2017 Archived Sermons

The Holy Cross sermons are available in transcribed text or .mp3 audio format. Simply click on the “text” link to read the sermon or click on the “audio” link to listen and/or download the .mp3 audio file. Note: The sermons are listed by most recent. Typically, the text version is delayed by two months due to the transcription process.

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December 31, 2017, New Year’s Eve – Pastor Tweit
“Some Old Blessings for the New Year” – text or audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Numbers 6:22-27/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
22 The LORD told Moses, 23 to speak to Aaron and to his sons and to tell them to bless the Israelites with these words: 24 The LORD bless you and keep you. 25 The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. 26 The LORD look on you with favor and give you peace. 27 In this way they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

December 24, 2017, Christmas Eve – Pastor Tweit
“The Throne of His Father David!” – text or audio
Weekly Worship Guide

December 24, 2017, Fourth Sunday in Advent – Pastor Bartels
“The Throne of His Father David!” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Luke 1:26-38/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.” 29 But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31 Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Listen, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age even though she was called barren, and this is her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

December 17, 2017, Third Sunday in Advent – Pastor Tweit
“Last Will and Testament” – text or audio  
No Children’s Sermon this week
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

December 10, 2017, Second Sunday in Advent – Pastor Bartels
“Then Cleansed by Every Life From Sin!” – text or audio  
Children’s Sermon – audio 
Weekly Worship Guide
Mark 1:1-8/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 This is how it is written in the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way for you. 3 A voice of one calling out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 
5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6 John was clothed in camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He preached, “One more powerful than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals! 8 I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

December 3, 2017, First Sunday in Advent – Pastor Tweit
“Can we still be saved?” – text or audio 
No Children’s Sermon this week 
Weekly Worship Guide
Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1-8/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
You, the Lord, are our Father. Our Redeemer from everlasting is your name. 17 Why do you cause us to wander from your ways, Lord? Why do you harden our heart so that we do not fear you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your heritage. 64:1 Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and come down. Mountains then would quake because of your presence. 2 As fire ignites stubble and as fire makes water boil, make your name known to your adversaries. Then nations would quake in your presence. 3 You did amazing things that we did not expect. You came down. Mountains quaked because of your presence. 4 From ancient times no one has heard. No ear understood. No eye has seen any god except you, who goes into action for the one who waits for him. 5 You meet anyone who joyfully practices righteousness, who remembers you by walking in your ways! But you were angry because we sinned. We have remained in our sins for a long time. Can we still be saved? 6 All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a filthy cloth. All of us have withered like a leaf, and our guilt carries us away like the wind. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you. So you hid your face from us. You made us melt by the power of our guilt. 8 But now, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and your are our potter. All of us are the work of your hand. 

November 26, 2017, Last Sunday of the Church Year – Pastor Bartels
“One Last Enemy to be Destroyed!” – text soon or audio  
Children’s Sermon – audio  
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Corinthians 15:20-28/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. 22 For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ as the first fruits and then Christ’s people, at his coming. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has done away with every other ruler and every other authority and power. 25 For he must reign “until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” 26 Death is the last enemy to be done away with. 27 Certainly, “he has put all things in subjection under his feet.” Now when it says that all things have been put in subjection, obviously that does not include the one who subjected all things to him. 28 But when all things have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected all things to him, in order that God may be all in all. 

November 19, 2017, Second Last Sunday of the Church Year – Pastor Bartels

“Christ is Coming! Encourage One Another!” – text soon or audio  
Children’s Sermon – audio  
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
1 Concerning the times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you, 2 for you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Peace and security, ” destruction will suddenly come on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will certainly not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark so that this day takes you by surprise like a thief, 5 for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep like everyone else, but rater let us remain alert and sober. 7 To be sure, those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 You see, God did not appoint us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are also doing. 

