a Church Podcast

What does the shape of bread (or pizza) dough teach us about the movement of God in the world?   Support the show

Stories have shapes according to author, Kurt Vonnegut.  What then is the shape of our faith story?   Support the show

Is clapping after a worship song or hymn appropriate in worship?  Yes, clapping can be a meaningful part of our worship response.  But NOT clapping can also be a genuine expression of worship and gratitude. Support the show

Welcome Rev. Dr. Grace Park as our guest preacher.   Support the show

God is _______________.  Fill in the blank.  What images or experiences of God (in the words of James Baldwin) make us larger, freer, and more loving?   Support the show

The book of Revelation is Ironic.  Jesus wages non-violent war.  Jesus is a servant king.  The double irony, is that Christians often read this book unironically, which makes Jesus violent and Christianity controlling.    Support the show

Are you confused by Christians who support war and violence?  Well look no further than this tattooed image of Jesus in Revelation 19 for their biblical justification.  But is this violent warrior Jesus real?   Or is this image subverting the violent way of empires by symbolically showing us Jesus' way of self-giving love?     Support the show

Like the four gospels, the opening books of the Bible include four traditions that are placed side-by-side.  These similar, yet different voices are intentionally preserved because diversity of perspective and insight is more important than having one right narrative.    Support the show

Welcome Rev. Suzanne Swartz (Parish Associate) preaching on the risen Jesus appearing to the disciples. Support the show

We're not supposed to talk about this, but there are conflicting details in the resurrection stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  These differences, however, are actually a part of the good news.  Happy Easter!  Support the show

From the creation stories to the flood stories in Genesis, God is creating space for life in the midst of the chaos.  In a similar way, our worship liturgy includes room for us to experience peace in the midst of the flood. Support the show

In the familiar story of Noah's Ark, God tries to kill everyone and everything!  How did this become the story we like to tell our children in Sunday School?   Support the show

Welcome Rev. Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder as our guest preacher, talking about being formed by God.   Support the show

How are we formed by our praying?  From a global prayer, to a prayer we don't do, how are we being shaped by our worship liturgy?  Support the show

If music is good for us, can it ever be unhealthy?  The answer may not be in the music, but in how it's used and how each of us hear it and experience it.   Support the show

We are all being formed by relationships and repeated actions over time.  If that is the case, how is our worship liturgy shaping us?  As we begin the season of Lent we will start by looking at the Prelude.   Support the show

Welcome Rev. Dr. Grace Park speaking about how to listen to the voice of God.   Support the show

The kings of the earth demand no limitations on their power or what they can make other people do.  And yet in the end, the kings are seen bringing the glory of their nations into God's new creation.  So if the kings are there in the end, then what about the great prostitute in Revelation 17? Support the show

Stress is a normal part of life.  Sometimes it can be good, motivating energy and sometimes it's just too much.  And sometimes we keep exposing ourselves to the "too much" because we think that this is what we're supposed to do.  But what if "too much" is really too much? Support the show

Is there a difference between the way of empire and the way of Jesus?  On the surface the book of Revelation seems to justify violence.  But if we look deeper we'll discover that a new way of living and being in the world as we follow Jesus' way of love and light.   Support the show

Following the dragon and the first beast, we get the second beast.  This monster comes from the earth  Support the show

Merry Christmas!  Did you know that the Christmas story includes a dragon?  Welcome to the weird and wild book of Revelation!  Support the show

Parody and satire in the book of Revelation bring us a monster from the sea.  This beast is both a severe warning and comedy aimed at revealing the truth about abusive power.   Support the show

Happy New Year and welcome our guest preacher, Rev. Suzanne Swartz.  Support the show

Welcome Rev. Suzanne Swartz as she reflects on the meaning of several beloved Christmas Carols.   Support the show