Riverside Anabaptist Collective Podcast with Carmen Shenk

Carmen Shenk
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Riverside is a community created to support small groups and congregations with simple worship resources. We do the work of crafting the service so that you can do the work of service. You belong here. carmenshenk.substack.com

  1. 19h ago

    The Curtain in Tatters on the Temple Floor

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! This is a 5th Sunday, and so we’re pulling a message from our archive this morning. Announcement: We have made the transition from our old YouTube channel to a new one of our very own: https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective) We are in the process of moving videos from the old channel to the new. Go here to subscribe. Thank you! The text for this week: Matthew 27:50-54 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Message Response Song Questions for Discussion: Questions come from the Salt & Light publication, Summer 2026, page 79. * How eager are we to welcome and value all people as equally loved members of God’s family? * What is the hierarchy prioritizing some people over others that we hold on to? * Is there something you feel called to do but shrink from doing for fear of hinderance or opposition? * How can Paul’s example help us expand our faith? (Likewise, how can the example of Jesus help us expand our faith?) * What inspires you to share the good news of God’s love and liberation with others? Lyrics Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Lyrics Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a community created to support small groups and congregations with simple worship resources. We do the work of crafting the service so that you can do the work of service. Our mission is to support you as you connect, lead, and love. * To receive this resource in your inbox each week, become a free or paid subscriber. * To help us get the word out, Subscribe to the Riverside YouTube channel and share our videos with your dear ones. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with leaders in mind. Is God calling you to lead? We provide resources for a simple service, leaving you free to focus on bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! With these resources you can do church anywhere, any time, with your dear ones. Picnic church? No problem! Hiking church? Easy Peasy! Church in the attic while you’re cleaning out? Still easy. LOL! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. There are creative and cost effective solutions available! We are here to support you in your ministry! Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Aug 21

    Last Call ~ Laurie Albright ~ Riverside Anabaptist Collective

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! Announcement: We have made the transition from our old YouTube channel to a new one of our very own: https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective) We are in the process of moving videos from the old channel to the new. Go here to subscribe. Thank you! The text for this week: 2 Kings 20 20 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Message Response Song Questions for Discussion: * Beyond money or property, what is the most important spiritual lesson or value you want to pass on to the next generation? * Have you considered writing an “ethical will” (a letter sharing your love, blessings, and life lessons)? What would your opening sentence be? * How does having an estate plan reflect your trust in God’s provision for your family after you are gone? * How does clearly outlining your final wishes serve as an act of love and relief for your adult children or relatives? * What makes it difficult to talk to your family about your final wishes, and how can you start that conversation with grace? * In what ways can a clear, legal will protect your family from misunderstandings or conflict during a time of grief? Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a community created to support small groups and congregations with simple worship resources. We do the work of crafting the service so that you can do the work of service. Our mission is to support you as you connect, lead, and love well. * To receive this resource in your inbox each week, become a free or paid subscriber. * To help us get the word out, Subscribe to the Riverside YouTube channel. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with you in mind. This leaves you free to focus on bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! With these resources you can do church anywhere, any time, with your dear ones. Picnic church? No problem! Hiking church? Easy Peasy! Church in the attic while you’re cleaning out? Still easy. LOL! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Aug 14

    Growing Together in a Mixed Field: Unity and the Parable of the Tares

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! Announcement: We are making the transition from our old YouTube channel to a new one of our very own: https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective) It should be easier for the algorithm to find us now that everything on the channel supports the mission of Riverside. Go here to subscribe to help the new channel get going. Thank you! The text for this week: Matthew 13:24-30 24-26 He told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too. 27 “The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’ 28 “He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’ “The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’ 29-30 “He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’” Message Response Song Questions for Discussion: Some interesting questions from Peter Albright: * What distinctives are upheld by your tribe but perhaps not so much by you yourself? * What distinctives do you consider to be interesting markers of your identity in Christ, but not important in your daily life? * What distinctives do you consider very important in your own understanding of who you are as a child of God? Is this distinctive shared by most in your tribe? * What are the essential truths with which others must agree with if you can consider them fellow children of God? * What beliefs do you hold that might be seen by others as disqualifying you from being a true child of God? Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a community created to support small groups and congregations with simple worship resources. We do the work of crafting the service so that you can do the work of service. Our mission is to support you as you connect, lead, and love well. * To receive this resource in your inbox each week, become a free or paid subscriber. * To help us get the word out, Subscribe to the Riverside YouTube channel. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with you in mind. This leaves you free to focus on bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! With these resources you can do church anywhere, any time, with your dear ones. Picnic church? No problem! Hiking church? Easy Peasy! Church in the attic while you’re cleaning out? Still easy. LOL! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Aug 7

