Service Folder Advent 2 is the Sunday of hope. We hope for many things in this life, but whatever hopes we have here eventually disappoint. God gives us a hope, though, that will not disappoint – Jesus’ second advent (coming). God promises Jesus’ second advent. God will keep his promise. Hope waits on God to keep his promise. A good example. of…
Service Folder This year’s theme is: EVERY HEART PREPARE We decorate in preparation for Christmas. In November and December people spend hours putting up lights in their living space and ornaments on their evergreens. Poinsettias are placed on the mantel and presents under the tree, and we “deck the halls with boughs of holly.” These Christmas decorations bring enjoyment and anticipation to…
Service Folder The season of Advent, begins by focusing on the lowly coming of Jesus. His coming was first promised when Adam and Eve fell to the devil’s temptation in paradise. When they fell, all humanity fell with them and paradise was broken. Fast forward four millenia, Matthew shows us Promised Savior: “Behold, your king is coming to you, lowly and riding…
Service Folder “What are you thankful for?”, is a question many ask at Thanksgiving. Yet, we learn in the lesson of the Ten Lepers that thanksgiving does not come naturally. It is a fruit of faith God works in us by giving us in his Word the greatest blessing of all – Our Savior, Jesus. If you are home for Thanksgiving, come…
Service Folder Today is the Last Sunday in the Church Year. On this Sunday we look for Jesus to return and bring the Church, purchased with his blood and nurtured by Word and Sacrament, home. In the gospel for the day, Jesus is pictured as a Bridegroom and the Church as 10 Virgins waiting for him to bring us to the joyous…
Service Folder Today’s lessons turn us to the end times and Jesus’ return. The end times will be marked by tribulation and false prophets (Matthew 24:15-28). At the end, Jesus will return to raise the dead and “grant to all believers in him, eternal life. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) As we live in these last times, God gives us gospel promises to keep…
Service Folder Baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we belong to two kingdoms. One is called the Kingdom of the Left, where the state governs by laws. The other is called the Kingdom of the Right, where God governs by grace. The Kingdom of the Left is temporary; the Kingdom of the…