Click on name of any Sunday to see the Order of Service.


Past services (which include the audio of the sermon in the service) are found at the bottom of the page.



11th Sunday after Pentecost ........................................... August 8, 2021

The Lord Jesus Feeds Us with His Flesh, in Order to Strengthen Us with His Own Life

God the Father sent His Son into the world, so that the world might have life in Him. Now He "draws" you to His Son, Christ Jesus, by the preaching of His Gospel. "Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father" comes to Jesus, who will never cast him out but "will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:44-45). He is "the bread of life," who "comes down from heaven" in the flesh, that you may eat of Him and "live forever" (John 6:48-51). Although "the journey is too great for you," in the strength of this food you shall come to "the mount of God." Do not be afraid, and do not despair, but "arise and eat" (1 Kings 19:5-8). And "no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds" (Eph. 4:17), but "walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us" (Eph. 5:2). In Him, you have been "created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:24). Therefore, "be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Eph. 5:1), by "forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:32).


Feast of St. Mary .................................................................... August 15, 2021

St. Mary, Mother of God

The Lord clothes His people with the garments of salvation and covers them with the robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10). So the Blessed Virgin Mary rejoices in God her Savior (Luke 1:47). The Lord was gracious to her. She believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord (v. 45). That is why all generations shall call her "blessed" (v. 42 & 48); likewise, "Blessed are all who hear the Word of God and keep it" (Luke 11:28). She has the unique honor of being the one from whom the Righteous One sprouts up on earth before all nations (Isa. 61:11). But she sings as a recipient of His great mercy. God sent forth His Son, born of this woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law, that we might be sons and heirs (Gal. 4:4-7). Mary is rightly called "Mother of God" because of the nature of the Son she bore; but He alone is called "Savior," "Redeemer," and "Advocate." Jesus Christ is the one thing needful, come to rescue and heal and save us (Luke 10:28_42). He is the seed of the woman at last come to crush the serpent's head for us (Gen. 3:15).


13th Sunday after Pentecost ........................................ August 22, 2021

The True Tradition of the Church Is the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, Her Savior

The true tradition of the Church is the Gospel, which is the preaching and administration of Christ Jesus. Other traditions, although not commanded by God, may serve and support that sacred tradition of the Gospel. But the Church dare not "[reject] the commandment of God" in order to establish or hold to "the tradition of men" (Mark 7:8_9). Sinful people attempt to draw near to the Lord "with their mouth" and to honor Him "with their lips," while their hearts are far removed from Him (Is. 29:13). Yet, He is "the Holy One of Israel," who brings about salvation by His cross. Therefore, "the wisdom of their wise men shall perish," but "the deaf shall hear" and "the eyes of the blind shall see" (Is. 29:14_19). This mystery of Christ is profound, for He is the Husband of the Church, and He is her Savior. Not because of any works that she has done, but solely for the sake of His great love, He "gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word" (Eph. 5:25_26).

Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist ........................... August 29, 2021

The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

"Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!" (Rom. 6:1-2). John preached the Law boldly against Herod's adultery with Herodias. Choosing human honor over honesty, Herod served up John's head on a platter to pacify Herodias's conscience without the contrition and repentance of Baptism (Mark 6:17-28). So John was slain for the Word of God and for the witness he had borne (Rev. 6:9). John is Christ's forerunner also in death; so other fellow-servants and brothers continue to be martyrs (witnesses) of Christ to this day (Rev. 6:11). Their deaths are precious to the Lord (Ps. 116:15) and so also to us, who celebrate even a beheading. Such is the confidence of the baptized! Buried into Christ's death through Baptism, we believe we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His also (Rom. 6:4-5). United to Christ, the Church's Head, John can be confident that He will be reunited to his own at the last day. Even John isn't really the forerunner; Jesus has gone before us all: out of the tomb alive, the firstborn of those who sleep!

Past Services


10th Sunday after Pentecost ........................................... August 1, 2021

Jesus Is the True and Living Bread from Heaven

Having rescued Israel "out of the land of Egypt" (Ex. 16:6), the Lord manifested His glory and made Himself known to His people. He fed them with "meat to eat" in the evening and with "bread from heaven" in the morning (Ex. 16:4, 8, 12). But now, the "true bread from heaven," which the Father gives to you, is the Son, "who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:32-33). Whoever comes to Him "shall not hunger," and whoever believes in Him "shall never thirst." He is "the bread of life," who gives Himself to you as "the food that endures to eternal life" (John 6:27, 35). By the gracious working of God, you believe in Him by the calling of one Spirit through the Gospel, so that you also have "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all" (Eph. 4:4-6). As you eat His one body in the Holy Supper, so you belong to the one body of His Church, in which you "are to grow up in every way into him who is the head" (Eph. 4:15).


