Summer Worship Series, July 18, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #7

First Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-11. This lesson is filled with promises fulfilled by God; some through Jesus and some yet to come.

Second Lesson:  Romans 4:13-17a. These verses focus on God’s promise to Abraham and to those with the faith of Abraham.

Verse of the Day: John 20:31.  These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia.

Gospel and Sermon Text. Matthew 15:21-28. Great Faith Trusts God’s Promises. (Jesus and the Canaanite woman and a little dog.)

We have sinned by not always showing a great faith that is based on a dep knowledge of God.

We have sinned by not always having the right motivation for our prayers.

We have sinned by giving up on our requests to Jesus and not persisting in seeing his blessing.

These kinds of sins may not be obvious on the outside, but God knows them. That means that these are sins Jesus came to pay for. May this lesson lead us to have a great faith that is confident in Jesus, and move us to go to him with our persistent prayers. Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Summer Worship Series, July 11, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #6

First Lesson: Numbers 22:22-35.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 91. God is our refuge and fortress.

Second Lesson:  Acts 13:26-39.  God has Paul write that everyone who believes in Jesus is justified.

Verse of the Day: John 20:31.  These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia.

Gospel:  Luke 4:14-30. God promised us a savior and Jesus was that Savior.

Sermon:  Numbers 22:22-35.  A Talking Donkey.

God wasn’t going to let Balak curse His people, in fact, he protected them against any and every enemy.  He kept all of his promises.

In protecting his people, God was preserving a promise for the whole world:  Jesus died for the sins of ALL.

It means that He will keep us safe in Him until we reach our heavenly home.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Summer Worship Series, July 4, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #5

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Exodus 16:6-30

Verse of the Day: John 20:31. These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Second Lesson: Philippians 4:10-20. God supplies all our needs.

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to pray what we refer to as “The Lord’s Prayer” in which we trust in God to, among other things, “give us today our daily bread.”

Sermon: Exodus 16:6-30 Quail

In this account, God is teaching us that we can trust him, to pray for all that we need for our bodies and lives, and to acknowledge that all our good gifts come from god and give him thanks for them.

But he would also have us remember that the physical needs he takes care of for us are far less important than the spiritual needs he has already taken care of through his Son Jesus. In fact, it’s the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that make this life worth living and allow us to truly appreciate our daily bread.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Summer Worship Series, June 27, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #4

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Exodus 29:38-46

Verse of the Day: John 20:31. These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Second Lesson: Revelation 5:6-25. As the slain Lamb of God, Jesus is worthy of our praise.

Gospel: John 1:29-34. John the Baptist testified that Jesus is the one who came into the world to take away the sin of the world.

Sermon: Exodus 29:38-46. Year-Old Lambs

God blesses us with the assurance that the Lamb of God has truly taken our sins away along with his additional blessings.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Summer Worship Series, June 20, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #3

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Genesis 7:6-24

Verse of the Day: John 20:31. These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Second Lesson: 2 Peter 3:1-9. There’s always those who will reject the WORD, the flood, and the Lord’s promise of a savior.

Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44. Jesus will return on the last day at an hour when we do not expect it.

Sermon: Genesis 7:6-24. The Flood: God’s Judgment and Rescue.

As we remember the Great Flood and Noah’s Ark, remember that God had every right to scrap the whole world and everything in it, but he didn’t. He sent The Flood both in judgment and for rescue.

• Let it remind us that God judges sin and punishes it.

• Let it remind us that Jesus took the punishment for our sin, and in so doing, we have been rescued from eternal destruction and have eternal life ahead of us.

• Let it remind us to have the kind of trust Noah had as he listened to God, knowing that the LORD would save him.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Summer Worship Series, June 13, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #2

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Genesis 3:1-19

Psalm of the day: Psalm 51a: The psalmist asks God for mercy and forgiveness.

Second Lesson: 1 John: 3:7-10. In John’s chapter, God warns believers against the words of the devil and the temptations he brings..

Verse of the Day: John 20:31. These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Gospel: John 8:42-47. Jesus warns us against the works of the devil and those who listen to his lies.

Sermon: Genesis 3:1-19. The Clever Serpent.

When God created the world he described all of it as very good. But Satan the clever devil presented himself to Adam and Eve, bringing temptation into their perfect world. They could listen to God and obey him or they could give in to his enemy, Satan. Satan was successful, and for that, he was cursed.

The good news is that salvation is yours because God has rescued you. He sent his dear Son Jesus to do battle with Satan’s temptations. He won that battle for us.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Summer Worship Series, Animals According to Their Kind, June 6, 2021

Readings for Summer Worship Series #1

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Genesis 1:20-31.

