2021 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, 2021, New Year’s Eve– Pastor Bernt Tweit
December 26, 2021, 1st Sunday After Christmas– Pastor Bernt Tweit
41Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Festival. 43When the days had ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it. 44Since they thought he was in their group, they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? See, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
49He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be taking care of my Father’s business?” 50They did not understand what he was telling them.
51He went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was always obedient to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
December 25, 2021, Christmas Day– Pastor Mark Bartels
December 24, 2021, Christmas Eve– Pastor Bernt Tweit
December 19, 2021, 4th Sunday in Advent– Pastor Mark Bartels
“Out of Bethlehem” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Youth Christmas Service Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Micah 5:2-5a
2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, from you, will go out the one who will be the ruler for me in Israel. His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity. 3Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when the woman who is in labor bears a child.Then the remaining survivors from his brothers will return to the people of Israel. 4He will stand and shepherd with the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. They will dwell securely, for at that time he will be great to the ends of the earth. 5This one will be their peace.
December 12, 2021, 3rd Sunday in Advent– Pastor Bernt Tweit
“Rejoice at the Lord’s Coming Deliverance” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
December 5, 2021, 2nd Sunday in Advent– Pastor Mark Bartels
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. 3He went into the whole region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4Just as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight. 5Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth. 6And everyone will see the salvation of God.”
November 28, 2021, 1st Sunday in Advent- Pastor Bernt Tweit
14Listen, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the good promises that I have spoken to the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous Branch to grow up from David’s line. He will establish justice and righteousness on earth. 16In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. This is what she will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.
November 24, 2021, Thanksgiving Eve- Pastor Mark Bartels
November 21, 2021, Christ the King Sunday- Pastor Mark Bartels
13I kept watching the night visions, and there, in the clouds of heaven, I saw one like a son of man coming. He came to the Ancient of Days, and he was brought before him. 14To him was given dominion, honor, and a kingdom. All peoples, nations, and languages will worship him. His dominion is an eternal dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.
November 14, 2021, Last Judgement- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“Jesus Will Appear a Second Time” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Hebrews 9:24-28
24For Christ did not enter a handmade sanctuary, a representation of the true sanctuary. Instead, he entered into heaven itself, now to appear before God on our behalf. 25And he did not enter to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own. 26Otherwise he would have needed to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once and for all, at the climax of the ages, in order to take away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And, just as it is appointed for people to die only once and after this comes the judgment, 28so also Christ was offered only once to take away the sins of many, and he will appear a second time—without sin—to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him.
November 7, 2021, Saints Triumphant- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“All Will Come Out” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
John 5:25-29 25“Amen, Amen, I tell you: A time is coming and is here now when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen will live. 26For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and will come out. Those who have done good will rise to live, but those who have practiced evil will rise to be condemned.”
October 31, 2021, Festival of the Reformation- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Intrepid Hearts” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Mark 13:5-11
5Jesus began by telling them, “Be careful that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7“Whenever you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled. Such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8In fact, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9But be on your guard! People will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand in the presence of rulers and kings for my sake as a witness to them. 10And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 Whenever they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what you should say. Say whatever is given to you in that hour, because you will not be the ones speaking; instead it will be the Holy Spirit.”
October 24, 2021, Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“The Lord’s Gracious Plan Will Succeed” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Isaiah 53:10-12
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and allow him to suffer. Because you made his life a guilt offering, he will see offspring. He will prolong his days, and the LORD’s gracious plan will succeed in his hand. 11After his soul experiences anguish, he will see the light of life. He will provide satisfaction. Through their knowledge of him, my just servant will justify the many, for he himself carried their guilt. 12 Therefore I will give him an allotment among the great, and with the strong he will share plunder, because he poured out his life to death, and he let himself be counted with rebellious sinners. He himself carried the sin of many, and he intercedes for the rebels.
