Thanksgiving
26 Nov 2025
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
23 Nov 2025
23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
16 Nov 2025
22nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
9 Nov 2025
All Saints’ Sunday(Series C)
2 Nov 2025
Reformation Sunday(Series C)
26 Oct 2025
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
19 Oct 2025
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
12 Oct 2025
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
5 Oct 2025
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
28 Sep 2025
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
21 Sep 2025
14th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
14 Sep 2025
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
7 Sep 2025
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
31 Aug 2025
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
24 Aug 2025
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
17 Aug 2025
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
10 Aug 2025
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
3 Aug 2025
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
27 Jul 2025
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
20 Jul 2025
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
13 Jul 2025
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
6 Jul 2025
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
29 Jun 2025
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
22 Jun 2025
Trinity Sunday(Series C)
15 Jun 2025
Pentecost(Series C)
8 Jun 2025
Thanksgiving(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Epistle Reading: 1Timothy 2:1-4
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19
Pastor Eric Klemme preached on the meaning of true thanksgiving, reminding the congregation that gratitude often comes easily in hardship but can fade when life feels smooth. Drawing from Israel’s history and Paul’s counsel to Timothy, he emphasized that God trains His people through discipline and provision, calling them to remember His goodness and give thanks in all circumstances—especially by praying for all leaders, even difficult ones. Pastor Klemme highlighted that genuine thankfulness flows from being “clothed in Christ,” staying immersed in God’s Word, and fixing our eyes on Jesus, who provides daily bread, sustains us in every season, and calls us to live peaceful, godly lives as witnesses of His grace while we await His second advent.
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3:13-18
Epistle Reading: Colossians 1:13-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 23:27-43
Worship Service
November-23-2025
On the Last Sunday of the Church Year—traditionally called the Sunday of Fulfillment—Pastor Eric Klemme turns our attention to the second advent of Christ, the day when all God’s promises will reach their final completion. Until that day arrives, Christians continue to struggle with sin, the old nature, and a world that has lost its sense of right and wrong. Pastor Klemme warns that moralism without Christ is empty and even used by Satan to distract people from grace. True righteousness comes only from Jesus, who has redeemed us and given us a new nature through Word and Sacrament. God draws the real distinction between His people and the world not through outward moral performance but through faith, the Holy Spirit’s work, and lives focused on Christ rather than self. As evil persists and confusion grows, believers are called to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, to cling to His Word, and to let the Spirit produce the fruits of faith. The sharp distinction at the end will be found only in Christ and in those who remain anchored in His means of grace as we await His second coming.
Curtis reminded the kids that Thanksgiving is a time to thank God for His provision, much like the Pilgrims did after surviving their first difficult year in America. He explained that many Pilgrims came not only seeking freedom to worship the Triune God but also to carry out the mission of the Church by sharing the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection with people who didn’t yet know Him. Using the classic hand-turkey craft as a memory hook, he encouraged the children to remember that Thanksgiving gratitude is ultimately directed to God, who provides for us and calls us to share His love with others.
23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 4:1-6
Epistle Reading: 2Thessalonians 3:1-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:5-28
Worship Service
November-16-2025
Pastor Eric preached on the second-to-last Sunday of the church year, pointing us to the “now and not yet” reality of the Christian life: we are fully justified in Christ, yet still waiting for His final return. Drawing on Malachi, Revelation, and Luke’s Gospel, he emphasized that the Day of the Lord brings judgment for the wicked but victory and freedom for God’s people, who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Jesus’ warnings about persecution show that believers will face rejection, suffering, and even death—but this is precisely when God gives His people the words and strength to bear witness with gentleness and steadfast hope. Pastor Eric contrasted worldly power, violence, and fear with the Spirit-given endurance of believers whose citizenship is in the eternal kingdom. Just as the temple fell and Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but the Church stands secure in Christ’s promise. Therefore, Christians live watchfully, keep their lamps lit, and stay busy with the mission Christ has given—to make disciples of all nations until He comes again in glory.
Minister Curtis used small stones to help the kids picture Jesus’ teaching from the Gospel reading. The disciples admired the beauty of the temple, but Jesus told them that one day not even one stone would remain on another. Curtis explained that our faith isn’t built on buildings, objects, or anything earthly—it rests on Jesus alone. Christ is our solid rock, the firm foundation, the center of all Scripture, and the one who protects and sustains our faith. The stone the kids received is meant to remind them that Jesus is the unshakable rock who saves us and sends us out to share His love.
22nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 3:1-15
Epistle Reading: 2Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 20:27-40
Worship Service
November-9-2025
Preaching near the close of the Church Year, Pastor Eric Klemme spoke from Paul’s words on the coming of Christ, urging believers not to be deceived by false teachers or fearful about the end times. He reminded the congregation that though no one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return, Christians are called to live each day in faithful readiness and hope. Pastor Klemme described Satan as the great usurper who tries to claim God’s authority and deceive the world through false powers—political, cultural, or spiritual—that promise safety and peace apart from Christ. Yet, he emphasized, the real battle is spiritual, waged against fear and despair in the hearts of believers. The Last Day, he said, is not a day of dread for God’s people but one of final victory, when Christ returns, the dead are raised, and all evil is destroyed. Drawing from history, Scripture, and even culture, he showed that the Church has always faced persecution, yet the faithful endure with confidence in Christ’s triumph. “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus,” he concluded—reminding all that the end brings not loss but the fulfillment of every promise in Christ.
Curtis spoke about the difference between two groups from Jesus’ time—the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were focused on laws, while the Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, which made them “sad, you see.” To help the children remember, he handed out smiley faces, symbols of the joy that comes from knowing Jesus rose from the dead. Curtis reminded them that because Christ conquered sin and death, we too will live with Him forever. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living—all who belong to Him are alive in Christ. He encouraged the children to keep that truth in their hearts and to smile, knowing that their salvation brings eternal life and joy.
All Saints’ Sunday(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Revelation 7:2-17
Epistle Reading: 1John 3:1-3
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Worship Service
November-2-2025
Pastor Klemme reflected on the Beatitudes and their radical reversal of worldly values, showing how what seems foolish to our fallen nature—meekness, mercy, poverty of spirit—is, in Christ, true blessing. He contrasted the world’s view of success with God’s promise that real fulfillment comes through righteousness and dependence on Him. From the Beatitudes through Revelation, he traced how God reveals both human sinfulness and divine grace: only through Christ’s victory do we find life, peace, and hope. The “144,000” represent the complete people of God, sealed in the Lamb’s blood—those redeemed from every nation. Our calling, then, is to live as the blessed: to love, serve, and carry on Christ’s mission until He returns, trusting not in our own strength but in the Spirit who equips and sustains us.
Curtis reminded the children that Jesus is the light of the world, and because He shines His light into our lives, we’re called to reflect that light to others. Using glow sticks as a visual, he showed how Jesus’ love and light can shine through us when we share kindness and goodness. The glow sticks were meant to help the children remember to “shine for Jesus” wherever they go. He closed with a prayer thanking God for salvation and asking the Holy Spirit to help them reflect Jesus’ light in the world.
Reformation Sunday(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Revelation 14:6-7
Epistle Reading: Romans 3:19-28
Gospel Reading: John 8:31-36
Worship Service
October-26-2025
In his Reformation Sunday sermon, Pastor Eric Klemme asked, “Why does the Church exist?” He declared that the Church’s sole purpose is to reveal Jesus Christ to the nations—to proclaim the eternal Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. It is not the Church’s mission to change morals or behavior, but to share the good news that we are justified apart from works, moralism, or human reason. Pastor Klemme contrasted this truth with his upbringing in the Roman Catholic Church, where he was taught salvation through works and rituals. He described how the Lutheran rediscovery of Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, and Sola Gratia brought the freeing assurance that salvation is God’s gift, not human achievement. Faith and morality, he explained, flow from the Holy Spirit’s work through Word and Sacrament, not from human effort. The Church’s mission is to live and proclaim Christ crucified and risen—to share His Gospel in every time and place, even amid opposition. The Church is not a club for the good but a refuge for sinners redeemed by Christ’s blood. We are fed by Word and Sacrament so that we may go forth into the world, the mission field, bearing witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ until He comes again.
Family Life Minister Curtis shared the story of Martin Luther to help the children understand what the Reformation celebrates—not the man himself, but the rediscovery of the Gospel truth that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Using a pop-up book, he told how Luther left his plan to be a lawyer after surviving a storm, became a monk, and discovered from Scripture that salvation is not earned by good works or payments, but freely given by God. Luther’s 95 Theses challenged the false teachings of his day, and though he faced danger, God protected him. Luther’s work helped make the Bible accessible to everyone and inspired others to reform the Church by returning to God’s Word. Curtis reminded the children that, like Luther, we are called to read the Bible, listen to the Holy Spirit, and follow Jesus in faith—trusting that salvation is a gift, not something we earn.
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 32:22-30
Epistle Reading: 2Timothy 3:14-4:5
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8
Worship Service
October-19-2025
Pastor Klemme preached from 2 Timothy 4, warning that many now prefer teachings that please their “itching ears” rather than God’s truth. Scripture, he reminded, is God-breathed—the living Word that teaches, corrects, and equips us for every good work. The church’s purpose is not entertainment but faithfulness to Word and Sacrament, where God serves His people. As those fed by His grace, we are sent forth to proclaim Christ to the world. Only Jesus Christ and His Word endure—our mission is to hold fast to sound doctrine and share His truth boldly.
