St. Paul Podcast

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 21:1-11How 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.

Mark Niethammer preaches on perspective. Perspective changes everything. Two people can look at the same cloud and see two completely different images. Grace looks at the world differently. When God does something beautiful in front of us – what do we see? Do we see the possiblity that grace may be breaking into the world in ways we did not expect? Preaching text: John 9: 1-41

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on mattering. Every human being has a deep need to matter — to feel valued and to know their life has purpose and meaning. Yet many of us struggle to believe this, drowned out by voices that make us feel invisible, cast aside, or beyond redemption. The good news of Jesus is simple: you matter, deeply and completely. Preaching text: John 4:5-21, 25-30, 39 

Maddy Tyler preaches on trust. Being "born again" is not a rebirth but a spiritual transformation. John 3:16 reveals God's plan — sending Jesus to live, die, and raise the world into something new. To truly believe is more than agreeing to facts; trust is relational, a willingness to rely on what we know to be true. Preaching text: John 3:1-17 

Katy Warren preaches on temptation. Sometimes temptation isn't a clear line we knowingly cross — it's a slow, subtle drift that pulls us away from our center before we even realize it's happening. We find ourselves lost in anger or resentment, wondering how we got there, having forgotten who we are and who we want to be. We have been named children of God, yet how easily we are lured into living like it isn't true. Preaching text: Matthew 4:1-11

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on God’s love. Jesus is God's glory packaged in human form—making the invisible God visible to us. God's presence isn't reserved for mountaintop moments when life feels good; Jesus bends down into our worry and grief, carrying divine light into our struggles and sorrows. Jesus breaks into the world's despair with radiant, unstoppable love. Preaching text: Matthew 17:1-9 

Mark Niethammer preaches on showing up. You are salt and light—preserving life, revealing truth, enabling growth—but only when shared with others. Jesus calls you to show up and use what you already have, because the world needs exactly who you are. There is no single way to be salt and light; you become it simply by living it out.  Preaching text: Matthew 5:13-20  

Katy Warren preaches on the Beatitudes. In the midst of chaos, what it would mean if we embraced a radically different way of living—one defined not by self-interest but by how well we love each other. Drawing on Martin Luther King Jr.'s concept of "dangerous unselfishness," we can navigate through difficult times by choosing to think and live differently. God invites us into faithful lives where peacemaking and genuine care for one another become our defining characteristics. Watch Apple commercial here.Preaching text: Matthew 5:1-12 

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on the power of God. Rather than worldly strength, God's true power lies in the willingness to suffer and die for others—the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. We are all equal in our need for God's grace, each carrying unique gifts, and are called to unite across our differences as a community that brings love and warmth to one another and our neighbors. We are all bearers of God’s divine mark. Preaching text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Maddy Tyler preaches on Jesus’ invitation to us. We all search for something to fulfill our lives and give us direction when we're lost. With just three words—"come and see"—Jesus invited the disciples to follow Him, and God continues building something stronger for each of us to discover. Even on our darkest days when we feel unworthy, God is at work creating something new in us, inviting us to come and experience it.Preaching text: John 1:29-42

Mark Niethammer preaches on community. Our society often forgets that we were made for community, not division. While God established the world through calls to care for the land and one another, modern culture prioritizes self-interest over collective wellbeing, especially when opinions differ. We belong to each other, and Jesus calls us to love our enemies, feed the hungry, and heal the sick—yet the instinct to divide frequently overshadows these foundational truths. Preaching text: Matthew 3:13-17

Katy Warren preaches on beginnings. Beginnings shape what follows, which is why many people feel pressure at the start of a new year. If we remind ourselves each morning that we carry God's light within us, we could focus on how to share that divine presence daily. The true meaning of Jesus's birth is an invitation to explore and express how God lives in each of us throughout our everyday lives. Watch clips mentioned in the sermon:Star WarsIt's a Wonderful Life Preaching text: John 1:10-18 

Maddy Tyler preaches on redemption. God's love for humanity remains constant across all generations, even when we forget that divine kindness extends to everyone. In times when division feels easier than unity, God continually chooses to dwell among us and calls us to recognize the dignity in all people.  Preaching text: Isaiah 63:7-9 

Mark Niethammer preaches on this special Christmas Eve episode of the St. Paul podcast. Jesus is God's incredible 'yes' to the world and to our lives. It was in deepest dark that the light of God chose to be reborn. The truth of God's grace doesn't die in the unknowns and challenges; that's where it goes for rebirth. Grace and joy are born here and now, for you.View nativity painting here.Preaching text: Luke 2: 1-20 

