Still Speaking with St. Peter’s

This episode begins with a conversation about Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the USA. Pastors Amanda and Kris reflect on Jesus’ invitation to rest and renewal in Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30. Jesus calls to re-creation in order to redeem our souls. Can we accept the invitation and share the good news with others?

This episode begins with a Father's Day blessing. Pastors Amanda and Kris reflect on how God hears us, knows us, and loves us. In Matthew 10:24–39, Jesus calls us not to be afraid, but to be courageous. Connections are made to the musical “Hamilton.” Can we “rise up” and share the good news with others?

This episode celebrates Pentecost Sunday, as the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss story from Acts 2: 1-21, and make connections to the 150th Anniversary of the founding of St. Peter’s. Can we continue to share the spark and fan the flame of the Spirit in order to share our faith?

This episode begins with a Mother's Day blessing. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the farewell words of Jesus, in John 14:15-21, that call us to follow the love commandment. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit, who is our Advocate, called alongside to help, assist, and comfort us. How can we live as witnesses who also give strength or courage to others?

This episode celebrates Confirmation Sunday. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the words of comfort Jesus shares in John 14:1-14. Rather than hearing any exclusion in Jesus’ invitation, the affirmation of inclusion is engaged with the article “Trusting in the Way,” by Natalia Terfa. Can we hear the words of Jesus wrap around us like a blanket to give us comfort and peace?

This episode celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the imagery from Psalm 23 and John 10:1-10. The shepherd in the 23rd Psalm cares for the sheep, feeds them, and protects them from harm. In John 10, Jesus is the shepherd who protects the sheep and provides for abundant life. Considering modern spiritual sojourners, they discuss a “Sheep’s Guide to Sniffing Out Bad Relig...

This episode celebrates Earth Day Sunday. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the importance of trees and the vision from Ezekiel 47:1-12. Thomas Merton wrote that, “A tree gives glory to God by being a tree.” But not every tree has been given the space to become what God intends. Climate trauma is robbing our capacity for imagination. Then, limited imagination limits our capacity for response. Can we...

This episode explores the resurrection stories in John 20:19-31. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss Jesus meeting us where we are and offering peace. Rather than calling him “Doubting Thomas,” he should be labeled “Thomas the Courageous.” Breath prayers are shared as a tool for finding calm. Passing the peace can be an opportunity for building community, deepening connections, fighting fear, and shar...

This episode is an offering of care and compassion. Pastors Amanda and Kris share words from a recent sermon and devotions that are intended to encourage and uplift. They also summarize resources from their book study and conversation partner, Amy-Jill Levine, the author of the book Entering the Passion of Jesus, A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week. May your Holy Week experience be blessed.

This episode explores the anointing of Jesus from Matthew 26: 6-13. Jesus asks us to tell this story in remembrance of this unnamed woman. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the ancient context and relevant connections, while also engaging the book Entering the Passion of Jesus, A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine. The invitation of this season is to “Picture Ourselves in the Story.”

This episode explores events when Jesus was teaching during Holy Week from Matthew 22: 15-22 and Mark 12: 28-34. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss their beliefs about their teaching and preaching, trying to reflect Jesus’ ministry, while also engaging the book Entering the Passion of Jesus, A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine. The invitation of this season is to “Picture Ourselves in...

This episode explores the story of Jesus clearing the temple from John 2:13-21 and Mark 11: 15-19, along with how we deal with angry feelings. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the historical, cultural, and political context of the Jesus’ ministry, while also engaging the book Entering the Passion of Jesus, A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine. The invitation of this season is to “Pict...

This episode explores the traditional Palm Sunday story from Matthew 21: 1-11. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the historical, cultural, and political context of the parade, while also engaging the book Entering the Passion of Jesus, A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine. The invitation of this season is to “Picture Ourselves in the Story.”

This episode invites listeners to consider “opportunities for engagement” this Lenten season. Pastors Kris and Amanda introduce the theme for worship and book study: “Picturing Ourselves in the Story - Entering the Passion of Jesus.” This Lent series invites us to “freeze-frame” moments in the Holy Week story in order to “Enter the Passion of Jesus.”

This episode invites listeners to consider what it means to be “blessed” and share blessings. Pastors Kris and Amanda reflect on the beginning of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” from Matthew 5: 1-12 and what we call “The Beatitudes.” Can this vision transform us to be God's blessing in and with the world?

This episode invites listeners to consider how we share testimony and give witness to our faith. Pastors Kris and Amanda reflect on their favorite quotes from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of inspiration. We can learn from the example of John the Baptizer to point to Jesus in John 1:29-42. If we invite someone to “Come,” would they “see” the love and light of Christ reflected...

To wrap up the Christmas season, Pastors Amanda and Kris invite listeners to reflect on what happened after the Epiphany story from Matthew 2. They discuss how the Holy Family became refugees. Quotes are shared from the book The First Advent in Palestine, by Kelley Nikondeha, and the article “All nativity scenes are political” by Mac Loftin. Engaging with the theme, “What Child IS This?” prompts d...

For the fourth week of Advent, Pastors Amanda and Kris invite listeners to reflect on what they most love about the Christmas season. Then they discuss the role of Joseph in the story from Matthew 1:18-25. The ancient tradition of engagement and implications of divorce are shared from the book The First Advent in Palestine, by Kelley Nikondeha. Engaging with the theme, “What Child IS This?” prompt...

For the third week of Advent, Pastors Amanda and Kris invite listeners to consider small moments of joy that can empower resiliency. Then they discuss the story of the angel’s visit to Mary from Luke 1:26-38. Engaging with the theme, “What Child IS This?” prompts deeper questions and looks beyond the lullaby. The Blue Christmas service is also explained and encouraged.

Continuing this Advent series, Pastors Kris and Amanda invite listeners to consider Advent traditions that make the season more sacred. Then they discuss the story of Zechariah from Luke 1:5-25. Engaging with the theme, “What Child IS This?” prompts deeper questions and looks beyond the lullaby. The question of peace is always a matter of perspective.

Beginning a new season and a new series, Pastors Kris and Amanda invite listeners to consider setting an Advent intention to make the season more sacred. Then they discuss the setting and scene of the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-5. Engaging the theme, “What Child IS This?” prompts asking deeper questions and looking beyond the lullaby. Several quotations are share from the book The First Advent...

This episode takes its inspiration from Isaiah 65: 17-25. Anticipating the beginning of Advent, Isaiah 65 has us looking back as well as forward. The promise and good news for the people then, and God’s people now, is that anxiety can be overcome with hope. In God’s creation, there is joy.

This episode is a Bible Study conversation about Psalm 145. Pastors Kris and Amanda invite listeners to consider new ways to make the ancient words become relevant by translating and updating with their favorite names, adjectives, and descriptions of God, from A to Z. Can we find ways to praise God every day? Can such praise help us see a new vision of the world as God intends it to be?

This episode invites new perspectives on a familiar story about Zacchaeus. Pastors Kris and Amanda invite listeners to consider looking at the story from Luke 19:1-10, from a variety of angles. As we celebrate God’s “Transforming Love,” we also acknowledge that we first have to be open to receiving God’s amazing grace before we can share it with others.

This episode continues the focus on stewardship, emphasizing “What We Can Do.” Pastors Kris and Amanda invite listeners to focus on humility as the lesson from “The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector,” from Luke 18: 9-14. The hook in this story may be our temptation of who to identify with, yet it reminds us that true satisfaction comes from God’s loving presence.