United Church of Cohoes
United Church of Cohoes
We are a Church in the heart of New York’s Capital Region that itself has a heart for the Capital Region! We believe in creating a space where all feel welcomed; where we can engage in community; and where we can show the love of Christ to those around us.
Episodes
Packed Up and Ready to Go!
This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark by looking at the account of how Jesus sent out the 12 disciples. Jesus’ instructions do two things. First, they separate his disciples from other traveling teachers or philosophers by ensuring they are not doing it to get rich. Second, they are harkening back to the first Passover and thus hinting that he, Jesus, is the ultimate fulfillment of that promise of salvation. Our main passage this week is: Mark 6:6b-13.
Mary Magdalene
This Thursday, we continue our series on the different women of the New Testament by examining the life or Mary Magdalene. We will walk through and read every gospel passage that talks about her. We then discuss how the Mary of the text differs from the Mary of Tradition and ponder what that has meant for the legacy of Mary and the role of women in the church as a whole.
Who Do You Think You Are, Mr. Fancy Pants
This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark by examining what happened when Jesus returned to teach in his hometown. We will see how because of past relationships and understandings this group was never going to accept Jesus and that Jesus had to trust their salvation to someone else other than himself. Our main passage this week is: Mark 6:1-6a.
Anna
This Thursday, we are jumping back into our series looking at women’s stories in the Bible. We turn our attention over into the New Testament. For this first story, we explore the person of Anna; the prophet who examined Jesus’ mission to others when he was only a few days old. Our main passage comes from Luke chapter 2.
Two Ships Passing in the Night
This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark by examining the story of Jairus’ daughter. We explore the continuing idea of faith. We then examine this story along side of last week’s story (the bleeding woman) and highlight just how different these two people are but the constant in their story is Jesus. Our main passage this week is: Mark 5:21-24, 35-43.
Can’t Touch This
This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark by examining the story of the bleeding woman being healed. We explore the idea of worthiness and how much we keep a tally of who does what around us. But our God does not do that, so it can be hard for us to accept being loved in that way. Our main passage this week is: Mark 5:21-34.
Psalm 13 - A Man After God's Own Heart
On this Thursday, we take a few moments to walk through a power psalm of lament. We explore what it means to be in lament and how God wants us to being our anger forward. Our main passage this week is: Psalm 13.
Choose a Path
This week, we are in between series. So, we will take a few moments and talk about the ‘little song book of the Bible” the Psalms. We will explore how Psalms 1 acts as a forward or preface to the entire collection and about the basic question it poses to us. Our main passages this week come from Psalms 1.
What Did You Say????
This week, we are in between series. So, we take some time to expand upon a point from last week—Moses at the burning bush. We examine just how significant it is that God told Moses the Divine Personal Name—how that shifts the relational dynamic, and what that means for us today. Our main passages this week come from Exodus 3:11-14.
Encanto
This week we wrap up our summer series “Theater and Theology” by looking at the movie Encanto. We look at the idea that Mirabel's story closely parallels the Moses story. We look at how each overcomes obstacles in order to save their family. Then we ask how can we mirror this same courage and way to live? Our main passages this week come from Exodus 2 and 5.
Avengers: Infinity War
This week we continue our summer series “Theater and Theology” by looking at the movie Avengers: Infinity War. We explore the idea of what was Jesus’ death like for God the Father. What conflicting emotions were at play. How can we make time for God, time to genuinely listen to God. Our main passages this week come from Isaiah 53 and 59.
Fight Club
This week we continue our summer series “Theater and Theology” by looking at the movie Fight Club. We explore the idea that Fight Club is modern retelling of the Book of Ecclesiastes. Both the main characters in the movie and the Narrator of Ecclesiastes struggle with the question of finding happiness in a broken world. We ask ourselves the question, ‘can we truly find happiness outside of God?’
