In this text in Acts 1, we have what many consider to be the first call meeting where the Church gathers to call a pastor. In this case, it is selecting an apostle to succeed Judas who betrayed Jesus. The lot is cast and Matthias replaces Judas. Peter stands up and tells the group, “You,…

Thursday, May 14, 2026 Ascension of Our Lord Text: Acts 1:1–11 Link to Livestream Alleluia! Christ is risen! Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” This question that the two men, angels, ask the apostles at the…

St. Peter seems to be warning his readers in our Epistle reading today. He is writing to Christians in a pagan society who have been newly baptized as God’s own special people. They have been exhorted that they are now a royal priesthood and a holy nation in Christ through the faith that they have…

A popular musical ended with a song which asked, “Who Lives? Who Dies? Who Tells Your Story?” Today we examine the life, death, and witness of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen, whose name means crown was a Greek Christian who was appointed by the Church as a deacon to take care of the…

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). After the Holy Spirit entered the hearts of those listening to Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, about 3,000 people were baptized. This became the jumpstart of the church. Acts 2:42 discusses how the earliest church…

“But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). There is a deep irony as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus lament to Jesus that Jesus failed in His task of redeeming Israel. As the rest of the story goes, Jesus would take the trip to explain Scripture…

Peace is hard to come by in the world. You need only to look at the most recent news headlines to see our lack of peace. Jesus came in to the midst of His disciples after His resurrection saying, “Peace be with you.” He brings a peace that goes far beyond world peace. Jesus pointed…

Sunday, April 5, 2026 Easter Sunday Text: Matthew 28:1–10 Link to Sermon Teaser Link to Livestream Sermon Audio As we gather… In Matthew’s Gospel alone do we read as much as we do about quaking and shaking. Herod was stirred up at the news of the birth of Christ (and all Jerusalem with him) (Matt…

You cannot observe Good Friday without talking about crosses, crucifixion, and death, but as much as this becomes normal operating procedure, maybe we need to address some concerns. Of all the ways for Jesus to die, why crucifixion?

We continue our sermon series, “for us” as we see that everything that Christ has done in His ministry has been for me and for you. During Holy Week, we focus especially on the last moments of Jesus’ life wherein He offers Himself up as a sacrifice for me and for you, and He rises…