October 17, 2021, Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Don Schultz (Pastor from Lakeside Lutheran High School)
“What is Missing?” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Mark 10:17-27
17 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, one man ran up to him and knelt in front of him. He asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19 You know the commandments. ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not defraud. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 The man replied, “Teacher, I have kept all these since I was a child.” 21 Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he looked sad and went away grieving, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus told them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in their riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For people, it is impossible, but not for God, because all things are possible for God.”
October 10, 2021, Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“I Do!” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Genesis 2:18-24
18The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is a suitable partner for him.” 19 Out of the soil the LORD God had formed every wild animal and every bird of the sky, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature, that became its name. 20The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal, but for Adam no helper was found who was a suitable partner for him. 21The LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. As the man slept, the LORD God took a rib and closed up the flesh where it had been. 22The LORD God built a woman from the rib that he had taken from the man and brought her to the man. 23The man said, Now this one is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She will be called “woman,” because she was taken out of man. 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will remain united with his wife, and they will become one flesh.
October 3, 2021, Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“Create in Me a Clean Heart O God” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
James 4:7-12
So, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded people. 9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be changed into mourning and your joy into gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. 11 Do not speak against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother is speaking against the law and judging the law. But if you judge the law, you are not one who does the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver and judge. He is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
September 26, 2021, Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Humble Servants” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Mark 9:30-37
30They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know this, 31because he was teaching his disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill him. But three days after he is killed, he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the statement and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they remained silent, because on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35Jesus sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he will be the last of all and the servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and placed him in their midst. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me, welcomes not just me but also him who sent me.”
September 19, 2021, Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“Who is Jesus?” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google
Mark 8:27-35
27 Jesus went away with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?28 They told him, “John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others say one of the prophets. 29 “But who do you say I am?” he asked them. Peter answered him, “You are the Christ. 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things; be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the experts in the law; be killed; and after three days rise again. 32 He was speaking plainly to them. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But after turning around and looking at his disciples, Jesus rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have your mind set on the things of God, but the things of men.” 34 He called the crowd and his disciples together and said to them, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
September 12, 2021, Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Hearers and Doers” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
James 1:17-27
17Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, who does not change or shift like a shadow. 18 Just as he planned, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creations. 19 Remember this, my dear brothers: Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. 20 Certainly, a man’s anger does not bring about what is right before God. 21So after getting rid of all moral filthiness and overflowing wickedness, receive with humility the word planted in you. It is able to save your souls. 22Be people who do what the word says, not people who only hear it. Such people are deceiving themselves. 23In fact, if anyone hears the word and does not do what it says, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own natural face in a mirror. 24Indeed, he carefully looks at himself; then, he goes away and immediately forgets what he looked like. 25But the one who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continues to do so—since he does not hear and forget but actually does what it says—that person will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself to be religious but deceives his own heart because he does not bridle his tongue, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled in the sight of God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
September 5, 2021, Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“A Good Review” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
So now, Israel, listen to the statutes and the ordinances that I am teaching you, and carry them out so that you may live and so that you may enter the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving to you and take possession of it. 2 Do not add to the word that I am commanding you, and do not subtract from it, so that you keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you. 6 Keep them and put them into practice, because in this way your wisdom and your understanding will be recognized by all the people who hear about all these statutes; and they will say, “This great nation is certainly a wise and understanding people,” 7 because what other great nation is there that has a god as close to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call on him? 8 What other great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances as righteous as this entire law that I am presenting to you today?
August 29, 2021, Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“My House Will Serve the Lord” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and he summoned the elders of Israel, its heads, its judges, and its officers, and they presented themselves before God. 2 Then Joshua told all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel has said.”
14 Joshua said, “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly and faithfully. Remove the gods that your fathers served in the region across the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if you see no benefit in serving the LORD, then choose for yourselves today whomever you will serve—whether the gods that your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household—we will serve the LORD!” 16 The people responded by saying, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD in order to serve other gods! 17 For the LORD our God, he is the one who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, where we were slaves. He is the one who performed these great signs right before our eyes and protected us on the whole journey that we made and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 The LORD drove out of our presence all the peoples and the Amorites who were living in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God!”
