souls Ale can be enjoyed throughout the year (like wine, it improves with age). It's $14 a bottle (750ml - think wine bottle size) - all hand bottled, hand labeled, individually numbered and signed. This is a very limited edition run (only 100 cases!), and it makes great holiday gifts.

We think it's absolutely amazing, and are confident you will too. Plus, ALL the profits go to support Imagine Missoula (last year's All Souls Ale generated over $7000, to meet real needs right here in Missoula).

Pricing - half case (6 bottles) for $84, full case (12 bottles) for $168.
Quantities - you can order singles, but bulk orders (half case or more) take precedence.
Pre-ordering - we will be sampling All Souls Ale and accepting pre-orders at the Winter Brewfest (Sat Feb 11, 2-8 PM). There is a very good chance we will sell out at this event, so if you want to make sure you get some, you should probably ORDER YOURS NOW.

For more information...

learn about the history of All Souls Ale
learn about Imagine Missoula
wonder why would a church be involved in brewing beer?
follow us on facebook
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please don't hesitate to ask!

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife (Genesis 39)

2012-01-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

We pick up the story of Joseph - now a slave down in Egypt. To add insult to injury he is wrongly accused of rape and thrown in an Egyptian prison. However, the story insists that "God was with Joseph." What's your hope in the midst of hardship?

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Killing the Hostility (Ephesians 2:11-22)

2012-01-15T10:00:00.002-07:00

Classic Christianity has always asserted something offensive to many of us - that all of us are sinners! If this is the case, how we do ever expect to practice shalom?

Killing the Hostility - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Foundation of Shalom (Ephesians 2:1-10)

2012-01-08T10:00:00.001-07:00

How do we start to be people of shalom? The apostle Paul insists that the biblical concept of shalom has everything to do with our spiritual state - somehow we must go from being spiritually "dead" to being spiritually "alive" if we are going to practice shalom. What does he mean by this? These are some the things we wrestle with in this sermon.

The Foundation of Shalom - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

God's Love Song in the Psalms (Psalm 45)

2012-01-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

God's Love Song in the Psalms - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Twas The Night Before Christmas

2011-12-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

"The Newborn" - Georges de la Tour (1593-1652)

This Christmas Eve, we'll be hosting our annual Midnight Service, beginning at 11:30 PM in the lobby of the Missoula Children's Theatre (200 North Adams ). It's a small, intimate gathering to celebrate the coming of Christ through music, Scripture, and friendship.

Come participate in a tradition that is at least 1500 years old. Your kids will love it, and so will you. We'd love to have you join us!

Finding Love in Christmas (Psalm 41)

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

How do I fall in love with Jesus this Christmas? That's the question to ask and hopefully these amazing truths from Psalm 41 will help you do it!

Finding Love in Christmas - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

All Souls Christmas Party!

2011-12-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hey friends, it's time for our yearly All Souls Christmas Party again! Please join us this Friday, Dec 16, from 6 PM - 11 PM at the Cryder's (2307 River Road - just look for the mailbox and turn down the alley; there's plenty of additional parking on River Road and Luella Lane).

If you've never been to one of our famous All Souls parties, here's your chance! Our food theme is tapas and wine tasting, with live music by Ron Dunbar. There might even be some of last year's All Souls Ale! Kids are welcome, and so are friends! Just RSVP if you're coming, so we know how much food to prepare.

No matter how cold it gets outside, it'll be a warm and toasty evening in our home! We hope you'll come celebrate the Christmas season with us!

Whose Son Is He (Part 2)? (John 8:12-30)

2011-12-11T10:00:00.001-07:00

We already find ourselves in the third week of advent! We again ask the question from two weeks ago, "whose son is he?" Two weeks ago we discussed the humanity of Jesus; this week we'll focus on his divinity.

Whose Son Is He (Part 2)? - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

God's Response to Darkness (John 1:1-18)

2011-12-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Let's face it - Christmas can often feel lonely and dark (or at least this season can expose where we're feeling it). In this second week of Advent we look at how God responds to darkness and how we ought to respond to His response

God's Response to Darkness - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Whose Son Is He? (Matthew 1:18-25)

2011-11-27T10:00:00.004-07:00

It's the first Sunday of Advent (from the Latin meaning "coming") and so we spend a week looking at why Jesus had to be human and what his humanity actually did for us!

Whose Son Is He? - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The Importance of Prayer for Shalom (Ephesians 1:15-23)

2011-11-20T10:00:00.001-07:00

The Importance of Prayer for Shalom - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Explorers - Jesus 101

2011-11-15T22:00:00.002-07:00

Let's face it: most of us have questions about faith and spirituality. Often though, our friends don't really want to talk about these things, and churches seem to look down on people with doubts and struggles.

Explorers is a safe place for unbelievers, and for the unbeliever in all of us. It's a place where you can be honest about what you think, and get honest answers about the Christian faith. It's a place where you can make up your own mind about historic Christianity, by looking at the sources, rather than settling for second hand opinions.

