St. Andrew UMC Podcast

ROAD-TRIPPING TO BETHLEHEM: ”The Neighborhood (John 1:1-18) - December 26, 2021

Christmas tells the extraordinary story about how God came to us at a particular time in history, in a particular place in the world, with a particular name that stands above all other names: Jesus. But the season of Advent—the four weeks leading up to Christmas—is an ancient story about the inward, spiritual journey we must make if we are ever to find this God who has come to us in Jesus.

Because God came in such a humble, hidden, unspectacular way, the world nearly missed the first Christmas. As might we even today. So, we make this Advent journey together, traveling across the spiritual landscape of our lives and our world: through places and spaces of chaos, forgiveness, emptiness, wisdom, and wonder, until we arrive at last in Bethlehem—and there behold the face of God beholding us in love.

The only way to Bethlehem is through the sea, the river, the desert, the hill country, and the fields. The promise of God goes with us as we journey through them. The presence of God waits for us somewhere beyond them, in the form of a child wrapped in swaddling and lying in a manger.

Are you ready to road-trip to Bethlehem?

ROAD-TRIPPING TO BETHLEHEM: ”The Hill Country (Luke 1:39-55) - December 19, 2021

Christmas tells the extraordinary story about how God came to us at a particular time in history, in a particular place in the world, with a particular name that stands above all other names: Jesus. But the season of Advent—the four weeks leading up to Christmas—is an ancient story about the inward, spiritual journey we must make if we are ever to find this God who has come to us in Jesus.

Because God came in such a humble, hidden, unspectacular way, the world nearly missed the first Christmas. As might we even today. So, we make this Advent journey together, traveling across the spiritual landscape of our lives and our world: through places and spaces of chaos, forgiveness, emptiness, wisdom, and wonder, until we arrive at last in Bethlehem—and there behold the face of God beholding us in love.

The only way to Bethlehem is through the sea, the river, the desert, the hill country, and the fields. The promise of God goes with us as we journey through them. The presence of God waits for us somewhere beyond them, in the form of a child wrapped in swaddling and lying in a manger.

Are you ready to road-trip to Bethlehem?

ROAD-TRIPPING TO BETHLEHEM: ”The Desert” (Zephaniah 3:14-20) - December 12, 2021

Christmas tells the extraordinary story about how God came to us at a particular time in history, in a particular place in the world, with a particular name that stands above all other names: Jesus. But the season of Advent—the four weeks leading up to Christmas—is an ancient story about the inward, spiritual journey we must make if we are ever to find this God who has come to us in Jesus.

Because God came in such a humble, hidden, unspectacular way, the world nearly missed the first Christmas. As might we even today. So, we make this Advent journey together, traveling across the spiritual landscape of our lives and our world: through places and spaces of chaos, forgiveness, emptiness, wisdom, and wonder, until we arrive at last in Bethlehem—and there behold the face of God beholding us in love.

The only way to Bethlehem is through the sea, the river, the desert, the hill country, and the fields. The promise of God goes with us as we journey through them. The presence of God waits for us somewhere beyond them, in the form of a child wrapped in swaddling and lying in a manger.

Are you ready to road-trip to Bethlehem?

ROAD-TRIPPING TO BETHLEHEM: ”The River” (Luke 3:1-14, 18 ) - December 5, 2021

Christmas tells the extraordinary story about how God came to us at a particular time in history, in a particular place in the world, with a particular name that stands above all other names: Jesus. But the season of Advent—the four weeks leading up to Christmas—is an ancient story about the inward, spiritual journey we must make if we are ever to find this God who has come to us in Jesus.

Because God came in such a humble, hidden, unspectacular way, the world nearly missed the first Christmas. As might we even today. So, we make this Advent journey together, traveling across the spiritual landscape of our lives and our world: through places and spaces of chaos, forgiveness, emptiness, wisdom, and wonder, until we arrive at last in Bethlehem—and there behold the face of God beholding us in love.

The only way to Bethlehem is through the sea, the river, the desert, the hill country, and the fields. The promise of God goes with us as we journey through them. The presence of God waits for us somewhere beyond them, in the form of a child wrapped in swaddling and lying in a manger.

Are you ready to road-trip to Bethlehem?

