Ordinary Discipleship. Worship: January 25, 2026

The Epiphany season proclaims and celebrates the salvation of God coming into the world as a light shining in a dark place. Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah predicting the dawning of that light into the darkness of unbelief, separation from God, sin, and “the shadow of death” (Matthew 4:16). That light was and is Jesus and His message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 17). It may seem like a minor detail that Matthew says Isaiah’s prophetic words were fulfilled when Jesus left His hometown of Nazareth to live “in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali” (v. 13). Yet even this little fact testifies to how real the words of the Old Testament are and how they are fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ.

Likewise, it may at times seem insignificant and even unimportant when the light of the Gospel is preached in our hearing and in our world today. How many of us have heard God’s voice directly saying, “Follow me”? Those who were baptized as infants have no memory of ever being apart from God or His church. The life of faith in God may just seem normal or even routine to us—nothing out of the ordinary. Still, our sins remind us of the temptation to ignore God. Like the Christians in Corinth, we have sinful pride that causes divisions and quarreling among us. And while that’s no different than anywhere else in our world, to be a disciple of Jesus means to be truly different than the world. Repentance means being transformed by love of God and love of neighbor. Today, Jesus truly is saying to you, “Repent” and “Follow Me,” even in the ordinary details of life.

Called Saints. Worship: January 18, 2026

He Qi (Chinese, 1950–), Calling the Disciples, 1999. Oil on canvas.

People often speak about a person’s calling in life. They are describing a unique purpose or vocation according to interests and talents. Often, trying to determine a person’s “calling” or “destiny” is defined by some innate ability or giftedness found within ourselves, something we were born with or somehow born to do.

Today we hear of God calling otherwise ordinary fishermen Andrew and his brother Simon Peter. They were called by God through John the Baptist to follow the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. They were called to be disciples and eventually to be sent on Christ’s mission as apostles. The prophet Isaiah says even the Savior, the servant of the Lord, was called from the womb by God, “that Israel might be gathered to Him,” and called “as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:5–6). Saul of Tarsus was “called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,” and Saul, now named Paul, reminds the church at Corinth and us that we are “called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:1–2). This calling differs from merely surveying interests or abilities within us; it comes to us from outside of ourselves, from the living God, our creator and Redeemer. This calling comes from God to everyone. It is the call of salvation, the divine call that transforms us from sinners into saints. Therefore, this calling depends not on anything within us but solely and totally on the grace and mercy and love of God.

The Spirit-Marked Servant. Worship: January 11, 2026

All people are descendants of the first man, Adam. After the worldwide flood of God’s judgment of sin, Noah and his sons became the progenitors of all mankind. It was of the lineage of Shem (Genesis 11) that the man Abram was born. The descendants of Abram/Abraham were named Hebrews or Jews, after Judah, one of Jacob’s sons; this naming pertained to all of Israel after the Babylonian exile. To this day, they are referred to as God’s “chosen people” after the words of Moses: “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6). They were chosen to be the lineage of the Messiah, the deliverer, the Christ. Faithful to His promise, God took on flesh “of the house and lineage of David” (Luke 2:4) as the incarnate Son of God and Son of Mary of Nazareth.

Today we hear that divine promise in Isaiah 42, identifying Jesus as God’s chosen servant. From the beginning, however, we are told He is not only to be King of the Jews alone but a light to lighten the Gentiles also. The great news is that He is the Savior of and for all people, the descendants not only of Abraham but also of Adam and Noah! By repentance of sin and faith in Christ, worked by the same Spirit that marked Jesus as the chosen one at His Baptism, now all who are baptized into Christ—Jew or Gentile—are the chosen people of God. Praising and thanking God for calling and saving us, we echo the Gospel to all people in the words of the Psalm: “Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples!” (Psalm 117:1).

Grace Beyond Us. Worship: January 4, 2026

Brooklyn Museum - Jesus Found in the Temple by: James Tissot

We can’t figure God out. Mary and Joseph must have been completely confused about Jesus’ desire to stay in the temple, but it was obvious to Him. There was a long list of blessings God was able to give to Solomon; fortunately, the king chose the right one. The Epistle tells us what God wants and what He has done for us, regardless of if we have understood His plan. He has chosen us, given us the Holy Spirit, and included us in a gracious inheritance. And it all revolves around our Savior—His birth, suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus did all that was necessary for grace to be poured out on us, thanks be to God. It is all certainly beyond our understanding.

