Pastor Zach Stiefel sits down with Dr. Kave Green to continue our Holy Week journey through the Gospel of Matthew.
Today’s discussion focuses on Matthew 27:15–26 as they reflect on Good Friday. Zach and Kave explore powerful questions from this passage:
How did God speak through Pilate’s wife? What happened to Barabbas next? In what way are we like Barabbas?
As we remember the depth of Christ’s sacrifice, we invite you to join First Grapevine Methodist Church this Easter Sunday for a time of worship and celebration.
Easter Sunday Services:
7:30 AM – Sunrise Service (Botanical Garden)
8:30 AM – Traditional Service (Sanctuary, full orchestra & choir)
9:45 AM – Contemporary Service (Botanical Garden)
11:00 AM – Traditional Service (Sanctuary, full orchestra & choir)
Come celebrate the hope and victory of Easter with us!

Pastor Zach Stiefel and Dr. Keva Green have a discussion on one of the most intimate and weighty moments in the Gospel narrative—Gospel of Matthew 26:17–28, the Last Supper.

That scene isn’t just a historical event; it’s written in a way that invites you to feel what it was like in the room.

First, imagine the setting: a Passover meal, something deeply familiar to every disciple. This wasn’t random—it ties directly to Passover, a celebration of deliverance. Then Jesus reframes it in real time. Bread and wine—ordinary elements—suddenly become symbols of His body and blood. That shift alone would have been disorienting and profound.

Then comes the emotional weight:

When Jesus says one of them will betray Him, every disciple asks, “Is it I, Lord?”
That question reveals something deeply human: uncertainty about their own hearts. They don’t point fingers—they look inward.

Judas’ presence adds tension. Jesus knows yet still shares the meal with him. That’s a powerful picture of grace offered even in betrayal.

Zach and Keva continue their discussion with Jesus washing the disciples’ feet (from Gospel of John 13). When you place that alongside Matthew 26, it deepens the moment: the one they call Lord takes the posture of a servant. In that culture, foot-washing was lowly work. The shock in the room must have been real confusion mixed with awe.

Being “plugged into” Jesus—connects directly to what’s happening there. The Last Supper isn’t just about remembering; it’s about participation:

Staying close. Receiving from Him. Letting Him redefine what life, leadership, and love look like.

A helpful way to think about it: the disciples were physically in the room, but even they were still learning what it meant to truly abide. That idea gets fully expressed later in Gospel of John, “abide in me.”

Imagining the room isn’t just about visuals—it’s about tension, humility, confusion, love, and an invitation: to move from just being near Jesus… to being deeply connected to Him.

Pastor Zach Stiefel sits down with Children’s Director Lucy Magill to continue our series of Holy Week discussions as we walk through the Gospel of Matthew.

This conversation reflects on “Silent Wednesday” during Holy Week—a day that feels quiet, almost uneventful on the surface, yet deeply meaningful beneath it.

Zach and Lucy begin with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 22:34–40, where He gives the greatest commandment: to love God—heart, soul, and mind. This sets the tone for everything that follows. Before the intensity of the cross, Jesus centers things on relationship, not activity.

They then move to Matthew 26:1–5, where the tension is building behind the scenes. While not much appears to be happening publicly, significant things are unfolding quietly—plans are forming, and Jesus is preparing internally for what’s ahead.

Key ideas from the discussion:

1. The meaning of “Silent Wednesday”
It’s called “silent” because there’s no major recorded public event. But that silence isn’t emptiness—it’s intentional. Jesus uses this time to rest, reflect, and prepare for Passover and ultimately the cross. It reminds us that not all important spiritual moments are visible or dramatic.

2. A deeply personal commandment
The phrase “You shall love the Lord your God…” isn’t abstract—it’s relational. Lucy highlights how even a simple prayer like “Hey God” shows that faith starts with personal connection, not performance or perfection.

3. Trusting God in the quiet
One of the hardest parts of faith is when nothing seems to be happening—no clear answers, no big emotional experiences. Silent Wednesday represents those seasons. The question becomes:
Can you trust God when He feels quiet?

4. Spiritual formation isn’t always loud
Not every moment with God is powerful or obvious. Some of the most important growth happens in stillness, waiting, and unseen preparation—just like this day in Jesus’ life.

Pastor Zach Stiefel sits down with contemporary worship leader Gary Edwards to continue our Holy Week journey through the Gospel of Matthew. In this episode, they reflect on Chapter 21 and the unfolding tension of Tuesday—a day marked by overturned tables, a cursed fig tree, and mounting conflict that points toward the cross.

This conversation explores what it means to be “mid-bloom”—that in-between space where growth is happening, but fullness hasn’t yet arrived. It’s a place of tension, testing, and transformation.

Gary shares practical and thought-provoking insights for ministry and everyday faith:

Repetition brings assimilation — spiritual growth requires consistency.

There’s a difference between working your gift and working your gift with God — calling without connection leads to emptiness.

Mastery doesn’t mean relationship — skill alone isn’t intimacy with God.

This ain’t Disney—this is real life, and real life requires real relationships — faith is not polished perfection, but authentic.

Pastor Zach Stiefel and Youth Director Josh Ingram kick off a meaningful Holy Week series by walking through Matthew 21, setting the stage for the days leading to Easter.
They reflect on the powerful reminder: “If you’re not plugged in, you’re not powered.” Just like the fig tree Jesus curses, a life disconnected from God may look alive—but bears no real fruit.
The conversation also highlights the sharp shift from the celebration of Palm Sunday to what they call “Fist Monday”—a moment where Jesus turns over tables in the temple, revealing His passion for true worship and a heart aligned with God.
They also introduce the idea of a breath prayer—a simple, intentional way to stay connected to God throughout your day by pairing short prayers with your breathing.
A thoughtful and practical start to reflecting on Holy Week and what it means to stay spiritually connected.

In this session, Pastor Zach Stiefel and Dr. Keva Green walk through Gospel of John 6:35–40, unpacking Jesus’ declaration as the “Bread of Life.” They explore what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the promise that those who come to Christ will never be cast out, and the assurance of eternal life for those who believe.

They also introduce and discuss the SOAP method as a practical tool for daily Scripture study:

S – Scripture: Write out the passage you’re reading.

O – Observation: Note what stands out—key themes, repeated words, context, or questions.

A – Application: Reflect on how the passage applies personally to your life.

P – Prayer: Respond to God in prayer based on what you’ve read.

Together, they model how John 6:35–40 can be studied using SOAP, encouraging believers to develop a consistent, thoughtful approach to engaging with Scripture on a daily basis.

Pastor Zach Stiefel sits down with Dr. Keva Green as they look towards the Season of Lent.

Pastor Zach Stiefel sits down with Dr. Keva Green for a thoughtful and encouraging conversation reflecting on the joys and milestones of the church in 2025 and looking ahead to what God is calling the community into in 2026. Together, they also explore themes from the current sermon series, “Faith and God’s Actions,” discussing how faith is shaped, strengthened, and lived out through God’s work in and among the church. This conversation offers both reflection and hope as the congregation prepares for the year ahead.