Living Stories: St. John's Podcast: Recent Episodes
St. John's Lutheran Church
This podcast offers the weekly sermons from St. John's Lutheran Church (Sacramento, CA) AND one-on-one interviews with members of our community! Pastor Frank Espegren, Pastor Jon Haug and Pastor Amy Kienzle sit down with a guest every week to hear their personal stories on how they choose to Live God's Love in the World!
Join the Care of Creation team as they read the ELCA's social statement that reflects theologically on the importance of stewarding the Creation God has given as a gift.
Our guest today is Adam Erickson, co-executive director of Mt. Cross Ministries!
Mt. Cross have been home to countless St. John’s trips and retreats for decades, and we will soon be hosting their upcoming Trivia Night March 14th 6pm at St. John’s to raise money for the Mt. Cross Rooted in Rebirth Capital Campaign! In today’s episode, we’ll be talking to Adam to learn more about Mt. Cross Ministries.
With us today is Pastor Katy Grindberg! Pastor Katy has been Assistant to the Bishop for the Sierra Pacific Synod for the past 8 years. Through her work with the Office of the Bishop, Pastor Katy has walked with scores of congregations while they navigate the call process (including St John’s); served as an adult leader on the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee; provided care to congregations in crisis; and travelled with delegations to Rwanda. Many of us know Pastor Katy from her inspired sermons here and her volunteer work during VBS and Holy Week Day Camp.
We are excited to have Bishop Mark Holmerud as our first guest of 2020!
Take a listen, and we invite you to come and meet with Bishop Mark Holmerud in person as he will be a guest preacher at St. John's Sunday, February 2nd.
Our guest today is Marc Singh. Marc has been part of the St. John’s family since 2016, and was baptized at our All Saints Vigil earlier this month. We are excited and honored to sit down and hear his story.
In this episode, Pastor Amy Kienzle and Vicar Carolyn Brodt sat down to discuss Carolyn’s personal story, including her time running a local non-profit for 15 years and her decision to make career changes later in life.
You’ll be able to see Vicar Carolyn lead services in person Wednesday, November 27th at 7pm for our Thanksgiving Eve worship service.
With us today is Ama Marcelos! Ama will be celebrating 2 years of membership at St. John’s at this year’s All Saints Vigil. Ama has served and continues to serve St. John’s in so many ways, and we are excited to have her join us.
Our guest today is Kara Haug! She is the creator of Grace Unbound and is a practicing sex health educator with a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Theological Studies from PLTS in Berkeley, CA.
Her point of view is to acknowledge that God created us as spiritual and sexual beings as we, as a church, need to minister to and support the needs of the whole person. She is currently leading a series of workshops on such topics for parents and soon-to-be parents here in Sacramento.
She has also been part of our community since 2015 when her husband, Pastor Jon Haug, was called to St. John’s. We are excited to learn more about her.
http://www.graceunbound.com
This week, our host Rebekah Turnbaugh sat down with Jenny Jordan, a navigator from Sacramento Steps Forward, to discuss her work with unhoused people in Midtown.
Today, we are talking with Rachel Davidson, Director of the Sacramento Chapter of the Downtown Streets Team. The Downtown Streets Team is one of St. John’s Community Partners, meeting each Wednesday afternoon in Goethe Hall. In our conversation we’ll learn more about the organization, their mission and work, and their upcoming event in their Storyteller’s Series.
Our guest today is Katie Smith, our Youth and Family Assistant who is co-leading our brand new Parents’ Group which launches next Tuesday, October 8th.
Katie is also a seminary student, a mother of four, a chaplain student at Sutter Roseville Hospital and an avid runner!
Learn more
Parents' Group: https://www.facebook.com/events/2491249067634493/
Nursery Attendant Job Description: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/9379a7_4062b1271b8343b4a8305c2a759b742b.pdf
Our guest today is St. John’s member Scott Mohler. This time is a busy month for Scott as he prepares for Sunday School to start this Sunday, September 8th, AND he is currently organizing our annual Oktoberfest potluck which takes place Saturday, September 21st from 4pm to 7pm.
Our guest today is Lisa Berg who currently serves as President of the St. John’s council.
For 22 years, Lisa Berg has led us in leadership by serving on the following committees: Call Committee for Pastor Jon Haug, Trust Fund Committee, Social Ministry Committee, Board of Central Downtown Food Basket and so much more.
