Pastor Scamman

A substantial portion of this sermon is drawn from the faithful preaching of Pastor Rolf Preus.

St. Mark tells us that John “was proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” ( Mk 1:4 ). When we use the word “baptize” today, it’s always in the context of a religious ceremony. Baptism has become a very special word for a specific Christian ritual. Not so in John’s day. To baptize…

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him, but the Holy Spirit has called my by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” These words from Luther’s Small Catechism are a perfect summary of the theme…

When eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb ( Lk 2:21 ). The circumcision of our Lord occurred, as was prescribed in God’s covenant with Abraham, when He was eight days old. We celebrate this…

There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings…

The Christian Church on earth lives perpetually within the season of Advent, awaiting the coming of our Lord Jesus. This is what it means for you to be a Christian. You are not a Christian because you are holier than unbelievers. You might be, but that’s not what makes you a Christian. You are not a…

John the Baptist is the spokesman for the season of Advent. This is historically true. John was sent to prepare the way of our Lord Jesus. It is also liturgically true. John the Baptist appears in eleven of the thirteen gospel texts appointed for the season of Advent. Therefore, just as the people of…

This sermon draws much from the faithful preaching of Pastor Rolf Preus.

On November 1stthe Church celebrates All Saints Day. This is such an important and holy day that when it falls during the week, we move its observance to the following Sunday. And as with Christmas Eve, we begin the holy observance the night before on what was called All Saints’ Eve, or Holy Eve, or…

We just finished singing Martin Luther’s most famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. During communion we will sing another of Luther’s hymns, also very appropriate for Reformation Day: Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word. In this hymn we ask God, “Curb those who by deceit or sword would wrest the…