Sermons & Recordings

Audio recordings of our worship services are available in the library.
Sermons from selected services are available here and from our Podcasting feed: .

Service	Sermon	Scripture Readings	If your player can do streaming, try these links (play lists)	You can download the complete files here (WMA or MP3)
January 29, 2011, 10:30 AM Confirmation Sunday	“Yes, I Asked God to Help” Mark’s introduction of Jesus is a capsule summary of his whole Gospel. The evangelist witnesses to Jesus as a powerful, holy force, a divine force that is set on collision course with evil and demons. For now, Jesus conquers and drives out demons, but who will win in the end? Where do we stand when it comes to confronting evil—both within our own selves and in the world? Pastor Randy Pabst	Deuteronomy 18:15–20 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 Mark 1:21–28	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
January 22, 2011, 9:00 AM 3rd Sunday After the Epiphany	“Be Careful What You Pray For” Pastor Randy Pabst	Genesis 1:1–5 Acts 19:1–7 Mark 1:4–11	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
January 15, 2011, 10:30 AM 2nd Sunday After the Epiphany	“God Makes the Ordinary Extraordinary” With this Sunday we enter the interlude between seasons. Christmas with its excitement and glitter is behind us, and the sober experience of Lent followed by the glory of Easter is in the future. This is Ordinary Time: we reflect on the very ordinary ways that God enters our lives, thus making them extraordinary. We are not unlike the ordinary people of today’s scripture lessons. We do not always look beneath the surface, so we often miss the extraordinary in what is ordinary, both in ourselves and others. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	1 Samuel 3:1–10 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 John 1:43–51	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
January 8, 2011, 9:00 AM Baptism of Our Lord	“Why Was Jesus Baptized? Why Were You?” The season of Epiphany (which means to reveal) begins with a Baptism—Jesus’ Baptism! As Jesus came up from the waters of the Jordan River everything changed—not just for him but for all of humanity and all time. Today, we renew our Baptismal promises as a way of renewing our response to all God has done and is doing on our behalf. And yes, once again we too are made NEW! Pastor Randy Pabst	Genesis 1:1–5 Acts 19:1–7 Mark 1:4–11	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
January 1, 2011, 10:30 AM 1st Sunday of Christmas	“My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation” These days of Christmas call us to celebrate, to re-order and re-frame our lives so that we can live differently, not because it’s the time of New Year resolutions, but because Jesus has come to live among us to show us the way. Through Jesus, God enters our hearts with a love that cannot be extinguished. God offers us a guide to faith and salvation that no economic collapse can erode or cheapen. God takes our puzzlement and our failure and redeems them with new insight. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Isaiah 61:10–62:3 Galatians 4:4–7 Luke 2:21–40	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
December 11, 2011, 9:00 AM 3rd Sunday of Advent	“Turning the World Around!” In Jesus, the “light” of God has come into the world to expose the darkness for what it is. But sometimes we like the dark for what it hides. By exposing such darkness the world can be turned up-side-down and the powerful laid low and the lowly lifted up. It is a world of justice and peace and a world where hope is realized in joy and wonder! Are we ready to experience such “light” in our lives?!? Pastor Randy Pabst	Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 John 1:6–8, 19–28	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
December 4, 2011, 9:00 AM 2nd Sunday of Advent	“Advent—A Time for Serious Road Construction” Today voices from the wilderness startle our lives. We hear Isaiah crying out for the construction of a passable route through the desert; we hear John the Baptist calling us to repentance. Together, today’s readings remind us that Advent is a time for serious road construction—and we all know the inconvenience that that entails. Isaiah is not describing minor repairs, such as filling in potholes or repairing curbs. He is calling for major reconfiguration of the terrain: filling in valleys and leveling mountains; smoothing rugged land and rough country. He is calling for serious transformation of the landscape of our lives. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Isaiah 40:1–11 2 Peter 3:8–15a Mark 1:1–8	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