ROAD-TRIPPING TO BETHLEHEM: ”The Sea” (LUKE 21:25–36) - November 28, 2021

Christmas tells the extraordinary story about how God came to us at a particular time in history, in a particular place in the world, with a particular name that stands above all other names: Jesus. But the season of Advent—the four weeks leading up to Christmas—is an ancient story about the inward, spiritual journey we must make if we are ever to find this God who has come to us in Jesus.

Because God came in such a humble, hidden, unspectacular way, the world nearly missed the first Christmas. As might we even today. So, we make this Advent journey together, traveling across the spiritual landscape of our lives and our world: through places and spaces of chaos, forgiveness, emptiness, wisdom, and wonder, until we arrive at last in Bethlehem—and there behold the face of God beholding us in love.

The only way to Bethlehem is through the sea, the river, the desert, the hill country, and the fields. The promise of God goes with us as we journey through them. The presence of God waits for us somewhere beyond them, in the form of a child wrapped in swaddling and lying in a manger.

Are you ready to road-trip to Bethlehem?

I‘M IN: ”I‘m Invested” (Mark 12:38-44) - November 21, 2021

Over these three weeks, we have explored what it means to find meaning and purpose by looking beyond ourselves and being a part of a community, like that of the disciples, that responds to the command of Jesus to act with compassion toward the needs of the world.  St. Andrew is deeply committed to an outward-facing mission.  Alone, our loaves and fish would make only a meager contribution to the needs of our community; added together, they can change the world—and already are.

I‘M IN: ”I‘m Involved” (Hebrews 10:19-25 ) - November 14, 2021

Over these three weeks, we’ll explore what it means to find meaning and purpose by looking beyond ourselves and being a part of a community, like that of the disciples, that responds to the command of Jesus to act with compassion toward the needs of the world.  St. Andrew is deeply committed to an outward-facing mission.  Alone, our loaves and fish would make only a meager contribution to the needs of our community; added together, they can change the world—and already are.

I‘M IN: ”I‘m Included” (Matthew 14:13-21) - November 7, 2021

Over the next three weeks, we’ll explore what it means to find meaning and purpose by looking beyond ourselves and being a part of a community, like that of the disciples, that responds to the command of Jesus to act with compassion toward the needs of the world.  St. Andrew is deeply committed to an outward-facing mission.  Alone, our loaves and fish would make only a meager contribution to the needs of our community; added together, they can change the world—and already are.

EVERYBODY IN: ”The Contender” (Revelation 7:9-17) - October 31, 2021

Teaching Series: "Everybody In"

St. Andrew is an open, affirming congregation that welcomes saints and sinners, believers and skeptics, the lost and the found, the wonderers and the wanderers, families of all shapes and sizes, and people from every point along life’s journey. No matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you believe or whether you even believe at all, you belong here.

But a lot of people have an entirely different experience of Christianity—one that has resulted in deep spiritual trauma caused by churches and Christians that preach and practice a gospel of exclusion, judgment, and doctrinal conformity. There’s a better version of Christianity—one in which you really can be yourself, believe at your own pace, ask the hard questions, and express your doubts without the pressure of having to think or believe a certain way.

In this expression of Christianity, we trust in the slow, often hidden work of God to transform our hearts and minds as we seek after God. That transformative work of God happens in community, wherever two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name—and where everybody’s in.

Even you.

EVERYBODY IN: ”The Recovering” (Mark 10:46-52) - October 24, 2021

Teaching Series: "Everybody In"

St. Andrew is an open, affirming congregation that welcomes saints and sinners, believers and skeptics, the lost and the found, the wonderers and the wanderers, families of all shapes and sizes, and people from every point along life’s journey. No matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you believe or whether you even believe at all, you belong here.

But a lot of people have an entirely different experience of Christianity—one that has resulted in deep spiritual trauma caused by churches and Christians that preach and practice a gospel of exclusion, judgment, and doctrinal conformity. There’s a better version of Christianity—one in which you really can be yourself, believe at your own pace, ask the hard questions, and express your doubts without the pressure of having to think or believe a certain way.

In this expression of Christianity, we trust in the slow, often hidden work of God to transform our hearts and minds as we seek after God. That transformative work of God happens in community, wherever two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name—and where everybody’s in.

Even you.