August 22, 2021, Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“The Joy of Following True Wisdom” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Ephesians 5:15-20
15 Consider carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise people, but as wise people. 16 Make the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk on wine, which causes you to lose control. Instead, be filled with the Spirit 19 by speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord), 20 by always giving thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
August 15, 2021, Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Imitators of God” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Ephesians 4:30-5:2
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, quarreling, and slander, along with every kind of malice. 32Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one other, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. 5:1 Therefore, be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
August 8, 2021, Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“What is it?” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Exodus 16:2-15
2 The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat around pots of meat and ate as much food as we wanted, but now you have brought us out into this wilderness to have this whole community die of hunger.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Watch what I will do. I will rain down bread from heaven for you, and the people will go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether they will follow my instructions or not. 5 On the sixth day they will prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “At evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the Glory of the Lord, because he has heard your constant grumbling against the Lord. Who are we that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses said, “Now the Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and as much bread as you want in the morning, because the Lord has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.” 9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling.’” 10 As Aaron spoke to the entire Israelite community, they turned toward the wilderness, and suddenly the Glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 The Lord spoke to Moses: 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Say to them, ‘At evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” 13 So in the evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning a layer of dew surrounded the camp. 14 When the layer of dew was gone, there were thin flakes on the surface of the wilderness, thin as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” because they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given to you as food to eat.
August 1, 2021, Tenth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Come, Lord Jesus, Be Our Guest” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google
John 6:1-15
After this, Jesus crossed over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he was performing on those who were sick. 3 Jesus went up on the hillside and sat down there with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near. 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 But Jesus was saying this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to have just a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what is that for so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. There were about five thousand men. 11Then Jesus took the loaves and, after giving thanks, he distributed pieces to those who were seated. He also did the same with the fish—as much as they wanted. 12When the people were full, he told his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14When the people saw the miraculous sign Jesus did, they said, “This really is the Prophet who is coming into the world.” 15When Jesus realized that they intended to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
July 25, 2021, Ninth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“He Himself Is Our Peace” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Ephesians 2:13-22
13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace. He made the two groups one by destroying the wall of hostility that divided them 15 when he abolished the law of commandments and regulations in his flesh. He did this to create in himself one new person out of the two, in this way making peace. 16 And he did this to reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by putting the hostility to death on it. 17 He also came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. 20 You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
July 18, 2021, Eighth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Do You Have a Pastor” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Mark 6:7-13
7 Jesus called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their money belts. 9 They were to put on sandals but not to wear two coats. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that area. 11Any place that will not receive you or listen to you, as you leave there, shake off the dust that is under your feet as a testimony against them.” 12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They also drove out many demons. They anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
July 11, 2021, Seventh Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“My Grace is Sufficient for You” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 Therefore, to keep me from becoming arrogant due to the extraordinary nature of these revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, so that I would not become arrogant. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that he would take it away from me. 9 And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will be glad to boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may shelter me. 10 That is why I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For whenever I am weak, then am I strong.
July 4, 2021, Sixth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“The Grace of Giving” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-14
Now brothers, we want you to know about the grace of God that was given in the churches of Macedonia: 2 In a severe test of trouble, their overflowing joy and their deep poverty overflowed into an abundance of their generosity. 3 I testify that of their own free will they gave according to their ability, and even beyond their ability, 4 pleading with us with an urgent request for the gracious privilege of joining in this service to the saints. 5 And they did this not as we had expected, but in keeping with God’s will they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us. 6 As a result we urged Titus, since he had already made a beginning, to bring to completion this gracious gift on your part. 7 But just as you overflow in every way—in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you also overflow in this gracious gift. 8 I do not say this as a command, but to test how genuine your love is, by comparing it with the eagerness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.
13 Certainly, our goal is not that others take it easy while you are burdened, but that there may be equality. 14At the present time, your abundance will provide what they lack, in order that their abundance will also provide what you lack—in this way there will be equality.
