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.
Christmas Preparation
December 6, 2026 – Second Sunday in Advent
Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III
At this time of the year , we are very busy getting ready to celebrate Christmas. We are making plans for traveling, shopping, meals, and parties. However, the best, and most important preparation, is repentance.
Sermon Text: Mark 1:1-8
Readings: Psalm 85; Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Sanctuary Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Holy Cross Men’s Chorus, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. John Lutheran Church, Kendallville, Ind.
The Secret of Complete Joy!
December 13, 2026 – Third Sunday in Advent
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer
John the Baptizer both experienced the blessings of Jesus and declared who He is. In this experiencing and declaring, witnessing and confessing, John discovered the secret of complete joy. And so can we!
Sermon Text: John 3:29
Readings: Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
Featured Choirs: Holy Cross Angelis Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Holy Cross Men’s Chorus, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
The Word Became Flesh
December 20, 2026 – Christmas Day (Observed)
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
In the beginning of his Gospel, John explains that the Word of God became flesh and lived among us, bringing us special gifts. Those gifts were life, light, fullness, grace, and truth. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior , let us remember the gifts He came to bring.
Sermon Text: John 1:1-18
Readings: Psalm 2; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18
Featured Choir: Concordia Lutheran High School Chamber Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven, Ind.
Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols
December 24, 2026 – Christmas Eve
Rev. William Mueller
What a holy night this night is! The beauty of a Christmas Eve candlelight service is held near and dear in each of our hearts. The simple candlelight in the darkness reminds us of the earth shattering, heaven-opening, and destiny-changing action of our God. In this message, we seek to journey through God’s Word with our destination being the manger of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem!
Sermon Text/Readings: Genesis 3:8-15 and Luke 2:1-14
Featured Choirs: Concordia Lutheran High School A Cappella Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.; The Kapelle – Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill.
Featured Art and Architecture: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
This program will be released on Christmas Eve on our digital platforms:
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• KFUO Radio
Depart in Peace!
December 27, 2026 – First Sunday after Christmas
Rev. Shayne Jonker
Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of mankind, whose blood cleanses us from our sins. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is brought under the Law, as His mother offers the sacrifice of the poor. The Lord of all becomes the Servant of all to redeem you from sin, death, the devil, and the power of the Law to condemn you.
Sermon Text: Luke 2:29-32
Readings: Psalm 111; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40
Featured Choir: Holy Cross Junior Choir, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Featured Art and Architecture: Zion Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.