The Martian
This week, continue our summer series, Theater and Theology, by looking at The Martian. This movie is about a group of people banding together to save one person. It shows how none of them could do it on their own, it is only when they set differences aside can they make a true difference. We liken that idea to the church—how the kingdom of God is spread through us putting our own individual egos aside and uniting under the idea of love. Our main passage this week is Luke 15:1-7.
Haunting of Hill House
This week, continue our Summer Series, Theater and Theology, by looking at The Haunting of Hill House. This story explores the idea of desire and what happens when good intentioned desires take over our lives. Hill House uses the Red Room against people, turning it into whatever would keep them pacify sitting in the house. The question becomes what would the Red Room turn into for you and how can we make sure Christ is our Treasure so that evil cannot use our desire against us? Our main passage this week is Luke 12:29-34.
Frozen 2
This week, continue our Summer Series, Theater and Theology, where we examine deep Biblical themes in some of our favorite movies, by looking at Frozen 2. We examine what it means to ‘do the next right thing’ and to take the ‘next faithful step’. By looking at Anna’s lowest moment, we can see some of ourselves and how Jesus knows that we need to take things one single step at a time. Our main passage this week is Psalm 119:81-87, 105.
X-men: Days of Future Past
This week, we kick off our Summer Series, Theater and Theology, where we examine deep Biblical themes in some of our favorite movies. First up, is X-men: Days of Future Past. We will see the story of Mystic and how her quest for vengeance has consequences beyond anything we could ever imagine. Then, we compare her story to the tale of Joseph, who also had to make a choice between vengeance and mercy. Jesus calls us to me merciful; how can we do that this week? Our main passage this week is Luke 6:31-37.
Halftime Review
This week, we pause for a moment to reflect back on the first half of 2026. We will reexamine our UP-IN-OUT goals from January and think of ways we can keep moving forward with them for the remaining part of this year. Our main passage this week is Matthew 22:37-40.
MUSTAAAAAARD
This week, we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. Jesus wraps up this parable section by talking about the mustard seed. From such a small seed the large mustard tree (or toothbrush tree!) grows. So it is with our walks. The smallest steps forward are to be celebrated. The smallest things we do for others can make the biggest impacts. How can we move the kingdom of Heaven from being like a single tree to an entire forest of love?! Our main passages this week are Mark 4:30-34.
That Wasn’t Listed in the Job Posting
This week, we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. Jesus continues teaching in parables, and this time it is about a farmer watching things grow. It reminds us that we are not the ones responsible for anyone’s salvation—that’s God’s job. Our Job is to love people and provides safe spaces where they can see the love of God. Our main passages this week are Mark 4:26-29.
Choose Your Own Adventure
This week, we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. Jesus tells the people that they will be judged in the exact same way we judge people. In essence, Jesus is saying that however we display God to others, is the God we will get in return. How does the way we portray and represent God impact how others see God? Our main passages this week are Mark 4:21-26.
The Story of Huldah
Tonight, we continue our Thursday night series ‘Women of the Bible’, by examining the story of Huldah. We examine questions of faith and repentance and how this Prophet from Judah reminded the king and all of us what it means to love God.
All in the Family
This week, we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. We look at a section where Jesus is confronted by his family. We will look at what does Jesus mean by family? What does family look like? We see just how important it can be to have a spiritual family and how we as the church can live into that model of living. Our main passages this week are Mark 3:31-35.
How to Burgel a House
This week, we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. We look at a section where Jesus is confronted by both his family and religious leaders. Jesus invokes the cultural memory of civil war to ask the people if they think he is of God or of Satan. We examine just what the ‘unforgivable sin’ is and what it shows us about God. Our main passages this week are Mark 3:20-30.
The Story of The Shunammite Woman
Tonight, we continue our Thursday night series ‘Women of the Bible’, by examining the story of The Shunammite Woman from 2 Kings 4 and 8. We will look at what it means to trust God and how we can who faith like her and partner with God on the Great mission of redeeming all things.
Team on Three: One, Two, Three….TEAM!
