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PCOM Podcast

PCOM Podcast

By PCOM Podcaster

Stories of God at work in and through the ministries of Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, California.

Cover art photo provided by: unsplash.com/@christopher__burns
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Currently playing episode

The joy and connection of a good story: Film & storytelling part II

PCOM PodcastMar 23, 2021

00:00
26:00
An Invitation to Holy Week

An Invitation to Holy Week

Pastor Courtney walks us through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and joining Jesus in his suffering.


Plus: an Easter invitation and what's coming up at PCOM in the days beyond.

Mar 26, 202412:25
Lighthouse or Electric Fence?

Lighthouse or Electric Fence?

Dan talks about what we believe and his upcoming class on the Apostle's Creed

Mar 19, 202420:14
Helping Outsiders Become Insiders

Helping Outsiders Become Insiders

How can we welcome newcomers as Jesus did? What are some practical tips for asking whether people are new or not? Why is it important to look for the outsiders in our midst? Join Pastor Courtney for a conversation about Christian hospitality.

Mar 12, 202415:54
Do You Want to be Healed?

Do You Want to be Healed?

Jeff talks acceptance and welcoming (not of feral monkeys, but of almost everything else). Jesus is always inviting us into peace, into presence, into accepting what is. There's healing there. Also, have you seen the show Bluey? It's not just for kids.

Mar 05, 202429:22
How Do I Hear From God? Pastor Courtney on discernment.

How Do I Hear From God? Pastor Courtney on discernment.

Is it possible to hear from God? If so, how? Pastor Courtney talks about discerning God's voice in our loud and busy world.

Feb 27, 202415:45
Fasting and Feasting in Lent

Fasting and Feasting in Lent

Dan digs into church history to explain why we do, or do not do, certain things during this season of Lent heading into Easter

Feb 20, 202422:02
S7E7: A Bird from the Lord with Pastor Courtney

S7E7: A Bird from the Lord with Pastor Courtney

An invitation to a simple, soulful Lenten practice. Plus: new study guides, Ash Wednesday, and an answer that goes beyond "fine."

Feb 13, 202414:28
Jeff and Steph Meet the Monkeys!

Jeff and Steph Meet the Monkeys!

Easten Given joins the podcast to hear a bedtime story from his parents' adventurous journey to Krabi Thailand.

Feb 06, 202422:03
S7E5: Pastor Courtney's Invites

S7E5: Pastor Courtney's Invites

Three invitations for new (and ancient!) offerings at PCOM to bring a spring to your step and depth to your discipleship in the new year.

Jan 30, 202412:59
The gift of wonder with Pastor Courtney

The gift of wonder with Pastor Courtney

Three stories of awe from Pastor Courtney, and an invitation to seek out wonder and beauty in 2024.

Jan 23, 202415:15
Emotional Wholeness and the Gospel

Emotional Wholeness and the Gospel

Dan talks about our church's mission and one of his favorite authors

Jan 16, 202421:27
What's new in spiritual formation at PCOM for 2024?

What's new in spiritual formation at PCOM for 2024?

Pastor Courtney unpacks our spiritual formation plan for early 2024, from small groups to Roots to Fruits to study guides and sermon notes.

Jan 09, 202418:11
Jeff Talks Christmas and Celts Beneath the Great Oak

Jeff Talks Christmas and Celts Beneath the Great Oak

It's a New Year! What new light, new life, new gift might we experience, receive, and offer this year?


Jan 02, 202419:25
New Year's, Epiphany, and Sunshine Salad

New Year's, Epiphany, and Sunshine Salad

From the start of a new year to the celebration of Epiphany, Pastor Courtney leads us into 2024 with stories, questions, and joy.


Plus: what's your weirdest holiday food tradition?

Dec 26, 202313:36
Of the Father's Love... (updated)

Of the Father's Love... (updated)

(corrected) Dan digs into the history of a beloved Christmas hymn

Dec 20, 202324:46
Pastor Courtney's Favorite Reads of 2023

Pastor Courtney's Favorite Reads of 2023

Nonfiction, fiction, young adult, and children's. What books have you loved in 2023?

