Episode Description / Show Notes

As we continue our Advent series Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room, this week’s Bible study centers on a simple but challenging question, are we actually making room for Jesus, or are our hearts just too crowded?

In this episode, we talk about the difference between wanting more of God and creating space for more of God. Using the Christmas story, practical illustrations, and Scripture, we explore how busyness, noise, and even good things can quietly crowd out God’s presence.

You’ll hear encouragement to slow down, clear the clutter, and intentionally open your heart to the Lord again. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about space. A heart that makes room is a heart God loves to fill.

What We Talk About

• Why “no room in the inn” still speaks to our lives today

• How spiritual saturation can block awareness of God’s voice

• The difference between sin and weight, and why both matter

• Clearing emotional, mental, and spiritual clutter

• Why making room invites God to do more within us

• A simple Advent challenge you can practice all week

Key Scriptures

Luke 2.7

Psalm 46.10

Jeremiah 29.13

Psalm 139.23–24

Luke 10.38–42

Isaiah 40.3–4

Hebrews 12.1

Psalm 51.10

Revelation 3.20

This Week’s Challenge

Each day, choose one area of your life to open to God, a habit, a worry, a moment in your schedule. Whisper the prayer, “Jesus, there is room for You here,” and watch how awareness and peace begin to grow.

Stay Connected

Find sermons, Bible studies, giving options, events, and more through our Linktree

https://linktr.ee/ctrfallriver

Thanks for listening.

We’re praying this episode helps you slow down, clear space,

and prepare your heart for what God wants to do in this season.

This week, Pastor Rob and Tim sit down to unpack Week 2 of our Christmas series, Songs of the Season, with a message built around one simple truth, you were made to shine.

If you’ve ever felt like the misfit, the odd one out, or the person who doesn’t quite fit the mold, this episode is for you. We talk Rudolph, real struggles, biblical callings, and why God often uses the very things we try to hide.

Inside this conversation

• Why God never makes mistakes when He creates someone

• How your “red nose” might actually be your calling

• Moses, Jeremiah, Mary, Gideon, David, and what they teach us about feeling unqualified

• How the enemy uses shame and old labels to hold us back

• Trading sorrow for joy and fear for confidence (Psalm 30)

• Why God’s timing is always right, even when it feels slow

• How Robert May’s real-life heartbreak shaped Rudolph and ended up redeeming his story

• Encouragement for anyone who feels overlooked or forgotten

Key Scriptures

Psalm 139:14

Jeremiah 1:5

Ephesians 2:10

2 Corinthians 12:9

Psalm 30

Galatians 4:4

Romans 8:28

Matthew 5:16

Need prayer?

We’d love to stand with you. Use the prayer link on our Linktree to reach out anytime.

Everything CTR in one place

Sermons, prayer requests, giving, food pantry support, tower restoration, events, and more

👉 https://linktr.ee/ctrfallriver

If today’s episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that God created them on purpose and for a purpose.

You were made to shine. ✨

He Came To Be With Us:

Why God’s Presence Changes Everything

Episode Summary

In this week’s episode, Pastor Rob dives deeper into the Thursday night Advent study on Immanuel: God With Us. Whether you were in the room tonight or you’re listening from home, this expanded conversation will strengthen your faith, stretch your perspective, and remind you that God’s presence is personal, constant, and more than enough.

We explore big faith, “hippo-sized” prayers, the power of praise, and how to walk with God during the “not yet” seasons of life.

You’ll also hear updates on outreach, worship highlights from tonight, prayer needs, and what’s coming up this weekend at CTR.

Key Scriptures from Today’s Episode

Matthew 1:23

Isaiah 7:14

John 1:14

John 14:23

Psalm 34:18

Hebrews 13:5

Psalm 139:7–10

Romans 8:26

Isaiah 9:6

Psalm 46:1

Romans 8:32

Psalm 115:1

Episode Highlights

• Why Immanuel isn’t just a Christmas idea; it is a daily reality

• What it means to want MORE of God

• Why silence never means absence

• How to practice awareness of God’s presence

• Why your praise matters and why God deserves the glory for your breakthroughs

• A reminder about hippo-sized faith and daring prayers

• Outreach updates and how God is preparing CTR to serve our city

• Worship recap and prayer for Jonathan’s healing

Upcoming CTR Events

• Men’s Prayer at Spindle City Church Saturday 9am

Carpool available from CTR. Let’s show up strong.

• Cocoa & Carols Sunday Night

Set-up at 4pm, event begins at 6pm

A free night of joy, worship, and Christmas cheer

Bring somebody with you.

• Sunday Morning

Week 2 of “Songs of the Season” continues.

Resources Mentioned

DeGarmo & Key Casual Christian

https://youtu.be/pccjua26Yos?si=qCRNIh6ltkgPYcap

Amy Grant – Emmanuel

https://youtu.be/hUGZ6wMD-oU?si=h_iD4eQn-Y46HKeE

More Love More Power

https://youtu.be/q539OrgDxk0?si=LEosyCDMLTwhlZ_y

CTR Linktree (Give, Connect, Watch)

https://linktr.ee/ctrfallriver

🎙️ SHOW NOTES – Songs of the Season, Week 1

Episode Title: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

This week on The Rock Sermon Podcast, we kicked off our Christmas series Songs of the Season with one of the funniest songs of all time, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.