Second Lesson: Hebrews 11:1-6. Being a child of God means we believe what we cannot prove because we trust God.

Verse of the Day: John 20:31. These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Gospel: John 1:1-14.

Sermon: Welcome to the Grand Opening of God’s Zoo! Genesis 1:20-31.

On day six, our God created all living things but the crown of his creation was man. We were to rule over and manage all else that God had created, although this is not what always happens.

God cares for our souls and, though we are sinful, he wants us to be with him in heaven. For this reason, Jesus entered our world We can show our thanks and our love to him with a proper view of the Genesis account of creation, by caring for his creation and appreciating the amazing God who gave us this incredible zoo we find ourselves in.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Readings for this Service: Holy Trinity

First Lesson: Isaiah 6:1-8. God gave His prophet Isaiah a view into His throne room.

Second Lesson: Romans 8:14-17. The Spirit of God has made us His heirs.

Gospel and Sermon Text: John 3:1-17. Describing a God Beyond Understanding.

Trying to get all the details right about the way that God reveals himself to us is a mind-boggling thing.

We can’t really understand it, because we don’t know anything else that is three-in-one like God is, but we know that God in his whole desires our salvation. He loves us: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

The Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 23, 2021

Readings for this Service: The Day of Pentecost

First Lesson: Ezekiel 37:1-14. The Holy Spirit has power to bring life to the dead.

Second Lesson: Acts 2:1-21. The Holy Spirit brings us to trust in Jesus for our salvation.

Gospel: John 14:25-27. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to remind us of what he has done for us and to leave us with true peace.

Sermon: Acts 2:1-21: The Holy Spirit’s Wonderful and Prophesied Presence

• Marvel at God’s Wonderful Work in You.

• Believe in What This All Means.

It was in Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven that the Holy spirit made his presence known those gathered from far reaching lands. What they were hearing—-each in their own language—-was the wonderful works of God—-the Gospel.

The one who calls upon Jesus with faith in their heart will be saved from their sins and the eternal punishment that hell is.

The Holy Spirit’s presence on Pentecost was prophesied about by the prophet Joel some 900 years before in Joel 2: 28-32 where he was inspired to write of signs of the great and glorious day of the Lord and that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Pastor Tim Patoka

The Ascension of Our Lord, Sunday, May 16, 2021

Readings for this Service: Connected Though Not Present

First Lesson: Acts 1:1-11

Second Lesson: Ephesians 4:7-16.

Verse of the Day: John 14:23. If anyone loves me he will hold on to my word. My father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.

Gospel: Luke 24:44-53.

Sermon: Acts 1:1-11: Connected Though Not Present

• Established by the Holy Spirit’s Gift of Faith.

• Strengthened through God’s Revealed Knowledge.

At Jesus’ ascension into Heaven, he went from visibly present to visibly absent, but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost our connection to him—-it is not dependent on Jesus’ visible present. Rather it is established by the Holy Spirit through the gift of faith he works in us.

There’s work for growth by reading his word in the Bible, Sunday church attendance, Bible study. May we treasure our established and strengthened connection to our ascended Lord so that when we finally see him visibly present, we may do so rejoicing. Amen.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2021

Readings for this Service: Connected by Love

First Lesson: Acts 9:36-42

Second Lesson: 1 John 4:1-11.

Verse of the Day: John 14:23. If anyone loves me he will hold on to my word. My father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.

Gospel and Sermon Text: John 15: 9-17.

The Strong Connections of Love

• The Father to Jesus.

• Jesus to you.

• You to others.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25, 2021

Readings for this Service: Connected to the Shepherd.

First Lesson: Acts 20:28-32. We need to be on guard against those who would turn us away from the Word of God’s grace.

Psalm 23. This psalm describes God’s loving care for his people.

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 5:1-5. Peter gives direction and loving encouragement to ministers of the Gospel.

Gospel and Sermon Text: John 10:11-18.

Know your Good Shepherd:

• He lovingly lays down his life for his sheep.

• He knows and is known by his sheep.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2021

Readings for this Service:

First Lesson: Acts 12:1-19. God did amazing things through the life of Peter. Whatever you fear—hold fast to the Word and the risen and ruling Christ in it. He will not forsake you but remains with you through his Word.

Psalm 118. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 2:12-3::6. Paul praises and thanks God for allowing him to spread the Gospel.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Luke 24:36-49. Connected to the Scriptures.

We connect to the Scriptures to know that Jesus is alive and to know why Jesus is alive: that he is alive for us. He is alive for our forgiveness. He is alive to take away our doubts and fears. He is alive so that we may live with him forever.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Second Sunday of Easter, April 11, 2021

Readings for this Service:

First Lesson: Acts 26:19-29. Paul had found the peace that only belief in God can bring and tried to share that peace with others.

