A Word from His Mouth
September 6, 2026 – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
God’s Word is of love, forgiveness, and restoration. It is also a Word of correction and discipline. Ezekiel, the prophet, spoke this Word of God to Israel. God entrusts His Word to us so that we, too, may share His Word so all may know His love and forgiveness and that we are restored to Him for all eternity.
Sermon Text: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Readings: Psalm 32:1-7; Ezekiel 33:7-9; Matthew 18:1-20
Featured Choir: St. Paul’s Choristers, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Forgiveness Cancels Paybacks
September 13, 2026 – Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. William Mueller
The account of Joseph forgiving his brothers appears to be so nice and neat. We read it and marvel at the grace Joseph extends to his (at one time) ruthless brothers. But then we are confronted with the truth that we are also called to forgive like Joseph. How can we? We begin to discover the answer when we examine the “payback.”
Sermon Text: Genesis 50:15-21
Readings: Psalm 103:1-12; Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 18:21-35
Featured Choir: Holy Cross Treble Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
God Is Not Fair!
September 20, 2026 – Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Scott Zeckzer
We want things to be fair. I want what I deserve, but God does not work that way. Thanks be to God that He is not fair but generous.
Sermon Text: Matthew 20:15
Readings: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-17; Isaiah 55:6-9; Matthew 20:1-16
Featured Choirs: Valley Lutheran High School, Saginaw, Mich.; Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, Centralia, Ill.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rockford, Ill.
The Sins of Our Youth
September 27, 2026 – Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III
The sins of our youth and all of our past sins can rise up to haunt us. But the Good News of Jesus our Savior gives us comfort, reassurance, and the strength to move forward in life as mature Christians.
Sermon Text: Psalm 25:7
Readings: Psalm 25:1-10; Ezekiel 18:25-32; Matthew 21:23-27
Featured Choir: St. Paul Preble Adult Choir, Decatur, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Peter Lutheran Church, North Judson, Ind.
Whose Church Is It, Anyway?
October 4, 2026 – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer
The church belongs to Jesus Christ, not us! He alone builds, sustains, and blesses His church through the saving gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Because we are His people by grace, we are freed and empowered to joyfully serve as Christ’s presence in the world.
Sermon Text: Matthew 21:33-46
Readings: Psalm 80:7-19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Angelis Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Holy Cross Adult Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Cornerstone Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, Ind.
The Feast Is Ready!
October 11, 2026 – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Shayne Jonker
In Holy Baptism, God clothed you in the wedding garment of Christ’s righteousness and gave you a seat at His table at the Great Wedding Feast. That table is set with His Word and His Supper. The feast is ready. Come to the table of the Lord and receive the free forgiveness, life, and salvation Christ has won for you.
Sermon Text: Matthew 22:2
Readings: Psalm 23 (KJV); Isaiah 25:6-9; Matthew 22:1-14
Featured Choirs: St. Paul Adult Choir, Decatur, Ind.; Valley Lutheran High School Choir , Saginaw, Mich.
Featured Art and Architecture: Immanuel Lutheran Church (Frankentrost), Saginaw, Mich.
Faith, Love, Hope
October 18, 2026 – Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
The life of a Christian can be challenging. The apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonian Christians with these words, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV). May Paul’s words be an encouragement to us.
Sermon Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Readings: Psalm 96:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Junior Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Michael Adult Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Zion Lutheran Church, Holland, Mich.
It’s Still about Jesus
October 25, 2026 – Reformation Sunday
Rev. William Mueller
Nine years ago, at the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this phrase was used to accurately capture the essence of the Reformation: “It’s still about Jesus.” In the nine years since, this has not changed! Celebrating Reformation Sunday is not an invitation to brag about our heritage or ethnicity; it is a time to hear the clear Word of God and to rejoice. It is still about Jesus!
Sermon Text: Romans 3:19-28
Readings: Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36
Featured Choir: St. Paul Preble Adult Choir, Decatur, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
The Saint in the Sycamore
November 1, 2026 – All Saints’ Day
Rev. Daniel Eggold – Guest Pastor
Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree just hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus. But Jesus saw him first — calling him down, staying at his house, and bringing salvation to a sinner. On this All Saints’ Day, rejoice that Jesus spots you too, wherever you are, and makes sinners His saints.
Sermon Text: Luke 19:1-10
Readings: Psalm 130; Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Luke 19:1-10
Featured Choirs: St. Peter’s Adult Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Holy Cross Treble Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Does Jesus Know You?
November 8, 2026 – Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Scott Zeckzer
Jesus is coming. Are you ready for His coming again? While it is important to know Jesus, it is more important that Jesus knows you.
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:13
Readings: Psalm 70:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
Featured Choirs: Zion Lutheran School, Decatur, Ind.; Holy Cross Sanctuary Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Wellspring Lutheran Services, Monroe, Mich.
The Breastplate and Helmet
November 15, 2026 – Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III
Our spiritual enemies - the devil, the unbelieving world, and our own sinful nature - are constantly trying to put fear, worry, discouragement, and sinful anger into our hearts, and falsehood and deception into our minds. Thus, the apostle Paul urges us to put on the breastplate and helmet - equipment from God. With these we will be protected from our enemies.
Sermon Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:8
Readings: Psalm 90:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30
Featured Choir: St. John Lutheran School, Plymouth, Wis.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. John Lutheran Church, Marysville, Ohio
We Are What We See!
November 22, 2026 – Last Sunday of the Church Year
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer
What are your eyes fixed upon? In Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats, two groups stand before the king equally surprised; yet their lives were shaped by entirely different visions. Discover how focusing on yourself blinds you to Christ, while focusing on Jesus opens your eyes to the people and needs He places before you. Truly, we are what we see!
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:37, 44
Readings: Psalm 95:1-7a; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Matthew 25:31-46
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Angelis Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, Centralia, Ill.
Featured Art and Architecture: Christ Our King Lutheran Church, Saline, Mich.
Come Lord, Come
November 29, 2026 – First Sunday in Advent
Rev. Scott Zeckzer
Are you ready for the Lord’s coming? He is coming on the Last Day in power and might, but until that time, He comes in humbleness and mercy.
Sermon Text: Isaiah 64:1
Readings: Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 11:1-10
Featured Choirs: St. Peter’s Adult Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Michael Adult Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Paul’s Choristers, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven, Ind.