The Great Reversal
November 3, 2024 – All Saints Day
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
All of us were destined to spend our eternity apart from God. Because of Christ Jesus and His suffering, death, and glorious resurrection, a great reversal of our fate has taken place. By God’s grace we are now saints and true believers who are destined for heaven.
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Readings: Psalm 149; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
When Picking Up Sticks...
November 10, 2024 – Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. William Mueller
First Kings 17:8-16 brings us to the encounter of the prophet Elijah and the unnamed widow at the town of Zarephath. In this meeting, the Lord provides a miracle to care and support His people. Perhaps you feel like this widow. You’re picking up sticks and expect nothing good to come. But wait upon the Lord!
Sermon Text: 1 Kings 17:8-16
Readings: Psalm 146; 1 Kings 17:8-16; Mark 12:38-44
Don’t Give Up
November 17, 2024 – Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer
Christians face two major temptations – placing too much faith in things that don’t last and giving up on the one thing that is eternal. When you are tempted to invest your hopes and dreams in the things of this earth, fix your eyes upon Jesus and don’t give up!
Sermon Text: Mark 13:13
Readings: Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 13:13
Praise the King
November 24, 2024 – Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III
In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John presents us with a glimpse of the reign of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1 shows us that this King is almighty and that He is coming again on Judgment Day. The result is that we joyfully praise Christ the King.
Sermon Text: Revelation 1:4
Readings: Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4-8; Mark 13:24-27
Your Coming King
December 1, 2024 – First Sunday in Advent
Rev. Shayne Jonker
Your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation. He came once in humility to die and rise. He comes now to bless, to forgive, to make you His own, and to give you a share in His life and royalty. He comes to establish His reign, not on earth, but in the hearts of men and women, turning hearts in faith toward Him and to the Father.
Sermon Text: Zechariah 9:9
Readings: Psalm 89:6, 14-16, 18 and Antiphon from Zechariah 9:9; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 19:28-40
Prepare the Way
December 8, 2024 – Second Sunday in Advent
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament (old covenant) prophets, even though he appears in the New Testament. He calls upon people to prepare the way of the Lord. We, too, need to prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts and lives as we repent of our sins, receive God’s forgiveness, and walk in the newness of life. At the end of this earthly journey, we receive the crown of glory prepared for us.
Sermon Text: Luke 3:1-20
Readings: Psalm 66:1-12; Malachi 3:1-7b; Luke 3:1-20
Advent is for Rejoicing
December 15, 2024 – Third Sunday in Advent
Rev. William Mueller
For some, the season of Advent is a far cry from a joyful season. For others, they might be caught in a feedback loop of rejoicing only for the repetition of loved traditions. Our Lord invites us through His message, by way of Zephaniah, both to rejoice and to know why it is we rejoice!
Sermon Text: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Readings: Psalm 85; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 7:18-28
One of Us
December 22, 2024 – The Nativity of Our Lord
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer
Christmas Eve – the time for us to celebrate the underwhelming arrival of an overwhelming love. The Old Testament gives our newborn Savior the title, “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” We have everyday and eternal peace and joy by having a God who is One of Us.
Sermon Text: Matthew 1:21
Readings: Psalm 110; 1 John 4:7-16; Matthew 1:18-25
Mundane and Beautiful
December 25, 2024 – Christmas Day
Rev. Jonathan Meyer (Guest Pastor)
God works things out so beautifully. We see that particularly in the Christmas story, but not in the places where you would think. It’s not the angels tearing open the sky or the picturesque idea of a stable, but in something utterly unremarkable.
Sermon Text: John 1:14
Readings: Psalm 2; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-14
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Anna
December 29, 2024 – First Sunday After Christmas
Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III
Anna was an elderly woman who lived in Jerusalem. She had experienced great grief at a young age when her husband died, and she, thereafter, had remained a widow. But God sustained her in her time of sadness and preserved her in saving faith through his Word. In fact, she became a powerful witness for the Lord, used by him for the benefit of many people. Her story speaks to you today.
Sermon Text: Luke 2:36-38
Readings: Psalm 111; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:22-38
Filled with Wisdom
January 5, 2025 – Second Sunday of Christmas
Rev. Thomas Eggold
God’s Wisdom saves you. The teachers in Jerusalem were being taught by the One in whom all wisdom is found. In Christ Jesus, the Passover Lamb was sacrificed for our sins once and for all. In Christ Jesus, the punishment for our foolishness was received. We have been forgiven and heaven is ours.
Sermon Text: Luke 2:40
Readings: Psalm 119:97-104; 1 Kings 3:4-15; Luke 2:40-52
Baptized into Christ
January 12, 2025 – The Baptism of Our Lord
Rev. Shayne Jonker
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5 ESV). Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan, God in the flesh, and so also we celebrate our baptism into Christ. What a great comfort in the midst of temptation and trial, sin and death, and every distress that we can say to ourselves, “I am baptized into Christ!”
Sermon Text: Luke 3:21-22
Readings: Psalm 29; Romans 6:1-11; Luke 3:15-22
Read the Signs
January 19, 2025 – Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
Recognizing and understanding signs is an important skill to master when learning to drive. Jesus performed many miraculous signs and wonders so we can see the signs and know He is the Christ, the Son of God.
Sermon Text: John 2:11
Readings: Psalm 118; Isaiah 62:1-5; John 2:1-11
Scripture Fulfilled
January 26, 2025 – Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Rev. William Mueller
Jesus is invited to choose and read the Scripture reading at a worship service in His hometown of Nazareth. He reads a powerful section from Isaiah the Prophet about the work of the Messiah. He startles the worshipers with the statement, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” What? How could this be? But it begs us to examine our own lives and ask ourselves, “Are we offended at what Jesus says?”
Sermon Text: Luke 4:16-30
Readings: Psalm 119:7-14; Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Luke 4:16-30