He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 3:3

John the Baptist played a key role in the story of Jesus.

Through his ministry of baptism and message of repentance, people’s hearts and minds were being prepared for Jesus.

Advent is a time of spiritual renewal, a time for us to be prepared for Jesus.

Let’s follow John’s lead and prepare the way!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:27–28

On Sunday we begin our Advent journey.

Advent is a time of beginnings but also a time of waiting.

The gospel text this week features apocalyptic images from Jesus predicting the Second Coming.

This will include power and dangerous signs but also the Son of Man coming in power and glory and bringing redemption and wholeness.

Jesus tells his followers to raise their heads, be on guard, and to stay alert.

Let us look for signs of God all around us, with the promise of redemption and God’s grace.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:8

Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, the final Sunday of the church year.

We celebrate that Jesus is the King of kings, Lord of lords, and how God’s reign is eternal.

We also know that we live between the Alpha (beginning) and the Omega (end) and in this in-between time things are not always as God would intend.

We know God’s reign will bring an end to evil, injustice, sin, and death while we also acknowledge things are not yet there.

Join us Sunday as we celebrate the reign of Christ and live into the hope we have in the one who is, was, and is to come.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him,

“Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”

Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings?

Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

Mark 13:1–2

The Temple in Jerusalem was the most sacred place for the Jewish people.

It was a place of worship, reverence, and pride.

When Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple it would have provoked a big reaction, both among the disciples and his adversaries.

His prophesy is more than a prediction but a theological reframing of God’s presence in the world.

Join us Sunday for more!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.

Mark 12:44

The story of the widow’s “mite” (a very small denomination of money) is a story of faith in God’s provisions.

Jesus is at the Temple watching people make financial gifts, with some wealthy people giving large sums.

Jesus sees the widow place two small copper coins in the collection and he sees her great faith.

She gave all that she had, trusting God would provide for her needs.

Jesus too gave all he had for our sakes, an act of generous love and sacrifice.

Join us Sunday as we consider God’s abundance and our invitation to live in response.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.

John 11:32–33

On Sunday we will remember all the saints who gone to heaven before us, particularly those who have died in the past year.

As we remember these beloved children of God, we are grounded in God’s promise of eternal life and reminded of God’s presence in our struggles.

The gospel text features the interaction that Mary and Martha have with Jesus after their brother Lazarus has died.

Jesus is deeply moved by their grief and begins to weep.

Jesus shows God’s heart for the hurting and reminds us we never walk alone.

Join us Sunday as we remember our loved ones.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 8:31–32

On Sunday we will celebrate and remember the Reformation.

One of Martin Luther’s great contributions to the church was a renewed emphasis on studying scripture.

Jesus tells would be followers to “continue in my word” to understand the truth about God and life.

This same invitation is given to us, to study, learn, and live out the Word of God.

Join us Sunday as we highlight the importance of the Word for the church and our world today.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Message delivered by Pastor Nate Winterhof.