November 27, 2011, 9:00 AM 1st Sunday of Advent	“Light Exposing the Darkness” The battle of good and evil is often portrayed in images of light and darkness. And who does not know the power of “darkness” in their lives. As we begin this season of preparation and waiting we hear again God’s intent—that the light will overcome the darkness and the good that is God’s love will win. You see, the “light” that is God’s love is about to come down and “explode” upon us all—yes, God is coming to be with us as one of us. Pastor Randy Pabst	Isaiah 64:1–9 1 Corinthians 1:3–9 Mark 13:24–37	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
November 20, 2011, 9:00 AM All Saints Sunday	“Living Out Loud: Living Under the Reign of ?” What King are you a subject of? “I don’t live under a King,” you say? Then what “reigns” in your life? Money? What money can buy? Comfort? God? Christ the King Sunday points us once again to the only “KING” that matters—Jesus himself. Today we celebrate his reign in our lives! Pastor Randy Pabst	Deuteronomy 8:7–18 Ephesians 1:15–23 Matthew 25:31–46	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
November 13, 2011, 10:30 AM All Saints Sunday	“Living Out Loud: Living Out Our Giftedness” “The more we have, the more that’s expected of us!” It is a truism! Giftedness does not imply privilege—it means more is expected. Jesus points to this truth over and over again and then invites us to recognize how, in his love, just how gifted we are! Pastor Randy Pabst	Zephaniah 1:7,12–18 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Matthew 25:14–30	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
November 6, 2011, 9:00 AM All Saints Sunday	“Living Out Loud: God Calls Ordinary Saints” Today we celebrate the extraordinary goodness of ordinary people throughout the ages-that great cloud of witnesses whose lives, known to millions or to only a few, became a prism through which shone the multicolored grace and love of God. In particular, we remember those from our own community who have passed away sometime during the previous year. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Revelation 7:9–17 1 John 3:1–3 Matthew 5:1–12	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
October 30, 2011, 9:00 AM Reformation Sunday	“Living Out Loud: God’s Grace is Disruptive” Today we are celebrating our own Lutheran tradition and the ways in which God’s grace has disrupted and continues to disrupt the status quo of things. We are holding one another accountable to be steadfast followers of God’s Word and we ask God to provide wisdom and guidance to the mission and ministry of Christ’s church. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Jeremiah 31:31–34 Romans 3:19–28 John 8:31–36	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
October 23, 2011, 10:30 AM 19th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: Living as a Follower of Jesus” Paul writes that he and his fellow missionaries so deeply cared for the Christian community in Thessaloniki that he shared with them not only the gospel of God but also his own self, because the congregation has become very dear to him. In writing such, Paul breaks open for us the meaning of Jesus’ instruction to love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Today, we will explore together what such Christian love may entail. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Matthew 22:34–46	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
October 16, 2011, 9:00 AM 18th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: Living Our Professed Values” Do you live the values you profess? When you look at your finances do they reflect what you profess through your faith? Jesus was challenged about his values in a world that was focused on the power of the government. His response invite us all to reconsider how we live out our values as well. Pastor Randy Pabst	1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Matthew 20:25–28	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
October 9, 2011, 9:00 AM 17th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: What Not to Wear” Through Jesus Christ, God has issued an invitation to us to the heavenly wedding banquet. Everyone is invited, but few accept the invitation. According to Matthew, even those who choose to attend, ought to be dressed appropriately wearing garments that are fit for the occasion—garments of loving kindness, charity, and justice. Pastor Randy Pabst	Isaiah 25:1–9 Philippians 4:1–9 Matthew 22:1–14	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
October 2, 2011, 9:00 AM 16th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: Dare to Live Outside our Comfort Zones” Somewhere we are told that our goals center in being more and more comfortable. But is that what we are called to do as followers of Jesus? After Jesus challenged the “comfort” of the norms of Temple life the religious authorities challenged him as to what “authority” gave him the right to do what he did and say what he said. His answer points us all toward a life different from the “status quo” when that “status quo” forgets God. Pastor Randy Pabst	Isaiah 5:1–7 Philippians 3:4b–14 Matthew 21:33–46	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
