February 21, 2021 "The Easy Way" Mark 1:9-15 Pastor Scott Adle
First Sunday in Lent
This week we hear about Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Satan offers the easy way.
Why doesn't Jesus take it?
February 17, 2020 "Real Repentance" Psalm 51
Ash Wednesday
This begins our midweek Lenten series, "The Psalms of Lent."
Text Audio Video (Sermon begins at 24:00)
February 14, 2020 "Valentine's God" Mark 9:2-9
Transfiguration
The remembrance of the martyrdom of Valentine and springtime romance merged into "Valentine's Day." But the real love of this world is found in the God that Valentine confessed, and for which he was killed.
Text Audio Video (Sermon begins at 22:25)
February 7, 2021 "Agree/Disagree" Mark 1:29-39 Pastor Scott Adle
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
January 31, 2021 "Who Is Your Authority?" Mark 1:21-28 Pastor Michael P Walther
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
In the world people struggle to gain authority over others. But behind this struggle, there is a darker struggle going on between the authority of God and the authority of the devil.
January 24, 2021 "What gives?" Mark 1:14-20 Pastor Scott Adle
Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 17, 2021 "You Were Washed" 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 Pastor Michael P Walther
Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 10, 2021 "Which God?" Mark 1:4-11 Pastor Scott Adle
Baptism of Our Lord
January 3, 2021 "Unusual Happenings" Luke 2:22-40 Pastor Michael P Walther
First Sunday After Christmas
Many unusual things happen around the birth of Jesus. Luke records another one for us in today's gospel reading.
December 27, 2020 "Unusual Happenings" Luke 2:22-40
First Sunday After Christmas
Many unusual things happen around the birth of Jesus. Luke records another one for us in today's gospel reading.
December 24, 2020 "All Should Be Registered!" Luke 2:1-18
Christmas Eve
Caesar demanded that all in his empire be registered. This Christmas Eve, everyone had to register to come to service. Is there any that ties the two together?
December 20, 2020 "Mystery, Secret? What?" Romans 16:25-27
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Is God keeping secrets from us? What is Paul talking about, and how does it strengthen Christians?
December 13, 2020 "A Sense of Urgency" John 1:19-28
Third Sunday in Advent
When you hear John preach, there is urgency in what he says. Why does he talk that way?
December 6, 2020 "Comfort, Comfort My People" Isaiah 41:1-11
Second Sunday in Advent
Isaiah prophesied destruction for Jerusalem, but he also promised a word of peace to come.
November 29, 2020 "You Are the Potter, We the Clay" Isaiah 64:1-9
First Sunday in Advent
Isaiah describes our relationship to God as like that of a potter to clay. What does that mean for our lives?
November 22, 2020 "Jesus Is the Judge" Matthew 25:31-46
Last Sunday of the Church Year
We've heard many parables recently. But some statements by Jesus are not parables, which means that He is telling us straight what is going to happen.
November 15, 2020 "The Day of the Lord" 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Pentecost 24
All of us have a yearning for justice. Evil either needs to be forgiven at the cross or punished on the Day of the Lord.
November 1, 2020 "How to Die Successfully" 1 John 3:2
All Saints
This sermon shows how there must be life after death and how we can prepare for it.
October 25, 2020 "If the Son Sets You Free" John 8:31-36 Pastor Scott Adle
Reformation Day (Observed)
Jesus talks with some hearers in John 8 who think they are free. Jesus does not agree, and they are not happy about that. Do we have anything in common with them?
October 18, 2020 "Render to Caesar and to God" Matthew 22:15-22 Pastor Michael Walther
Pentecost 20
People try to keep religion and politics separated. But the Bible shows us that God rules over both the kingdom of governments and the kingdom of faith. There are at least four things that the Bible tells us to render to Caesar and to God.
October 11, 2020 "Who's Telling the Story?" Matthew 22:1-14 Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 19
As we all know, whoever is telling the story gets to frame the characters how he will. This is just as true in regard to what people say about God.
