Insiders and Outsiders
June 7, 2026 – Second Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Shayne Jonker
Imagine a doctor who didn’t want to be around sick people. The doctor comes into the waiting room, he looks at all those runny noses and itchy eyes, hears all the coughing and sneezing, and he covers his mouth and nose and runs out of the room as fast as he can. Not much of a doctor, is he? Nor would Jesus be much of a Savior if He didn’t care for the company of sinners. That was Jesus’ mission – His purpose for coming into the world – to seek and to save the lost, to become lost in our death in order than we might be found in Him.
Sermon Text: Matthew 9:13
Readings: Psalm 119:65-72; Hosea 5:15-6:6; Matthew 9:9-13
Featured Choirs: Lincoln Lutheran High School, Lincoln, Neb.; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Decatur, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. John Amelith Lutheran Church, Bay City, Mich.
Our New Heritage
June 14, 2026 – Third Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
Our family’s heritage is precious to us. We not only have a physical heritage, tracked throughout the years, but we also have a spiritual heritage. That new heritage connects us to Jesus and the blessings He comes to bring.
Sermon Text: Romans 5:6-15
Readings: Psalm 100; Romans 5:6-15; Matthew 9:35-10:8
Featured Choirs: Concordia Lutheran High School Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Paul Lutheran School, Munster, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Zion Lutheran Church, Bay City, Mich.
Be a Tool
June 21, 2026 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. William Mueller
We celebrate the truth that we are, at one and the same time, a sinner who deserves nothing but God’s wrath. But, we are forgiven by God and declared innocent of sin because of Jesus Christ. How do we live that truth out in our lives? Do we freely and willingly sin because we know we are forgiven? Do we struggle and beat ourselves up as we try to become better people? Or do we simply consider ourselves a tool?
Sermon Text: Romans 6:12-23
Readings: Psalm 91:1-10; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:5a, 21-33
Featured Choir: Holy Cross Lutheran School Junior Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bay City, Mich.
The Elephant in the Room
June 28, 2026 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Scott Zeckzer
The Lord calls us to follow Him. This is difficult in a world that is against Christ. Yet, in Jesus, we have peace with Him in a hostile world.
Sermon Text: Jeremiah 28:5-9
Readings: Psalm 119:153-160; Jeremiah 28:5-9; Matthew 10:34-42
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Lutheran School, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. John Lutheran School, Plymouth, Wis.; Indiana District LWML Choir
Featured Art and Architecture: Trinity Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn.
Jesus Gives You Rest
July 5, 2026 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III
Our bodies need rest. Of greater importance is rest for our souls. Only one Person can give this, who says to us, “Come to Me, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Sermon Text: Matthew 11:28-30
Readings: Psalm 145:1-9; Zechariah 9:9-10; Matthew 11:28-30
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Sanctuary Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Indiana LWML District Choir
Featured Art and Architecture: Welcome Home Soldier Monument, Albia, Iowa
Now What?
July 12, 2026 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer
You have heard — or read — God’s Word. Now what? The question isn’t “How do we make the Word more life changing?” Instead, how does this life-changing Word shape and guide our lives as we live in response to it?
Sermon Text: Matthew 13:23
Readings: Psalm 65:9-13; Isaiah 55:10-13; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Featured Choirs: Indiana LWML District Choir
Featured Art and Architecture: St. John Lutheran Church, Sherwood, Ohio
Weeds Among Wheat
July 19, 2026 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Shayne Jonker
Christians must always contend with false teaching and false Christians. Jesus said so. There is nothing wrong with the good seed that Christ sows. The pure Gospel rightly proclaimed produces faithful Christians, but the devil deliberately sows bad seed where the good seed has been sown.
Sermon Text: Matthew 13:24-25
Readings: Psalm 119:57-64, 89; Isaiah 44:6-8; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Sanctuary Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Paul’s Choristers, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Paul Preble Adult Choir , Decatur, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Zion (Cicero) Lutheran Church, Edgerton, Ohio
Priorities
July 26, 2026 – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
What is your priority in life? Jesus’ priority was to do the will of His Father. That means that His priority was you. His priority was to pay in full the penalty of your sins so you could be in heaven forever.
Sermon Text: Matthew 13:44-52
Readings: Psalm 125; Romans 8:28-39; Matthew 13:44-52
Featured Choir: Valley Lutheran High School Golden Voice Choir, Saginaw, Mich.
Featured Art and Architecture: Lake George Lutheran Chapel, Fremont, Ind.
Come and Get It!
August 2, 2026 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. William Mueller
Through the prophet Isaiah, our Lord issues such a gracious invitation to an exquisite banquet. There is no cover cost for admission to this banquet. God Himself has supplied everything and charges nothing! So, why spend our time and energies on things that do not last? Hear the invitation and “Come and Get It!”
Sermon Text: Isaiah 55:1-5
Readings: Psalm 136:1-9; Isaiah 55:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
Featured Choirs: St. Paul’s Choristers, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Holy Cross Men’s Chorus, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Paul Lutheran Church (Frankenlust), Bay City, Mich.
Eyes on Jesus!
August 9, 2026 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Scott Zeckzer
Things happen in life, and we ask ourselves, “I do not remember signing up for this!” What can you do when “curveballs” are thrown at you? Jesus says, “Keep your eyes on me!”
Sermon Text: Matthew 14:27
Readings: Psalm 18:1-6; Job 38:4-18; Matthew 14:22-33
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Men’s Chorus, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Paul’s Choristers, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Holy Cross Treble Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Three Rivers, Mich.
Are You Hearing Me, God?
August 16, 2026 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III
As believers, we pray to the Lord, but despite our prayers, things do not change, or we do not get what we prayed for. We wonder, “Is God hearing me?” The account of Jesus and the Canaanite woman answers that question.
Sermon Text: Matthew 15:21-28
Readings: Psalm 67; Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Matthew 15:21-28
Featured Choir: Indiana LWML District Choir
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, Ill.
Is That Your Final Answer?
August 23, 2026 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer
The host of a popular television game show was known for asking contestants, “Is that your final answer?” Jesus asks us the same question – and the stakes are so much higher! The answer? Jesus is the Christ!
Sermon Text: Matthew 16:15-16
Readings: Psalm 138; Romans 11:33–12:8; Matthew 16:13-20
Featured Choir: Holy Cross Sanctuary Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Evansville, Ind.
Dying to Live
August 30, 2026 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Shayne Jonker
What can you give in exchange for your life? The answer is nothing. But here’s the glory of the cross: Jesus gave His life in exchange for your life. In fact, He gave His life in exchange for the life of the world. So, take up the cross that Jesus gives you. In Jesus, embrace your death to sin. You have nothing to lose and a whole life to gain.
Sermon Text: Matthew 16:24
Readings: Psalm 26; Jeremiah 15:15-21; Matthew 16:21-28
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Treble Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; St. Paul Jubilate, Munster, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Munster, Ind.