1st Sunday after Christmas, December 26, 2021

What Child is This? Our Substitute and Sacrifice

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9. While we have not always trusted God, Jesus demonstrated perfect obedience and trust, even when his Father asked him to be the sacrifice for our sin.

Second Reading and Sermon Text: Hebrews 2:10-18. Through his suffering and sacrifice, Jesus has made us holy. He now calls us his brothers and sisters.

Gospel Reading. Luke 2:41-52. Even as a boy, Jesus demonstrated obedience to the heavenly Father and respect for God’s holy Word.

Sermon: Hebrews 2:10-18. Freed By Our Brother and High Priest.

It is by being our brother that Jesus is our substitute. His perfect life, unjust sufferings and innocent death stand in for us. He doesn’t try to hide the fact that he is our brother.

Jesus work as our high priest frees us from the fear of death because we know what will be ours as Christians afterwards—-life in heaven with our loving Father, our brother Jesus, and every other Christian who has and is yet to come.

Pastor Tim Patoka

Christmas Day, December 25, 2021

First Reading and Meditation: Exodus 33:18-23, 34:5-7. God in the Flesh: The Overpowering Glory of God.

Second Reading and Meditation: Romans 8:31-32. God in the Flesh: The Gracious Gifts of God in Christ..

Gospel Reading and Meditation. John 1:1-18. God in the Flesh: The Gift Beneath the Wrapping.

Pastor Ron Koehler

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021

First Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15. The Seed of the Woman.

Second Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7. A Child is born to us who walk in Darkness. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Third Lesson: Psalm 96. Sing to the Lord a new song.

Fourth Lesson: 1 John 4:9-14. God’s Only-Begotten Son.

Fifth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7. The Son of Mary.

Sixth Lesson and Devotion: Luke 2:8-14. A Savior Born for You.

Over 2,000 years ago a child was born for you because you needed saving.

It’s hard to imagine as we see him in the manger that eventually we will see him on the cross. And it’s hard to imagine as we see him on the cross that we will one day see him in his glory.

There is no substitute for this good news. Glory to God in the highest.

Amen

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

4th Sunday of Advent, December 19, 2021

First Lesson: Micah 5:2-5. The humble, tiny town of Bethlehem would be exalted with the birth of our Savior who would bring spiritual peace to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 85. LORD, in your mercy heart my prayers.

Second Reading. Hebrews 10:5-10. We cannot do enough good works or offer enough sacrifices to raise ourselves up to God, so the Son of God obeyed the law for us and by his sacrifice has made us holy.

Gospel and Sermon Text. Luke 1:39-55. When the Lord Comes Near, He Lifts Up the Humbled.

The Lord lifts up the humbled from four particular angles: It’s in his promise, his purpose, his present, and his pledge.

God promised to lift up his humbled world through the offspring of a woman. In the womb of the Virgin Mary, God was coming near to keep that promise.

It was God’s purpose that his Son, Jesus, would come to save the whole world and for all time from our sin and sinfulness.

At the present time, he is coming near to his people in Word and sacrament.

God’s pledge: The Jesus who once dwelled in the womb of a virgin in order to accomplish your salvation—-he’s going to come back.

He will raise up, lift up, all who have been humbled by their sin to look to him for grace and mercy.

He will lift you up never to be humbled by sin or pain or sorrow ever again.

Amen

Pastor Nathan Kassulke

Angelic Announcement to Joseph: God Is With Us

Midweek Advent 3, Wednesday, December 15, 2021

First Lesson: Isaiah 7:10-17. Though King Ahaz refused to ask for a sign when God promised to give one, God still graciously spoke of the coming Savior. The miraculous sign would be a virgin giving birth to a child called Immanuel, which means “God with us.”.

The Gospel and Sermon Text: Matthew 1:18-25. The Announcement to Joseph.

The angel’s announcement to Joseph was as simple as it was strange to hear. Mary would have a baby, but he would be God’s son—-not Joseph’s or another man’s. He would be the One the prophets foretold—the Messiah who would save the people from their sins.

Advent calls us to look ahead with expectation for Christ’s return, when the voice of an angel will be heard again, as it announces that we will then be with God.

May we eagerly await that day!

Amen

Pastor Ron Koehler

When the Lord Comes Near, He Humbles His Enemies

3rd Sunday of Advent, December 12, 2021

First Lesson: Zephaniah 3:14-17. The prophet Zephaniah urges us to rejoice that the Lord has taken away our punishment.

Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord…

Second Reading and Sermon. Philippians 4:4-7. Rejoice in the Lord always.

Gospel. Luke 3:7-18. John the Baptist urges those who came to hear him to repentance and that there is someone else coming who will baptize us with the Holy Spirit.

Sermon. Philippians 4:4-7. The Lord Will Come and Humble His Enemies.

The Lord’s coming brings Christians God’s unsurpassable peace. Because of our faith in what Jesus did for us when he came to this world, we have nothing to fear when he comes back to humble his enemies.

And because of what he has done for us, we nothing to fear when he comes again.

As we wait for that day, we fill our actions and attitudes with joy, gentleness, and thanksgiving. When we face hardships or injustices, we look forward to what the Lord will do when he comes back and we can rejoice, be gentle, and be thankful in our requests to God.

Amen

Pastor Tim Patoka

Angelic Announcements: God Does the Impossible

Midweek Advent 2, Wednesday, December 8, 2021

First Lesson: Genesis 18:10-15. Sarah considered God’s promise to give her and Abraham a son in their old age to be impossible. God reminded her and Abraham that for him nothing is impossible.

The Gospel and Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38.. The Announcement to Mary.

When the angel told Mary about her special child, Jesus, he said that Jesus would do what seems impossible: He would sit on the throne of his ancestor David forever. He would have an endless kingdom, but to not be afraid.

Jesus did not come to battle against us as his enemies, He came to battle against our enemies and to make us His people.

He came to live for us, to live in our place and to set right all we have done wrong. He came to die for us and to make us His people forever.

Amen

Pastor Nate Kassulke

Advent 2 Sunday, December 5, 2021

When the Lord Comes Near, He Humbles His People (Luke 3:1-6)

Readings for Advent 2 Sunday, December 5, 2021

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-7. The Prophet Malachi sent a message from God to his people that someone would come to prepare us for the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Psalm 66. Let all the earth cry out with joy to the Lord.

Second Reading.: Philippians 1:3-11. The Apostle Paul issued prayers that the Christians in Philippi would endure to the Last Day.

The Gospel and Sermon Text: Luke 3:1-6.

Repentance is more than saying you are sorry to God. Repentance is:

1. to acknowledge that what I have done is considered sinful to God.

2. that I am sorry that I have offended God,

3. that I ask God to forgive me in Jesus and trust that he does,

4. and that I intend not to sin like this again because I want to please my Savior.

May we need the wake-up call of John the Baptist, to find humility—-the kind that repents before Christ, that realizes how precious his Word and Sacrament are, that looks to him for forgiveness and trusts him totally for eternal life.

Amen

Pastor Ron Koehler

Midweek Advent Service, Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Angelic Announcements: God Prepares His People (Luke 1:5-20)

As we hear of God’s impossible blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation for sinners like ourselves, let us listen to what God has done for us with believing ears.

Pastor Tim Patoka

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