October 4, 2020 Matthew 21:33-46 Pastor Michael Walther
Pentecost 18
September 27, 2020 "Are My Ways Not Just?" Ezekiel 18 Pastor Michael Walther
Pentecost 17
The Israelites complain about God's injustice - which they see in the world all around them. But God turns the question around on them - Who is actually unjust?
September 20, 2020 "Far Better" Philippians 1 Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 16
Both of our readings today have things in them that sound crazy to the world. Are they crazy, or should Christians be able to say the same things?
Video
September 13, 2020 "Bound to Christ and One Another" Romans 13-15 Pastor Michael Walther
Pentecost 15
Satan wants to tear Christians and Christianity apart. But God holds us together with love, salvation, and the final judgment.
September 6, 2020 "Being Great" Matthew 18:1-20 Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 14
Jesus gives us some advice about being great today. So why doesn't it sound like any other advice we hear about being successful and great?
August 30, 2020 "The Integreity of Christ in the Chaos of Life" Psalm 26 Pastor Michael Walther
Pentecost 13
David suffered from the chaos of his kingdom and his personal life. Yet he held on to God by faith. God gave him the integrity he needed. In the riots of our world and our personal life, God gives us the integrity of Christ.
August 23, 2020 "Condemnation/Confession, Take II" Matthew 16:13-20 Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 12
Pastor Walther mention last week that "Condemnation roars, but confession is barely heard." This week we talk about that in a different way, and what it means for us.
August 16, 2020 "So That He May Have Mercy On All" Romans 11 Pastor Michael Walther
Pentecost 11
Paul says in Romans 11 that God imprisoned all to disobedience so that He may have mercy on all.
What does he mean by this?
August 10, 2020 "Lord, Save Me!" Matthew 14:22-33 Pastor Michael Walther
Pentecost 10
Is belief in miracles childish, a throwback to a "pre-scientific era"? Not at all. If you believe in a rational, purposeful world, you have to believe in miracles. It is your only hope.
August 2, 2020 "Complaint and Satisfaction" Matthew 14:13-21 Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 9
The Feeding of the 5,000 is a miracle you've heard about many times. But did only one miracle take place?
July 26, 2020 "Justification" Romans 8:28-39 Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 8
In our epistle reading today Paul talks about God justifying us. Justification is a term that comes up in the bible and our confirmation days, but what about the rest of life? How big of deal is it?
July 5, 2020 "What Is the Creation Waiting for and Why?" Romans 8:18-2 Pastor Michael P. Walther
Pentecost 7
Paul, the Apostle, urges us to look deeply into the suffering of this world to see its cause and, especially, to see its salvation - for both people and animals. We do not live a world that suffers perpetually, but in a world that will be glorified.
July 12, 2020 "The Parable of the Sower" Matthew 13:1-9 Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 6
In today's gospel reading Jesus tells a parable. What does it mean? Does it still mean anything for us today?
Audio Video
July 5, 2020 "The Limits of the Law and of Our Willpower" Romans 7:24-25 Pastor Michael P. Walther
Pentecost 5
God's Law shows us the limits of our willpower. We cannot will ourselves to be the people God wants us to be. Rather, we need the powerful grace of God in Jesus.
June 28, 2020 "That Sin Might Be Exceedingly Sinful" Romans 7:12-13 Pastor Michael P. Walther
Pentecost 4
Text Audio Video
We all have a temptation to turn the law of God into something we can ignore, overlook, or downgrade. But Paul wants us to know the importance of the Law. Its purpose is not to save us, but to show us the seriousness of our sin so that we might appreciate the blessing of salvation in Jesus.
June 21, 2020 "Concerns, and Getting Rid of Them" Pastor Scott Adle
Pentecost 3
Listening to Jesus talk in Matthew chapter 10 can start to bring concerns to our mind. But Jesus' goal here was actually to get rid of concerns.
June 14, 2020 Praying for the Harvest of Souls, Pastor Michael P. Walther
Pentecost 2
Text Audio Video
Jesus preached and healed. The church preached and healed. We pray for God to help us preach and heal. This makes a difference for a troubled world.
