Coffee To Go Episodes
Coffee to Go is a regular feature on Faith Unfiltered Podcast that invites listeners into the sacred rhythm of the Christian liturgical year. Hosted by Karin Peter and Blake Smith, each episode offers a thoughtful reflection on the seasons, scriptures, and holy days that shape our spiritual journey.
Whether you’re on your morning commute, taking a walk, or pausing for a quiet moment, Coffee to Go provides a companionable space for grounding yourself in the story of God — one sacred moment at a time.
Because sometimes, the Spirit speaks best in the spaces between… and a little coffee doesn’t hurt, either.
Whether you’re on your morning commute, taking a walk, or pausing for a quiet moment, Coffee to Go provides a companionable space for grounding yourself in the story of God — one sacred moment at a time.
Because sometimes, the Spirit speaks best in the spaces between… and a little coffee doesn’t hurt, either.
Dec. 6, 2025
657 | Coffee to Go | Second Sunday of Advent (RE-POST)
Are you ready to be fully immersed in something new? Put on your seatbelts and hold on to your hats. Today’s lectionary passage comes from Mark and he doesn’t waste any time with a beautiful birth narrative or an account of divine lineage. It’s straight to the business of preparing the way for the one greater than I/us. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a closer look at the task given to John the Baptist, and to us. You’ll get a chance to consider what opportunities you ought to conside...
Nov. 29, 2025
655 | Coffee to Go | First Sunday of Advent (RE-POST)
It may be the beginning of a season of waiting, but not here at Project Zion! Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith jump right into the new Lectionary year … journeying with Jesus through the gospel narratives. That’s right, we’re journeying with Jesus and waiting for him to be born. The important thing is that, on this First Sunday of Advent, as the world around us seems to be awash in darkness, we know that just around the corner, the light is coming! Be awake!! Listen to more episodes in the ...
Nov. 22, 2025
652 | Coffee to Go | Reign of Christ (RE-POST)
“Did I do that?!” When Urkel asked that question in the TV show “Family Matters,” it was usually because he had done something wrong. But that is not the case when referring to Christ’s mission and the Reign of Christ. As a matter of fact, we should hope that the answer would be a resounding “Yes.” Join co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they discuss this week’s journey with Jesus, where Jesus is summarizing through parable what really separates the “sheep” from the “goats.” Then ask yourse...
Nov. 16, 2025
650 | Coffee to Go | Proper 28 (RE-POST)
Doing nothing is an unacceptable response! What’s the worst thing that can happen if you take a risk here or there? The treasure that we have been given … the Gospel story … won’t do anyone any good if we “bury” it for safekeeping. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look at the parable of the talents and the importance of becoming a risk-taker. Accept the challenge to share the treasure you’ve been given. You’re not in this alone. Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series. ...
Nov. 8, 2025
647 | Coffee to Go | Proper 27 (RE-POST)
In need of an “oil change?” Or, perhaps your oil is just running a little low and you need to top it off. Either way, the time is now... don’t wait! What’s all this talk about oil, you ask? Well, join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith … along with the wise and foolish bridesmaids (hint... hint) for this episode of Coffee to Go to hear about how oil is a metaphor for our commitment to follow Jesus... at least in this week’s text. And, for the record, when it comes to discipleship, having a backup...
Nov. 1, 2025
645 | Coffee to Go | Proper 26 (RE-POST)
Do you have phylacteries and long tassels (fancy cars, designer clothing and accessories, etc.) that you like to show off as a symbol of your status? Though there’s nothing wrong with having those things, how you display them, and for what reason, might matter. The same is true for your life as a disciple. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they discuss what Jesus had to say about those who choose status and power over humility and servanthood. No judgment here. Just honest reflection in ...
