Are You the One? -Luke 7:18-21

Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 7:18-21

Are you feeling the joy? At this point in the month of December, studies show that many people are not feeling joy. Many people are feeling overwhelmed as they approach Christmas, feeling stressors that include not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict. No matter how we come to our time of worship today, even if stressed, distracted, and frazzled, what great timing to hear what God speaks to us in this season and each day. From all our Readings today, we hear of joy! It is a joy not based on our own momentary perspectives of how things should go, but rather a joy from God’s eternal perspective for our sake and what has freely been done for us. As our Advent season continues, may our true joy be found in the one for whom we prepare—Christ, who was born for us and who is with us and for us and is today in our midst as He comes to us in the means of grace.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Prepare the Way - Luke 3:1-14

Malachi 3:1-7b; Philippians 1:2-11; Luke 3:1-14

In this month of December, we find ourselves getting ready and preparing for many things, such as gatherings with family and friends, gifts to get and give to others, traditional treats to be made, and decorations for the season. The foremost preparation, of course, is for our Savior’s birth. Today we are reminded of another time of preparation that would be after Jesus’ birth and prior to His earthly ministry— that of John the Baptist, who would prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our busy times of preparing to celebrate this season, today we draw our focus on and give thanks for the one who would raise valleys, level mountains, and make straight the paths for Him.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Behold, your king is coming to you! - Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 19:28-40

The “blame game” has been happening since the fall into sin when Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for their world-changing transgression. To this day when things go wrong, the “blame game” continues among siblings, spouses, coworkers, elected leaders, and governments around the world. If we are honest, we realize that we often have no one to blame but ourselves, as we are by nature sinful and unclean. In contrast to our “blame game,” we have a blameless Savior who came into this world as one of us. Through Jesus Christ, whose birth we prepare for as we begin this Advent season, we are made holy and blameless in God’s sight. We share Paul’s prayer for the church in Thessalonica to make our hearts blameless: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:12–13).

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Give Thanks To the Lord

We hardly need an act of Congress, much less a presidential proclamation or even a national day to know to give thanks. It’s all over the psalms, all over the Scriptures. In fact, truth is...as we know...to give thanks... is what faith does. You might even say that to be Christian is to be thankful. We are a “eucharistic people.” The word “eucharist,” referring to the Lord’s Supper and its great thanksgiving, means to give thanks. It is truly good, right, and salutary, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit. Thanksgiving simply goes with faith. Join us on Thanksgiving Eve at 5:00 P.M. as we give thanks for the Blessings of God we enjoy daily.

Also, join us each Sunday for The Divine Service beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children. Find us, our sermon archive and more, at gracelutheranhi.com

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

Last Days Living // Isaiah 51:4-6; Jude 20-25; Mark 13:24-37

The Last Sunday of the Church Year is about the last things, the day of judgment when Jesus Christ “will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,” Christ, “whose kingdom will have no end” (Nicene Creed). The last Sunday is therefore known as the Sunday of fulfillment, when all the plans and promises of God’s salvation break forth in the resurrection of all flesh and eternal life in the new heavens and earth. This year we hear the Readings appointed for what some churches call Christ the King Sunday.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

The Day is Surely Drawing Near // Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-13

The ending of a liturgical year speaks of the end of all things. Our Lord spoke plainly about the end of the world. There are signs the end is coming. Jesus’ teaching seems to elicit only question marks on our part. “When?” “What?” “How?” The signs He speaks of include false teachers in the church, wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes as “but the beginning of the birth pains” (Mark 13:8). The Jewish people of Jesus’ time on earth would be alarmed at His prediction of the destruction of the temple as it would mean the end of their faith and hope in God. The world is to see, however, that the loving, saving God is closer than ever in the new temple of the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen again for the life of the world. As the beloved hymn says, our “hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” No merit of our own can prepare us “when darkness veils, . . . in every high and stormy gale, . . . in the raging flood; when every earthly prop gives way.” No matter what comes we are “clothed in His righteousness alone, redeemed to stand before His throne! On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand”

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Who To Honor? (Mark 12:28-44)

1 Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:28-44

As the liturgical year is coming to its end, God our Father gives us great encouragement that our salvation and deliverance from sin and sorrow is complete because of the forgiveness won for us by the blood of Jesus, the one and only sacrifice for your sin and the source of daily cleansing, faith, hope, confidence, and love. This faith is certain and full of hope even if your current circumstances would have you think otherwise. As God provided for the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), so was the widow’s offering (Mark 12) an expression of confident faith in God’s promised salvation. No clearer picture can be given of the certainty of hope in Christ our Savior than in the letter to the Hebrews as it tells of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice that not only forgives but takes away all sin and supplies us with newness of life by His life-giving body and blood all our days!

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

A Saint? Who? You?

Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

When you were growing up, there was most likely a time where your parents said, “Do this.” You heard them say it. You knew they said it. Yet for whatever reason, you did not do the “this” they asked you to do. Were there consequences? If there were, you can probably recall those consequences even today. Even though there were consequences, did you still know they loved you? That’s what today is all about. God tells His children in the Old Testament Reading, “Do this”—the greatest commandment. Jesus also points out the second great commandment in our Gospel. None of us has kept those commandments perfectly. That is where the Epistle comes into the picture, reminding us of God’s greater love when He sent Jesus to the cross. Have we disobeyed Him? Yes. Has He ever stopped loving us? The cross answers that question. He never has stopped loving us; His love for us is so great.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36

In Psalm 12, King David cries out, “Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man” (v. 1). The Lord God’s anointed king lives in a troubling world! Many centuries later, Martin Luther paraphrased the words of David, writing in a hymn text in 1523: “O Lord, look down from heav’n, behold and let Thy pity waken; . . . dark times have us o’ertaken” (TLH 260:1). Looking at our world today, we can relate to both King David and Martin Luther. Yet both men expressed hope in their written words. In his psalm, David writes, “The words of the Lord are pure words, . . . You, O Lord, will keep them” (vv. 6a, 7a). And Luther confidently writes, “So through God’s Word shall men endure each trial and temptation” (TLH 260:5). Reformation Day echoes the call to faithfulness heard by God’s people through the ages. May we listen well!

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19; Mark 10:17-22

Jesus’ conversation with the rich man seems to point out how childish the man is. The reality is that we all are tempted like him to believe that the things of this life are our real treasures and the works we do in this life determine if we are saved. The man could not let go of either—not of his own prospect of earning the kingdom of God nor of his many possessions and wealth that secured his life. The man was disheartened by the choice between Christ and these things when in reality there is no choice at all. Our wealth is temporary and relative and our works small and insufficient. Christ is the assurance of our salvation.

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

The wisdom of the world suggests that God has given us the idea, and we are to design this thing called marriage and family. Yet for all our best intentions, sin has left us struggling not only to fulfill but to even accept the wisdom of God’s design. Jesus is not apologetic of the shape of marriage and family, and He calls us to join Him in rejoicing over God’s gift and to work to fulfill His holy purpose in our own homes and families. Even the child does not get overlooked by our Lord’s hand of mercy and blessing.

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

The Greatness of a Child - Mark 9:30-37

Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:13-4:10; Mark 9:30-37

Jeremiah didn’t have it easy, confronting enemies of himself and of God. Even his friends have betrayed him! So the prophet relies on God’s faithful promises, just as David had to do as he wrote today’s Psalm, which announces, “God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” We need not quarrel and become angry with the world around us, James writes in the Epistle. God responds better to those who have “the meekness of wisdom.” Our Lord was faithful in His earthly ministry despite betrayal from one of the His followers. In today’s Gospel He teaches the Twelve about true greatness even when they cannot understand His coming execution and resurrection. It is His faithfulness for us that buoys us up in the face of the conflicts around us. And that’s what we celebrate today.

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

The Gospel According to Linus - Mark 9:14-29

Isaiah 50:4-10; James 3:1-12; Mark 9:14-29

The Twelve were in trouble in today’s Gospel; they couldn’t exorcize the evil spirit in a man’s son. The boy’s father was helpless too. Jesus had no problem with the task, and He exhorted the disciples to turn to Him, saying, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Our tongues are not employed for prayer that often. The Epistle notes, however, that like the rudder of a ship, they are powerful. Only Isaiah, prefiguring our Lord’s attitude, has the right outlook. Relying on our heavenly Father, he is ready for a fight. Our Lord can take care of our problems; we must rely on His strength and caring. The Introit has a good encouragement: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage.”

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

He Has Done All Things Well - Mark 7:31-37

Is. 35:4-7a; James 2:1-0, 14-18; Mark 7:31-37

Since the fall and expulsion from Eden, the ramifications of sin have been quite evident. People do not have to be worse sinners than anyone else to become blind, deaf, lame, or mute. They need not sin more than other people to find themselves unfairly treated in court. How can those problems be reversed? It takes God’s power. The Gospel tells of how Jesus cast out demons and healed the deaf. He seeks to make such great reversals today! Through the letter to James, we, God’s faith-filled people, are encouraged to treat our neighbors as ourselves and do more than give them lip service. But the inability of the disciples to exorcize a demon is a startling reminder that all things are possible only for God, to whom we must entrust all our problems.

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

In the Heart of God - Mark 7:14-23

Deut. 4:1-2, 6-9; Eph. 6:10-20; Mark 7:14-23

There is a lot of good news in the Readings of the day, but you won’t find it in today’s Holy Gospel, which points out that our fallen hearts produce much of the evil around us. Likewise, the Old Testament Reading warns against not telling the next generation about God’s goodness. But the Epistle, which uses the imagery of a suit of armor, tells us to rely on God and His gracious goodness. And the Introit has the Gospel in full measure! While asking for God’s forgiveness; we also rejoice that He re-creates us, cleaning us inside out. What a great reason to gather to sing His praises each Sunday!

