Christmas Day Service, December 25, 2020

Readings for this Service

First Lesson: Isaiah 52:7-10: Hear the joy that God has brought us

Second Lesson: Hebrews 1:1-9: Hear how high and mighty God is and the salvation he brought us with providing us with Jesus our Savior.

Gospel and Sermon Text: John 1:1-14: “In the beginning…” is how God told us, through Moses in Genesis Chapter 1, that He created all things in six 24-hour days. As he bring our attention to creation, the Apostle John begins his Gospel with the famous words, “in the beginning.” He teaches us who this baby born in Bethlehem truly is.

He is the Word, Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man.

While we may be tempted to think that Jesus is less than the Word in the flesh or that his light is hopeless against sins’s darkness, that will never be: our Savior’s birth still stands and can never be undone.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlenem promises you the same as it always has—-your Savior has come to bring you God’s light of a forgiven and everlasting life.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, December 24, 2020

Readings for this Service

First Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15: Humanity’s separation from God dates to the beginning of time: to the fall into sin by the first humans, Adam and Eve.  As tragic as this was, the account of it ends with God’s promise of rescue: that the woman’s offspring, Christ, would ultimately defeat Satan and the rebellion of sin.

Second Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-9: Striking symbolic language describes the gift more than 700 years before it was given.

Third Lesson: Micah 5:2-4: God wants there to be no doubt about his gift.  Through prophesy he reveals the exact tiny village where Jesus would be born.  The wonder of fulfilled prophesy continues to convince people about the validity of God’s gift even today.

Fourth Lesson:  Luke 1:26-38:  So many of God’s ways of intervening in our world are beyond our understanding.  We are blessed to receive God’s gift when, like Mary, we humbly accept God’s plan and marvel at it.

Fifth Lesson: Matthew 1:18-25:  The first lesson described the human race’s separation from God.  God’s gift to end this separation is his Son, Immanuel—“God with us.”

Sixth Lesson:  Luke 2:1-17:  In a fulfillment of the prophecy in tonight’s third lesson, God uses the mighty powers of this world to accomplish his will and to deliver his gift to an otherwise doomed world.

Seventh Lesson:  Luke 2:8-20:  The angels can’t help but celebrate God’s gift.  The shepherds eagerly spread the word of this gift as announced by the angels.  We join them, glorifying and praising God for all that we have come to know about God’s great gift.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 20, 2020

Scripture Readings for this week:

First Lesson:  2 Samuel 7:8-16:  Both Jesus’ coming in grace and his coming in judgment are events pre-figured in the promise to David.  What’s left for us to do?  Nothing!

Psalm 63:  This Psalm of David expresses a deep longing for God.

Second Lesson:  Romans 16:25-27: Jesus, the sum of all that God has to say to us, is about to descent once more to the lowly manger of our hearts! 

Verse of the Day: Matthew 1:23:  Alleluia.  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son.  And they will name him Immanuel.  Alleluia.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38: Listen to the promise of the angel: the one to be born would be  true and complete God and true and complete man --- in one person.

What is so amazing about this promise it that it does not depend on you; it depends on God.  It depends on Jesus.

And that amazing and impossible promise deserves only one reaction:  it is to be received in faith.

May God bless these last days of Advent for all of us.  May he strengthen our faith to believe the impossible and the amazing news.  May he prepare us for life and for eternity through his greatest promise to us: the promise of Jesus.

Amen

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Midweek Advent Service, December 16, 2020

Children of the Promise: Moses

Readings for the service:

First Lesson: Exodus 2:1-10

Psalm 27

Second Lesson:  2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Sermon:  God Protects and Delivers His People: Exodus 2:1-10

Pastor Ron Koehler

Third Sunday in Advent, December 13, 2020

Readings for this week:

First Lesson and Sermon Text:  Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11:  It is an astonishing thing that so many are not satisfied with the salvation that God provides in the coming Christ. 