November 12, 2017, Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit

“Jesus Teaches the Heart of the Law and the Gospel” – text soon or audio 
Children’s Sermon – audio 
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew  22:34-46/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
34 When they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees met together. 35 One of them who was an expert in the law asked him a question, trying to trap him. 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The Son of David.” 43 He said to them, “Then how can David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’? 45 “So if David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 No one was able to answer him a word, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

November 5, 2017, The Festival of All Saints – Pastor Tweit

“All Saints’ Day” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – no audio due to technical difficulty
Weekly Worship Guide
Isaiah 52:1-6/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
1 Awake, awake, Clothe yourself with strength, O Zion. Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, you holy city, for never again will the uncircumcised and the unclean enter into you. 2 Shake off the dust. Get up and take your seat, O Jerusalem. Loosen the chains from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3 Indeed, this is what the LORD says: You were sold for nothing, so you will be redeemed without money. 4 For this is what the LORD God says: In the beginning, my people went down to Egypt to stay there for a while. Later Assyria oppressed them without cause. 5 “Now what do I have here?” asks the LORD. Yes, my people have been taken away for nothing. Their rulers howl in mockery, says the LORD. My name is continually despised all day. 6 Therefore my people will know my name. So on that day, they will know that I am the one – the one who is saying, “Here I am!”  

October 29, 2017, The Festival of Reformation – Pastor Bartels and Pastor Tweit
“500 Years of Grace!” – text soon or Epistle audio and Gospel audio 
Children’s Sermon – audio 
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 3:19-24, 29/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 

John 8:31-36/EHV
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  

October 22, 2017, Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Don Shultz

“The Crazy Generosity of God” – text soon or audio    
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 20:1-16/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
1 “Indeed the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing to pay the workers a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 He also went out about the third hour and saw others standing unemployed in the marketplace. 4 To these he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6 When he went out about the eleventh hour, he found others standing unemployed. He said to them, ‘Why have you stood here all day unemployed?’ 7 “They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “He told them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When it was evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last group and ending with the first.’ 9 When those who were hired around the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius. 10 When those who were hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But they each received a denarius too. 11 After they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner: 12 ‘Those who were last worked one hour, and you made them equal to us who have endured the burden of the day and the scorching heat!” 13 But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not make an agreement with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go. I want to give to the last one hired the same as I also gave to you. 15 Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 In the same way, the last will be first, and the first, last.” 

October 15, 2017, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels

“Real Repentance” – text or audio 
Children’s Sermon – audio  
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 21:28-32/EHV (Evangelical Heritage Version)
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 He came to the second and said the same things. The second son answered, ‘I will go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I tell you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, but you did not believe him. However, the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him. Even when you saw this, you did not change your mind and believe him.”  

October 8, 2017, Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“Alone by Grace” – text or audio 
Children’s Sermon – audio  
Weekly Worship Guide
Philippians 1:18-27
18 What does it matter? Only this, that in every way, whether for outward appearance or for the truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 because I know that this will turn out for my deliverance, through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 This matches my earnest expectation and hope that I will in no way be put to shame, but with all boldness, as always, so even now, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 Yes, for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to go on living in the flesh, that will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which should I prefer? I do not know. 23 I am pulled in two directions, because I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. 24 But, it is more necessary for your sake that I remain in the flesh. 25 And since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you, for your progress and joy in the faith. 26  And so by my coming to you again, my goal is to give you even more reason to boast in Christ Jesus. 27 Just conduct yourselves in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come to see you or am absent, I may hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, contending together with one soul for the faith of the gospel. 

October 1, 2017, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“Forgive from the Heart” – text or audio 
Children’s Sermon – audio  
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came up and asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you as many as seventy-seven times. 23 For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle them, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Because the man was not able to pay the debt, his master ordered that he be sold, along with his wife, children, and all that he owned to repay the debt. 26 “Then the servant fell down on his knees in front of him, saying, ‘Master, be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!’ 27 The master of that servant had pity on him, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began choking him, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 “So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, saying, ‘Be patient with me and I will pay you back!’ 30 But he refused. Instead he went off and threw the man into prison until he could pay back what he owed. 31″When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very distressed. They went and reported to their master everything that had taken place. 32 “Then his master called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt when you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servants just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 His master was angry and handed him over to the jailers until he could pay back everything he owed. 35 “This is what my heavenly Father will also do to you unless each one of you forgives his brother from his heart.” 

