Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 27, 2023
The Church God Wants
First Reading: Exodus 34:5-9.
Second Reading: Romans 10:5-13.
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20
Sermon: The Lord Proclaims His Name (Exodus 34:5-9)
The name of the Lord is incredible news and an incredible comfort for stiff-necked people like us.
He is compassionate and gracious and loving and forgiving.
He is overflowing with mercy and truth. And in his mercy, the Lord forgives.
Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 20, 2023
The Church God Wants
First Reading: Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8.
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:13-22.
Gospel: Matthew 15: 21-28
Sermon: A Church for All People (Ephesians 2:13-22)
Our Lord’s promises and blessings are for all. He’s given them to us through faith in Jesus. May we share it with all others as we help our church be what God wants: a church for all people.
Pastor Tim Patoka
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 13, 2023
Define Christian Series
First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9-18.
Second Reading: Romans 8:28-39.
Gospel and Sermon Text: Matthew 14:122-33. A Christian Answers Doubt with Faith
Ultimately, our Savior will grab our hand and pull us up out of this stormy world and into the peace of heaven where we will worship him eternally. No more days of being battered by life’s furious winds, but only the eternal calm that will come from being in our Savior’s presence in heaven
Pastor Ron Koehler
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 6, 2023
Define Christian Series
First Reading: 1 Kings 17:1-6.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-10.
Gospel: Matthew 14:13-31.
Sermon: 1 Kings 17:1-6. Trust in God to Provide
Having heard God promise to provide for your bodily and spiritual needs and seen him do so, trust in God to provide. He has a perfect track record, can do anything, and has given this promise to you.
Pastor Tim Patoka
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 30, 2023
Define Christian Series
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-12.
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:17-21.
Gospel and Sermon Text: Matthew 13: 44-52. The Kingdom of Heaven is Your Trasure.
Jesus wants us to know what an amazing treasure—the kingdom of heaven— we have in him.
Pastor Nate Kassulke
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 23, 2023
Define Christian Series
First Reading: Isaiah 44:6-11.
Second Reading: Romans 1:18-25.
Gospel and Sermon Text: Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43. Christians Live as Wheat Among the Weeds.
Pastor Ron Koehler
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 16, 2023
Define Christian Series
A Christian is one who needs God’s Word to rain down on us. It calls us to repent, it shows us God’s greatness, and it accomplishes his good purposes in our lives. Thanks be to God that he rains it down on us.
First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-11.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5-11.
Gospel: Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23.
Sermon Text: Isaiah 55:6-11. God’s Word Rains Down on Us.
Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 9, 2023
Define Christian Series
A Christian is one who runs to Christ for a rest that comes from God. When we’re weary and burdened, we rest in Jesus for the unique, lasting rest.
First Reading: Exodus 33: 12-23.
Second Reading: Romans 7:15-25.
Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-30. Rest in Jesus.
Rest in Jesus when you’re weary and burdened and whenever you are wearing the wrong yoke.
Pastor Tim Patoka
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 2, 2023
Define Christian Series
A Christian is one who runs to Christ for forgiveness because he has failed to l ive like what he is—a Christian. As we receive the mercy of Christ, it moves us to strive with all our being to follow Christ’s example, doing all the things Jesus says that Christians do.
First Reading: Exodus 32:15-29. .
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-16.
Gospel: Matthew 10:34-42. A Christian Loves God Above All
This brings earthly opposition
This brings Heavenly Rewards
Pastor Ron Koehler
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, June 25, 2023
The Holy Ministry
First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-13.
Second Reading and Sermon Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
Gospel: Matthew 10:5, 21-33..
Pastor Tim Patoka
Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 18, 2023
The Holy Ministry
First Reading: Numbers 27:15-23. Moses’ life and ministry were coming to an end. God in compassion for his people, had Moses appoint Joshua to take his place.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1-7. The congregation in Corinth was troubled and divided. Paul wrote them, not out of anger, but out of compassion—not to shame them, but to warn them.