Psalm 63: In this Psalm of King David, we address God as a loved one, not as a stranger, and with an eagerness to be near him.

Second Lesson:  1 Thessalonians 5:16-24:  The message prepares you for the real Christmas and for the real joy that God wants you to have in Christmas.  Be filled with joy in knowing that God is faithful and will not leave us or forsake us no matter what happens to us in this life; for the Light of the world is on his way!

Verse of the Day:  Matthew 11:10:  Alleluia.  I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.  Alleluia.

Gospel:  John 1:6-8, 19-28:  John was God’s spokesman called to prepare the people for the Savior who comes in grace and judgment.  Bot those questioning him were not satisfied with him or with his message.

Sermon:  Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11:  There’s no news better than our God’s news which promises us freedom and joy. Jesus is the Anointed who has come to preach the good news of forgiveness to all those afflicted by sin so they may be free from it. This forgiveness brings joy down to our very souls, in fact God will cause this joy to sprout before all nations with our acts of righteousness and praise as we continue to revel in the Anointed’s promises of freedom and joy to us.  Amen

Pastor Tim Patoka

Second Midweek Advent Service, December 9, 2020

Readings:

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Luke 1:29-45, 57-66

Psalm 66

Second Lesson: Colossians 1:1-12

Sermon: Luke 1:29-45, 57-66; Children of the Promise: John the Baptist

It was the for the joy of saving us that Jesus was born, treated on the cross like he was the one who was apathetic about the God --- instead of us. 

We are all capable of living a sinful life that is distant from Jesus, not joyful in his presence, and forgetting to bring our thoughts and concerns to God. 

We are not alone in life:  we have Jesus who endured the cross and  its shame for us, and who rose again and brought us close to him.  We can rejoice like Elizabeth and John the Baptist and Zachariah that Jesus was born---for us. 

 Pastor Frank Rose

Second Sunday in Advent, Sunday, December 6, 2020

Readings:

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Isaiah 40:1-11. The message of God’s messengers has not changed. It is a message that prepare us for his coming both at Christmas and on the Last Day. He comes to give life; his Word of grace and pardon that lasts forever.

Psalm 63: In this intimate prayer, we address God as a loved one, not as a stranger, and with an eagerness to be near him.

Second Lesson:  2 Peter 3:8-14. The messenger assures us that the promise of Jesus’ final coming also will be kept, just as surely as the promise of his first coming at Christmastime was kept.

Gospel: Luke 3:4,6. The message is powerful for it is one of forgiveness; a message that washes away sin and guilt in the Word and in the water, so that those who receive it will be fit for the only one who is great: our coming Savior King.

Sermon: Isaiah 40:1-11: God still loves us. We are still his people. We will be for eternity. I pray that this promise of comfort from the Lord encourages you and allows you to endure life’s challenges, as it did for God’s people long ago, when Isaiah first gave it to them. Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Children of the Promise: Samuel

First Midweek Advent Service, Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Readings:

First Lesson and Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Psalm 119b

Second Lesson:  2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Sermon: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Pastor Tim Patoka

First Sunday in Advent, Sunday, November 29, 2020

Readings for this week:

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1-8:  Throughout history, God has promised to come in grace to rescue those who are ready and to come in judgment on those who could not be bothered with him.

Psalm 63:  This Psalm of David expresses a deep longing for God and for his temple.  In this intimate prayer, we address God as a loved one, not as a stranger, and with an eagerness to be near him.

Second Lesson:  1 Corinthians 1:3-9:  Since Jesus is most surely coming, how shall we watch and how shall we prepare, so that his coming to us will be in grace and not in judgment?

Verse of the Day: Revelation 22:20:  Alleluia.  The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Alleluia.

Gospel:  Mark 13:32-37:  To prepare for Christ’s coming, we do well to turn our eyes away from the glitter and the clutter of the world and focus them on our need for his coming.

