First Sunday of Advent, Sunday November 28, 2021

When the Lord Comes Near, He Humbles Himself

When Jesus returns, he will come in all his power and glory to be a judge.

And you will be ready for him because he humbled himself for you and because God led you to humbly receive his forgivenss

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Thanksgiving Eve Service, Wednesday, November 24, 2021

God Meets Our Needs Throughout the Year

And my God will fully supply your every need, according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:19

Pastor Seth Scheuerlein

Season of End Times, Sunday, November 21, 2021

Christ the King Sunday

Readings for this Service: Season of End Times, #4

First Lesson: Daniel 7:13-14. The Prophet Daniel sees a vision of Jesus ruling as our eternal King.

Second Lesson and Sermon Text: Revelation 1:4-8. Of all the ways in which Christ could have shown his glory, he picked this one: to redeem us by his suffering and death so that we should live with him for all eternity.

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

Gospel: John 18:33-37. Pilate was confused when he heard that Jesus was a king. Jesus IS a king. In fact his kingdom is not of this world and his citizens are believers who listen to him.

The Sermon: Rejoice! Christ the King Is Coming! Revelation 1:4-8.

The verses tell us what we’ll see happening on the Last Day, but they also teach us some truths that are in effect now. One of those truths is how Jesus’ reign as Christ the King is timeless.

His reign is a saving reign that is timeless and almighty.

Look to Jesus as the Christ who freed you from your sins by the blood he shed on the cross.

Look to Jesus as the King who chiefly uses his almighty power to save you from your sins and to assure you of it.

Make good use of your time of grace to bring others to faith so that they too may rejoice with you whe Christ our King finally comes.

Amen

Pastor Tim Patoka

Season of End Times, Sunday, November 14, 2021

Saints Triumphant

Readings for this Service: Season of End Times, #3

First Lesson: and Sermon Text: Daniel 12:1-3. The God who protected his elect in this life will certainly not abandon them in death and on Judgment Day.

Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Apostle Paul addresses what happens on the Last Day for those who believe that Jesus died and rose again.

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

Gospel: Mark 13:24-27. Jesus explains there will be distressing time in the last days..

The Sermon: The Shared Experience of the Saints: Daniel 12:1-3.

Distress, deliverance, and delight will be shared by those living in the end times.

Hell is real; it doesn’t matter whether people believe it or not. Because you trust in Christ for forgiveness and salvation, you are one of God’s holy ones. You can live eternally with him in heaven.

Look forward to that last day and live for that day when we will share that experience with each other and all the saints forever.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Season of End Times, Sunday, November 7, 2021

Last Judgment

Readings for this Service: Season of End Times, #2

First Lesson: Malachi 4:1-3. God’s Old Testament prophet speaks of terror for the wicked and joy for believers on the Last Day.

Second Lesson and Sermon Text: Hebrews 9:24-28. Christ will appear a second time. The key to our certainty of heaven is in the hands of our Great High Priest, Jesus.

Verse of the Day: Matthew 24:42. Be alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

Gospel: John 5:19-30.. Jesus assures us that we are ready for the final judgement when we hear the Lord speak and believe.

The Sermon: Christ Will Appear a Second Time, Hebrews 9:24-28.

For those who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin, the end of the world is not a scary prospect. It is exactly what we wait for and exactly what we hope for.

We don’t know when that day will come. We don’t know when our last day will come. What we do know is that Jesus is our perfect Savior, our great high priest. He has taken away our sins, and he will return as judge. And that is a reason to rejoice in him.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Season of End Times, Sunday, October 31, 2021

Reformation Sunday

Readings for this Service: Season of End Times, #1

First Lesson: Daniel 3:16-28

Second Lesson: Revelation 14:6-7.

Verse of the Day: John 8:31-32. If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free..

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 13:5-11. Faithful to the Word.

The signs of the End continually tempt us.

God’s Gospel comforts us to the End.

Pastor Tim Patoka

He Has Done All Things Well: Serving Others, Sunday, October 24, 2021

22st Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for this Service: He Has Done All Things Well, #7

First Lesson: 2 Chronicles 26:26-23. King Uzziah overstepped with regard to what God had called him to do with disastrous results.

Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 9:7-12, 19-23. In faith and love for God, Paul did not claim his rights as an apostle as he served God’s people.

Verse of the Day: Ephesians 2:10. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 10:35-45. Serving Others.

A change of heart and loving service to others are proof of a faith in the One who loved us with all his heart and who served sinners like us all his life. Jesus promises us with a life in heaven with him in heaven when that day comes for us.

May Jesus’ service to you give you the desire to serve others.

May God help you to see the opportunities to serve others.

May the Holy Spirit move you to serve others!

Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler

He Has Done All Things Well: Upholding God’s Plan for Families, Sunday, October 17, 2021

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for this Service: He Has Done All Things Well, #6

First Lesson: 2 Kings 5:14-27. Na’aman’s leprosy was cured when he followed Elisha’s directions from God. Elisha’s servant, however, fell into greed and suffered the consequences.

Second Lesson: Hebrews 13:1-6. We can be content because God is with us and takes care of us.

