The Naked Sermon Podcast

Every week right here, you can listen into our latest conversation where we get real real as we prep for our sermons and dig into the readings from two different perspectives. These have a tendency to be both grounding and to provoke new generative thinking that places our bodies and souls and hearts right in the midst of our current moment and real lives.

Come and Hear; Come and See
1 Samuel 3 & John 1

Pastor Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran) and Pastor Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community) explore both the call of Samuel and the call of Nathaniel and Phillip, and how the way we perceive the world, the way we see, listen, and know the world around us, impacts our perception of the Divine both in the world and in those around us.
1. Itunes
2. Vimeo
3. SoundCloud

Living into Belovedness
Mark 1:1-11

Stori Long (Storyline Community) and Rev. Jesse Christopherson recorded this on Jan. 6th- a day where the factions and divisions in our country were brought to light in a stark and dangerous way. They discuss the days events in light of Jesus' baptism, what it tells us about our own belovedness, and the hard work of reckoning with all that it means to live in our shared humanity.
1. Itunes
2. Vimeo
3. SoundCloud

Moving Toward Epiphany

Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community) and Rev. Jesse Christopherson take a deep dive into the mystery of Epiphany Sunday, the expansive invitation illustrated by these characters from the East, and the disarming message of their presence for us today.
Also, to make your experience better, bring a bingo card for every time we make a movie/literature reference! :)
1. Itunes
2. Vimeo
3. SoundCloud

The Story that Shaped Us: Christmas Eve Special
Luke 2:1-20

We also have a very special episode of the Nake Sermon Podcast featuring so many people from our beloved communities that we partner with! On this episode Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran), Rev. Heather Riggs (Oak Grove UMC), Rev. Sara Gross Samuelson (Storyline Community), Pastor Anna Hoesly (Storyline), and Stori Long (Storyline Community) share some of their songs, literature, and Christmas memories that have shaped their understanding of the season, as well as reflect on the significance of the Christmas Story, both then and now.

We also have a special musical offering from local singer/songwriter Kit Taylor.

Have a listen below!

1. iTunes
2. Podbean

Looking Toward Shalom
Isaiah 61:1-11

Rev. Jesse Christopherson of Milwaukie Lutheran Church and Pastor Anna Hoesly (Storyline Community) talk Isaiah 61:1-11 and the abundant diverse picture of shalom. It's a picture that might look different than we would have first imagined, but with that comes the challenge to look for God and abundance not only in the places that we are used to. But don't worry, beloved, you're more prepared for that than you think.

1. iTunes
2. Soundcloud
3. Vimeo

Comfort, My People
Isaiah 40:1-11

Rev. Jesse Christopherson of Milwaukie Lutheran Church and Stori Long, Storytelling and Marketing Coordinator of Storyline Community, talk Isaiah 40:1-11 and the strange comfort offered there that calls us to wrestle with our mortality, our smallness, and our place in the forward movement of justice and mercy.
Forgive our brief giggle fit- Stori's cat (Bobby) makes an appearance on the video (more specifically Bobby's bottom and swishy tail- sermon prep is more fun with a cat).

1. iTunes
2. Soundcloud
3. Vimeo

Living in Post-Exile World
Isaiah 64:1-9

Through the lens of the first week of Advent, Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson of Storyline and Rev. Jesse Christopherson of Milwaukie Lutheran church wade through the hope of a post-exile world. What kind of people will we be after COVID? What kind of truths and realities will we no longer be able to ignore? Where are we heading? And how do we get there?
1. iTunes
2. Soundcloud
3. Vimeo

Eggs Served Two Ways
Matthew 25:14-30

Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community) and Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran) dig into the parable of the talents, each sharing different and powerful interpretations. Is it an invitation to take risks and multiply our abundance? Is it an indictment of a system designed to protect the powerful and punish the marginalized? Have a listen and see what you think! Parables, like eggs, can be served in more ways than one.
1. iTunes
2. Soundcloud
3. Vimeo

Justice, Community, and You
Amos 5:18-24

Follow this link for access to the conversational sermon between Rev. Sara Gross Samuelson and Stori Long, where they dig a little deeper into the context of Amos, the way different factions either sanitize the text for "politeness" or misunderstand the communal picture of justice and judgement, and what it means for us to go through the discomfort together to participate in the flow of justice.
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ARCHIVE OF PAST CONVERSATIONAL SERMONS!

