St. Paul Podcast

This week, our brave Little Bird is off on another adventure. This time, traveling days and days to visit Mary's cousin Elizabeth. This week's episode is filled with lots of song and encouragement. 

Peter W. Marty preaches on justice. The biblical concept of justice, wherever God is involved, is about making things right for people and making things right in society. Justice is not about fair play, it’s about righteous play. It’s not about giving people what they deserve, but what they need. God’s justice is helping all people live a dignified life.

Preaching text: Isaiah 11: 1-6

We're starting off our podcast at the beginning, even before Jesus was born. Today, Little Bird will meet a very special woman, and together, they'll have a remarkable encounter and learn some truly life-changing news!

Original music by William Campbell
Children's voices by Annie Harless, Gary Harless, Isabelle Lovel, Susannah Olson-Smith, Amos Olson-Smith 

Pastor Katy Warren preaches. If we are to place our faith in a God that does unexpected and unimaginable things, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that God could break into our lives in some unconventional way. One of the themes of the Advent season is to make room for Christ in our homes and in our lives. To prepare a space for God where we have otherwise been too busy, too distracted, or too full. 

Preaching text: Matthew 24: 36-44

Pastor Sara Olson-Smith preaches on the reign of Christ. The view of our own route is often narrow. Jesus has a wide view, a great big holy atlas. Jesus is spacious, expansive, supreme, towering over all things and all time. Jesus sees the whole big picture, from the beginning to the end of it. Jesus has this big broad view. Jesus’s purpose is to save and redeem the whole universe, to bring together all of those broken and dislocated parts of the universe. 

Preaching text: Colossians 1: 11-20 & Luke 23: 33-43

Pastor Peter W. Marty preaches on sticky faith. Skills and talents accumulate. Learning a new language is built on layers and layers. Our lives are like ten-layer cakes. Faith is the same. When you face challenges or crises in your life, you have accumulated layers and layers of insight, depth of heart, and a Godly hope that comes from attending to your faith. The best kind of faith is a sticky faith that attaches to your life over time and accumulates, making you the type of person you are. Grace upon grace; it’s these layers of goodness in life that add up to real significance.

Preaching text: John 1: 14-18 

Pastor Peter W. Marty on saintliness. Saints don’t have to be perfect, famous, or dead. Some of the best saints we know are sitting among us right now. When you refuse to live only for yourselves because you know your lives belong to God, that is what it means to be a living saint. It’s not about the good life but living a life that is good. 

Preaching text: Luke 6: 17, 20-26 

Pastor Megan Eide preaches on God’s forgiveness. No one wants to be remembered for their mistakes. Jesus’ message is about identity and grace. Who we are and how we see ourselves is all wrapped up in who God is and how God sees each and every one of us. Nothing we do or say can overshadow our identity in Christ. We are not defined by our mistakes or enslaved to the sins of our past. We are redeemed by God’s love and forgiveness.   

Preaching text: John 8: 31-36

Image of Sankofa

Pastor Katy Warren preaches on repaying debts. We’ve all been “victims” of time lost that we wish we could have back. God promises to repay us for our struggles, not with money, goods, or services but with hope. Hope for what comes next. “Be glad and rejoice...I will repay you.” 

Preaching text: Joel 2: 23-28

Pastor Peter W. Marty preaches on knowing God best through the struggles in our lives. We meet God most clearly, most vividly, most especially through our struggles and hardships. The things in life that require the most of us are often the most rewarding. Sometimes suffering, struggle, and blessing are all comingled. We may be wounded through the hardships in our lives, but they are our best chance at being made whole. 

Preaching text: Genesis 32: 22-31