    Removing the Barriers to Belonging

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! Announcement: Riverside Anabaptist Collective got it’s own YouTube channel this week! YAY! We hope you’ll take a minute and subscribe HERE (or by copying and pasting this into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/@RiversideAnabaptistCollective) so that you can have easy access to these messages anywhere you have internet service anytime. Your subscription and engagement helps us spread the Good News to folks God so deeply loves. Thank you for subscribing and engaging with us on this journey. You matter! You belong here! The text for this week: Psalm 133 How good and pleasant it iswhen God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,running down on the beard,running down on Aaron’s beard,down on the collar of his robe.3 It is as if the dew of Hermonwere falling on Mount Zion.For there the Lord bestows his blessing,even life forevermore. Message Response Song Questions for Discussion: These questions come from Salt & Light*, Summer 2026, pages 58-61 * When have you seen disagreement handled well in a group or community? * When has someone made you feel truly welcomed? * What role does listening play in resolving disagreement? * How does the church today balance tradition and inclusion? * Which values are essential? * Which values are cultural preferences? * How can we in our discernment and decision-making be intentionally attentive to the Spirit, welcoming her as a key participant and indispensable guide? * Salt and Light is a publication put out quarterly by MennoMedia.org. Riverside and Salt & Light have a synergistic relationship. You could say that we are “running together”. Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a community created to support small groups and congregations with simple worship resources. We do the work of crafting the service so that you can do the work of service. Our mission is to support you as you connect, lead, and love well. * To receive this resource in your inbox become a free subscriber. * Support this work by becoming a paid subscriber. * Help us grow! Share this message with a friend today. * To help us get the word out, Subscribe to the Riverside YouTube channel. * Join the Collective! Contact Me privately to become a founding member of the collective, to share resources, and to be supported in your leadership. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with you in mind. This leaves you free to focus on generous hospitality and bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! Leave a comment below or Contact Me privately. We’re here to help! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Jul 31

    Loving Out Loud

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! Gathering song: (Lyrics found in the description) The text for this week: Leviticus 19:18 18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Message Response Song Lyrics Questions for Discussion: These first two questions come from Salt & Light*, Summer 2026, page 54 and 55 * Are we attuned to the Spirit’s voice? * Are we willing to be set apart and sent, whether in ministry, relationships, or personal growth? * Are we ready to face opposition for obedience to Jesus? * Do we rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and joy, no matter the circumstances? * How do we respond to opposition? * Can we, like Paul and Barnabas (and Conrad Grabel, George Blaurock, Felix Manz and others) face resistance, relying on the Spirit to give us courage and wisdom to persevere? * Where is God calling you to go? * Who is God asking you to reach? * Salt and Light is a publication put out quarterly by MennoMedia.org and our material pairs respectfully with theirs. Lyrics in the description of the song. Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees the goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a community created to support small groups and congregations with simple worship resources. We do the work of crafting the service so that you can do the work of service. Our mission is to support you as you connect, lead, and love well. * To receive this resource in your inbox become a free or paid subscriber. * Help us grow! Share this message with a friend today. * Join the Collective! Contact Me privately to become a founding member of the collective, to share resources, and to be supported in your leadership. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with you in mind. This leaves you free to focus on generous hospitality and bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! Leave a comment below or Contact Me privately. We’re here to help! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Jul 24

    Daniel in the Pits

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! The text for this week: Daniel 6 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” Message Response Song Lyrics This song is a personal favorite! Questions for Discussion: These first two questions come from Salt & Light*, Summer 2026, page 49 * Do we have too few testimonies of God’s miraculous power in our lives because we neglect prayer, or because we pray ritualistically without actual expectation of God’s response? * Tertullian once said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” The Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia grew through persecution from 5,000 in the 1970’s to a reported 514,700 members in 2025. Are we in the West living too comfortable within the status quo to make a difference? * What difference would it make if we banded together to intentionally pray for those who have been detained and disappeared by ICE without due process? * What lions are you feeling in your life right now, how can we pray for each other? * Salt and Light is a publication put out quarterly by MennoMedia.org and our material pairs respectfully with theirs. Lyrics Celebrating the kind of joy in the Lord that is not dependent on the circumstances around us but comes from the presence of God. What a blessing to see these British youngins enjoying the presence of God! Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees the goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a reader-supported community created to support small congregations, small groups, and Sunday School classes with simple worship resources so that you may focus your energy on hospitality and connection. Our goal is to make it easy for you to connect, lead, and love well (without breaking the bank). * To receive this resource in your inbox become a free subscriber. * Support our speakers and the mission of this channel by becoming a paid subscriber. * Help us grow! Share this message with a friend today. * Join the Collective! Contact Me privately to become a founding member of the collective, to share resources, and to be supported in your leadership. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with you in mind. This leaves you free to focus on generous hospitality and bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! Leave a comment below or Contact Me privately. We’re here to help! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Jul 17