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 25:9. This is the LORD! We waited for him. Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation!.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 10:17-27. Overcoming Greed.

What does it mean to be rich? When we discuss earthly wealth, there could be some disagreement. How much is enough? How much must we have to be considered rich?

But real riches are not the earthly ones. Real riches are to have Jesus, to know and love God, and through what he has done to have eternal life as your very own. That is what makes us truly rich,: that Jesus was rich toward us.

Jesus overcame greed by teaching us the truth and by doing the impossible. Let us praise him with our lips and through our lives. We have true riches, now and forever.

Amen.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

He Has Done All Things Well: Upholding God’s Plan for Families, Sunday, October 10, 2021

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for this Service: He Has Done All Things Well, #5

First Lesson: Genesis 2:18-24. In this Scripture reading, we learn how God’s plans for families began.

Second Lesson: Ephesians 5:22-6:4. God’s plans for families reveals how husbands and wives are to act toward each other in the same way that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Verse of the Day: Hebrews 2:12. I will declare your name to my brothers. Within the congregation I will sing your praise.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 10:2-16. Joined for Life and Receiving God’s Kingdom.

When it comes to husbands and wives, God intended them to be joined together for life until God separates them by death.

When it comes to children, God is primarily concerned about their receiving God’s kingdom through faith and how parents fit into the equation.

May the Lord help us know his plan for families and uphold it always.

Amen.

Pastor Tim Patoka

He Has Done All Things Well: Overcoming Sinful Flesh, Sunday, October 3, 2021

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for this Service: He Has Done All Things Well, #4

First Lesson: Numbers 11:16, 24-29. People of all generations struggle to overcome their sinful thoughts.

Second Lesson: Philippians 1:12-18. Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed by many, not just by him.

Verse of the Day: Philippians 2:10-11. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 9:38-50.

In the Gospel for today, we hear Jesus, the one who does everything well, giving instruction and encouragement to his disciples.

Try as we might, we will never completely rid ourselves and our lives of sin, but we are to make every attempt to do so. We trust that Jesus has made up for our imperfect lives with his perfect life and by giving that life for us on the cross.

Faith in Jesus is how the sinful flesh is completely conquered and how every disciple finds their way into heaven.

Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler

He Has Done All Things Well: Correcting False Ambitions, Sunday, September 26, 2021

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for this Service: He Has Done All Things Well, #3

First Lesson: Numbers 12;1-15. Here we see how God corrects Aaron and Miriam so they can serve alongside Moses.

Second Lesson: James 3:13-18. Rather than harbor earthly ambitions, practice godly virtues.

Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 12:9. My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in weakness.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 9:30-37.

To be the servant of all highlights the primary role a person has in meeting the needs of another and assisting them in a way that is feasible and wise.

As the servant of all, Jesus literally gave of himself to help and assist everyone else. And he did this on purpose. Jesus knew about his coming betrayal, death, and resurrection. He could have prevented it all from happening before it even began.

But he chose to go through with it. Jesus’ resurrection assures us that our sins have been paid for in full.

Because Jesus has humbly served us in this way, we therefore humbly serve all in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Pastor Tim Patoka

He Has Done All Things Well: Taking Up the Cross, Sunday, September 19, 2021

Readings for this Service: He Has Done All Things Well, #2

First Lesson: Jeremiah 38:1-13. God had Jeremiah warn the people of the coming judgment of God, yet this faithful servant received abuse and persecution.

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 4:12-19. Peter minds us that the suffering we do is for our Savior’s glory.

Verse of the Day: Romans 15:4. Indeed, whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that, through patient endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we would have hope.

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 8:27-35.

When we consider what we are to do as Christ’s followers, we need to begin with what Jesus has done for us: instead of remaining in heaven, he selflessly gave that us for us and he lived perfectly for us.

And then he died—on a cross—for us—so that our sins would be paid for. It is out of thankfulness for those things he did to save us that we follow him.

Although we often fail at it, we find forgiveness for those failures and we find help from the Holy Spirit to put us back on track so that we live a Christian life in thanks to Jesus.

Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler

He Has Done All Things Well: Healing Our Suffering, Sunday, September 12, 2021

Readings for this Service: He Has Done All Things Well, #1

First Lesson: Isaiah 35:4-7. When we suffer, we look to the Lord who will strengthen us.

Second Lesson: Acts 3:1-10. We are encouraged to tell our troubles to the Lord.

Verse of the Day: Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice!

Gospel and Sermon Text: Mark 7:31-37. The Incidental Ephphatha

The account of Jesus’ healing of a deaf and mute man, saying “Ephphatha! Be opened!"

Jesus came to our world to take away our sins, not to relieve us of temporary hardships. Life is not easy, but it doesn’t mean that God has abandoned us in our sufferings. He sends blessings our way continually.

It’s in these that Jesus shows us how he cares for both our bodies and our souls and will protect and preserve us as he has promised.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Summer Worship Series, Week 14: September 5, 2021, Peaceful Animals

Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #14

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Isaiah 11:6-10

Second Lesson: Revelation 7:9-17. This is St. John’s vision of the white robed people coming to worship the Lord.

