​The Fourth Sunday of Easter (May 8, 2022)

​The Second Sunday of Easter
​(April 24, 2022)

​The Third Sunday of Easter
​(May 1, 2022)

The Resurrection of our Lord/Easter Day (April 17, 2022)
The  enemies of Jesus thought they had won with Him dead and in the grave.  But they were mistaken and themselves defeated instead.  Christ has risen!

Palm Sunday (April 10, 2022)
On Palm Sunday we celebrate with all of ancient Jerusalem that Jesus, our humble King, comes to us.  He came into Jerusalem to pay for our sins and die on the cross, that from His resurrected life we might receive peace and the mercy of God.   Jesus comes today in His word of Holy Scripture, His sacrament of Holy Baptism, and His supper of Holy Communion, bringing His gracious reign into our lives.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent (April 3, 2022) 
The vineyard of the church is bearing fruit as the Holy Spirit works within the lives and hearts of baptized believers.  Yet often the vineyard owner, the Lord, does not receive the praise due Him, because the tenants want it all to themselves.  Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner, nasty tenants, and a son who is killed.  The religious authorities in Holy Week know that He is speaking about them.  But instead of repenting in contrition and shame, they double-down on their plan to kill Jesus.  Lord, have mercy on Your church!

The Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 27, 2022)
Jesus sinners doth receive!   He desires the enjoyment of the heavenly banquet of the prodigal son as well as the self-righteous one!  He calls all to repentance and faith in Him for forgiveness and eternal life!  We are a new creation by His grace and mercy.

The Third Sunday of Lent (March 20, 2022)
​Our Lord loves us so much that He would warn us away from death to the salvation He has prepared through His Son!  Turn from sins and live, our God calls.  Repentance and faith in the forgiveness which Jesus has procured for us on the cross and gives to us in Holy Absolution, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion grants life and salvation.

The Second Sunday of Lent (March 13, 2022)
Jesus was warned to flee Jerusalem to save His life.  Knowing that His time had not yet come, Jesus did not fear.  But He did weep over Jerusalem and her inhabitants, whom the Christ wished would repent and believe and be saved.

The First Sunday of Lent (March 6, 2022)
Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted by the devil; He can help us when we are tempted to resist the temptations.  Better than that, He forgives us when we sin and provides ways out of being tempted.

The Transfiguration of our Lord (February 27, 2022)
Moses was a faithful servant in God's house; Jesus is greater, a faithful Son in God's house!  He is worthy of our hearing what He has to say to us in the Scriptures.

​The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany (February 20, 2022)
Our Heavenly Father has mercy on us.  Jesus would have us be merciful as children of our Heavenly Father.  He gives the power to do this in light of our neighbor's sins through His Word which leads us to be thankful and joyful in all that God has done, and does -- not only for our salvation, but for that of our neighbor (even our enemy).

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (February 13, 2022)
The distinction between those blessed by God and those cursed with the perishing is in what, or whom, they trust.  Jesus doesn't take away all suffering or sorrow in this brief life, but He does relieve it with the assurance that we have His grace and the inheritance of eternal life.

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (February 6, 2022)
Jesus taught the crowds, then He taught Peter to trust His word.  Jesus gave Simon fish in abundance, and by the power of His word He gives us forgiveness in abundance as well.

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (January 30, 2022)
​Jesus' word held power over forces of spiritual darkness and over fevers.  His word releases those imprisoned by demons, by their sins, by the brokenness of our bodies and this world.  He provides us with His victory by grace through faith!

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany (January 23, 2022)
Jesus returned home to Nazareth.  While His townspeople welcomed His miracles, they had less of a reception for Him, the Savior of God to which all miracles point. 

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany (January 16, 2022)
​Jesus did His first miracle, or sign, at the wedding of Cana.  Without a word, He changed water into wine.  With a word He forgives sins, changes water into a saving means of grace, and makes bread and wine His body and blood for the preparation of His people for an eternal wedding banquet -- that of the Lamb and His bride, the Church.

