St. Paul Podcast

Peter W. Marty preaches on relationships. We seem to live in a world where we no longer need each other much anymore need our neighbors for the meaning in our lives, the happiness in our lives, and the quality of our lives. Do we celebrate and honor these relationships just as we celebrate and honor achievements in our own lives? This is hard work and we should be investing in it.   Preaching text...

Little Bird and Jesus visit some very good friends in today’s episode. The sisters are so excited to see Jesus and Little Bird but they each show their love and care in two very different ways. You may even remember these sisters from Season 1!   Season 1, Episode 15: Little Bird and Jesus with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1232567/12431325 

Telling the story of Jesus calling the first four disciples, Mark offers important insights into the nature of Christian discipleship. Gospel passage: Mark 1:14-20 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 as it is used at St. Paul.  With Peter A. Petti...

Katy Warren preaches on renewing our vision. We can look at the same situation, the same person, the same thing and see very different things and come to very different conclusions. There are things we see objectively and then there is how we interpret them or respond. And sometimes we use our eyes instead of our hearts in how we see people around us.  

This week, we fast forward to when Jesus is a grown-up. Today, we’ll meet a very generous woman who gives so much of herself to others. 

John tells the story of Jesus calling two disciples, in a scene that can teach us all about discipleship. Preaching passage: John 1:43-51 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 as it is used at St. Paul.  With Peter A. Pettit, teaching pastor.

Peter W. Marty preaches on the chaos and goodness in life. So many of the words in scripture are like three-dimensional words you can climb inside of because they speak of a truth that we cannot live without. Goodness itself is intrinsic to creation. There’s something else besides goodness that rests at the heart of creation: chaos. God brings structure to the chaos.   Preaching text: Genesis 1: 1...

For the next few weeks of Little Bird and Jesus, we’re going to introduce you to some wonderful people Jesus met throughout his life. This week, meet Simeon and Anna, two people who met Jesus very early on in his life. 

The first verses of the Bible open up to us the God who is for us from beginning to end. Preaching passage: Genesis 1:1-5 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 as it is used at St. Paul.  With Peter A. Pettit, teaching pastor.

Mac Mullins preaches on encountering God’s grace. How is your life being shaped by God’s grace? We are surrounded by this heavenly peace and God’s great story. One part of living a great life is encountering grace outside ourselves and living in a way that is true to ourselves.  Preaching text: Luke 2: 22-33

Happy New Year! This week, we find Little Bird just where we left off - the stable in Bethlehem.  On this day, some astounding new visitors arrive, bringing with them one of the strangest creatures Little Bird has ever seen! 

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. 

Peter Marty preaches on gentleness. How might we operate in the world more gently? What would happen if we all aspired to be more gentle in our lives? Let your gentleness be visible to all you meet. Because gentleness is not weakness. To be gentle, you have to be strong. I think we're going to have an exceptionally good Christmas this year.  Preaching text: Luke 2: 1-14 

Luke's profoundly rich story of Jesus' first visit to the Jerusalem Temple signals the key themes of his gospel message in an appealing story filled with powerful symbols. Gospel passage: Luke 2:22-40 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...

Luke uses subtle irony and surprise to underscore the revolution that arrives with Jesus' birth. Gospel passage: Luke 2:1-14 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 as it is used at St. Paul.  With Peter A. Pettit, teaching pastor.

Katy Warren preaches on dreams. What does it mean to be people who dream? The season of Advent is about the hope and anticipation that there is something more to come. No matter the struggles, emptiness, or grief we feel right now, we can dream that it will not always be this way. Hold fast to your dreams, for a life without dreams is like a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.   Preaching text: Ps...

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. 

The prophet's vision of a world restored brings hope for freedom, healing, comfort, and growth both in our day and in our spirits. Preaching text: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 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 as it is used at St. Paul.  With Peter...

Peter W. Marty preaches on the winding path of life. Most of the roads we navigate in life are not perfectly straight. Not everything works the way we wish it would, the way we think it will, the way God hopes it will. We have our issues, our disappointments, our detours but the crooked shall be made straight. Advent is a time to divest the hope we have in ourselves and try to transfer that hope t...

This week, 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 opens the gospel story boldly, setting John the Baptizer in an older biblical context and signaling that "the one who is coming" will be different. 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 as it is used at St. Paul.  With Peter A. Pettit...

Peter Marty preaches on staying awake. Stay alive to everything that life brings you, offers you, asks of you, and what the world needs of you. The best way to be awake or on watch is for us to do everything we’re supposed to do every day. Don’t go to sleep. Just keep doing the things the world needs you to do.  Preaching text: Matthew 13: 24-37 

It's time to jump back to the beginning of the story, even before Jesus was born. Today, we're revisiting stories we started with last year!  Little Bird meets a very special woman, and together, they have a remarkable encounter and learn some truly life-changing news! 

Mark shows Jesus offering reassurance about troubling times and encouraging his followers to stay alert for the arrival of God's reign in all its fullness.  Gospel passage: Mark 13:24-37 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 as it is used at St...

Mac Mullins preaches on living out mercy. The things we do without thinking, our habits, are deeply a part of how our lives are defined even if we don’t realize it. A life that lives out mercy, that’s what Jesus offers us. God builds us up to be a community that shows mercy and loves without thinking about it. We are being shaped into people who love without hesitation. We live this life of love b...