United Church of Rowayton Podcast

Pastor Sal Sapienza asks, "Have you ever thought of God as a mother?"  In today's gospel reading, Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans.  Rather, he says, God will send us the Holy Spirit to parent us.  In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is referred to by feminine names, such as Sophia and Shekinah.  The Spirit, therefore, can be understood as the Motherly aspect of God.

Today, 9 teenagers are confirmed and welcomed as members of the church.

We don't know where the Road to Emmaus may have been or even if it existed.  Pastor Sal Sapienza says that doesn't matter because it is here today and because resurrection is always happening.  We are on the road to spiritual completion.

Our faith is a mystery.  Doubts are part of our faith and makes our spiritual journey stronger.

As we celebrate this day with joy, Pastor Sal Sapienza explains the Resurrection.

On this Palm Sunday, Pastor Sal Sapienza explains why, within just a week's time, people moved from loving Jesus to killing him.  There were two processions.  Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem was one of them.  Which procession shall we be in?Which path will we follow?

Pastor Sal Sapienza explains the symbolism of the story of Lazarus, saying it foreshadows Jesus' death and is about calling us to give life to the Light within us.

What does it mean, "to see again?"  Pastor Sal Sapienza talks about gaining our spiritual sight and what that means for us today.

Pastor Sal Sapienza explains how significant Jesus' conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well really was.  Pastor Sal tells us we need to quench our spiritual thirst, and he encourages us to go the well every day during Lent.

Saying "born again" means to be reborn spiritually, Pastor Sal Sapienza encourages us to choose to give birth to the Light within us.

Pastor Sal Sapienza explains that the 40 days in the desert is symbolic of preparation and explains how this fits into Lent.

Pastor Sal Sapienza tells the story of Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus, when the Light shined through.

Jesus said we are the light and we are the salt.  Pastor Sal Sapienza explains this and says we are called to serve God in our own unique way.

Pastor Sal Sapienza paints a helpful background picture for the Sermon on the Mount, explains Jesus was challenging the conventional wisdom of his day, and shares how the Beatitudes still guide us.

Pastor Sal Sapienza dispels some of the misunderstandings about baptism and explains this ritual is about God's love.

Pastor Sal Sapienza separates the myths about the Magi from what the Bible actually says, and he invites us to become Magi.

Pastor Sal Sapienza invites us to be still and reflect how we grew spiritually in the past year and on who we want to become in the new year.

Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us who Mary really was and explains the Magnificat and its significance for us.

In our Living Nativity, our confirmation students and Anchors (pre- and early teens) join Three Kings to retell the Christmas story.

On this second Sunday in Advent, Pastor Sal Sapienza explains The Way and encourages us to make way for it.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, and Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us to get ready for the birth of the Christ Light in us, and a member of the congregation talks about Hope.

We share this Thanksgiving service with our friends from the Rowayton United Methodist Church, and we are reminded to say thank you throughout the day and pay attention to our blessings.

Pastor Sal Sapienza describes the Reign of Christ Sunday and shares a miracle story.

Today is Veterans Day Sunday, and we honor those who served.  It is also Stewardship Sunday, and Pastor Sal Sapienza calls on us to have a vision, to be willing to dream, and to be stewards for the future.

Pastor Sal Sapienza explains why we celebrate All Saints Day and helps us see the Christ Light, which is salvation.

Pastor Sal Sapienza explains the Protestant Reformation, saying our denomination comes from a tradition of reform and protest and calling us to be the change makers and speak truth to power.

Pastor Sal Sapienza calls on us to pray persistently, not to give up on prayer.  It reminds us of our constant connection with God.

Pastor Sal Sapienza encourages us to develop and attitude of gratitude, which will change our thinking.

Today is World Communion Sunday.  There are 40,000 Christian churches worldwide, and Pastor Sal sapienza explains that today is the day they all may be one.

Today is our Blessing of the Animals service, and Pastor Sal Sapienza encourages us to listen to animals and let them teach us.

This is World Peace Sunday, and Pastor Sal Sapienza talks about the dedication of our Peace Pole.  He also explains the Parable of the Shrewd Manager.

Pastor Sal Sapienza explains the story of the lost sheep and says we need to be still and listen to the voice of the Shepherd.

Today is Rally Day, the first day in the church's program year, and Pastor Sal Sapienza sets the stage for the exciting year to come and talks about what makes this church unique.

Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us we are called to see the Light in others, to practice a healing love, and to remove our personal demons.

How can "the one God" be three-in-one?  Pastor Sal Sapienza expands our thinking and helps us understand the Trinity in new ways.

The Pentecost story tells us the Christ Light came into the Apostles and went out into the world for everyone.

Pastor Sal Sapienza helps us understand the Ascension metaphorically.  Ascension, he says, is really our story.  We are supposed to be growing spiritually and arise into the Kingdom of Heaven within us.

As Jesus tried to empower us, Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us, he wanted us to take responsibility for healing, which is not the same as curing.

Jesus gave us a New Commandment - to love one another.  Pastor Sal Sapienza explains this calls for a selfless, sacrifical love.

On this Mother's Day, Pastor Sal Sapienza explains why Jesus referred to himself as a shepherd.

Jesus appears to his disciples.  Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us Jesus was trying to establish a new way of living, and we need to convert to that new way.

Pastor Sal Sapienza says we are a church that values questioning and doubt because they are a part of faith.  Doubting Thomas was not wrong to doubt.

Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us the Resurrection is real and that Jesus' presence and power lives on in us.

Pastor Sal Sapienza explains why we have to go from Palm Sunday's celebration through the darkness of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to get to Easter's joy.

Pastor Sal Sapienza talks about Mary's extravagant gift and about being still and  present in the Presence.

Pastor Sal Sapienza tell is God does not punish us when we go astray and that God's love is not based on merit.

Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us that like the gardener in The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, God doesn't give up on us.

Pastor Sal Sapienza talks about Jesus as a Mother Hen, why he saw himself that way, and why we should be that way.

What is the "wilderness?"  What is the significance of "40 days?"  Pastor Sal Sapienza explains why we should go into the wilderness.

Pastor Sal Sapienza tells us how to experience the Light of God.