September 25, 2011, 10:30 AM 15th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: It’s Just Not Fair” Life just isn’t fair! We hear it and experience it at many levels. So, what do we do when we are brought face to face with God’s fairness—or, as revealed today, God’s unfairness? Hopefully we will respond by learning how we too can live out God’s unfairness. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Ezekiel 18:1–4,25–32 Philippians 2:1–13 Matthew 21:23–32	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
September 18, 2011, 09:00 AM 14th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: Living Out God’s Generosity” How generous are you? How generous is God? In a familiar story of the “reluctant prophet” Jonah we are caused to give pause to the true “generosity of God”—a generosity like no other. So, how do we live out God’s generosity in our lives? Today we see just how God God’s generosity can become our own… Pastor Randy Pabst	Jonah 3:10–4:11 Philippians 1:21–30 Matthew 20:1–16	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
September 11, 2011, 09:00 AM 13th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: Asking for the Courage to Forgive” The God in whom we live and move and have our being is full of compassion. Together we pray that He be the goal of our pilgrimage, our rest by the way, and a refuge from the turmoil of the world. May we then support one another in our own efforts to offer rest, refuge, healing, and forgiveness in His name. Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Jonah 3:10–4:5,11 Ephesians 2:1–10 Luke 10:25–37	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
September 4, 2011, 09:00 AM 12th Sunday After Pentecost	“Living Out Loud: Holding Each Other Accountable” Disagreement, conflict, wrongs committed—unfortunately these are not options in life but rather givens. So the questions isn’t how to avoid these inevitabilities but rather how do we both face and overcome them. In other words, how do we hold ourselves and others accountable for bad behavior and brokenness? Today, Jesus points us into God’s accountability—an accountability based on forgiveness and therefore the possibility of reconciliation and new life! Pastor Randy Pabst	Ezekiel 33:7–11 Romans 13:8–14 Matthew 18:15–20	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
August 28, 2011, 09:00 AM 11th Sunday After Pentecost	“What Good is God: Denying Self/Receiving God” It goes against everything we affirm in this culture—self-denial, sacrifice, suffer for another. Yet, today Jesus tells us that is exactly what he is about and what it will mean to follow him. And, we are also reminded that he will never let us go through nay of this alone—that in him we do have whole life as God intended. Pastor Randy Pabst	Jeremiah 15:15–21 Romans 12:9–21 Matthew 16:21–28	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
August 21, 2011, 09:00 AM 10th Sunday After Pentecost	“What Good is God: God’s Grace Extends to all Creation” After the flood waters receded, God made a covenant with all of God’s creatures. All too often, we forget to offer thanks and praise to God for the goodness of creation and for the companionship we enjoy with the animals in our life. Pastor Randy Pabst	Genesis 9:8–17 Romans 8:18–25 Matthew 6:25–33	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
August 14, 2011, 09:00 AM 9th Sunday After Pentecost	“What Good is God when we are at odds with one another?” The story of the Canaanite woman’s faith in today’s gospel lesson is a story of conflict that involves Jesus. Wanting to rest from his busy ministry, Jesus tries to get rid of a pagan woman who insists that he heal her daughter. Although increasingly irritated, Jesus keeps listening to her and, in the end, heals the child. How do we behave in conflicted situations? How do we genuinely listen to one another? How do we make our conflicts productive, rather than disruptive? Pastor Gabi Schroeder	Isaiah 56:1,6–8 Romans 11:1–2a,29–32 Matthew 15:21–28	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3
August 7, 2011, 09:00 AM 8th Sunday After Pentecost	“What Good is God: How do we distinguish God’s voice from the many voices around us?” Elijah encountered many forceful sights and sounds when he sat by the mound of the cave on Mt. Horeb. He watched a storm so strong that it split the mountains and felt an earthquake so powerful that it shook the very ground. But he did not experience God’s voice in these. It was only in the sheer silence that followed that Elijah heard God speak to him. Elijah instantly knew when God began to speak to him, but how do we know how to distinguish God’s voice from the voices of habit, tradition, and culture? Does Jesus help us to distinguish the voices? If yes, how? Pastor Gabi Schroeder	1 Kings 19:9–18 Romans 10:5–15 Matthew 14:22–33	Windows Media MP3	Windows Media MP3