Mark Niethammer preaches on God’s love. God's healing presence appears in unexpected places—transforming wilderness into blooming gardens and making broken people whole, even amid our world's persistent pain and struggle. This Advent season calls us to advocate for forgiveness, peace, and justice, trusting that God meets our challenges with words of love, wholeness, and restoration. Just as Isaiah envisioned the desert blossoming, peace can flourish in the most unlikely circumstances when we open ourselves to God's transforming grace. Preaching text: Isaiah 35:1-7

Katy Warren preaches on time. Prolonged waiting can cause our hope and optimism to dwindle, especially when days pass without visible change and peace feels distant. Actively looking for signs of hope and celebrating even the smallest progress as "branches of hope" can shift our perspective. Whether we're waiting for healing, strength, or unfulfilled dreams, searching for these signs of hope allows us to live in a sacred time and maintain our faith that something is about to happen. Hope is action. Preaching text: Isaiah 11:1-10

Sara Olson-Smith preaches on hope. Advent calls us to let our dreams of God's future actively shape our present lives. Like backward design, we can start with Isaiah's vision of peace and work backwards to today, asking what steps we might take this week, even today, to move toward that dream. Though the vision seems idealistic or even inconceivable, these Advent days remind us that seemingly impossible things become possible with God. When we imagine it, we can begin to live it.  Preaching text: Isaiah 2:1-5

Mark Niethammer preaches on the reign of Christ. When evil seems loudest, faithful followers show up together, bearing witness that evil will not prevail. The reign of Christ becomes visible when we gather, especially in challenging times, advocating for the voiceless and reminding ourselves that God is in control. Though our presence may feel small, it matters—because love, mercy, and forgiveness will ultimately rule the day. Preaching text: Luke 23:26-27, 33-43 

Katy Warren preaches on persistence. We all get stuck in patterns—making progress, then feeling like we're starting over. Never grow tired of doing good. We show up not just for ourselves, but for something larger. We give our time, abilities, money, and comfort for others—even people we'll never meet. At the heart of our faith is a simple call: take care of one another. Make sure everyone has what they need. Because everyone matters. Everyone counts. Everyone is part of the whole. Preaching text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 

Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy close their letter to the Jesus community at Thessaloniki by addressing divisive interpretations of the end times through the everyday, familiar setting of the community's shared meal.Preaching text: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13Bible 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.

Mark Niethammer preaches on joy. Joy is found when we stop focusing on ourselves and instead concern ourselves with others. In these challenging times, we need a new narrative to guide our lives, and joy is part of the answer. Joy helps us see the world differently and look past ourselves to the needs of others. Generous people are full of joy. Preaching text: John 21: 1-14 

The final chapter of John's gospel demonstrates the power of forgiveness and renewal , as the same disciple who failed and fled in the face of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion gains the opportunity to respond more faithfully and receives the gifts and graces to extend the gospel throughout the community.Preaching text: John 21:1-18Bible 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 hope. We are heirs of God, receiving an incredible inheritance of hope and power - the immeasurable greatness of God's strength to love beyond measure, continue when weary, and do more than we can imagine. When we open ourselves to receive God's grace and power, even the most ordinary among us can do extraordinary things, knowing that love ultimately wins the day.Preaching text: Ephesians 1:15-19, Luke 6:20-31

The physical setting of Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain" in Luke's gospel shows the radical character of the kingdom that Jesus announced and served, calling his followers well beyond the familiarity of the Golden Rule. Preaching text: Luke 6:20-31Bible 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.

Maddy Tyler preaches on mercy. Competition fosters growth and community but can damage relationships with others and God when it breeds contempt, perfectionism and harsh judgments. People cannot achieve perfection or draw closer to God through their own efforts alone, yet unrealistic expectations leave many feeling inadequate. Sin and death don't determine anyone's proximity to God. Preaching text: Luke 18:9-14 Watch video mentioned in sermon: https://www.tiktok.com/@jgraves96/video/7560429923236662583 

In the final parable of the central section of Luke's gospel, the theme of discipleship — what it means to live as God's people, which has shaped the central section since near the end of chapter 9 — is distilled into a memorable punchline.Preaching text: Luke 18:9-14Bible 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.

