First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh's Podcast

The Apostle Peter interprets the meaning of the Transfiguration.

Standing Stones #6

First Church has always been built on the foundation of the unshakable truth of God’s word. How do we live into that truth in our time, when we have to compete with the “clever stories” of the culture?

Peter encourages Jesus followers to stand firm amid persecution.

Our unique church building is a source of pride for us and a treasure for the city. But do we see how God has faithfully built his people together as “living stones” for all these years?

The message today is drawn from Solomon’s dedication of the temple. It also reprises the sermon of Maitland Alexander of April 16, 1905, at the dedication of the current church building.

Standing Stones #4.

We’re bombarded by all kinds of claims every day. Social media magnifies those claims in ways that were unimaginable when Maitland Alexander dedicated our current church building in 1905. How do we proclaim the truth of God’s unfailing Word in our time?

After God delivered the Israelites from the Philistines, Samuel memorialized the victory by setting up a stone and calling it “Ebenezer.”

Standing Stones #3.

Many people today seem to think that, “Of course God blesses us. That’s his job.” But if we think that, how will we ever recognize the myriad ways God blesses us when we don’t deserve it?

After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God commanded them to erect a memorial to remind future generations where God had stopped the water and the people had safely crossed on dry land.

Standing Stones #2 - Can we explain to our children what the standing stones of the Jordan meant? Can we explain what the stones in our church building mean?

Jacob had a dream of heaven opened and angels ascending and descending. He realized that God was there and he had missed it, so he made a memorial out of the stone he used for a pillow.

Begins a new series called “Standing Stones” in celebration of the church’s 250th anniversary. In the Old Testament, God commanded that his people erect stone monuments to remind them of God’s faithfulness. The stones of our sanctuary remind us of God’s faithfulness to this congregation through the years.

Revisiting the story of the Magi, the most improbable Christmas visitors.

The Magi were the highly priestly class of Persia. Pagans, idol worshippers, who made their living interpreting the movement of the stars. How could it be that the people you would least expect to be there are included in the birth narrative of the King of Kings?

Rev. Tom Hall explores the meaning of Christmas according to Luke.

There are all kinds of names for Jesus in the Bible, but the last name Jesus gives himself is the “Bright Morning Star.”

We live in a time of pessimism and darkness, and sometimes the darkness seems to be winning. But as surely as the sun will rise and bring a new day, so Jesus Christ will come and dispel the darkness of the world.

The famous prophecy of Isaiah, that out of Jesse’s lineage would come a King, a rose, to bring victory and peace.

In what ways is Jesus the Savior, a rose? Does your faith allow you to see God bringing new life into places where all seems lost?