Category: Sermons
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Easter Sunrise Readings: Exodus 14:10-15:1 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | John 20:1-18 Excerpts from the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VIII The Person of Christ 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet…
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The Resurrection of Our Lord
~ Easter Day ~ Readings: Acts 10:34-43 | Colossians 3:1-4 | Matthew 28:1-10 Text: Matthew 28:1-10 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. “After the Sabbath” is more than just a marker of time. Of course, after…
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Paschal Vigil ~ Service of Light ~ Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3 | Exodus 14L10-15:1 | Jonah 3 | Text: Mark 16:1-8 The Gospel begins with proclamation. It is news of events that must be told and explained. Without the explanation, fear and uncertainty fill in. So much of the world seems self-evident to us, but it is only…
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Good Friday Readings: Isaiah 52:13–53:12 | Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 | John 19:16b-30Text: John 19:28-37 In the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, new light shines on what He had done beforehand to recognize sinners to Himself and make them His people. The Scripture references the Holy Spirit gives us through John are telling: ~ Christ the Reproach…
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Holy Thursday Text: Hebrews 9:11-22 We’ve been well-conditioned to look down on the idea of an intermediary. Having someone stand in your place is reminiscent of having to have a parent sign a permission slip or when you’re older to have a power of attorney sign your checks. No, for us, the ideal is to be able…
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Palm Sunday Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a | Philippians 2:5-11 | Matthew 27:11-66 Processional Gospel & Text: John 12:12-19 The crowd had a legitimate reason to celebrate Jesus’ coming. They had witnessed an amazing thing: The way of all the earth (death) had been reversed! Sit with that for a minute: Death is a powerful enemy. It looms large…
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Fifth Sunday in Lent (Lent 5A) Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 | Romans 8:1-11 | John 11:1-45 Text: John 11:1-45 The Lord had an existing relationship with the family. He loved them. He cared about Lazarus in his illness, and the suffering he was enduring. (v. 5) We should keep this in mind, first of all, as we see what He does. Because…
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Fourth Sunday of Lent (Lent 4A) Readings: Isaiah 42:14-21 | Ephesians 5:8-14 | John 9:1-41 Text: John 9:1-41 Baptism of Clint, son, and Confirmation of Seth, father There are times we do not understand God’s ways. Nevertheless, we can be certain that He desires the blind to see, the enslaved to be freed, the deaf to hear. Today’s Gospel offers spiritual…
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Third Sunday in Lent (Lent 3A) Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | Romans 5:1-8 | John 4:5-30, 39-42 Text: John 4:5-26 Ignorance about God is a serious problem. Now, very few people would actually say they don’t know much about God. More common is the idea that we know enough about God to get by. You know, as much as country music songs…
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Second Sunday in Lent (Lent 2A) Readings: Genesis 12:1-9 | Romans 4:1-8, 13-17 | John 3:1-17 Text: John 3:1-17 “For God so loved the world.,.,” (you know it, finish it!) This passage contains one of the most beloved verses in the Bible, the Gospel in a nutshell. Let’s go deeper, though. Hearing these words of Jesus in context opens us up…