Pastors With a Podcast: Recent Episodes
Pastors With a Podcast
Protestant Pastors (mostly) reflecting on devotions, art, and pop culture. No, we're not sponsored by Netflix or Disney+.
We continue our last episode's work on Genesis 1. What in this episode surprised you or made you wonder?
We're back with season 2 of our podcast with topics of our own creation! This season's theme is "Not Your Grandparent's Bible" where we engage with texts on a deeper level, using critical thinking, text criticism, pop culture, and current events. This episode, we dive into Genesis 1.
Siblings in Christ, this is Not Your Grandparent's Bible.
According to Mark, on the first day of the week, the women rise with the sun and buy spices to anoint Jesus’ body. They are shocked to find the tomb empty, and leave in fear and terror. Mark’s resurrection story is less triumphant than the other Gospel testimonies (as scholars believe the remainder of Mark’s gospel was a later addition). In Mark’s version, we are reminded that Easter comes to us, again and again, even if we don’t know what to make of God’s resurrection ways. Again and again, the sun rises. And some days, that is enough. Our devotion this week features “Light,” a poem by Rev. Sarah Are, a commentary by T. Denise Anderson, and an artist’s statement on her piece “The Promise” by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity, all focused on Mark 16:1-8.
Again and again, we find ourselves at the foot of the cross, at the pit of despair, in the face of death, in the grip of state-sanctioned violence. “Here” is an emotional place. “Here” is grief. “Here” is the reality of sin and brokenness. On Good Friday, we are called to sit in the silence of death, knowing that God is here. This week centers around John 19: 1-30 with a poem by Rev. Sarah Are, a commentary by Rev. T. Denise Anderson, and a reflection on her piece “Status Quo” from Hannah Garrity.
Footwashing is a practice of radical vulnerability, of being seen and known. Jesus loved the disciples “to the end.” In this act, we remember that God holds all of our pain, vulnerability, doubts, and sufferings. As we venture toward the cross, we can lean into God’s everlasting arms, knowing we are held. This week features a “Until That Day,” a poem by Rev. Sarah Are, a reflection on her piece entitled “You, Too, Must” by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity, and a reflection from Rev. T. Denise Anderson, all centered on John 13:1-17, 31b-35.
From A Sanctified Art: On Palm Sunday, we remember that Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was not a risk-free, palm party. It was a protest parade--a protest against those in power, a parade to prepare the way for a different kind of king. And this was all happening with plots to kill Lazarus (and Jesus) building in the background. We're reminded that the crowds were brave to show up that day, and that Jesus drew on courage to face his journey to the cross. The root of courage is cour, meaning 'heart.' Courage is deep within us; we often find it when we most neet it, when everything else has been stripped away.
Formed and reformed. Change is a hard thing, and it always means the death of something else. We desire for God to write on our hearts so that God's law can re-shape and re-form us from the inside out. Reformation is a journey of letting the old fall away for something new to emerge, of returning to God's words over and over, of being drawn into the heart of God. This is the process of justification and sanctification; transformation must be internal and external.
After inviting Nicodemus to be born anew, Jesus tells him in John 3 that God so loved the world that God sent God's son to restore it. Therefore, when we read John 3:16, we remember that Jesus is speaking in metaphor and poetry. Ultimately, love is where God begins and ends. This love, like grace, is a gift we do nothing to deserve. Again and Again, love is our refrain. Before we act, think, or believe, can love be first for us, too?
We read John 3:14-21 and discuss T. Denise Anderson's commentary, gaze in wonder on Lisle Gwynn Garrity's piece 'Light Wave,' and pray Sarah Are's poem 'Hold.'
According to John, Jesus begins his ministry by showing more than telling. In the temple, Jesus disrupts and overturns the systems of corruption and profiteering taking place, but ultimately points us to the promise of restoration. Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that God's wisdom is more expansive than we can imagine. We are shown the way, even if God's "was" feels foolish, counter-cultural, disruptive, or uncomfortable.
Join us as we contemplate the commentary by Rev. T. Denise Anderson, art by Rev. Lisle Gywnn Garrity, and pray the poem by Rev. Sarah Are from A Sanctified Art's Lenten Devotional Again & Again: A Lenten Refrain
For the second week of Lent, Again & Again, We're Called to Listen. We read Mark 8:31-9:8 and talk about the commentary by Rev. T. Denise Anderson, the art and commentary on Lauren Wright Pittman's piece 'Transfiguration,' the art and commentary on Hannah Garrity's piece 'Sleep Unborn,' and pray Sarah Are's poem 'Truth That Ricochets.'
Utilizing Again & Again, A Lenten Refrain from A Sanctified Art, this week we read Mark 1:9-15, talk about a commentary by Rev. T. Denise Anderson, a piece entitled 'I Delight in You' from Rev. Lisle Gywnn Garrity with her reflection, a piece titled 'In Our Hands' by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, and a poetry prayer by Rev. Sarah Are entitled 'Remember When?'
