St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

Recorded live at the outdoor service on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Readings for this week: 1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21 Psalm 16 Galatians 5:1,13-25 Luke 9:51-62

Recorded live at the outdoor service on June 19, 2022. Readings for this week: Isaiah 65:1-9; Psalm 22:18-27; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39

Recorded live at the outdoor service on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Readings for this week: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15

Recorded live at the outdoor service on June 5, 2022. Readings for this week: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17, 25-27

Recorded live at the indoor service on May 29, 2022. Readings for this week: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53

Recorded live at the outdoor service on Sunday, May 22. Readings for this week: Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29

A sermon recorded live at the outdoor service on Sunday, May 15. Readings: Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

This week, Maggie considers the troubled family relationships in the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the complexities of forgiveness. Readings for this week: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

This week, Maggie explores the meaning of the Holy Ground that Moses stands on and the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. Readings for this week: Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9

This week, Don Samuels reflects on the courage Jesus shows in the face of threats from Herod, and how we might emulate that and make a difference in the world. Readings for this week: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35

This week we reflect on Lenten practices and how they help us turn toward our source in God. Readings for the week: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13 Bishop Loya's Pastoral Message about Lent can be found here. The Jesus Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

This week Dave McEachron speaks about the Transfiguration of Christ and the role of beauty in our faith. Where might God's light be shining in your life and world? Readings for the week: Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; Luke 9:28-36 The icon Dave discusses can be found here.

This week Maggie explores the whole story of Joseph's meeting with his brothers in Genesis, as it relates to Jesus' teaching on loving one's enemies. Readings for the week: Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42; Luke 6:27-38

This week guest preacher Paul Nancarrow explores the meaning of the Beatitudes and Woes from Luke's Sermon on the Plain. How can you bring your need to Jesus so that he can bless it? How can Jesus make you a blessing for others? Readings for the week: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; Luke 6:17-26

This week we hear the story of a miraculous catch at the lake of Gennesaret. How is God helping you to draw hope out of emptiness? Readings for this week: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138; Luke 5:1-11

This week Maggie Nancarrow continues with last week's story of Jesus teaching at the synagogue at Nazareth, and how the crowd quickly turned away from him and from love. What can this story and the Ignatian Examen teach us about dealing with what is lifetaking? Readings for the week: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Psalm 71:1-6; Luke 4:21-30

This week Dave McEachron explores the liberating passage from Isaiah Jesus reads at the synagogue at Nazareth, and how it relates to Paul's analogy of the body parts working together and the Ignatian Examen. Readings for the week: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Psalm 19; Luke 4:14-21

This week Maggie explores the Wedding at Cana and what it has to tell us about abundant life. Readings for the week: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Psalm 36:5-10; John 2:1-11

This week, Maggie explores the ways in which the Magi capture our imaginations, and the things that they have to teach us as people of faith. Readings for This Week: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7,10-14; Matthew 2:1-12

In this week's worship podcast Blair Pogue explores the powerful words of the pregnant Mary and Elizabeth when they meet. Readings for this week: Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7; Luke 1:39-55 For the “Be Still” prayer and the story behind it, please see the Spiritual Practice on our website.

In this week's worship podcast Blair Pogue explores the hopes and concerns of the people who came out to hear John the Baptist and be baptized by him. She focuses on God's faithfulness, even in difficult and uncertain times. This is why St. Paul can, from prison, exhort the Christians in Philippi to “rejoice always.” Readings for this week: Philippians 4:4-7; Canticle 9; Luke 3:7-18 For the “Be Still” prayer and the story behind it, please see the Spiritual Practice on our website.

Luke works hard to locate his story within context that his readers would understand, but he also makes a bold statement: that no matter what is happening or who is in power, the word of God cannot be contained. This week we reflect on how the “routine” and “sameness” of Advent invites us into a rhythm of redemption marked by God's power to show up, no matter what is going on around us. Readings for this week: Baruch 5:1-9; Canticle 16; Luke 3:1-6 For the "Be Still" prayer and the story behind it, please see the Spiritual Practice on our website.

In this podcast Blair Pogue explores passages from the Prophet Jeremiah and Luke's Gospel that show how we can trust God's promises and promised future, even in difficult times. Readings for this week: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-9; Luke 21:25-36 For the "Be Still" prayer and the story behind it, please see the Spiritual Practice on our website.

This week we explore the purpose of observing Christ the King Sunday, especially through the conversation between Jesus and Pilate just before his execution. This week's readings: Revelation 1:4-8; Psalm 93; John 18:33-38a

This week Dave McEachron explores how apocalyptic literature can still speak to us today. This week's readings: Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-25; Psalm 16; Mark 13:1-11

In her All Saints' Day sermon Blair Pogue explores what a faithful life and death might look like for Jesus' followers. This week's readings: Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44

This week Maggie explores the Greatest Commandment as it is found in Mark, and wonders about how we can ground ourselves in love of God, neighbor, and self. This week's readings: Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalm 119:1-8; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34

In her reflection for the Feast of St. Luke Blair Pogue explores how we might participate in the Holy Spirit's leading to bring reconciliation and healing to our neighborhoods and communities. This week's readings: Sirach 38:1-4, 6-10, 12-14; Psalm 147:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:5-13; Luke 4:14-21