The children learned that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. Using a crown of thorns and royal crowns as illustrations, Curtis reminded them that even kings and queens point to Christ’s true kingship. We trust not in earthly rulers but in Jesus, our Savior and Lord, who reigns with love and mercy.
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Ruth 1:1-19a
Epistle Reading: 2Timothy 2:1-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19
Worship Service
October-12-2025
In this sermon, Pastor Klemme reflects on the story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, focusing on the “one you least expect”—the Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus. Through this healing, we see God’s mercy extended even to outcasts and foreigners, showing that gratitude and faith are not bound by status or heritage. Pastor Klemme connects this to the Church’s mission: just as Jesus showed compassion to the outcasts, we too are called to serve and love all people, especially those society overlooks. The sermon warns against becoming “country club churches” that shut out those who differ from us. Instead, believers are reminded that they are soldiers under Christ’s command—to make disciples, love one another, and serve the least of these. It is not our job to legislate morality or judge unbelievers, but to share the Gospel that changes hearts through God’s Word and Spirit. Pastor Klemme concludes by urging believers to remain connected to Christ, the true vine, through Word and Sacrament, so they may bear fruit in love and service, reflecting the unexpected mercy of Go
Using “participation trophies,” Curtis reminded the children that while these little prizes have no real worth, Christ gives us the greatest prize—eternal life. Salvation is God’s gift, not something we earn. We are called to take ownership of our faith, live it out each day, and grow in the mission of the Church by sharing the Gospel so others may know Jesus.
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Epistle Reading: 2Timothy 1:1-14
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:1-10
Worship Service
September-28-2025
Pastor Eric Klemme’s sermon centers on the contrast between the spirit of fear that dominates our fallen world and the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline given through Christ. Drawing from Habakkuk’s cries of “How long, O Lord?” and God’s promise of vindication in His time, Pastor Klemme highlights how fear—whether of uncertainty, suffering, or loss—leads only to despair, while faith in Christ grounds us in peace. God calls His people not to timidity or panic, but to stand firm in His Word, relying on the means of grace, and to wait with patience and hope. Ultimately, the just live by faith, trusting the Lord who gives safety, peace, and eternal citizenship in His kingdom.
Curtis led the children on a “field trip” to explore the church’s stained-glass windows, teaching them how each window tells the story of God’s gifts and promises. From the chalice with a flame symbolizing the flame of life, to the “feeding window” showing the means of grace—Word, Communion, and Baptism—each image points to God’s care. The “comfort window” illustrates Psalm 23, while the “victory window” shows Christ’s triumph on the cross with the flag of victory. The “window of rejoicing” depicts God’s people celebrating with the Spirit’s presence, and the “window of salvation” reveals God’s hand saving His people, crowned in glory. Curtis reminded the children that these windows aren’t just decoration but reminders of God’s salvation in Christ.
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Amos 6:1-7
Epistle Reading: 1Timothy 3:1-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31
Worship Service
September-28-2025
Pastor Eric Klemme preached from Amos and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, warning against complacency and misplaced priorities. Israel had treated God like a charm while indulging in wealth and comfort, forgetting His covenant. The rich man’s fate in Hades showed the emptiness of living rich toward self but poor toward God. Pastor Klemme urged believers not to take God for granted or be swept away by fear, comfort, or worldly promises, but to stay fixed on Christ through the means of grace. God alone changes hearts, equips us for good works, and gives His Spirit of power, love, and self-control, calling us to trust Him fully and point others to Jesus.
In his children’s message, Family Life Minister Curtis used the coming holiday of Halloween to contrast the culture’s fascination with death—zombies, mummies, and the like—with the Christian celebration of life. Jesus rose from the dead not as a ghost or zombie, but truly alive, bringing eternal life to all who believe. Curtis encouraged the children to remember that as baptized members of the church, they live as reflections of Christ’s love. Handing out Halloween candy, he reminded them to smile in the joy of being children of God, who are called to celebrate and share the life given in Jesus.
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Amos 8:4-7
Epistle Reading: 1Timothy 2:1-15
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-15
Worship Service
September-14-2025
Pastor Eric Klemme’s sermon focused on Jesus’ teaching that no one can serve two masters, especially God and money. Drawing from Amos and the Gospel, he contrasted the faithless pursuit of wealth and comfort with the call to steward God’s gifts for His kingdom. He highlighted how worldly riches easily become idols, distracting hearts from God, while true discipleship means denying self, living generously, and using even “unrighteous wealth” to meet others’ needs and advance the Gospel. At the heart is God’s grace in Christ, who emptied Himself for our sake, calling us to follow Him in a life of trust, sacrifice, and service.
The children’s message focused on the cross—not as a sign of death, but of resurrection and joy. Minister Curtis reminded the kids that Jesus’ work alone saves us, and the cross points us to Easter and the forgiveness we have in Him.”
14th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-24
Epistle Reading: 1Timothy 1:12-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10
Worship Service
September-14-2025
Pastor Eric Klemme highlighted God’s heart for the lost through the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. He reminded us that apart from Christ we are lost, unable to find our way back to God. But the Good Shepherd, Jesus, seeks us out, heals us, and redeems us with His blood. Unlike the self-righteous Pharisees who avoided “sinners,” Jesus eats with them, showing that His mission is to save the broken and restore the outcast. Pastor Klemme urged the church to resist being a “country club church” closed off to others, but instead to welcome and serve all people with the grace we ourselves have received. God’s Church is not a gathering of the perfect, but the found—redeemed sinners now equipped to proclaim the Gospel with gentleness and respect, trusting God to do the saving work.
Family Life Minister Curtis used the church’s carpet colors to teach the children about God’s promises and care. He explained how red carpeting can symbolize the blood of Jesus shed for our forgiveness, blue can represent baptism and new life, and white can stand for Christ’s righteousness given to us. Finally, he highlighted the green carpet in their own church as a reminder of Jesus the Good Shepherd, who brings His sheep to green pastures. Just as a shepherd feeds and cares for his flock, Jesus feeds His people through His Word, baptism, and communion, keeping us as the sheep of His pasture.
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Epistle Reading: Philemon 1-21
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-35
Worship Service
September-7-2025
Pastor Eric Klemme preached on the cost of discipleship, emphasizing that following Christ requires placing Him above every earthly relationship, comfort, and desire. Using Jesus’ own words, he highlighted that anything loved more than Christ becomes idolatry, and discipleship often leads to sacrifice, rejection, and struggle. Pastor Klemme drew from examples of early Christians, modern believers, and voices like Dietrich Bonhoeffer to show that faith is not a pursuit of earthly ease but a call to endurance, spiritual warfare, and unwavering trust in God’s promises. Though the road is narrow and costly, it is the only way that leads to eternal life, sustained by God’s Word, Spirit, and grace.
Family Life Minister Curtis used simple plastic rings to teach the children about true value. He explained that while the world offers things with little or no lasting worth—like the cheap rings—God gives us something far greater: His love and salvation through Jesus Christ. The rings were a reminder that our true worth is not in what the world provides, but in being loved and saved by Jesus, who forgives our sins and makes us His own.
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 25:2-10
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 13:1-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1-14
Worship Service
August-31-2025
Pastor Klemme preached on the danger of pride and the call to humble discipleship. Jesus, who humbled Himself to serve and save us, calls us to deny ourselves, carry our cross, and live for others. Through the Word and Sacraments, God nourishes and equips us to keep our eyes on Christ, remembering always: “It’s about Jesus, not us.”
On Rally Day, Curtis reminded the children that the whole Bible points to Jesus. From God’s promises to Adam and Eve, Noah, and Abraham, all are fulfilled in Christ’s death and resurrection. We give thanks for God’s Word and ask the Spirit to help us share this good news with others.
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 66:18-23
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 12:4-24
Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-30
Worship Service
August-24-2025
This week Pastor Klemme preached on Jesus’ words about the narrow door (Luke 13:22–30). Salvation does not come through our works or righteousness but only through Christ. Many may outwardly follow, but only true faith in Jesus leads to life. God desires all to be saved, and our mission is to share the Gospel so that others too may enter through Christ, the only way to the Father.
Curtis began by showing the children goldfish crackers and asked if they had seen the little fish symbols on cars. He explained that the fish symbol (Ichthus) is an early Christian sign, with Greek letters that stand for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” Early Christians used it to identify each other.
He reminded the children that while symbols can be helpful, the real mission of Christians is not just showing who we are but telling others about Jesus—His death for our sins and His resurrection. He encouraged them to share their faith openly, not just through symbols but through words and actions.
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23:16-29
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 11:17-12:3
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56
Worship Service
August-17-2025
Pastor Klemme reminded us that false voices will always try to draw us from Christ, even within the church or our families. God’s Word confronts our sin but leads us to repentance and life. Our hope is not in prosperity or worldly comfort, but in Christ alone. As we walk the narrow road of faith, we stay firm by fixing our eyes on Jesus through His Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.
Curtis used gold stars to remind the children that while school rewards good behavior, our true “gold star” comes from Jesus, who won salvation for us. We don’t live for rewards but keep our eyes on Jesus, running the race of faith and doing good because of what Christ has already done.
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 15:1-6
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 11:1-16
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:22-34
Worship Service
August-10-2025
Seek First the Kingdom of God The message reminds us to keep our priorities centered on Christ, not on material possessions or worldly concerns. Using examples from Scripture—Abraham’s faith, the rich young ruler, Mary and Martha—we see that the highest priority is to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. Fear, distraction, and love of wealth draw our eyes from Christ, but God equips us through His Word, Sacraments, and Spirit to remain steadfast. We are called to live generously, love our neighbor, and serve in the mission field, freely giving as we have freely received.
