St. Paul Podcast

In today’s story we see that none of us, not even Jesus, can do it all alone. Jesus needs the help of his friends, the disciples, to help spread the word of God – even Little Bird gets in on the adventure! It’s about time for another sound effects list to be sent out. Are you on the mailing list yet? Just like today’s story, none of us can do it alone and Little Bird and Jesus greatly benefit from...

Mark Niethammer preaches on lifting each other up. In healing times, it is always better when there is accompaniment. Sometimes all we need is a little support to grow and heal, and our lives can be changed forever. Jesus calls all of us to live in and be a part of a community of care and support for each other. When one of us needs support, we give it. The healing and creative power of God lives...

On today’s episode, the disciples get a little competitive, wanting to know which one is the best disciple. Jesus shares some good wisdom with them, letting them know that being the best isn’t the most important thing.  

Describing Jesus as he offers the hometown crowd in Nazareth the victory cry of God's defeat of oppression and the deadening forces of the world, Luke also reminds them and his readers that God's victory is God's to offer, not ours to claim. Preaching text: Luke 4:21-30 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon...

As Luke opens the story of Jesus' public activity, he offers a summary scene of all that is to come. The work of the Spirit, grounded in Israel, and alive with creativity in Jesus' own day will be the theme of Luke's whole account through the gospel and the book of Acts. Preaching text: Luke 4:14-21 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely t...

Katy Warren preaches on the magic of faith. Jesus works among and with us. Everyone has a part in God’s work, a role to play in some way. God doesn’t accomplish miraculous work alone. God works in, among, and through us. We can use our gifts or our passions to serve the needs of those around us.  Preaching text: John 2: 1-11

Jesus is still a baby when he, Mary, Joseph, and Little Bird must flee to Egypt because of mean King Herod. Along the way, they seek help from a kind baker who keeps them safe.       There’s still time to get on the Little Bird sound effects list. If you, a friend, family members, anyone would like to submit sound effects for Little Bird to use, email jessica@sptaulqc.org and receive the monthly s...

In the first story of John's gospel after setting the stage for Jesus' ministry, the gospel writer signals key aspects of what the gospel will reveal regarding Jesus as God's only-begotten son, Word made flesh, and savior of the world.  Preaching text: John 2:1-11 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the...

Mac Mullins preaches on identity. We are defined by the life of Jesus, the life lived out for us, dedicated to restoring God’s peace to a broken, wounded, and lonely humanity. What Jesus’ baptism, and our own, lay out for us is a new way of being and living. Not a life trying to live up to unreasonable expectations, to please others, to be popular. Our new life begins and is rooted in the fact tha...

Podcast friends! We've missed you and we're so glad to be back. Today's story is from season 2 and features a miracle at a wedding banquet. So snuggle on in for today's episode!

In the story of Jesus's baptism, Luke shows the key actor in the whole gospel story to be the Holy Spirit, now carried by Jesus and empowering God's realm with grace and servanthood. Preaching text: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 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...

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on the deep love of God. God loved us and this world so deeply that God chose to live among us. God put on our vulnerability, the weight of tears and laughter, pain and joy, and the suffering and delight of being human. Jesus embodies God’s word, showing us what compassion, care, forgiveness, justice, and hope look and feel like.   Preaching text: John 1: 1-18

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! 

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!