September 24, 2017, Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“We Are Called to Be Watchmen” – text or audio 
Children’s Sermon – audio 
Weekly Worship Guide
Ezekiel 33: 7-11/EHV

7 As for you, son of man, I have appointed you to be a watchman for the house of Israel.  Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you are to warn them from me.  8 When I say to a wicked man, “Wicked man, you shall surely die,” if you do not speak to warn the wicked man against his way, that wicked man will die because of his guilt, but I will also hold you responsible for his blood.  9 But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he will die because of his guilt, but you will have saved your life.  10 So you, son of man, say this to the house of Israel. This is what you are saying, “Certainly our rebellions and our transgressions weigh upon us, and because of them we are rotting away.  How then can we live?”  11 Say to them, “As surely as I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked.  Instead I take pleasure if the wicked turn from their way and live.  Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?”
 

September 17, 2017, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“Living Sacrifices” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – no audio available
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 12: 1-8/EHV

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice – holy and pleasing to God – which is your appropriate worship.  2 Also, do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you test and approve what is the will of God – what is good, pleasing, and perfect.  3 So by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think in a way that results in sound judgment, as God distributed a measure of faith to each of you.  4 For we have many members in one body, and not all the members have the same function.  5 In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  6 We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us.  If the gift is prophecy, do it in complete agreement with the faith.  7 If it is serving, then serve.  If it is teaching, then teach.  8 If it is encouraging, then encourage.  If it is contributing, be generous.  If it is leadership, be diligent.  If it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully.
 

September 10, 2017, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“What is Doxology?” – text; no audio due to technical issues
Children’s Sermon – no audio due to technical issues
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 11: 33-36

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments and how untraceable his ways!  34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his adviser?”  35 “Or who has first given to God that he will be repaid?”  36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever!  Amen.
 

September 3, 2017, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“The Mercy of Jesus” – text or audio 
Children’s Sermon – no children’s sermon today
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 15:21-28/EHV

21 Jesus left that place and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.  22 There a Canaanite woman from that territory came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! A demon is severely tormenting my daughter!” 23 But he did not answer her a word. His disciples came and pleaded, “Send her away, because she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt in front of him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet the dogs also eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, your faith is great! It will be done for you, just as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.

August 27, 2017, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“Why Doubt?” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – no children’s sermon today
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 14:22-23/EHV

22 Immediately Jesus urged the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed the crowd, he went up onto the mountain by himself to pray.  When evening came, he was there alone. 24 By then the boat was quite a distance from shore, being pounded by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea.  26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and cried out in fear, “It’s a ghost!”  27 But Jesus spoke to them at once, saying, “Take heart” It is I! Do not be afraid.” 28 Peter answered him and said, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 Jesus said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat, walked on the water, and went toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid.  As he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!”

August 20, 2017, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels

“Christ, Our Great Provider” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 14:13-21/EHV
13 When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 When evening came, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 They told him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 “Bring them here to me,” he replied. 19 Then he instructed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five laves and the two fish. After looking up to heaven, he blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples. The disciples gave the food to the people. 20 They all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve basketfuls of what was left over from the broken pieces. 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, not even counting women and children. 

August 13, 2017, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“God’s Kingdom Is Our Treasure” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 13:44-52/EHV
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again. In his joy, he goes away and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls. 46 When he found one very valuable pearl, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When the net was filled, they pulled it onto the shore. They sat down and gathered the good fish into container, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is how it will be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous who are among them. 50 And they will throw the wicked into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 51 Jesus said to them, “Did you understand all these things?” They answered him, “Yes.” 52 He said to them, “Therefore every expert in the law who has been trained as a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his treasure both new things and old things.”