This week, we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. We transition to a section of Mark that revolves around calling and sending out the 12 apostles. We will examine how Jesus brought together people from all walks of life (and people who probably didn’t even like each other!) all for the furtherment of his mission of love and grace. Our main passages this week are Mark 3:7-19.
The Story of Abigail
Tonight, we continue our Thursday night series ‘Women of the Bible’, by examining the story of Abigail. We will see how God used Abigail as a calm voice and mentor toward David in a moment of sinful anger. We will ask, “what roles positive mentors play in our lives today?”
The Story of Ruth
Tonight, we continue our Thursday night series ‘Women of the Bible’, by examining the story of Ruth. We will explore the ideas of loyalty and love and then see how those ideas spread when we live them out in our daily lives.
Renewed Wine for Me, Please?
This week, Nick steps in as we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. We examine another controversy Jesus stirs up by not fasting at “appropriate times.” We will look at fasting as a whole but also how it relates to the metaphor of the new and renewed wine-skins. We will ask ourselves how fasting can being us closer to Jesus. Our main passages this week are Mark 2:18-22.
The Story of Deborah and Jael
Tonight, we continue our Thursday night series ‘Women of the Bible’, by examining the story of Deborah and Jael. We will explore the role these two played in the defense of the Northern Tribes of Israel and how Jael becomes a model of strength and remembered so fondly.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
This week, we continue our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. We examine another controversy Jesus stirs up by eating with tax collectors and sinners. We will explore how we are to bring this idea into our lives today and how we can shine the love of Christ to those around us. Our main passages this week are Mark 2:13-17.
The Story of Rahab
Tonight, we continue our Thursday night series ‘Women of the Bible’, by examining the story of Rahab. We will explore the role she played in the earliest days in the promised land. Then we will see how the New Testament writers held her up as a pillar of faith.
Special Delivery
This week, we jump back into our series walking through the Gospel of Mark. We enter a section of the story where Jesus starts to put himself at odds with the religious establishment of the day. We examine the idea that Jesus has authority for forgive all sins but also care about our individual problems and worries. Our main passages this week are Mark 2:1-12.
The Story of Miriam
Tonight, we kick off our new Thursday night series ‘Women of the Bible’, by examining the story of Miriam. We will explore some of the main passages that tell the story of Miriam. We will see how powerful a leader and prophet she is, but also how she struggled with pride and jealousy as well.
Easter 2026—Resurrected Bones
This week, we celebrate Easter! We look at the story of the dry bones from Ezekiel, and we see how that story came to glorious fruition with Jesus’ resurrection. We examine how sometimes we need to see small moments of hope before we can understand our ultimate hope Our main passages this week are Luke 24:1-10.
Wilderness: A Time of Comfort
This week, we continue our Lent series, “Into the Wilderness.” Today, we examine how wilderness times can be moments of comfort. We will explore the idea that comfort most ready comes from receiving hope—hope from God. There are many examples of God sending angles to comfort people and provide hope. How can we take part in this long tradition of being a messenger of God send to comfort and give hope. Our main passages this week are Mark 1:12-13.
Wilderness: A Time of Doubt
This week, we continue our Lent series, “Into the Wilderness.” Today, we examine how wilderness times are often times of doubt. We will explore why doubt has been so vilified by the church over the years. We look at how Jesus handed cases of doubt and then ask how do we embrace the idea of doubt as a way for us to grow? Our main passages this week are Mark 9:2—25.
Malachi
Tonight, we conclude our series on the Minor Prophets by diving into short book of Malachi. We examine how this book lays out some troubling behaviors by the people, but how it points to a coming home for all. We will conclude by briefly looking at the major themes that ran throughout the entire corpus of the minor prophets.
Wilderness: A Time of Dependence
This week, we continue our Lent series, “Into the Wilderness.” Today, we examine how wilderness times are often times of dependence. We will explore the notion that being dependent on God is not a bad thing, how over time we learn that God will be there for us in all the small ways we often don’t see; that just like the Children of Israel learned to depend on their daily bread we too have to learn to depend on daily mercies from God. Our main passages this week are Exodus 16:2-4.
