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Sunday Service - April 28, 2024
View the bulletin for this service HERE.
Easter 5: The risen savior gives fruit in his branches
We are presently in the growing season of spring. We can look at branches connected to a fruit tree or vine and those lying on the ground and can tell which ones are going to produce fruit and which ones won’t. Generally, peoples’ actions are shaped by their beliefs. People who eat low-carb diets do so, probably not because hate hate pasta, but because they believe it’s healthier for them. Our Christian living is shaped by our belief in the resurrection of Jesus. You see, we aren’t connected to a memory. Jesus lives! And, like what a vine does for branches connected to it, the risen Savior gives our faith the ability to produce the fruit of witness and love serves our neighbor and brings glory to God. So, the fruits of faith in our lives are also fruits of Jesus’ resurrection.
Sunday Service - April 21, 2024
EASTER 4: The risen Savior gives good shepherding for his sheep
Scripture often pictures spiritual care in terms of a shepherd watching over his sheep, even when it calls for putting his life at risk. The risen Savior proved that he is our Good Shepherd by laying down his life for us. The word “pastor” comes from the Latin word for “shepherd.” Today there are plenty of people who claim to be spiritual caretakers. This weekend’s Scripture readings warn us to beware, because many of these are “false prophets” (1 John 4:1) who “twist the truth” (Acts 20:30) — many! But the risen Savior confirms that he is a faithful Good Shepherd. He faithfully gives true “under-shepherds” who know Christ and proclaim the truth of his gospel for the spiritual care of his sheep.
Sunday Service - April 14, 2024
Theme: The Risen Savior gives a meaningful message to share.
Time after time the Bible associates God’s saving acts and his people’s response of telling others what he has done. Think of the shepherds after the Savior’s birth, or the Galileans after Jesus performed a miracle. It is no surprise, then, that God’s greatest saving act, the death and resurrection of his Son, also comes with the mission to tell the world about this salvation, not just the historical events, but also their significance. Jesus carried our sins to the cross and won our forgiveness there. He rose to confirm this redemption is completed. Considering these facts, indeed, he gives us a meaningful message to share.
Sunday Service - April 7, 2024
Easter Sunday Service - March 31, 2024
Good Friday SERVICE- MARCH 29, 2024
holy thursday SERVICE- MARCH 28, 2024
Palm Sunday WORSHIP SERVICE- MARCH 24, 2024
LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICE- MARCH 20, 2024
LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICE- MARCH 17, 2024
Midweek Lenten Worship service- March 13, 2024
Lenten Worship service- March 9, 2024
View this week’s service bulletin HERE.
LENT 4: Rethinking the solution to sin
While not every religion uses the word “sin,” they all embrace the concept. Every religion acknowledges that mankind’s flawed attitudes or misguided actions are a source of pain, both now and potentially in eternity. So, every religion offers a solution: a set of laws, a moral code, a path to more enlightened behavior. What do they have in common? We are to solve sin through human effort. Be better! Try harder! This is the heart of every false religion. Those who correctly understand they will never overcome their sin are crushed by guilt. Those who ludicrously believe they have defeated their sin are killed by pride. True religion offers a better way—one that frees us from guilt and has no room for pride. Jesus teaches that the solution to our sin is not to work harder. It is to trust in the work he has done for us. Salvation comes through Spirit-wrought faith in Christ.
Christian Education sunday service- March 3, 2024
Midweek Lenten Service - March 6, 2024
Sunday Worship Service- February 25, 2024
Sunday Worship Service- February 18, 2024
Midweek Lenten Service - February 21, 2024
Sunday Worship Service- February 11, 2024
View this week’s service bulletin HERE.
TRANSFIGURATION: Revealed as the Son of God in his glory.
Day after day the disciples were with Jesus. Along the way, they experienced his call, heard his words of authority, and saw his power and love in the healings he performed. Jesus was revealed to them as the Messiah. Yet, day after day, he looked so normal, like any other ordinary man. Today, we hear that one time Jesus revealed himself to three disciples as the Son of God in his glory as he shone brilliantly on the mountain and the voice of the Father again declared, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” Day after day we hear the gospel in words that seem so simple and ordinary. And yet, in the gospel, Jesus’ glory as the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world is revealed to us, and how blessed we are that it is! This final epiphany prepares us for the journey of Lent where we will witness the most glorious work Jesus would fulfill when he came down this Mount of Glory.
Sunday Worship Service- February 04, 2024
View this week’s service bulletin HERE.
Epiphany 5: Revelaed as the one who heals and helps his people
Throughout the season of Epiphany, we see Jesus revealed as the promised Messiah. Last week, Jesus showed his authority in teaching and driving out demons. Today, the truth highlighted in all our readings is that Jesus heals and helps his people. He shoulders all the effects of the Devil, from weariness and weakness to anxiety and stress to disease and ignorance. He never wearies and always has strength for us. He strengthens us when the roaring lion prowls and anxiety looms. Our Gospel shows him healing, driving out demons, and spreading his preaching. With his power over demon and disease and his message of repentance, Christ is revealed.
Sunday Worship Service- January 28, 2024
View this week’s service bulletin HERE.
Theme: Revealed as the prophet with authority
Authority is defined as the power and ability to get things done. We think of a general who gives battle plan orders, and the soldiers under him obediently carry it out. That’s authority. However, human authority is limited in scope and duration. A governor has authority over the people of his state but not the neighboring state and only while he is in office. Today, though, we see Jesus revealed as the one who has absolute authority. There is no one, not even the Devil himself, who is outside of his authority. The people of Jesus’ day saw that openly when he drove our evil spirits. But they also experienced it inwardly when he, the Prophet, taught them God’s Word. Jesus still breaks the Devil’s power over us by the power of his Word. We, indeed, see Jesus revealed as the Prophet with authority.
Sunday Worship Service- January 21, 2024
View the bulletin for this service HERE.
THEME OF THE DAY: Having a Heart for the Ministry
If you were hiring someone to fill a position at your company, whom would you most likely hire, one who admits to you that he just wants to earn some money or one who tells you he has a heart for this kind of work. Normally, you would hire the one who has a heart for the work because you know that one is willing to learn to do the job well and wants to do it well. God’s Word today reveals to us that he desires people who have a heart for the ministry. Naturally, no one would qualify because the sinfulness of people makes all of us unwilling to serve. Yet, the Holy Spirit has called us by the gospel to believe that Jesus has done it all for our eternal salvation. That changes our hearts to be willing to serve our Savior and to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. Today, we also praise the Lord for blessing our synod with a Ministerial Education system that trains well those who have a heart for serving the Lord and those who need to hear and learn the saving gospel. And we ask that the Lord grants more and more a heart for the ministry.
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