|
A recording of the Sunday homily is being offered in MP3 format.
| Date |
Description |
| June 21, 2009 |
Convicted/Confessed: The History of the Augsburg Confession
The beginnings of the Lutheran Church were born out of a conviction to the truth realized in Jesus: all people are loved by God and through faith in his Son are reborn by his grace. Lutherans are by nature a confessing church. Our creeds, our worship, our life (in community and individually) are a confession of the grace of God and our faith in Jesus. The Church of the Augsburg Confession continues to this day to be a catholic and evangelical confession of the faith of the Church and a plea for Christian unity in Jesus.
|
| June 14, 2009 |
The Body of Christ
The eucharist has been the central focus for the Christian Church. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus changed the ancient Passover rituals and gave his the on-going meal of redemption. Every Eucharist takes us to His holy sacrifice and offers us the forgiveness of our sins. But more than that, the eucharist reminds us to be 'Christ' for the world, to give our life and love away to others that they may see Jesus in us.
|
| June 7, 2009 |
"Mapquest" - Isaiah 6:1-8 & John 3:1-17
On Trinity Sunday we study the doctrine of the Holy Trinity to know about God. But we also are invited into his life and to know him - the One God in Three Persons - the Three Persons in One God.
|
| May 31, 2009 |
"Provision for the Vision" - Acts 2
As Jesus ascended to heaven he cast his vision for his Church. But a vision needs a plan and resources if it is to become a reality. Soon Pentecost he sent the provision - the gift of the Holy Spirit. We still have the vision and the provision. Pentecost is still happening to us!
|
| May 24, 2009 |
A Message from Pastor Schallhorn
Ascension Day
|
| May 17, 2009 |
"You are My Friends" - John 15:9-17
Friend. A casual, empty, even trite word these days. But when Jesus uses the word friend it is full of history, depth, affection . . . So as he calls you, friend, realize what that means and respond.
|
| May 10, 2009 |
"Connected To Whom?"
There are connections which give life and those which take it away; connections which have the power to encourage us or discourage us. Who are you connected to? When we are connected to Christ, as a branch to a vine, we have life, and we are connected to his Church which nurtures and feeds us which his Word and Sacraments.
|
| May 3, 2009 |
"A Good Shepherd Ministry"
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, not only feeds and tends us with compassion, truth and mercy, he also teaches us to do the same.
|
| April 26, 2009 |
"The Hardest Thing to Believe" - Luke 24:36-49 & Acts 3:11-21
Hard to believe the Resurrection? What may be even harder is Jesus¡¦ church growth strategy: his doubting, scared disciples (which includes us) are supposed to be his witnesses.
|
| April 19, 2009 |
"The Antidote to Doubt" - John 20:19-31
Let's be honest, we are all like "doubting" Thomas! Doubt, questions, and even rejection . . . Can anything chase all that doubt away?
|
| April 12, 2009 |
Easter Sunday
A message from the book of Mark
|
| April 11, 2009 |
Holy Saturday: The Great Easter Vigil
Easter Vigil Message
|
| April 5, 2009 |
Deliver Us From Evil: Week 6
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall way from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
|
| March 29, 2009 |
Deliver Us From Evil: Week 5, Sloth
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall way from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
|
| March 22, 2009 |
Deliver Us From Evil: Week 4, Gluttony
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall way from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
|
| March 15, 2009 |
Deliver Us From Evil: Week 3, Envy and Greed
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall way from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
|
| March 8, 2009 |
Deliver Us From Evil: Week 2, Lust
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall way from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
|
| March 1, 2009 |
Deliver Us From Evil: Week 1, Pride
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall way from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
|
| February 22, 2009 |
"Moments of Glory" - Mark 9:2-9
The 20th Century Italian poet Cesare Pavese said, "We do not remember days, we remember moments." It was truly a "moment" when Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of Jesus' glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. What "moments" has God put in your life? And . . . what if a "moment" could become eternal?
|
| February 15, 2009 |
"The Touch" - Mark 1:40-45
At times, we can be like the leper in the gospel, who was untouchable, unloved and vulnerable. Can Jesus clean me? Is he willing to make me whole? Jesus answers the leper and us with his embrace and his word. He wills to make you whole!