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

The Commandments of God, or the commandments of men? What to do?

Isaiah 29:11-19; Ephesians 5:22-23

Tradition is a profound gift, but it can also be a problem. When the works of our hands are at odds with the faith of our hearts or when the faith of our hearts no longer shapes our lives, we are in trouble. Jesus calls out the empty tradition that begs for faith and the timid faith that fears bold confession. In so doing, our Lord rightly places the gift and blessing of tradition, not the dead faith of the living but the living faith of the dead, to encourage us in our own believing.

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

Proverbs 9:1-10; Ephesians 5:6-21; John 6:51-69

Living in a world of empty promises and fake offers, we can easily become jaded to the things of God. In our skepticism, the temptation is to treat the invitation of God the same way we meet the scams that fill our emails and text messages. But the Lord does not speak empty words nor does He give promises He will not keep. Faith rejoices in Him who is genuine and who genuinely supplies what we need. Because of this, we build our lives upon the firm ground of this hope.

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

Food for the Journey (John 6:35-51; 1 Kings 19:1-8)

1 Kings 19:1-8; Ephesians 4:17-5:2; John 6:35-51

We are quick to lament when we have had enough—enough trouble, trial, temptation, and turmoil. In the midst of our despair and sorrow, the Lord comes to us with the promise: “I am enough.” All our lives we wrestle with that statement. Sometimes it is easy to answer what troubles us with “Jesus is enough.” Other times we fight against the sufficiency of Christ in a world of affliction, pain, sorrow, and doubt. Like Elijah of old, the only answer we have against the powers of the world and the devil is Christ, the living bread come down from heaven to give us strength for this life and the life which is eternal.

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

How do you measure Christ? (John 6:22-35)

Exodus 16:2-15; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:22-35

When it comes to biblical foods, bread is prominent throughout the pages of Scripture. The first mention of bread is found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, where it is an indicator of fellowship. When Abram (later called Abraham) returns from a successful military campaign, local tribal rulers in his home region who were known as kings came out to meet him in the Kings Valley. Among these rulers was Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who brought out bread and wine as part of the welcome for Abram (Genesis 14:18). Although a common dietary component in biblical times, bread that was given and shared had great symbolic value. Since the earliest form of the Lord’s Supper included a ceremonial breaking of the bread, Christian worship in New Testament times came to be known by that name. Luke records in Acts that the first Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (2:42). As we gather for worship with the breaking of the bread, we also remember those ties of fellowship shared by Melchizedek and Abram, by the first Christians, and by the faithful of every generation!

You are always welcome. Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as Children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Gracelutheranhi@gmail.com gracelutheranhi.com

Genesis 9:8-17; Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 6:45-56

Sometimes the brightness of the day we are experiencing can affect how we perceive the space in which we are worshiping. A bright, sunny day can lift our spirits; a dark, cloudy day can have the opposite effect. Throughout the pages of Scriptures, God is associated with brightness and light. His setting of the rainbow in the heavens, recorded in the book of Genesis, is a symbol of God’s promises to His faithful people. Images mentioned in our hymns also attest to the powerful brightness of God, as in “O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright” (LSB 874), written by Ambrose of Milan in the fourth century. Whether a day has sunny skies or dull clouds or even rainbows, the very presence of God among us brings an eternal brightness to our time of worship.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2; Ephesians 2: 11-22

Tending sheep is a mainstay occupation in many countries around the world. The American Sheep Industry Association includes more than 100,000 sheep producers from every part of the nation. Statewide associations are located across the nation from Maine to Hawaii. Some use the historic title of “wool growers” in their group name; others call themselves “Shepherds Federations.” In referring to Himself as the “Good Shepherd,” Jesus identified His ministry as one given to caring for and nurturing His precious lambs. One hymn states simply, “I am Jesus’ little lamb” (LSB 740:1). It is a faithful confession for people of all ages!

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Amos 7:7-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

We are often reminded things in this life don’t last. This includes everything from material things and earthly goods to health and well-being as age increases, to relationships we treasure, and ultimately mortality, which leads to death. Yet just as things in this life are temporary, with joy we are pointed frequently to what is everlasting. Adopted as God’s own children, we are given an eternal inheritance through the work of Jesus Christ. Amid the temporary things of a broken and sinful world, we keep our focus on Christ and the eternal blessings assured “to the praise of His glorious grace” (Ephesians 1:6).