June 27, 2021, Fifth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“The Lord of Creation!” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Job 38:1-11
Then the LORD responded to Job out of a violent storm. He said: 2 Who is this who spreads darkness over my plans with his ignorant words? 3 Get ready for action like a man! Then I will ask you questions, and you will inform me. 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you understand anything about it. 5 Who determined its dimensions? I am sure you know. Who stretched out the surveying line over it? 6 What supports its foundation? Who set its cornerstone in place, 7 when the morning stars sang loud songs together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Who locked up the sea behind doors when it burst out of the womb? 9 When I clothed the sea with clouds, when I wrapped it with thick darkness as its swaddling cloths, 10when I broke its power with my decree, when I locked it up behind barred, double doors, 11I said, “You may come this far, but no farther. Here is the barrier for your proud waves.”
June 20, 2021, Fourth Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“I will take a shoot and plant it” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Ezekiel 17:22-24
This is what the LORD God says. I myself will take part of the tip of the cedar and plant it. From the topmost of its shoots I will pluck off a tender sprig, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it. It will produce branches, bear fruit, and become a magnificent cedar. Flying birds of every kind will live under it. In the shelter of its branches they will nest. 24 Then all the trees in the countryside will know that I, the LORD, bring down the high tree and raise up the low tree, that I make the green tree dry up, and I make the dried-up tree blossom. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will carry it out.
June 13, 2021, Third Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“Where are you?” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Genesis 3:8-15
8 They heard the voice of the Lord God, who was walking around in the garden during the cooler part of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 The Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because
I was naked, so I hid myself.” 11 God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 The Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent:
Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all the livestock, and more than every wild animal. You shall crawl on your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.
June 6, 2021, Second Sunday After Pentecost- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Keep the Sabbath Day Holy” Video: Facebook, Google Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 12 Observe the Sabbath day by setting it apart as holy, just as the LORD your God commanded you. 13Six days you are to serve and perform all of your regular work, 14but the seventh day is a sabbath rest to the LORD your God. You are not to do any regular work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock or the alien who resides inside your gates, in order that your male servant and your female servant may rest like you. 15 Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the day of rest.
May 30, 2021, The Holy Trinity- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“Be Led by the Spirit” Video: Facebook, Google Audio: Google.
Romans 8:14-17 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[a] 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.
May 23, 2021, Pentecost Sunday and the Rite of Confirmation- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Be Led by the Spirit” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
John 14:25-27
25“I have told you these things while staying with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I told you. 27“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.”
May 16, 2021, Seventh Sunday of Easter- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“What is love?” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
1 John 4:13-21
13This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. 16We also have come to know and trust the love that God has for us. God is love. Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 17In this way his love has been brought to its goal among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are just like Jesus. 18There is no fear in love, but complete love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who continues to be afraid has not been brought to the goal in love.
19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For how can anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, love God, whom he has not seen? 21This then is the command we have from him: The one who loves God should also love his brother.
May 9, 2021, Sixth Sunday of Easter- Pastor Thomas Heyn
“Remain in our Resurrected Lord’s Love!” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
John 15:9-17
9“As the Father has loved me, so also I have loved you. Remain in my love. 10If you hold on to my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have held on to my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you these things so that my joy would continue to be in you and that your joy would be complete.
12“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this: that someone lays down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you continue to do the things I instruct you. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will endure, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17These things I am instructing you, so that you love one another.”
May 2, 2021, Fifth Sunday of Easter- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he is going to cut off. And he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will bear more fruit. 3“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I am going to remain in you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Likewise, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him is the one who bears much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers. Such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this: that you continue to bear much fruit and prove to be my disciples.”
April 25, 2021, Fourth Sunday of Easter- Pastor Mark Bartels
“Jesus-the Good Shepherd!” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
John 10:11-18
11“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired man, who is not a shepherd, does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13Because he works for money, he does not care about the sheep.
14“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15(just as the Father knows me and I know the Father). And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I also have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This is the commission I received from my Father.”