All Saints Sunday and The Beatitudes
Matthew 5: 1-12

In this weeks conversational sermon, Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Pastor Sara Gross Samuelson (Storyline Community) dig into one of Jesus' most famous sermons in light of All Saints Sunday and how we misunderstand both as American's and what we can learn from them by experiencing and engaging with both as they were meant to be, and seeing them as an invitation into action and participation.
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The Game is Made Up, the Rules Don't Matter
Matthew 22:15-22

In this weeks conversational sermon, Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Pastor Anna Hoesly (Storyline Community) discuss the famous interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees where a question is posed to Jesus about whether or not it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. They dig into the history and the economy of the day, the trap of control, and the way Jesus modeled how to reject the "trap" of either-or that we often find ourselves facing.
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2. Audio

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Matthew 22:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9

In this weeks conversational sermon, Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community) dig into the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, the prophet Isaiah, and the currency of God's Kingdom. They nerd out in the best possible way about the difference between allegory and parable, the way this violent text has been wielded for abuse, and the implications of God's abundant banquet.
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The Parable of the Tenant: What Do We Do With The Time That Is Given Us?
Matthew 21:33-46

In this weeks conversational sermon, Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Paul Potter (Storyline Community) digs into the parable of the Tenants- one of the less warm and fuzzy parables, where Jesus responds to the challenge of the Pharisees about his authority. The talk about passivity in the face evil, free-will, and invite us to question of whether or not we have ever metaphorically been like the tenants, and misused the things that God has gifted us?
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The Story of the Vineyard Workers: An Apocalyptic Parable
Matthew 20:1-12

In this weeks conversational sermon, Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community) go well beyond the academic implication of Matthew 20:1-12, the Parable of the Vineyard Workers, to the real embodied truths it reveals about equality, accessibility, and the brokenness of our system that treat only some of our neighbors as fully human. They invite us to sit in discomfort, and then to ask the next question of, “Why?”

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When Unity Helps; When "Unity" Hurts
Romans 14:1-2

In this week's conversational sermon, Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Stori Long (Storyline Community) talk about Paul's letter to the Romans. They talk some of the baggage around that letter, what is behind Paul's call for unity in the midst of differences, and how we decide whose differences we make space for and what "differences" we don't tolerate and why.
1. Video Link
2. Audio Link

Conflict resolution that protects the vulnerable rather than bolsters the powerful
Matthew 18:15-20

In this week's conversational sermon, Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Pastor Anna Hoesly (Storyline Community). talk about Matthew 18:15-20- Matthew's direction for conflict, why it is brilliant from a conflict resolution and abuse prevention standpoint, how the passages it is nested between give it rich and profound context, and how it can go wrong + good indicators you can look for that it might be being misused in an unhealthy way!
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Being Called and Being Called Out
Matthew 16:13-28

This conversational sermon is offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Rev. Sara Gross Sameulson (Storyline Community). They get into Peter's rollercoaster ride of going from "rock of the church" to falling flat on his face in mere verses and how that echoes our own attempts to follow Jesus.
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A Good Kind of Trouble and Creative Disobedience
Exodus 1

This conversational sermon is offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Chruch) and Stori Long (Storyline Community). They discuss the creative disobedience of the midwives, the watchful eye of Miriam, and breaking rules to protect the life in front of you.
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Grumpy-Gills Jesus and the Persistence of the Canaanite Woman
Matthew 15:10-28

This conversational sermon is offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Chruch) and Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community) and they invite us to really lean into the humanity of Jesus as they dive into one of the more surprising interactions of Jesus with the Canaanite woman.
1. Video Link
2. Audio Link

The Invitation of Imagination
Matthew 14:13-21

This conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Chruch) and Stori Long (Storyline Community). They discuss the Feeding of the 5,000 and the reality that Jesus invites us to imagine even as we live in the tensions of our own reality. Because it's Jesse and Stori we also quote the late John Lewis, the Obamas, Walter Brueggemann, Master Yoda, and Tyrion Lannister.

1. Video Link
2. Audio Link

The Kingdom of God is Like...
Matthew 13

This conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Chruch) and Pastor Anna Hoesly (Storyline Community). They continue with the parables of Matthew, invite us into the snarky teaching of Jesus and the way Jesus invites us to imagine a different kind of Kingdom, plus they quote Master Yoda!
1. Video Link
2. Audio Link

July 19th, 2020 Conversation Sermon
7.19. 2020, Matthew 13:24-43

This conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Chruch) and Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community). They continue with the parables of Matthew, invite us into the snarky teaching of Jesus, problematic and traumatizing interpretations of these parables (and what we do with those), and the importance of reading the parables in the broader context of Jesus' whole ministry.