August 6, 2017, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“Weeds Among the Wheat” – text or audio soon
Children’s Sermon – audio soon
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43/EHV
He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 When the plants sprouted and produced heads of grain, the weeds also appeared. 27 The servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy did this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather up the weeds?’ 29 ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because when you gather up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ” First, gather up the weeds, bind them in bundles, and burn them. Then, gather the wheat into my barn.”” 36 Then Jesus sent the people away and went into the house. His disciples came and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered them, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the Evil One. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are angels. 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will pull out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and those who continue to break the law. 42 The angels will throw them into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

July 30, 2017, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“Good Soil Produces Good Fruit” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23/EHV
That same day Jesus left the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 A large crowd gathered around him. So he stepped into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 He told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen, a sower went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. Immediately the seed sprang up, because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun rose, the seed was scorched. Because it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it. 8 But some seed fell on good ground and produced grain: some one hundred times, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown. 9 Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear. 18 So listen carefully to the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil One comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the seed that was sown along the path. 20 The seed that was sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he is not deeply rooted and does not endure. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22 The seed that was sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worry of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it produces no fruit. 23 But the seed that was sown on the good ground is the one who continues to hear and understand the word. Indeed he continues to produce fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown.”

July 23, 2017, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“A Struggle and Thanks” – text  or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 7:15-25a/EHV
For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not keep doing what I want. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 But now it is no longer I who am doing it, but it is sin living in me. 18 Indeed, I know that good does not live in me, that is, in my sinful flesh. The desire to do good is present with me, but I am not able to carry it out. 19 So I fail to do the good I want to do. Instead, the evil I do not want to do, that is what I keep doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who am doing it, but it is sin living in me. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is present with me. 22 I certainly delight in God’s law according to my inner self, 23 but I see a different law at work in my members, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me captive to the law of sin, which is present in my members. 24 What a miserable wretch I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

July 16, 2017, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“Life and Death Matters” – text  or audio soon
Children’s Sermon – audio soon
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 6:1b-11/EHV
Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 Absolutely not! We died to sin. How can we go on living in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him by this baptism into his death, so that just as he was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too would also walk in a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him, to make our sinful body powerless, so that we would not continue to serve sin. 7 For the person who has died has been declared free from sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he will never die again. Death no longer has control over him. 10 For the death he died, he died to sin once and for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way also consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

July 9, 2017, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“God Demonstrates His Own Love for Us” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 10:24-33/EHV
“A disciples is not above his teacher, nor is a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher and the servant like his master. If the master of the house was called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, because there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without the knowledge and consent of your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Everyone who confesses me before others, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

July 2, 2017, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“God Demonstrates His Own Love for Us” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 5:6-11/EHV
For at the appointed time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 It is rare indeed that someone will die for a righteous person. Perhaps someone might actually go so far as to die for a person who has been good to him. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, it is even more certain that we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God’s wrath through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, it is even more certain that, since we have been reconciled, we will be saved by his life. 11 And not only is this so, but we also go on rejoicing confidently in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received this reconciliation. 

June 25, 2017, Third Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Bartels
“Sola Fide…Faith Alone!” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 4:18-25/EHV
Hoping beyond what he could expect, he believed that he would become the father of many nations, just as he was told: “This is how many your descendants will be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith, even though he considered his own body as good as dead (because he was about one hundred years old), and even though he considered Sarah’s womb to be dead. 20 He did not waver in belief with respect to God’s promise, but he grew strong in faith, giving glory to God 21 and being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 Now the statement “it was credited to him” was not written for him alone, 24 but also for us to whom it would be credited, namely, to us who believe in the one who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead. 25 He was handed over to death because of our trespasses and was raised to life because of our justification.

June 18, 2017, Second Sunday after Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“Justified by Faith” – text or audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 3:21-25a, 27-28/ESV
But now, completely apart from the law, a righteousness form God has been made known. The Law and the Prophets testify to it. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and over all who believe. In fact, there is no difference, 23 because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God publicly displayed as the atonement seat through faith in his blood. 27 What happens to boasting then? It has been eliminated. By what principle – by the principle of works? No, but by the principle of faith. 28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith without the works of the law. 