Fundamentally, Explorers is all about working on our spirituality in community. It's a place where you can be yourself - share a meal, talk about your struggles, wrestle with your faith, as friends rather than foes. We meet once a week for about two hours. We share a meal. We laugh together. And we share our thoughts.

This Winter we'll be looking at Jesus 101 (The Gospel of Mark).

In 7 weeks you'll study an entire book of the Bible - the Gospel of Mark. We'll take a firsthand look at the person, work, and claims of Jesus. This group is geared for non-Christians, new-Christians, and people who aren't even sure what it means to be a Christian. You won't be asked to sing, pray, or do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable. You can come as you are; you can say as little or as much as you like.

The goal of these groups is not to convert you. Our job is simply to introduce you to the Jesus of Scripture so you can figure out what you believe for yourself. In the process, you will learn a lot about Jesus, Christianity, and your own spirituality. You'll also have a chance to build friendships with interesting people who are asking the same questions you are.

If this sounds interesting, please contact Christian (529-5568) ASAP so we can figure out who's interested. Hope to hear from you soon!

Resources for Reconciliation (Ephesians 1:3-14)

2011-11-13T10:00:00.002-07:00

What are the resources we need to pursue this kind of reconciliation?

Resources for Reconciliation - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

What is a Missional Church?

2011-11-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

Here at All Souls, we talk a lot about being a "missional church." Ever wonder what we actually mean by that? Perhaps this recent lecture by Tim Keller on What is a Missional Church? will shed some light on things.

Pique your interest? Raise questions? Want to discuss this over coffee, lunch, or a beer? Give us a holler! We'd love to get together...

Reconciliation 101 (Ephesians 1:1-23)

2011-11-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

How do we go about this whole reconciliation and shalom thing that we've been talking about? It all comes back to an attitude of gratitude. So how do we cultivate that kind of attitude?

Reconciliation 101 - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Christians as Subversives

2011-11-05T16:50:00.001-06:00

Q: Do American Christians too easily assume their surrounding culture is Christian?

We do. It is useful to listen to people who come into our culture from other cultures, to pay attention to what they hear and what they see. In my experience, they don't see a Christian land. If you listen to a Solzhenitsyn or Bishop Tutu, or university students from Africa or South America, they don't see a Christian land. They see something almost the reverse of a Christian land.

They see a lot of greed and arrogance. And they see a Christian community that has almost none of the virtues of the biblical Christian community, which have to do with a sacrificial life and conspicuous love. Rather, they see indulgence in feelings and emotions, and an avaricious quest for gratification.

Importantly, they see past the facade of our language, the Christian language we throw up in front of all this stuff. The attractive thing about America to outsiders is the materialism, not the spirituality. It's interesting to listen to refugees who have just gotten into the country: what they want are cars and televisions. They're not coming after our gospel, unless they're translating the gospel into a promise of riches and comfort.

Q: Do you preach to your congregation about this?

Yes.

Q: How do you do that? I'm sure that's not easy.

Well, I'm one of them. I live in the same kind of house they do. I drive the same kind of car they do. I shop in the same stores they do. So I'm like them. We're all in this together.

It's possible for a few people to break out of society and form some kind of colony in order to challenge society as a kind of shock troop. But that's not my calling, and I don't find it credible to use the language of separatism in a congregation where we've all got jobs, where we're trying to find our place as disciples in the society and do what we can there. If I do that, I lose credibility. I'm using one kind of language on Sunday and another on Monday.

So what I have tried to develop first of all, in myself, is the mentality of the subversive. The subversive is someone who takes on the coloration of the culture, as far as everyone else can see. If he loses the coloration he loses his effectiveness. The subversive works quietly and hiddenly, patiently. He has committed himself to Christ's victory over culture and is willing to do those small things. No subversive ever does anything big. He is always carrying secret messages, planting suspicion that there is something beyond what the culture says is final.

Q: What are some specific acts of Christian subversion?

They're common Christian acts. The acts of sacrificial love, justice, and hope. There's nothing novel in any of this. Our task is that we develop a self-identity as Christians and do these things not incidentally to our lives, but centrally. By encouraging one another, by praying together, by studying Scripture together, we develop a sense that these things are in fact the very center of our lives. And we recognize they are not the center of the world's life, however much cultural talk there is about Christianity.

If we can develop a sense that sacrificial love, justice, and hope are at the core of our identities – they go to our jobs with us each day, to our families each night – then we are in fact subversive. You have to understand that Christian subversion is nothing flashy. Subversives don't win battles. All they do is prepare the ground and change the mood just a little bit toward belief and hope, so that when Christ appears, there are people waiting for him.

- from Eugene Peterson's The Contemplative Pastor, pp 10-12.

Artist in Residence

2011-10-31T20:12:00.011-06:00

Bethany Joyce - All Souls Missoula "Artist in Residence" (2011/12)

We are thrilled to announce Bethany Joyce as the first ever All Souls "Artist in Residence," a paid position that will run through September 2012!

We believe Bethany is exceptionally qualified for this post. After graduating with a degree in Music from University of Montana, Bethany plays cello regularly for Montana symphonies in Missoula, Helena, and Butte. She is also deeply involved in local bands like Wartime Blues, Stellarondo, and Butter.

