The Guiding Light of Life, Epiphany Worship January 6th

Our celebration of Christmas now turns into Epiphany when the Magi followed a star that led them to Bethlehem. There they found the Christ Child, Jesus, and worshiped Him as King. As we consider the mystery of just how that guiding light might have worked, we can celebrate that God has arrived in our midst to guide us. He is a real guiding light. Wise men and women still seek Him because the True Light that enlightens all things has come!

Our Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation, December 30 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 an 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.

The Mighty One has Done Great Things for Me, December 23 Worship

In one of his Christmas sermons, Martin Luther reminds us that Mary, the mother of Jesus “was flesh and blood. She was not made of stone.” Mary’s part in the Christmas story helps each of us to wrap our minds around what it means to have God enter our world. A young woman’s life is completely changed when the angel Gabriel tells her that she will give birth to the world’s savior. How would you respond, “But I had other plans”? Instead Mary sings, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Like Mary we meet God with open wonder at the miracle of His Glory among us.

Rejoice and Celebrate the Coming of the Eternal One, December 16th Worship

Right now some people are preparing for one grand day of celebration and rejoicing. But, at this same time some people are preparing for an eternity of celebration and rejoicing. They know that Christmas is just the beginning of a story that has no end. It is the greatest story that The Creator of the whole universe heard our deepest yearning and desire and came himself to answer us. Perhaps the whole season of Advent is embodied in the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."  Since the seventh century these words have been sung in the final days of Advent.  They celebrate the fulfillment of the Divine promises He has kept for us in Christ.  They propel us forward to the day of Jesus' coming in judgment and glory on the Last Day. In this service we will pray and sing these O Antiphons.  In this we rejoice today and forever!

The King Shall Come to Bring Us Peace, December 9th Worship

During the season of Advent we remember the unique claim of Christianity. We believe that Jesus is forever alive, and that he is the most direct connection to God anywhere and anytime. Other religions are centered around dynamic personalities who have many virtuous qualities. But Christianity believes that these other figures point toward Jesus Christ. Today we remember John the Baptist, who came out of nowhere to point toward Jesus. John made the radical claim that this carpenter from Nazareth was the promised Savior of all mankind. Some people think that there are many ways to know God. Today we celebrate that we do not have to suffer the uncertainty of having to unravel the puzzle for ourselves. Instead we can rejoice that God has carved out a wide straight road for us all to travel. The way is clear for us to see what is ahead, God has revealed himself in all of His Glory.

The King Shall Come to Bring Us Hope, December 2nd Worship

Happy New Year! The Church Year begins anew today. Advent is a season of waiting and preparation. One Advent tradition is to mark the four Sundays in Advent with four words that encompass what Jesus brings as He comes into the world to be our Immanuel—God with us. These four words are hope, peace, joy, and love. Today we focus on hope. We unite our hearts to greet the humble king, Jesus. In His incarnation, death, resurrection, and return we have great reason to hope.

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Christ is King, The Last Sunday in the Church Year, November 25

Today we celebrate that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. What this means is that when all is said and done Christ will stand in triumph over all things. It means that no matter what injustice has been done, all will be made right in the end. To trust in this is to put your faith not just in God’s love and mercy but also in His perfect judgment and His ability to fulfill and finish what He started in the beginning when he made a good and perfect world. For now we can only have a taste of all this, as we enjoy God’s mysterious presence among us. In the end God’s Word tells us there will be a day of judgment and completion when all will see that Jesus Christ is truly King. Are you ready to celebrate this today?

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Waiting for Glory Everlasting, November 18 Worship

As the Church Year is approaching its close, we turn our focus to the last things. The very last thing that we confess in the Apostles’ Creed is that we believe in the life everlasting. In Revelation, John describes the heavenly city of God and tells us that the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. Brilliant brightness has always been associated with the seeing of God, from the time when Moses had to veil his face because it reflected the dazzling presence of the almighty Lord. As we come into His presence for worship, we have a partial sense of that glory as we await that time beyond time, when we shall experience it fully in the life everlasting in His heavenly kingdom.

Authentic Faith in the Reality of God, November 11 Worship

What does it mean to live an authentic life? Jesus could see right through the teachers of the law strutting around in long flowing robes, puffed up with pride. They were hollow and phony. But when a poor widow came to the temple. Jesus watched her put two little copper coins into the offering box. Jesus could see that this woman was real and authentic. God values sincerity in us above ability and stature. Keeping it real and genuine can be a challenge. Trying to please and be accepted stretches us in different directions. We must go back again and again to seeking an authentic relationship with God. Almighty God who knows all things gives us His infinite grace in Jesus. Jesus is the Redeemer of our bodies, minds, and spirits.  We need to be authentic and real with God before we can do anything else. 

All Saints Sunday, Worship November 4

The word “Saint” is a pretty big word. We use it to talk about disciples, martyrs, and leaders of the Church throughout our history. We use the word next to names from the pages of Scripture such as Peter, John, and Paul—the type of people we name churches after. We use the word “Saint” in talking about individual lives in which God has worked in powerful ways. On All Saints’ Day we use the word “Saint” as we remember those departed from us who are now with God in heaven. But most amazing of all is that we can wrap our minds around how it is that God considers our lives holy and set apart because of the crucified and risen Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Him we are Saints by grace.

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