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: John 14:1-6. Jesus instructs us to find peace in Him.

Sermon: Isaiah 11:6-10. Peaceful Animals.

There is going to come a time when there will be no more hurt and no destruction. There will be no sin and pain and frustration and anger and tears. It all goes away. It will happen on the LORD’s holy mountain, heaven, the high and holy place where he dwells. On the day of our Lord’s return, all of God’s people will be released from a restless world full of danger and upheaval and they will be given full and lasting peace.

We will see Jesus and we will find peace and rest and it will be glorious. Amen.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Summer Worship Series, Week 13: August 22, 2021, Dragon

Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #13

First Lesson: Isaiah 26:20-27:9. The LORD will protect his people!

Psalm 18: The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.

Second Lesson and Sermon Text: Revelation 12:1-18. The dragon of John’s vision was the Devil trying to defeat God’s plans and purposes. Jesus has won the victory over him and share that victory with his people.

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 4:1-13. The Devil temps Jesus 3 times to no avail.

Sermon: Revelation 12:1-18. Victorious Over the Deadly Dragon.

The visions in Revelation can be summarized like this—-God has won, Satan has lost, and we, God’s children through fait, share in that victory now and forever.

So when you feel the heat of the Devil’s anger burning against you or your conscience is burdened from his truthful accusations, remember the big picture—God has won, Satan has lost, and that’s a fact.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Summer Worship Series, August 22, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #12

First Lesson: Ezekiel 18:19-23, 30-32: God holds everyone accountable and wants us to repent.

Psalm 34: Blessed are they who take refuge in God.

Second Lesson:  2 Corinthians 7:8-13: Repentance seems painful but God uses it for our good.

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 26:69-75: Rooster.

God wants us to be filled with sorrow for the sins we have committed, not because he wants us to suffer, but because he wants us to turn to him.

God wants us to learn the lesson Peter did: that we cannot depend on ourselves; we have to depend on Jesus.

God wants us to repent and believe that he is our Savior and to enjoy the eternal comfort of salvation.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Summer Worship Series, August 15, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #11

First Lesson: Jeremiah 17:5-8. God compares anyone who trust in the LORD to a healthy tree planted by water.

Second Lesson:  Philippians 4:4-9. Let your requests be made known to God who will guard and give you peace.

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 6:25-34. Free Like the Bird.

God tells us not to worry as He will take care of our needs, and to seek FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Summer Worship Series, August 8, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #10

First Lesson and Sermon Text: Proverbs 6:6-11

Psalm: 119B. Preserve my life in God’s righteousness

Second Lesson:  2 Thessalonians 3:6-12. Paul served at God’s example of working and not being idle.

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: Matthew 25:24-30. A parable of Jesus: The servant did nothing with what was given to him stresses that we use the gifts God gives to us to show glory to God.

Sermon: Proverbs 6:6-11. Lean a Laziness Lesson from this Ant.

Heavenly riches await the Christian who is faithful in using the talents and opportunities the Lord has given! They make the effort, but are not forgiven and saved by their effort.

Instead, they look to Jesus and repent when they have not followed the commands of God and the lesson of the industrious ant.

They find forgiveness in Christ who worked for them, and in Christ, they will one day find eternal rest from their work in the presence of the Lord.

Amen

Pastor Ron Koehler

Summer Worship Series, August 1, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #9

First Lesson: 2 Kings 2:19-25

Second Lesson:  1 Timothy 5:17-20. In his letter to Timothy, Paul describes how congregations should honor those who bring the Gospel to them

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: John 3:22-30. As Jesus was beginning his ministry, John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Christ.

Sermon: 2 Kings 2:19-25. Two Bears.

The account of a group of young men making fun of the Lord’s prophet Elisha being punished by the mauling two bears inflicted brings home the point that God is serious about his Word and so he does not tolerate idolatry. How many people would have been harmed in incredible and eternal ways if God had allowed his prophet to be despised and mocked?

The main message of the Bible is the unbelievable story of an innocent man being whipped, beaten, and finally put to death on a cross which he did because he loves you and me and a world of sinful people. Jesus died to give us life and he lives again so that we will never die.

In addition, God is serious about those he calls to share his Word and he wants his messengers respected. That is the lesson we learn from two bears.

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Summer Worship Series, July 25, 2021 Let evertyhing that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Readings for Summer Worship Series #8

First Lesson: Daniel 6:1-24.

Second Lesson:  Ephesians 6:10-17.

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: Matthew 10:16-31

Sermon: Daniel 6:1-24. Faithful, Even Before Hungry Lions

We look to Daniel who remained faithful to God, even before hungry lions.

Count on God to do for you as he has promised regardless of the dangers that are threatening you and likely lack of miracles.

Though we do not expect life or death persecutions, we still have plenty of opportunities to live for God in our customary ways.

Don’t be afraid to continue being faithful to God. Rather, draw your strength from God’s faithfulness to you so that you may always remain faithful to him, even if it is before hungry lions.

Amen

Pastor Tim Patoka