Cross Connections

On today's episode...

In this episode of Cross Connections Podcast, we delve into the Book of Acts. We will explore the multifaceted conflicts within the early Christian community, including the tension between Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus. We hear of the various interactions between Peter, Stephen, Philip, James, Paul, and others as they begin to share the Gospel, first within Jerusalem and then moving outward. This book is also the first place when the new community gets two new names.

We'll examine Paul's complex identity as a Jewish Pharisee and a Roman citizen, and how this dual identity influenced his mission. The episode also questions the historical accuracy of Acts and its portrayal of Paul.

Highlighting the revolutionary role of the Holy Spirit, we discuss how Acts demonstrates a new way of interpreting Jewish scriptures and who will receive the promised Spirit and power. Significant themes include the emergence of the first deacons, Stephen’s martyrdom, Peter’s vision, and Paul’s dramatic conversion. The discussion also covers Acts' depiction of urban ministry and the nuanced relationship between early Christians and the Roman Empire.

Lastly, the episode emphasizes Acts’ guidance for contemporary issues by showing how early Christians discerned the active work of the Holy Spirit.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

As we're about to head into the New Testament with our episode on the Acts of the Apostles, we want to re-share with you the episodes that we recorded earlier this year of the four gospels. Over the past three days we re-released the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Today we have for you the Gospel of John and on Wednesday, on schedule you’ll get our Acts episode. We’re doing this so that all the Gospels are at the top of your feed before we get to the Acts of the Apostles.

We especially hope that you listened to yesterday’s episode on the Gospel of Luke, since, as you’ll hear in both that episode and the Acts one, they’re by the same author. For today, here is the Gospel of John from May 14, 2025. Enjoy this back track!

On today's episode...

We’re in the fourth and final of the Gospels, the Gospel of John. What’s clear here is that (in a sing-song voice) “one of these things is not like the other ones.”

John is missing parables and miracles are reframed as “signs.” His focus is strongly on belief, but why is that exactly?

Recorded during Holy Week 2025, on Maundy Thursday, we noted that John’s Gospel is missing the institution of The Lord’s Supper, the Holy Eucharist.

We also discussed the phrase “eternal life” and what it probably means to John.

We wrestled a bit with the history of how the Gospel of John, and many of our Gospels have been used throughout Christianity, for better or worse.

Finally, we ranked our Gospels in order of favorite to least favorite. Call in to tell us your own!

Does our podcast need groupie names? Let us know.

And if you didn’t recognize “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band either, you can listen to it here: https://youtu.be/CxrsVV5N06I?si=AIy-661pil_C38Xe

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

As we're about to head into the New Testament with our episode on the Acts of the Apostles, we want to re-share with you the episodes that we recorded earlier this year of the four gospels. Over the past two days we re-released the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Today we have for you the Gospel of Luke and tomorrow you’ll get John. We’re doing this so that they are at the top of your feed before we get to the Acts of the Apostles.

If you want to get ahead and listen to them quickly, you can scroll back to May 14 for John. We especially commend to you this episode on the Gospel of Luke, since, as you’ll hear in both this episode and the Acts one, they’re by the same author. For today, here is the Gospel of Luke from April 21, 2025. Enjoy this back track!

On today's episode...

We discuss the Gospel of Luke!

Here how Luke, a synoptic Gospel, is both like, but also very different from Matthew and Mark which we’ve already discussed.

We go over some Christology – the theology of Jesus – even though we didn’t mean to!

And of course, we go down a few rabbit holes and mention a few spoilers – especially regarding Acts, which is written by the same author as Luke.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

As we're about to head into the New Testament with our episode on the Acts of the Apostles, we want to re-share with you the episodes that we recorded earlier this year of the four gospels. Yesterday we shared the Gospel of Matthew. Today we have for you the Gospel of Mark. and over the next couple of days, we will release again Luke, and John. We’re doing this so that they are at the top of your feed before we get to the Acts of the Apostles.

If you want to get ahead and listen to them quickly, you can scroll back to April 21 for Luke, and May 14 for John. We especially will commend to you our episode on the Gospel of Luke, since, as you’ll hear in both that episode and the Acts one, they’re by the same author. For today, here is the Gospel of Mark from March 10, 2025. Enjoy this back track!

On today's episode...

We discuss the Gospel of Mark, the earliest-written Gospel of the Bible.

