a Church Podcast
Sunday Sermons brought to you by First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica
Episodes
239 episodes
Weird Dreams - Genesis 28 - Rev. Tim Vance
I've had the same nightmare since I was a kid about a dark empty space. In Genesis 28, Jacob, is in a dark empty space, where is also has a dream. What are we to make of these weird and wild dreams?
Out-Loving the Outrage - Romans 12:9-21 - Rev. Suzanne Swartz
Welcome our guest preacher, Rev. Suzanne Swartz.
Episode 3 - Marrying Up - Genesis 26 + John 4
If Jesus got married (hypothetically) who would be marrying up?
Episode 2 of Water + Fear - Genesis 26 - Rev. Tim Vance
This is Part 2 in a trilogy of sermons about beautiful and creative women who fall in love with dumb men.
The Water and the Fear - Genesis 26 - Rev. Tim Vance
A meet-cute at a well is a Biblical story-type or trope. The counter story-type is the biblical hero throwing his wife under the bus to save himself. These tropes overlap here in Genesis 26.
Blind Spot - Genesis 25 - Rev. Tim Vance
We don't often notice our visual blind spot because our brain fills in what is missing. This is amazing and wonderful, but it can also be dangerous (especially when driving on the freeway). In the same way, we don't often notice how...
Don't Listen to God - Genesis 22 - Rev. Tim Vance
Is God crazy? Is Abraham crazy for following God's command? How much therapy will Isaac need after his father tries to sacrifice him? And are we crazy for trying to find meaning in this story?
Starting Over - Luke 15:20-24 - Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
Welcome our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
The Prophet and the Problem - Luke 4:18-30 - Rev. Dr. Phil Allen
Welcome our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Phil Allen.
Castanets - Mark 1:14-20 - Rev. Suzanne Swartz
Welcome our guest preacher, Rev. Suzanne Swartz.
The Shape of a Joke - Genesis 21 - Rev. Tim Vance
Why do Abraham and Sarah laugh? What's the joke?
The Shape of Dough - Genesis 18 - Rev. Tim Vance
What does the shape of bread (or pizza) dough teach us about the movement of God in the world?
The Shape of Our Stories - Genesis 12 - Rev. Tim Vance
Stories have shapes according to author, Kurt Vonnegut. What then is the shape of our faith story?
The Clapping - Genesis 11 - Rev. Tim Vance
Is clapping after a worship song or hymn appropriate in worship? Yes, clapping can be a meaningful part of our worship response. But NOT clapping can also be a genuine expression of worship and gratitude.
The Face of Hope - Luke 24 + Jeremiah 29 - Rev. Dr. Grace Park
Welcome Rev. Dr. Grace Park as our guest preacher.
God is a Mother - Revelation 21:1-5 - Rev. Tim Vance
God is _______________. Fill in the blank. What images or experiences of God (in the words of James Baldwin) make us larger, freer, and more loving?
Ironic - Revelation 20:1-4 - Rev. Tim Vance
The book of Revelation is Ironic. Jesus wages non-violent war. Jesus is a servant king. The double irony, is that Christians often read this book unironically, which makes Jesus violent and Christianity controlling. &nbs...
Tattooed Jesus - Revelation 19 - Rev. Tim Vance
Are you confused by Christians who support war and violence? Well look no further than this tattooed image of Jesus in Revelation 19 for their biblical justification. But is this violent warrior Jesus real? Or is this image s...
Origin Stories (Plural) - Genesis 4-5 - Rev. Tim Vance
Like the four gospels, the opening books of the Bible include four traditions that are placed side-by-side. These similar, yet different voices are intentionally preserved because diversity of perspective and insight is more important tha...
Doubt to Shout! - John 20
Welcome Rev. Suzanne Swartz (Parish Associate) preaching on the risen Jesus appearing to the disciples.
Easter Stories (Plural) - Mark 16
We're not supposed to talk about this, but there are conflicting details in the resurrection stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These differences, however, are actually a part of the good news. Happy Easter!
The Musical Meditation - Genesis 6-8
From the creation stories to the flood stories in Genesis, God is creating space for life in the midst of the chaos. In a similar way, our worship liturgy includes room for us to experience peace in the midst of the flood.
The Children - Genesis 6
In the familiar story of Noah's Ark, God tries to kill everyone and everything! How did this become the story we like to tell our children in Sunday School?