God Cares for You More Than the Birds Using a bird-shaped whistle, the lesson reminded children that God values and cares for even the smallest birds, especially during storms. When we see or hear birds, we can remember that God loves us far more, caring for us in life’s storms and showing His love through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Every Sunday is a celebration of Jesus’ victory over death so that we may live with Him forever.
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26
Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:1-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:13-21
Worship Service
August-3-2025
Pastor Klemme reminded us that false voices will always try to draw us from Christ, even within the church or our families. God’s Word confronts our sin but leads us to repentance and life. Our hope is not in prosperity or worldly comfort, but in Christ alone. As we walk the narrow road of faith, we stay firm by fixing our eyes on Jesus through His Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.
Curtis used gold stars to remind the children that while school rewards good behavior, our true “gold star” comes from Jesus, who won salvation for us. We don’t live for rewards but keep our eyes on Jesus, running the race of faith and doing good because of what Christ has already done.
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:20-33
Epistle Reading: Colossians 2:6-15
Gospel Reading: Luke 11:1-13
Worship Service
The sermon centers on the theme "Teach Us to Pray," drawing from the disciple's request to Jesus and His response—the Lord’s Prayer. The speaker emphasizes that prayer does not come naturally to sinful human nature, which tends to focus on self-interest. Instead, Christians must be taught how to pray rightly, with humility and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: God teaches us to pray through His Word and strengthens us through His Sacraments. As we grow in prayer, our lives reflect the fruits of the Spirit, and we live in gratitude and faith through Jesus Christ.
• Main Theme: Teaching children about prayer using the pretzel as a symbol of folded arms in prayer.
• Why We Fold Hands, Bow Heads, Close Eyes:
◦ To remove distractions and show reverence during prayer.
• Pretzel History:
◦ Originates from a 7th-century monk who rewarded children for learning prayers.
◦ The shape represents folded arms and serves as a visual reminder to pray.
• Encouragement:
◦ Children are reminded that they can talk directly to God about anything—big or small.
◦ God desires open and constant communication with His children.
The message ends with a simple prayer thanking God for the gift of prayer and salvation, and asking for the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire joyful witness.
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a
Epistle Reading: Colossians 1:21-29
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42
Worship Service
July-20-2025
God's Love, Christian Response, and True Worship
1. God's Amazing Love for Us
• God loved us while we were still sinners—hostile and alienated from Him.
• Through Christ’s death, we are reconciled to God, declared holy, blameless, and above reproach.
• This salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—faith itself being a gift from God.
2. How God Nurtures Faith
• For many, faith began in Baptism and was nurtured through Sunday School and catechesis.
• God continues to feed faith through preaching, absolution, and the Lord’s Supper, where we receive Christ’s body and blood.
• Worship is where God welcomes us to His feast, just as Abraham and Martha welcomed Him.
3. Martha and Mary – Two Aspects of Christian Love
• Martha's service was sacred and showed love through hospitality and care.
• She, like Abraham, honored God by serving a meal, and her devotion was genuine, not worldly.
• Mary's devotion represents worship—the "better portion" Jesus praised.
• Jesus did not rebuke Martha harshly but gently reminded her of what is truly necessary: time at His feet in worship.
4. Love for God Takes Shape in Service and Worship
• Christian love responds to God’s love with acts of service (caring for others) and acts of worship (adoration and reverence).
• Everyday acts—meals, work, helping others—done in love are sacred.
• God is pleased with our good works, not because they are perfect, but because they are made acceptable through Christ.
5. Worship as the Highest Expression of Love
• Worship is not wasteful; it is where love reaches its purest form—focused fully on Christ.
• Like Mary anointing Jesus with costly perfume, worship is our response of faith, adoration, and gratitude.
• Jesus affirms the value of extravagant worship even over seemingly more “practical” alternatives.
Conclusion
Because we are forgiven and justified, we respond with love. That love takes the form of:
• Service to others (like Martha),
• And devout worship (like Mary).
May our lives reflect both in joyful gratitude to God.
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1John 4:19
The speaker engages the children by asking about their favorite foods—answers include pizza and potato chips. This leads to a teaching moment about how not all food is good for us, but God’s Word is always good food for our souls.
They explain that in the Gospel reading, Jesus was feeding Mary and Martha the Word of God, which represents spiritual nourishment. Children are reminded that we receive this spiritual “good food” through Sunday School, church, and reading the Bible.
The core message: Jesus is the Bread of Life—He died and rose again for our sins, offering us eternal life.To reinforce the lesson, the children each receive a bread roll as a symbol of Jesus being the Bread of Life.
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 18:1-5; 19:9-18
Epistle Reading: Colossians 1:1-14
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:25-37
Worship Service
July-13-2025
The parable of the Good Samaritan is not primarily about what we must do to inherit eternal life, but rather about what Jesus has done for us. Jesus is the true Good Samaritan who saves us when we are spiritually dead and helpless.
Conclusion:
You can't lower the bar to earn eternal life—Jesus raised it and then fulfilled it for you. He is the Good Samaritan who rescues, heals, and saves. Now, having received His mercy, go and do likewise, not to justify yourself, but to reflect His love to the world. Amen.
This children's message is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. The speaker explains how the term “Good Samaritan” still exists in our culture today and refers to someone who helps others—especially strangers—in need.
Children are reminded that Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and part of that means caring for others and offering help when we see someone in trouble. To reinforce the message, each child is given Band-Aids as a symbol of healing and service to others.
The session closes with a prayer thanking God for the gift of salvation and for teaching us to love our neighbors. The prayer asks for the Holy Spirit's help to recognize others’ needs and respond with compassion so others may come to know God through our actions.
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
Epistle Reading: Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:1-20
The message emphasizes that God desires all people to be saved and to know His peace—a peace that flows steadily from Him and surpasses all understanding. This peace is found only in Christ, who died for the forgiveness of sins. During the season of Pentecost, the Church is called into motion, sent into the world to proclaim the Gospel so others may hear, believe, and receive this peace. The Holy Spirit works through the Means of Grace to create and sustain faith. The Law serves as curb, mirror, and guide, but salvation is found only in the Gospel. Believers are sent as laborers into God’s harvest, to love as Christ loves, and to rejoice that their names are written in heaven.
Family Life Minister Curtis discusses the significance of Independence Day and the presence of the U.S. and Christian flags in Lutheran sanctuaries. During World War I, many Lutherans in the U.S. spoke German, and to show loyalty to America—and avoid hindering the gospel message—they began placing U.S. flags in their sanctuaries. The Christian flag was added as a balance. The message emphasizes prioritizing faith in Jesus above all else. It ends with a prayer thanking God for life, freedom, and the mission to share salvation with others.
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19:9b-21
Epistle Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62
Worship Service
June-29-2025
The sermon emphasizes that God’s kingdom takes priority over all else—home, family, possessions, and personal comfort. Using Luke’s account of Jesus setting His face toward Jerusalem, Pastor highlights that following Christ often means setting aside earthly security and convenience. Discipleship requires seeking God’s kingdom first, being nourished through Word and Sacrament, and living in step with the Holy Spirit. We are called not to be distracted by material needs or worldly desires, but to proclaim the gospel, love our neighbor, and trust in Christ’s victory over sin. The Spirit equips us to keep our eyes on Jesus and live with kingdom-first priorities.
Jesus calls us to follow Him without hesitation, putting Him first above everything else. Loving Him means also loving our neighbors—helping others, listening to parents, being kind, and doing our best. A cross necklace reminds us daily: Jesus comes first.
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 65:1-9
Epistle Reading: Galatians 3:23-4:7
Gospel Reading: Luke 8:26-39
Worship Service
June-22-2025
The sermon centers on Jesus casting out a legion of demons, showing that only He has the power to defeat sin, death, and the devil. It warns against cultural fascinations with ghost stories, mediums, and superstitions, which offer false hope and distract from Christ’s true authority. The Gerasenes’ rejection of Jesus contrasts with the healed man’s obedience to share what God had done—an example of Christian witness. Believers are called to be “living stones,” sharing the gospel through words and actions, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The message urges bold, respectful testimony, trusting the gospel’s power to free and save.
The lesson for children uses the story of Jesus casting demons into pigs to show His authority over evil, sin, death, and fear. A small pig toy is given as a reminder of the event. The key message is that Jesus, our Creator and King, protects and delivers us from fears and enemies.
Trinity Sunday(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36
Gospel Reading: John 8:48-59
Worship Service
June-15-2025
The sermon from June 15, 2025, focuses on the mystery and doctrine of the Holy Trinity. It emphasizes that the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is not fully comprehensible by human reason but must be accepted by faith through the Holy Spirit. The preacher defends the historic Christian understanding of one God in three persons against common heresies like modalism and adoptionism, referencing the Athanasian Creed for clarity.
The speaker teaches children about the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit—using symbols within the church building. The message emphasizes that Christians worship one God in three persons, not three separate gods. The church’s symbolism is used to reinforce the story of salvation: Jesus' death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit's role in giving faith.
Pentecost(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 11:1-9
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Gospel Reading: John 14:23-31
Worship Service
June-8-2025
Seminarian Zeke reflects on 1Corinthians 12, emphasizing the importance and diversity of spiritual gifts in the church. He contrasts the Corinthian church’s misuse of spiritual gifts—using them to boast—with the modern tendency to ignore or underappreciate them. Zeke explains that spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit not to save us (salvation is by grace alone) but to build up and encourage one another in the body of Christ. Using examples like hospitality, wisdom, and comfort, he encourages the congregation to recognize, value, and use their unique gifts to strengthen the church community.
