message series: Present & past

 We begin a new Church Year boldly begging for the advent of our risen Lord Jesus, His final coming to rescue and save us. Our boldness, however, is tempered with the humility of faith that says, “Nevertheless, Thy will be done.” For we know and even expect that His answer to our prayer will be hidden in mystery. It may be the mystery of our continued cry for mercy or the surprise of His final advent as victorious Lord and Judge of all. We know what followed our Lord’s humble entry into Jerusalem that great and holy week of His passion, namely, the mystery and surprise that His victory and the glory of God should be displayed for all the world on a cross. So today we pray with bold humility and confidence, for His coming and deliverance will always have a note of surprise—blessed surprise.

Week 1:  November 29

Adventually: Waiting on the Blessings 

Week 2:  December 6

Adventually: Waiting on the Answers

Week 3: December 13

Adventually: Waiting on Others

Week 4: December 20

Adventually: Waiting on Jesus

 Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant  

 We pause to consider our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who have been ignored or mistreated. We are reminded today that Christ has chosen us to be His people, to be heirs with Him of salvation. Such grace gladdens our hearts and emboldens us to help our brothers and sisters in need.

This week Pastor Corey will talk about who are the goats and who are the sheep? What does Jesus mean to reveal by telling this story?

November 22 

Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant 

We read today about three servants. Two were good and faithful. One was evil and faithless. Two enter into the joy of their master. One does not. Our Lord has entrusted us with many good and gracious gifts and sends us into the world to make disciples and multiply the gifts we have received. Yet, it is not our own work that leads us into the joy of our Master; rather, it is our Master’s work on our behalf. Jesus’ saving work of death and resurrection brings us into the joy of our Master.

November 15

Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant

 We hear today the extremely encouraging words from the apostle Paul concerning our everlasting life. Paul tells us, “We will always be with the Lord.” What comforting words! What encouraging words! You have the assurance that when Jesus returns, you will spend everlasting life in His gracious presence.

November 8

  Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant
 

There are different types of hope. The hope some people have is no more than wishful thinking. Others rely on their own plans and intellect to provide a measure of hope during times of difficulty. But for those of us who have been blessed with the gift of faith in our Lord Jesus, hope is sure. For His sake, our heavenly Father has forgiven all our sins and now calls us His own children, brothers and sisters of our Lord. We shall join those who have gone before us to sing God’s eternal praises, even as we join “angels and archangels and all the company of heaven” in the Sanctus before receiving His body and blood.

November 1

  Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant
 

Martin Luther’s great hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is based on Psalm 46. When the psalm was first written, it gave courage to God’s Old Testament people. Centuries later, when Luther wrote the hymn, the world was filled with plagues and death, and the devil was recognized as active in the lives of everyday people. Further, neither the Roman Catholic Church nor the government accepted the teachings of the reformers. Now, in our day, we face cyber warfare, pandemics, terrorists, political polarization, and ecclesiastical division. Because of our Baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ, we need not fear. Our gracious God is a very present help in this time of trouble. He is our refuge against the powers of the created world around us and the forces of evil from every source. From His throne flow streams of mercy to give us confident joy. We know that in the end “the kingdom ours remaineth.”

October 25

  Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant
 

“Countless times during Christ’s mission in human flesh for the sins of the world, the Pharisees and others tried to test, trap, and trick Jesus, thinking He would suffer a setback to His ministry. Time and time again, Jesus in His divine wisdom and teaching would instead turn those times into a setup for teaching about many things regarding life on earth and the kingdom of heaven. We, too, face times of testing, trapping, and tricking, though not from Pharisees, but from this world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh, and often we face setbacks. We are wise to turn to the one who has set us up for forgiveness, mercy, and a new life through His own life, death, and rising. Rejoicing in His grace, in response to His love, we faithfully, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

October 18

  Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant
 

• Do you regularly come to the wedding party?
• Who are your bringing with you?
•  Are you wearing the clothes of Christ each day?
• Are you looking forward to the BIG PARTY?

October 11

  Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant
 

The vineyard is frequently used in Scripture to denote a special place in God’s creation. To have a vineyard and enjoy its fruit is a blessing. When the prophet Isaiah speaks of the goodness of the Lord, he says that God’s favored people “shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit” (Isaiah 65:21). Vineyards were planted with a fruitful harvest in mind. We are the Lord’s planting, and we eagerly await our harvest home.

October 4

 Vacancy Pastor Corey Grant 

We always want to know why. The rulers of the people wanted to know why Jesus was saying what He said and doing what He did. But Jesus challenged them with His Word. Why did they not listen, and why did they not repent? Why do we not listen and repent? We are called to listen. Trust and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and we shall be saved.

September 27

 Guest Pastor Corey Grant 

 A part of us expects justice from God. We think that fairness ought to reign—that each of us should get what we deserve. But this is a dead end. God does not give us what we deserve but acts with mercy and grace beyond belief. He is scandalously generous and lavish with us—giving us what we do not deserve and have not earned. Today we pray for the Lord to break through to our hearts and minds with His abundant grace and to rejoice that He is more than fair—He is merciful!

September 20

 Guest Pastor Mike Schultze 

Forgiveness is filled with questions. How often must I forgive? Is there a limit to the grace of forgiveness? What is the connection between God’s forgiveness to me and my forgiveness to others? The answer to these questions lies in Christ. As our heavenly Father has forgiven us, so do we forgive one another in His name.

September 13

Guest Pastor Corey Grant