It’s Still Christmas. Worship: December 28, 2025

The stores are processing gift returns, but we dare not return our greatest Christmas gift—our Lord Jesus! God is gracious and forgiving, remembering His promises. He leads us, as we hear He did for the Israelites in the Old Testament Reading. We need no one else, as we are God’s dear children, which Paul reminds us in the Epistle. It is not that we do not have enemies—even Joseph had to figure out what to do—but we have Jesus with us. It is still Christmas.

God Appears - Light in the Darkness. Worship: December 24, 2025

It is at the darkest time of the year that we celebrate that “to us a child is born, to us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). Tonight we remember “God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). Jesus came into the darkness of our world, as He was born of Mary, to redeem us. God shines a great light on all who live in this land of deep darkness tonight to increase our joy. He is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). We celebrate the birth of the One who rules with justice and righteousness now and forever.

They Shall Call His Name Immanuel. Worship: December 21, 2025

It is still Advent, but today we hear an account of the Christmas story early so that we may know what to look for later this week. The Son of Mary by the Holy Spirit is Jesus, who saves us from our sins and who fulfills the promise of Immanuel: God is with us. Perhaps the richness of the details of Luke’s account sometimes distracts us from the message. The Lord has come to keep His Word, to save us from our sins, and to keep us in His hand so that we may be His eternally. None of this was obvious to either Mary or faithful Joseph, and yet the Lord was at work through it all to deliver to us His Son to be our Savior. We will still worry when things do not go as we plan, and we will still struggle with doubts and fears, but the angel of God’s presence is no mere messenger sent in His place. No, the angel of God’s presence is His only-begotten Son, whose name is Jesus and whose work is our salvation.

Rejoice at What You See and Hear. Worship: December 14, 2025

It is certainly easy to complain. We all do it. We look around and see all those things that are not what we think they should be. We look in the mirror and we see what we lack. When John sent his disciples to Jesus, Jesus called them to rejoice in what is already present. Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, had come. He brings healing and salvation to all who will receive Him. Quite literally, these miracles are still happening all around us. Those wounded by affliction and despair find healing in Christ. The dead in trespasses and sins are raised up to life. The weak are made strong, the poor are made rich, and those with only a past are given an eternal future. What do you see and hear? Look at the world, and you will find only complaint and fear; but look to Jesus, and you will find peace that surpasses all understanding and joy without end.

Bear Fruit in Keeping with Repentance. Worship: December 7, 2025

The problem with good works is not that we should do them but why. Our works reflect what it is we

believe and hold dear. Works are the fruit of repentance and faith and do not add to what Christ has done

in His mighty work of redemption. The call to bear the good fruit of repentance is not to work harder to be

saved but to manifest in our everyday lives that we are saved, that we belong to the Lord, and that He

has accomplished all things for our salvation. John faced a generation impressed with their works and

empty of faith in God’s mercy. We should know that doing works is not a choice. Hearts of faith will

produce the good fruits of repentance. This is the calling of Christians and the mark of the work of the

Spirit in our lives.

Prepare the Way of the Lord. Worship: November 30, 2025

Today is not only the First Sunday in Advent but also the commemoration of St. Andrew, whose day governs the start of Advent. In this way, Andrew continues to point to Christ as we begin a new Church Year. How odd it is, then, that the Gospel for the First Sunday in Advent is the same as the Gospel for Palm Sunday! This reminds us that Jesus came for the cross and empty tomb, and this is the only Gospel that can save us from sin and death. The cry of Advent is “prepare the way of the Lord.” We will echo the words of John the Baptist, heralding Christ’s coming. We will join in the chant of the crowd: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9). We will hear Him speak to us through the voice of His Word. We will feast upon His flesh for the life of the world and His blood that cleanses us from all sin. In all our preparations, we acclaim Him as Lord and receive Him and all His benefits.