Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;

to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.

Then he went away.

Matthew 25:14–15

Parables are back by popular demand!

This Sunday we return to another parable by Jesus, often called “the parable of the talents.”

This passage continues to probe what faithfulness looks like as we await the triumphant return of Christ.

More specifically, it discusses how we use the gifts we have been given.

Do we share what we have or keep it to ourselves?

Are we prepared to meet the Lord at anytime?

Join us Sunday as we delight in God’s Word.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Matthew 23:12

Life has a way of keeping us humble.

It seems there is always something that needs to be addressed or improved in life.

When we get a big head and think we have things figured out, is when we are most vulnerable.

It was no different in Jesus’ ministry and teaching.

His ongoing tension with the religious leaders demonstrated how unwilling those in power were,

with humility, to consider different ways God might be working in the world.

Join us Sunday as we look into these tensions and how they are working in our lives.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:3–5

All Saints Sunday offers us a time to remember and give thanks for the blessed saints and celebrate their heavenly reunion with the Lord.

The Beattitudes of Jesus cast a vision of the Kingdom of God.

Where those who are poor, mourning, meek, hungry, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted will all be called blessed by God.

This word of blessing is a reversal of earthly fortune and a declaration of God’s intent.

Join us Sunday as we celebrate the saints and remember God’s promise.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

But their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.

Psalm 1:2

We will celebrate Reformation Day on Sunday, remembering the history and theology of the Lutheran Church.

One of the key contributions of Luther was his renewed focus on biblical literacy.

He understood God’s Word spoke of God’s promises, God’s power, and offered a guide for living.

Join us Sunday as celebrate God’s Word and seek inspiration anew.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Tell us, then, what you think.

Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?

Matthew 22:17

This was a trick question.

The Pharisees and others were seeking to discredit the teaching and authority of Jesus and worked up this question about taxes.

If Jesus says “yes” it could imply that loyalty to the Emperor rivals loyalty to God.

If he says “no” then he can be branded as an anti-Roman insurrectionist.

Jesus, in typical form, offers his own question as a retort.

In doing so, he brings forward the question for people of faith: what obligation do I have to the government?

Is being faithful to God synonymous with being a patriot?

What about laws and policies that go against Jesus’ teachings?

Join us Sunday as we dig into Jesus’ response and consider the role of faith in our civil life.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying:

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.

He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.”

Matthew 22:1–3

We continue in the season of parables from Jesus on Sunday.

This parable, which Jesus uses to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of heaven, involves a king throwing a wedding banquet for his son.

The metaphor of the wedding banquet was often connected with the heavenly image of salvation.

God throws a great dinner for all to enjoy, but what if people do not want to attend?

God continues to invite us and there is spot reserved just for you!

Join us Sunday as we consider God’s invitation to us.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?”

Matthew 21:42

On Sunday, we will hear a parable from Jesus which seems to predict his rejection by the religious leaders and the people.

He tells the story of the landowner who leases out his fields to workers and at harvest time, sends his servants to collect his portion.

The fieldworkers reject, beat, and kill the servants.

Jesus’ message is that what humans reject, God will build upon.

God can take rejection and build a kingdom, bring hope to despair, and healing to brokenness.

Through Christ we have the promise of life and we are called to bear the fruit of righteousness.

Join us Sunday!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said, “The first.”

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

Matthew 21:31

In our gospel for Sunday, Jesus offers a parable of two sons whose father asks them to go into the vineyard.

The first says “no” but then does go, while the second says “yes” but does not go.

Jesus then asks, which did the will of his father?

Here Jesus makes the important distinction between knowing the will of God and doing the will of God.

Faith lived out in action is where we demonstrate God’s love, following the example of Jesus himself.

Join us Sunday as consider our intentions and our actions.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?

Or are you envious because I am generous?

Matthew 20:14–15

Sunday’s gospel features another parable from Jesus.

This time, Jesus tells the story of landowner who hires laborers to work in the field.

He goes out several times to hire workers, assuring each of them they will paid “the usual daily wage.”

At the end of the day, the owner pays them in reverse order and gives equal pay to all.

The early workers who were in the field all day grumble against the owner when those who only worked one hour get the same pay.

The parable brings to mind questions of equality, fairness, and grace.

Join us Sunday as we consider God’s actions towards us and our’s toward one another.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.