Psalm 16. Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:12-22. Even death cannot take away our life in Christ Jesus.

Gospel and Sermon Text: John 20:19-31. Connected to Peace.

God made us for connections—-with our parents, spouses, families, friends, and communities and he blesses us in many ways through these connections.

But there is one connection that clearly towers over all these other connections as far as it’s value and importance—-our connection to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When we are connected to him, we are connected to peace.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

The Hands of the Passion

Easter Service, April 4, 2021

Sermon:  Living Hands (John 20:1-18)

Every Easter celebration has one thing in common—-the joyous message of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave.

Jesus’ lifeless hands became living again on Easter because of his resurrection from the dead. The only way we can believe this impossible truth is through the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith.

Rejoice in the wonderful truth of your living Savior. While it took some of the disciples and Mary Magdalene some time to believe it Easter morning, they eventually rejoice in the wonderful truth of their living Savior.

Not only is he the real deal, his living hands confirm that the price for our sins has been paid in full and forgiveness is a certain blessing for us.

As such, may we follow Mary’s example by quickly and gladly telling others that Jesus is risen, he is risen indeed!

Alleluia! Amen

Pastor Tim Patoka

The Hands of the Passion

Maundy Thursday Service, April 1, 2021

Sermon:  Giving Hands, Mark 14:22-24

Jesus gives the Real Presence.

While it may have taken us a while to turn our attention to Jesus’ own hands in this Hans of the Passion worship series, it doesn’t diminish what we see. For it is Jesus giving hands that bestow upon us the sacrament of Holy Communion where he gives us what he plainly says — his body and blood together, with, and under the bread and wine in something we call the Real Presence.

Jesus gives this to many sinners.

As part of Jesus’ last will and testament, he gives the sacrament’s blessing of forgiveness to many sinners who recognize and believe what’s really present. Jesus gives us this forgiveness not just because we are in constant and dire need of it, but to also assure that we are exactly what he says — his beloved and forgiven child.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021

The Struggle:  Psalms for Lent

Readings for this Service:

First Lesson:  Zechariah 9:9-10.  Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises in the Old Testament.

Second Lesson:  Philippians 2:5-11.  This reading proclaims the two states of Christ: God and Man.

Verse of the Day:  John 12:23: The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Gospel:  Mark 11:1-10.  Jesus entry into Jerusalem to save us sinners. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Sermon:  Psalm 24.  The Return of the King.

The Psalm today doesn’t sound like the ones in the past weeks. It doesn’t sound like the struggle. It sounds like a celebration, like victory.

You and I came into this world that God had crated for us and already at that moment we were set against the Creator—-there is the struggle, the struggle we lose every day.

We need a hero, a Savior; we need the King of Glory spoken about in this Psalm. This Savior is Jesus Christ.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

The Hands of the Passion

Midweek Lenten Service, Week 6, March 24, 2021

Sermon:  Hands of Self-Preservation (Pilate)

The whole idea of washing your hands of someone or something seems to stem from Pilate’s public ritual recorded in Matthew 27. He washed his hand in a bowl of water to make it clear that he was no longer responsible for what was going to happen.

We don’t want to wash our hands of our responsibilities, our opportunities to do what is good, and our chances to serve our Savior.

The reality is that a bowl of water could never wash away the guilt on Pilate’s hands. The reality is our excuses can never wash the sinful stains off of our hands.

But Jesus our Savior died for those sins and washed those stains for us. He allows us to use our hands and our everything to serve him instead of ourselves.

Thank God for our Savior!

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 21 2021

The Struggle:  Psalms for Lent

Readings for this Service:

First Lesson:  Jeremiah 31:31-34.  Remember that Lent is for us sinners.  Nothing that Jesus suffers in his Passion is because of his own guilt.

Second Lesson:  Hebrews 5:7-10.  Because of Jesus, God is pleased with us and accepts us.

Verse of the Day:  Mark 10:45. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Gospel:  John 12:20-33.  Jesus makes it clear that by his cross he may draw us to him.

Sermon:  Psalm 143.  The Lord’s Help in Our Relentless Struggles.

Everyone has struggles that just won’t go away. No matter where they come from, they bring with it unrelenting hardships that threaten to empty our spirits and devastate our hearts with eternal consequences.

It is for that reason we turn to the Lord for help. And because of his mercy, faithfulness, righteousness and his own name’s sake, we can be confident that our Lord will help us as he knows best.

May our Lord help us look to him in all our relentless struggles, now and forever.

Amen

Pastor Tim Patoka