Planting Gardens & Reckless Optimism
7.12. 2020, Matthew 13:1-23

This conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Chruch) and Stori Long (Storyline Community). They talk about the disruptive purpose of the parables, rescuing Scripture from our rigid, dogmatic interpretations, and the optimistic love of the Sower, and what it means to throw seeds of love, empathy and compassion at all kinds of soil!

The Lens of Liberation: A Conversational Sermon with Rev. Lenny Duncan
7.5.2020, Matthew 10:40-42, Jeremiah 28:5-6

This is a powerful and convicting conversational sermon offered by Rev. Lenny Duncan and Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community). They speak of the importance of deconstructing the white lens through which we view Scripture, the narrative of liberation throughout Scripture, and offer convicting (and freeing) advice on how to do the work, the willingness to fail, and the ability to keep moving forward.

The Undoing of Babylon and the Long Arc of Justice
6.7.2020, Matthew 10:40-42, Jeremiah 28:5-6

This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community). They dive into the history of Israel and the truths this history reveals about our own current context, the uncomfortable work of listening to prophetic voices, choosing the prophetic truth over the comfortable lie, and the long, continual process of bringing about justice in our world.

"I've not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Eh?)
6.7.2020, Matthew 10:24-41

This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Stori Long (Storyline Community). They dig into some of Jesus' loaded words around peace, harmony, and the cost of disrupting the status quo.

Context of the Disinherited
6.7.2020, Matthew 9:35-10:8

This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Pastor Anna Hoesly (Storyline Community) where they speak to the profound truth that Jesus speaks to communities who are oppressed and the relational way he calls all people to join him in his kingdom work in their contexts.

Video: https://vimeo.com/428650201
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-christopherson-890092714/conversation-with-pastor-anna-hoesly-matthew-935-1023

Holy Trinity Sunday
5.7.2020

This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Rev. Sara Gross Samuelson (Storyline Community) where they dive into the deep, subversiveness of Jesus' Kingdom and how the Great Commission calls us into that creative and expansive work.
Video: https://vimeo.com/426118726

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On Learning to let go of the Bike on Ascension Sunday
5.24.2020, John 17:1-19, Acts 1:1-11

Mutual Love & Empowering Attachment
5.17.2020, John 14:15-24

This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Anna Hoesly (Storyline Community). Here they discuss Jesus' invitation to love him, the power of that mutual love, and how Jesus advocates for us.

VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/419089449
AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-christopherson-890092714/conversation-with-anna-hoesly-john-1415-24

The Way, The Truth, & The Life (or Jesus telling the disciples to get out of their OWN way)
5.10.2020, John 14:1-14

This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Stori Long (Storyline Community). Here they discuss what Jesus means when he claims to be the way, the truth and the life, how that scripture has been used (and misused), and Jesus empowering exhortation to those who follow him.

VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/416030709
AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-christopherson-890092714/conversation-with-stori-long-john-141-14

The Good Shepherd
5.3.2020, John 10:1-10

This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Rev. Sara Gross-Samuelson (Storyline Community). Here they discuss the Story of the Good Shepherd, the sheep, the gate, and the fence-hoppers and challenge us to consider what role we play in that story.

VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/413763782
AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-christopherson-890092714/sunday-morning-conversation-with-sara-gross-samuelson-and-jesse-christopherson-john-101-10

On the Road to Emmaus
4.26.2020, Luke 24: 13-35
This is a 30 minute conversational sermon offered by Rev. Jesse Christopherson (Milwaukie Lutheran Church) and Stori Long (Storyline Community). Here we discuss the road to Emmaus and the importance of going on our own internal journey, and the importance of vulnerability and familiarity in making us brave enough to see ourselves and others as they are meant to be seen.
VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/410738906
AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-christopherson-890092714/conversation-with-stori-long-luke-2413-35

4.19.2020, John 20:19-31
A Thomas who gets us closer to the good stuff: Anna Hoesly, MFT and Rev. Jesse Christopherson
We talk a bit about the path of grief, the power of good questions to get us closer to the heart of things, and the way the stories after Easter give us a richer picture of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/409315811
AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-christopherson-890092714/audio-only

DATE AND REFERENCE
Switching Kings, Pandemics, and Psalms of Comfort: Rev. Sara Gross Samuelson and Rev. Jesse Christopherson
Content Note: Parents, Jesse and Sara do a deep dive on historical context, which includes some descriptions of rape and death.
https://vimeo.com/399472487

DATE AND REFERENCE
Can these bones live? Stori Long and Rev. Jesse Christopherson
Listen to hear every geeky, fantasy reference possible fit into a conversation about death and life.
VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/401423948
AUDIO: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-christopherson-890092714/conversation-with-stori-long-ezekiel-371-14