Oct. 31, 2025
644 | Coffee to Go | All Saints Day (RE-POST)
Who are the “Saints” in your life? You know, the ones that have been a positive influence in your life. The ones who have modeled grace and generosity and unconditional love. In this special episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith talk a bit about the importance of honoring those who have gone before us and remembering the impact they’ve had in our lives. But wait, being a disciple calls us to the same responsibility with regard to others. Where might your name fall in the lis...
Oct. 25, 2025
909 | Coffee to Go | Proper 25 | Year C
Are you more like the judgmental Pharisee or the humble tax collector? This week on Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith dive into Jesus' challenge to those who regard others with contempt. Learn why self-righteousness is different from true righteousness and how to choose mercy. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Eve...
Oct. 18, 2025
906 | Coffee to Go | Proper 24
An unjust judge and the persistent widow walk into the Gospel of Luke, and guess who gets served... well, that depends on your perspective. For hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, the unjust judge got served (called out) and the persistent woman got served (blessed). As always, Jesus stands on the side of the oppressed and marginalized. True justice requires both prayer and action in a world where justice means being in harmony with God’s created order. Listen in this week and then take some time...
Oct. 11, 2025
903 | Coffee to Go | Proper 23 | Year C
More often than we’d probably like to admit, it’s an “outsider” who gets Jesus and his mission before we ... his disciples and followers ... we do. We’re the ones who are supposed to follow in his footsteps and do what he did, but too often we are more like his original disciples who kept getting tripped up by the “law” and miss the lesson behind it. Perhaps it’s time for us to spend less time worrying about who’s crossing our borders and thinking about what borders we need to cross in order to ...
Oct. 4, 2025
901 | Coffee to Go | Proper 22 | Year C
If you can’t take it with you, how will you spend it? That goes for time as well as money. Today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke challenges our willingness to be radical in how we use our “wealth.” How often do we consider the needs and welfare of others when determining how to use what we have? The rich man in the parable found in today’s scripture not only takes it with him, but expects to continue to be served even after his death. The cost ... well, you’ll just have to listen in. If you wo...
Sept. 27, 2025
899 | Coffee to Go | Proper 21 | Year C
Enough is enough! We can hesitate. We can procrastinate. We can make excuses. The reality is, like Jesus’ first disciples, we have what we need to get the job done. You know... the one we committed to when we became disciples ourselves. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look at today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke. See if you look at the scripture from a more pastoral perspective or from a more, dare we say, realistic perspective. Could it be that sometimes Jesus just wants to knoc...
Sept. 20, 2025
896 | Coffee to Go | Proper 20 | Year C
How do we use our skills and resources for "Kingdom purposes?" This week on "Coffee to Go," we're talking about money, blessing, and the political implications of the Gospel with two challenging parables from the book of Luke. The discussion centers on the themes of financial stewardship, social justice, and radical discipleship. Blake and Karin question the notion that financial success is a divine blessing, instead suggesting that true blessings lie in using one's skills and resources for "...
Sept. 13, 2025
893 | Coffee to Go | Proper 19 | Year C
Celebrating is always fun, but it’s even better when shared with family and friends. In today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus intervenes amidst criticism from religious leaders for dining with sinners and tax collectors, whom society considered traitors. Through parables of a shepherd finding his lost sheep and a woman recovering a lost coin, Jesus illustrates the joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents compared to 99 righteous individuals. And, in both stories, a crowd is invited to ...
Sept. 6, 2025
890 | Coffee to Go | Proper 18 | Year C
It’s not uncommon to sing songs or participate in activities in which we talk about laying down our burdens. And yet, Jesus says, “take up your cross and follow me.” What’s it going to be... or is it a little of both? Well, in this week’s Gospel passage from the 14th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, it seems that the cross wins. No one ever said being a disciple was going to be easy, but Jesus did say we wouldn’t have to do it alone. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they consider what it ...
