2015 Messages
Serving Without Fear
December 27, 2015
Emily Brown
God calls us to serve Him without fear. Often our pride keeps us from recognizing the privilege it is to serve God and blinds us to who it is we are serving. He has rescued us from great evil and loved us in our darkest of states. God has done this only out of His merciful compassion, it is nothing within us. If we live in light of this God, then we can go out into this world, though it is full of fearful things, with the confidence because we are certain we have been saved from our enemy’s clutches and that God will guide out feet into ways of peace. This is the good news of Christmas!
After hearing this sermon, we hope you will pray for what it means to serve God without fear this coming year.
Lessons: 1 Samuel 12:20-23, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 1:68-79
The Government Will Be On His Shoulders
December 24, 2015
Christmas Eve
We live in times that can terrify us. You can fill in the blank as to what is most terrifying to you in the news. In his birth, death, resurrection, and ascension Jesus took over the government of all creation. While there will always be people who terrorize others in a vain attempt to establish themselves as the ruler of the world, Christmas teaches us that that position has already been taken and “of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.”
In the face of terror, trust the King of Kings who is our Prince of Peace and who will give you peace. Anytime you feel terrorized, pray the Prince of Peace prayer.
Lessons: Isaiah 9:2-9 (KJV), Luke 2:1-20
Faith Is ...
November 29, 2015 - December 20, 2015
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Advent is a time of hopeful waiting.
Faith is at the core of what it means to be a Christ follower as we invite people into a relationship with God based on trust. The word faith rolls off our lips so easily, but what does it mean. During this Advent season we will explore the central Christian tenet of faith and try to understand what it practically means for our daily lives. During the Wednesday Advent services we will explore how one of the people in the gospel accounts lived out their faith and how we can do the same.
No Worries So Give Thanks
November 25, 2015
Pastor Steve Brown
Because of the worries of our daily lives, we sometimes forget that it is the nature of God to have every care and detail of our lives under his capable and compassionate oversight. Because of this, we need not worry but rather are moved to give God thanks in all circumstances.
After hearing this sermon, we hope that you will look at one care that is worrying you and give God thanks for having that care completely under his loving oversight.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Lessons: Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, Matthew 6:25-33
Give Thanks To Our King
November 22, 2015
Pastor Steve Brown
Why do we give thanks to God? The answer may seem obvious, but it is always helpful to be remind in a new way why we give God thanks. In this sermon we will reminded why we give God thanks by an ancient prayer that was spoken by Hannah whom the Lord blessed with a child after many years of not be able to conceive a child. In her prayer, Hannah beautifully and thoroughly expresses why we give thanks to Christ our King. After hearing this sermon, we hope you will make a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Christ our King.
Christ the King and Thanksgiving Sunday
Lessons: 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37
Why Make A Plan To Give?
November 15, 2015
Pastor Steve Brown
With so many worthy causes asking for our financial support, it is wise to intentionally plan out how you will give to the missions that matter most to you. In doing so we are more likely to experience joyful giving that is not frustrated with reluctance and guilt-driven compulsion. After hearing this sermon, we hope you will make a prayer-driven and intentional plan for your giving.
Lessons: Malachi 3:6-10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Matthew 19:16-26
God's Work of Salvation...Straight Up
September 20 - November 8, 2015
Following a clear progression of talks that reflect what we learned in Youth Life, David Drees and Pastor Steve will tag team this series describing God's plan of salvation centered in Jesus Christ.
Life Together
September 6-13, 2015
God has designed us to live together in community and to do life together. In this two week series we will explore how God does this in times of trouble and in times of growth.
Jesus Is The Bread Of Life
August 2015
During the Sundays in August we will teaching out of John 6 and answering the question, “What does it mean for our lives to have Jesus as our bread of life?”
Student Ministry Sunday
Sunday, July 26, 2015
High School Students
This Sunday every year we pause and hear from the students how God is working in their lives.