As someone who puts her faith into action, and is a great example of LIVING God’s Love in the World, we are excited to learn more about her.
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a resolution that declared itself a sanctuary denomination. Many of us are asking, “What does this mean?”
With us today to discuss this is Pastor Nelson Rabell-González from Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Lodi. We will draw from the talking points issued by the ELCA to provide a better understanding and further clarification on what sanctuary can mean for St. John’s and other congregations.
Our guest today is Catherine Zanzi! She has been a member since 2017, and has already been an integral part of St. John’s. As a Luminaria participant, she has been part of the Call Committee for Pastor Amy Kienzle and is part of the Stephen Ministry team. She has even brought her musical talent to many St. John’s celebrations! In this episode, Catherine tells us how her parents introduced God into her early life, and how a music video brought her to St. John's.
The pastors of St. John's Lutheran Church, Senior Pastor Frank Espegren and Associate Pastors Jon Haug and Pr. Amy Kienzle, discuss opportunities for prayerful response to gun violence following the recent mass shootings in Gilroy, El Paso and Dayton.
We also invite Regina Banks, Director of the Lutheran Lobby of Public Policy - California, to join the conversation.
Pastor Amy Kienzle, Steve Ruder, John Clark and Tina Davido discuss the Pilgrimage program.
Rod Ellenberger joined our staff as Property Assistant during the holiday season and, in addition to his amazing help in maintaining the buildings and property, he has also brought his musical talents to St. John's! In the near future, you will also see Rod assisting Sarah Jessop-Street in the children's sermon.
In celebration of our Open House theme, we invited our neighbor, Shawn Reginald, to join us on the podcast to hear his personal story.
In today’s episode, Pastor Frank Espegren sits down with St. John's Staff Member Eric Piotrowski to hear about his personal story, and how he came up with the new podcast name!
Pastor Jon Haug gives the children's sermon, Pastor Amy Kienzle gives the sermon (Scroll to 3:47).
In today’s episode, Guest Host and St. John's member Linda Eytcheson sits down to interview Pastor Amy about her personal story. We learn...
· How Pastor Amy started the Park Church Co-op in Brooklyn (NYC)
· Pastor Amy's ideas for St. John's.
· How a computer glitch brought her to Sacramento.
In today’s episode, Pastor Jon Haug sits down with Pastor Jerry Pedersen who describes himself as a "Born Again Christian...who is born again...and again...and again!" He tells us about his upbringing, views on Christianity and the unbelievable stories of him serving as a Marine during World War II - just 10 days after graduating high school! You can read more about his experience in his book, "Unfinished Journey: From War to Peace from Violence to Wholeness."
In today’s episode, Pastor Jon Haug sits down with Eliseo Paniagua, the Chorus Administrator of our community partner - the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus! In celebration of Pride Month, Eliseo tells us his personal coming out story, sings us a song that is close to his heart and gives us a personal invite to attend the performance “Out and About: A Coming Out Journey", presented by SGMC June 14th and 15th.
We also sit down with Regina Banks to discuss Lutheran Lobby Day. Thank you for listening!
Our guest today is Paul Robins!
Paul Robins has been a veteran Sacramento Broadcaster for over 35 years and has an impressive resume that includes:
• "The Answer Guys" on the Discovery Channel
• 20 years of "The Paul & Phil Show"on Y92.5
• Host of PBS’s "America's Heartland"
• 10 years of being the Morning News Anchor on Fox40
Recently, Mr. Robins has taken a faculty position at William Jessup University and will lead the school’s new Digital Communication and Design Bachelor of Arts degree program slated to begin in fall 2019. Registration to enroll is now open!
In today’s episode, Pastor Jon Haug sits down with our Organist - Dr. Ryan Enright! They sit down to discuss Ryan's early love of organ music, growing up in Canada and his passion for being with nature through white-water rafting and hiking. You'll also hear the story behind those amazing golden shoes Ryan wears for his organ playing.
We are also excited to promote our upcoming concert - St. John's Resounds: Home on Earth with Dr. Ryan Enright! Sunday June 2nd at 3pm at St. John's Lutheran Church. Tickets are available online, or you can buy them in person June 2nd during the Coffee Hour.