Today, the children learned about the story of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit appeared like flames above the heads of the early believers, empowering them to speak God's Word. The message reminded us that the same Holy Spirit lives in all believers today, giving us faith and calling us to share the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. As a reminder of this mission, the children were given paper “flames” to pass out to the congregation, symbolizing how we are all called to spread the gospel.
Pentecost(Series B)
19 May 2024
Trinity Sunday(Series B)
26 May 2024
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
2 Jun 2024
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
9 Jun 2024
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
16 Jun 2024
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
23 Jun 2024
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
30 Jun 2024
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
7 Jul 2024
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
14 Jul 2024
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
21 Jul 2024
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
28 Jul 2024
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
4 Aug 2024
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
11 Aug 2024
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
18 Aug 2024
14th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
25 Aug 2024
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
1 Sep 2024
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
8 Sep 2024
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
15 Sep 2024
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
22 Sep 2024
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
29 Sep 2024
20th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
6 Oct 2024
21st Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
13 Oct 2024
22nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
20 Oct 2024
Reformation Sunday(Series B)
27 Oct 2024
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
3 Nov 2024
25th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
10 Nov 2024
26th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
17 Nov 2024
27th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
24 Nov 2024
Thanksgiving(Series B)
27 Nov 2024
Thanksgiving(Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Epistle Reading: Philippians 4:6-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19
Family Life Minister Curtis ties Thanksgiving traditions to the deeper truth of God’s invitation to His feast of salvation, using the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus. Just as the Pilgrims endured hardship yet gave thanks simply for being alive, Christians today are called to recognize that our gratitude is rooted not in circumstances but in Christ’s mercy. Without Him, we remain outsiders; with Him, we are restored to family, community, and hope. True thanksgiving flows from the cross, where Jesus washes away sin and grants us an inheritance that cannot be taken away.
27th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 51:4-6
Epistle Reading: Jude 20-25
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-37
Family Life Minister Curtis emphasizes that God desires us to live by faith, keeping ourselves in His love, relying on His mercy, and sharing it with others, as encapsulated in the command to love God and neighbor. Through faith, a gift from God through the Holy Spirit, we are called to take ownership of our faith, live as children of God, and participate in the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel. The Church Year, with its liturgical seasons—Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost—provides a structure to retell the story of salvation centered on Christ. The sermon highlights the significance of Jesus’ naming, marking the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and the establishment of the New Covenant. As we transition to a new Church Year with Series C readings from Luke, we are urged to stay awake, repent, and believe in the Gospel, for the kingdom of God is at hand in Christ, who secures our eternal salvation and righteousness.
26th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 10:11-25
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:1-13
Rev David Schemm draws from Daniel 12, Matthew 24, and 2 Timothy to explore the possibility of living in the end times amid global and church troubles, using personal basketball anecdotes to illustrate human inadequacy and divine purpose; he emphasizes that God has foreknown the end from creation, offers escape through faith in Christ's forgiveness rather than earned merit, and calls believers to live joyfully in salvation's treasure, choosing confidence over worry, trusting in angelic protection, and shining as examples of faith regardless of whether tribulation is imminent, ultimately urging a life of expectation that God places us here for His glory.
25th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:38-44
Family Life Minister Curtis preached from Mark 12 on loving God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. He explained that stewardship is not just about budgets, time, talent, and treasure, but about trust in God, listening to His Word, and understanding that all we have comes from Him. The sermon warned against the sin of greed, which distorts love and preys on the weak, contrasting it with faith-filled examples like the widows of Scripture who gave all they had. Drawing from biblical and historical reflections, Curtis reminded us that while sin separates us from God, Christ prevails—bringing forgiveness, salvation, and the promise of eternal life. In Him, we are freed to love God and neighbor faithfully.
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 9:11-22
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-37
Family Life Minister Curtis preached from Mark 12, where Jesus is challenged by Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. The Pharisees sought to trap Him with questions of taxes, but Jesus revealed that what belongs to God is faith, love, and thanks. The Sadducees denied the resurrection, but Jesus affirmed that God is the God of the living. The scribes asked about the greatest commandment, and Jesus declared it is to love the Lord with all heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Curtis showed how the law reveals sin and drives us to repentance, while the gospel proclaims forgiveness through Christ, our High Priest, not of the Levitical line but of the order of Melchizedek, who offered Himself as the final sacrifice. In Him, we are able to live in faith and love, for the kingdom of God is at hand.
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 9:11-22
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-37
The Reformation reminds us that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone. Luther, Wycliffe, and Huss labored to put God’s Word into the hands of ordinary people so the gospel could be heard directly. Grace is God’s free gift—Christ’s righteousness given to us—not something earned or purchased. “The Word of the Lord endures forever” (1Peter 1:25).
22nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 4:1-13
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:23-31
Family Life Minister Curtis preached on the Sabbath as God’s gift of rest and celebration in Christ. The Sabbath is not merely ceasing from labor but rejoicing in God’s blessings and salvation through Jesus, who is Himself our true rest. Drawing from Hebrews, Luther’s catechisms, and the call of confirmation, Curtis emphasized that Christian life is lifelong learning in God’s Word and relational living in His Church. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—not our works, wealth, or effort. Stewardship flows from this reality, as we listen to God’s Word, trust Him above all, and understand that every blessing comes from His hand. True rest and joy are found not in our striving, but in Christ’s finished work.
21st Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 3:12-19
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-22
Rev. David Schemm preached on God’s power and the Christian’s calling in a world marked by evil and uncertainty. Using examples from modern life—loss of freedom to pray, corruption in politics, homelessness, and the debate over abortion—he reminded the congregation that God’s power is not bound to governments or nations but rests in the gospel of Jesus Christ, who makes us children of God. Just as the early church transformed the Roman Empire not through politics but through the witness of the gospel, so too today Christians are called to live faithfully, empowered by God’s love. Rev. Schemm challenged the congregation to pray for their incoming pastor and his family, show up regularly in worship, invite others back to church, and step into new opportunities of service. The mission field is all around us, and the good news of Christ is the power by which God changes lives and communities.
20th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 2:18-25
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 2:1-18
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16
Family Life Minister Curtis preached on God’s desire for faithfulness expressed through a childlike faith. Unlike childish faith that is shallow and dismissive of God’s Word, childlike faith depends fully on God, hungers for His Word, and trusts His promises. Using the Pharisees’ question about divorce in Mark 10, Curtis showed how human sin and hard hearts distort God’s design, while Jesus calls His people to remain faithful as God is faithful. The law exposes our faithlessness, but the gospel gives salvation in Christ, who kept God’s will perfectly and gave His life for us. True childlike faith clings to God’s Word, considers its implications, and lives in trust that salvation is God’s gift in Christ alone.
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Epistle Reading: James 5:1-20
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-50
Rev. David Schemm preached on Jesus’ words about sin and forgiveness, reminding us that no act of self-punishment could ever pay the price for sin—Christ has already done that fully. We stand forgiven, children of God, with no condemnation in Christ. That forgiveness shapes how we live: refusing to follow the crowd into sin, choosing instead to be “salt” that changes the flavor of our families, workplaces, and communities. God calls us to do what is before us—sometimes small, unnoticed acts of kindness and faithfulness that may seem insignificant at the time but can change lives. In every place, God has qualified us to be His people, forgiven and sent to flavor the world with His love.
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20
Epistle Reading: James 3:13-4:10
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that God desires us to receive His grace through faith, for salvation is entirely the work of Christ alone. Drawing on the Gospel of Mark and its connection to Peter’s witness, Curtis reminded us that Jesus foretold His suffering, death, and resurrection three times so the disciples would know salvation was God’s plan, not human invention. The theology of the cross reveals God’s power hidden in weakness, overturning human pride and showing that grace is God’s action for us, not something we can earn or exchange. Our work in the kingdom is not to bring God something He lacks, but to trust in Christ, who makes us new creations and assures us of redemption. In Christ alone we find forgiveness, assurance, and life.
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50:4-10
Epistle Reading: James 3:1-12
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:14-29
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that the Christian faith is centered entirely on Jesus Christ, not on our own strength or even the strength of our belief. Using accounts from Mark 9—including the Transfiguration, the disciples’ failure to cast out a demon, their argument over greatness, and Jesus’ correction—he emphasized that salvation is in Christ alone. Prayer has power not in itself, but because God hears and answers; faith saves not because of its intensity but because its object is Christ. The law reveals our sin and need for a Savior, while the gospel proclaims forgiveness and new life in Jesus. Our value is not in ourselves, but in Christ, who fulfilled the law, prophecy, and redemption through His suffering, death, and resurrection.
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a
Epistle Reading: James 2:1-10, 14-18
Gospel Reading: Mark 7:24-37
Family Life Minister Curtis preached on the theme of God’s grace that transforms lives, drawn from Mark 7 and James. He contrasted false grace—a self-made forgiveness without repentance—with true grace from God that changes hearts. Through the faith of the Syrophoenician woman and the healing of the deaf and mute man, the gospel shows that all good flows from God and that salvation is for Jew and Gentile alike. Curtis emphasized that while the law acts as curb, mirror, and guide, it is the gospel alone that saves and empowers us to live faithfully. Like James, we are called not just to profess faith but to live it out in action, recognizing that by grace through faith in Christ, we are justified, sanctified, and equipped for good works in the world.