The Baptism of our Lord   (January 9, 2022) 
​​The baptism which Jesus received was different from the baptism which Jesus has instituted for us to receive.  By both baptisms of Jesus we have a Savior and the delivered salvation that He has won for us!

The Second Sunday after Christmas (January 2, 2022)
​Jesus grew in wisdom and stature with God and man.  He imparts wisdom to those who ask for it.  He is the wisdom of God for us, our righteousness!

The Fourth Sunday in Advent (December 19, 2021)

​The Third Sunday in Advent (December 12, 2021)
​Jesus was preaching repentance and performing miracles while John the Baptist was in prison.  His seclusion and exclusion brought him to ask if Jesus was the One to come or if he should expect another.  Just because we don't see the Lord's deliverance from our particular problems doesn't mean that He cannot or will not save us completely, forever, as He has promised.  He who is the only One who was sent to save will do so faithfully, in accordance with his timing and will.  Come, Lord Jesus.

​The Second Sunday in Advent (December 5, 2021)
God uses His holy Law to prepare the way for Jesus in history, and in our hearts.

The First Sunday in Advent (November 28, 2021)
Jesus is the Righteous Branch prophesied to come after the Davidic monarchy was cut down in the Babylonian exile.  He is the One who can bring peace and safety to God's people who have sinned because "The Lord is our righteousness" as Jeremiah proclaims!

The Last Sunday in the Church Year (November 21, 2021)
Looking at the leaves off the trees, we know that the season of fall has come to a close.  So, too, in looking at the signs in the world and the gospel of Christ being distributed to all nations, we know that the season of salvation is also drawing to a close.  So we place our trust in Jesus as we live in His forgiveness and love our neighbor until the last day comes.

The Second-Last Sunday in the Church Year (November 14, 2021)
The temple of Jerusalem historically was the marker of the presence of God with His people -- that is, until the Son of God became incarnate.  Jesus is the dwelling of God with His people and we look forward to dwelling in His glorious presence at the ever-nearing end of time.

The Observance of All Saints' Day" (November 7, 2021)
​The saints above and those below but one communion make" says the hymn.  On the observance of All Saints', we give thanks to God that He has saved completely those who have died with faith in Jesus Christ.  By extension, we give thanks to Him for giving us the gift of salvation also, for continuing to forgive us and strengthen us, and for holding out the hope to us of joining the great throng of heaven as we await with them the Day of Resurrection!

Reformation Day (October 31, 2021)
​Many assume that the Christian church is a ranking system for do-gooders to outdo one another.  But it is really a sanctuary for sinners who cannot do anything good without first receiving the righteousness of Jesus Christ in His word and sacraments.  Christ's righteousness received as a gift by God's grace through faith is the good news the church has for all sinners.

​The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost (October 24, 2021)
God has no grandchildren.  Jesus is a font overflowing with mercy. 

  
​The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost  (October 17, 2021)

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost  (October 10, 2021)

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost & LWML Sunday(October 3)
​In Genesis 2, God details how He formed the first woman from the rib of the man and brought her to him to be a helpmeet suitable for him.  As the crowning jewel of His creation, God placed woman alongside man that they might together rejoice in His goodness to both of them in complimentary fashion. ​

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (September 26, 2021)
​​Moses wished that all the Lord's people would be able to speak His word truly and possess His Spirit.  Post-Pentecost, the baptized believers of Christ's church have been gifted just that (Acts 2:38), that they might be capable Christians to serve Him and one another.

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (September 19, 2021)
​We like to think good things of ourselves and of our neighbors.  But when we honestly look at our hearts, there is a lot that is not good -- and the same can be said of our neighbor.  Our God gives a wisdom which the world cannot impart, one of loving service to others, rather than selfish and sinful ambition for ourselves.

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (September 12, 2021)
Jesus is more patient than we deserve.  He is patient because He loves us and knows that we need it. 

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (September 5, 2021)
​​Life in this broken world has much about which to be anxious.  But Jesus promises us peace in the midst of our uncertainty, shelter in the midst of life's storms, and joy in His strength both in the present and for the future.  Our Savior shows Himself the one who can reverse the curse of sin in our lives and spare us from worrying ourselves away from Him.