Dec 12, 202317:02
Jeff Returns to Hong Kong: A Wedding Celebration

Jeff Returns to Hong Kong: A Wedding Celebration

Have you ever been presented with a task that you were physically unable to complete? And yet… 

Dec 05, 202314:43
Pastor Courtney's Advent Preview

Pastor Courtney's Advent Preview

There is SO much goodness ahead! Pastor Courtney invites us to dig in this Advent with Unity Sunday (12/3 at 10am), an Advent Adventure class in Roots to Fruits (12/10 and 12/17), and a beautiful devotional guide for the season by Plough Publishing.

Nov 28, 202317:16
Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical

Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical

Dan talks about understanding ourselves in the big sweep of Christian History

Nov 21, 202316:52
Felicity Ellis Answers Your Questions

Felicity Ellis Answers Your Questions

PCOM's own 5-year-old bundle of energy joins Pastor Courtney in the podcast studio to give her opinions on animals, colors, songs, and why following Jesus is where it's at.

Nov 14, 202311:50
Jeff Rides Planes, Trains and Automobiles through China

Jeff Rides Planes, Trains and Automobiles through China

More water from a rock, this time from an unexpected Samaritan.

Nov 07, 202314:03
Pastor Courtney on Halloween's Memento Mori

Pastor Courtney on Halloween's Memento Mori

The gift of spooky seasonal decorations in helping us remember our own mortality.

Oct 31, 202312:57
Bible 101 with Pastor Courtney

Bible 101 with Pastor Courtney

What an amazing book!

Oct 24, 202316:18
Calves, Idols, and PCOM's Vision Cast

Calves, Idols, and PCOM's Vision Cast

Dan looks at idolatry then and now (with a personal story and a word about Vision Casting)

Oct 17, 202320:52
Pastor Courtney on Emotional Wholeness + the 10 Commandments

Pastor Courtney on Emotional Wholeness + the 10 Commandments

Week seven of our vision launch series.

Oct 10, 202318:57
Jeff Has Never Pulled Water From a Rock

Jeff Has Never Pulled Water From a Rock

... and other things only God can do. From Psalm 118: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." Jeff Given explores how God can transform even our worst moments into something beautiful.

Oct 03, 202319:58
What do Manna and Friendship Have in Common?

What do Manna and Friendship Have in Common?

Pastor Courtney describes the chronic condition gripping our country, and God's invitation to each of us to be part of the solution.

Sep 26, 202313:24
The horse and the rider he has thrown into the sea?

The horse and the rider he has thrown into the sea?

Dan takes a fresh look at the parting of the Red Sea

Sep 19, 202322:59
Finding Courage from God's Faithfulness in the Past with Pastor Courtney

Finding Courage from God's Faithfulness in the Past with Pastor Courtney

In week three of our vision series, Pastor Courtney chats through the Biblical story of the Passover, and how remembering God's goodness to us in past seasons can give us courage for today.

Sep 12, 202314:29
Jeff delights in a God who dwells even in lowly shrubs

Jeff delights in a God who dwells even in lowly shrubs

... especially ones that are miraculously on fire!


We continue in our "Seeds into Branches" PCOM Vision Cast with the move from disempowerment to empowerment. Will we answer the call?

Sep 05, 202318:35
Pastor Daryl on a Five Year Vision for PCOM

Pastor Daryl on a Five Year Vision for PCOM

It's vision cast time! Where is God calling PCOM over the next few years? Join Pastors Daryl and Courtney as they talk about this exciting journey and how the faithfulness of so many here for so many years has primed us to plant some new seeds.

Aug 29, 202326:00
Pastor Courtney's Back to School Bonanza

Pastor Courtney's Back to School Bonanza

Whether you're a parent, teacher, grandparent, or just an innocent bystander, this season can be a little bit bonkers. Here is a gentle reminder from Jesus in Matthew 14 to take courage, even when the wind and the waves are coming hard and fast.

Aug 22, 202314:46
On Making a Movie and being a Missionary

On Making a Movie and being a Missionary

Dan talks about podcasting and an upcoming film project

Aug 15, 202319:52
Pastor Courtney just CAN'T LET GO!

Pastor Courtney just CAN'T LET GO!

Wisdom on honoring the past while planning for the future from Isaiah 43. Plus: check out our church library book sale!

Aug 08, 202317:44
Jeff Given does what at work?

Jeff Given does what at work?

"So what do you do when you're not up there singing on Sundays?" Jeff gives some insight into the life of a worship director.

Aug 01, 202332:15
Story Time! How did Pastors Courtney and Daryl Come to PCOM?

