April 2023 Program Summaries

April 2, 2023 – Palm Sunday

Psalm 118:19-29; Philippians 2:5-11; John 12:20-43

"Seeing Jesus" – Sermon Text: John 12:20-21 – Rev. Thomas Eggold

The answer to the Palm Sunday crowd, and to you and me, is that to see Jesus, is to see the cross. This is the message of Palm Sunday. That Jesus knowingly, willingly, obediently, resolutely rode into Jerusalem to the misguided shouts of “Hosanna” to do for us what had to be done – and what only He could do – by enduring an undeserved and unthinkable death in our place to give us life.

April 9, 2023 – The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Sunrise)

Psalm 118:15-19; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; John 20:1-18

"Christ is Risen!" – Sermon Text: John 20:17 – Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, Jr.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. We shout these words joyfully and trimphantly because the resurrection of Jesus shows us that the work of salvation is complete. As those he has called by name, we rejoice that we, too will rise, just as he did.

April 16, 2023 – 2nd Sunday of Easter

Psalm 148; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

"Words and Wounds" – Sermon Text: John 20:19 – Rev. Shayne Jonker

Jesus' words and His wounds make every Sunday a little Easter. With His words and His wounds, Jesus brings peace to His feaful disciples. With His words and His wounds, He sends them to speak forgiveness with His own breath and Spirit. And with His words and His wounds, He reaches out to an unbelieving disciple and to each of us.

April 23, 2023 – 3rd Sunday of Easter

Psalm 116:1-14; 1 Peter 1:17-25; Luke 24:13-35

"A Walk with Jesus" – Sermon Text: Luke 24:13-35 – Rev. Paul Shoemaker

Two disciples were walking to Emmaus. They knew of Jesus' death but not His resurrection. They were despondent. They lost all hope. But when the risen Jesus revealed Himself, hope was restored. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus, even in the midst of trying times, so our eyes may be opened and we may have hope in Christ.

April 30, 2023 – 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)

Psalm 43; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

"Wanted: Good Shepherd" – Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:19-25 – Rev. William Mueller

If a job description were written for a shepherd, how would it read? What things would be identified as critical items for a shepherd to perform? How would the job description of the Good Shepherd read? Dig deep into Scripture to discover and celebrate how Jesus is the Good Shepherd.