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (August 29, 2021)
The Holy Spirit would have us be intentional about guarding and preserving our Christian faith against the frequent and damaging attacks of the devil, the world/culture, and our sinful nature.  Christ is our champion, who fights for us and equips the Christian to persevere and finally win the fight!

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (August 22, 2021)
​God loves individuals.  He loves people who are getting married.  He designed marriage for healthy relationships long-term, for the blessing of families, for the stability of our society.  Why is marriage then so messed up today?  What does Jesus have to do with it?

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (August 15, 2021)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Knowing the Bible is knowing the mind and heart of God, revealed reliably by the Holy Spirit.  Gain a knowledge of the God who loves you, who died for you, and who lives for you, and you have an appreciation and respect for all that God has done, is doing, and will do for those who trust Jesus Christ.

​The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (August 8, 2021)
​Elijah was afraid, ashamed, and exhausted.  But he had a God bigger than his fears, troubles, and struggles who provided for him and strengthened him for the journey.  Christ does so today for weary souls through His church, as the Living Bread from heaven.

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (August 1, 2021)
Our discontent can dwarf the goodness and generosity of our God in our estimation.  The devil would have us preoccupied with the temporal things of this world rather than those things of God which are eternal in Jesus Christ.

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (July 25, 2021)
Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples in a new way in our Gospel reading -- as the almighty Son of God who brings peace to those exhausted from the struggle and anxious from fear. 

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (July 18, 2021)
The foundation upon which our faith rests is important.  If we build on our own character, convictions, or commitment, these things will be shaky and fail when hardships come.  But being built by the Holy Spirit on Christ, the chief Cornerstone, with the prophets and apostles as the foundation (for they reveal Him to us), we have a solid foundation which will stand the test of time and endure to eternity.

​The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (July 11, 2021)
The prophet Amos, the prophet John, the greater Prophet Jesus, and the prophets of Jesus all faced rejection for their words of truth and love, calling sinners to repentance and to live a life of righteousness.

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost / Independence Day
(July 4, 2021)
On Independence Day we celebrate our nation's birthday and the freedoms proclaimed in our country's constitution, including the freedom of religion.  But the freedom of religion is not a freedom from religion.  Having been freed from the oppression of sin, death, and the power of the devil, we have a duty within our Christian freedom to live as those set free by Christ.

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (June 27, 2021)
​Waiting is a fact of life.  Sometimes waiting is enjoyable but other times it can be frustrating.  God is patient with us, even when we are impatient with Him.  He is good and gracious, absolutely faithful and loving toward His creation.  He has shown this to be His nature over time, and especially in the ministry of Jesus Christ our Savior, who delivers us in accordance with His powerful word.

​The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (June 20, 2021)
​There are many storms which brew in our daily lives which threaten our ability to keep our heads above water.  Jesus cares.  He stills the wind and sea both in Galilee and in your life, forgiving your sins and powerfully bring about peace by His authoritative word.

​The Third Sunday of Pentecost (June 13, 2021)
The kingdom of God has much that is unseen and known only to God.  What seems as though it is small, like a mustard seed, may become great and all-encompassing. 

The Second Sunday of Pentecost   (June 6, 2021)
His family thought Jesus was certifiably crazy; the religious scholars thought He was demon-possessed.  But Jesus was freeing and forgiving sinners, undoing the curse of sin from the time of the fall of Adam and Eve.  He still does that today in His Church for the children of men who are stuck in, or struggle with, their sins.

The Holy Trinity / Memorial Day weekend
​(May 30, 2021)
​We all have an identity -- part of which we inherited and part we make our own.  God's identity as three-in-one (Triune) would be a mystery had He not revealed it in Holy Scripture.  He gives us a new identity in Christ so that we might see, and know, the kingdom of God in Holy Baptism.

The Day of Pentecost (May 23, 2021)
​Easter is all about the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Prior to His ascension, Jesus promised to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit to His Church.  On the Day of Pentecost, both in the tongues of fire and the baptisms, Jesus fulfilled His promise to the Church and sends God the Holy Spirit to abide with His people of faith.

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