Aug 6: Abundant Faith

When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” Matthew 14:15–17

Jesus feeding of the 5,000 is one of the most well known stories in scripture. With 5 loaves and two fish, Jesus not only miraculously feeds the massive crowd, but ends of up with 12 baskets of leftovers! The story is amazing and demonstrates the power of God and the abundance of God’s blessings. This story also reminds us to focus more on what we have than what we are missing. The disciples could only see the large crowd and their meager provisions. Jesus helped them see the impact they could make with what they had. Join us Sunday as we consider God’s abundance!

Aug 13: Confessing Faith

If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

This simple statement of faith “Jesus is Lord” was the first creed of the Christian Church. The Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds were formulated much later and include far more tenets of dogma (virgin birth, Holy Spirit, etc.). To declare that Jesus is Lord and to believe in your heart he was raised from the dead is more than simply have a belief about God, rather it is an orientation and foundation for all of life. Join us Sunday as we consider Confessing Faith.

Aug 20: Crumby Faith

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” Matthew 15:21–23

Jesus’ reputation as a miracle healer spread everywhere he went. People were suffering and would seek him out with hope and expectation that he could cure them. When Jesus and the disciples enter a Gentile region, a woman with a demon possessed child persistently urged Jesus to heal her. Initially, Jesus ignored her, but she never stopped advocating for her daughter and demonstrated her great faith. Join us Sunday as we explore this story and open ourselves to what it means today.

Aug 27: Rock of Faith

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:13–15

The people of Israel had been promised a Messiah who would deliver and redeem them. The prophets foretold the Messiah with certain signs for people to watch for. With hopeful expectation the people watched and waited. For some, the ministry of Jesus checked a lot of the boxes for the promised Messiah. Jesus asks the disciples what people are saying about him and then more pointedly ask the disciples what they think. Jesus’ question “who do you say I am?” is also one for us all to ponder. It is a universal question and a personal one. See you Sunday as we ponder this question.

Sep 3: Stumbling Blocks

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Matthew 16:22–23

Last week, Jesus called Simon the Rock upon which the church would be built. This week he is called a “stumbling block” and demonic. That is quite a turn of events! Simon Peter had a moment of divine revelation when he proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah. However, he was not ready for Jesus to describe God’s mission for the Messiah was suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus helps the disciples understand that following him means journeying to the cross serving God before all else.

Sep 10: Forgiveness

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. Matthew 18:15 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Matthew 18:21

What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation and which is appropriate when? The entire chapter of Matthew 18 focuses on the power of forgiveness and restoration of relationships. As people following Jesus, we should always forgive (letting go) and should also seek to restore relationships when possible. Our gospel text for Sunday lays out in great detail a “how to” process which when followed strengthens communities and relationships. See you then!

Sep 17: The Weight of Unforgiveness

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ Matthew 18:32–33

Our gospel text for Sunday continues the theme of forgiveness. Jesus tells a parable about a servant who owed an enormous amount that could not be paid back. He begs for mercy and the master forgives the debt. The servant then demands a relatively small amount of debt be fully paid to him from another servant. The passage above is the response of the master when he hears of what took place. When we are forgiven it should change how we treat others. Forgiven people forgive. Seems simple enough, but not always easy to live out. Join us Sunday as we consider the power of forgiveness and the weight of unforgiving.

Sep 24: Unequaled Grace

Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous? Matthew 20:14–15

Sunday’s gospel features another parable from Jesus. This time, Jesus tells the story of landowner who hires laborers to work in the field. He goes out several times to hire workers, assuring each of them they will paid “the usual daily wage.” At the end of the day, the owner pays them in reverse order and gives equal pay to all. The early workers who were in the field all day grumble against the owner when those who only worked one hour get the same pay. The parable brings to mind questions of equality, fairness, and grace. Join us Sunday as we consider God’s actions towards us and our’s toward one another.

Oct 1: Empty Intent

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” Matthew 21:31

In our gospel for Sunday, Jesus offers a parable of two sons whose father asks them to go into the vineyard. The first says “no” but then does go, while the second says “yes” but does not go. Jesus then asks, which did the will of his father? Here Jesus makes the important distinction between knowing the will of God and doing the will of God. Faith lived out in action is where we demonstrate God’s love, following the example of Jesus himself. Join us Sunday as consider our intentions and our actions.

Oct 8: Cornerstone

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42

On Sunday, we will hear a parable from Jesus which seems to predict his rejection by the religious leaders and the people. He tells the story of the landowner who leases out his fields to workers and at harvest time, sends his servants to collect his portion. The fieldworkers reject, beat, and kill the servants. Jesus’ message is that what humans reject, God will build upon. God can take rejection and build a kingdom, bring hope to despair, and healing to brokenness. Through Christ we have the promise of life and we are called to bear the fruit of righteousness. Join us Sunday!

Oct 15: Table Reservations

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.” Matthew 22:1–3

We continue in the season of parables from Jesus on Sunday. This parable, which Jesus uses to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of heaven, involves a king throwing a wedding banquet for his son. The metaphor of the wedding banquet was often connected with the heavenly image of salvation. God throws a great dinner for all to enjoy, but what if people do not want to attend? God continues to invite us and there is spot reserved just for you! Join us Sunday as we consider God’s invitation to us.

Oct 22: Empire Tax

Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Matthew 22:17

This was a trick question. The Pharisees and others were seeking to discredit the teaching and authority of Jesus and worked up this question about taxes. If Jesus says “yes” it could imply that loyalty to the Emperor rivals loyalty to God. If he says “no” then he can be branded as an anti-Roman insurrectionist. Jesus, in typical form, offers his own question as a retort. In doing so, he brings forward the question for people of faith: what obligation do I have to the government? Is being faithful to God synonymous with being a patriot? What about laws and policies that go against Jesus’ teachings? Join us Sunday as we dig into Jesus’ response and consider the role of faith in our civil life.

Oct 29: Greatest Command

But their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2

We will celebrate Reformation Day on Sunday, remembering the history and theology of the Lutheran Church. One of the key contributions of Luther was his renewed focus on biblical literacy. He understood God’s Word spoke of God’s promises, God’s power, and offered a guide for living. Join us Sunday as celebrate God’s Word and seek inspiration anew.

Nov 5: God Blessed

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:3–5

All Saints Sunday offers us a time to remember and give thanks for the blessed saints and celebrate their heavenly reunion with the Lord. The Beattitudes of Jesus cast a vision of the Kingdom of God. Where those who are poor, mourning, meek, hungry, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted will all be called blessed by God. This word of blessing is a reversal of earthly fortune and a declaration of God’s intent. Join us Sunday as we celebrate the saints and remember God’s promise.

Nov 12: Humbled

All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12

Life has a way of keeping us humble. It seems there is always something that needs to be addressed or improved in life. When we get a big head and think we have things figured out, is when we are most vulnerable. It was no different in Jesus’ ministry and teaching. His ongoing tension with the religious leaders demonstrated how unwilling those in power were, with humility, to consider different ways God might be working in the world. Join us Sunday as we look into these tensions and how they are working in our lives.

Nov 19: Talent Agency

For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Matthew 25:14–15

Parables are back by popular demand! This Sunday we return to another parable by Jesus, often called “the parable of the talents.” This passage continues to probe what faithfulness looks like as we await the triumphant return of Christ. More specifically, it discusses how we use the gifts we have been given. Do we share what we have or keep it to ourselves? Are we prepared to meet the Lord at anytime? Join us Sunday as we delight in God’s Word.