Feast of St. James the Elder ................................................ July 25, 2021

St. James the Elder, Apostle

The sons of Zebedee ask for seats at Jesus' right and left in glory (Mark 10:37). But they do not know what they are asking (Matt. 20:22), for God's kingdom is not of glory and power but the cross. We will bear ours after Him. For His sake we are killed and regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all this we are more than conquerors through Him (Rom. 8:36-37), for Jesus' death is unique. He alone is baptized with our sin and drinks the cup of God's wrath against it (Mark 10:38). We live in service to our neighbors after His example; but He alone is the Son of Man, come to give His life as a ransom for many (v. 45). Today the Church commemorates the fulfillment of Christ's prophecy about James, killed with Herod's sword (Acts 12:2). He is honored as the first apostle to be conformed to the image of God's Son (Rom. 8:29). But what is that when Christ Jesus has died-more than that, is raised-and is at the right hand of God, interceding for us? Nothing (not even a sword) can separate James and us from the love of Christ (v. 34-35).


8th Sunday after Pentecost .................................................. July 18, 2021

The Lord Jesus Shepherds His Church on Earth by the Ministry of the Gospel

The Lord rebukes and removes "the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep" (Jer. 23:1). He gathers the flock, brings them back to the fold and sets "shepherds over them who will care for them" (Jer. 23:3-4). He raises up the Son of David, the great Good Shepherd, to "reign as king and deal wisely" (Jer. 23:5). He is "our righteousness," in whom we "dwell securely" (Jer. 23:6). He has compassion on all of us, who were "like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34). Not only does He teach us many things, but taking the bread, He blesses and breaks and gives it to the disciples "to set before the people" (Mark 6:41). He abundantly provides for His Church on earth, so that everyone is fed and fully satisfied in body and soul. He preaches peace "to you who were far off," and "by the blood of Christ," He brings you near (Eph. 2:13, 17). Though you were "separated from Christ" by your sin, "having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12), now "you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19).


7th Sunday after Pentecost ................................................... July 11, 2021

The Lord Jesus Brings His People through Death into Life by the Preaching of Repentance

Amos did not choose to be a prophet, but the Lord took him "from following the flock" and said to him, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel" (Amos 7:15). It was a hard word given him to preach: King Jeroboam would "die by the sword," and Israel would "go into exile away from his land" (Amos 7:10-11). For this word, Amos was hated and threatened. St. John the Baptist also suffered for his faithful preaching of repentance. King Herod "sent and seized John and bound him in prison," even though he knew that John "was a righteous and holy man" (Mark 6:17, 20). Out of pride and fear, Herod "sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head" (Mark 6:27). Yet in Christ, St. John the Baptist "has been raised from the dead" (Mark 6:14, 16). For Christ is the destruction of death itself "before the foundation of the world," and even now by faith, "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" has blessed us in Christ "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:3-4). Through Baptism into Christ, you also "were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" for life and salvation (Eph. 1:13).


5th Sunday after Pentecost ................................................ June 27, 2021

The Lord Jesus Is Faithful, and in Mercy He Raises You Up from Death to Life

The Lord is faithful. His steadfast love never ceases, and "his mercies never come to an end" (Lam. 3:22_23). To keep us in repentance and to make our faith grow, He causes grief for a while, but He does not cast off forever; in due time, "he will have compassion" (Lam. 3:31-33). Therefore, "hope in him," and "wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord," for "the Lord is good to those who wait for him" (Lam. 3:24-26). That is what the woman did who had "a discharge of blood," and also the ruler whose daughter "was at the point of death." Each waited on the mercy of the Lord Jesus, and each received His saving help (Mark 5:21-28). The woman had suffered much for 12 years, and the ruler's daughter had already died before Jesus arrived. Yet at the right time, the woman was immediately "healed of her disease," and the little girl "got up and began walking" (Mark 5:29, 42). Such is "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," who humbled Himself unto the extreme poverty of death "so that you by his poverty might become rich," even unto life everlasting (2 Cor. 8:9).