Sermon:  Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1-8: 

How long does it take to keep a promise?  God can make a promise and he can keep it even if the making and the keeping of the promise are lifetimes apart. 

In the Old Testament, believers looked forward to the one that had been promised all the way back to Adam and Eve.

In the New Testament times, we now look back on how God sent his only-begotten Son to be the Savior of the world.

Advent reminds us that we live in a time between the fulfillments of these great promises of God.

How long will it be until our Savior returns and takes us to be with him?  Only God knows.  But he will come. And by his grace he has made us ready and will keep us ready.  He has promised it.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Thanksgiving Eve Service, November 25, 2020

Psalm 136: For His Mercy Endures Forever

God’s mercy has given us all we need. It has rescued us from our enemies; it has promised us that one day our suffering will end, our pain will cease, and our uncertainty will disappear.

God’s mercy has assured us that the perfect joy of heaven will never end. It has given us every reason to give thanks.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. For his mercy endures forever.”

Amen

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Christ the King Sunday, November 22, 2020

Readings for this week:

First Lesson: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23-24: Christ is our Shepherd King

Psalm 47: Praise the great King of all the earth.

Second Lesson and Sermon Text

1 Corinthians 15:20-28: Rejoice in Christ the King who will conquer all our enemies.

Verse of the Day:  Revelation 22:13. Alleluia.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End..  Alleluia.

Gospel:  Matthew 27:27-31: How can we find joy in this reading? We have a King in Christ who left his heavenly throne and reigned from the wood of the cross. Rejoice in Christ the King who came as our sacrifice.

Sermon:  1 Corinthians 15:20-28: Our Victorious King

Jesus came to earth as King not only for the sake of this life. His life was perfect. His death was innocent. His holy, precious blood paid the price for every single human being ever. He sacrificed himself—-remember, he had the power to stop it. He sacrificed himself so that our sins could be dealt with and taken away.

Our King uses his power and his might and his love for us to make sure that nothing separates us, that nothing gets in the way of his plans and his purpose for us.

God assures us that while death is the final enemy to be defeated it is not the only enemy or threat. Do not fall into the trap of Satan when he says that your well-being, your safety, and your security is dependent on a doctor or a politician or a family member or a circumstance or a situation. Instead trust in the King who humbled himself to the point of ridicule and death because of his love for you and who rose from death victorious.

Amen

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

The Third Sunday of End Times, November 15, 2020

Readings for this week:

First Lesson: Ezekiel 37:15-28:  Earthly troubles are temporary.  The triumph that’s coming won’t be temporary.  It will be a kingdom without divisions caused by sin. 

Second Lesson and Sermon Passage:  Revelation 19:1-9:  Saint John lets us see what we watch for:  the consummation of the marriage of Christ and his Church.  Keep us watchful for our coming triumph!

Verse of the Day:  Revelation 7:15:  Alleluia.  They are in front of the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple.  Alleluia.

Gospel:  Matthew 25:1-13:  Jesus pictures the time before his return as virgins waiting for a bridegroom and the start of a wedding feast.  Jesus central instruction in this parable calls for the waiting Church to be the watchful Church.  Keep watch, for you do not know the day or the hour!

Sermon:  Revelation 19:1-9:  Are You Ready for the Wedding?

Are you ready?  There is no reason to doubt at all that you are part of the bride of Christ because it’s not dependent on yourself, but because God sent his Son to pay for your sins and sent you the Holy Spirit to believe that. 

How true and comforting are the words of the angel, “Blessed are they who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.” 

Are you ready for the wedding?  There is no doubt that all who trust not in what they have done but only in what Jesus has done for them are ready. 

Let there be no hesitation in your voice as you answer the question:  Yes, I am ready because Jesus has declared me innocent and holy, a saint who has been invited by His grace.”