Who are You? Who am I?
Sunday, July 19, 2015
David Drees
The Bible is constantly assert Gods rightful place not just as our father, but our redeemer, Shepard, Lord, and Creator. We on the other hand are constantly removing the weight of those titles, often we keep the names but find ourselves inserting other things or even ourselves into the roles that God has rightfully reserved for Himself. Today we will look and ask God to reconcile our hearts view to the reality of who He is and who we are and what that ultimately means.
Lessons: Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 23, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.
Book referenced in today's message: "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by W. Phillip Keller
Homework: Colossians 1:15-23
Is Repentance Still Relevant?
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Pastor Steve Brown
Given that our culture continues to define away personal sin, relativize truth, and lift up the individual into the positon of being one’s own god, this sermon will wrestle with the question whether repenting is still relevant.
After hearing this sermon we hope that regular, authentic, rigorous and gospel-centered repentance becomes habit as you seek to grow as a fully devoted follower of Jesus. In this life we are never done repenting.
Lessons: Jeremiah 3:1-14, 2 Corinthians 7:8-11a, Mark 6:6b-13.
Faith In Your Family
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Pastor Steve Brown
This sermon will teach what to do to promote faith among those you love the most, especially those who may not yet believe. It appears from the gospel record that some or all of Jesus’ immediate family did not initially believe in him. We know that at least some of his family (Mary, James, Jude) became fully-devoted followers of Jesus.
After hearing this sermon we hope that you will follow the example of Jesus and the teachings of the New Testament to promote faith among those you love the most. Regularly pray for your family members, live out your faith, and be prepared to give brief testimonies to how Jesus has give you new life.
From Fear to Faith
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Pastor Larry Trover
This sermon begins with Pastor Trover reading a letter from ELCA Bishop Eaton on the recent shootings in Charleston, South Carolina.
God's transforming power moves us from fear to faith. After hearing this sermon we hope that you will stop being afraid and go on living by trusting God's goodness to all.
Lessons: Lamentations 3:22-33 and Mark 5:21-43.
Face to Face
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Pastor Steve Rice
God responded to Job, and those who were listening, with a series of rhetorical questions. After quieting a storm at sea the disciples asked a deeper rhetorical question, “who is this?” Paul invites us to keep looking and asking questions until we see God, face to face.
Lessons: Job 38:1-11, 1 Corinthians 13:9-12, Mark 4:35-41.
Everywhere, Mysterious, Actual
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Pastor Steve Brown
According to Jesus' early parables, God's kingdom is everywhere, mysterious, and actual. This teaches us of the radical grace of God's rescue mission centered in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We will glance over the fence at Christian universalism, i.e. that everyone is actually saved through the work of Jesus.
After hearing this sermon we hope that you will not doubt that you are in God's kingdom and find where God's kingdom is working where you might least expect it.
Lessons: Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-5, Mark 4:26-29
Naked and Afraid
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Pastor Gary Sandberg, Capital University
Being caught in a challenging position can have us backpedaling, trying to find a way to minimize our failure. But in the end, the cover-up almost always becomes worse than the original offense. With God we have the freedom to come clean, because God knows all about us in the first place. Too often we fail to recognize this and we run and hide, and cover ourselves, as if God cannot see us. True freedom, and true relationship comes with our willingness to be fully exposed before God. We may not be ready to try this out with our friends and family, but that should not stop us from trying it with God.
Living a life of open confession before God can create a freedom of our soul that allows us experience the full impact of God on our lives.
Lessons: Genesis 3:8-15, Mark 3:20-35
Stay Teachable, My Friend
Sunday, May 31, 2015
As followers of Jesus, we are not done learning and growing in discipleship. A fully-devoted follower of Jesus always remains teachable and continually seeks out opportunities to learn and grow with an open heart and mind.
After hearing this sermon, we hope you will evaluate what your discipleship learning agility is and add one way you will put yourself in a position to learn and grow in discipleship.
