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. 

Your Redemption Is Near. Worship: November 16, 2025

Storm of The Season. Photo by David Johnson

One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith can be summed up in the word “near.” “Near” can indicate something that is almost here but hasn’t yet arrived. And at the same time, “near” can point to something already with us, like those “near and dear” to our hearts. The word “near” resounds with feelings of the here and now and the not quite yet. Today in worship, Your Savior, Jesus, is near! He is present in the here and now, delivering grace upon grace. And He is on His way, bringing the fullness of His freedom. Praise the God who comes near in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Love and Traditions. Worship: November 9, 2025

Traditional German Advent Wreath

We are not far from the “holiday season.” In the secular world, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s roll into one big celebration. It is typical to have holiday traditions around special times of the year. Traditions can serve to make some moments more memorable and meaningful. But sometimes traditions add stress to an already hectic calendar or distract us from the real reason for celebrating. Before jumping headlong into the holiday season, soak up this moment in worship. See how the Lord repeatedly meets us with His best. See how surrounding ourselves with His Word and sacramental gifts truly makes us ready to celebrate, for this season and forever!

Unworthy Made Worthy. Worship: November 2, 2025

What does it take to be worthy? Worthy of things such as achievements we desire, promotions for which we strive, inclusions for which we long, and accolades for which we aim? In the way of the world, we know being deemed worthy takes qualities such as hard work, dedication, fortitude, and even some fortunate timing with opportunity. Yet what does it take to be worthy of even greater things? Worthy of the lasting joys and inclusion of God’s eternal kingdom? Our Readings today give us our answer. From Isaiah’s lists of the wickedness of Judah, sins like scarlet will be white as snow. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul prays that God may make them “worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith” (1:11). Is it by hard work? Determination? Fortitude? No, in faith, we find the answer is “By his power.” From Luke 19, a very unworthy (and small) Zacchaeus was not deserving of anything good by our standards. Yet he received not only Jesus’ attention but also salvation upon his house. What does it take to be worthy? For the things of God’s kingdom, it takes faith in the One who has been perfectly worthy for us. “Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God”

Persistence Pays. WorshipOctober 19, 2025

From an early age, many of us learned that persistent pestering is rude, as parents make this clear to children who repeatedly ask for the same things over and over. We are thankful that our heavenly Father

never grows weary of our asking Him for what we need, no matter how repetitive our requests may be. As we see in Jacob’s persistent proclamation, “I will not let You go unless You bless me” (Genesis 32:26), in

Paul’s exhortation to continually persist in what we have learned and believed (2 Timothy 3:14), and in Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8), we know we can bring all things to our heavenly

Father persistently in prayer, trusting through it all that His will would be done.

Guided by Faith. Worship: October 12, 2025

Compass Rose, from a Blaue Atlas, published in Amsterdam

In our Readings today, we see not only where faith guides but also to whom it ultimately leads. In Ruth 1, we learn of Naomi’s difficulties as she faced numerous instances of grief. Yet her faith remained in the Lord and His provision, which would lead her to Judah. Faithful to her mother-in-law, Ruth would be guided not only to a new land but also to the knowledge of the one true God. In 2 Timothy 2, even amid imprisonment and suffering, Paul points young Timothy and all hearers in faith to remember Jesus Christ, reminding of the One who remains faithful despite earthly troubles. In Luke 17, ten lepers encounter Jesus and beg for His mercy. Jesus heals them all and then affirms the faith of the cleansed Samaritan, making him well spiritually. As we are called, gathered, and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, who gives and sustains the gift of faith still, we are guided by Scripture and led through it to our Savior, Jesus, in whose name we worship in our prayer, our praise, and our thanksgiving for all He has done.

Your Unworthy Pastor. Worship: October 5, 2025

This is a difficult day for your pastor. For you are, in a sense, listening in to our Lord speaking to him of His high expectations as His called and ordained servant. It all has to do with addressing his sins with the cutting accusation of God’s Law, but with the goal of applying the comforting healing and hope of God’s Gospel of forgiveness and strength. Yet, if you listen carefully, you will discover that it’s not only about your pastor’s frailty or sins, but it is also Christ addressing your sins and need through him. The pastor’s calling is, at once, a most difficult one but also the most joyous and fulfilling calling and vocation. Your pastor has the responsibility and obligation not to mislead you into sin but to apply the remedy for it. Preaching and teaching the Word of Christ, and administering that Word of forgiveness of sin and new life through the Sacraments, is not primarily the pastor’s work but is indeed the work of Christ Himself. The pastor pours baptismal water, and the believer dies and is raised with Christ. The pastor does no magical incantation, but Christ speaks through him. The bread and wine are Christ’s body and blood for you that takes away your sin (and the pastor’s!), imparting forgiveness and eternal life. Pray for your pastor, as he prays for you. Forgive your pastor, as he lives by the same forgiveness he declares to you.