April 18, 2021, Third Sunday of Easter- Pastor Bernt Tweit
“How Jesus Appears to You Today” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Luke 24:36-49
36As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37But they were terrified and frightened and thought they were looking at a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While they still did not believe it (because of their joy), and while they were still wondering, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43He took it and ate in front of them. 44He said to them, “These are my words, which I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
April 11, 2021, Second Sunday of Easter- Pastor Mark Bartels
“New Birth, New Life” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
1 John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the God who has given birth also loves one who has been born of him. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: that we keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 because everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 6 This is the one who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ. He did not come by the water alone but by the water and by the blood. The Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
April 4, 2021, Easter Sunday – Pastor Bernt Tweit
“The Resurrection of Our Lord” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint Jesus.2Very early on the first day of the week, at sunrise, they went to the tomb.3They were saying to each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb for us?”4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.6He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8They went out and hurried away from the tomb, trembling and perplexed. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
April 2, 2021, Good Friday – Pastor Mark Bartels
4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for
our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are
healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the
Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
April 1, 2021, Maundy Thursday – Pastor Bernt Tweit
“The Passover and the Lord’s Supper” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Mark 14:12-26
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house that the Teacher says, ‘Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 His disciples left and went into the city and found things just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 When it was evening, he arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Amen I tell you: One of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and said to him one by one, “Surely not I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread with me in the dish. 21 Indeed, the Son of Man is going to go just as it has been written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread. When he had blessed it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take it. This is my body.” 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them. They all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many. 25 Amen I tell you: I will certainly not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 After they sang a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
March 28, 2021, Palm Sunday – Pastor Mark Bartels
“Blessed Humility” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Philippians 2:5-11
5Indeed, let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 6Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, 7but 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, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
March 24, 2021, Lent – Pastor Bernt Tweit
The Hands of the Passion-“Hands of Self-Preservation”
Matthew 27:15-26
15 At the time of the Festival the governor had a custom to release to the crowd any one prisoner they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. 17 So when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you? Barabbas—or Jesus, who is called Christ?” 18 For Pilate knew that they had handed Jesus over to him because of envy. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, Pilate’s wife sent him a message. “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,” she said, “since I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. 21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” “Barabbas!” they said. 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Crucify him!” 23 But the governor said, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they kept shouting even louder: “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing and that instead it was turning into a riot, he took water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood. It is your responsibility.” 25 And all the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but he had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.
March 21, 2021, The Fifth Sunday in Lent – Pastor Bernt Tweit
“The Invitations of Jesus” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
John 12:20-33
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Festival. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22Philip went to tell Andrew. Andrew came with Philip and told Jesus.23Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it continues to be one kernel.
But if it dies, it produces much grain. 25Anyone who loves his life destroys it. And the one who hates his life in this world will hold on to it for eternal life. 26If anyone serves me, let him follow me. And where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 27“Now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, this is the reason I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name!”A voice came from heaven: “I have glorified my name, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said it thundered. Others said an angel talked to him. 30Jesus answered, “This voice was not for my sake but for yours. 31“Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate what kind of death he was going to die.
March 17, 2021, Lent – Pastor Mark Bartels
The Hands of the Passion-“Hands of Brutality”
“Soldiers” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. (Missing first two minutes of service.)
Matthew 27:27-31
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole cohort of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand, knelt in front of him, and mocked him by saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spit on him, took the staff, and hit him repeatedly on his head. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
March 14, 2021, The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Pastor Mark Bartels
“Christ B.C.” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Numbers 21:4-9
4They set out from Mount Hor along the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom, but the people became very impatient along the way. 5The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? Look, there is no food! There is no water! And we are disgusted by this worthless food!” 6The Lord sent venomous snakes among the people, and the snakes bit the people. As a result many people from Israel died. 7The people went to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord to take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed on behalf of the people.8The Lord said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake and put it on a pole. If anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” 9Moses made a bronze snake and put it on the pole. If a snake had bitten anyone, if that person looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
March 10, 2021, Lent – Pastor Bernt Tweit
The Hands of the Passion-“Hands of Hypocrisy”
Mark 14:55-65
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 Yet even on this point, their testimony did not agree. 60 The high priest stepped forward and questioned Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is this they are testifying against you?” 61 But Jesus was silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? 62 “I am,” Jesus said. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him as being worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit on him. They covered his face and struck him with their fists, saying, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him.