Playing weekly for All Souls Missoula for nearly 2 years now, Bethany has been instrumental in producing the Christian & The Sinners debut album due out this November 18. We look forward to supporting her as she continues to contribute to Missoula's music scene!

Q: What IS an “Artist in Residence” program?

While the term “Artist in Residence” is relatively recent (the past hundred years or so), the concept has been around for much longer – people, organizations, and especially churches have been supporting artists for ages: St. Thomas Church in Leipzig made it possible for Johann Sebastian Bach to write a cantata every week back in the 1700s; the Psalms seem to indicate King David employed musicians and a “director of music.”

Here at All Souls, we believe that God calls us to be a blessing to the city of Missoula, not just by meeting needs (mercy), but also by supporting the arts (beauty is one of our core values!). We think that if God loves the arts, we as a church should too. This is why we pay many of our musicians, it's why we worship at Missoula Children's Theatre (both support the arts). And it's why we've long dreamed of having an artist in residence!

Q: So what does an Artist in Residence DO?

We created this program with several key considerations in mind. First of all, we didn't just want to fill a position. We wanted to support someone who making most of their living working in the arts. We were looking for someone who could make a key contribution to artistic excellence within the All Souls community -AND- to the arts and music culture of the greater community in which we live. And we think Bethany does all of these things!

She's had a huge impact on our own music (just wait until you hear the album!); she's also a major contributor to the music scene here in Missoula (she's involved in all sorts of musical endeavors – whether it's rocking with Wartime Blues, making experimental music with Stellarondo, or playing classical music for the Missoula Symphony). We think Missoula is a better place musically because of her.

So we desire to support her in what she does. That's why our Artist in Residence program doesn't actually carry any new obligations – instead, we see it as a way of acknowledging what she is already doing, while making it possible for her to breathe a little easier financially (so she can continue to do it!).

As such, we'll be paying Bethany a modest monthly stipend (in addition to what she already makes), and giving her up to two months leave-with-pay (to tour, to study, to make music). Our goal is to be a blessing to the city, by blessing her. We'll review the program next fall and see how it's working.

Q: But can we actually AFFORD it?

This is another great question (since God calls us to be stewards of our finances, as well as to be artistically creative). The short answer is, “Yes!” By raising money in advance to fund the CD project, all proceeds can go to support music and mission at All Souls. We believe we will be able to fund this new position without any impact to our existing budget, for at least the coming year. Wow! Isn't God amazing?

Christian & The Sinners

2011-10-31T19:47:00.002-06:00

Christian & The Sinners is a curious little group of musicians that have been making great music for the past 3 years. On Sundays you can find us playing for All Souls Missoula (an equally curious community of faith). During the rest of the week you'll find us neck deep in our community - working, making music, wrestling with life's big questions, living life together. Some of us are Christians; some of us are not. But all of us love this music and want to share it with you. So this past August we went into the studio to record!

Wand'ring Heart is a full length album of strikingly rich worship music - eleven original songs with rousing anthems, thoughtful lyrics, and an energetic acoustic flavor (think driving guitar, soaring strings, and passionate drums). Our friends (whether followers of Jesus or not) tell us it's some of the most interesting music they've ever heard.

The Sinners are: Christian Cryder (guitar / vocals), Bethany Joyce (cello), Grace Decker (fiddle), Rebekah Cryder (viola), John Sporman (string bass), Marilyn Cryder (horn / backing vocals), and Chris Caldwell (djembe).

Specials guests include: Travis Yost (the big drums), Jim Rodgers (organ), with Naomi Bray and Jen Jenkins (additional backing vocals).

You can learn more about our music by:

following us on facebook
visiting us on the website [COMING SOON]
attending the CD Release Party - Friday, Nov 18 from 6-8 PM at the Top Hat
buying a copy of the CD [COMING SOON]
joining us for a worship service! (Sunday's at 10 AM at Missoula Children's Theatre)

All profits from the album go to support the music and mission of All Souls Missoula.

The God over Injustice (Genesis 37:12-36)

2011-10-30T10:00:00.000-06:00

How is God's purpose for us (to be a blessing) seem relevant when we experience injustice? Is it possible that the injustices done to us actually further his purpose?

The God over Injustice - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The God of Family Dysfunction (Genesis 37:1-11)

2011-10-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

If God has such a grand purpose for us (to be agents of blessing and reconciliation), why does it often seem that our biggest source of chaos is our own family? How do we trust God when we have so much family baggage?

The God of Family Dysfunction - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The God of Chaos - Part 2 (Genesis 15)

2011-10-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

Wouldn't you expect God to just take care of our chaos so that we can get on with his purposes? Instead you see the opposite - chaos only increases (2nd Law of Thermodynamics) as mankind spreads over the earth. We continue to explore our purpose in light of life's chaos

The God of Chaos - Part 2 - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The God of Chaos (Genesis 1)

2011-10-09T10:00:00.000-06:00

What is God's purpose for humanity? How do we make progress with so much chaos in our lives? We go back to the beginning chapter of Scripture in order to find answers to some of these questions.

The God of Chaos - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)