WORSHIP
The Eternal One Among Us, January 21st Worship
Jesus began his ministry by announcing the fullness of time, the presence of God’s reign, and invited repentance and faith in the Kingdom of God.. Jesus then invited Peter, Andrew, James, and John who were fishermen by trade to follow Him, promising He would make them fishers of men. God invites each of us to follow Him. He can take the ordinary elements of our lives and make them count in his kingdom in eternal and infinite ways.
Sermon did not get recorded for Jan. 21 due to technical difficulties.
Speak Lord, We are Listening, January 14th Worship
For so long the world prayed and hoped to hear God’s voice. Now in the church year we pass from Christmas into Epiphany. The child born in Bethlehem grows and begins to speak. Jesus is God’s first and clearest Word to all humanity—the Logos incarnate. Born in the manger of Bethlehem and heading for the cross of Golgotha, His words are full of light and of love. Still it is easy for us to feel as if we cannot hear God. But His eternal voice has broken the silence. Here now in the season of Epiphany it is time for us to become silent and still enough to hear the voice of God speaking life and love for every person through Jesus—the Logos in the flesh.
When the Light Comes, Epiphany Worship, January 7th
Epiphany recognizes the time when the Magi followed a star that led them to Bethlehem, where they found the Christ Child, Jesus, and worshiped Him as King. As part of their journey to see the world's Savior, the Magi stopped in Jerusalem and inquired of King Herod where the new-born King was to be found. Herod told the Magi to return to him after they found this King so he too could worship Jesus. But Herod's aim was not worship but the death of any rival king. The Magi, however, were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. Instead, they returned to their country by another route. We, too can be guided by the light of God. Perhaps today you will find a new direction away from the darkness of sin and toward the saving Light of Christ. Arise, shine for the glory of the Lord shines on you today!
Sermon did not get recorded for Jan. 7 due to technical difficulties.
Our Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation, December 31st Worship
After waiting and waiting Simeon and Anna were blessed beyond measure. There in the great temple their old eyes beheld the salvation of God, the baby Jesus brought right to them. Seeing Jesus inspired in them a roaring outpouring of thanks and praise to God. One day we will see Jesus face to face, but for now we meet Him in different ways. Today He is present in Holy Communion. Here is your salvation. We are in the presence of the sacred mystery: God with us, Emmanuel. God bless you with joy, thanks and peace which passes all understanding.
Sermon did not get recorded for Dec. 31 due to technical difficulties.
Listening for the Song of Angels, Christmas Eve Worship
“Glory to God in the highest!” The expression of praise by the heavenly host on the night when Jesus was born into our world has echoed through the ages. As we gather for this most special day, we find joy in repeating the words of God’s heavenly messengers. The angels proclaimed a message of peace and good will. The Word made flesh—the baby Jesus born to bring the light of redemption to a people on earth lost in darkness. This was the reason the angels were singing. This is why we join the angels in song as we rejoice in the glory of Christmas!
Sermon did not get recorded for Dec. 24 due to technical difficulties. Please check back for next Sunday's sermon.
The Arrival of Joy, Decemeber 17th Worship
This Sunday the candle we light on our Advent wreath is pink. Pink is a color of joy. This Third Sunday in Advent is referred to as “The Sunday of Joy.” Many of the joys of life come and go. The joy of knowing our Savior sent from heaven can be the most constant and consistent joy that we know. Only in Jesus, the coming Savior, can we rejoice in good times and bad times, busy times and quiet times, sick times and healthy times. In Christ, we have reason to call ourselves to rejoice always!
Sermon did not get recorded for Dec. 17 due to technical difficulties. Please check back for next Sunday's sermon.
God Our Comfort, December 10th Worship
Every Advent we hear this call to slow down, to be patient in the face of a frantic world, and to focus on the peace that comes from the Word made flesh for us and our salvation. There is good reason to do so. Our lives are destined by God for eternal things, made possible by the death and resurrection of Christ. Today we hear God speak to the deepest part of our soul: “Comfort, take Comfort,” He says. This day we can celebrate that God has given us every reason to take comfort and peace in the promised Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sermon did not get recorded for Dec. 10. Please check back for next Sunday's sermon.
The King Comes, December 3rd Worship
Isaiah the prophet expresses the longing we have for God when he wrote, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!” In the season of Advent we join the prophet in his plea. With confidence we are preparing to receive the King of all creation. We know that He has come once and will fulfill His promise to return again to complete our salvation and deliverance. We watch and wait with expectation.
Christ the King Reigns, November 26th Worship
Christ Jesus is King of King and Lord of Lords; that is what we celebrate on this Last Sunday of the church year. Already at His crucifixion Jesus could be called a conquering king for His victory over death. What we believe is that as time continues to move forward we are getting closer to the complete and ultimate recognition of Christ’s Kingship. We can live this day with hope and expectation because Christ is the King of all eternity.
The Lord of Ultimate Things, November 19 Worship
As we come to the last few Sundays in the church we also appropriately come to a time of the year in which the light of day is fleeting and rare. In our worship at this time we call out to our gracious God to brighten our lives as only He can. He is Lord of the ultimate things and He can bring light to even the smallest and seemingly insignificant aspects of our lives. By what He did Jesus Christ tore open the heavens that God’s gracious light may come into this darkened world. Jesus tells us a story about how God has entrusted us with the care of things and people, and as we do this God’s light can be more clearly seen, and the brightness of the coming new heaven and earth becomes more obvious