June 11, 2017, Pentecost – Pastor Schultz
“The Still Small Voice of the Trinity” – text soon or audio
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Kings 19:9-18/ESV
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sward, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on youor way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Azael shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

June 4, 2017, Pentecost – Pastor Tweit
“What Does the Holy Spirit Do?” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
John 16:5-11/EHV
“But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, “Where are you going?”  6 Yet because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth: It is good for you that I go away, the Counselor will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgement: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”

May 28, 2017, Seventh Sunday of Easter – Pastor Bartels
“Firm in the Faith” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Peter 4:12-16, 5:6-11/EHV
Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery trial that is happening among you to test you, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead rejoice whenever you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted in connection with the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or as a meddler. 16 But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God in connection with this name… 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under God’s powerful hand so that he may lift you up at the appointed time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Have sound judgement. Be alert. Your adversary, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him by being firm in the faith. You know that the same kinds of sufferings are being laid on your brotherhood all over the world. 10 After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you. 11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 

May 21, 2017, Sixth Sunday of Easter – Pastor Tweit
“Set Christ Apart as Lord in your Hearts” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Peter 3:15-22/EHV
But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers. 17 Indeed, it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, 18 because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in flesh but was made alive in spirit, 19 in which he also went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. 20 These spirits disobeyed long ago, when God’s patience was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 He went to heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. 

May 14, 2017, Fifth Sunday of Easter – Pastor Bartels
“A House of Living Stones” –text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Peter 2:4-10/EHV
As you come to him, the Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, like living stones, are being built as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, in order to bring spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in Scripture: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will certainly not be put to shame. 7 Therefore, for you who believe, this is an honor. But for those who do not believe: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 and, a stone over which they stumble and a rock over which they fall. Because they continue to disobey the word, they stumble over it. And that is the consequence appointed for them. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 At one time you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy. 

May 7, 2017, Fourth Sunday of Easter – Pastor Tweit
“The Sheep Know and Follow Their Shepherd” –text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
John 1-:1-10/EHV
“Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration in speaking to the people, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 So Jesus said again, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: I am the door for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

April 30, 2017, Third Sunday of Easter – Pastor Bartels
“He Lives to Restore  my Hope!” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Luke 24:13-35/EHV
Now, on that same day, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about all of these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing this, Jesus himself approached and began to walk along with them. 16 But there eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” Saddened, they stopped. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked them. They replied, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be condemned to death. And they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was going to redeem Israel. Not only that, but besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Also some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning. 23 When they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that the was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb. They found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village where they were going,, he acted as if he were going to travel farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, since it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it and began giving it to them. 31 Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Then he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking to us along the road and while he was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those who were with them assembled together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord really has been raised! He has appeared to Simon.” 35 They themselves described what had happened along the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

April 23, 2017, Second Sunday of Easter – Pastor Tweit
“This Jesus is the One God Raised Up” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Acts 2:14a, 22-32/EHV
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and spoke loudly and clearly to them: 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man recommended to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, who was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, you killed by having lawless men nail him to a cross. 24 He is the one God raised up by freeing him from the agony of death, because death was not able to hold him in its grip. 25 “Indeed, David says concerning him: I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. My flesh also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my life to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence. 29 “Gentlemen, brothers, I can speak confidently to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he saw what was coming and spoke about the resurrection of Christ, saying that he was neither abandoned to the grace nor did his flesh see decay. 32 “This Jesus is the one God has raised up. We are all witnesses of that.

April 16, 2017, Easter Sunday – Pastor Tweit
“The Resurrection of Our Lord” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide

April 9, 2017, Palm Sunday – Pastor Bartels
“Teach Us Lord, True Humility” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Philippians 2:5-11/ESV
Indeed, let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 6 Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, 7 but he emptied himself by taking the nature of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

April 2, 2017, 5th Sunday in Lent – Pastor Bartels
“Christ the Ransom for Sin” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 8:11-19/EHV
And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit, who is dwelling in you. 12 So then, brothers, we do not owe it to the sinful flesh to live in harmony with it. 13 For if you live in harmony with the sinful flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live. 14 Indeed, those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery so that you are afraid again, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we call out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself joins our spirit in testifying that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, we are also heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, since we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I conclude that our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 In fact, creation is waiting with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed. 

