It would not seem suffering should have been part of God’s original design for our world, but sin brought brokenness into our daily lives. While the world constantly tries to either fix or run away from hardship, the cross offers a radically different perspective. In John 12, Jesus willingly steps into His darkest hour to glorify the Father and save us. Through Holy Baptism, we are linked directly to Jesus: He deeply understands our heartache, promises ultimate victory over death, and stays by our side through every trial.

As a community of believers, we aren't meant to walk through difficult seasons alone. God shapes our lives together, calling us to be both compassionate caregivers to those who are hurting and humble care-receivers when we are the ones in need. Join us as we look to the cross to find comfort, practical community, and lasting hope in the middle of life's struggles.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: Pastor Jonathan Lange and Pastor Bill Engfehr

#sermon #gospel #cross #suffering #faith #Jesus #John12 #baptism #ChristianHope #BillEngfehr

Being called a "watchman" might sound like a heavy title, but at its heart, it is all about love, care, and community. In Ezekiel 33:7-9, God places the prophet on the wall to warn the people of spiritual danger and call them back into a loving relationship with their Creator. God doesn't issue warnings to condemn, but out of a deep desire to save. As a church family, we are invited to look out for one another, speaking God's truth with gentle grace so that lives are transformed and brought home to Him.

We don't have to carry this responsibility in our own strength or fear our own shortcomings. We look to Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled the role of the Watchman for us, took the penalty for our sins on the cross, and offers free forgiveness to all who turn to Him. Whether you're looking for a fresh start, seeking community, or wanting to learn how to better love your neighbors, come as you are to hear how God's grace holds us secure.

Liturgist and Preacher: Dr. George Gude; Reader: Nic Schatte and Dr. George Gude

#sermon #gospel #watchman #repentance #consequences #Ezekiel33 #GeorgeGude

Have you ever felt like two different natures are fighting for control of your life? The apostle Paul describes this daily reality for believers: we are simultaneously righteous saints in God's eyes and sinners struggling against our human nature—a concept Martin Luther called Simul Justus Et Peccator. We see this clearly in Matthew 16, where Peter moves in a single moment from declaring Jesus as the Son of God to rebuking Him for talking about His upcoming suffering and death. Like Peter, our default setting often wants "our way" instead of God's way, preferring comfort and success over the messiness of taking up our cross.

The good news is that God doesn't abandon us in the battle. Through our baptism and faith in Jesus, we are fully forgiven, declared righteous, and given brand-new life in Him. While bearing our daily crosses and surrendering our self-centered desires isn't easy, staying connected to Christ and our church family gives us the strength, encouragement, and accountability we need. Come as you are this week as we learn how to lay down our own plans, rest in Jesus' finished work on the cross, and walk together in His grace.

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: David Moldenhauer and Rev. Tony Boos

#sermon #gospel #TheSinnerSaintLife #SimulJustusEtPeccator #SinnerAndSaint #TakeUpYourCross #GodsWayVsMyWay #DenyingSelf #righteous #JustificationAndGrace #Matthew16 #TonyBoos

In a world full of shifting opinions, Jesus cuts through the noise and asks His followers a deeply personal question: "Who do you say I am?" Peter’s bold declaration—"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"—isn't just a great answer; it is the Father-revealed truth that unlocks eternal life. Jesus builds His Church on this rock-solid confession, promising that even the powers of darkness cannot overcome it. Entry into the Kingdom of Heaven doesn't depend on our performance, background, or righteousness, but entirely on the grace of God received through faith in Christ.

This week, we take a closer look at what standing on this confession means for our everyday lives, our families, and our community. Through Jesus, believers receive the incredible privilege of sharing real, tangible forgiveness and hope with a broken world. Whether you are exploring faith for the first time, looking for a welcoming community for your family, or wanting to deepen your walk with God, come as you are and discover the peace that comes from knowing the Savior who holds the keys to life.

Liturgist and Preacher: Dr. George Gude; Reader: Dr. George Gude

#sermon #gospel #JesusIsTheChrist #OnlyOneWayIn #FaithAlone #KingdomOfHeaven #PetersConfession #RockOfSalvation #SalvationInJesus #Matthew16 #GeorgeGude

When a Canaanite woman comes to Jesus, He appears to turn her away. His disciples want her to leave. His own words could have easily pushed her away. Instead, she accepts this trial as an opportunity to double down, showing the sincerity of her faith in Jesus. She doesn’t turn away. She turns toward him. Bowing down in worship, she pleads with him to answer her prayer. Jesus response shows the result of her faith and His mercy:

“‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15:28, ESV)

May God give us the same strength of faith when we face trials in our own life. Lord, help us to see our trials as an opportunity to grow in our faith in You. Amen!

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Jonathan Lange; Reader: Joe Rathert and Pastor Jonathan Lange

#sermon #gospel #Faith #Canaanite #woman #demon #trial #worship #prayer #Matthew15 #JonathanLange

In Matthew 14, we encounter Peter stepping out of the boat onto the stormy sea to walk toward Jesus. Like Peter, we often begin our journey with bold faith, only to become overwhelmed when the winds and waves of life’s trials crash around us. When we fixate on the size of our problems rather than the power of our Savior, fear takes over, and we begin to sink under the weight of our circumstances.

Yet, Peter’s story does not end in the depths of the sea—and neither does ours. At the exact moment Peter cries out in helplessness, Jesus reaches down, grabs his hand, and saves him. True faith isn't about our ability to perform miracles or stand strong on our own merit; it is about confessing our total dependence on the God who holds authority over every storm.

When you look back on the hardships you have endured with the help of the Lord, you may realize you have already walked on water through His grace. As you listen to today's message, be encouraged that Christ’s hand is never too short to save. In your moment of deepest fear, He is right there to pull you up and demonstrate His real power to rescue.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: Joe Rathert and Pastor Bill Engfehr

#sermon #gospel #faith #strength #unafraid #TrustingGod #JesusRescues #OvercomingFear #GodsGrace #PeterOnTheWater #DependenceOnGod #TrialsAndStorms #Matthew14 #BillEngfehr

A Christian’s hope is not wishful thinking, pipe dreams or momentary goals. Hope in Jesus is certain and sure.

Christian hope is when God has promised that something is going to happen and you put your trust in that promise. What greater promise do we have than God gathering all those who believed in His Son Jesus to live with Him in his new heaven and new earth as their permanent, eternal residence?! That’s the sure hope we have! The new heaven and new earth will 1) be where God will dwell WITH His people eternally, it will be 2) perfect, lack sin, complete and 3) it will be a blessed reunion. Let’s be excited for that as we live our brief lives here on earth.

The past 3 Sundays, we covered Hope for the Churches, Hope through battles and now Hope for Heaven! I pray that Revelation will become a book not of fear, but of hope for you!

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: William Ellington and Rev. Tony Boos

#sermon #gospel #NewHeaven #NewEarth #victory #sin #death #crying #NoMore #amillennialism #eschatology #ApocalypticLiterature #EndTimes #ChristianHope #GodDwellingWithUs #HeavenlyReunion #restoration #NewCreation #EternalLife #RevelationSeries #TonyBoos #Revelation21

In Part 1 of our Revelation series, we saw how Jesus spoke words of comfort and hope to the seven churches in Asia. This week, in Part 2, Pastor Tony Boos takes us into Revelation 12 to tackle the unseen, spiritual war raging around us—and the ultimate victory that is already ours in Christ.

While life on earth often feels like an uphill battle against temptation, suffering, and doubt, Scripture assures us that Satan is a defeated enemy whose head was crushed at the cross. We are not fighting for victory, but from the victory Jesus won through His death and resurrection. Tune in to find renewed strength and well-grounded hope for whatever personal battles you are facing today.

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: Larry Frey and Rev. Tony Boos

#sermon #gospel #battles #fear #victory #salvation #BookOfRevelation #HopeInBattle #SpiritualWarfare #UltimateVictory #VictoryInChrist #overcoming #GospelHope #SpiritualBattle #FaithOverFear #Revelation12 #TonyBoos

Revelation is often a book of the Bible we hesitate to open. Because it is filled with vivid imagery and symbolic language, it can make us feel uncomfortable or focused entirely on the end of the world. In the three-year lectionary cycle, we rarely hear sermons from it. But did you know that Revelation is actually a book entirely saturated with hope?

In this sermon, we kick off a 3-week series looking at Revelation through the eyes of its original first-century audience. When we exchange our worldly "wishful thinking" for true Biblical hope, we find an anchor for the soul that is firm and secure.

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: William Ellington and Rev. Tony Boos

#sermon #gospel #reveal #overcome #promise #hope #BookOfRevelation #TheExaltedChrist #SevenChurchesOfAsia #OvercomingBiblicalProphecy #repentance #Revelation1 #Revelation2 #Revelation3 #TonyBoos

In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), Jesus uses a simple, relatable agricultural analogy to deliver a profound truth about the human heart and the power of the Gospel. As the divine Sower abundantly scatters His Word, it encounters four distinct types of soil—representing everything from the hardened path of misunderstanding to the rocky ground of shallow roots and the thorn-choked anxieties of worldly life. For Lutherans, this parable serves as a powerful reminder that we do not cultivate our own hearts; rather, it is the Holy Spirit who breaks up the hard ground of our lives, rooting us firmly in Christ so that we may receive the Word with true faith.

From this message, you will gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual obstacles that can hinder your faith and how the distractions of the world threaten to choke out God's truth. Discover what it truly means to be "good soil"—a heart opened and nurtured by God's grace—and how He promises to abundantly multiply the fruit of a life lived in faith. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by the cares of this world or are seeking a deeper root system for your spiritual walk, this sermon offers Gospel comfort and practical encouragement for your daily Christian life.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: Nic Schatte and Pastor Bill Engfehr

#sermon #gospel #seed #soil #GodsWord #ParableOfTheSower #Matthew13 #BillEngfehr