Thanksgiving on Day of National Independence ... July 4, 2021

God’s Authorities

God sends authorities into our lives as His servants for our good (Romans 13:4). As citizens, we we owe those God has placed in authority over us honor and respect. (Romans 13:7) But we should not lose our perspective – God is ultimately the king and ruler of all. While we operate in the civil realm, rendering to Caesar, we also remember that all things are God’s – there is nothing that belongs to Caesar that doesn’t also belong to God. (Mark 12:17) As we strive to be good citizens, we must always be on guard not to turn our love of country into an idol which turns us to disobedience to God. (Deut. 8:19-20) The Lord provides in all our need, delivering us from the bondage house of slavery by lifting up Christ as He did the bronze serpent, showering us with the Bread of Life (Christ) as He did those who came through the wilderness. (Deut. 8:14-16)


4th Sunday after Pentecost ............................................... June 20, 2021

The Word of Christ Bestows Peace on His Creation through His Forgiveness of Sins

In his anguish and affliction, Job must be reminded that, as a finite creature, he is in no position to question the Maker of the heavens and the earth. Job's "words without knowledge" are unable to penetrate the wisdom of the Lord (Job 38:1-2). For the Lord has "prescribed limits" and "set bars and doors," so that "here shall your proud waves be stayed" (Job 38:9-11). That's how He humbles us unto repentance. But also by His powerful Word, He calms the "great windstorm" and the waves "breaking into the boat." He does not permit the chaos of this fallen world to overwhelm us or bring us to despair. By the Word of His Gospel, He speaks "Peace!" to us, which bestows the "great calm" of His new creation (Mark 4:37-39). Therefore, do not be afraid, and do not receive this grace of God in vain. "Now is the favorable time," and "now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:1-2).


3rd Sunday after Pentecost ................................................. June 13, 2021

The Cross of Christ Is the Tree of Life, Which Bears Abundant Fruit after Its Own Kind

The parables of our Lord convey the mysteries of the kingdom of God to those who are "able to hear it," that is, "to his own disciples," who are catechized to fear, love and trust in Him by faith (Mark 4:33_34). He scatters "seed on the ground," which "sprouts and grows" unto life, even as "he sleeps and rises" (Mark 4:26_27). "On the mountain height of Israel," He plants a young and tender twig, and it becomes "a noble cedar." Indeed, His own cross becomes the Tree of Life, under which "every kind of bird" will dwell, and in which "birds of every sort will nest" (Ezek. 17:22_25). His cross is our resting place, even while now in mortal bodies, we "groan, being burdened" (2 Cor. 5:1-4). Yet in faith, we live for God in Christ, who for our sake "died and was raised" (2 Cor. 5:15). We know that, in His resurrected body, "we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor. 5:1).


2nd Sunday after Pentecost .................................................. June 6, 2021

Jesus Has Defeated the Devil and Released Us from the Bondage of Sin and Death

The devil deceived us, enticing us to disregard and disobey the Word of God and driving us to hide "from the presence of the Lord God." But the Lord, in His mercy, promised a Savior, who would set Himself against the devil on our behalf (Gen. 3:8-15). The Son of Man came, the incarnate Son of God, conceived and born of the woman. He "first binds the strong man," Satan, by atoning for the sins of the world, thereby removing the condemnation of the Law and the fear of death (Mark 3:27). Now He plunders the devil's house by calling all men to repent. Though He appears to be "out of his mind" (Mark 3:21), He fulfills the will of God and makes of us His own brothers and sisters. Therefore, "we do not lose heart," despite the suffering, sin and death that we experience in this fallen world. "He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus." By His grace, we are "being renewed day by day." For the Gospel is daily bringing us into His presence, not for punishment, but for "an eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:14-17).


Trinity Sunday ................................................................................. May 30, 2021

The Glory of the Lord of Hosts Shines in Mercy, Forgiveness and Salvation

When Isaiah "saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up," he cried out and confessed that he was "a man of unclean lips." If even the holy angels cover their faces in the presence of "the King, the Lord of hosts," how can sinful humans stand before Him (Is. 6:1-5)? Yet, the glory of the Lord is saving grace, and with "a burning coal" from the altar the angel touched Isaiah's lips, removing his guilt (Is. 6:6-7). Likewise, from the altar of Christ's cross, by the ministry of the Gospel, "the whole earth is full of his glory" (Is. 6:3). For He was crucified, died and was buried, "according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God," and God "raised him up, loosing the pangs of death" (Acts 2:23-24). He "received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:33), and He raises up the fallen world by pouring out His life-giving Spirit upon sinners through His earthly Means of Grace. To give this saving gift, God sent His Son into the world, "that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16-17).


