Saint Paul’s Pod

Saint Paul's Pod: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

During the Feast of Epiphany, we celebrate Jesus appearing to the gentiles.
God created this space so we all could participate in the mystery of Jesus. The wisemen came from different nations and cultures. Despite their differences, they were invited to accept he mystery of Christ. They were not fascinated or mesmerized by power. They were transformed by the love Jesus emanated.
The Gift of Jesus shows how God’s love is transnational. It does not discriminate. God defends the needy, delivers the poor and pities the lowly.
So how can we today be faithful when times feel dark and heavy?
Look up, find a star and remember God has the whole world in his hands.
 

Saint Paul's Pod: The Proof is in the Transformed

When John the Baptist is imprisoned for speaking out, he is most relatable, his weakest and the most like us.
When life has not gone according to plan and our expectations are not met, we may feel lost. This is when doubt and uncertainty can only be overcome by the truth of the Gospel.
When John questions the truth of the Gospel, Jesus doesn’t respond with a miracle on demand but instead he asks his disciples to report what they hear and see.  The only proof John needed, or we need today is the lives that have been transformed by the love of God.
Overcome the doubt and uncertainty today by remembering how you have been transformed by the love of God. Love has made the way clear for us to be a part of the reason for hope.

Saint Paul's Pod: John the Baptist, the Radical

Matthew’s story of John the Baptist reminds us of his remarkable life in the wilderness, uncompromising calls for repentance, direct confrontation with corruption and championing for justice at all costs. He lived by anything but the cultural norms.
John’s vision of redemption meant complete destruction of the world. But Jesus comes along to show us that God’s love can transform.
The world is pregnant with the kingdom of God. Bruised and confused, the world is the one God loves so much that he became a part of it with Jesus.
We can’t pretend the world today is the kingdom, but we don’t need to burn it to the ground. We need to live radically to see all human beings with the love of God. Loving the world and one another to be destined for redemption not destruction.
 

Saint Paul's Pod: Preparing for the unknown

The first week of advent, we look in two directions. We are preparing for Christmas, a time to remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. But we also look forward to the second coming of Christ.
In opposition with the feverish consumerism and mandatory jolliness of the season, advent calls us to sit, wait and watch. We balance between expectation and memory. How do we prepare for the second coming, something we cannot predict? Being constantly ready feels traumatic, but we must remember the way Jesus came to this world the first time. He came to us in humility and vulnerability, so we look for his second coming amongst the lowly; serving and loving one another.

Saint Paul's Pod: Jesus is the GOAT

On Christ the King Sunday we celebrate Jesus, the king of the universe and our hearts.
Luke’s story of the crucifixion reminds us of the truth in a confusing time during the rise of Christian nationalism. Let us not shrink Jesus down. Christian nationalism assumes God endorses has a national identity where God works for the world.
God is bigger. We serve a God of all people, working for all people throughout the world. We should not rush to the top to look down on others but to the bottom where we serve and help those in need as Jesus would do. Jesus is expanding compassion, deepening hope and meeting us where justice and mercy embrace.
Jesus is the GOAT. Greatest of All Time, the ultimate servant leader, transforming the world and all of us from the inside out.

Saint Paul's Pod: Holy Scripture Feeds Peace

When there are times of persecution, where do you turn? Allow the holy scripture to feed your peace. Allow it to sturdy your foundation and plant your feet.
Your belief in the truth of God’s word lets you know you’re never alone. God is in relentless pursuit of his creation, you.
Scripture outlines a roadmap to navigate a holy life, a good, healthy and prosperous life but also how to navigate hardships. When Jesus calms the waters he showed the disciples the power of faith.
Mother Kimberly shares a personal story of her experience of intense fear during the political and racial tensions of 2021, specifically during the insurrection on January 6th.
She looked to the word to guide her with peace and strength. God promises we will not perish and hope in him is stronger than death.
 

Saint Paul's Pod: Celebrating 275 years

Throughout Saint Paul’s 275-year history, we have been a place of refuge for those seeking faith and the love of God. It is remarkable as we have loved our neighbors in one place for such a long time. For generations, Christians have gathered here; in peace and turmoil, in confidence and confusion. We don’t always live up to the calling, but we always point to the living God.
We acknowledge our strong history of mission, but we celebrate the God who continues to work within us. God’s reign is uninterrupted and defies the concept of time. In God’s love, justice and mercy are complete.
Regardless of where the world stands, the living God remains working. We are celebrating the grace of God being active amongst us and His faithfulness no matter what. May we continue the legacy of service, feeding the hungry and loving the lonely for the next 275 years.

Saint Paul's Pod: The Story of the Saints

We are on the cutting edge of a long line of faithful people. We are not the first generation to do this. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have faced the trials of the world by loving God.
The Gospel of Luke says that blessed are those who are poor, hungry and weep on this earth. God help us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us; to turn the other cheek.
We’re on the current page of the long story of the faithful. May we make those proud who came before us and walk in love, doing to others as we would have them do to us.

Saint Paul’s Pod: We’re in it together

Oh God, you have bound us together in a common light. Help us amid our struggles for justice and truth to confront one another without hatred and with respect.
Amen
Our lives together mean we struggle together. We are asking God to help us not become the injustice we confront.
God doesn’t give up on any of us.

Saint Paul's Pod: Thank God for Jesus

We aren’t perfect, but Jesus is. Jesus asks, when the son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?
Yes, He will. Persistent prayer and unwavering faith will help us see clearly the difference between what is true and what is false. Jesus helps us stay focused on God’s grace.
In this world there are threats, insecurities and fears. There are times when evil presents itself as truth. When the noise of life becomes too much, remember the good news. God stands ready to provide justice.