St. Paul Podcast

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on Jesus' steadfast love. Jesus' saving work was to bring freedom and hope not just for the people in his own time and place but for all creation of every time and place. Our songs of praise are joined with those who came before us and those who will come after us. We don’t have to carry the weight of the world; it’s not all up to us, because we already have a savior.  

Preaching text: Luke 19:28-40 

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Today’s episode is a sad one. There are some scary and hard things, but there is also lots of good and love. Our story begins on the same evening as the Last Supper. When Jesus is arrested and put on trial, Little Bird and the disciples are scared and don’t know quite what to do. But Jesus is ready to show the world just how big God’s love for this world is. 

Mark Niethammer preaches on new life. When Jesus shows up, incredible things happen. When we are at our worst, lowest, and loneliest, we need to look no further than the story of Lazarus. He reminds all of us what Jesus can do and what Jesus does. Jesus gives us a life where we know we are loved and cared for even at our worst. There is love and joy, there is peace and forgiveness for all. That you are held in the embrace of a God who gives you a new and fresh beginning every day. 

Preaching text: John 12:1-8

Luke orchestrates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem with every mark of the pomp and circumstance that is appropriate to the story he is telling. The prophets, tradition, and creation itself hail the moment when God proves faithful to promises that will bring redemption. 

Preaching text: Luke 19:28-40

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 as it is used at St. Paul. With Peter A. Pettit, teaching pastor.

In this week’s episode, Little Bird shares a very special meal with Jesus and the disciples. And before that meal, Jesus does something a little different but extra special for his friends to show his love and care for them.

John in his gospel pairs two moments to show the incredible value of Jesus' death for his community and for the world as that death draws near. Though this good news has been tragically misused in slander and violence against Jews for centuries, a fresh reading wafts new beauty into our awareness and our communities.

Preaching text: John 12:1-8

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 Lectionary as it is used at St. Paul. With Peter A. Pettit, teaching pastor.

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on God’s grace. We put together complicated analytics about those around us and for ourselves. Balancing out honesty, speed of humor, average amounts of shared activities, or political viewpoints, or even taste in music. If people fail to live up to these standards, we turn away from them. We are quick to remember the statistics of good and bad, but God doesn’t care about statistics. God doesn’t keep score. There is amazing grace for all of us.   

Preaching text: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

For the next few weeks, revisit some favorite Little Bird Easter episodes! 

On today's episode, Little Bird adds another new friend to the story. This time, it's a donkey!  Little Bird, Jesus, and their new donkey friend are part of a palm parade in Jerusalem. 

Keeping the focus on the central character of a very familiar story is key to hearing the gospel in this parable, in which Jesus teaches that the God of Israel is the author and champion of life in every way that it wins out over death, with enough to go around for everyone.

Preaching text: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

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 repentance. Human beings have a knack for dividing things, including one another. When we begin to internalize and believe in these divisions as the primary story of our lives and the life of the world, we begin to see each other as divided, as separate, as less than, as our enemies. We fail to look at our own lives and our own sin when we’re focused on others’ actions. We all sin and all fall short and are all equally deserving of God’s love.      

Preaching text: Luke 13:1-9