Welcome back as we find ourselves once again in the season of Lent. This year, PWP is joyfully teaming up with A Sanctified Art with Again & Again, A Lenten Refrain. This week, we read Matthew 6:1-21, a commentary by Rev. T. Denise Anderson, a piece entitled 'Invited In' from Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman with her reflection, and a poetry prayer by Rev. Sarah Are entitled 'Invited'
We finish our series of Faces of Our Faith from A Sanctified Art with Philemon. Catch us again starting February 16th with our Ash Wednesday devotion from A Sanctified Art's Again & Again: a Lenten Devotional.
Acts 16:11-15, 40 brings us a story of Lydia. Using the Faces of Our Faith devotion from A Sanctified Art, we speak of Lydia and her bravery and marvel at Lyle's depiction of her.
From all of us at Pastors With a Podcast:On this the Feast Day of Epiphany, it is important to remember that our allegiance lies with the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ and his kingdom, not to any political leader or party. All our hearts ought to break at the sight of what is unfolding at our nation’s capitol. As Christians, we must respond, no matter which side of the aisle we sit on, with the greatest of grace and love of neighbor. We must labor together at reconciliation, continuing to lift up the downtrodden, to bring peace and justice to our communities, and to see one another through the cross of Christ.
Today we take a dive into Acts 8:26-40 in Faces of Our Faith. How does this story speak to us about radical hospitality and inclusion?
Advent 4 brings us into 2 Samuel 7:1-11, Luke 36b-55, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27, and Luke 1:26-38. We're constantly reminded to not be afraid, whether by the angels of Biblical description or the situations and times we live in. Immanuel, God-With-Us, is coming and is coming soon. Thanks be to God.
This week we tap into the Revised Common Lectionary texts for week three of Advent in Year B. We ponder on Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Luke 1:46b-55, and John 1:6-8, 19-28, revel in the hilarity of Pastor Paul's intros, and wonder at the beauty of Leonard Cohen's lyrics.
This week on Pastors With a Podcast, we jump into the lectionary texts for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, year B, ponder punctuation, try to get a sponsorship from Porkchop's Lawn Service, and casting calls from George R.R. Martin.
For the next few weeks, PWP will break from our Faces of Our Faith reflections to dig into our Advent devotional. This can be found at www.emanuelslutheranchurch.com
This week on Pastors With a Podcast, we are amazed at the faith and faithfulness of Mary Magdalene in Mark 16:1-11 and marvel at Hannah Garrity's ability to capture faith and awe in the face of Mary in her beautiful piece entitled "Arisen."
Continuing off of last week, Pastors with a Podcast ponder on Joseph of Arimathea and his part in Jesus' care before and after the crucifixion.
This week we jump into Luke and hear more about the Penitent Thief in chapter 23. How did he know Jesus was the Christ?
This week on Pastors With a Podcast, we hear the story of Judas Iscariot from Mark 14:1-2, 10-50 (not all verses read), and discuss his story. Join us as we utilize A Sanctified Art's Faces of Our Faith Study Journal.
Thanks be to God for the Prophetess Anna, who saw the holiness of our Lord Jesus before those around her. This week we read Luke 2:21-38 and ponder about Anna.
This week in Faces of Our Faith from A Sanctified Art LLC, we hear of Jonah and the big fish. As Sarah Are comments on her piece "I knew You Were", its a story of a man "reluctant to forgive, and a God who is so loving that grace and forgiveness are the only option."
This week, Pastors With a Podcast read Daniel 3 (woah!) and chat about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's courage, and of course, we drop in random Disney or Netflix references.
Using A Sanctified Art's Faces of Our Faith Study Journal, Pastors with a Podcast brings you 16 bold and untold stories of our ancestors of faith. This week our focus text is Esther 1-2:17 and the story of Queen Vashti.
Pastors with a Podcast utilize A Sanctified Art's Faces of Our Faith Study Journal to bring you 16 bold and untold stories of our ancestors of faith. This week we delve into Judges 4 and 5 and ponder the piece entitled "In Tune" by Laura Wright Pittman.
Pastors with a Podcast utilize A Sanctified Art's Faces of Our Faith Study Journal to bring you 16 bold and untold stories of our ancestors of faith. This week we delve into Number 27:1-11 and ponder the piece entitled "They Stood" by Lauren Wright Pittman.
Pastors with a Podcast utilize A Sanctified Art's Faces of Our Faith Study Journal to bring you 16 bold and untold stories of our ancestors of faith. This week we delve into Exodus 1:8-22 and ponder the piece entitled "They Said No" by Lisle Gwynn Garrity.
Welcome to worship! It is our joy to have you here and to be worshiping with us today. You may accompany this service with the bulletin at: www.emanuelslutheranchurch.com/worship
We strive "to be the church God is calling us to be by declaring God's love, serving others, and embracing all." Emanuel's Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and recorded by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB139662 and OneLicense.net License #A-727673.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Pastors with a Podcast utilize A Sanctified Art's Faces of Our Faith Study Journal to bring you 16 bold and untold stories of our ancestors of faith. This week we delve into Genesis 2:4b-35 and ponder the piece entitled "At Last" by Sarah Are.