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Ezekial 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Mark 6:1-13

Life is not always easy. Life in and of faith is often less easy. In our readings today we encounter a few people who faced difficulty and challenges amid their godly callings. Ezekiel would be sent to speak the Word of God to a rebellious people who wouldn’t happily receive the message. The apostle Paul would face his own personal struggles with his “thorn . . . in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) as he brought the Gospel to many on his mission journeys. Jesus Himself would not be welcomed as Savior when He returned to His hometown of Nazareth. Though things were far from easy, God would bless the work that He called His people and His own Son to do. Even in our times of difficulty and challenges living as His people, we are reminded of the same truth from the Lord: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Mark 5:21-43; Lamentations 3:22-33; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-25;

Our guest preacher is Vicar Clayton Dodge. He message; “Two for One” is based upon the Gospel Reading from Mark 5:21-24. We welcome Vicar Clayton Dodge as our preacher this Sunday. His sermon title “Two for One” is based upon the Gospel lesson from Mark 5:21-24 Lamentations 3:22-33; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-25; Mark 5:21-43

In 2009, the New York Times reported on a study finding the average American consumed about 34GB of data and information each day. Since that report, and over a decade later, the amount our brains consume daily is estimated to have more than doubled. In short, we are exposed to a lot of information and a lot of noise! Yet how many of those consuming “voices” around us bring peace, comfort, and hope?

Amid a noisy world, there is only one voice that truly gives us what we need. The Word of Christ is the voice that heals the sick and raises the dead (Mark 5:21–43). The Word of Christ is the voice that brings peace, comfort, and hope. The Word of Christ is the only voice that reminds us His mercies are new every morning with His great faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23).

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Job 38:1-11; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41

For all of the Bible’s reassurances of how much God loves us, cares for us, protects and guides us, it is, nevertheless, of our fallen, sinful nature that we still at times harbor doubts and even despairingly want to argue with God Himself and question His love and promises. The undying question is “Why?” The troubles, setbacks, trials, tragedies, and reverses in life do that. The Word before us today describes those times with the imagery of the destructive power of raging water and the greater power of God to deliver from threatening distress. Even when threatened with a raging flood, we are reminded that our help is still in the God who created everything. The trials of the otherwise “blameless and upright” man of God named Job (1:1) and the Lord’s patient yet commanding love in His answer to Job’s complaint should remind us to live our faith in daily repentance yet always still in praise of our saving God.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Mark 4:26-34

Once again, the Word of God in our ears this day speaks of the glorious and happy goal that God’s salvation promises to all who believe in His saving mercy, grace, and love. From of old, the Lord has promised a secure future in His presence both now and especially in the eternity of life in the resurrection. Though we experience the weakness and maybe even dread of growing old, by faith we are like firm trees planted by the strength of God. That faith is the very creation of God the Holy Spirit, which grows and remains strong regardless of our circumstances. So even though we become discouraged at times, our confidence is always renewed by God as we remain steadfast in connection with His mighty Word.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Genesis 3:8-15; 2Corintihans 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35

In the face of a world seeming to be falling apart, and maybe even your personal “world,” God’s Word has great and convincing comfort and hope for you this day. That hope, however, begins with knowing the real cause of our troubles. It is our sin and alienation from God that is at the root of all anger, frustration, bitterness, and death. We easily “lose heart” when all seems hopeless for us. The center and substance of hope in God is Jesus Christ whose resurrection from all that is darkness and death to us is the means and strength of faith to endure and stand firm through all that troubles us. For “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). Far from being merely a blind hope for future deliverance, believing in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come far outweighs everything and anything that can happen to us now. Living in this hope, we do not lose heart.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Isaiah 6:1-8; Acts 2: 14a, 22-36; John 3:1-17

On Trinity Sunday we ponder the great mystery of God—that God is one and that this one God is three persons. The liturgy in its proclamation focuses on the divine mystery of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is not so much truth to be understood as it is truth to be confessed. We confess the Father from whom all things come, the Son who is the incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit who proceeds from the Father through the Son. Throughout the centuries of the Christian Church, the confession of the Holy Trinity has been a hallmark of faithful believers. We sing of the Trinity and, with the profound words of the Athanasian Creed, we confess the Holy Trinity to be the one true God.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.

Ezek. 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-21: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

We are people of the Word and people of the Spirit. The Word is where the ministry of the Spirit is at work leading and guiding the church and each of us as members of that church by Baptism and faith. The Spirit leads us to Christ so that Christ may present us to the Father, washed in His blood and wearing the white robes of His righteousness. This is not good news for the few but the message God has called us to proclaim to all the peoples. That which is most spiritual is not what is bestowed apart from the concrete or real but what is conveyed through the means of grace. Our life together in the Spirit is manifest in our life together hearing, believing, and rejoicing in His Word and Sacraments.

You are always welcome.  Sunday Divine Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship, And Adult Christian Education Hour, as well as children’s Sunday School for 3-5 year old children.