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20
Gospel Reading: Mark 7:14-23
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that God’s desire is not for us merely to survive, but to truly live in Christ. He contrasted false visions of “the good life”—whether in prosperity teachings or in political ideologies—with the true life that comes only through faith in Jesus. As citizens of both the civil and spiritual kingdoms, Christians recognize the limits of earthly government while holding fast to salvation in Christ alone. God equips His people with the armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word—so that they can stand firm against sin and the devil. All that is good flows from God, who makes us holy through His grace, so that we may live a life of faith and proclaim Christ to the world.
14th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 29:11-19
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33
Gospel Reading: Mark 7:1-13
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that God desires faith, not blind adherence to traditions. Using Mark 7 and the word “Corban” as an example, he explained how man-made traditions can obscure or even replace God’s Word. Traditions are not inherently bad, but when they supersede Scripture, they become a stumbling block. The sermon emphasized that baptism is God’s work—whether by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling—and is not merely symbolic or a human act of obedience but a means of grace granting forgiveness, life, and salvation. Curtis contrasted “cheap grace,” which excuses sin, with “costly grace,” which transforms lives through Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. Ultimately, God calls us to trust in His Word and grace, not man-made rules, for all that is good flows from Him.
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 5:6-21
Gospel Reading: John 6:51-69
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that God would make us righteous so that we would do good. Because of original sin, humanity lost its righteousness and can no longer reflect God’s image. Our own efforts—civil righteousness or moral reasoning—cannot restore us, for true righteousness comes only through faith in Christ, who fulfilled the Law we could not keep. The Law serves as curb, mirror, and guide: it shows our sin and directs us toward repentance, but it cannot save. The Gospel, by contrast, is what God has done for us in Christ—He is the Bread of Life, sustaining and sanctifying us through His Word and Spirit. God justifies us by grace through faith and empowers us by the Holy Spirit to live out our faith in good works, looking always to Him for all things and for life eternal.
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-8
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 4:17-5:2
Gospel Reading: John 6:35-51
In this sermon, Family Life Minister Curtis emphasizes that God calls us to look to Him for all things—both spiritual and physical—so that we may have eternal life. Drawing parallels between the biblical account of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal and the novel Moby Dick, he shows how humanity’s rebellion against God leads only to futility and death, while faith in the living God brings true life. Just as God nourished Elijah in the wilderness, He now sustains His church through Word and Sacrament. Christ, the Bread of Life, feeds and strengthens believers so that they might share His gospel and nourish others with God’s Word, pointing all to salvation in Christ alone.
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 16:2-15
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
Gospel Reading: John 6:22-35
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that the work of God is to create faith in us, that we may believe in Christ and be saved. Faith is not something we produce; it is God’s gift, formed by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament. Curtis contrasted this divine faith with the self-focused “I am” messages of the world, reminding the congregation that the true power of “I AM” belongs to God alone—Christ, the Bread of Life who sustains us eternally. He warned against turning worship or music into self-expression rather than praise centered on God’s saving work. Drawing from Exodus and the feeding of the 5,000, he showed how God provides both daily bread and the Bread of Life to nourish faith. Faith leads to trust, gratitude, and stewardship—listening to God, relying on Him, and understanding that all we have is His gift. In Christ alone we are sustained, redeemed, and called to live lives defined not by the world, but by His grace.
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 9:8-17
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:45-56
Rev. Greg DeVore preached on Jesus walking on the water (Mark 6:45–52), revealing both His divinity and His power over fear and death. Through the phrase “Ego eimi”—“I am”—Jesus identifies Himself as the same Lord who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. Rev. DeVore reflected on how Mark’s Gospel shows Jesus’ divine nature not through argument, but through experience: His miracles, His compassion, and ultimately His death and resurrection. In this miracle, the disciples’ terror on the stormy sea mirrors humanity’s fear of mortality. Yet Jesus’ words—“Take heart, I am; do not be afraid”—speak directly into that fear, offering divine comfort and assurance. The sermon encouraged believers to trust the God who enters the storms of life, who rules over chaos and death itself, and who remains present in every fear through His word of peace.
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-44
Rev. DeVore preached on Jesus’ compassion for the crowds “like sheep without a shepherd,” revealing Him as the promised Lord our Righteousness. Jesus feeds both soul and body, teaching the Word and providing daily bread. The Church continues His work through Word and Sacrament, sharing His love with a world in need. Believers are called to show that same compassion—inviting others to Christ, serving where able, and praying faithfully for a shepherd who reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd.
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Amos 7:7-15
Epistle Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:14-29
Drawing from the prophet Amos and the steadfast witness of John the Baptist, the sermon calls believers to measure their lives against the true plumb line—God’s Word. Minister Curtis reminds us that Scripture alone sets the standard of truth, not the shifting norms of culture that prize tolerance over faithfulness. Like Amos confronting idolatry and John speaking truth before Herod, we too are called to stand firm, praise God in all circumstances, and proclaim His Word with courage and grace. Through faith in Christ alone, we are drawn closer to God, made righteous, and given an eternal inheritance sealed by the Holy Spirit.
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 2:1-5
Epistle Reading: 2Corinthians 12:1-10
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:1-13
Minister Curtis reminds us that God calls ordinary, forgiven people—not perfect ones—to be His agents in proclaiming the gospel to the world. The church is not a building or clergy alone but the gathered priesthood of all believers, entrusted with the authority to forgive sins through the Word and sacraments. Against the false “theology of glory,” which seeks earthly success and self-made grace, we are called to embrace the “theology of the cross,” where God’s strength is revealed in weakness and grace is His gift alone. Like Ezekiel, we are sent into a rebellious world to speak truth whether or not it is received, trusting that the mission belongs to Christ. Our calling is not to sell faith or chase results, but to bear witness—to live and speak the gospel that forgives, redeems, and restores through Jesus Christ alone.
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 3:22-33
Epistle Reading: 2Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15
Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that no one is beyond hope because God’s mercy and grace are boundless. Drawing from Lamentations 3, he reminded the congregation that God’s compassion is new every morning, even when He seems distant. Through the Gospel of Mark, Curtis explored three intertwined healings—the demon-possessed man, the woman with the flow of blood, and Jairus’s daughter—each person viewed by the world as hopeless. Yet Christ met them in their chaos, restored their dignity, and brought them back into community. The woman’s faith, the man’s deliverance, and the child’s resurrection all reveal that Jesus is the object of true faith—the One who brings order, hope, and life to those the world rejects. Grace, he said, is “God’s riches at Christ’s expense,” freely given, not earned. As believers, we become agents of grace, living out our faith by reflecting Christ’s love, proclaiming His Word, and showing the world that in Him, no one is ever beyond hope.
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Job 38:1-11
Epistle Reading: 2Corinthians 6:1-14
Gospel Reading: Mark 4:35-41
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that true peace comes only from God, who calls us to turn away from the noise and false “truths” of the world and rest in His Word. From Job, we see God’s power and wisdom displayed in the whirlwind, confronting human pride and reminding us that faith depends not on our understanding but on trust in Him. From Mark 4, Jesus—the Word made flesh—speaks peace into the storm, showing that His Word has power not only over nature but over fear itself. The sermon emphasized that faith is not human achievement but a gift of grace through the Word of God. Curtis warned against false teachers who twist Scripture for personal gain and against the temptation to place faith in anything other than Christ. Like Edmund in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, redeemed by Aslan’s sacrifice, we too are changed by grace—transformed, forgiven, and given peace. Christ, the living Word, is both the object of our faith and the source of calm amid every storm.
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Epistle Reading: 2Corinthians 5:1-11
Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34
Rev. DeVore reminded us on Father’s Day that to honor our fathers is to honor God Himself. Drawing on the Fourth Commandment and Luther’s Large Catechism, he taught that parents hold a divinely given office worthy of respect and care throughout life. God attaches a promise to this command: blessing and peace for those who honor their parents. Though we often fail, Christ’s obedience and sacrifice redeem our shortcomings, restoring us to God’s favor. As we thank Him for our fathers—living or departed—we bring joy to God and share in His gracious blessing.
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 3:8-15
Epistle Reading: 2Corinthians 4:13-5:6
Gospel Reading: Mark 3:20-35
Family Life Minister Curtis preached that God desires a living relationship with His people, but sin—beginning with the fall in Eden—has corrupted all of creation. Original sin is not merely doing wrong but being deeply broken in our nature, unable to love, trust, or fear God rightly. Our righteousness is not our own; it is Christ’s righteousness given to us through faith. Curtis explained how the first promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15, the Proto-Evangelium, points to Jesus Christ—fully God and fully man—who defeated Satan and restored our relationship with God. He warned that to reject the Holy Spirit’s work is to reject faith itself, for the Spirit creates, sustains, and sanctifies believers. The sermon concluded with a call to take ownership of our God-given faith—living it out and growing in the mission of the Church, remembering that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Epistle Reading: 2Corinthians 4:5-12
Gospel Reading: Mark 2:23-28 (3:1-6)
Curtis taught that God desires steadfast love and faith, not empty ritual. Drawing from Deuteronomy, he reminded us that the Sabbath calls us to rest in Christ, who fulfilled the law and is our true Sabbath rest. We are justified and sanctified by grace through faith in Christ alone—fragile vessels carrying the treasure of His gospel. The Church’s calling is to go, tell, and proclaim what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Trinity Sunday(Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36
Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17
On Trinity Sunday, Curtis reminded us that God desires all to be saved through Jesus Christ—the true Son of God, fully human and fully divine. The Church’s creeds safeguard this truth, defining the Triune God and protecting against false teachings. Creeds summarize Scripture, uniting us in faith while keeping Christ at the center. Salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—the cornerstone of our confession and the heart of our hope.
