I Am With You In the Garden | I AM... The God Who Gets Close | Vince Vitale | Menlo Church Sermon

In Gethsemane, Jesus prays “not my will, but yours.” Even as God in flesh, He wrestles—and chooses intimacy over escape. This week, we follow Jesus into the garden where closeness to the Father led Him toward the cross. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome to a very special edition of the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, we reach a beautiful and intimate turning point in our series, "I AM: The God Who Gets Close." Taking inspiration from Luke 22:14-30, Phil and Matt move the conversation from the mountain-tops and caves directly to the dinner table. In a uniquely cinematic weekend message featuring four chairs—each representing a different perspective at the Last Supper—we explore how Jesus chooses to be with us in our moments of greatest transition, tension, and even betrayal. 📍 In This Episode: The Table Setting: We discuss the "four chairs" on stage and who they represent in the story of the Last Supper. Beyond the Ritual: A deeper look at how the Passover meal was transformed into a promise of God’s permanent presence. The Table Tensions: From the "greatest among us" argument to the heartbreak of Judas, we talk about how Jesus handles the messiness of the people sitting right in front of Him. The God Who Sits With Us: How the "I AM" doesn't just watch us from a distance but pulls up a chair to our real-life situations. 💬 Discussion Question: If you were sitting at that table in Luke 22, which "chair" would you most likely be in today? The one seeking status, the one full of questions, or the one simply resting in His presence? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Jesus shares a table with tax collectors, sinners, and doubters. The intimacy of a shared meal breaks down shame and separation. God doesn’t wait for our perfection—He sits with our mess. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, hosts Phil EuBank and Carly O'Rourke go behind the scenes of our current series, "I AM: The God Who Gets Close." We’re moving past the "big and loud" moments of faith to explore the profound truth that God meets us personally and unexpectedly—not just in theory, but in the middle of our real, often quiet lives. This episode centers on the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19 and what happens when we find ourselves waiting for God in the silence. 📍 In This Episode: The Elijah Journey: Phil and Carly discuss Elijah’s retreat to the cave and the surprising way God chose to meet him there. The Still, Small Voice: We break down why God often speaks in a "gentle whisper" rather than the wind, the earthquake, or the fire—and what that means for our busy, noisy lives. The Tension of Transition: A deeper look at the scriptures and ideas that shaped this weekend's message, focusing on how God gets close when we feel most alone or exhausted. Real-Life Application: Practical ways to recognize God’s presence when you feel like He’s being silent. 💬 Discussion Question: Elijah looked for God in the spectacular, but found Him in the silence. Where have you been looking for God lately, and is it possible He’s actually speaking in a whisper you haven't heard yet? Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide:  Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Elijah’s moment on Mount Horeb shows that God isn’t always in the loud, dramatic, or obvious. Sometimes He comes as a whisper. For anyone who feels forgotten or ignored—this week is a quiet reminder that presence doesn’t have to shout. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

This week, we continue our "I AM" series by stepping into one of the most iconic stories of the Old Testament: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When life gets "seven times hotter" and the pressure to conform feels overwhelming, where is God? We’re looking at Daniel 3 to discover that God’s nearness isn't proven by the absence of the fire, but by His presence in it. Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't delivered from the furnace—but in it. The fourth figure in the fire reminds us that God’s nearness isn’t proven by avoidance of pain, but by faithfulness through it. Text Us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

This week on Menlo Midweek, we dive into the second installment of our "I AM" series, focusing on the powerful promise: I am with you in the fight. Whether you’re facing internal struggles or external challenges, we explore what it means to wrestle with God.   It was also a high-energy weekend across our campuses as we celebrated Baptism Weekend and Student Weekend! We witnessed incredible stories of transformation and welcomed the next generation into the heart of our church.   📍 In This Episode: The Fight: A deeper look into this week's message on God's presence in our battles. Celebration: Highlights from a powerful Baptism Weekend. The Next Generation: Matt sits down with Brett to discuss the state of our students. They explore the unique pressures students are facing in this current season and how we, as a church family, can show up for them.   How has knowing "God is with you" changed the way you approach your own "fights" this week? Let us know in the comments! Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide: Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Listen to Menlo Midweek Podcast Want a behind-the-scenes look at this week’s sermon? Tune into our Menlo Midweek Podcast where we break down the sermon, themes, and other personal insights not covered on Sunday. Listen at: http://menlo.church/podcasts. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @menlo.church Facebook: Menlo Church Website: http://www.menlo.church Musicbed Sync ID: (MB014RCECFXJCWL) Musicbed Sync ID: (MB01EKBUICB4NLC)

Jacob’s story at the riverbank is not about winning—it’s about being seen. God shows up in the form of a wrestling match, not a throne room. Sometimes closeness comes through confrontation—and God still blesses us in the limp. Text us (650) 600-0402 | Connect With Us

We start off our series I Am: The God Who Gets Close–a Lenten journey through the character of God as revealed in Scripture. From Moses' burning bush to Jesus' outstretched arms, we’ll explore how God's name isn’t a cold doctrine—it’s a living invitation. In this episode we talk about recognizing His nearness in the stories of the Bible and the quiet corners of your life. Connect with Us | Text Us: (650)600-0402