March 26, 2017, 4th Sunday in Lent – Pastor Tweit
“Christ the Ransom for Sin” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Romans 8:1-10/EHV
So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 Indeed, what the law was unable to do, because it was weakened by the flesh, God did, when he sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin. God condemned sin in his flesh, 4 so that the righteous decree of the law would be fully satisfied in us who are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. 5 To be sure, those who are in harmony with the sinful flesh think about things the way the sinful flesh does, and those in harmony with the spirit think about things the way the spirit does. 6 Now, the way the sinful flesh thinks results in death, but the way the spirit thinks results in life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the sinful flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the sinful flesh but in the spirit, if indeed God’s Spirit live in you. And if someone does not have the Spirit of Christ, that person does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 

March 19, 2017, 3nd Sunday in Lent – Pastor Bartels
“Living Water” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Ephesians 5:8-14/EHV
For you were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord, 11 and do not participate in fruitless deeds of darkness. Instead, expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention  the things that are done by people in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes things visible. 14 Therefore it is said, “Awake, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

March 12, 2017, 2nd Sunday in Lent – Pastor Tweit
“Living Water” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
John 4:5-26/EHV
So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Then Jesus, being tired from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone into town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” she said, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his animals.” 13 Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty ever again. Rather, the water I will give him will become in him a spring of water, bubbling up to eternal life.” 15 “Sir, give me this water,” the woman said to him, “so I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband, and come back here.” 17 “I have no husband,” the woman answered. Jesus said to her, “You are right to say, “I have no husband.” 18 In face, you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet.” 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews insist that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But a time is coming and now is here when the real worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for those are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (the one called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 16 Jesus said to her, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”

March 5, 2017, 1st Sunday in Lent – Pastor Bartels
“Temptation Overcome!” – text soon or audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 4:1-11/EHV
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The Tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” 5 Then the Devil took him into the holy city. He placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and he said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you. And they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written: You shall not test the Lord your God.” 8 Again the Devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” 11 Then the Devil left him, and just then angels came and served him.

February 26, 2017, The Trasfiguration of our Lord – Pastor Tweit
“Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Majesty” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
2 Peter 1:16-21/EHV
To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when the voice came to him from within the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We heard this voice, which came out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 We also have the completely reliable prophetic word. You do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts, 20 since we know this above all else: No prophecy of Scripture comes about from someone’s own interpretation. 21 In fact, no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were being carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

February 19, 2017, Seventh Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Bartels
“Repay Evil with Love” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 5:38-48/EHV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evildoer. If someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other. 40 If anyone wants to sue you to take away your shirt, give him your coat too 41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 Indeed if you love those who love you, what rewards to you have? Even tax collectors do that, don’t they? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others ? Do not even the unbelievers do that? 48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect?”

February 12, 2017, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Tweit
“The Choice of Life and Death” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Deuteronomy 30:15-20/EHV
See now, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster. 16 This is what I am commanding you today: Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, and keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances. Then you will live and increase in number, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are going to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you do not listen, and you are lured away, and you bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 then I declare to you today that you will most certainly perish. You will not live a long life on the land that you are about to enter and possess by crossing over the Jordan 19 I call the heavens and the earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live 20 by loving the Lord your God, by listening to his voice, and by clinging to him, because that means life for you, and you will live a long life on your land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

February 5, 2017, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Bartels
“The Salt of the Earth!” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 5:13-20/EHV
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again? Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy them but to fulfill them. 18 Amen I tell you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest letter, or even part of a letter, will in any way pass away from the Law until everything is fulfilled. 19 So whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 Indeed I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and experts in the law, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

January 29, 2017, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Tweit
“God Builds His Churh” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Ephesians 2:19-22/ESV
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

January 22, 2017, Third Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Bartels
“Time to Build the Temple” – text soon or audio
Children’s Sermon
Weekly Worship Guide
1 Chronicles 28-29/ESV
(selected verses)

January 15, 2017, Second Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Bartels
“Giving for the Tabernacle” – text or audio
Children’s Sermon – audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Exodus 35-36/ESV
(selected verses)

January 8, 2017, First Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Tweit
“Baptism of Our Lord” – text or audio
Weekly Worship Guide
Matthew 3:13-17/ESV
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

January 1, 2017, New Year’s Day – Pastor Tweit
“The Name of Jesus” – text or audio
Weekly Worship Guide
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.