Sermon Text: Matthew 2:12-23

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,
    weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
    and refusing to be comforted,
    because they are no more.”

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Sermon Text: Isaiah 7:10-14

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

PBC = People's Bible Commentary Series

In this episode, Pastor Gunnar Ledermann and Pastor Titus Buelow start the short book of 3 John that is but one chapter! This letter is addressed to a certain Gaius, encouraging him to stand firm with faithful leaders who hold to the truth, and to stand apart from poor leaders who let go of truth for selfish pride. This letter is ripe with applications for current ministry settings so listen in and take these wise words from "the elder" to heart!

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Pastor Gunnar Ledermann & Pastor Titus Buelow continue their journey of reading the People's Bible Commentaries chapter by chapter, book by book. As they read each section of commentary, they give their personal reflections and comments for you to ruminate on and use as a springboard for your own personal study and growth as a child of God. May this be a blessing to you as you Bible Study. Godspeed!

You can find the People's Bible Commentaries here for purchase or download: https://online.nph.net/books/nph-series/the-peoples-bible

SBS = Sunday Bible Study

Living My Life as a Christian

Lesson 8: Encouraging One Another

Lesson Handout: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U6QniBSu15fGjsIrbyD-iYelcH2Ik7Xa?usp=sharing

Lesson Homework:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-FumPADfsQjOHQ_7uAkWFDesnf7dSFf2?usp=sharing

This Sermon's Focus:

It is easy for us to let circumstances around us dictate whether we believe God's will is being accomplished, or if good will really prevail. However, we must be careful that our sights are not set too low. Yes, there is so much hurt and harm happening in our world, but that does not mean God is "winning" on a much grander scale.

The same is true when we try to deduce God's plan. John the Baptist had sent his disciples to find out from Jesus if he was truly the Messiah. Things didn't look good on the ground level at first glance from a prison cell. However, big things were happening that were setting in motion even bigger things. The lame were walking. The blind were seeing. The deaf were hearing. Even the dead were rising. And good news was being proclaimed to the poor. This was it... the fulfillment of God's promise to send the Messiah to save us from our sins, this world and its worries, and our eventual death and condemnation. Yes, Jesus was the Messiah and he was changing the world forever.

This Sermon's Text: Matthew 11:2-11

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

This Service's Focus:

A very warm welcome to all our families, especially those who are visiting today or joining us for the first time. We’re grateful you’re here—your presence is a gift. Today is especially joyful because our youngest children from our Early Learning Center will be helping lead us in worship. Their voices and excitement remind us of the simple, wonder-filled faith Jesus Himself commends to us.

As we begin this service, you’ll notice the Advent wreath here at the front. Christians have used the Advent wreath for generations—its roots go back to early European believers who used evergreen branches and candles in the dark winter months as a way to point toward hope and the coming light of Christ. Over time, the Church adopted the wreath as a teaching tool: a circle to remind us of God’s unending love, evergreens to symbolize the life He gives, and candles lit week by week to mark our journey toward the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

We still use the Advent wreath today because it helps us slow down in a season that can so easily rush past. Each candle reminds us of the promises God made and fulfilled in His Son, and it invites us to prepare our hearts—not just for Christmas traditions, but for Christ Himself. My prayer is that whether you’ve been in church your whole life, or today is your first time in a long time, you’ll see in this simple wreath the heartbeat of Christmas: that God loves you so much He stepped into our world as a child, Jesus, to save and restore us.

So welcome—may this service help all of us, young and old, look forward with hope and joy to the coming of our Savior. Let’s begin in His name.

Our Sermon Text: Luke 2:10-14

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

This Sermon's Focus:

All of us struggle with anxiety, sadness, and despair. Some of us struggle with them chronically and have been diagnosed with severe levels of them. What does God have to say to us? Can he help? Are we going to be okay?

These are hard and very good questions to ask. In this text, Paul gives us answers that at first sound very insensitive and too hard to grasp, but as we dig in, we will hear them from a man who understands and is showing us a path forward with the Lord.

The Lord is near and he will see us through these storms too. Listen in!

This Sermon's Text: Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.#anxiety #depression #mentalhealth #struggle #faith #hope #gentleness #life

SBS = Sunday Bible Study

Living My Life as a Christian

Lesson 7: Living as a Christian Man or Woman

Lesson Handout: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U6QniBSu15fGjsIrbyD-iYelcH2Ik7Xa?usp=sharing

Lesson Homework:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-FumPADfsQjOHQ_7uAkWFDesnf7dSFf2?usp=sharing

This Sermon's Focus:

David is overcome by God's additional promises to him and his family when he had wanted to give a temple to God! But isn't this how God deals with all of us? He has already showered many blessings on us, but instead of asking us to give him payment or gifts in return, God instead promises more. This is a great reason to give thanks this Thanksgiving and always: We have a God who loves us and blesses us even though we don't deserve it. How could we not give thanks!

This Sermon's Text: 2 Samuel 7:18-22

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human![c]

20 “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

22 “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

SBS = Sunday Bible Study

Living My Life as a Christian

Lesson 5: Communication with God

Lesson Handout: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U6QniBSu15fGjsIrbyD-iYelcH2Ik7Xa?usp=sharing

Lesson Homework:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-FumPADfsQjOHQ_7uAkWFDesnf7dSFf2?usp=sharing