Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️ In this fourth week of Advent, James White, Amanda White, Derek Harding, and Jill Taylor tackle a question most of us have never considered: What if Mary had said no? We're taking a fresh look at Mary—not as a silent figure in a nativity scene, but as a courageous teenage girl who risked everything to say yes to God.

Why did God choose someone so young, so insignificant, from such an obscure place? And what does her story teach us about our own response to God's call? Whether you're making excuses about why you can't serve, clinging to control of your carefully planned life, or wondering if you're really equipped for what God is asking of you, this conversation is for you. Pull up a chair—we're getting honest about openness.

In This Episode:

• How Protestants view Mary (and why we're not quite sure what to do with her)
• Why God consistently chooses the humble and insignificant for His greatest work
• The real risks Mary took: death by stoning, social exile, poverty, and abandonment
• Was Mary "meek and mild" or a woman of fierce courage and backbone?
• Wrestling with free will: Did Mary really have a choice, or did God already know her answer?
• The excuses we make when God calls us (and why they don't work)
• How surrendering control challenges us—especially when we think we know best
• Recognizing and encouraging the "Mary" in others around us

📚 Resources & Scripture Referenced:

• Luke 1:26-38 (The Annunciation - Gabriel's visit to Mary)
• Romans 12:1 (Paul's call to be "living sacrifices")
• Reflections from Amanda's Advent Bible study on being "anointed by God"
• Historical context: Nazareth as an insignificant town of 300-400 people
• Elizabeth's role in affirming Mary (Luke 1:39-45)

Sermon Excerpt: Pastor Ginger shares the moment in her Advent study when someone asked, "What if Mary had said no?"—and how she'd never even considered Mary's free will before.

🎄 Advent Series: Stillness | Longing | Openness | Wonder

This conversation will challenge you to ask: What would happen if I said no to God? Who wouldn't hear about Jesus because I closed the door? If you've ever felt inadequate for the task God is calling you to, or if you're struggling to let go and trust His plan, this episode will encourage you to find the "Mary within you."

Welcome to a special episode of Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️

This week, Pastor Ginger and McKenzie Wyatt-Hartgrove (mental health therapist at Wheeler) have an honest, heartfelt conversation about the struggles many face during the holiday season. Recorded during a difficult time for Ginger personally, this episode gets real about grief, loneliness, addiction recovery, and finding peace when Christmas doesn't feel merry.

Whether you're missing a loved one this year, feeling isolated in your community, navigating sobriety during a high-risk season, or just struggling to find joy amid the chaos, this conversation is for you. Pull up a chair — you're not alone in this.

In This Episode:

• Why 89% of Americans report increased stress during the holidays
• How to navigate that first (or second) holiday season after loss
• When grief becomes debilitating and needs professional help
• The importance of boundaries and learning to say "no"
• Practical ways to honor loved ones during the holidays
• Supporting friends and family who are struggling (and what NOT to say)
• Finding community when you feel alone

📚 Resources & Service Announcement:

• Blue Christmas Service: December 21st, 6pm at Wheeler UMC (211 North Sandth Street, near Tri-Cities Airport)
• A quiet, reflective worship service for those struggling during the holiday season
• Statistics from the American Psychological Association (2023 survey on holiday stress)

This is not your typical holiday episode — and that's exactly why it matters. If you or someone you know is struggling this season, we hope this conversation brings comfort, validation, and practical support.

Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️

In this second week of Advent, James, Derek, Sarah, and Amanda dive into Pastor Ginger's sermon on "Longing" — and it gets real. We talk about the parts of Christmas no one posts on Instagram: feeling abandoned by God, being angry in the desert, and why it's okay to lament during the "most wonderful time of the year."

Whether you're grieving a loved one this Christmas, struggling with your mental health, or just feeling like God isn't listening, this conversation is for you. Pull up a chair — we're getting honest.

In This Episode:

• Personal stories of feeling forsaken by God (and what happened after)
• Why we're afraid to voice our deepest longings
• The Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote that changed how we see God's presence
• How writing laments (or listening to Lauren Daigle) can bring healing
• Who has "birthed Jesus" for you in hard times?

📚 Resources & Citations Referenced:

• Isaiah 64:8-12 (The prophet's lament after exile)
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison (1944)
• Fred Rogers on "looking for the helpers"
• Blue Christmas Service announcement (December 21st, 6pm)

Sermon Excerpt: Pastor Ginger shares her story of screaming at God in the New Mexico desert — and why God can handle it.