June 7, 2020 "How to Avoid Being Drawn into Hatred" Psalm 8
Trinity Sunday
Pastor Michael P. Walther
Racism is an expression of the underlying sin of hatred. In this sermon we'll see how the Triune God helps us overcome our natural tendency to hatred by looking to His works and words.
May 31, 2020 "For Certain" Acts 2
Pastor Scott Adle
Despite all of our progress, finding solid, certain truth is actually pretty hard. We have our experts, but so do the people who disagree with us. Where can we find certainty?
May 24, 2020 "Humble Yourself" 1 Peter 5:5-11
Pastor Michael Walther
There is a demonic aspect to all sickness and death. How do we resist the devil?
May 17, 2020 "Asking Some Questions" John 14:15-21
Pastor Scott Adle
There are some questions that come across as simple, and yet turn out to be rather important. How people answer these questions matters a lot about how they act, and how they interact with others.
May 10, 2020 "Loving Those Who Resist God" Acts 6 and 7
Pastor Michael Walther
Stephen's life gives us three great lessons: The Mystery of Resistance, The Mystery of Conversion, and the Mandate to Preach the Gospel.
May 3, 2020 "Wandering in the Maze" John 10:1-10
Pastor Scott Adle
This is Good Shepherd Sunday. But the question might come up, "Why do we need a shepherd?" Our readings today will point out some good reasons.
Audio Video
April 26, 2020 "Do Overs" 1 Peter 1:17-25
Pastor Michael Walther
When we are talking about kids games, especially if we are playing alone, there are several "do overs" if we don't get the right outcome. But what about in real life?
Text Audio Video
April 22, 2020 "We Must Obey God Rather Than Men" Acts 5
Pastor Scott Adle
Sometimes disobeying the authorities is the correct thing to do. We hear of an example in Acts chapter five.
April 19, 2020 "Forgetfulness - In Season and Out" John 20:19-31
Pastor Scott Adle (2nd Sunday of Easter)
When the disciples are fearful of danger, the Lord, and His words, are not the first thing on their minds. How does Jesus respond?
Audio Video
April 15, 2020 "Jesus Died for Our Sins" 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Pastor Michael P. Walther (Wednesday After Easter)
For centuries, those who don't believe in God's promises of forgiveness through His Son Jesus, have tried to reinterpret the accounts of the resurrection. But the facts show that is a fantasy.
April 12, 2020 "The Sacrifice and the Salvation of Easter" Acts 10:36-43
Pastor Michael P. Walther (Easter Sunday)
Cornelius, the first convert to the Christian faith shows us the importance of Jesus' death and resurrection for the remission of our sins.
April 10, 2020 Good Friday
Pastor Scott Adle
There are some readings that are not as important as others in the gospels, some events that are more central to the faith. The crucifixion is at the heart of what God does for us.
April 9, 2020 "Maundy Thursday"
Pastor Scott Adle
The season of Lent is a season of fasting, however this year an odd fast is forced upon us - perhaps felt keenly on this day. We will talk about that.
Text Audio Video
April 5, 2020 "Our Hosanna Prayer" John 12:12-13
Pastor Michael P Walther (Palm Sunday)
"Hosanna" is a Hebrew word that means "Save Now!" As we struggle with the pandemic and all its effects, it is good for us to say this prayer often!
April 1, 2020 "Barabbas" Mark 15
Pastor Scott Adle (Midweek Lenten Service)
We have been talking about different specific characters in the Passion story during our Lenten midweek services. I think Barabbas may represent us rather well.
March 29, 2020 "The Resurrection and the Life" John 11
Pastor Scott Adle (5th Sunday in Lent)
Jesus raises Lazarus from the tomb this week, but not before sitting around a while. Not really what we'd like to see, but His response is: "I am the resurrection and the life."