Lessons: Psalm 119:33-40, Hebrews 6:1-3, John 3:1-18.
Just Stop Talking
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Greg Osborne
In our culture we have become so busy and surrounded by so much noise that we can't hear what God might be telling us. In this message we will look at how we need to be still and listen to God's call to us.
Lessons: Acts 2:1-21, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Matthew 11:25-29.
I Am
Sunday, May 17, 2015
David Drees
Enough said right? But when it comes to us, we need more words, we need more reminders, we need more images, we need more promises, we need more proof, we need deeper understanding… and when it’s all said and done, when we ask Him who He is… I Am. Luckily He knows out weaknesses, He knows our limits, and so he gave us words, deep, broad, heavy, and powerful words to display who He is. We will look at these words, and challenge ourselves in view of the Lord to pursue a deep intimacy with the great I Am.
Lessons: 2 Samuel 22:31-37, Psalm 8, Matthew 16:13-17.
Confirmation Speeches: What Does God Mean To Me
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Click below to hear the speeches from our 2015 confirmation students.
Be Rich
Sunday, April 19 - May 10, 2015
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." 1 Timothy 6:18. Be Rich is a four-week campaign designed to kick-start a wave of generosity in our church. To do more and give more than we ever have before to meet the hopes and hurts of others so that they will be drawn to trust Jesus.
Download the Be Rich brochure to learn the details how you can get involved.
Fire In Our Bones
Sunday, April 12, 2015
David Drees
We are going to look at as many Old Testament figures who "in faith" followed God's call wherever it led. What inhibits us from following these calls? What encourages us? How do we have faith like this? How do we join them in our world?
Lessons: Jeremiah 20:7-11, Hebrews 10:32-39, Mark 9:17-24.
You Are Rich
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Easter Sunday
Because Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, so shall we. In heaven we will experience the riches that God has prepared for us and that are beyond compare. These riches are already ours through faith in Christ.
After hearing this message, we hope you will live each day rejoicing and glad in the riches of the eternal life Jesus won for us. Let the reality of your eternal riches shape how you view your riches in this life.
Lessons: Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, John 20:1-18.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
The Seven Last Words of Jesus
Friday, April 3, 2015
The word during this powerful service was provided by St. Luke members based on the seven last words of Christ.
Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, this service wasn't recorded.
The Perfect Prayer Series
Sundays during Lent
February 22 - April 2, 2015
During the Sundays in Lent, we will teach on the Lord's Prayer. Each week, one petition of the Lord's Prayer will be the focus. Martin Luther's explanations of the Lord's Prayer in the Small Catechism wil be taught along with Bible lessons that support Luther's explanations and practical applications from each of the petitions. We hope you'll come away from this series with a deeper understanding of the Lord's Prayer that will transform your prayer life.
Celebration of Discipline Midweek Series
Wednesdays during Lent
February 18 - March 25, 2015
During our midweek series in the season of Lent we will take an indepth look at five of the spiritual disciplines described by Richard Foster in his book, "Celebration of Discipline." We hope you'll come away from this series with a greater understanding of how practicing spiritual disciplines can grow your faith, and incorporate these disciplines into your everyday life.
Christ Is Sufficient Series January 11 - February 15, 2015
In the Sundays after the Epiphany we often focus on the manifestation (incarnation) of God in the person of Jesus Christ. The word “manifest” is an Epiphany word, as in “God was manifest in Christ.” Although Jesus is fully God, it seems that we often think and behave as though Jesus is not enough. We are often chasing after something more. The Lord once said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Cor. 12:9) This series will invite us to answer the question, “Is Jesus enough for me?”
You Are Chosen
January 4, 2015
God chose us for redemption through the blood of Jesus, for our sins to be forgiven, and to experience the riches of God's grace onto eternal life.
Lessons: Ephesians 1:3-14 and John 1:1-14
Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, this sermon wasn't recorded.