As silly as it sounds, this little tune gives us a big reminder about childlike faith, bold prayers, and believing God for things that only He can do.

We talked through why God invites us to ask big, how disappointment tries to shrink our faith, and how Romans 8:32 tells us that if God gave us Jesus, He won’t hold back anything we truly need.

If you missed the sermon or just want to dig deeper, this conversation will bless you.

And hey, this Sunday evening at 6pm, we have Cocoa & Carols

at Christ The Rock. It’s a free community night filled with Christmas music, hot chocolate, and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

This is one of the easiest nights of the year to invite a friend or neighbor who might be nervous about coming to church.

Bring someone with you and celebrate the season with us.

Want to connect more with CTR?

Everything you need is right here:

👉 https://linktr.ee/ctrfallriver

Prayer requests

Event info

Sermons

Giving opportunities

Food pantry support

…and more.

Thanks for listening! If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs a boost of faith this Christmas.

The Rock Sermon Podcast

Episode: “Thanks, But No Thanks — A Thanksgiving Heart”

This week Pastor Rob and Tim walk through Sunday’s message and dive a little deeper into living with gratitude, even when life hands us things we never asked for. From Paul’s joy in prison to finding thanksgiving in our own unchosen moments, this conversation is packed with encouragement for your week.

You’ll also hear some great behind-the-scenes moments from Sunday, including Eli’s baby dedication, Jimmy stepping into his calling as deacon, and the beautiful unity God is building in our church family.

Important Update

There is no midweek class this week so enjoy the time with your families and keep leaning into gratitude.

Upcoming Event

Cocoa & Carols

Sunday December 7, 2025 at 6pm

A free community event at Christ The Rock

Bring the whole family for a cozy Christmas night filled with music, cocoa, and community.

Want to stay connected?

Use our Linktree to:

• Submit a prayer request

• Find our social media

• Watch or listen to the full sermon

• Give toward the Food Pantry

• Support the Building Fund to help us save the tower

• And much more

CTR Linktree

https://linktr.ee/ctrfallriver

Thanks for tuning in, CTR family. Share this episode to bless someone today.

This week we kicked off our Advent series with Prepare With Gratitude. We talked about how a thankful heart makes space for Jesus in a season that gets crowded fast. If you were in class Wednesday night, this episode will help you sit with it a little longer. If you missed it, this is a great way to catch up.

Main themes

• Gratitude softens the heart

• Gratitude clears the clutter

• Gratitude helps us see Jesus again

• Immanuel means God is with us in every season

• Simple thanksgiving opens the door for peace

Bonus content in this episode

• Personal stories and laughs

• A deeper look at scriptures from the study

• How to keep the gratitude chain going this week

• Teaser for Sunday’s message Thanks But No Thanks

• A reminder that God is moving in our church family

Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway

Sunday after service

12:30 to 2pm or while supplies last

Invite someone who needs encouragement this season

Stay connected

All links, events, giving, and sign ups

https://linktr.ee/christtherockag

🎙️ The Rock Sermon Podcast

Episode: Man Up and Run, Pastor Hooker's 3 Ws

Hebrews 12:1 to 2

This week Pastor Rob and Tim break down a powerful message from Man Up Weekend at Camp Monadnock. Pastor Walter Hooker preached a challenging and encouraging word from Hebrews 12 that reminds us of three things every man of God needs to know.

Witnesses. Weights. Winner.

You are not running alone.

You do not have to carry what slows you down.

And Jesus is waiting at the finish line.

Along the way, we share a memorable story about a marathon runner who refused to quit, and we talk about what God did in the lives of the twelve men who attended the retreat from Christ The Rock. The ripple effect is only beginning.

🔑 Episode Highlights

• The cloud of witnesses cheering you on

• The difference between sin and weights

• Why some “good things” are slowing us down

• How endurance shows up when nobody is watching

• Fixing our eyes on the Winner, Jesus

• Testimonies and transformation from Man Up Weekend

📖 Scripture

Hebrews 12:1 -2

Subscribe and share this with a brother who needs encouragement to keep running his race.

👉 https://linktr.ee/ctrfallriver

Christ The Rock Church

414 Rock Street, Fall River, MA

🎧 Listen & Share🔗 Helpful Links🙌 Connect with Us

🎧 SHOW NOTES

Episode Title

Set a Fire: A Morning Recap of What God Did

Description

In this episode, Pastor Rob shares a heartfelt recap of the final night of our Respectable Sins Bible study series. From honest testimonies to a powerful moment of repentance, worship, and singing Set a Fire, this wrap-up highlights what God did and what He’s still doing in His people.

Grab your morning coffee and join Pastor Rob as he reflects on the journey of the last nine weeks, the move of the Holy Spirit in the room, and the ongoing invitation to live a lifestyle of repentance.

Plus… a little fun to start the episode, including the Patriots improving to 9–2 and a playful nod to Pastor Erica’s Cowboys fandom.

Listen, share, and let us know what God is teaching you.

🔗 Helpful Links

CTR Linktree

https://linktr.ee/ctrfallriver

This includes:

• Sunday Sermons
• Bible Study Podcast Episodes
• Give to the Food Pantry
• Donate to Save the Church Tower
• Upcoming Events
• Social Media
• Church Center App

🙌 Want to Support the Ministry?

Help us feed families throughout Fall River and continue restoring our historic church tower.

Your giving truly makes a difference.

Use the Linktree above to find the giving options.

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