The Word Made Fresh

What happens when you write a letter to a church that you haven't visited? What can we learn and embody from the way Paul introduces himself? Why is Romans the first epistle in a long line of epistles? Why shouldn't we be ashamed of the gospel? And are there ever times when we should be? These are just some of the questions that Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat will explore on this week's epi...

What does Paul and Barnabas' first trip to the Gentiles have to do with the Black Manifesto? Or maybe you're just asking, "What is the Black Manifesto?!" Either way, this video is exactly what you're looking for. Sit down with Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they dive in and explore the intersection of this story in the book of Acts and this moment in American history.

Over 60% of adults report spending 5 or less hours outside in nature each week. Which is all the more reason why Earth Day is such an essential reminder of how we should spend every day. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they talk about how The Riverside Church will be celebrating Earth Day and how it intersects with the story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10.

What is Holy Humor Sunday? And why is the Great Commission even greater than we could have ever imagined? Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they discuss why and how we will be celebrating Holy Humor Sunday at The Riverside Church as well as a fresh take on a familiar passage.

Don't confuse your hosannas with your hallelujahs. And more than anything, tune your ears to hear children throughout history and in our world today crying "Hosanna, help us, save us!" That's just a taste of the latest conversation between Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat. Listen in to the whole thing as we follow Jesus on this road into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and enter Holy Week.

It's common, especially in progressive churches, for us to talk about and focus on social justice. And while this is a good and necessary thing, we can easily run into the problem with social justice. We solve the problem but don't stop to know the person, let alone address the system that creates and perpetuates the problem to begin with. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they dive in...

This week we encounter Jesus' parable of the ten bridesmaids, five have extra oil and five run out when they need it, leaving half the group to make it to the party while the other half are left outside knocking on the door. Here we go again – another story about some people getting in and some people being left out. What can we learn from a story like this? And where is it all leading Rev. Thorne...

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet is often known as the one parable preachers try and avoid. But what do you do when it shows up in the Narrative Lectionary? Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they talk about this pesky parable, how to approach it for a sermon or Bible study, and what it might reveal about our world and our church today.

What happens when three pastors sit down to talk about a parable? They begin to dismantle capitalism, convince you to fast from Amazon Prime, explore the impact of a good story, and so much more. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne, Rev. Jim Keat, and Rev. Amanda Meisenheimer for this week's episode of The Word Made Fresh.

We are entering the season of Lent. And it all begins with forgiveness. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they explore the Narrative Lectionary text for the first Sunday in Lent and what it might mean for our lives, our church, and our world. Also, be sure to visit http://www.trcnyc.org/Lent to find out more about Lent at Riverside, including how you can receive a daily Lent practice v...

Let's talk about Transfiguration Sunday, the final days before the season of Lent, and what to expect with guest preacher, Alisa Castilla. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat for another rich and riveting conversation on The Word Made Fresh.

Are you wheat or are you a weed? Or maybe if you're honest you're a bit of them both! Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they explore Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds and what it might mean for our lives and our world today.

This week Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat are joined by a special guest, Rev. Rob. Lee IV, to dive in and explore the end of the Sermon on the Mount, or as Rev. Thorne calls it, Jesus' Greatest Hits. They also explore how to hold a text like this at the intersection of Black History Month and where to begin approaching a sermon when the text offers so many options! All this to say, enjoy the...

"Our Father" - while we can easily race past these first two words of the Lord's Prayer, they just might be the most revolutionary. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they talk about this portion of Matthew 6, exploring the impact the first two words of this prayer can have on our life and our world. (And then as a bonus they keep going and talk about what "treasures in heaven" might me...

They were walking along, they came the top of a hill, and Jesus just starts talking. That's the context for the Beatitudes and all of Matthew 5. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they discuss this portion of the sermon on the mount and what it means for Jesus' words to be descriptive rather than prescriptive -- Jesus isn't telling you what you need to do in order to be blessed but he's...

How should faith communities honor and continue the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they explore why Dr. King is an excellent model for churches today and what you can expect at Riverside on MLK Sunday. Rev. Adriene Thorne is the Senior Minister at The Riverside Church. Rev. Jim Keat is the Digital Minister at The Riverside Church. The Word...

What is baptism? And what's happening when Jesus gets baptized? Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they dive in and splash around with Matthew 3:1-17 and talk a bit about the what and why of this thing called "baptism."

You’ve probably heard the Christmas story before, but chances are you haven’t heard it quite like this. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they explore a familiar story with not one but two fresh perspectives.

Let's talk about Joseph. It's easy to think of him as the guy who led the donkey or the guy who knocked on the door of the inn. But who is this character and what radical role does he play in the Christmas story? Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat for this episode of The Word Made Fresh as they explore Matthew 1:18-25, the quiet-yet-quintessential role of Joseph, and how to approach a fami...

Light does not diminish. It continues on, far beyond its original source. Light is not a thing but it is that which allows you to see everything. Isaiah calls us to be a light to the nations. What exactly does this mean? Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat for this episode of The Word Made Fresh and let's find out!

"For such a time as this" -- this is what Mordecai says to Esther, that she has come to power for such a time as this. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they discuss this week's Narrative Lectionary passage and what we can learn from the story of Esther.

Is it ok to question God? To complain? These are just some of the questions we experience when we open the book of Habakkuk. Join Rev. Jim Keat as he talks with Rev. Charlene Wingate about the Narrative Lectionary text for this Sunday and where she might be headed with the sermon she will be preaching. (Oh, and it's the first Sunday of Advent! What does Habakkuk have to do with Advent? Let's find...

It's easy to overlook the minor prophets, as they are the shorter books focused on the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures. But when we take a closer look at context they emerge from and what they have to say, we quickly realize that there is nothing minor about them and they have have a major message that we still need to hear in our world today. Join Rev. Adriene Thorne and Rev. Jim Keat as they t...