Sermons | Living Hope and Christ the King ELCA Lutheran Churches

God tells Abram to go without giving him a destination. God calls young Jeremiah before he feels ready. Nicodemus risks his reputation to ask honest questions. In each of today’s story, bravery isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the One who calls.

Today’s sermon kicks off this year’s Lutheran Schools Week theme of “Brave” by exploring how God equips the called, walks with us into the unknown, and gives us courage to follow. Do not be afraid, for God is with you. Be brave.

This week's Scripture readings are Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Jeremiah 1:1-8, and John 3:1-17. Read the text of this message at https://danielflucke.com/brave. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

On this first Sunday of Lent, as we begin our 40-day journey to the cross, we hear about Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Following his baptism, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus to the wilderness where he faces temptations challenging his identity. 

A sermon reflecting on how temptation works, where we look for our worth, and the powerful promise spoken over us in baptism: you are God’s beloved. Be reminded of who you are—and whose you are.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Welcome to Ash Wednesday! Too often the church's message (especially on days like Ash Wednesday) can come across as bad news and condemnation. Sin is real, and we are called to repent. But there is good news too: Jesus offers forgiveness for our sin. A sermon on law, gospel, and the classic children's story, "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly."

Today's Scripture readings are Romans 7:15-25a, Psalm 51:1-17, and John 8:31–36. Due to the livestream not working, this week's Scripture and sermon have been re-recorded. Read the text of this Ash Wednesday sermon at https://danielflucke.com/ash-wednesday-2026/

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Transitioning from the season of Epiphany to Lent, this week we hear the story of Jesus' transfiguration. In this mountaintop moment, the disciples glimpse Jesus' true glory, a vision which will shape how the disciples will understand the events to come as Jesus is arrested, killed, and resurrected. These stories continue to shape how we encounter the world as people of faith. As Richard Lischer writes, "You can live a long time off a vision."

The Scripture readings for this third Sunday after the Epiphany are 2 Peter 1:16-21; Psalm 2:1-8, and Matthew 17:1-9. This sermon draws on Richard Lischer's article "Seeing with Clarity" in The Christian Century. The full sermon text and citations are posted here: https://danielflucke.com/transfiguration-vision/

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Welcome to worship! Today’s message is a little different than normal. Rather than sharing a full sermon on a few verses of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, today’s message includes a brief introduction from Pastor Daniel, then the full text of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. Included in this podcast is also an extended welcome to the communion table and the post-communion blessing, both reflecting on Jesus’ words. 

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In his “Project Kingdom of Heaven,” Jesus rejects the world's standard of "might makes right." Instead, he calls us as his followers to participate in God's work of transforming this world ruled by violent, armed force into a world ruled by the power of gracious love.

Thank you to Rev. Wendy Wirth-Brock for leading worship and sharing the message this Sunday while Pastor Daniel is at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza event in St. Louis.

The Scripture readings for this fourth Sunday after the Epiphany are Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, and Matthew 5:1-12. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

On this annual meeting Sunday, we hear Paul make a passionate plea for the church to be united in Christ, knit together in the same mind and the same purpose. Yes, church annual meetings are bureaucratic procedures, but on another level, they offer an opportunity to practice living out this call for unity.

Today's sermon is also a reminder that unity does not mean conformity, but rather working towards the same goal with the same purpose. Our unity is found in our identity as the body of Christ, and when one part of the body is wounded, the whole body hurts.

The Scripture readings for this third Sunday after the Epiphany are Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; and Matthew 4:12-23.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

As both Christ the King and Living Hope prepare to hold annual congregational meetings next Sunday, today's reading from Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth offers encouragement and a powerful reminder that we're not doing this on our own. In his greeting to the Corinthians, Paul reminds his readers (and us!) that God has given everything needed for the church to carry out its (our!) mission. Our strength as a church and as Christians in daily life comes from God, and God is faithful. 

Today's Scripture readings for this second Sunday after the Epiphany are 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Psalm 40:1-8, and John 1:29-42.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

For us as Christians, baptism is a means of grace, a gift from God offering forgiveness of sin and a welcome into God's family. But if baptism is for forgiveness, why does Jesus need it? Today's sermon from Pastor Daniel Flucke for Baptism of Our Lord Sunday explores baptism as identity. Jesus comes to identify with us—not to receive forgiveness, but to stand with humanity, offering grace. In a divided and overwhelming world, baptism reminds us who we are and whose we are.

Today's Scripture readings are Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29, and Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:13-17.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Epiphany reminds us that God's light shines in the whole world. Reflecting on the Magi, King Herod, and the weekend's news of US intervention in Venezuela, this week's sermon from Pastor Daniel Flucke reminds us that there is no “them” in God’s kingdom—only a world deeply loved by God. As Christians, we are always called to pray for peace.

Today's Scripture readings are Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, and Matthew 2:1-12. The text of the sermon is available here: https://danielflucke.com/venezuela-peace-sermon/

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.