Amen

Pastor Ron Koehler

The Second Sunday of End Time, Judgment Day, November 8, 2020

Readings for this week:

First Lesson, Daniel 7:9-10:  Daniel sees a vision of the Last Judgment that is filled with fire and thrones and books.  We can rejoice and look forward to the end of this age when we will reign with Christ in glory.

Second Lesson and Sermon Text, Romans 2:2-11:  Being mindful of the judgment means never falling into a self-righteous condemnation of the world around us. God will give according to what each person has done---but the point here is the motive, not the actions themselves.

VERSE OF THE DAY, Matthew 24:42:  Alleluia.  So be alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  Alleluia.

GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46: The Son of Man came once as a humble baby, but will return as a glorious king with angel armies at his side.  He will sit on his throne, and all the nations will be brought before him to be judged.  Lord, keep us mindful of your coming judgment that we might be found in faith, judged by your grace, and gifted with eternal life!

Sermon, Romans 2:2-11, God’s Righteous Judgement:

As Lutherans who rightly emphasize our salvation through faith alone, given to us by God’s grace alone, it might alarm you to see how much emphasis is about good works in the readings for today.

At first glance, this talk of works seems to contradict what we just said about faith being the basis of God’s righteous judgment of people, but upon closer examination, we see that faith and works are not contradictory teachings:  they complete the picture of what a Christian’s life should look like when it comes time for Last Judgment.

Let us remember what it is that God is basting his righteous judgment on:  faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin.  Faith is trust, trust in who Jesus is, what he has done for us on the cross, and what he promises to those who believe in him.

With a heart that is set on God’s Word, let us then direct our thoughts, words, and actions so that they are a proper result and reflection of our faith in Christ.  Amen

Pastor Tim Patoka

This Sunday’s order of worship is based on the six chief parts of Luther’s catechism. Because there was no sermon this Sunday we are posting the entire service audio.

Jesus Guides His Church, Week Eight, October 25, 2020

Readings for this week:

FIRST LESSON, 2 Chronicles 30:1-5, 10-22:  King Hezekiah sent invitations throughout the land to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem.  Just as King Hezekiah’s invitation was rejected, so was Jesus invitation to the land and so it is still rejected today by some.

SECOND LESSON, Romans 11:1-10:  It is not God who rejects people, it is us who reject God’s invitation to believe in Him.

PSALM 23:  The LORD is our shepherd.  He delivers us from the burden of sin and from our futile efforts to save ourselves by our own works.

VERSE OF THE DAY, John 20:31:  Alleluia.  These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Alleluia.

GOSPEL AND SERMON TEXT, Matthew 21:1-14: In this parable of Jesus, Jesus substituted a certain king for God, and the son of that king represents Jesus.  He uses a wedding banquet as the setting for a story of how God extends a gracious invitation to all people. 

Sermon, Matthew 21:1-14, Jesus Guides His Church With a Gracious Invitation.

The gracious invitation to believe that Jesus is the son of God was declined by many of the religious leaders and others of Jesus’ day, even though he sent his servants like John the Baptist to invite them to see Jesus as God’s Son and their Savior. 

Those who reject the God’s gracious invitation to trust in his Son will not receive eternal life in heaven but will instead suffer the banishment and fire of hell.

If we have been guilty of being preoccupied with life and our own interests at the expense of God’s grace in Jesus, we have the opportunity to repent today.  The same is true if we have found ourselves a little disinterested, too.  As people who know God’s gracious invitation, we know that we find forgiveness in the King’s Son.

We pray that God’s Holy Spirit would continue to work on our hearts and build us up in our faith by speaking to us as we gather for worship and the study of his Word. 

Pastor Ron Koehler

Jesus Guides His Church, Week Seven, October 18, 2020

Readings for this week:

First Lesson, 2 Kings 21:1-15:  More shocking than King Manasseh’s long time sin is the story of God’s grace.  In 2 Chronicles 33, we learn that Manasseh finally heard God’s call to repentance.  He humbled himself and cried out to God—and God forgave him.

