Still Speaking with St. Peter’s

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 Religion” (adapted from Bruce Sanguin in The Advance of Love).

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 embrace the vision of healing?

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 sharing light.

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 the Story.”

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 “Picture Ourselves in the Story.”

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 in our community?

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 deeper questions and encourages considering how we go home “by another way.”

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?” prompts deeper questions and looks beyond the lullaby.

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 in Palestine, by Kelley Nikondeha.

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.

This episode continues the focus on stewardship, emphasizing “What We Can Do.” Pastors Kris and Amanda invite listeners to consider both an attitude of gratitude and the power of persistence. We can learn from the widow in Luke 18:1-8  how to make “good trouble.” We celebrate that even when we are not, God is always steadfast and faithful.

This episode introduces a new series with a focus on stewardship, “What We Can Do.” Pastors Kris and Amanda invite listeners to consider a spiritual framework to approach how we respond with gratitude to all of God’s gracious generosity. In the scripture reading, the disciples want their faith to increase. Perhaps Jesus is less about increase and more about sufficiency. The question is, what are we doing with what we have? If we have more than a mustard seed of resources, time, and faith, we can change the world.

In this tenth episode, we focus on how changemakers use power differently. Jesus shared and gave away power rather than amassing it. What if every time you serve someone, you remember that the most important use of your power is to lift up the full and powerful humanity of the person in front of you?

We have the capacity to be creative because God is creative. Made in God’s image, we have everything we need to make change. We only need to stretch our imaginations and break out of constrained thinking. In this ninth episode, stories are shared to spark creativity.

This eighth episode continues the series, “Changemakers.” Jesus came to change the world. That was Christ's singular, God-given purpose. Jesus is still changing the world. But Jesus never tried to do it alone. We can’t either. Consider this African proverb: If you want to go fast, do it alone.  If you want to go far, do it together. 

This seventh episode introduces a new series, “Changemakers.” A Changemaker is a risk-taker, someone who puts their faith into action to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Changemaking always begins with compassion when the heart of someone who is a changemaker is moved. You are invited to tap into the power of God whenever you feel exhausted. What if we could draw on the compassion of Jesus?

This sixth episode introduces a new series about faith formation. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss principles and keys from the book Frogs without Legs Can’t Hear. With a commitment to helping partner with families, they explore the nurturing metaphors from 1 Thessalonians 2: 7b-12. You are invited to try activities from the resource Taking Faith Home.

This fifth episode completes the “Grounded” series. Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the Parable of the Mustard Seed, from Matthew 13:31-32. This tiny seed grows into a wild bush, reminding us that God shows up in unexpected places. There is a connectedness to all God’s creation, calling us to care and compassion. You are invited to try activities and engage your senses with spiritual practices.

This fourth episode considers the story of Ezekiel’s vision of “The Valley of Dry Bones” as an opportunity to overcome despair with hope. Pastors Amanda and Kris share reflections on the relevance of these ancient words for today. As people of hope, we can tell a different story from the one that denies the pain in the world. We can work together to make a better future. You are invited to try activities and engage your senses with spiritual practices.

This third episode considers the story of Moses’ experience with the burning bush. Pastors Amanda and Kris share their call stories and affirm that we all have a call to ministry. God is always with us, empowers the church, and fans the flames of courage. You are invited to try activities and engage your senses with spiritual practices.

In the second episode of the “Grounded” series, we discuss water. The scripture story is about the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4: 5-30). You are invited to try activities and sensory practice to engage your spirit.

In this first “official” episode, Pastors Amanda and Kris discuss the Parable of the Sower, from Matthew 13:1-9. There are different kinds of soil, but we all can be “Good Soil” because God is generous and sows seed everywhere. God loves surprises. You are invited to try activities and engage your senses with spiritual practices.

In this introductory episode, Pastors Amanda and Kris explain their vision for this podcast and invite listeners into the conversation. They also explain the title of our podcast: Still Speaking. It is a shortened version of the saying, “God is still speaking.”

You are invited to connect with us and help shape our new podcast. We want to know how you believe that “God is Still Speaking.” We want you to feel like you are part of the conversation. Share where you are seeing signs of new creation, new life, hope, and possibility.

In this short intro, we invite listeners to connect and get ready for the new podcast

In this short introduction, listeners are invited to connect and get ready for this new podcast