March 7, 2021, The Third Sunday in Lent – Pastor Bernt Tweit
Exodus 20:1-17
Then God spoke all these words:
2I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, where you were slaves.
3You shall have no other gods beside me. 4You shall not make any carved image for yourself or a likeness of anything in heaven above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. 5Do not bow down to them or be subservient to them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God. I follow up on the guilt of the fathers with their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren, if they also hate me. 6But I show mercy to thousands who love me and keep my commandments.
7You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not permit anyone who misuses his name to escape unpunished. 8Remember the Sabbath day by setting it apart as holy. 9Six days you are to serve and do all your regular work, 10but the seventh day shall be a sabbath rest to the Lord your God. Do not do any regular work, neither you, nor your sons or daughters, nor your male or female servants, nor your cattle, nor the alien who is residing inside your gates, 11for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. In this way the Lord blessed the seventh day and made it holy. 12Honor your father and your mother so that you may spend many days on the land that the Lord your God is giving to you.
13You shall not commit murder. 14You shall not commit adultery. 15You shall not steal. 16You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.
March 3, 2021, Lent – Pastor Mark Bartels
The Hands of the Passion-“Hands of Misguided Zeal”
John 18:4-11
4 Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”5 “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus told them. Judas, the betrayer, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they backed away and fell to the ground. 7 Then Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” “Jesus the Nazarene,” they said. 8 “I told you that I am he, ” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the statement he had spoken: “I did not lose any of those you have given me.”10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup my Father has given me?”
February 28, 2021, The Second Sunday in Lent – Pastor Mark Bartels
“The Cross in My Life” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google. Text: PDF
Mark 8:31-38
31Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things; be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the experts in the law; be killed; and after three days rise again. 32He was speaking plainly to them. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But after turning around and looking at his disciples, Jesus rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have your mind set on the things of God, but the things of men.”
34He called the crowd and his disciples together and said to them, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36After all, what good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38In fact, whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
February 24, 2021, Lent – Pastor Bernt Tweit
The Hands of the Passion-“Hands of Betrayal”
John 13:21-30
21 After saying this, Jesus was troubled in his spirit and testified, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: One of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples were looking at each other, uncertain which of them he meant.23 One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. 24 So Simon Peter motioned to him to find out which one he was talking about. 25 So leaning back against Jesus’ side, he asked, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus replied, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread, after I have dipped it in the dish.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do more quickly.” 28 None of those reclining at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Because Judas kept the money box, some thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the Festival,” or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
February 21, 2021, The First Sunday in Lent – Pastor Bernt Tweit
Romans 8:31-39
31What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32Indeed, he who did not
spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also graciously give us all things along with
him? 33Who will bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies! 34Who is the one who
condemns? Christ Jesus, who died and, more than that, was raised to life, is the one who is at God’s right
hand and who is also interceding for us! 35What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble or distress
or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36Just as it is written: For your sake we are being
put to death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37No, in all these things we are more
than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels
nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, 39neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
February 17, 2021, Ash Wednesday – Pastor Mark Bartels
The Hands of the Passion-“Hands of Repentance”
“The Pharisee and the Tax Collector” Video: Facebook, Google. Audio: Google.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Jesus told this parable to certain people who trusted in themselves (that they were righteous) and looked down on others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple courts to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 “However the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even lift his eyes up to heaven, but was beating his chest and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 “I tell you, this man went home justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
February 14, 2021, The Last Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Mark Bartels
12 Therefore, since we have this kind of hope, we act with great boldness. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the Israelites could not continue to look at the end of the radiance, as it was fading away. 14 In spite of this, their minds were hardened. Yes, up to the present day, the same veil remains when the Old Testament is read. It has not been removed because it is taken away only in Christ. 15 Instead, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 But all of us who reflect the Lord’s glory with an unveiled face are being transformed into his own image, from one degree of glory to another. This too is from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry as a result of the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. 2 On the contrary, we have renounced shameful, underhanded methods. We do not operate in a deceitful way, and we do not distort the word of God. Instead, by proclaiming the truth clearly, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
