Therefore, the contrast between old and new—shadows and image—lies not in the inability of the rites of old but in their having come to an end with the incarnation of Christ. This sermon to the Hebrews both warns against the temptation to return to these (now) empty rites and ceremonies and encourages those who gather (now) around Jesus in the congregation of…

Joy comes subtly in the Collect as the darkness of our hearts is lightened by the gracious visitation of our Lord. Similarly, though joy frames the Introit with its antiphon (Phil 4:4), the Introit psalm itself hints at the joy concealed in the Gospel: “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up…

Philippi was the first church plant by the apostle Paul in Europe. Paul peppers his letter to the Philippians with a call to arms, entreating the Philippians to stand firm in the faith that had been implanted by the apostle and which he says was being completed by God himself. As Paul notes elsewhere in the epistle, “It is God who works…

Philippi was the first church plant by the apostle Paul in Europe. Paul peppers his letter to the Philippians with a call to arms, entreating the Philippians to stand firm in the faith that had been implanted by the apostle and which he says was being completed by God himself. As Paul notes elsewhere in the epistle, “It is God who works…

This Sunday culminates the church half of the church year; Advent, beginning next Sunday, will begin the Lord’s half of the new church year. We think of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Messiah, the ruler of all things. Christ’s reign will culminate in the full establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah in eternity. Christ came…

On this, the second-last Sunday of the church year, the church turns her children’s eyes to the last things and the end times. She warns them of the hard way that lies before them as this present age draws to a close, and she rouses them from slumber and encourages them to take shelter in Christ, that each may be “one who…

The Holy Spirit grants to us faith and trust in our God, who gives “exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust” Him. Our text from Hebrews, the Epistle, provides us the reason for such faith and trust in God: His Son has done everything necessary for our salvation by His all-sufficient sacrifice. Link to Service video on Vimeo Link to…

This All Saints’ Sunday in early November fits well with the Sundays after Pentecost, especially toward the end of the church year, with its emphasis in the readings and hymns on Christ’s return and the resurrection, judgment, and life everlasting for those in Christ. Link to Service video on Vimeo Link to service bulletin

We welcome Rev. Richard Stuckwisch, President, Indiana District as our guest preacher today. May the Lord bless his sermon so that Jesus may be glorified and we may might be uplifted in the knowledge of our Lord’s saving grace. Link to Service video on Vimeo Link to service bulletin

The Hebrews text takes place in two other conjoined aspects of the congregation’s liturgical life. First, the teacher of Hebrews preaches to the congregation and exhorts them as a congregation. Second, the appeal in chapter 4 urges faith in the Word of God that is preached and taught in the congregation. It is a plea to believers to gather with the liturgical…