In today’s episode, Pastor Frank Espegren sits down with St. John's Council Member - Devin Hill! Devin tells us the story of how he experienced being turned away from his childhood church after coming out as gay, and how later meeting Pastor Jon Haug at a Mt. Cross camp lead him to St. John's. In his own words, Devin tells how St. John's has shown him there is a place for everyone in church and why we should have a presence at this year's Sacramento Pride. To learn more on how you can participate, go to stjohnslc.org
In today’s episode, Pastor Frank Espegren sits down with the Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy California - Regina Banks! They discuss the significance of the upcoming Lutheran Lobby Day, May 29th and the goal of having representation from every State Assembly District!
In today’s episode, Pastor Jon Haug sits down with our guest - Cindy Carroll! We at St. John's have been blessed in having Cindy as our Parish Nurse for over 20 years (23 this year to be exact). We find out how living on a farm and caring for animals sparked her love of nursing. She also reminds us that National Nurses Week starts May 6th.
In today’s episode, Pastor Jon Haug sits down with a our guest - Mark Lytal! Mark tells us about his passion to volunteer in Family Promise, Pilgrimage, VBS and more! He also mentions how the first episode of this season’s Game of Thrones reminds him of his approach to volunteerism.
In today’s episode, Pastor Jon Haug sits down with a very special guest - his 6-year old son Landen! They discuss what it means to Landen to be a pastor’s son and what he is looking forward to contributing in the world.
In today’s episode, Pastor Jon Haug sits down with our Assistant Director of Youth & Family Ministry - Sarah Jessop Street. In the beginning of the interview, Sarah briefly describes her introduction to faith as a child and how witnessing female leadership in the church was essential to her parents, and was a determining factor in which church they attended. Later in life, Sarah tells us how she decided to embark on her own path to becoming a Lutheran.
Sarah also discusses the significance of the youth programs and how they can lead a lasting effect on children, and the importance of creating a sense of belonging and ownership here at St. John’s.
In today’s episode, Senior Pastor Frank Espegren sits down with Linda Fawx, Organizer of the Community Meals where we serve home-cooked food for our neighbors and have been doing so for 20 years!
In today’s episode, Senior Pastor Frank Espegren sits down with his mentor and former Sierra Pacific Synod Bishop - Pastor David Mullen who is celebrating 50 years of ministry this year! They discuss life of a pastor, how Christianity and science are closely related and our upcoming Adult Education class led by Pastor David himself.
Pastor Jon Haug sits down with Lyla Hanson while she explains how being a Stephen Minister lead her to receiving spiritual companionship from the Stephen Ministry and then later becoming a Stephen Leader.
In today’s episode, Senior Pastor Frank Espegren sat down with Linda Barth, a member who started regularly attending St. John’s the same week Pastor Frank arrived! They discuss the significance of the upcoming Art Festival and how both art and religion are closely related when it comes to keeping an open heart.
Pastor Jon Haug reminds us that we are not alone, and that this upcoming Season of Lent is a time to reflect and do our Homework.
In today’s episode, Senior Pastor Frank Espegren sat down with Mary Robinson, a St. John’s member for almost 15 years to discuss her upcoming Adult Education class, Scripture Analysis. They also touched on the importance of faith and family as a single parent and finding femininity in the story of what God is doing in the world.
Pastor Jon Haug explains "leveling the playing field" and how we do this in church.
"Church in some ways is our attempt to live into the Kingdom of God in the midst of the world that is not level." (7:25)
Guest Speaker Guy Erwin joins us for the second week of Advent to discuss John the Baptist.
"John's voice is the voice of Hope in a Hopeless World." (Scroll to 3:00)
Pastor Jon Haug explores how the term KING fits in our culture and language on Christ the King Sunday.
Pastor Jon "The Tool Man" Haug and Pastor Carl "Wilson" discuss what Home Improvement means to St. John's.
Guest Speaker Frances Le Bas, who is finishing her seminary internship at St. Paul's in Lodi, gave the sermon for this past Sunday.
Pastor Frank Espegren briefly speaks of All Saints weekend and asks the question, "How should Christians respond to hate?"
In his latest sermon during Commitment Sunday, Pastor Frank Espegren asks the question:
"How do we allow ourselves to be captured in God's love and how do we become gracious and willing enough to cast it out...?" (scroll to 2:07)
Pastor Frank Sermon discusses our 3-pronged Stewardship Request that really focuses on deep commitments for the upcoming year (Sabbath, Financial, and Service).
Join us for Commitment Sunday, Oct. 21 during all services and share your commitment with us!
Titled Coming and Going, this sermon was delivered by Pastor Carl Wilfrid on Sunday, June 11. It focuses on Matthew 28:16-20.