Second Lesson,   2 Corinthians 6:1-13:  The Apostle Paul warns us not to squander the opportunity before us by receiving the grace of God in vain.

Psalm 118:  Give thanks to the LORD for He is good; this is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

VERSE OF THE DAY, Hebrews 2:12:  Alleluia.  I will declare your name to my brothers.  Within the congregation I will sing your praise.  Alleluia.

GOSPEL AND SERMON TEXT, Matthew 21:33-43: In this parable of Jesus, we see the amazing patience of the vineyard owner.

Sermon, Matthew 21:33-43, Jesus Guides His Church with Incredible Patience.

We live now under God’s great patience.  He warns us not to fall back into sin and unbelief.  He encourages us to consider how we respond to the prophets and to t hose who bring God’s words of warning of promise to us. 

God sent his own beloved Son, knowing full well that people would execute him.  He sent his Son not only to seek fruits of faith and repentance, but to forgive sin and to enable those fruits of faith and repentance.

God’s promise is on full display; he has been patient with us in our sinfulness and has called us out of our sin to faith, to repentance, and ultimately to eternal life with him.  His love is marvelous.  He has done this for us.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Jesus Guides His Church, Week Six, October 11, 2020

Readings for this week:

First Lesson, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32:  Ezekiel brings a strong warning for Christians who grow lax in their faith or dismissive of their sins. Repent, God says, turn from your wickedness and live. God promises not to judge us by our past, but by our present, and so he calls us to live anew.

Psalm 25: A Psalm of prayer: a prayer for protection, for forgiveness, for mercy, and for rescue.

Second Lesson:  2 Corinthians 13:5-8: The Corinthian congregation had heard from the Apostle Paul about repentance and obedience; he encouraged them to test themselves.

Gospel and Sermon Text:  Matthew 21:28-32:  The great men of Israel had gathered against Jesus in the temple courts. They claimed to be doing God’s work and fulfilling his will, but there was no repentance and no true obedience.

Sermon:  Matthew 21:28-32:  Doo Your Father’s Will.

To do the Father’s will begins with true repentance, but repentance consists of more than the words we say. It continues with heart-driven actions that also encourage us to do our Father’s will.

Repentance can be understood as a U-turn arrow. You start off in one direction leading towards sin and then you do a complete 180 away from sin.

There are three steps to do this: first you genuinely confess your sins, second you trust in God’s promise of forgiveness, and third you live a life free from those same sins: a turn away from sin and a turn towards God.

True repentance is not easy nor is it fun. It requires us to take an honest look at ourselves and come to the sobering conclusion that what we have been doing isn’t right and we shouldn’t continue on with it.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Jesus Calls His Church with Inconceivable Grace.  (Matthew 20:1-16

Readings for this week:

First Lesson, Jonah 4:5-11:  Jonah wanted Ninevah destroyed; in his mind it would only be fair.  Jonah had not wanted to prophesy to them because he was afraid that they might listen and repent.  He knew God would then have compassion on them and forgive them. But God is far more gracious than Jonah could have imagined.  They were his children and he wanted them to be his forever.  So great is God’s grace!

Second Lesson:  Romans 9:6-16:  Is God fair?  Is God just?  Neither—he is inconceivably gracious, as our eternal election proves.  Paul answers the question by pointing us back to God’s speech to Moses in Exodus 33.  The Israelites had worshiped the golden calf, and Moses made intercession for them.  Moses asked the Lord to show him his ways and his glory.  God responded by declaring his inconceivable grace:  he would show mercy and grace to those he chose, regardless of any merit or worth.

Gospel and Sermon Text:  Matthew 20:1-16:  What is our God like?  Jesus teaches us with a story, but we struggle with the lesson.  The parable offends our finely honed sense of what’s fair and what’s not.  This parable carriers both warning and promise for us---a warning that all comparisons based on merit or work do not belong in God’s kingdom; a promise that our relationship with God is based solely on grace which he lavishes in abundance.  He doesn’t give us what we deserve.  He gives us what we don’t.

