Will God Really Dwell With Us?
Sunday, December 3 - 17, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
King Solomon built the first permanent temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. At the dedication of the temple Solomon prayed a prayer of dedication. During the prayer, Solomon asked, “Will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built.” (1 Kings 8:27) Once a person comes to believe that almighty, eternal, and limitless God exists, the questions that may arise are, “Is God really with me?” and “What will God really do for me and for us?” As circumstances change throughout our lives, those are questions that confront us at different times. The cry of the lament is, “Where are you God?” and “Why are you not acting to save me, O God?” Spurred by Solomon’s prayer, this sermon series will seek to answer these questions based on the work of God with us, Emmanuel, God the Son, who is Jesus.
Thankful for the Reign of Jesus
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
Leadership is a hot topic these days, both because of our desire to lead better and our perception of a great lack of effective leadership in our country. The way that Jesus chose to lead and reign as king was to complete the mission his Father ordained for him – dying on the cross for make us right with God and rising again to win for us eternal life. The leadership and reign of Jesus is one of a servant who gives us abundant and eternal life. For this we are thankful.
The Generosity Effect
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Greg Osborne, Youth Pastor
God doesn’t need our generosity, but we do. We will look at why stewardship and generosity is an important habit in our lives, not because God needs it, but because God knows what generosity does to our hearts and ultimately our lives.
Our Reformation 2017
Sunday, October 22 - November 5, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
As we have been wonderfully celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation during this last year, we have been asking, “What is the reformation to which God is calling our St. Luke family?” While this sermon series will reaffirm the pillars of the 1517 Reformation, the series will primarily focus on our reformation 2017, which is to serve, invite give to meet the hopes and hurts of others. We will be engaging in a strategy to equip every church member to naturally share the message of Jesus with those who do not yet trust in Jesus.
Sometimes It Takes A Party
Sunday, August 13 - October 8, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
God can work through a party to break down barriers to reach lost people and encourage followers of Jesus. Through a party, God can change the way we see each other, demonstrate that God cares about people who party, confirm that we are always forgiven, show that people matter more than our opinions, and teach us that everyone is invited to God’s eternal party.
Martin Luther: Evolution of Faith
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Dr. Al Staggs
In this 500th Anniversary year of the Reformation, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Martin Luther to St. Luke. This former German priest became one of the leading figures of the Protestant Reformation. Luther taught that salvation is not earned by good deeds or by purchasing indulgences but only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
Freedom
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Christina Horning
Drawing on Luther’s work on Christian Freedom we will talk about the paradox of liberty and slavery. Luther says, "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
Student Ministry Sunday
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Greg Osborne and Students
Today our students share with us a glimpse of how God is working in their lives.
God Gives the Growth
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Peterson
The parables of the Sower and the mustard seed liken God’s Word to seed that is planted and grows. We as Jesus’ disciples are called to spread the seed of God’s word. However, it is easy to get discouraged when we don’t see results from our ministry. But these lessons remind us that it is God who gives the growth.
Jesus Astonishes
Sunday, June 18 - July 16, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown and Greg Osborne
This summer series will explore gospel accounts of Jesus that, when carefully read, leave us astonished at the behavior and teaching of Jesus. The goal of the series is to see Jesus in a way that will provoke our curiosity and as though we are seeing him for the first time. This will also help to better prepare us to share Jesus with others in a way where they will be astonished by Jesus and their curiosity about Jesus will be provoked.
Why Are We Here?
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Christian Church. When God sent his Spirit into the first Apostles it was for one reason, so that they would witness to Jesus “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts. 1:8) so that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
What Are We For?
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Greg Osborne
Sometimes in our world we get so caught in what the Church is against and don't focus on what we are for. As followers of Christ we are called to be FOR our neighbors. Today we will look at what it can look like when the Church focuses on what we are FOR more than what we are against.
A Big Problem
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
Why would a loving God allow evil and suffering?
The ultimate purpose and meaning that God brings to our suffering are Jesus and the eternal salvation God desires for all people. The problem of evil and suffering remains in our lives, but in the midst of that, continue to trust that Jesus is God’s ultimate answer.
Confident Faith
Sunday, April 23 - May 14, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
Romans 8 is thought by many to be the greatest chapter in the Bible. The teaching in Romans 8 inspires in us a confident faith that is characterized by freedom, victory, expectancy, and assurance. Drawing from the teaching of Pastor Tom Holladay, the goal of this sermon series is to foster a more confident faith in the promises of God made through Jesus Christ.
Real Hope
Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
What do you hope for after you die? Our future resurrection remains a hope. All of us have yet to see our resurrection. This sermon will use the account of the thief on the cross who put his hope in Jesus to teach that real hope comes from a real God who really desires to spend eternity with us.
Wise Instruction
Wednesdays, March 1 - April 5, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown and Greg Osborne
As part of our celebration of the 500 Anniversary of the Reformation, the Wednesday Lenten services will focus on understanding Martin Luther’s Small Catechism which offers us wise instruction for better understanding our faith and living in obedience to God’s Word.
What Got Jesus Killed?
March 12 - April 2, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown and Greg Osborne
What got Jesus killed? Our initial response might properly be, “Our sins.” That is a true answer, but how would we answer it from a historical perspective. What did Jesus do that led to his execution? While we might say that he offended the Roman authorities, we know from Pilate’s reluctance during Jesus’ trial, that the issue was not so much with Rome. Throughout the gospel record, we see the growing confrontation that Jesus had with the Jewish leadership. Although initially curious, the religious authorities eventually went to great lengths to plan and promote Jesus’ execution. What did Jesus say and do to engender their disdain?
Be Rich in Good Works
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown, Ray, Ruth Ann, and Caroline Hohl
Our good works of generosity and serving people in need, that are the overflow from a growing faith in Jesus, are treasured by the Lord. This gives us a solid foundation for our future and a life which is truly life. After briefly teaching this truth, Steve will interview Ray, Ruth Ann, and Caroline, to give witness to this truth.
The Mission of Jesus
February 5-26, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
If Jesus had a personal mission statement, what would it say? This sermon series will explore four gospel accounts to discover what is the mission of Jesus and what implications Christ’s mission has for our mission as the Church. The first two sermons in this series will teach the “what” of Jesus’ mission and the last two will explore the “how” of Jesus’ mission. The goal of this series is to reset the mission thinking and raise the outreach temperature of individuals and the congregation.
Young Voices Series: Aligning with the Larger Story
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Grady Dalzell
We sit at a very unique, and special time in human and gospel history: namely, with the questions of the prophets and kings answered by the reality and work of Jesus. This perspective causes a heightened appreciation for the scriptures, confidence in ministry/reaching out, and urgency and focus on how we use our time, energy and resources.
Real Peace Series
Sunday, January 8 - 22, 2017
Pastor Steve Brown
Recently an evangelical Christian woman met another woman while working out at the gym. After spending some time sweating and talking together, the Christian asked the other, “What are you looking for in your life?” “Peace!” the woman said. What followed was a cathartic conversation where the woman wanting peace shared the very difficult experience she had been living. Human beings have always desired peace and it is a felt need that many of us have. We know when we don’t have real peace and it wrecks our enjoyment of life. How can we experience real, deep, and lasting peace? How can I experience this peace with my God (Up), in my relationships (In), and in my purpose (Out)? This series will seek to answer these questions and provide helpful steps to take to experience real, deep, and lasting peace.​​