Pentecost Sunday ....................................................................... May 23, 2021

The Holy Spirit Brings the Dead to Life by the Righteousness of Christ

In returning to His Father by way of the cross and resurrection, Christ Jesus sends "the Helper" to His Church, that is, "the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father." The Spirit testifies of Christ and glorifies Him, by taking what is His and declaring it to the world in the preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (John 15:26; 16:7, 14). He convicts the world of sin by the word of the Law, He forgives sins and justifies sinners by the Word of the Gospel, and He bestows the faith that says "Amen" to this righteousness of God (John 16:8_11). Therefore, the Lord pours out His Spirit on the apostles, that by their preaching, the Spirit should be given to His entire Church. As the multitudes are gathered from all the nations by "this sound," that is, by the preaching of "the mighty works of God" in Christ Jesus, so does God the Father pour out the Spirit of His Son "on all flesh" (Acts 2:6, 11, 17). The Lord God breathes upon the slain, and so shall they live; for so the Lord has spoken, and He shall do it (Ezek. 37:5-14).


Seventh Sunday of Easter ..................................................... May 16, 2021

Our Great High Priest Preserves Us in the Name of His Father

On the eve of His Passion, Christ Jesus intercedes for the disciples as their merciful and great High Priest. He prays that His Father would protect them "from the evil one" and preserve them in His name (John 17:11-12, 15). Along with His prayer, Christ Himself comes to the Father by His self-sacrifice upon the cross, thereby consecrating Himself for the sake of His disciples, "that they also may be sanctified in truth" (John 17:19). To that same end, He speaks to them in the world and gives them His Father's Word, that is, Himself. His apostles, in turn, have written these things "to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). For "this life is in his Son," whom He has given by His Word, and "whoever has the Son has life" (1 John 5:11-12). By this apostolic testimony, disciples are gathered together "with one accord," as one Body in Christ, "devoting themselves to prayer" and waiting upon the Lord in "the upper room" of His Church on earth (Acts 1:13-14).


Ascension Day ................................................................................ May 13, 2021

The Ascended Lord Jesus Is with Us Always in His Church on Earth

After He rose from the dead, the Lord Jesus presented Himself alive to the apostles, "appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). When He ascended to the right hand of the Father, He did not orphan His Church, but He fills all things in heaven and on earth and gives gifts to His disciples. Even now, through His Church, He continues "to do and teach" (Acts 1:1), preaching "repentance and forgiveness of sins" (Luke 24:47), even "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Though the cloud hid Jesus from the sight of His disciples then, and He remains hidden from sight even now, He remains with His people through His Gospel and Sacraments. He comes to us by the word of His apostles, by the promise of His Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit, whom He pours out upon "the church, which is his body" (Eph. 1:22-23). In this holy, Christian Church, we bless God and worship Christ with joy, for in His Church He blesses us with forgiveness, lifts us up in His hands and seats us with Himself "in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:20).


Sixth Sunday of Easter ................................................................ May 9, 2021

The Lord Jesus Is with His Church in the Apostolic Ministry of the Gospel

The crucified and risen Lord Jesus is with His Church through the word of His apostles, who "are witnesses of all that he did." He was anointed by God "with the Holy Spirit and with power," and "he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil," and so He was with those whom He sent "to preach to the people" (Acts 10:38-42). The Holy Spirit is bestowed on those who hear that apostolic preaching, who are "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ," so that "everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (Acts 10:43-44, 48). For as He came by the water of His Baptism, even to the blood of His Passion, so the Spirit testifies to the truth with "the water and the blood" in the apostolic ministry of the Gospel (1 John 5:6-7). By these means, Christ Jesus speaks to us, that His joy may be in us and that our "joy may be full." For this purpose, He appointed the apostles to "go and bear fruit" in order to make known His divine friendship to us (John 15:11, 15-16).


Fifth Sunday of Easter ................................................................ May 2, 2021

Jesus Christ Is the True Vine Who Bears Much Fruit in Us

"God is love," and He has manifested Himself to us by sending "his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9, 16). By the ministry of the Gospel, "he has given us of his Spirit," so that we also believe and confess "that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh." In this way, we "abide in him and he in us," and we "love one another" (1 John 4:2, 7, 13). Such divine love is exemplified in Philip's preaching of "the good news about Jesus" to the Ethiopian eunuch. And when "they came to some water," the eunuch was baptized into the very Gospel that Philip had preached (Acts 8:35_38). That Ethiopian was thereby grafted into "the true vine," Jesus Christ (John 15:1), just as we are. Already we are clean because of the Word that Christ has spoken to us and by the washing of water with His Word. We now abide in Him by faith in His forgiveness. As He abides in us, both body and soul, with His own body and His blood, He "bears much fruit" in us (John 15:3-5).