St. Paul Podcast

Katy Warren preaches on grief and hope. We live with the hope and promise of the gift of someday living in the embrace of God’s life but this promise of future joy doesn’t always negate our personal sadness. Grieving the loss of someone we love doesn’t make us any less faithful. It’s ok to feel the sense of wrongness or injustice in the face of death and when thinking of our own mortality. Cherish...

What do you do when a friend or a sibling makes you really mad? Like when they take your favorite toy or eat the leftover Halloween candy that was yours! Do you try to get back at them? Well, in today’s episode, Little Bird is dealing with a difficult new creature and thinks payback is best. But do you think Jesus agrees?  The sound effects are rolling it and we'd love to feature more kiddos!...

Mark Niethammer preaches on seeing and being seen. One of the most beautiful things that can happen as we walk this road of life is to see others as they are as a whole, not focusing on one or two ‘labels’ that define us. You are a beloved and blessed part of a beloved and blessed creation. We want to be seen and heard by those like us but we cannot close our worlds to the vastness of human experi...

John's story of the raising of Lazarus underscores what Jesus means when he says, "I am the resurrection and the life" — not just healing or a miracle, but life that transcends every human challenge. Preaching text: John 11:32-44 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 w...

In today’s episode, Little Bird and Jesus meet a surprising person with total faith and trust in Jesus. A big, powerful, commanding person. Who could that be? And what does Jesus do for him? Find out in today’s episode! Hey kids! Did you like the sound effects in today's episode? There's still time to submit more sound effects. We’ll be sending out another email with a list of sound effe...

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on service. Everyone can serve. You don’t have to have any special qualifications to serve others. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant. It’s living for others in all that we are. Don’t just serve when it works for us but be a servant. It’s not something we do when we have the time, it’s something we are. It means acti...

Mark uses the healing of blind Bartimaeus to round out his new vision for the Jesus community, displaced from Jerusalem and encountering disorientation and suffering in its faithful discipleship. Preaching text: Mark 10: 46-52 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 Co...

Which one of God’s laws is the most important? Is it going to church every single week? Is it keeping your room nice and clean? Is it being nice to your parents and friends? Hmmm…Little Bird and some friends have this same question this week? What do you think is the most important thing? Tune in to find out!   Hey kids! Did you like the sound effects in today's episode? There's still ti...

Mac Mullins preaches on gaining eternal life. God has always hoped that if we live the life that God has laid out for us, our hearts might be changed. That we might become different people because of the way we live. Things and possessions aren’t bad; it’s what these things do to our hearts. The more we have, the more our hearts want and the less our hearts want God.   Preaching text: Mark 10: 17-...

Mark rounds out his re-visioning of the Kingdom of God with a dramatic encounter that erases any idea of hierarchy, creating a community of mutual concern, respect, care, and support. Preaching text: Mark 10:35-45 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 Lectiona...

Today’s episode takes place at night when a visitor arrives at the door to see Jesus. Our favorite Little Bird has a little trouble staying awake while the two talk about some pretty important things. Who could this surprise visitor be?   Hey kids! Did you like the sound effects in today's episode? There's still time to submit more sound effects. We’ll be sending out another email with a...

Katy Warren preaches on expectations. People of faith have wrestled with the experience of pain and suffering for thousands of years. We’ve all experienced emotional, physical, and spiritual pain to some degree and often wonder why bad things happen to good people. But we know what to expect; God shows up to care for and love us all the more. No matter what life may hold for us, God is good. Preac...

Mark continues to name familiar, comfortable props of life that may be lost, while reinforcing that "all things are possible for God," so faithfulness through even underserved suffering is the way of the kingdom. Preaching text: Mark 10:17-31 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 corr...

We're taking it all the way back to season 1 for one of our favorite episodes so far! This week, we find Little Bird and Jesus playing games with kids just like you! Jesus shares with a few grumpy disciples that children understand God’s dream of love for the world better than anyone else. We can all learn a little something from the children around us.     

The story of Job's personal trial and suffering sets up a long tradition of encouraging trust in God through every twist and turn of life. Preaching text: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following weekend. It correlates with the Revised Common Lectionary as it is used at St. Paul. With Pet...

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on small actions. Deeds of power are far and varied and it’s not just the big stuff; giving cups of water or pudding. All of those small things are also mighty deeds of power. Lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time, and God will take those actions and multiply them. Our small actions can do big things in Jesus’ name.   Preaching text: Mark 9: 38-50 

On today's very hot episode, Jesus and the disciples could use some water. Jesus meets a woman at the well and the woman realizes that Jesus has a different kind of refreshment to offer.  Hey kids! Did you like the sound effects in today's episode? There's still time to submit more sound effects. To get on the email list for sound effect requests, send an email to jessica@stpaulqc.o...

Mark shows Jesus dramatically countering several obstacles to life in God's kingdom that Mark's community was facing. Preaching text: Mark 9:38-50 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, teach...

Mark Niethammer preaches on lines, squiggles, and dots. God sees the world like a preschooler talking about their drawings. Where we may see what appears to be a mess of a world, God sees something amazing, beautiful, and challenging. God sees a picture of people who are in this world so that they can care for others in this world. The love of God is what unites all of people and nobody is outside...

Little Bird shares a yummy treat with a new friend under a fig tree in today's episode. I wonder who that friend could be?! Don't forget: Little Bird needs your help to make and create sound effects and voices for future episodes! Did you hear Pastor Sara's big yawn in today's episode? We know you can do it too! To get on the email list for sound effect requests, send an email...

Looking ahead to Jesus' suffering and addressing the disciples' misplaced aspirations, Mark makes clear that servanthood is the shape of leadership and caring for others is the mark of the kingdom of God in the community's new situation. Preaching text: Mark 9:30-37 Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on t...

Mac Mullins preaches on grace. We want to define what salvation, redemption, and transcendence look like. We want and desire assurance and our anxieties mislead us. When our fear guides our decisions, we decide we can only trust ourselves. If we let God hold the reins of life, our heads and hearts will be free of the fears that drive us to define goodness as what’s best for me and me alone.   Prea...

Whoa, podcast friends! It's been a whole summer since we've last been together! We hope you've had lots of exciting adventures over the summer.  Our favorite little bird is back...and in today's episode, she meets a new friend! Who could it be? Hit play to find out!

At the center of Mark's gospel stands the central question: who is Jesus? Mark answers for the new era in which the community finds itself, offsetting disappointment and confusion with promise and hope. Preaching text: Mark 8: 27-38 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...

Mark Niethammer preaches on the mercy of God. Not everyone in the Bible, especially women, has a name. But these unnamed people have stories to tell, pain to share, joy to celebrate. They are like us, with lives led as faithfully as possible, needs unmet, and laments heard only by their own ears. The “unnamed” in our world are those who live with deep struggles and yet largely go unnoticed by the...