St. Andrew UMC Podcast

The Kingdom of God is Like: Take What You Need (11/15/20)

Jesus had a lot to say about the “Kingdom of God.” In the New Testament the “Kingdom of God” is mentioned more than 80 times. For many of us, when we hear of kingdoms we think of royal thrones, power structures, political statecraft, spies, armies and weaponry. In this world, kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, and how long they endure depends largely on how effective they are in defending themselves from enemies both within and without. 

But Jesus understood the “Kingdom of God” as a community in which the guiding ideal and animating spirit is divine compassion. In this Kingdom, people take care of each other, trust one another, share with one another, forgive one another, and even love their enemies. In this Kingdom, God is sovereign but rules with persuasive love rather than coercion; love transcends and heals every social division; genuine peace rules every relationship; and all of creation, both human and non-human forms, has intrinsic value as an essential part of the web of life.

For Jesus, there was a sense of urgency about living the Kingdom life.  It was Israel’s only hope against the powers of the Roman Empire. And Jesus was so convinced of this, and so committed to living this Kingdom life, that he put his own life on the line to fulfill it.

In these highly polarizing times, the Kingdom life is our only hope for healing and unity. Join us for this important series as we explore together what it means to commit ourselves to Kingdom living.

The Kingdom of God is Like: Replenish (11/08/20)

Jesus had a lot to say about the “Kingdom of God.” In the New Testament the “Kingdom of God” is mentioned more than 80 times. For many of us, when we hear of kingdoms we think of royal thrones, power structures, political statecraft, spies, armies and weaponry. In this world, kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, and how long they endure depends largely on how effective they are in defending themselves from enemies both within and without. 

But Jesus understood the “Kingdom of God” as a community in which the guiding ideal and animating spirit is divine compassion. In this Kingdom, people take care of each other, trust one another, share with one another, forgive one another, and even love their enemies. In this Kingdom, God is sovereign but rules with persuasive love rather than coercion; love transcends and heals every social division; genuine peace rules every relationship; and all of creation, both human and non-human forms, has intrinsic value as an essential part of the web of life.

For Jesus, there was a sense of urgency about living the Kingdom life.  It was Israel’s only hope against the powers of the Roman Empire. And Jesus was so convinced of this, and so committed to living this Kingdom life, that he put his own life on the line to fulfill it.

In these highly polarizing times, the Kingdom life is our only hope for healing and unity. Join us for this important series as we explore together what it means to commit ourselves to Kingdom living.

The Kingdom of God is Like: Let It Ride (11/01/20)

Jesus had a lot to say about the “Kingdom of God.” In the New Testament the “Kingdom of God” is mentioned more than 80 times. For many of us, when we hear of kingdoms we think of royal thrones, power structures, political statecraft, spies, armies and weaponry. In this world, kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, and how long they endure depends largely on how effective they are in defending themselves from enemies both within and without. 

But Jesus understood the “Kingdom of God” as a community in which the guiding ideal and animating spirit is divine compassion. In this Kingdom, people take care of each other, trust one another, share with one another, forgive one another, and even love their enemies. In this Kingdom, God is sovereign but rules with persuasive love rather than coercion; love transcends and heals every social division; genuine peace rules every relationship; and all of creation, both human and non-human forms, has intrinsic value as an essential part of the web of life.

For Jesus, there was a sense of urgency about living the Kingdom life.  It was Israel’s only hope against the powers of the Roman Empire. And Jesus was so convinced of this, and so committed to living this Kingdom life, that he put his own life on the line to fulfill it.

In these highly polarizing times, the Kingdom life is our only hope for healing and unity. Join us for this important series as we explore together what it means to commit ourselves to Kingdom living.

From Strength to Strength: The Heirs (10/25/20)

Whenever we find ourselves struggling with a particular problem, or trying to discern a way forward where there seems to be no clear path, or facing a crossroads moment when we must make a choice to go one way or the other, it often helps to remember that we’re not the first.  We’re not the first to face this problem, or to make this decision, or to take this risk before us.  There’s a good chance that someone has already been there before. 

From Strength to Strength: The Patrons (10/18/20)

Whenever we find ourselves struggling with a particular problem, or trying to discern a way forward where there seems to be no clear path, or facing a crossroads moment when we must make a choice to go one way or the other, it often helps to remember that we’re not the first.  We’re not the first to face this problem, or to make this decision, or to take this risk before us.  There’s a good chance that someone has already been there before. 

From Strength to Strength: The Forerunners (10/11/20)

Whenever we find ourselves struggling with a particular problem, or trying to discern a way forward where there seems to be no clear path, or facing a crossroads moment when we must make a choice to go one way or the other, it often helps to remember that we’re not the first.  We’re not the first to face this problem, or to make this decision, or to take this risk before us.  There’s a good chance that someone has already been there before. 

Balm In Gilead: Reorientation (10/04/20)

With the advent of COVID-19, life as we’ve always known it has fundamentally changed.  Before COVID-19, how many of us had ever used the phrase “social distancing,” or imagined that we’d be wearing masks to work or to the supermarket, or that we’d be scheduling Zoom calls with our parents or grandkids while under quarantine? 

Who could have imagined working from home full-time while managing our kids’ virtual learning schedules?  Who really ever worried about having an adequate supply of toilet paper?  Who could have predicted that the most popular phrase of 2020 would be, “You’re on mute”?

On January 1, it was unfathomable to think that 185,000 Americans would perish from an unheard-of virus by September 1; that more than 30 million Americans would lose their jobs; that churches would be closed on Sundays and we’d be worshiping online while sipping coffee in our pajamas. 

For many, it was inconceivable that a virus just .12 microns in diameter could bring our relative safety, our economy, our social activities, and our everyday way of life to a sudden halt.