This week, James and John approach Jesus with a presumptive question, which prompts Jesus to teach: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.” What definitions of greatness exist in our own culture, and how can we allow those definitions to be shaped by God's Way? This week's scripture readings: Isaiah 53:4-12; Psalm 91:9-16; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45

In this Sunday's podcast Blair Pogue reflects on everything that has happened to the people of St. Matthew's since March 2020. Our return to our building is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how we've been changed, God's generosity, and ours. This week's scripture readings: Amos 5:6-7,10-15; Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31

This week we celebrate St. Francis Day and the sacrament of Baptism. We explore the different ways that God might be heard and understood through the natural world around us. What voices in the natural world tell you about God, and how do they speak? Readings for this week: Job 12:7-10; Psalm 148:7-14; Galatians 6:14-18; Matthew 11:25-30

In today's podcast, Blair Pogue explores what it means to live in the economy of grace as a follower of the Way of Jesus.

This week the podcast explored what wisdom means in a Christian context, inviting us to look for wise people in our lives.

This week, we encounter a fundamental teaching of Jesus: “Those who lose their life for the gospel will save it.” In this podcast, we explore how that teaches us about the paradox of unconditional love and the nature of discipleship.

In her sermon Blair Pogue explores how the Syrophoenician woman, a gentile and outsider, changes Jesus. She is desperate to have her daughter healed, and in her desperation, she expands Jesus' understanding of God's mission and Kingdom or Reign.

This week we are back in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus challenges some Pharisees who ask why he isn't observing some important rituals. This passage invites us to ask hard questions about why we do what we do when we practice our faith, but ultimately offers good news about what God really wants of us. Readings for the day: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 15 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

In his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, the writer sees a cosmic battle taking place between God and the forces that work against God and God's people. But interestingly the "armor of God" is not military gear that destroys, but equipment that builds up: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and shoes that enable the wearer to proclaim the Gospel of peace. How might God be equipping us to be bridgebuilders, people who seek relationships and reconciliation with those from different backgrounds and even with different points of view?

Sarah Miller compares the Feeding of the 5000 to artist Theaster Gates' Soul Food Pavilion, and considers how we can use material things to share God's grace and love. Descriptions of Soul Food Pavilion are drawn from Maria Reyes Fee's dissertation "The Art of Theaster Gates and a Theology of Hospitality” and article "The Art of Theaster Gates: To 'Conjure the Symbolic.'” Learn more about Theaster Gates at art21.org/theaster-gates/.

In this week's podcast Blair Pogue ponders Jesus' statement “I am the bread of life.” What does he mean, and how might God be inviting us to trust God's provision?

This week we begin to explore Jesus' teaching on the bread of life. Understanding how God seeks to be in relationship with us can help us see and know where God is providing for us in our lives. Readings for this week: Exodus 16:2-4,9-15; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35

This week Dave McEachron explores John's telling of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on the waters. See the "bigness" of God in Jesus' power and abundant providing. Readings for this week: 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-19, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21

Mark's version of the Feeding of the 5000 has a unique context. This week Maggie's sermon explores how Mark's particular portrayal of this well-known miracle tells us something about what kind of leader God is.

In this podcast Blair Pogue reflects on the contrast between Jesus' table fellowship and the table fellowship of the ruler and Roman puppet Herod Antipas. While Herod's hospitality is all about Herod, maintaining power and not losing face, Jesus' gives himself in love to nourish others. Over the course of the meals Jesus hosts and participates in, people discover good news, healing, freedom, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

This week's podcast explores the account of Jesus returning to his home village and sending his followers out with instructions to travel lightly and rely on the hospitality of others (Mark 6:1-3).

This week, Maggie's sermon explores one of the more curious healing stories in the gospel of Mark. A leader approaches Jesus asking for healing for his dying daughter, but another desperate woman interrupts them on the way. What can we learn about God's promise to us through this story? Thanks to Jeff Kidder for the music.

This week, the St. Matt's podcast explores the account of Jesus calming the Sea of Galilee from Mark 4:35-41. Thanks to Jeff Kidder for the music.

This week, the podcast explores a strange and complicated conversation between Jesus and some scribes from the Gospel of Mark. At the heart of this text is a question that many don't want to ask ourselves about forgiveness: Is there something we can do that is so bad that God couldn't forgive us for it? Thanks to Jeff Kidder for the music.

Blair Pogue discusses the Trinity and what it means for unity and diversity to be part of God's own life. The music is by Jeff Kidder. "Soup of nothingness" is taken from Eugene Peterson's translation of Genesis 1:1 in The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (2002). The Holy Spirit working as "a powerful public presence" is taken from Michael Welker's God the Spirit (2004). The "need to unlearn speed, innocence, and distance," is taken from Emmanuel Katangole and Chris Rice's book Reconciling All Things: A Christian Vision for Justice, Peace, and Healing (2008).

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church is a faith community in St. Paul, Minnesota. This weekly worship podcast provides listeners with a scripture reading, a sermon, and prayers each week. You can find out more about St. Matthew's at stmatthewsmn.org