Serve

Acts

9:36-43

Before

the book of Acts begins to focus on the ministry of Paul, Luke

outlines Peter's ministry among the Jews of Judea, and in particular,

his part in the gospel's move toward the Gentiles in the conversion

of Cornelius in chapter 10. Our passage today records two significant

healings by Peter, both authenticating his gospel ministry, and by

implication, authenticating the baptism of Cornelius.

Scripture

reading by Pat Korth

Sermon

by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded

April 17, 2016

New

Berlin, Wisconsin, USA

DifferentKinds of Love

John21:1-19

Chapter21 tells how Jesus prepares Peter to be the leader of the church.Perhaps Peter needed special encouragement after his denial—he mayhave felt completely worthless. Verses 1-14 set the scene for Jesus’conversation with Peter. Only John (“the disciple Jesus loved”)recognized Jesus in the dim morning light, undoubtedly because Jesushad performed a similar miracle earlier in the fifth chapter of Luke

Thelast supper with Jesus turns out not to be their last meal. Now theyget to have their first breakfast with their risen Savior and friend.It’s a new day in God’s Kingdom!

Scripturereading by Zach Buchmann

Sermonby Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded April 10, 2016

NewBerlin, Wisconsin, USA

Looking

for Him

John

20:19-31

All

the gospels, other than Mark, recount Jesus' resurrection

appearances. John's resurrection stories are particular to his

gospel, but still fit with the accounts of the other gospel

writers. John, in the passage before us, records two resurrection

appearances, both in a locked room: The first with ten disciples,

Judas and Thomas not being present; The second, a week later, with

Thomas present.

Thomas

believed by seeing; blessed are those who believe without seeing.

Jesus may be pronouncing a special blessing on those who do better

than Thomas, but probably not. Nor is he rebuking Thomas. All who

follow will have to believe without seeing, and blessed are they

when they do.

Scripture

reading by Pat Mehring

Sermon

by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded

April 3, 2016

New

Berlin, Wisconsin, USA

Easter

Happens

John

20:1-18

In

chapter 20 of John's gospel, the story of the resurrection is covered

in the account of : the empty tomb in verses 1-10, the appearances to

Mary in verses11-18, the ten disciples in the upper room in verses

19-23, and "doubting” Thomas in verses 24-29. The story

of the empty tomb is reported by all the evangelists, although John's

account is quite different to the three synoptic gospels. Yet,

although the telling of the story is different, the details remain

the same.

Scripture

reading by Chuck Garrigues

Sermon

by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded

March 27, 2016

New

Berlin, Wisconsin, USA

He

Did It

Luke

19:28-40

This

was Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem. He was about 2 miles out of

town so he sent 2 disciples ahead to pickup a colt from an

acquaintance living nearby. Jesus then set off, riding toward

Jerusalem. The disciples couldn't contain themselves. They started

shouting out at the top of their voices. "Here comes our king,

blessed is he in the name of the Lord." The religious officials

were not happy. It broke with tradition and the Roman authorities

could interpret this as insurrection. No matter. The procession had

started and nothing was going to stop the truth from riding into

town. Jesus himself was overwhelmed and wept. Here was this beautiful

city, so special in the sight of God and soon it would be destroyed.

And

this is why Jesus goes on to say in verse 44

:  They

will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and

they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you

did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

Scripture

reading by Pat Korth

Sermon

by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded

March 20, 2016

New

Berlin, Wisconsin, USA

Here’s the RubJohn 12:1-8

It was the Saturday before Palm Sunday and there was a supper in Jesus’ honor. Martha was fusing over the guests and what was to be served. After the supper Mary anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, drying them with her hair. Judas, claiming to be concerned for the poor, protested at the extravagance. Judas was really more concerned about lining his own pockets. Jesus defended Mary, pointing out that she had anticipated his death with inspired devotion.

Scripture reading by Laura Beltrame

Sermon by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded March 13, 2016

New Berlin, Wisconsin

Babette’s FeastJoshua5:9-12

This joyous Passover in Joshua 5 was the first to be celebrated in the Promised Land and only the third celebrated by Israel since the Exodus from Egypt. The last time was at the foot of Mount Sinai, 39years earlier. This celebration reminded Israel of God’s mighty miracles that brought them out of Egypt. There they had to eat in fear and haste; here they ate in celebration of God’s blessings and promises. 

Scripture reading by Brenda Merschdorf

Sermon by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded March 6, 2016

New Berlin, Wisconsin

Repent

Luke 13:1-9

The message of this passage is "repent or perish". In the face of the coming kingdom, Jesus calls for repentance. We will all die, but the horrible death of the Galileans who rebelled against Roman rule, or the eighteen who were crushed by the collapse of the tower of Siloam, well illustrate the horror that faces us in the day of judgment if we fail to repent. The bottom line is this, unless we repent, we perish. The Lord may delay his judgment as he waits for the fruit of repentance, he may give the fig tree another year, but in the end, where there is no repentance there will be judgement.

Scripture reading by Lynda McDowell

Sermon by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded 2/28/16

New Berlin, Wisconsin, USA

The first part of Paul's letter to the Ephesians takes the form of a prayer which is interrupted by our passage for study. In this passage Paul reminds his readers that God has revealed his "mystery" to him and has given him the task of administering it. God, in his kindness, bypassed the apostles and gave Paul, the persecutor, the task of revealing the mystery of God's grace to the Gentiles.

Scripture reading by Debbie Huyck

Sermon by Pastor Keith Aurand

Recorded January 3, 2016

New Berlin, Wisconsin