Pentecost(Series B)
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Gospel Reading: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
On Pentecost Sunday, Curtis reminded us that God breathes life into us and calls us to faith and mission. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the first disciples, He empowers us today to share the Gospel. The story of Ruth reflects God’s redemption and restoration fulfilled in Christ. Pentecost celebrates the Church in motion—alive with the Spirit, taking ownership of faith, living as God’s children, and proclaiming His saving Word to all nations.
Pentecost (Series A)
28 May 2023
Trinity Sunday(Series A)
4 Jun 2023
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
11 Jun 2023
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
18 Jun 2023
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
25 Jun 2023
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
2 Jul 2023
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
9 Jul 2023
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
16 Jul 2023
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
23 Jul 2023
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
30 Jul 2023
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
6 Aug 2023
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
13 Aug 2023
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
20 Aug 2023
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
27 Aug 2023
14th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
3 Sep 2023
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
10 Sep 2023
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
17 Sep 2023
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
24 Sep 2023
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
1 Oct 2023
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
8 Oct 2023
20th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
15 Oct 2023
21st Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
22 Oct 2023
Reformation Sunday(Series A)
29 Oct 2023
23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
5 Nov 2023
25th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
10 Nov 2023
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
12 Nov 2023
Thanksgiving(Series A)
22 Nov 2023
Thanksgiving(Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Epistle Reading: Philippians 4:6-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19
Rev. DeVore preached on Philippians 4:6–7, urging believers to live a life of prayer filled with worship, honest dependence, and thanksgiving. True prayer begins with adoration, expresses our deepest needs, and remembers God’s goodness. Such prayer brings the peace of God that surpasses understanding—a peace rooted in Christ’s cross and applied by the Spirit. This peace produces lasting contentment, enabling us to say with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
25th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Zephaniah 1:7-16
Epistle Reading: 1Thessalonians 5:1-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30
Rev David Schemm uses the personal analogy of checking door locks before bed to illustrate the human need for assurance amid the biblical warning that Jesus will return unexpectedly "like a thief in the night," catching the unprepared off guard. He addresses the common fear of personal unworthiness by shifting focus from self-examination to Christ's redemptive work: Jesus, the miracle-born Son of God, lived among humanity, performed miracles, died on the cross for sinners unworthy of such sacrifice, and rose again, declaring sins forgiven not by merit but by God's love (John 3:16). The core message reframes readiness through two questions—what has Christ done for you? And who are you as a result?—affirming believers as "children of the light" in God's family, called to live out this identity in daily decisions rather than striving to appease God through good deeds. This identity brings peace in trials, as God places his children purposefully, even in dark places to shine as light, culminating in joyful anticipation of Christ's return to gather his family home.
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Amos 5:18-24
Epistle Reading: 1Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
Rev. Steve Simon’s sermon, drawn from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, centered on the question: “Are we ready for Jesus’ return?” Using vivid imagery from his visit to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, he explored how ancient Jewish beliefs about the resurrection shaped the Pharisees’ and rabbis’ expectation of the Messiah. Paul, himself a former Pharisee, shared their hope of resurrection but declared that the Messiah had already come in Jesus Christ, who through His death and resurrection reconciled humanity to God. True readiness for Christ’s return, Simon emphasized, does not depend on being buried in a certain place or on our personal goodness, but on trusting fully in Jesus alone for salvation. The sermon concluded with a reminder that Jesus’ coming may be for all of us together or for each of us individually — and that faith in Him is the only preparation we need. “Perhaps today,” Simon urged, “He will return — ready or not, here He comes.”
23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Micah 3:5-12
Epistle Reading: 1Thessalonians 4:1-12
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:1-12
In his sermon for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Family Life Minister Curtis reflected on 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” He explained that sanctification means being made holy by God’s Spirit, flowing from justification — being declared righteous through faith in Christ. All that is truly good originates from God and faith in Him, not from human works or rituals. Drawing connections to All Saints’ Day, Curtis emphasized that all believers are saints by grace, called to live holy lives as witnesses of God’s will. He contrasted the Catholic and Lutheran views of sainthood, highlighted Luther’s explanation of the Lord’s Prayer (“Thy will be done”), and outlined that God’s will is that His name be holy, His Word taught rightly, sinners come to faith, and His people live godly lives. Sanctification, he said, is God’s ongoing work within us to live faithfully and give glory to Him through our good works, not for merit but as thankful testimony of faith. The saints before us modeled lives of quiet faith and trust in God — examples for us to follow as we live out our sanctified calling.
Reformation Sunday(Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Revelation 14:6-7
Epistle Reading: Romans 3:19-28
Gospel Reading: John 8:31-36
Reformation Sunday proclaims the heart of the gospel: We are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone. Luther’s rediscovery of Romans 1:17 reminds us that righteousness is God’s gift, not earned by works. From the Reformation to our own history, the Church’s mission remains the same—proclaim the eternal gospel so that all may know Christ, who sets us free (John 8:31–32).
21st Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7
Epistle Reading: 1Thessalonians 1:1-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-22
In his sermon on Matthew 22:15–22, Rev. Greg DeVore explored Jesus’ response to the Pharisees and Herodians who tried to trap Him with the question about paying taxes to Caesar. Though their motives were malicious, Jesus turned their trick into a profound lesson about God’s rule and human responsibility. Using the coin with Caesar’s image, Jesus taught that we are to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Rev. DeVore explained that this reveals three “kingdoms” through which God operates: the Kingdom of Power, where God rules creation and works through governments to maintain order and justice; the Kingdom of Grace, where God rules in believers’ hearts through the Gospel and sacraments; and the Kingdom of Glory, where Christ reigns eternally with His redeemed people. Since we bear God’s image, we owe Him our hearts, faith, and lives. Rev. DeVore encouraged believers to give to God what belongs to Him—our faith, love, and devotion—through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and holy living, being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
20th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
Epistle Reading: Philippians 4:4-13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:1-14
In this message, Minister Curtis reflected on how the Church remains grounded in God’s Word even in uncertain times—whether facing global unrest, national confusion, or local pastoral vacancies. Drawing from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he reminded the congregation that we gather to proclaim Christ’s salvation to one another, especially when life’s fears and busyness pull our focus inward. Using the framework of Goal, Malady, and Rescue, he outlined God’s goal for us—to trust Him and love our neighbor; our malady—self-centeredness and misplaced confidence in our own righteousness; and God’s rescue—Christ’s righteousness freely given through grace. The law shows our sin and need for a Savior, while the gospel reveals what God has done in Christ. True rest and celebration are found not in our work or self-made “righteousness,” but in God’s invitation to rejoice in His salvation. In Christ, we find peace amid chaos, strength amid weakness, and rest from the busyness of our striving.
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Epistle Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14
Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-46
Rev. Schemm centered his message on Philippians 3, reflecting on the life of Paul and the calling of every believer to live with purpose and anticipation in God’s plan. Using Paul’s conversion as an example, he described how Christ transforms our story—erasing shame, redirecting pride, and filling our lives with meaning. Paul’s two guiding “rules” were to forget what is behind and to press on toward what lies ahead in Christ. Forgetting means both releasing the pride of past achievements and accepting God’s forgiveness for past sins, refusing to live in shame. Pressing on means living each day in the confidence that God has placed us exactly where we are for a reason. Like Paul, we live not for fame or comfort, but with the joyful anticipation that God is working through our lives now and preparing a place for us in eternity.
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Epistle Reading: Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:23-27
Pastor Ray reflected on Paul’s teaching from 1 Corinthians 3, reminding the congregation that all who serve in the Church are workers in God’s field, building upon the one true foundation—Jesus Christ. He shared the legacy of Good Shepherd’s past pastors, each leaving a distinct mark of faith: from humble service, to the call to prayer, to constant focus on the cross. Through these stories, he urged the congregation to remember that it is God, not any single person, who gives the growth. Pastor Ray expressed gratitude for his years of ministry, acknowledging that every leader simply builds on the work of those before. As Good Shepherd prepares for a new pastor, he encouraged members to pray, stay focused on their mission, and support Family Life Minister Curtis in his continued service. In closing, Pastor Ray called the church to live with unity, humility, and joy, shining as lights in the world while holding fast to the Word of Life.
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9
Epistle Reading: Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16
Pastor Ray delivered a unique sermon drawn entirely from Scripture—Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). With no added commentary, he let the full voice of Christ speak for itself, reminding the congregation that the greatest sermon ever preached came directly from the Lord. Through Jesus’ words, listeners were invited to hear again the Beatitudes’ call to humility and mercy, the commands to love enemies and forgive freely, and the warnings against hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. Christ’s teaching offers a blueprint for life rooted in grace and obedience, urging believers to seek first God’s kingdom, trust His provision, and build their lives upon the solid rock of His Word. The message closed with the crowd’s astonishment at Jesus’ authority—an authority that still speaks today.
