Fresh Progressive God Talk
Get a fresh take on God, spirit, faith, life, love, justice, and community. First Church Berkeley is an open and affirming, progressive Christian church in Berkeley, California, part of the United Church of Christ. We are committed to Jesus’ countercultural and life-giving path. We understand the life of spirit to be a journey, not a destination. Our podcast features the powerful preaching of several of the ministers on staff and special guests. More about the church at firstchurchberkeley.org.
The Risk of Birth • Molly Baskette
12-18-2016
Beginning with a story of her own experiences giving birth, Senior Minister Molly Baskette emphasizes the importance of breathing into the moment. God does that for Joseph in a dream about the truth of Jesus’ birth.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 15.87MB - Duration: 16:39 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Built for Sound • Phil Porter
12-11-2016
On Advent Music Sunday, Minister of Art & Communication Phil Porter begins by imagining the first song that was ever sung. Then he explores how music moves us in so many different ways making it an important way to experience and express the holy.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 7.78MB - Duration: 7:48 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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The Body’s Way • Kit Novotny
12-04-2016
Young Adult Minister Kit Novotny notes that as human beings we will fall short of the glory of God. Like other sensitive bodies, John the Baptist. can see this reality and calls his people to a new thing, immersing them in the water of the Jordan River.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 13.19MB - Duration: 13:43 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Zero Sum God • Molly Baskette
11-27-2016
Senior Minister Molly Baskette explores the apocalyptic nature of the Matthew text in which one is left and the other is taken. We are called to be even more “woke,” to put our privilege on the line and to understand that God is calling us to re-creation.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 17.22MB - Duration: 18:07 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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We Are More Alive Than Dead • Sonny Graves
11-20-2016
On Transgender Day of Remembrance & Visibility, First Church mourns the lives of transgender people murdered over the last year. Former Emerging Leader Sonny Graves draws on both the pain and the promise of the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 24.69MB - Duration: 26:17 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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It's About Joy • Rachel Bauman
10-30-2016
Zacchaeus was a tax collector who was intrigued enough by Jesus to climb up into a tree to get a glimpse of him. Minister of Community Life Rachel Bauman notices that it was Zaccaeus’ joy at being truly seen by Jesus that led him to share his wealth.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 12.88MB - Duration: 13:22 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Humbled • Molly Baskette
10-23-2016
Senior Minister Molly Baskette preaches on the story of the Pharisee who stands in the middle of the temple and prays loudly about his virtue and the tax collector who prays humbly in a corner (Luke 18:9-14).
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 19.83MB - Duration: 20:58 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Retention of Vision • Molly Baskette
10-16-2016
Senior Minister Molly Baskette reflects on the ephemeral nature of our own lives and all that stands around us. She also suggests, though, that it is neither surprising nor inappropriate that we might cry out to God in sorrow and anger “How could you?”
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 21.73MB - Duration: 23:03 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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Awesome • Kit Novotny
10-09-2016
In the wake of the fire at First Church Berkeley, Young Adult Minister Kit Novotny reflects on the experience of “awe,” a complex mix of fear and wonder, of dread and reverence.
Filetype: MP3 - Size: 18.47MB - Duration: 19:29 m (128 kbps 44100 Hz)
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