February 7, 2021, The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Bernt Tweit
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
16You see, if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, because an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17If I do this as a volunteer, I receive compensation. But if not, I have been entrusted with a responsibility as a steward. 18What then is my compensation? To present the gospel of Christ free of charge when I preach it, instead of making use of the right I have when I preach the gospel. 19In fact, although I am free from all, I enslaved myself to all so that I might gain many more. 20To the Jews, I became like a Jew so that I might gain Jews. To those who are under the law, I became like a person under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might gain those who are under the law. 21To those who are without the law, I became like a person without the law (though I am not without God’s law but am within the law of Christ) so that I might gain those who are without the law. 22To the weak, I became weak so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people so that I may save at least some. 23And I do everything for the sake of the gospel so that I may share in it along with others.
January 31, 2021, The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Mark Bartels
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows something, he does not yet know the way he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this person has been known[a] by him. 4 So, concerning the eating of food from idol sacrifices, we know that an idol is not anything real in the world and that there is no God but one. 5 Indeed, even if there are so-called “gods,” whether in the heavens or on earth (as in fact there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 nevertheless for us there is one God—the Father, from whom all things exist and we exist for him—and one Lord—Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist and we exist through him. 7 However, that knowledge is not in everyone. Instead some, who are still affected by their former habit with the idol, eat the food as something sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not bring us closer to God. We do not lack anything if we do not eat, nor are we better off if we do. 9 And be careful that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, a person who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of this man, weak as he is, be emboldened to eat food from an idol sacrifice? 11 You see, the weak person is being destroyed by your knowledge—the brother for whose sake Christ died! 12 And when you sin in this way against your brothers and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I do not cause my brother to sin.
January 24, 2021, The Third Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Bernt Tweit
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
29I also say this, brothers: The time is short. From now on, let those who have wives live as if they have none; 30those who weep, as if not weeping; those who rejoice, as if not rejoicing; those who buy, as if not possessing; 31and those who use the world, as if not getting any use out of it. For the way of life that belongs to this world is passing away.
January 17, 2021, The Second Sunday after Epiphany – Pastor Mark Bartels
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
12“All things are permitted for me”—but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted for me”—but I will not allow anything to control me. 13“Foods are for the belly, and the belly is for foods, but God will do away with both of them.” However, the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then remove the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Certainly not! 16Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For it says, “The two will become one flesh.” 17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. 18Flee from sexual immorality! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
January 10, 2021, The First Sunday after the Epiphany – The Baptism of our Lord – Pastor Bernt Tweit
Acts 16:25-34
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Instantly all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27When the jailer woke up and saw that the prison doors were opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he thought that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we are all here!”29The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling in front of Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his home. 33At the same hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Without delay, he and all his family were baptized. 34Then he brought Paul and Silas into his house and set food before them. He rejoiced, because he and his whole household had come to believe in God.
January 3, 2021, Second Sunday after Christmas- Pastor Mark Bartels
Hebrews 2:10-18
10Certainly it was fitting for God (the one for whom and through whom everything exists), in leading many sons to glory, to bring the author of their salvation to his goal through sufferings. 11For he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. For that reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says: I will declare your name to my brothers. Within the congregation I will sing your praise.13And again: I will trust in him. And again: Here I am and the children God has given me. 14Therefore, since the children share
flesh and blood, he also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) 15and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16For surely he was not concerned with helping angels but with helping Abraham’s offspring. 17For this reason, he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order that he would be a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God, so that he could pay for the sins of the people. 18Indeed, because he suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.