Category: Worship

Remembering baptism: Christ’s and ours

The Baptism of Jesus by Mike Moyers

Each Epiphany Season, the more historic readings series through which we receive God’s gifts, are given to remind you that the work of declaring you right with the Father began at Jesus’ conception, birth, and circumcision. It continue(d) in His baptism. In time, the holy work God did that you, and all sinners, might be declared right with God, neared its fulfillment on a cross. That is when His blood began to cover over sin, to atone for sins. …For more, click on the title above.

Written by the prophet

Advent Starry Night 5 by Virginia Wierenga

There are two ways that people learned of and came to visit the infant Savior. The first way is how the shepherds learned of the birth of Christ.
As we heard read during the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, the shepherds were doing their job, watching over the flock placed in their care through the night when they were greeted by an angel of the Lord. The angel told them where Jesus was and sent them on their way. They were told by a messenger of the Lord where the Light of Man was born….For more, click on the title above.

The Law always accuses, the Gospel always acquits

Flight into Egypt by John August Swanson

The following theme flowed forth from today’s readings:
Lex semper accusat…lex non potest eos accusare aut damnare..
Those two Latin phrases ought to be interpreted into the language common to us, English. That is because we desire that we might be found faithful to the teaching of the Scriptures. The first phrase, lex semper accusat… may be correctly interpreted to mean: “The Law always accuses….” The second phrase, lex non potest eos accusare aut damnare is interpreted to reveal that “the Law cannot accuse or condemn them (that is, those who remain in the Jesus of the Scriptures).” Another way to think of that is to hear, reflect, and own this old biblically formed adage: The Law convicts, condemns, and kills… the Gospel acquits, atones, and enlivens. …For more, clickl on the title above.

Christmas 2_2026

Flight into Egypt by John August Swanson

Christmas 2

…Click on the above title for the bulletin.

God’s Word provides consistency and stability

Please hear the following theme text that has been selected for this first day of 2026. As you do so, remember as it is the eighth day of Christmas, it is also the day the Church has continued to celebrate Jesus’ shedding first blood in the war He won against sin, death, and the devil. We recall our response that prepared us to hear of the Circumcision of our Lord, as we declared:
What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD… . For more, click on the title above.

Dressed for action and lamps burning

LSB Icon used with permission

Seeing how this is the last day of the calendar year, it seems only fitting that the sermon is on the true and final Last Day.
Through the earthly authors of the Bible, God has communicated to mankind some details about the events that will take place leading up to and during the Final Judgement. Typically, this topic would lead the faithful to dissect the text of the Revelation or as it is titled in the Greek text, The Apocalypse of John, to find information and answers to their questions.
That is not a bad place to start your study. In fact, it would be the correct choice in many cases, considering how Revelation largely focuses on this subject. However, the Final Day is spoken of elsewhere in Scripture, including but not limited to our Gospel and sermon text for today from the Gospel of Luke the Evangelist. …For more, click on the title above.