St. Paul Podcast

Pastor Mark Niethammer preaches on fear. While we may be fearful of what is going on in the world, or in our lives, it is important to not close ourselves off to the work God is doing all around us.

Pastor Sara Olson-Smith preaches on retracing. Retracing Jesus' steps isn't just looking and admiring His actions but using them to guide our own. 

Pastor Katy Warren preaches on love. Loving others can take many forms: from finding a lonely monkey a friend, to acts of service for a coworker, our own acts of love can be one of the best reminders of God's presence and love for us.

Maddy Tyler preaches on seeing Jesus. Jesus shows up in unexpected ways through the people in our lives. Whether it's in an elevator, out on the road, or at a musical event, we can see Jesus' workings in the people all around us.  

Preaching Text - John 14:1-14

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on abundant life. Abundant life isn't about everything going perfectly, but about truly living — relaxing, playing, and experiencing joy and belonging. Gratitude helps cultivate this sense of abundance, even amid life's challenges and grief. By embracing our unique selves, we can help others flourish and discover that abundance is already present all around us. 

Preaching text: John 10:1-10 

Katy Warren preaches on hope. We've all hoped for things that didn't turn out the way we planned. As we walk through grief, frustration, and confusion, God doesn't demand positivity or offer instant fixes — God simply walks alongside us. We carry our sorrows, but we carry them in an Easter world — one where Christ is risen, present, and walking with us still. 

Preaching text: Luke 24:13-35 

Sarah Yotter preaches on doubt. Jesus meets us where we are, not where we think we should be. Like any true relationship, faith holds both confidence and questioning, clarity and confusion — and God's grace is big enough to hold all of it. Our faith was never meant to fit a mold. 

Preaching text: John 20:19-31 

Mark Niethammer preaches on Easter Sunday. Nostalgia pulls us toward simpler times — toward safety, toward music and stories we know by heart — because that's where we feel most alive, but life was never buried there. Like the women at the tomb, what we're searching for isn't behind us. Jesus' love propels us forward into forgiveness, new people, new mercy — and a life blooming all around us, if we'll look up from the memory long enough to see it. 

Preaching text: Matthew 28:1-10 

View photos referenced here: https://www.stpaulqc.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Nostalgic-Collage.pdf 

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on Palm Sunday. Jesus chose humility over power — a donkey, not a warhorse — because his victory could only come through love, not force. In giving himself fully for others, he conquers death and shows us the breadth of his care. That's the invitation for us, too: shift a habit, risk something, live for others — because that's not just sacrifice. That's where joy lives. 

Preaching text: Matthew 21:1-11

How did Jesus ride a donkey AND a colt? View photos here: https://www.stpaulqc.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/palm-sunday-2026-sermon-slides-SOS.pdf

Katy Warren preaches on surprise. As adults, we rarely experience genuine surprise — we're creatures of habit who know what to expect, and the familiar can make us forget how spectacular life really is. Yet one of the greatest gifts of faith is remaining open to being surprised by God, seeing wonder where we've grown accustomed to routine. Where we're tempted to place a period, God places a comma. 

Preaching text: John 11:1-45 (excerpts) 

View photos mentioned in sermon here.