We would not expect a Sunday in Lent to be without confrontation, and the Third Sunday in Lent does not disappoint. Lent is the season of the church year in which we are most powerfully reminded that our sin sent Jesus to the cross. The penitential character of Lent comes into stark relief this Sunday as the sacred confronts the profane. God,…

The Propers for the Second Sunday in Lent are filled with promise and hope for the suffering. In the Epistle, Paul explains how “we rejoice in our sufferings” (Rom 5:3). All this hope in suffering is keyed by the Gospel: Jesus bears His cross to accomplish redemption, and His disciples bear theirs as well (Mk 8:31, 34). Welcome to all our brothers…

The First Sunday in Lent begins this penitential season of preparation for Holy Week and Easter with the account of a test by God and temptations by the devil. The traditional Hymn of the Day, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” proclaims Jesus Christ as the victor over Satan, the old evil foe. We welcome all to God’s house today! Link to…

The transfiguration is a momentous event in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus. It has been celebrated distinctively by Lutherans on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (which has been the conclusion of the Epiphany season) since Reformation times. The Old Testament Reading of the day (Ex 34:29–35) is logically connected to significant aspects of the appointed Gospel (Mk 9:2–9)—both…

Epiphany 4 continues the Epiphany theme of the Light shining on all the world. The Gospel for the day (Mk 1:14–20) relates the call of more disciples who would, after Pentecost, evangelize the world, though at the cost of their own lives. As Jesus calls these disciples from boats on the sea to become fishers of men, Jonah failed to escape his…

This is National Lutheran Schools Week Sunday. This year’s theme is “Connected to Jesus,” which comes from the Gospel reading for today. John 15: 5 Jesus said: “I am the Vine; you are the branches.” We welcome today all our brothers and sisters in Jesus. Link to Service video on Vimeo Link to service bulletin

Epiphany is both a day (January 6) and a season in the calendar of the church. It is more than a few weeks that separate Christmas from Lent. It is a day and season that celebrates the shining of the true Light to all the world, including both Jew and Gentile. Now we come to the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, our…

There’s one word in the Gospel for today that demands our attention. One word that Matthew uses to focus us on the hope that comes to us in the Son of God being born into our world. One word that directs us to God keeping His promises to send a Savior, a Messiah, to all people: BEHOLD! Link to Service video on…

Welcome to all who are here to worship with us today. May you always hold fast to the promise given to us at Jesus’ birth and be confident that His will and plans are perfect. May He bless you and your family in the coming New Year. Link to Service video on Vimeo Link to service bulletin

As we now draw very near to the Christmas celebration, we move from the ministry of John the Baptist to Mary in Nazareth, and the Advent readings for this Sunday emphasize the prophetic coming of Christ’s birth and His incarnation. Now, in the annunciation, we are reminded that by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary will conceive a Child and Christ…