Today’s conversation starts with the circumstances surrounding the initial writing of the Gospel of Mark. Do you remember who fiddled while Rome burned?

We ponder how the earliest Christians heard and understood this Gospel, and the developing Christology that you experience as you read each Gospel of the Bible.

We imagine the ways in which Christian tradition would be radically different if the Gospel of Mark were our only Gospel.

Finally, we talk about Jesus’ resurrection, other resurrection stories in the Bible, and which pop-culture genre is big on Lazarus.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on ourwebsite at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill.Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

As we're about to head into the New Testament with our episode on Acts, we want to re-share with you the episodes that we recorded earlier this year of the four gospels. Today we have for you the Gospel of Matthew, and over the next couple of days, we will release again Mark, Luke, and John, if you want to get ahead and listen to them quickly, you can scroll back to February 3, March 10, April 21, and May 14, and you will find these episodes there.

We're also re-releasing them for you over the next couple of days so that they are at the top of your feed before we get to the Acts of the Apostles. We especially will commend to you our episode on the Gospel of Luke, but we want to give you all four. So, here we are with our episode on the Gospel of Matthew from February 3, 2025. Enjoy this back track.

On today's episode...

The first of our Gospel Bonus episodes featuring the Gospel of Matthew

Today we will learn:

• When and where the Gospel of Matthew was (probably) written
• How the Gospel of Matthew relates to the other three Gospels
• What the word Gospel means and what it would have meant to the people this was first written for
• Matthew’s audience for this Gospel and how we can tell
• And we answer your Matthew questions!

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

On today's episode...

We all made it to the 50th episode of the Cross Connections Podcast! Join us as we conclude our journey through the Old Testament. This week we discuss the final minor prophets - Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. We dive into each prophet’s context, main themes, and historical significance, especially as it relates to the writings and theology we’ll soon find in the New Testament.

Habakkuk and Zephaniah are both written about the period before the Babylonian exile while the other three are all written in the post-exilic return to Jerusalem. The Book of Ezra names both Haggai and Zechariah as prophets who insisted on the rebuilding of the Temple. Read next to each other, you see two very approaches to encouraging the community. The final text – Malachi – takes place even later, after the rebuilding of the Temple, and focuses on how the priests and people are living into this new Temple period. There are several Messianic allusions in Malachi, which is why it sits at the end of the Old Testament in Christian Bibles.

Once we get through these final five prophets, we take a bit of time to lightly discuss the “intertestamental period.” This is the span of about four centuries between the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem until the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus as written of in our Gospels. During this time, the Jewish community goes through yet more changes and struggles and there are important developments that inform the New Testament. This includes the establishment of synagogues and the Maccabean Revolt, the end of which is remembered in the Feast of Dedication (more familiarly called Hanukkah). Come listen in to hear how these developments inform Christian liturgy to this day!

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

On today's episode...

Exploring Minor Prophets: Big Messages from Small Books

In this episode, the team delves into five 'minor prophets' of the Bible—Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Despite their short length, these books deliver significant and powerful messages. Amos addresses social justice, condemning the exploitation of the poor. Micah emphasizes the need for justice, mercy, and humility. Obadiah foretells Edom's downfall due to their betrayal. Nahum celebrates Nineveh's impending destruction. Finally, Jonah's story serves as a compelling narrative on God's mercy and the importance of compassion, challenging listeners to reconsider their understanding of divine forgiveness. This episode highlights the relevance of these ancient texts for contemporary faith and society, wrapping up with a reflection on how children’s ministry often simplifies these stories and the importance of revisiting them for deeper understanding. The team also incorporates interesting pop culture references, including Lin-Manuel Miranda's “Hamilton the Musical” and Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous use of Amos 5:24.

Join us next week as we conclude our exploration of the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament with a look at the last five minor prophets: Habakkuk through Malachi.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠. ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

This week on the podcast, we dive into the books of Hosea and Joel, exploring their historical context, challenging metaphors, and theological implications. The discussion covers the uncomfortable themes present in Hosea, including the metaphor of marriage and adultery as it relates to Israel's relationship with God, and the societal context of ancient marriage. The team also unpacks the concept of the "Day of the Lord" in Joel, its significance in both Old and New Testament theology, and how communal lament is a recurring biblical theme.