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 50:15-21
Epistle Reading: Romans 14:1-12
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
Pastor Ray traced the story of Joseph from his youthful dreams to his final words in Genesis 50, revealing how God’s hand guided every hardship toward good. Joseph’s journey—from betrayal and slavery to forgiveness and reconciliation—mirrors the gospel truth that God’s justice has already been fulfilled in Christ. Just as Joseph forgave his brothers and comforted them, believers are called to live out forgiveness, not from guilt or duty, but from the deep assurance that they themselves are forgiven. The cross ends every debt. Through confession, absolution, baptism, and communion, God continually reassures us that our sins are washed away, freeing us to forgive others without hesitation or resentment.
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Epistle Reading: Romans 13:1-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:1-20
Pastor Ray began by referencing the film Sound of Freedom, drawing attention to the harsh realities of child trafficking and the moral decay of society that resists confronting evil. From there, he connected the movie’s theme to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18, where Christ calls His followers to “become like little children” — humble, dependent, and open to grace. Jesus’ warning about causing “little ones” to stumble reveals God’s deep concern for the vulnerable and for all who stray. Pastor Ray explained that the “lost sheep” in Jesus’ parable represent not just children, but any believer who wanders from the faith. God’s heart, he said, is always for restoration, not punishment. The process of addressing sin in the church — often misunderstood as mere “discipline” — is meant to bring forgiveness and reconciliation, mirroring the shepherd’s relentless pursuit of the lost. Even those who reject the gospel are not abandoned but remain people to whom grace is continually offered. Pastor Ray concluded by reminding the congregation that the world is dark with sin, yet God’s love shines brighter still — a love that calls us to seek the lost, defend the innocent, and reflect the mercy we ourselves have received in Christ.
14th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 15:15-21
Epistle Reading: Romans 12:9-21
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-28
Pastor Ray reflected on Labor Day as an opportunity to consider the “job description” of a Christian. Drawing from Romans 12, he explored Paul’s exhortations to love genuinely, serve faithfully, and live peaceably with others. While some may dismiss these commands as “law” irrelevant to grace, Pastor Ray reminded the congregation that Scripture calls believers not only to justification (being saved through Christ) but also to sanctification — living out that salvation in daily life. Christians, he said, have both the old sinful nature and the new nature created in Christ, and the Holy Spirit works through the new nature to bear fruit in love and service. This life of sanctification means showing brotherly affection, humility, and forgiveness, even toward enemies. Paul’s instruction to “overcome evil with good” reflects the heart of Jesus, whose love on the cross transformed even His persecutors. Pastor Ray encouraged the church to live out genuine love — to rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and forgive as we’ve been forgiven — demonstrating Christ’s love so the world might see Him through us.
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6
Epistle Reading: Romans 11:33-12:8
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
Following the joyful return of his lost dog, Lily, Pastor Ray reflected on how the weeklong search became a lesson in prayer, patience, and faith. He admitted how easily we grow impatient when God seems silent, yet Scripture reminds us that waiting is often where faith takes root. God’s answers—yes, no, or wait—all serve His perfect will. Using verses from Romans, Philippians, and Proverbs, Pastor Ray showed how hope, trust, and persistence in prayer sustain believers through uncertainty. Waiting does not mean God is absent; rather, His silence deepens faith and dependence on Him. He urged the congregation, including the confirmands, to walk by faith and not by sight—trusting that unseen realities hold greater truth than visible struggles. Even heroes of faith like Abraham, Moses, and Peter doubted, yet God still worked through their weakness. True faith isn’t measured by strength or certainty, but by the One in whom we place it. Pastor Ray closed by reminding all that God’s timing is perfect, His plans good, and His presence unshakable, even in seasons of waiting.
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Epistle Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32
Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:21-28
Pastor Ray shared a message inspired by his search for his lost dog, Lily. As he told the story of the long days spent looking for her, he connected that experience to Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep. Just as he refused to give up the search for Lily, the Good Shepherd never stops pursuing those who are lost. The Lord’s love is not passive or theoretical—He goes out, seeks, and saves. Pastor Ray reflected on how people often run from God out of fear or guilt, much like Lily’s fear kept her from responding to her name, yet God continues to call through His Spirit and His people. Even when we lose things, people, or purpose, God never loses us. Jesus Himself experienced loss—friends, honor, even His Father’s presence on the cross—so that nothing could separate us from His love. The sermon closed with the reminder that the Shepherd still seeks the lost, and that through Christ’s death and resurrection, every loss finds its meaning and every wanderer a home.
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Job 38:4-18
Epistle Reading: Romans 10:5-17
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Pastor Ray began by asking what the greatest piece of advice anyone has ever given us might be—and offered his own by the end: read the Bible. He reminded the congregation that while people often feel distant from God, the distance doesn’t come from Him. Humanity’s imperfection makes it impossible to reach God by our own righteousness, but Christ bridges that gap. Religion is humanity’s attempt to reach God; Christianity is God reaching down to us in Jesus. Drawing from Romans 10, Pastor Ray emphasized that the Word is near—on our lips and in our hearts—and that confessing “Jesus is Lord” is both the earliest Christian creed and a daily call to follow Him. Though Scripture is the most distributed book in history, many neglect to read it, leading to spiritual complacency. He warned against this drift and urged believers to treat God’s Word as a living, personal message that keeps faith vibrant and close to Christ. The greatest advice, he said, is to study and live by God’s Word, where the Savior speaks directly to His people.
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55:1-5
Epistle Reading: Romans 9:1-5 (6-13)
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:13-21
Minister Curtis reflected on the purpose behind the appointed Sunday readings, using them to highlight the church’s mission and the role of the congregation in carrying out God’s will. Drawing from Isaiah 55, Romans 9, and Matthew 14, he emphasized that God has given His church the office of the keys—the authority to proclaim forgiveness and share the gospel through Word and Sacrament. Every believer, as part of the priesthood of all believers, is called to live faithfully in response to this grace. The congregation, he said, exists to honor the Triune God, to proclaim Christ, and to serve a spiritually hungry world. As Jesus fed the 5,000, so too the church is sent into a “desolated place”—a culture often starved for truth—to feed others with the Word of Life. Though the world may drift toward emptiness, God has already provided all that’s needed: His Word, His Spirit, and His purpose for His people.
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 7:6-9
Epistle Reading: Romans 8:28-39
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-52
Pastor Ray centered his message on one of Scripture’s most comforting promises—Romans 8:28: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” He reminded the congregation that this verse doesn’t mean everything that happens will feel good, but that God weaves even suffering and hardship into His greater purpose for our eternal good. Drawing from the persecution of the early church and Paul’s own life, Pastor Ray noted that faith doesn’t remove pain—it sustains us through it. We live in a fallen world where bad things happen, yet God remains faithful and active, shaping us to the likeness of His Son. Using the story of Bud Day, a POW who later fought for veterans’ rights, Pastor Ray illustrated how God can redeem even the darkest seasons for lasting good. God’s promises are sure—He has justified us through Christ and is preparing us for glory. Until that day, we walk by faith, not by sight, trusting that His plan always leads to our eternal good.
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 44:6-8
Epistle Reading: Romans 8:18-27
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Turning seventy this week, Pastor Ray spoke with humor and honesty about the many ways we “groan”—from aching joints to watching the news—and connected that everyday reality to Romans 8, where Paul says creation, believers, and even the Holy Spirit groan together. All of creation groans under the weight of sin’s curse, longing for the day when God restores everything to perfection. Believers groan too, waiting eagerly for the final adoption as God’s children and the redemption of our bodies. Even in our wordless pain, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Pastor Ray reminded the congregation that groaning is natural in a fallen world, but it should not lead to despair—rather, it stirs our hope for the life to come. He encouraged everyone to live with eyes fixed on heaven, where pain and decay will be gone forever, and to endure this life with patient, confident hope in Christ’s promises. Our present suffering, he said, is not worth comparing with the glory that awaits us in God’s eternal paradise.
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13
Epistle Reading: Romans 8:12-17
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Pastor Ray opened with a story from his Texas farm days to illustrate Jesus’ parable of the sower. The seed, he explained, is always good—the living Word of God—but the soil differs, just as hearts do. Some are hardened by pride or self-righteousness, some shallow and unable to endure hardship, others crowded by worldly worries and desires. Yet where the Word finds good soil—an open, faithful heart—it bears an abundant harvest of faith and good works. God’s Word is never the problem; resistance is. Still, the sower—Christ Himself—throws the seed everywhere, showing that His grace is offered to all. The church’s calling is to do the same: to broadcast the gospel widely and trust God for the growth. Each believer, placed in their family, work, and neighborhood, becomes a sower—sent to scatter God’s Word in every corner of life.
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 9:9-12
Epistle Reading: Romans 7:14-25a
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:25-30
Curtis began with humor about his unplanned preaching role before tracing his and Pastor Ray’s shared history with Good Shepherd, clarifying the distinct yet complementary calls of ordained and commissioned ministers. From there, he turned to the heart of the sermon: the nature of original sin and the difference between law and gospel. Original sin, he explained, is more than a first wrong—it is the corruption of our nature that leaves us unable to love or trust God rightly. The law exposes this corruption, acting as curb, mirror, and guide, but it cannot save. The gospel, by contrast, shifts the focus from our failure to Christ’s faithfulness. Our righteousness is not our own but Christ’s—an “alien righteousness” given by grace through faith. Through Scripture, Curtis showed how God delivers His people from death and spiritual dryness, as foretold in Zechariah and fulfilled in Jesus, who offers true rest to all who labor under sin’s weight. Faith’s object is not belief itself, but Christ alone, whose yoke is easy because our sins are forgiven. The call to the congregation: live out your faith as God’s children, sharing His mission together with joy.