Sermon:  Matthew 20:1-16:  Jesus Calls His Church with Inconceivable Grace.

We need to look at things from God’s perspective---that instead of being jealous of God’s blessings to others or relying on our good lives to earn God’s love---we ought to marvel that God loved us first…and that he loved us at all!

This is a story that focuses not on us, but on our loving God. God’s requirement for justice was fulfilled when the perfect Jesus was sacrificed for a world of imperfect people.  The price for sin was paid.  And because of that, this incredible, inconceivable grace rules and guides his church now and it will for eternity.

This good news gives us great comfort and leads us to praise the God of grace.  Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Jesus Guides His Church to Forgive as God Forgives, Week 4, September 27, 2020

Readings for this Week:

First Lesson: Genesis 50:15-21: Joseph had forgiven his brothers their terrible deeds.  Through his tears, Joseph never wavered, but he calmed his brothers’ fears, forgave them like God forgives and set them free from their prison of the past.

Psalm 103:  Praise the Lord; He forgives all your sins, a beautiful psalm of comfort.

Second Lesson: Ephesians 4:29-5:2:  Forgiveness is the primary mark of the Christian.  We forgive because God forgave us in Christ.  That makes us imitators of God.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Matthew 18:21-35: Jesus’ parable contrasts the forgiveness of God and our own unforgiving nature.  Who can comprehend the forgiveness of God?   Have mercy on us, Lord, and teach us to forgive like you!

Sermon: Jesus Guides His Church to Forgive as God Forgives

Isn’t it easy to think of ourselves as good Christians? I suspect that Peter thought he was a pretty good Christian to suggest forgiving the same person seven times.

As it turns out, seven times is not particularly generous, Jesus said. Jesus wants the members of his church to forgive as God forgives; to do as they pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” He wants us to remember that our immense debt of sin has been forgiven, completely wiped out.

Let us rejoice that God has graciously and generously forgiven us, and then let’s forgive others as God forgives us.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Jesus Guides His Church to Call Each Other to Repentance, Week 3, September 20, 2020

Readings for this Week:

First Lesson: Ezekiel 33:7-11: God drops on us the heavy message of being a watchman for our brother. God’s judgment on fallen man is as clear as it is severe. If we fail to do the job God has assigned us, God promises to hold us accountable. With the Law driven deeply into our hearts, God then reminds us why he has given us this job: because of his grace and his desire for the salvation of all mankind..

Psalm 51: Psalm 51, written by King David, contrasts the depths of guilt and the riches of forgiveness..

Second Lesson Galatians 2:11-21: Being your brother’s keeper will lead at times to uncomfortable situations or even confrontations. Here Paul tells how he had to oppose Peter to his face. Paul did not do this out of jealousy. This had to do with the eternal salvation of everyone involved. Paul took his job of being a watchman seriously: if righteousness could be gained by following the law, hen Christ died for nothing!

Gospel and Sermon text: Matthew 18:15-20:  Satan tries to make Christian discipline seem like the height of hypocrisy or meddling. But only love could lead the Christian and the Church to go to a fallen brother. Only love led our Savior to command it. Even the manner Jesus prescribes shows great love for the fallen. Such a great privilege and power has Christ bestowed on us!

Sermon:  Jesus Guides His Church to Call Each Other to Repentance.

Jesus suggests that we are to have a God-like love for sinners. And he gives us a blessed privilege to show that love; handling his law and gospel for the salvation of souls.

You and i get the to share God’s Word with people so that they will repent and be saved. This is gospel ministry! We also are blessed that others will do this for us, too.

May the Holy Spirit help us to see that calling each other to repentance as loving work and fill our hearts with God-like love when we see each other wandering. Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler