St James Lutheran Church: Sermons and Worship

This midweek Advent service centers on the powerful message of comfort found in Isaiah 40:1-3. Like the Israelites, we often find ourselves needing true, lasting comfort amidst a world that clearly demonstrates the consequences of sin. The first half of Isaiah delivers a strong reminder of this reality, a message just as necessary for us today as it was for God’s ancient people. We recognize our need for redemption and solace in the face of our failings and the brokenness around us.

Yet, immediately following this message of warning, Isaiah pivots to the glorious proclamation: "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. This is the Advent message—a divine gift of comfort and joy from our heavenly Father. This comfort isn't fleeting or worldly; it is secured entirely by God's saving love and is delivered to us through the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose coming we anticipate at Christmas. This incredible gift of reconciliation and peace is received through faith.

As we receive and are filled with this profound comfort—the knowledge that God has redeemed us through His love—it naturally leads us to rejoice. Our Advent worship becomes an act of joyful preparation, anticipating the arrival of the One who makes the broken paths straight and brings true peace to a weary soul. Join us as we reflect on this message and allow the certainty of God's love to transform our need for comfort into genuine, lasting joy.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #advent #sin #comfort #God'slove #hope #peace #redemption #Isaiah40 #BillEngfehr

Do you remember when God created a garden, a paradise for Adam and Eve to live in peace, comfort, joy, with nothing to worry about or fear? Then sin enters the world through our first parents and what happens? They are banished from that place and put out into the wilderness. Today, in so many ways, we are in a wilderness where there is death and dying. But, God through the prophet Isaiah promises to come, to restore, to redeem those who believe in His promises. And He promises to let us live in a new paradise, a new garden. Praise God!

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: Nic Schatte

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #advent #wilderness #death #promises #restoration #comfort #weak #feeble #joy #peace #wildernessandgarden #messianicpromise #blindsee #deafhear #lameleap #resurrectionhope #ransomedoftheLord #Isaiah35 #TonyBoos

In Malachi 4:1–2, God speaks to people whose hearts have grown heavy under the weight of sin, fear, and waiting. This week’s sermon reminds us that Malachi’s message is ultimately a cry we still echo today: “Stir up our hearts, O Lord.” The prophet points forward to a day when healing, joy, and righteousness will rise like the sun—God’s promise that darkness will not have the last word.

In the coming of Christ, that promise becomes reality. We live as people who have seen both the Sun of Righteousness and the Son of God. Because of His love revealed at Christmas, we leap for joy, confident that Christ lightens our burdens and renews our hearts with His grace.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #advent #joy #God'slove #stirupourhearts #renewaloftheheart #joyinChrist #burdenslifted #righteousness #prophecy #Malachi4 #BillEngfehr

We often see the Pharisees as the bad guys of the Bible. In fact I've often said thank God I'm not like the Pharisees. However, isn't that statement itself something a Pharisee would say? We'll explore what we all have in common with the Pharisees, what can be done about that and finally what hope there is for Pharisees (and us).

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: William Ellington

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #advent #Pharisee #repentance #JohntheBaptist #JohnLukomski #Matthew3

The message, rooted in Isaiah 2:1-5, explores the powerful image of God building His house and drawing the nations to Himself, a theme beautifully set against the modern parallel of the movie Field of Dreams. Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ's birth that God would establish the "mountain of the house of the LORD" as the highest of mountains, a beacon to which "all the nations shall flow." This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment not just in the ancient Temple, but in Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate. He is the one who has come, and through Him, the Church—God's true house—is being built, drawing in the Gentiles (the "peoples") from all corners of the earth to learn God's ways and walk in His paths.

Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: Nic Schatte

#sermon #gospel #timeofChristmas #advent #prophecy #build #mountain #house #secondcoming #FieldofDreams #waiting #Isaiah2 #TonyBoos

This week we observe our National Day of Thanksgiving, a tradition that formally traces its roots to President Abraham Lincoln's proclamation 159 years ago, yet reflects a biblical practice as old as the church itself. While we rightly recall the historical context of the American pilgrims, our focus is anchored in Deuteronomy 8:10: "And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you." This passage serves as a divine call to gratitude for the ancient pilgrims of Israel, reminding us that being called to give thanks is the proper response after receiving God's blessings.

As we gather, we join both the historical and spiritual tradition of acknowledging the plenitude of God's blessings—not only the physical food and bounty we enjoy but the spiritual gifts received through Christ. This sermon is a reminder that the Lord has given us not only temporal blessings but the ultimate gift of salvation. Therefore, the giving of thanks is always a response to God's generous hand, whether in moments of great abundance or during hardship.

Ultimately, our observance this week is a powerful call to move beyond a singular National Day of Thanksgiving to a life of Thanksliving. May our praise for all His blessings become a perpetual attitude that colors our every day, acknowledging God's constant faithfulness in every aspect of our lives.

Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr

#sermon #gospel #timeofthechurch #Thanksgiving #blessings #gratitude #givingthanks #pilgrims #Deuteronomy8 #Philippians4 #Luke17 #PastorBillEngfehr

Let's delve into the significance of Judgment Day as revealed through the events of Christ's crucifixion, focusing on the text from Luke 23:32-43. As Jesus approached the end of His earthly ministry, His teachings often centered on the world's end and the final judgment. We begin with an explanation of what Judgment Day means for every believer and unbeliever, recognizing the profound importance of God's perfect justice.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Michael P Walther; Reader: Joe Rathert

#sermon #gospel #timeofthechurch #judgmentday #justice #salvation #Luke23 #PastorMichaelWalther

When we look at the world today, it is easy to focus on global upheaval, conflict, and disaster. But what is our faith perspective on these difficult events? In this week's message on Luke 21:10-15, Jesus’ answer to His disciples' question about the end of the world is less about predicting dates and more about redefining our purpose. Jesus teaches us that the very turmoil and opposition we face will serve as our opportunity to bear witness to His saving grace.

This powerful charge—to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world—is not a specialized task reserved for a few, but the mission of every disciple. Just as the first apostles were commanded to witness, so too are we called to make the proclamation of the Gospel our highest priority. Join us, for an opportunity to understand, how the chaos of the world becomes a unique stage for Christian witness, and be encouraged to step forward and share the hope that is within you.

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

#sermon #gospel #timeofthechurch #endtimes #witness #secondcomingofchrist #eschatology #witnessingforJesus #persecution #signsoftheend #PastorBillEngfehr #Luke21

We are reminded of the pivotal moment in Exodus 3:1-15, where Moses encounters God at the burning bush. Confronted with a divine call to lead the Israelites out of slavery, Moses responds with a profound question that echoes in our own lives: “Who am I?”

Just like Moses, we often face moments of self-doubt, asking, "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?" when called to God's service. Moses, a fugitive who had fled Egypt after committing murder, felt utterly unqualified to confront Pharaoh. The sermon emphasizes that God, however, does not directly answer Moses' question of identity. Instead, He reveals something far more profound: His own identity and faithfulness.

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

#sermon #gospel #timeofthechurch #Yahweh #yhwh #divinename #burningbush #Moses #vocation #thecallofMoses #identityinChrist #redeemedchildofGod #God'spresence #God'spromise #selfdoubt #whoamI #whyamIhere #Jesussaves #Pharaoh #sacrament #baptism #Exodus3

What does it mean to glorify the name of Jesus? In this message from 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12, we see that Christ’s name is glorified when His people live in faith and obedience to His saving work. The Apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonians—and us—that glorifying Jesus means more than praise with our lips.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Michael P Walther; Reader: William Ellington

#sermon #gospel #timeofthechurch #glory #glorify #Jesus #faith #persecution #doinggood #idolatry #conversion #endurance #2Thessalonians1