Joel
Tonight, we continue our series on the Minor Prophets by diving into short book of Joel. We examine how this book walks the line of prophecy and apocalyptic literature. We then ask ourselves why this shift happened and what we do in moments when new do not see God moving as we would like.
Wilderness: A Time of Challenge
This week, we continue our Lent series, “Into the Wilderness.” Today, we examine how wilderness times are often the times when we are challenged the most. We will explore the idea that temptations are simply shortcuts that are presented to us that pull us off the path God wants us to be on. Our main passages this week are Matthew 4:1-11.
Zechariah (9-14)
Tonight, we continue our series on the Minor Prophets by diving into the second part of Zechariah. We look at the two oracles in these chapters and see what they meant for their day and how we can understand them today.
Wilderness: A Time of Learning
This week, we kick off our Lent series, “Into the Wilderness.” This week we examine how wilderness times are often the times when we learn the most about ourselves and what is important in our lives. We ask ourselves some questions that invite God to speak to us during these difficult times. Our main passages this week are Matthew 4:1-11.
A Touch of Grace
This week, we continue our new series journeying together through the book of Mark. Today, AJ shares with us about Jesus’ interaction with a man who was a leper. We look at how Jesus went out of his way to connect and love this person. We close by asking ourselves who are the lepers of today that society as a whole tells us we shouldn’t love, but Jesus tells us we should? Our main passages this week are Mark 1:40-46.
The Narrative Story of Ezra
Tonight, we take a half-sidestep from our Thursday evening series on the Minor Prophets by giving some narrative background via the book of Ezra. Ken will highlight the major points of the book and talk about the idea of reconciliation and how that theme is still so relevant for us today.
Zechariah (1-8)
Tonight, we continue our series on the Minor Prophets by diving into the first eight chapters of Zechariah. We will walk through the 8 visions of Zechariah and examine how they come together to paint a picture of what God wants to do in the land of Israel at the time and in our world today.
Jesus Shaped Ministry
This week, we continue our new series journeying together through the book of Mark. Today, we examine the second half of Jesus’ first real day of ministry as present in Mark. We will highlight 5 themes that are laid out in this first day that we will see grow through the book. We end by asking ourselves, “how can we live into these themes that Jesus presented in this section?” Our main passages this week are Mark 1:29-39.
Scooby Doo Demons
This week, we continue our new series journeying together through the book of Mark. Today we will look at Jesus’ first healing in the book of Mark, the casting out of a demon. We will explore how most of the time the demons we face are the people around us wearing false faces or masks hiding their true intent or desire. Our main passages this week are Mark 1:21-28.
Haggai
Tonight, we continue our Thursday evening series on the Minor Prophets by walking through the book of Haggai. We will see how the leaders of the newly returned Israel let their own pride and ambition get in the way of the amazing plan God had for them and what it cost them. We will then ask ourselves ‘in what whys do we continue to do this same thing today?” Discussion Questions: 1) The people squandered the gifts God gave them; how do we do this same thing today? 2) What are the positive and negative elements of “those who saw the former glory”? 3) The analogy of evil spreading faster than holiness is powerful. How should we internalize this and reinterpret for ourselves today?
Ambassadors of Heaven
This week, we continue our new series journeying together through the book of Mark. Today, we will examine how Jesus gathers his first disciples and just what that means. We explore the idea of just what it means to be an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven. Our main passages this week are Mark 1:14-20.
Obadiah
Tonight, we continue our Thursday evening series on the Minor Prophets by walking through the book of Obadiah. We will read this book through the lens of seeing it within its cultural context and its continuing meaning for us today. What does it look like to hold the tension of justice and forgiveness in tandem? Discussion Questions: 1) How do you balance a book like this with Jesus’ notion of forgiveness and turn the other cheek? 2) Edom put too much significance in its own strength. In what ways do we do this still today? 3) Obadiah was written in a time of struggle and grief. How do we react in times when we feel abandoned by God?