St. Paul Podcast

As God shows that Jesus wields the most effective power of all, Luke tells the story in such a way that the power creates reassurance rather than fear, and hope rather than terror.

Preaching text: Luke 8:26-39

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 assumptions. Every person you meet has their own unique, multi-faceted story. One detail of someone’s life shouldn’t define all of who they are. Embrace the willingness to ask questions, look beyond first impressions or initial impulses to see the real human being in front of you. No one wins when we diminish another person to the simple idea of who we think they are. Be curious, not judgmental.   

Watch full video here: The Danger of a Single Story 

Preaching text: Luke 7:36-50 

As part of Jesus' last word to the disciples, John responds to the challenge of an enduring Word of God in a changing world. The promise of the Spirit of Truth assures the Jesus community that the Word that God spoke to Israel and the disciples knew in Jesus continues to be the Word they hear in their own time and place.

Preaching text: John 16:12-15

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.

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on the Holy Spirit as wind. The Greek word for spirit is ‘pneuma.’ Pneuma has multiple meanings including wind, breath, and spirit. Wind is both strong and gentle, a soothing whisper and a powerful storm. We can never see the wind but we can see the way it moves things like sailboats. Our task as people of faith is to raise our sails and align them so we can be taken by the wind. We can open our lives to be moved by the Holy Spirit.  

Preaching text: Acts 2:1-13

Mark Niethammer preaches on human annoyances. A faithful life is possible even in the messiness of our days. When we embrace the love of God, that love brings us into the lives of others, into community, and then spreads, changing everyone in its wake. We all have moments of annoyance, but prayer and reflection might help us decipher what God is up to in that moment. Sometimes, taking a moment to pray can free someone from their chains, and sometimes, it can free you from yours.  

Preaching text: Acts 16:16-34 

In one of the dramatic episodes that Luke portrays of Jesus in a synagogue, we hear the core value of life affirmed and re-affirmed — affirmed from within Jewish life for all of God's people. 

Preaching text: Luke 13:10-17

Bible for Worship is a weekly introduction to the scripture passage that is likely to be the basis for the sermon on the following weekend. It correlates with the Revised Common Lectionary as it is used at St. Paul. With Peter A. Pettit, teaching pastor.

John closes the account of Jesus' public ministry with the final words of Jesus' prayer for the disciples, that God will hold them together against every divisive and polarizing claim,  to offer to all people what God has sent Jesus to bring—the light in a dark world that Israel has been and Jesus has embodied.

Preaching text: John 17:20-26

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.

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on God's grace. Our lives are like the water of a watershed, which eventually flows toward a big river. All creation will be pulled by the gravity of grace into the goodness, care, and the ultimate joy of life with God. All of our lives flow back into God’s care. Even if we can’t see the river of life which flows through our lives now, we can trust that God’s grace is still there pulling us. 

Preaching text: Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 

The Book of Revelation presents a soaring vision of the city of God to which all nations turn for praise and healing, with a surprising twist regarding when and where that vision comes into reality.

Preaching text: Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

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.

Katy Warren preaches on love. Often, we think there is only so much love to share, but love is not a limited resource. There is more than enough to go around. In all areas of our lives, we have new opportunities to love more. Love doesn’t get used up; it grows if we allow it. We love without conditions or stipulations. To love as Jesus loves us, we should support, encourage, and provide for others, even those we don’t know well, in whatever way we can. 

Preaching text: John 13:31-35