Gospel and Sermon Text: Matthew 9:35-10:8. Jesus Shows Compassion to Shepherdless Sheep.
Crowds of people were coming to Jesus. They were made up of people who were born in sin and unbelief, just like all the other people born into this world including you and me. They needed help, they needed a Savior. Jesus had compassion on them and instructed his disciples to pray and then to spread the Gospel.
Today we pray that God would send workers to reach people we see around us with the assurances of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. And we pray that we will support this with our prayers, and to give generously to our mission field to help this happen.
Pastor Nate Kassulke
Second Sunday after Pentecost, June 11, 2023
The Holy Ministry
First Reading: Exodus 3:1-5.
Second Reading: ! Timothy 1:12-17.
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13.
Sermon: Exodus 3:1-5. God’s Ministers Are:
Called by Grace
Called to Serve
Pastor Ron Koehler
Trinity Sunday, June 4, 2023
God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity
First Reading: Acts 2: 1-21. Genesis 1:1 - 2:3. The triune God demonstrates his power at Creation
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:14. By sharing his grace, love, and fellowship, the Trinity gives us unity and peace.
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus calls us to do ministry in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Sermon: 2 Corinthians 13:14. Benediction Blessings.
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Love of God
The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
Pastor Ron Koehler
Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023
Jesus Lives Series: He Lives to Pour Out His Spirit
First Reading: Acts 2: 1-21. The pouring out of the Spirit onto the Church so they could proclaim his gospel to the world.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-11. God gives his Spirit to us so that we might be of benefit to the entire Church.
Gospel: John 7:37-39. Jesus promised that those who were spiritually thirsty would be filled with living water.
Sermon: 1 Corinthians 12:3-11. Same Source, Different Gifts.
Christians have the same source for the gifts they have received (God).
Christians are equipped differently.
Pastor Tim Patoka
Ascension Sunday, May 14, 2023
Jesus Lives Series: He Lives to Rule All Things for the Church
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23.
Gospel: Luke 24:44-53.
Pastor Ron Koehler
Sixth Sunday of Easter Service, May 14, 2023
Jesus Lives Series: The True God Makes Himself Known
First Reading: Acts 17:22-31.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22.
Gospel and Sermon Text: John 14:15-21.
Pastor Nate Kassulke
Confirmation Sunday, Fifth Sunday of Easter Service, May 7, 2023
Jesus Lives Series: He Lives to Be the Only Way to Heaven
First Reading: Acts 4:8-12.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-10.
Gospel and Sermon Text: John 14:1-11.
Pastor Tim Patoka
Good Shepherd Sunday, Fourth Sunday of Easter Service, April 30, 2023
Jesus Lives Series: He Lives to Be My Good Shepherd
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47. The early church was marked by devotion to apostolic teaching and genuine love for one another.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25. St. Peter calls on us to foow our Shepherd and Overseer, even if it means that we suffer for doing good.
Gospel: John 10:1-10. Jesus is not only our Good Shepherd, he is the gate through which we enter into the green pastures of savation.
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:19-25. Suffering for Doing Good.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who went after you when you were sufering, lost in in sin. He suffered for you and brought you forgiveness and eternal life. He is continually caring for you and guiding you as a shepherd does for his sheep.
We look forward to the time when our Good Shepherd leads us from this world to the pastures of heaven where there is no suffering of any kind.
Pastor Ron Koehler
Third Sunday of Easter Service, April 23, 2023
Jesus Lives Series: He Lives to Restore My Hope
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 32-41
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21
Gospel and Sermon Text: Luke 24:13-35. Recognizing Jesus Gives Us Hope
Pastor Nathan Kassuke
Second Sunday of Easter Service, April 16, 2023
Jesus Lives Series: He Lives to Give Me Proof and Peace
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-32
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9. Rejoice in Your New Birth
Pastor Tim Patoka