Story Time! How did Pastors Courtney and Daryl Come to PCOM?

Pastor Courtney takes us back to 2014 and the journey that brought her and Pastor Daryl to PCOM. From the wisdom of PCOM's Associate Pastor Nominating Committee to the patience of God to a hilarious moment with Pastor Jackson, this is a great story of adventure in the faithfulness of Jesus.

Jul 25, 202320:41
The Whole House!

The Whole House!

Dan talks about the word "ecumenical" in church history and for today

Jul 18, 202317:47
Pastor Courtney on What a Pastor Does All Day

Pastor Courtney on What a Pastor Does All Day

Peek behind the curtain at the life and ministry of a pastor! (Hint: we DON'T work just one hour a week.)

Plus: will Jeff and Dan answer the challenge to let us in on the day-to-day of a worship director and a professional podcaster? Time will tell!

Jul 11, 202321:54
Jeff Given Brings the Hymns

Jeff Given Brings the Hymns

Rather than a deep dive, how about a meandering boat tour along the waters of these two beloved hymns: On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand and The Love of God.

Jul 04, 202325:29
Do Not Fear! Okay, but How? An Invitation from Matthew 10 and Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Do Not Fear! Okay, but How? An Invitation from Matthew 10 and Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Pastor Courtney ponders the question: how do we keep the pigeon from driving the bus?

Jun 27, 202318:57
Dan on Callings and Friendship

Dan on Callings and Friendship

Dan looks at two fancy words: "vocation" and "imputation", and why they matter

Jun 20, 202314:52
VBS Extravaganza! Preparing for Joy, Fun, and Jesus with the Ellis Kids

VBS Extravaganza! Preparing for Joy, Fun, and Jesus with the Ellis Kids

Pastor Courtney, with special guests Felicity, Wilson, and Lincoln Ellis, talk about PCOM's history of Vacation Bible School. Plus: how you can be praying for the kids, parents, volunteers, and staff during this awesome week.

Jun 13, 202314:12
Jeff Given Loses at Chess

Jeff Given Loses at Chess

What could it look like to hold a higher view of humanity? How might we see and name the Divine spark in everyone and everything?

Jun 06, 202318:41
Listening and Watching into Summer: Pastor Courtney's Media Picks

Listening and Watching into Summer: Pastor Courtney's Media Picks

From the best birding app to podcast and tv/film ideas for summer, join Pastor Courtney to hear what she's listening to and watching. Then let her know: what's captivating you these days?

May 30, 202314:40
Pastor Courtney's Good Reads for Summer

Pastor Courtney's Good Reads for Summer

Looking for a book to pick up over the summer? Pastor Courtney covers nonfiction, fiction, memoir, and two children's books, too!

May 23, 202320:13
Who are You? With Dan van Voorhis

Who are You? With Dan van Voorhis

Dan continues his look at different kinds of Christians throughout history and asks you "how do you define yourself as a Christian?"

May 16, 202319:13
Pastor Courtney on the Weight of Grief, What NOT to Say, and the Gentleness of Jesus

Pastor Courtney on the Weight of Grief, What NOT to Say, and the Gentleness of Jesus

Pastor Courtney's maternal grandfather died on April 13, 2022. On the one-year anniversary of his passing, the family toasted him across the country. Then, on April 19, her paternal grandfather died.


Courtney reflects on her trip to Michigan for the funeral, on the weight of grief, the presence of Jesus, and how to walk alongside those going through seasons of sorrow.


Plus: Felicity Ellis refuses to pray for "bad guys."


May 09, 202326:12
Jeff Given Talks Tree Trimming 2.0

Jeff Given Talks Tree Trimming 2.0

Today, you determine the meaning and metaphor. When trimming a tree, which branches should be pruned? How do we determine when and how to prune them? And what might it all mean on a broader scale? You decide! And let us know what you discover.

May 02, 202327:21
Look at the birds! (Jesus and Pastor Courtney both say so)

Look at the birds! (Jesus and Pastor Courtney both say so)

Why Pastor Courtney can't get enough of the avian world. Plus: Jesus's words about the birds and how paying attention to nature can influence our spiritual lives for good.

Apr 25, 202318:30
The History of the Christian Life, part 2

The History of the Christian Life, part 2

Dan continues his look at the Christian Life throughout history

Apr 18, 202324:38