Webcasts

Advent Worship featuring our school's 6th through 8th grade students.

Pastor Warren will share why we are hearing the Palm Sunday Gospel at the beginning of Advent. It seems we are getting our seasons mixed up – Oh, by the way, happy New Year! Bible Verse Focus – Matthew 21: 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Did you give thanks for your last meal? Most people—even Christians—often “forget” to give thanks. When we do not give thanks, we are like the rich fool of the parable, thinking it was his work that brought the grain, when in fact it was God who gave it to Him. When we do not give thanks, we become fools, forgetting who gave us what we have and all we are. Have you been foolish? That is what Jesus calls the rich man. Give thanks always—that is the advice of Paul. Above all, give thanks for the cross and the empty tomb, which opens heaven to us.

There is a phrase familiar to both preschoolers and powerbrokers. When they see that someone else has something they want, they declare, “That’s mine!” seizing either toys or territory for themselves. This phrase is not unfamiliar to our God either. But where humans are motivated by selfishness, the Lord acts out of love. He claims you as His own because He loves you and He wants you to be with Him for eternity. You are His treasured possession! He will never leave you behind like a toddler may accidentally abandon her teddy bear, or neglect you like a king would treat those who supported his rival. When the Lord says, “You are Mine,” you have His pledge of enduring faithfulness, today and unto eternity!

There is a phrase familiar to both preschoolers and powerbrokers. When they see that someone else has something they want, they declare, “That’s mine!” seizing either toys or territory for themselves. This phrase is not unfamiliar to our God either. But where humans are motivated by selfishness, the Lord acts out of love. He claims you as His own because He loves you and He wants you to be with Him for eternity. You are His treasured possession! He will never leave you behind like a toddler may accidentally abandon her teddy bear, or neglect you like a king would treat those who supported his rival. When the Lord says, “You are Mine,” you have His pledge of enduring faithfulness, today and unto eternity!

There is a phrase familiar to both preschoolers and powerbrokers. When they see that someone else has something they want, they declare, “That’s mine!” seizing either toys or territory for themselves. This phrase is not unfamiliar to our God either. But where humans are motivated by selfishness, the Lord acts out of love. He claims you as His own because He loves you and He wants you to be with Him for eternity. You are His treasured possession! He will never leave you behind like a toddler may accidentally abandon her teddy bear, or neglect you like a king would treat those who supported his rival. When the Lord says, “You are Mine,” you have His pledge of enduring faithfulness, today and unto eternity!

One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith can be summed up in the word “near.” “Near” can indicate something that is almost here but hasn’t yet arrived. And at the same time, “near” can point to something already with us, like those “near and dear” to our hearts. The word “near” resounds with feelings of the here and now and the not quite yet. Today in worship, Your Savior, Jesus, is near! He is present in the here and now, delivering grace upon grace. And He is on His way, bringing the fullness of His freedom. Praise the God who comes near in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith can be summed up in the word “near.” “Near” can indicate something that is almost here but hasn’t yet arrived. And at the same time, “near” can point to something already with us, like those “near and dear” to our hearts. The word “near” resounds with feelings of the here and now and the not quite yet. Today in worship, Your Savior, Jesus, is near! He is present in the here and now, delivering grace upon grace. And He is on His way, bringing the fullness of His freedom. Praise the God who comes near in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith can be summed up in the word “near.” “Near” can indicate something that is almost here but hasn’t yet arrived. And at the same time, “near” can point to something already with us, like those “near and dear” to our hearts. The word “near” resounds with feelings of the here and now and the not quite yet. Today in worship, Your Savior, Jesus, is near! He is present in the here and now, delivering grace upon grace. And He is on His way, bringing the fullness of His freedom. Praise the God who comes near in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

We are not far from the “holiday season.” In the secular world, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s roll into one big celebration. It is typical to have holiday traditions around special times of the year. Traditions can serve to make some moments more memorable and meaningful. But sometimes traditions add stress to an already hectic calendar or distract us from the real reason for celebrating. Before jumping headlong into the holiday season, soak up this moment in worship. See how the Lord repeatedly meets us with His best. See how surrounding ourselves with His Word and sacramental gifts truly makes us ready to celebrate, for this season and forever!

We are not far from the “holiday season.” In the secular world, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s roll into one big celebration. It is typical to have holiday traditions around special times of the year. Traditions can serve to make some moments more memorable and meaningful. But sometimes traditions add stress to an already hectic calendar or distract us from the real reason for celebrating. Before jumping headlong into the holiday season, soak up this moment in worship. See how the Lord repeatedly meets us with His best. See how surrounding ourselves with His Word and sacramental gifts truly makes us ready to celebrate, for this season and forever!

We are not far from the “holiday season.” In the secular world, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s roll into one big celebration. It is typical to have holiday traditions around special times of the year. Traditions can serve to make some moments more memorable and meaningful. But sometimes traditions add stress to an already hectic calendar or distract us from the real reason for celebrating. Before jumping headlong into the holiday season, soak up this moment in worship. See how the Lord repeatedly meets us with His best. See how surrounding ourselves with His Word and sacramental gifts truly makes us ready to celebrate, for this season and forever!

When we think about “saints,” we typically think of “really good people.” But as we gather for All Saints’ Day, we are reminded that all who are baptized are “saints” because they are really God’s people. When we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus, we become God’s children and saints. We are saints now because of our Baptism. We will continue to be saints when Jesus comes back because God’s call does not change. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).

When we think about “saints,” we typically think of “really good people.” But as we gather for All Saints’ Day, we are reminded that all who are baptized are “saints” because they are really God’s people. When we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus, we become God’s children and saints. We are saints now because of our Baptism. We will continue to be saints when Jesus comes back because God’s call does not change. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).

When we think about “saints,” we typically think of “really good people.” But as we gather for All Saints’ Day, we are reminded that all who are baptized are “saints” because they are really God’s people. When we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus, we become God’s children and saints. We are saints now because of our Baptism. We will continue to be saints when Jesus comes back because God’s call does not change. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).