St. Paul Podcast

Remember last week’s episode when we fast-forwarded 12 years? Well, hang on to your seats – we’re fast-forwarding even further into the future – almost 20 years! This week, Little Bird and Jesus go on an adventure to see Jesus’ cousin John at the Jordan River.   

Max Franks preaches on self-worth. When we realize our inherent human value, it allows us to see ourselves and others as God sees us. When we face unrelenting hurt, loss, or insecurity, we can boldly face what the world tosses at us with a certain assurance that, through our baptism, Christ walks with us.  

Preaching text: Matthew 3: 13-17 

In this week's episode, we fast forward to when Jesus is 12 years old. Jesus and Little Bird are the best of friends but when Jesus and his family travel to Jerusalem, Little must stay behind. Just as the group is getting close to home, Little Bird flies out to meet them on the road and discovers quite the surprise - Jesus isn't with them! Where could he have gone? Find out on this week's episode. 

On the first podcast of 2023, Peter W. Marty preaches on goodness. Good always outweighs evil. Good always has more beauty, more merit, and more presence; you just have to notice it. This year, try your best to notice all the goodness you can. Along the walks that you make, every place you go, try to create and share some goodness and some kindness too.  

Preaching text: Matthew 2: 13-23 

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! 

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. 

Peter W. Marty preaches on this special Christmas edition of the St. Paul audio podcast. The world is full of brokenness but in Jesus Christ, God makes gentle the life of the world. God whispers in our ear, through Jesus Christ, that we have to make this world a better place. We can allow our hearts to be our own little manger for God to live in, for God to dwell in, for God to make a home in. Featuring new music by William Campbell and a beautiful contemplative “Silent Night.” 

Preaching text: Luke 2: 1-14 

Peter W. Marty preaches. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place we didn’t expect, a situation we didn’t plan. Listen closely while you pray. It may not be the life you imagined but God will be born into it. This may be what Christmas is about – the irrational, unexplainable appearance of love in the midst of the world’s toughest realities and some of our own unplanned circumstances. To do what Joseph did – to bet on our dearest dreams, to give our hearts away to precious hopes, to let go of reasonableness and constraint and respond with love to a world that needs us.   

 Preaching text: Matthew 1: 18-25

Candle In the Dark: Words & Music by William Campbell © 2020 William Campbell Music. Used with permission. 

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. 

Pastor Sara Olson-Smith preaches on joy and the way joy bursts forth like a spring in the desert. Joy sometimes comes in the most difficult of times, surprising us. Many of have known our own desert exiles. A season defined by sorrow, despair, longing, or grief. Times in our lives that don’t seem like we’d hoped they’d be. But Isaiah says to be strong and not to fear, the Lord will come to save you. 

Preaching text: Isaiah 35: 1-10