    Jesus & The Centurion

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! The text for this week: Luke 7:1-10 The Faith of the Centurion 7 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Message Response Song Questions for Discussion: These questions come from Salt & Light, Summer 2026, page 43 * Are you open to the Holy Spirit working outside our expectations or traditions? * What might it mean for you personally to say, “God shows no favoritism”? * Who is outside our usual circles that God might be calling us to listen to, learn from, or hang out with? * What does this story teach about hospitality, both giving and receiving it? * How might Holy Spirit be moving to help you to overcome prejudice and embrace all people, regardless of their backgrounds? Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees the goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a reader-supported community created to support small congregations, small groups, and Sunday School classes with simple worship resources so that you may focus your energy on hospitality and connection. Our goal is to make it easy for you to connect, lead, and love well (without breaking the bank). * To receive this resource in your inbox become a free subscriber. * Support our speakers and the mission of this channel by becoming a paid subscriber. * Is there someone who needs to hear this message? Share it with them today. * Join the Collective! Contact Me privately to become a founding member of the collective, to share resources, and to be supported in your leadership. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with you in mind. This leaves you free to focus on generous hospitality and bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! Leave a comment below or Contact Me privately. We’re here to help! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

  8. Jul 10

    The Fishermen: Peter & John

    Welcome to Riverside Anabaptist Collective! Gathering Song Lyrics As we come together now, we pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-center our scattered senses upon the Presence of God. Lyrics in the video. Gotta love this Riverside imagery! LOVE it! The text for this week: Acts 3:1-10 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to [a]ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Lyrics The volume on this is low, so you may want to adjust your device. (Message) Message Response Song Lyrics Underneath all things are the Everlasting Arms Questions for Discussion: * Peter and John stopped in their daily routine to pay attention to a marginalized beggar. How can we cultivate the awareness to notice and minister to the "invisible" or hurting people in our own community? * Imagine the conversation between the man formerly known as lame, and the people who usually carried him to the gate called Beautiful each morning. Did they require a cut of the money he made each day begging? Was his community happy for him when he was healed? * If I received a big influx of healing power in my life today, I would also walk, maybe run and dance and maybe even try out a few hops and leaps! Come to think of it, walking, joyfully moving, and dancing is a great way to increase our strength and stamina. Consider how some miracles come all at once and suddenly, but other miracles happen as we set our intention on doing less sedentary things and more active things in faith. Gentle dedication to healthy habits can bring it’s own kind of miracle. Consider and discuss. * I recently came across an essay by a guy with a healing ministry who has seen amazing miracles in his life. He talked about how painful it was when he really prayed for someone who really needed healing but they didn’t get healed. Can we wrestle with this together? Many people don’t pray for the sick for this reason, but where is obedience to God in all this? * “Underneath all things are the Everlasting Arms” Does that move you like it moves me? What does it mean to you to know you are held in the arms of Jesus, even when things are difficult? Blessing I release you in the power of the Holy Spirit into the world God so loves, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the God, who sees the goodness and grace in you - and walks proudly with you. Benediction Riverside Anabaptist Collective is a reader-supported community created to support small congregations, small groups, and Sunday School classes with “plug and play” worship services so that you may focus your energy on hospitality and connection. Our goal is to make it easy for you to connect, lead, and love well. * To receive this resource in your inbox become a free subscriber. * Support our speakers and the mission of this channel by becoming a paid subscriber. * Is there someone who needs to hear this message? Share it with them today. * Join the Collective! Contact Me privately to become a founding member of the collective, to share resources, and to be supported in your leadership. * Begin your own small group. Here at Riverside, the service is crafted with you in mind. This leaves you free to focus on generous hospitality and bringing people together. Loneliness is an epidemic, and we can help people get connected to each other and to God! Leave a comment below or Contact Me privately. We’re here to help! * Does your pastor need a sabbatical but your congregation can not afford the paid time off? We’re here to help. Contact me privately to discuss how we can support you in your ministry. Many blessings! ~ Pastor Carmen Shenk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carmenshenk.substack.com/subscribe

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Riverside is a community created to support small groups and congregations with simple worship resources. We do the work of crafting the service so that you can do the work of service. You belong here. carmenshenk.substack.com

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