Worship Services and Sermons
Sharing the good news in Jesus is a privilege and a joy.
“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17
Sharing the good news in Jesus is a privilege and a joy.
“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17
The benefits of the resurrection of Jesus are meant for every man, woman, and child who has ever lived.
Confirmation:
The word “Confirmation” means strengthening. Confirmation Classes comprise a two-year period of instruction in the Christian faith typically for young children 12 to 15 years of age. Jesus commanded his Church to “teach them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). The purpose of confirmation class is to strengthen the faith of the children through instruction in the Word of God, and prepare them to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Jesus lives, and it makes a difference. My hope for the future is restored. I have victory over the feeling of hopelessness, because the one who heals me and gives me a better and eternal life is himself alive. He lives to restore my hope.
Jesus engages me with continuing assurances in Word and sacrament. I have proof. I have peace.
Easter: Without the resurrection of Jesus, death would appear permanent. But Jesus lives, and it makes a difference! I too shall live. Death has become a pathway into paradise. Jesus has already made me spiritually alive by giving me faith in his resurrection. In every possible way, Jesus takes me from death to life.
Good Friday: Tonight we remember the crucifixion and death of our Lord. We pray to him with confidence remembering what he has done for us.
Holy Thursday: We need to be washed clean in the blood of Jesus. Our own need can distract and overwhelm us with the details of our sin and our guilt. Jesus wants to lift our eyes above all that to his marvelous promise of forgiveness, life and salvation. The Lord’s Supper gives us a glimpse of the heavenly feast where we will eat of the eternal manna and drink from the river of God’s delights forever.
Palm Sunday: Focus! Look up! There is a King who presents himself so humbly that you might miss the importance of his arrival. Hail the King who humbly comes to save us!
Part 5 of Jesus’ Passion History according to Gospel of Matthew: Jesus death on the cross.
Jesus raised people from the dead to prove his power over death. That’s exactly the power I need.
A continued review of the “passion history” of Jesus during the last week of his life and ministry before the crucifixion and burial.
I recognize that I am spiritually blind when I don’t know Jesus. I cannot see the world as it really is. I am tempted to see what is harmful as good, and what is good as meaningless. I cannot see the danger that lurks behind every temptation. I realize that Jesus gave physical sight to the blind. But he also gives me spiritual vision. He said, “I am the light of the world.” He comes to shine his light into my darkened eyes so that I see him and live.
What would you say if you were on trial before people? What if you were on trial before God? Jesus was on trial before Caiaphas, the High Priest, where he gave his faithful confession for us. Part 3 of Jesus’ Passion History according to the Gospel of Matthew.
I recognize my deep spiritual thirst. I long for a good relationship with God and for everlasting life. I am tempted to satisfy that deep thirst with worldly things, a strategy doomed to failure. I realize that my thirst is satisfied only by the one who said, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” Jesus meets my greatest need.
Part two of Jesus’ Passion History from Matthew 26:56 “But all this has to happen so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”
Long ago, God declared that I would be blessed by a descendant of Abraham who turned out to be Jesus. The blessing is salvation. I receive that salvation by faith in Jesus as my Savior. The good news is that faith is also God’s gift, imparted to me through the gospel.
I realize that what I really need is a champion. God the Father realized it too. He sent his Son to be my Savior.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, reminding us of our mortality and calling us to repent.
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to suffer and die for the sins of the world. Before that happens, it is good for us to view Jesus in glory on the mountain. It prepares us for Lent, and it prepares us for life.
Identity Revealed: When God called us to faith, he declared that we were something new: light, salt, his children. Jesus encourages us to be what God says we are as a way of blessing the world through us.
For centuries, Israel offered sacrifices to God for sin. Over and over, a substitute shed its blood to earn forgiveness. Then Jesus appeared, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.
Identity Revealed. “Christ” is not the family name of Jesus. It is a title. The Greek word “Christ” and Hebrew word “Messiah” both mean the same thing: “The Anointed One.” Anointing was the practice of pouring liquid over the head of someone to signify selection for some special task. When the Lord had someone anointed, he also poured his Spirit over them. It was the fulfillment of promises made over centuries.
The Festival of Epiphany is sometimes known as the Christmas of the Gentiles. Gentiles (non-Jews) rejoice in the good news that this Jewish baby is a gift for all people, Gentiles and Jews. Christ is the Savior of the world.
The sinfulness of the world cannot rob us of the peace God intends to bring through his Son. Christ the Savior is born, and through his life, God brings us into the family. He gives us the right of redeemed sons and daughters, the privileges of eternal inheritance.
Imminent Arrival. The Messiah is an important person. “Messiah” is the same word as “Christ” or “Anointed One.” He is someone who has been anticipated for a long time. Now we look at the time when his arrival is imminent.
You might be quite nervous to face a judge. John invites people to turn nervousness into repentance. He says that the arrival of the Judge is imminent, and the kingdom of heaven is near! You are invited to hear John, repent, and believe the good news of the coming Savior, Jesus.
The events of Palm Sunday serve as a microcosm for all Jesus’ work, proving the King of the universe was willing to humble himself and endure anything for our salvation. That is why we anticipate his imminent arrival not with worry but with joy.
How can there be joy when we live in a world with so many problems? This question highlights our illogical existence as sinful human beings. But we are continually loved and blessed by and ever gracious God who connects with us through his Word.
We have peace, knowing that every wrong will eventually be righted by the one righteous Judge.
Everyone carries guilt about something. Worse, our efforts to deal with guilt—minimizing our mistakes, making excuses for our sin—don’t help, but only makes us feel worse. What alleviates the burden of guilt? God’s gift of grace. Christ’s love is undeserved and unconditional. He pardons every sin. This was his mission—to give the gift of grace! When we receive that gift, our guilt melts. Left in its place is the joy of our salvation.
God grants the title “saint” (which means ”holy one”) to every believer. Soon enough we shall join all the saints in the glorious heavenly city. That gives us amazing stamina to face the challenges of this world with strength Christ gives to all his saints.
Many believe that freedom means being able to do whatever you want. Jesus teaches us that is false. “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32). Living however you want does not make you free. That attitude makes you a slave. You will only be free - spiritually, emotionally, eternally - “If you hold to my teaching” and therefore “know the truth.” Truth is the cause that effects freedom.