Key topics include:

• The historical setting of Hosea
• The metaphor of marriage and its implications for understanding God’s relationship with Israel
• The use of covenant lawsuits in Hosea
• The influence of Canaanite religion and Baal worship
• The challenge of interpreting violent or troubling metaphors in scripture
• The "Day of the Lord" in Joel and its echoes in the New Testament
• The evolution of eschatological (end times) thought, including the origins of the rapture concept
• The importance of communal lament in times of crisis

Resources & Further Reading

• The Woman’s Bible Commentary, edited by Carol Newsom

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

On today's episode...

This week on the podcast, the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill take a deep dive into the Book of Daniel. From fiery furnaces to lions’ dens to mysterious visions, Daniel’s story has it all. Together, the hosts unpack what’s going on in this apocalyptic text, how it connects to the big picture of Scripture, and what we can take from it today.

One of the major points of note is that this book, particularly the second half of this book, is best read alongside a commentary or in a study Bible. The average reader won’t be able to make heads or tails of the second half without the context of the day and the geopolitical figures that are being referenced via metaphor.

Here’s a taste of what comes up in the conversation:

• Life in Babylon: exile, identity, and resisting assimilation
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: the fiery furnace and God’s protection
• The lion’s den and a repetition of God’s protection
• Daniel’s apocalyptic visions: beasts, horns, and cosmic battles
• The historical backdrop: Antiochus Epiphanes, the Maccabean Revolt, and Hanukkah (The Feast of the Dedication)
• Angels in Daniel: Gabriel, Michael, and the role of heavenly protectors
• The “Son of Man” and how Daniel points toward the New Testament
• What to do with Daniel’s “historical inaccuracies” and sermon-like qualities
• What apocalyptic literature is and what it does and does not do or tell us
• Hope and resilience: why Daniel still matters to us today

The book of Daniel may be complex, but we try to make it approachable in this episode by weaving together history, theology, and practical insights for living faithfully in challenging times.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠.

Welcome back to Cross Connections! In this episode, Natalee, Elliot, and Rick dive into the second half of Ezekiel, exploring the prophet’s dramatic sign acts, the shift from doom to hope, and a preview of the wild world of apocalyptic literature.

Episode Highlights:

• Ezekiel’s wife dies as a sign act, and the hosts discuss the significance of mourning without grieving (Ezekiel 24), drawing connections to Leviticus 10 and traditions around priestly mourning.
• The oracles against the nations: Why does Egypt get so much attention? The team explores the historical context and the role of neighboring nations in Judah’s downfall.
• The turn to hope: Starting in chapter 33, Ezekiel’s message shifts to restoration, individual responsibility, and the metaphor of the sentinel.
• Wrestling with God’s justice: The hosts reflect on how people inside and outside the church grapple with the question, “Is God just?”.
• The Good Shepherd: Ezekiel’s critique of Israel’s leaders (the “shepherds”) and the promise of a new, Davidic shepherd. The conversation connects these passages to Matthew 25, John 10, and the New Testament’s imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
• Grace in Ezekiel: God’s promise of a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36), emphasizing that restoration is an act of grace, not something the people have earned. The priestly language and Levitical references are highlighted.
• The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37): A powerful vision of resurrection and hope, often read at the Easter Vigil. The hosts unpack the Hebrew word “ruach” (spirit, wind, breath) and its significance.
• Apocalyptic and eschatological literature: What’s the difference? The team explains these terms, referencing the Book of Enoch (for the curious, it’s part of the Ethiopian Orthodox canon and a wild read!) and how Ezekiel’s visions set the stage for later apocalyptic works like Daniel and Revelation.
• Gog and Magog: Who are they? The hosts discuss their symbolic role in Ezekiel and their reappearance in Revelation, as well as their presence in other ancient Jewish texts like 1 Enoch and the Sibylline Oracles.
• The vision of the new temple: Ezekiel’s grand, hope-filled vision of a future temple, and how this shapes both Jewish and Christian understandings of God’s presence. The discussion touches on the shift from temple-based to more universal ideas of holiness in the New Testament (see John and Paul’s writings).
• Restoration and hope: The episode closes with the promise that “the Lord is there” (Ezekiel 48:35).

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Next week: Daniel and the world of apocalyptic stories—lions, furnaces, and more! Sign your 2nd-5th Graders up for Sunday Christian Formation - they're reading Daniel, too!

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠.