St. Paul Podcast

With majestic, poetic language, John the gospel writer brings the hearer into the dramatic scene of cosmic creation, in which all life, death, resurrection, and people are held together by the God of Israel, whom all people can come to understand through John's story of Jesus. Preaching text: John 1:1-18 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be...

Mac Mullins preaches on resolutions. Our resolution for the new year, and the rest of our lives, is to be transformed and to live a certain way. God does not want perfect people, God’s resolution is for all of us. Try compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness of each other. This is the path for a character transformation. God’s desire for us becomes our desire for God. That’s what...

Announcing that God in Christ has interrupted creation's life once again, the question arises again for God's people: how, then, shall we live? A surprising answer awaits those who share in a cosmic victory through Jesus. Preaching text: Colossians 3:12-17 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following we...

 Mark Niethammer preaches on the St. Paul podcast's special Christmas Eve edition. Once the holidays are over, the conflict and chaos of the world seem to drown out the peace of those special days. This time together is a deep breath for all of us. It’s a beautiful and needed interruption. Today, we have an opportunity to remember who we are and whose we are.    Preaching text: Luke 2: 1-20 

Last week's episode ended with Little Bird waking up to a most peculiar sound. What could that sound have possibly been? This week, Little Bird meets a very small new friend.

Katy Warren preaches on togetherness. We can be together, at work or the grocery store, surrounded by others, and still feel completely alone. This emotional loneliness is something most of us experience at some point in our lives. We can’t do it alone; we belong to God and each other. The love of God connects us, no matter how different our circumstances might be. Being part of a community of fai...

The mystery of God's love for Israel and for the world is shouted and sung by Elizabeth and Mary, the first in Luke's long line of witnesses to God's power in Jesus for life that confronts and overcomes the deadening powers of the world.   Preaching text: Luke 1:39-55 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on...

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on caring for others. So often, the word repentance is thought of as beating ourselves up for all the wrong we’ve done, feeling guilty and burdened by all our messed-up things. Repentance is about turning back to God. It’s getting back on track when we’ve lost our way, letting go of what keeps us from God’s way of love, and bringing more beauty into this world. But how do...

This week, Little Bird is off on her longest journey yet, flapping her little wings all the way to Bethlehem. Little Bird, Mary, and Joseph find comfort and support in a very unlikely place.

John the Baptist was sent to prepare a people for God, and here Luke shows what that preparation is. Within our reach, not impossible, it is indeed an announcement of good news, preparing us for the one who brings the Holy Spirit and power over the world's deadening forces. Preaching text: Luke 3:7-18 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the...

Pastor Mark Niethammer preaches on making room. Whether we’re filling our calendars or making time, there is always room for the ones we love. Our calling is to realize that in our world, in our society, God is already here. We need to prepare ourselves to receive the gift that has already been given and to make room in our hearts for Christ to be present. Preparing the way is not seizing control...

If you tuned in last week, you heard the story about Mary and Elizabeth. This week’s story takes place just after that one! Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah is being awfully quiet, but why? We also find out what Elizabeth and Zechariah name their baby.  We’d love for you to share the meaning of your names with us! Send your responses to jessica@stpaulqc.org!

With historical and cultural detail and a reference to the prophet Isaiah, Luke introduces John the Baptist as the herald of a God who acts in continuity with the life of biblical Israel to touch history and the world through the person of Jesus, bringing a forgiveness that saves people from all the extremes to which life and sin might take them. Preaching text: Luke 3:1-6 Bible for Worship is a w...

Katy Warren preaches on connection. Anyone can bring joy and hope into another’s life in the most unexpected of ways. That’s the power of human connection, of opening ourselves up to loving others, whoever might cross our paths. The openness of our hearts to others, even strangers, brings about joy, love, and hope. “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.”  P...

This week, we're returning to Season 1 to help set up our story for next week! Today, our brave Little Bird is off on another adventure. This time, traveling days and days to visit Mary's cousin Elizabeth. This week's episode is filled with lots of song and encouragement.

Mark Niethammer preaches on power. How do power, authority, and influence show up in your life? There is so much we want to control throughout our days but we just can’t. Our powerlessness to change can be paralyzing and devastating. Real power is realizing you can’t control everything but knowing God works all things out, ultimately for good. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or where you...

The urgency that the apostle Paul felt about Jesus' return to fulfill the kingdom of God drives his wish for the community in Thessaloniki to sustain its ethic of self-discipline for the sake of others.  Preaching text: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following weekend. It correlate...

Does life sometimes not seem so fair? Today, Little Bird gets a little jealous of Tiny Mouse but Jesus reminds her of a very important teaching story. There’s still time to get on the Little Bird sound effects list. If you, a friend, family members, or anyone would like to submit sound effects for Little Bird to use, email jessica@sptaulqc.org and receive the monthly sound effects list. 

The visionary of Patmos makes it clear that no earthly ruler or kingdom has the ultimate future of creation in hand — that belongs only to God and to Christ, the King of Kings. Preaching text: Revelation 1:4b-8 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following weekend. It correlates with the Revised Common Lectionary...

Mac Mullins preaches on hope. When the threads of our society are destroyed, when our customs are endangered, when the things that give us security, are ruined, despair begins to creep in. These things are not the end of the world. Jesus’ words are meant to give our brains and our souls a course correction that shifts our focus toward God. We are meant to live, not in fear, but as disciples. We ar...

We often hear about the 12 disciples who follow Jesus but there are lots and lots more. Today, Little Bird teaches her new friend Tiny Mouse all about the disciples and the many people who followed Jesus and learned from him.  We’ll be sending out another sound effect email so now’s the chance to get on the email list! If you, your kids, your friends, your grandkids – whoever! – would like to cont...

Mark reassures the community of God's promise to bring all things to an end with great blessing, despite present distress and suffering, and that God alone knows when that will be. Preaching text: Mark 13: 1-8 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following weekend. It correlates with the Revised Common Lection...

Mark Niethammer preaches on joy. Joy is the movement of God’s spirit in our midst. It’s the gifts we’ve been blessed by, the people we’ve been blessed with. God’s spirit has a way of nudging us back into the right place after a time. Today is a day for you to open your hearts to the newness God is bringing about. Joy is here and joy abounds.    This past weekend was Joy Weekend at St. Paul. It’s a...

Today, Little Bird wants to sing the PERFECT song for Mary’s birthday, and it has to be perfect. So Little Bird worries and frets and gets very anxious that it won’t be good enough. Until Jesus shares with her some words of comfort. Sometimes we all need a little break, a little rest. It can be easy to forget that we are enough. “Come to me all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” Podcast...

Luke's story of Zacchaeus, "the wee little man," shows the massive impact of faithfulness, as this wealthy character ignores the distractions of wealth to love God and neighbor in a life of generosity and humility." Preaching text: Luke 19: 1-10 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following wee...