Aug. 31, 2025
888 | Coffee to Go | Proper 17 | Year C
The “H” words of the day and not honor or homage, but rather, humility and hospitality. Of such is the upside-down Kingdom of God. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation on the passage from Luke 14 that challenges social norms by inviting diverse individuals to meals and encourages us to consider our personal social obligations. Grab a seat ... just be careful which one you choose ... and a cup of coffee and get ready to be honest with yourself. Don’t get too comfortable, you ...
Aug. 24, 2025
885 | Coffee to Go | Proper 16 | Year C
Laws have their place, but when it comes to following a law ... especially “God’s law” ... at the expense of someone’s dignity, we may need to look deeper into the intent of the law. In today’s text from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus pushes the religious leaders to think carefully about the true meaning of Sabbath, and to consider how a legalistic view can actually cause harm which is never God’s intent. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation about Sabbath as Jesus suggests it is ...
Aug. 17, 2025
882 | Coffee to Go | Proper 15 | Year C
Sometimes the Gospel writers don’t catch Jesus at his most pastoral moments. Sometimes Jesus just needs to get straight to the point. This week’s passage from the Gospel of Luke is one of those not so “happy Jesus” passages. Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the context of Jesus' teachings amidst poverty and oppression, emphasizing the need for discipleship and standing against unjust systems. They remind us of the importance of interpreting cultural signs and the challenges of following...
Aug. 10, 2025
879 | Coffee to Go | Proper 14 | Year C
It’s important to remember that we are always being sent as empowered disciples to live Jesus' ministry and message. The focus of this week’s Coffee to Go episode is Luke 12:32-40, which urges believers to prepare for God's Kingdom by focusing on the present and always being ready for God's purposes. Jesus' audience in the midst of a kingdom, and so do we ... though we don’t call it a kingdom. We need to be vigilant and ready, engaging in intentional quiet time to discern God's presence and r...
Aug. 3, 2025
876 | Coffee to Go | Proper 13 | Year C
Greed and the accumulation of material possessions are encouraged in our North American context, but they’re not something we like to talk a lot about. Could it be that’s because it sometimes touches a little close to home? Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith reflect on a parable where a rich man builds larger barns, only to be reminded of his mortality. The conversation touches on the cultural shift from a "just wants and needs" setup to modern consumerism, emphasizing the challenge of defining "...
July 27, 2025
873 | Coffee to Go | Proper 12 | Year C
This week on Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore "the other Lord's Prayer" from Luke 11:1-13. They delve into the practical, concise nature of Luke's version compared to Matthew's , discussing what it means to ask for "daily bread" and the profound implications of "forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us". Join us as we reflect on persistence in prayer and consider writing your own personal prayer. Download Transcript Thanks for listening ...
July 20, 2025
870 | Coffee to Go | Proper 11 | Year C
We all make judgements about how people act or respond in certain situations or to certain circumstances ... ultimately deciding which is the “better” response or action. We can’t help ourselves. In today’s gospel passage from the Gospel of Luke, we find ourselves watching as two sisters respond differently to Jesus’ presence, and one of them tries to get Jesus to choose sides. In reality, we all respond to things in different ways, and one is not necessarily better than others... at least not a...
July 13, 2025
867 | Coffee to Go | Proper 10 | Year C
“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” At least once the Good Samaritan comes along. This week’s episode has Karin and Blake journeying with Jesus in the 10th chapter of Luke, and talking about what it takes to be “like a good neighbor...” Karin encourages us to emphasize hospitality as a counter to hostility, and rate ourselves on a five-point scale for compassion. Where would you rank yourself ... hostile or hospitable? Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follo...
July 6, 2025
864 | Coffee to Go | Proper 9 | Year C
It’s one thing to say, “Don’t worry, God will take care of you,” but it’s quite another to live it out. As a matter of fact, some would argue that God gives us brains so we can think about what we need and plan accordingly. But... in this week’s passage from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples to go out and witness ... and take nothing with you. WHAT!? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation on living in the hospitality that is the kingdom of God. Download Transcript...