The pandemic has called into question many of the old certitudes upon which we’ve come to depend—especially our scientific and theological ones.  We might have assumed that modern advances in science and technology would prevent a pandemic.  We might have believed that a loving God would intervene to stop one. 

When our old certitudes are shaken, we feel a deep sense of disillusionment.  In the midst of so many uncertainties, what can we depend on?  Who can we turn to?   Where can we go for answers?

In our “Balm in Gilead” series, we’re leaning deeply into these questions in search of fresh wisdom and honest faith, knowing that “dis-illusionment” is exactly that—the loss of our illusions and an opportunity to see something more truthful and real.  This series couldn’t be more timely, relevant, and honest as we journey together as people of faith through the most challenging season of our generation. 

Balm In Gilead: Consolation (09/27/20)

With the advent of COVID-19, life as we’ve always known it has fundamentally changed.  Before COVID-19, how many of us had ever used the phrase “social distancing,” or imagined that we’d be wearing masks to work or to the supermarket, or that we’d be scheduling Zoom calls with our parents or grandkids while under quarantine? 

Who could have imagined working from home full-time while managing our kids’ virtual learning schedules?  Who really ever worried about having an adequate supply of toilet paper?  Who could have predicted that the most popular phrase of 2020 would be, “You’re on mute”?

On January 1, it was unfathomable to think that 185,000 Americans would perish from an unheard-of virus by September 1; that more than 30 million Americans would lose their jobs; that churches would be closed on Sundays and we’d be worshiping online while sipping coffee in our pajamas. 

For many, it was inconceivable that a virus just .12 microns in diameter could bring our relative safety, our economy, our social activities, and our everyday way of life to a sudden halt.

The pandemic has called into question many of the old certitudes upon which we’ve come to depend—especially our scientific and theological ones.  We might have assumed that modern advances in science and technology would prevent a pandemic.  We might have believed that a loving God would intervene to stop one. 

When our old certitudes are shaken, we feel a deep sense of disillusionment.  In the midst of so many uncertainties, what can we depend on?  Who can we turn to?   Where can we go for answers?

In our “Balm in Gilead” series, we’re leaning deeply into these questions in search of fresh wisdom and honest faith, knowing that “dis-illusionment” is exactly that—the loss of our illusions and an opportunity to see something more truthful and real.  This series couldn’t be more timely, relevant, and honest as we journey together as people of faith through the most challenging season of our generation. 

Balm In Gilead: Supplication (09/20/20)

With the advent of COVID-19, life as we’ve always known it has fundamentally changed.  Before COVID-19, how many of us had ever used the phrase “social distancing,” or imagined that we’d be wearing masks to work or to the supermarket, or that we’d be scheduling Zoom calls with our parents or grandkids while under quarantine? 

Who could have imagined working from home full-time while managing our kids’ virtual learning schedules?  Who really ever worried about having an adequate supply of toilet paper?  Who could have predicted that the most popular phrase of 2020 would be, “You’re on mute”?

On January 1, it was unfathomable to think that 185,000 Americans would perish from an unheard-of virus by September 1; that more than 30 million Americans would lose their jobs; that churches would be closed on Sundays and we’d be worshiping online while sipping coffee in our pajamas. 

For many, it was inconceivable that a virus just .12 microns in diameter could bring our relative safety, our economy, our social activities, and our everyday way of life to a sudden halt.

The pandemic has called into question many of the old certitudes upon which we’ve come to depend—especially our scientific and theological ones.  We might have assumed that modern advances in science and technology would prevent a pandemic.  We might have believed that a loving God would intervene to stop one. 

When our old certitudes are shaken, we feel a deep sense of disillusionment.  In the midst of so many uncertainties, what can we depend on?  Who can we turn to?   Where can we go for answers?

In our “Balm in Gilead” series, we’re leaning deeply into these questions in search of fresh wisdom and honest faith, knowing that “dis-illusionment” is exactly that—the loss of our illusions and an opportunity to see something more truthful and real.  This series couldn’t be more timely, relevant, and honest as we journey together as people of faith through the most challenging season of our generation. 

Balm In Gilead: Adoration (09/13/20)

With the advent of COVID-19, life as we’ve always known it has fundamentally changed.  Before COVID-19, how many of us had ever used the phrase “social distancing,” or imagined that we’d be wearing masks to work or to the supermarket, or that we’d be scheduling Zoom calls with our parents or grandkids while under quarantine? 

Who could have imagined working from home full-time while managing our kids’ virtual learning schedules?  Who really ever worried about having an adequate supply of toilet paper?  Who could have predicted that the most popular phrase of 2020 would be, “You’re on mute”?

On January 1, it was unfathomable to think that 185,000 Americans would perish from an unheard-of virus by September 1; that more than 30 million Americans would lose their jobs; that churches would be closed on Sundays and we’d be worshiping online while sipping coffee in our pajamas. 

For many, it was inconceivable that a virus just .12 microns in diameter could bring our relative safety, our economy, our social activities, and our everyday way of life to a sudden halt.

The pandemic has called into question many of the old certitudes upon which we’ve come to depend—especially our scientific and theological ones.  We might have assumed that modern advances in science and technology would prevent a pandemic.  We might have believed that a loving God would intervene to stop one. 

When our old certitudes are shaken, we feel a deep sense of disillusionment.  In the midst of so many uncertainties, what can we depend on?  Who can we turn to?   Where can we go for answers?

In our “Balm in Gilead” series, we’re leaning deeply into these questions in search of fresh wisdom and honest faith, knowing that “dis-illusionment” is exactly that—the loss of our illusions and an opportunity to see something more truthful and real.  This series couldn’t be more timely, relevant, and honest as we journey together as people of faith through the most challenging season of our generation.