Orchard Conversations

This week, we begin our new series, “The Jesus Sermon,” diving into the Beatitudes and their radical vision for a life aligned with God’s values. We start with “Poor in Spirit,” exploring what it means to reach the end of our rope and find, in that humility, a deeper connection to the Divine. Join us as we uncover how these ancient teachings speak to our present moment, offering hope, peace, and a new way forward.
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Question for contemplation and conversation:
What assumptions have you held about the poor? How does this first beatitude challenge or disrupt those assumptions? Could this impact your generosity?
Fr. Richard Rohr: “The higher up you are in the system the more trapped you are. The more you’re outside the system, the freer you are.” Where – or how – might this be true in your life? What is your position costing you?
Our desire to strive for wealth or status often comes from fear. Where in your life do you tend towards worry and anxiety? What does this tell you about what is important to you? 
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 5 - "Are any of you suffering hardships?"
This week, we look at James 5:13-20, and how a community built on prayer and vulnerability can lead to healing and transformation for all its members.
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Question for contemplation and conversation:
How has prayer been a lifeline for you in times of difficulty or joy, and in what ways might you be invited to deepen your practice of prayer?
How can you practice being more vulnerable and open in your relationships, especially when it comes to confessing struggles and receiving support from others?
What role has community played in your personal healing and growth, and how can you actively contribute to making your community a place of grace and restoration?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 5 - "Now listen, you rich people..."
This week, we look at James 5:1-12, and explore how we can be people who approach huge problems of injustice like economic differences, caring for the environment, and even political divides with a sense of abundance first and trust in one another.
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Question for contemplation and conversation:
How do my own attitudes and actions contribute to or perpetuate injustice? In what ways can I demonstrate greater compassion and solidarity with those who are suffering?
How can I work with others in my community to address issues of injustice? What are some mindset shifts I might need to make to do this well?
How can I deepen my faith and trust in God's promises, especially in the face of adversity? What practices can help me cultivate patience, perseverance, and a sense of hope?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 4 - "You don't know the first thing about tomorrow..."
This week, we dive into James 4:13-17, exploring what it means to live in the present and let go of our need to control the future. Building on last week’s message, we talk about how to embrace the moment and be open to the ways we can show love in our everyday lives. Join us for a time of reflection and conversation as we learn to trust in the flow of life and find peace in the present.
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Question for contemplation and conversation:
How do you personally navigate the tension between planning for the future and staying fully present in the moment? What practices help you find balance?
In what areas of your life do you struggle with surrendering control? How might trusting in the divine flow change your perspective or actions in those areas?
Can you share a recent experience where you felt truly present and aware of the sacredness of the moment? How did that awareness impact your actions or thoughts in that situation?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 4 - "You want what you don't have..."
This week, we dive into James 4:1-10, where we confront the internal conflicts that disrupt our peace and learn how they connect to the broader conflicts in our world. Discover how to find true, lasting peace in the midst of life’s storms as we align our hearts with God’s will.
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Question for contemplation and conversation:
Where are we at war within?
What desires are driving us and how are they affecting our relationships, our peace and our sense of wellbeing?
What are we trying to control that we need to surrender?
Where do we feel resistance, and how might that resistance be an invitation to let go?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 3 - "If we could control our tongues..."
This weekend we continue our “Beyond Words” series, diving into the third Chapter of James for inspiration on how to live out a life of aligned action. 
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Question for contemplation and conversation:
What goodness and beauty can you name, out loud, in your life right now?
What goodness can you name in others? Can you share those words with them? (If not, what is preventing you?)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 2 - "Love others as you love yourself."
This weekend we continue our “Beyond Words” series, where we’ll dive into the second chapter of James. We’ll explore the radical call to love our neighbors as ourselves, challenging us to extend true hospitality and compassion in a world that desperately needs it. Let’s gather to reflect on how we can put our faith into action and make a difference in our communities.
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 1 - "You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry."
Join us for “Beyond Words: James’ Perspective on Actionable Faith,” a five-week teaching series exploring the practical wisdom of the Book of James. Each week, we’ll walk through one of the five chapters, focusing on the vital importance of living out our faith rather than merely believing it in our heads or talking about it. Through themes of actionable faith, radical inclusivity, and the transformative power of our words, we will embrace an embodied spirituality. Together, we will engage in meaningful discussions and activities that inspire humility, curiosity, and a deeper connection with our community. Let’s journey beyond words and embody a faith that transforms and renews.
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Question for contemplation and conversation:
Reflect on a time when you felt truly heard and understood. How did that experience impact your relationship with the listener?
What practices can you adopt to become a more attentive and present listener in your daily interactions?
Recall a situation where you reacted in anger. How might the outcome have been different if you had paused and responded thoughtfully?
What strategies can you use to create a space between stimulus and reaction, allowing for more compassionate responses?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com