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 28:5-9
Epistle Reading: Romans 7:1-13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:34-42
Preaching on Matthew 10, Pastor Ray explored Jesus’ startling words, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He contrasted the angels’ song of peace at Christ’s birth with the division that often follows when the gospel is shared. True peace, he explained, is not the easy harmony of avoiding conflict, but reconciliation with God through Christ. The gospel divides because it demands allegiance—there is no neutral ground. Pastor Ray reflected on how even within families, faith in Christ can create tension, as seen in his example from Christian musician Keith Green’s strained witness to his parents. Yet believers must not trade peace with God for the comfort of earthly peace. Taking up the cross means standing firm in faith, even when misunderstood or rejected. Still, the good news remains: Christ brings peace between God and sinners, forgives guilt, and makes believers His children through baptism and faith. This divine peace frees Christians to share the gospel boldly and pray patiently for those who resist it, trusting that the Holy Spirit can still bring them to faith and life eternal.
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-13
Epistle Reading: Romans 6:12-23
Gospel Reading: Matt. 10:5a, 21-33
Preaching from Matthew 10, Pastor Ray acknowledged both the hard truth and the deep comfort of Jesus’ words to His disciples. The bad news: following Christ invites persecution. Believers may face rejection, hatred, even betrayal—from governments, society, and sometimes family. Pastor Ray noted that the world’s growing hostility toward Christianity mirrors what Jesus foretold, pointing to cultural shifts that increasingly marginalize Christian teaching. Yet amid fear and uncertainty, Jesus’ command stands: “Have no fear of them.” Earthly threats are temporary; only God holds eternal power. The same Lord who watches over the sparrow knows every detail of our lives and values His children infinitely more. In the end, the believer’s confidence rests not in safety but in Christ’s promise—He will acknowledge His faithful before the Father. This assurance frees Christians to live boldly, endure suffering with hope, and trust God’s control over every outcome.
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 19:2-8
Epistle Reading: Romans 5:6-15
Gospel Reading: Matt 9:35-10:20
Preaching on Matthew 9–10, Pastor Ray centered on Jesus’ compassion for the crowds—sheep without a shepherd—and His call for laborers in the harvest. The sermon opened with the phrase “Be careful what you pray for,” reminding listeners that when we ask God to send workers, He often sends us. Like the disciples, believers are called to witness, even when it means being “sheep among wolves.” Pastor Ray noted that fear, excuses, and rejection are part of the call, but safety lies in staying close to the Good Shepherd through Word and Sacrament. Using his dog Lily as an illustration, he showed how fear drives us nearer to safety—just as trials drive believers closer to Christ. The Church, he warned, forgets the presence of wolves when it drifts from Scripture and the Lord’s Table. Yet growing hostility toward Christians may awaken the wandering back to the Shepherd. Pastor Ray urged faith that is both “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves”—wise, gentle, and unwavering in truth. God still sends His people into the harvest, proclaiming Christ crucified as the world’s only true hope and safety.
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Hosea 5:15-6:6
Epistle Reading: Romans 4:13-25
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:9-13
Pastor Ray began with a story about his old leaky fishing boat—a picture of how Christians are called to live in the world but not of it. Like a boat meant to float on water but not fill with it, believers are to engage the world without letting its sin sink them. Drawing from John 17 and Matthew 9, he contrasted the Pharisees’ separation from sinners with Jesus’ willingness to sit and eat with tax collectors and outcasts, including Matthew and Zacchaeus. Jesus entered messy lives to bring healing and salvation, not distance Himself from them. Pastor Ray urged the church not to retreat from the world but to bring Christ to it—whether through conversation, hospitality, or worship in public places, like the Easter sunrise service on the beach. Disciples, he said, “can’t stay silent”; they pray, invite, give, and witness. Every believer is a fisher of men, and while our “boats” may leak, Christ Himself bails us out with grace. The call remains: get out of the truck, launch the boat, and fish for souls—meeting people where they are with the gospel of life and forgiveness.
Trinity Sunday(Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1:1-2,26-31
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
Pastor Ray explored the mystery and necessity of the Holy Trinity, beginning with St. Augustine’s story of the child on the beach—reminding us that no human mind can contain the infinite God. The sermon traced how the early Church, guided by Scripture and the Apostles’ witness, came to articulate the Trinity: one God in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully and equally God. Pastor Ray warned that while the term “Trinity” doesn’t appear in the Bible, its truth runs through it, shaping both faith and salvation. False teachings that diminish Christ’s divinity, he said, distort the gospel itself; a “little god” could not redeem all people. Only the death and resurrection of the eternal Son of God secures forgiveness and eternal life. The Nicene and Athanasian Creeds safeguard this truth—that Jesus is fully God and fully man, both Lord and Christ. Through the triune God we are saved, baptized, and assured that our faith rests in divine truth, not human theory.
Pentecost(Series A)
Old Testament Reading: Numbers 11:24-30
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Gospel Reading: John 7:37-39
On Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Ray reminded the congregation that the true miracle of Pentecost was not the wind, fire, or tongues, but the creation of faith—3,000 souls brought to Christ in a single day. Using vivid images like Curtis’s red streamers flowing from the cross, he illustrated how the Holy Spirit still moves through the church today. Pastor Ray explained that Jesus first gave His disciples the Holy Spirit on the day of His resurrection, but at Pentecost, the Spirit empowered them to speak boldly and reach people in their own languages—meeting them where they were. The spectacle was only the wrapping; the gift was faith in Christ. He urged believers to see the same Spirit at work in them now, calling and gathering the church through the preaching of the gospel. Pentecost’s real message, he said, is not about fiery signs but about carrying the flame of the Spirit into the world—witnessing, teaching, and living out the good news of Jesus crucified and risen.
Pentecost(Series C)
5 Jun 2022
Trinity Sunday(Series C)
12 Jun 2022
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
19 Jun 2022
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
26 Jun 2022
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
3 Jul 2022
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
10 Jul 2022
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
17 Jul 2022
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
24 Jul 2022
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
31 Jul 2022
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
7 Aug 2022
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
21 Aug 2022
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
21 Aug 2022
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
28 Aug 2022
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
4 Sep 2022
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
18 Sep 2022
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
25 Sep 2022
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
2 Oct 2022
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
9 Oct 2022
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
16 Oct 2022
20th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
23 Oct 2022
Reformation Sunday(Series C)
30 Oct 2022
22nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
6 Nov 2022
23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
13 Nov 2022
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
20 Nov 2022
Thansgiving
23 Nov 2022
Thanksgiving(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Epistle Reading: Philippians 4:6-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19
Pastor Greg Devore preached on the healing of the ten lepers, noting the physical horror of leprosy and the deeper spiritual parallel: sin disfigures the soul and separates humanity from God just as leprosy separated people from their families, communities, and worship. The ten lepers represent the whole Christian Church crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us,” and like them, believers are called not only to faith but to faithful action — hearing the Word, receiving absolution, gathering in worship, and coming to the Lord’s Supper where Christ truly cleanses us. Yet the heart of the passage is the one Samaritan who returned in gratitude. Pastor Ray warned that Christians can easily receive God’s gifts on Sunday and then drift through the week distracted by life, like the nine who went on their way. To emulate the Samaritan, Pastor Ray urged the congregation to seek Christ daily through prayer and Scripture meditation. Drawing from Luther’s fourfold method — teaching, thanksgiving, confession, and petition — he encouraged small, steady devotion throughout the week. The Samaritan’s gratitude should stir believers not toward heresy, but toward deeper love, praise, and faithful living every day.
24th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3:13-18
Epistle Reading: Colossians 1:13-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 23:27-43
23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 4:1-6
Epistle Reading: 2Thessalonians 3:1-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:5-28
22nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 3:1-15
Epistle Reading: 2Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 20:27-40
Reformation Sunday(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Revelation 14:6-7
Epistle Reading: Romans 3:19-28
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:12-19
20th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 4:1-15
Epistle Reading: 2Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-17
19th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 32:22-30
Epistle Reading: 2Timothy 3:1-4:5
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8
18th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Ruth 1:1-19a
Epistle Reading: 2Timothy 2:1-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19
17th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Epistle Reading: 2Timothy 1:1-14
Gospel Reading: Luke 17:1-10
16th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Amos 6:1-7
Epistle Reading: 1Timothy 6:6-19
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Amos 8:4-7
Epistle Reading: 1Timothy 2:1-15
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-15
14th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-24
Epistle Reading: 1Timothy 1:5-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10
13th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Epistle Reading: Philemon 1-21
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-35
12th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 25:2-10
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 13:1-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1-14
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 66:18-23
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 12:4-29
Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-30
10th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23:16-29
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 11:17-40; 12:1-3
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56
9th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Epistle Reading: Acts 8:26-40
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11; Luke 5:27-32; Luke 19:1-10
8th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26
Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:1-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:13-21
7th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:17-33
Epistle Reading: Colossians 2:6-15
Gospel Reading: Luke 11:1-13
6th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5
Epistle Reading: 1 John 1
Gospel Reading: John 17:14-26
5th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Leviticus (18:1-5) 19:9-18
Epistle Reading: Colossians 1:1-14
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:25-37
4th Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
Epistle Reading: Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:1-20
3rd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19:9b-21
Epistle Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62
2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:29-47
Gospel Reading: John 14:8-21
Trinity Sunday(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36
Gospel Reading: John 8:48-59
Pentecost(Series C)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 11:1-9
Epistle Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Gospel Reading: John 14:23-31