March 22, 2020 "The Works of God" John 9
Pastor Michael Walther (4th Sunday in Lent)
When Jesus saw a man who had been born blind, His disciples asked whether that man had sinned or his parents that he had been born that way. Jesus said that neither he nor his parents were the cause. But that everyone would see the works of God.
March 15, 2020 "The Woman at the Well"
John 4:5-26
Pastor Scott Adle (3rd Sunday in Lent)
Jesus meets the Woman at the Well and reveals Himself to her and to us as the Messiah. He gives the water that brings eternal life.
March 10, 2020 "The Betrayal of Judas"
Matthew 27:3-5
Pastor Michael P Walther (Midweek Lenten Service)
The greatest sin of Judas was not his betrayal, but his refusal to believe in God's forgiveness.
March 8, 2020 "That Whoever Believes in Him Should Not Perish"
John 3:1-17
Pastor Michael P Walther (2nd Sunday in Lent)
These days the news is full of stories about a modern plague. But how should Christians respond in such a case? Where do we find our comfort?
March 1, 2020 "Salesmanship? No thanks." Matthew 4:1-11
Pastor Scott Adle (1st Sunday in Lent)
Salesmanship can have a darker side. But what does that have to do with our readings today? Well, we come across quite the salesman in both of our readings today.
February 23, 2020 "Busting the Mythstorians" 2 Peter 1:16-19
Pastor Michael P. Walther (Transfiguration)
Many people say that the miracles of Jesus such as the Transfiguration never actually happened - They take them to be myths. But when we compare the Gospels to ancient myths, we see a big difference.
February 16, 2020 "One With Authority" Matthew 5:21-37
Pastor Scott Adle (Fifth Sunday After Epiphany)
When Jesus opens His mouth, people often did not like Him as much as when He was doing miracles. Why would this be? Well, look no further than the Sermon on the Mount.
Audio Video
Note: For further information on marriage/divorce and sexuality issues, please look at our Ethics of Sex bible study page here.
February 9, 2020 "The Wisdom of God" 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
Pastor Michael P. Walther (Fourth Sunday After Epiphany)
Paul had just left Athens and had come to Corinth. Both cities were known for their philosophers. The word "philosophy" comes from "sophia," which means "wisdom," or even "way of life." Paul contrasts the "wisdom of this age" with the "wisdom of God."
February 2, 2020 "The Presentation of Our Lord" Luke 2:22-32
Pastor Scott Adle (The Presentation of Jesus)
Epiphany is a season that shines a light on who Jesus is, and what He came to do. But looking back at the readings we've had so far, it doesn't seem that impressive of list. What's going on?
January 26, 2020 "God in Our Routines" Matthew 4:12-25
Pastor Michael Walther (Third Sunday After Epiphany)
Jesus didn't begin His ministry of saving the world from sin on a battlefield, in a lecture hall, or in a courtroom. His ministry began in a synagogue. Hearing God's word in worship is where all good things begin.
January 19, 2020 "Life Sunday" Genesis 3:1-15
Pastor Michael Salemink
This Life Sunday we have a special guest preacher: Rev Michael Salemink, who is the Executive Director of Lutherans for Life.
January 12, 2020 "The Baptism of Jesus" Matthew 3:13-17
Pastor Scott Adle (Baptism of Our Lord)
Why do we talk about baptism so much? Why do we read about Jesus' baptism every year? Even John tried to skip Jesus' baptism. But Christ answers that question.
January 8, 2020 "Clinging to God's Word for Hope" Luke 2:41-52
Pastor Michael P. Walther (Evening Prayer and Children's Chapel)
The New York Times reported there has been a 56% increase in teenage suicides from 2007-2017. What could be causing this? The answers to that are difficult. But there are remedies. The article points to psychotherapies and medicine which certainly can help. But God points us to something more - to the true promises of His word and His love.
January 5, 2020 "Science and Faith" Matthew 2:1-11
Pastor Michael P Walther (Epiphany)
Science is not in contradiction to the Bible but rather complimentary with the Bible. Unless, that is, if you choose to interpret the fantastical phenomena of nature to the exclusion of God.