|
| February 8, 2009 |
"What are you looking for?" - Mark 1:29-39
What are you looking for when you are looking for Jesus?
|
| February 1, 2009 |
"Encountering God" - Luke 2:22-40
What changes the ordinary into the extra-ordinary? When we listen to God and by listening have our eyes (and hearts) opened. Simeon was promised that he would see the Messiah. That is quite a promise. How would he know? Who would it be? Where would this happen? Simeon listed to God and found hope and embraced his future.
|
| January 25, 2009 |
"Kung Fu Jesus!" - John 2:13-22
Jesus seems out of character when he violently cleans house in the Temple.
|
| January 18, 2009 |
"Scandalous Generosity" - John 2:1-11
Jesus transforms water into wine. The amount is incredible, 180 gallons of the best wine. That is over 75 cases of wine today. Why would he do that? To encourage people to drink too much? No! But to demonstrate God's amazing, provocative, and even scandalous grace.
|
| January 11, 2009 |
Baptism, "Surprised by an Exception" - Matthew 3:13-17
Sinners . . . . soldiers, tax collectors, prostitutes . . . they were all supposed to do this. Even the "religious" people who thought they were too good needed to do this. But not him. It was supposed to be for his preparation, not his participation. But Jesus shocks John and us when he asks for the baptism of sinners for repentance. What kind of a Savior is he?
|
| January 4, 2009 |
Epiphany, "Surprised by Guests" - Matthew 2:1-12
There is an ironic twist when the natives act like the foreigners and the guests act like hosts. But when the Magi arrive, they seem to understand the child of Mary better than his own people. Their arrival shocks all of Jerusalem and Bethlehem and their behavior teaches us the proper reception of a newborn King.
|
| December 28, 2008 |
1st Sunday of Christmas, "Surprised by the Ending" - Luke 2:22-40
Simeon had waited for this all of his life. And then they arrived - Jesus, Mary and Joseph. His life was now fullfilled. The old man said he was even ready to die. Was it all that he expected it to be?
|
| December 21, 2008 |
Advent - Week 4, "Surprised by a name" - Luke 1:57-80
The miraculous birth of a boy born to the aged Elizabeth and Zechariah was the talk of the town. Everyone showed up for the circumcision celebration on the eighth day. At the event they all assumed that the boy would be named after his proud father, who had waited for so long for this moment. But what was assumed to be was not, the world was beginning to change.
|
| December 14, 2008 |
Advent - Week 3, "Surprised with conflict" - Matthew 1:18-25
Love and truth can, at times, be in conflict, or so it would seem for Joseph the Nazarean carpenter. Mary, his betrothed, was pregnant by another man. She had disgraced him and both of their families. He was conflicted by his love for her and his desire to follow the Law of God.
|
| December 7, 2008 |
Advent - Week 2, "Surprised by a choice" - Luke 1:26-45,56
Life was good for Mary, she was preparing for her wedding day and a quiet life as a carpenter's wife in the sleepy little village of Nazareth. But God had other plans!
|
| November 30, 2008 |
Advent - Week 1, "Surprised by prayer" - Luke 1:5-25
Having prayed for years for a child, Zechariah and Elizabeth, wizened with age, had all but given up their hope. Until something happened in the Temple.
|
| November 16, 2008 |
In God We Trust - Part 3, "The Throne of Judgment" - Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus' final story is about the final day. The King comes. He sits on His Throne. It is time to judge. But who is the judge?
|
| November 9, 2008 |
In God We Trust - Part 2, "Risky Business" - Matthew 25:14-30
Which has the greatest risk: putting my precious money in the stock market or giving it to the church? In today's economy, neither one will put anything back in my bank account. So maybe here's the greatest risk: the Lord entrusting each of us with what is precious to Him and counting on us to bring him a profit - not in dollars but in souls.
|
| November 2, 2008 |
In God We Trust - Part 1, "Common Cents" - Matthew 25:1-13
Tuxes with ruffled shirts and over-sized bow ties; Over-priced dresses with puffy sleeves and shoes dyed to match. Why did you embarrass yourself this way? Because it was their "Big Day" and it was an honor. The "Biggest Day" is coming, when the most beautiful wedding of all time will happen between Jesus and his Bride, the Church. It is time to get ready. Are you prepared? Hint: It's not about what you will be wearing.
|
| October 26, 2008 |
Reformation Sunday, "Home Alone" - Matthew 24:44-51
Remember the 1990 movie, Home Alone, starring Macauley Culkin? His parents, on their way to France, accidentally leave this 8 year old at home to fend for himself and so the adventure begins.