Mark Niethammer preaches on stepping back to see the bigger picture. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by life's challenges. God provides hope and perspective when daily struggles threaten to consume us, if we try to remember to look beyond immediate obstacles and connect with God’s larger story of grace and purpose, even in the face of fear, debt, family pressures, and uncertainty. Coming together in community can help us see past adversity and trust in a journey that's bigger than ourselves. Preaching text: Psalm 121

Katy Warren preaches on gratitude. Gratitude is fundamentally connected to faith and shapes our entire perspective on life. Each day presents a choice between negativity and thankfulness, recognizing life itself—every breath, every moment, every heartbeat is a gift. Gratitude is not just good manners but a restorative way of living that flows from trusting God and acknowledging that nothing we have is truly our own doing.  Preaching text: Luke 17:11-19

The seemingly unrealistic confidence of the psalmist finds a welcome and reassuring place in its placement within the Book of Psalms, as a person beset by deceit and war-mongering is invited to "come up" to the hill of God's temple under God's protection and blessing.Preaching text: Psalms 121Bible 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 action. Confidence and faith grow through taking action rather than waiting until we feel ready. We build faith by doing the hard things that intimidate us, not by waiting for certainty. True faith isn't about having all the answers in our minds—it's about trusting God through relationships and taking action now instead of postponing what we're called to do.  Preaching text: Luke 17:5-10

In a pair of brief, challenging sayings, Luke shows Jesus counseling caution to those who follow him. The character of faith and the kingdom life that we live in faith are just as subject to misunderstanding as the lures of the world.Preaching text: Luke 17:5-10Bible 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.

Maddy Tyler preaches on compassion. We all carry wounds—loss, broken relationships, devastating diagnoses—that leave us desperately seeking relief and wholeness. When we're consumed by our own pain, we often forget to help others who are suffering alongside us. But there's hope: God's compassion for us creates endless opportunities to extend that same compassion to others.  Preaching text: Luke 16:19-31

Katy Warren preaches on our gifts. You have been entrusted with gifts from God and carry the responsibility to use them wisely to bring compassion and peace into the world. While God remains gracious even when you fall short, you are called not to squander these treasures but to be a faithful steward of the life you've been given. Preaching text: Luke 16:1-13 

Luke uses an unexpected and challenging parable by Jesus to underscore one of the central themes of the gospel—the urgency of the choice we face to live by Kingdom values or by those of this worldly life.Preaching text: Luke 16:1-13Bible 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 counting. When life leaves us feeling lost—whether through our own mistakes, painful circumstances beyond our control, or overwhelming doubt and isolation—it's easy to believe we don't matter. No matter what messages the world sends about our worth, we are precious enough to be sought after and carried home with care and love. We also can remind others of their value of being God’s own. Preaching text: Luke 15:1-10

Mark Niethammer preaches about choices. Many daily decisions are clear — we know right from wrong. Others are harder to discern, falling into life's gray areas rather than absolutes. Choosing life isn't always obvious or easy. We all stand on one side of the river, looking toward an unknown future, called to choose life and care for creation and our neighbors.Preaching text: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Maddy Tyler preaches on honor. What does honor look like in our modern world today? We're trapped by presumptions, snap judgments, and self-importance, constantly navigating assumptions. Jesus flips this: rather than worldly rankings, everyone sits at the highest place of honor—no one lower.  Preaching text: Luke 14:1, 7-14 

Luke uses a communal banquet scene as the setting for Jesus to teach what true glory is, and how it differs from acclamation and success in simply human terms.Preaching text: Luke 14:1, 7-14Bible 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 noticing. The goodness of God is all around us, waiting for us to notice. There is so much power in seeing and noticing God all around us. We can be consumed by so many distractions around us, that we miss what’s right in front of us. We are sometimes more concerned with the proper order of things that we forget to live with love and compassion as our first and crucial impulse.   Preaching text: Luke 13:10-17 

Mark Niethammer preaches on divisions. The world that God dreams of isn’t just going to happen. It’s going to take work on our part. It will force all of us to change and that will not be easy. Sometimes division comes from this change and is necessary for us to become more fully who God intends for us to be. For this world to heal and deep peace to flood in, truth has to be spoken to power and the divine love in each person must be lifted up.  Preaching text: Luke 12:49-56 

Luke portrays the profound importance of understanding God's power over the worldly forces of death as a fire and division that splits communities and families. In Jesus' mouth, the words bring reassurance about God's ultimate power even over those divisions.Preaching text: Luke 12:49-56Bible 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.

Peter Pettit preaches on reframing. Without the larger context, we look at things only from what we know but there is a bigger frame. Greatness in God’s frame doesn’t mean we become God, it doesn’t mean we have all the answers or have to make it happen by ourselves. Greatness in God’s frame means living with the godly virtues right where it is that God has led you. Seeing in a larger frame is seeing in faith.  Preaching text: Genesis 15:1-6  

With a look back to the earliest ancestors of the people of Israel, Genesis tells a story that reorients a desperate community from their difficult situation to a source of hope and promise that is far beyond what the threats in their lives can reach.Preaching text: Genesis 15:1-6Bible 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.