When Jesus leaves this earth, he says that he "will be with us always." And yet in another, very real way, Jesus also leaves us "home alone." When he returns to heaven, Jesus hands over the entire operation and puts us in charge of his church and his ministry. So how are we handling that? Are we mature and responsible . . . or wild and reckless? Don't take too long to decide. He's coming home soon.
|
| October 19, 2008 |
Living out a Contagious...Outrageous Faith - Part 7, "No Longer a Secret" - Philippians 4:2-23
Paul's life was filled with complexities, hassles, obstacles and anxieties, yet he would tell the Philippians and us not to be anxious about anything! In his closing comments, Paul shares his heart and his passion, revealing the secret to his ministry and to his life: Christ! We can experience the same confidence that Paul did when we have Christ in the center of our lives.
|
| October 12, 2008 |
Living out a Contagious...Outrageous Faith - Part 6, "Keep Your Perspective!" - Philippians 3:1-4:1
It is easy to be sidetracked unless you are disciplined. Financial advisors will tell clients in turbulent times to keep a perspective on the long-range goals to be achieved. Paul does the same, as he shares through a personal testimony the value and importance of keeping your perspective and goals aligned with and in Christ.
|
| October 5, 2008 |
Living out a Contagious...Outrageous Faith - Part 5, ?Whatever! Does it Really Matter? - Philippians 2:12-30
Who we are is really understood in what we do and how we live 24/7/365. Character, that is, what a person is when others who matter are not looking or aren?t there, says a lot about what we really believe is important. There people who have made a significant impact in our lives for good or for bad. Who do you want to emulate? Paul raises up two such men worthy of following.
|
| September 28, 2008 |
Living out a Contagious...Outrageous Faith - Part 4, "How Much Is Enough" - Philippians 1:27-2:11
"I want to know what is in it for me?" Have you ever thought or asked this question? You wouldn't be alone. Many of us are increasingly becoming myopic in our view of a life-well-lived. Is it all about us? The gospel of Jesus would teach us differently! Paul was dealing with this as well. In a few short verses he rehearses for us the incarnation, humiliation and exaltation of Christ as an example for all believers. In Christ alone we find the strength to live as he lives.
|
| September 21, 2008 |
Living out a Contagious...Outrageous Faith - Part 3, "Why are You Smiling?" - Philippians 1:12-26
Convinced that his imprisonment was for Christ, Paul makes audacious claims, even when his opponents were trying to discredit him and his ministry. Paul was confident that because he was sitting in prison for Christ other Christians were encouraged to rise to the occasion and continue in his ministry of proclaiming Jesus as Savior of the world. His outrageous faith embolden other to speak with power and conviction. When we live an outrageous faith we may make other upset with us, but we also encourage others to share the truth in Jesus.
|
| September 14, 2008 |
Living out a Contagious...Outrageous Faith - Part 2, "Who's Your Partner?" - Philippians 1:1-11
Paul sat in a prison cell hundreds of miles from his fiends at Philippi, but he wasn't alone. They were with him in that prison cell and he was encouraged by their partnership in the faith. The Apostles' Creed confesses, "We believe in the communion of saints," and that is precisely what Paul believed and experienced. Christians don't face the trials and struggles of life alone. We have Christ, and we have each other. No matter what we are up against, what "prison" we find ourselves in, we are not alone, we have a partner.
|
| September 7, 2008 |
Living out a Contagious...Outrageous Faith - Part 1, "Life is Not a Fairy Tale!" - Acts 16:6-40
Convinced that the Lord was calling him to leave Asia and go to the continent of Europe to preach the gospel, Paul set sail for northern Greece. Arriving in the influential Macedonian city of Philippi, he begins his gospel ministry with a group of women by a riverside outside the city. What awaited him were conversions, conflict, confinement, and conviction. Anything but a fairy tale story!
|
|
