Good Shepherd Sermon Podcast

Seventh Sunday after PentecostBible Readings: Isaiah 55:6–11, Matthew 13:1–9,18–23, 1 Corinthians 3:5–11Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4vmLnbPPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Matthew 13:1–9,18–23The Parable of the Sower13 That same day Jesus left the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 A large crowd gathered around him. So he stepped into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 He told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen, a sower went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. Immediately the seed sprang up, because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun rose, the seed was scorched. Because it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it. 8 But some seed fell on good ground and produced grain: some one hundred times, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown. 9 Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”18 “So listen carefully to the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil One comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the seed that was sown along the path. 20 The seed that was sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he is not deeply rooted and does not endure. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22 The seed that was sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worry of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it produces no fruit. 23 But the seed that was sown on the good ground is the one who continues to hear and understand the word. Indeed he continues to produce fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Sixth Sunday after PentecostBible Readings: Matthew 22:15-22, Romans 13:1-7Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/44JahawPastor John MelkeSermon text: Romans 13:1-7Governments Are Established by God13 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For no authority exists except by God, and the authorities that do exist have been established by God. 2 Therefore the one who rebels against the authority is opposing God’s institution, and those who oppose will bring judgment on themselves.3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to evil. Would you like to have no fear of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will receive praise from him, 4 because he is God’s servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because he does not carry the sword without reason. He is God’s servant, a punisher to bring wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore it is necessary to submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of conscience.6 For this reason you also pay taxes, because the authorities are God’s ministers, who are employed to do this very thing. 7 Pay what you owe to all of them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Fifth Sunday after PentecostBible Readings: Exodus 32:15-29, Matthew 10:23-42, 1 Timothy 6:11-16Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4f7KsWLPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Exodus 32:15-2915 Moses turned and went down the mountain, with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hand—tablets that were written on both sides, written on one side and on the other. 16 The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is the noise of war in the camp.”18 Moses said, “It is not the sound of people who shout for victory; neither is it the sound of people who cry because of defeat. But I do hear the sound of people who are celebrating.”19 As soon as Moses came near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing, and Moses’ anger burned. So he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water. Then he made the people of Israel drink it.21 Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you have brought such a great sin on them?”22 Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn. You know these people. They are set on evil, 23 so they said to me, ‘Make a god for us, who will go ahead of us, because this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 24 So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, pull it off.’ So they gave it to me. I threw it into the fire and out came this calf.”25 When Moses saw that the people were out of control (for Aaron had let them get so out of control that they were disgraced among their enemies), 26 Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side, come to me!”All the descendants of Levi gathered themselves together to Moses. 27 He said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man is to strap his sword on his thigh and go back and forth throughout the camp, from one gate of the camp to the other, and every man is to kill his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.’” 28 The Levites did what Moses said, and that day about three thousand men from among the people fell. 29 Moses said, “Begin your service of the Lord today. Yes, because every man among you took a stand against his son and against his brother, the Lord is bestowing a blessing on you today.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Third Sunday after PentecostBible Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-12, Matthew 10:5a, 12-33, 2 Timothy 4:1-8Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/3S9YfEiPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: 2 Timothy 4:1-8Proclaim the Gospel4 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching. 3 For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. 4 They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.5 As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.Paul’s Farewell6 You see, I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will give it to me on that day, and not only to me but also to everyone who loved his appearing.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Third Sunday after PentecostBible Readings: Numbers 27:15–23, Matthew 9:35—10:8, 1 Corinthians 4:1–7Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4eJcU0XPastor John MelkeSermon text: Matthew 9:35-10:815 Moses spoke to the Lord, 16 “May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the community, 17 who will go out before them and come in before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”18 The Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and place your hand on him. 19 Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire community. You will commission him in their sight. 20 You will give some of your authority to him so that the entire Israelite community will listen to him. 21 He will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will inquire for him before the Lord with the decision of the Urim. He and all the Israelites with him, the entire community, will go out at his command and come in at his command.”22 Moses did just as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire community. 23 He placed his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord spoke through Moses.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Second Sunday after PentecostBible Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3, Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 12:11-14Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4o6K66yPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Exodus 3:1-15Moses and the Burning Bush3 Now Moses was shepherding the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, a priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but the bush was not burning up. 3 So he said, “I will go over and look at this amazing sight—to find out why the bush is not burning up.”4 When the Lord saw that Moses had gone over to take a look, God called to him from the middle of the bush and said, “Moses! Moses!”Moses said, “I am here.”5 The Lord said, “Do not come any closer. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He then said, “I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.7 The Lord said, “I have certainly seen the misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry for help because of their slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 Now indeed, the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me. Yes, I have seen how the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 Come now, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”12 So he said, “I will certainly be with you. This will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will serve God on this mountain.”13 But Moses said to God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I say to them?”14 So God replied to Moses, “I am who I am.” He also said, “You will say this to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you.”15 God also told Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation to generation.’ The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

First Sunday after Pentecost - Holy Trinity Bible Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3, Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 12:11-14Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4uBAJOPPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Genesis 1The Creation of the World1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was undeveloped and empty. Darkness covered the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.3 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good. He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” There was evening and there was morning—the first day.6 God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, and let it separate the water from the water.” 7 God made the expanse, and he separated the water that was below the expanse from the water that was above the expanse, and it was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky.” There was evening and there was morning—the second day.9 God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear,” and it was so. ⎣The waters under the sky gathered to their own places, and the dry land appeared.⎦ 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathering places of the waters he called “seas.” God saw that it was good. 11 God said, “Let the earth produce plants—vegetation that produces seed, and trees that bear fruit with its seed in it—each according to its own kind on the earth,” and it was so. 12 The earth brought forth plants, vegetation that produces seed according to its own kind, and trees that bear fruit with its seed in it, each according to its own kind, and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning—the third day.14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night, and let them serve as markers to indicate seasons, days, and years. 15 Let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth,” and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set these lights in place in the expanse of the sky to provide light for the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning—the fourth day.20 God said, “Let the waters swarm with living creatures, and let birds and other winged creatures fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” 21 God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their own kind, and every winged bird according to its own kind. God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them when he said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning—the fifth day.24 God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their own kind, livestock, creeping things, and wild animals according to their own kind,” and it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their own kind, and the livestock according to their own kind, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its own kind. God saw that it was good.26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that crawls on the earth.”27 God created the man in his own image. In the image of God he created him. Male and female he created them.28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 God said, “Look, I have given you every plant that produces seed on the face of the whole earth, and every tree that bears fruit that produces seed. It will be your food. 30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning—the sixth day.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Day of PentecostBible Readings: Acts 2:1-21, John 7:37-39, 1 Corinthians 12:3–11Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/3RRZOq4Mr. Caleb CarlovskySermon text: Matthew 15:21–28The Faith of a Canaanite Woman21 Jesus left that place and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 There a Canaanite woman from that territory came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! A demon is severely tormenting my daughter!”23 But he did not answer her a word.His disciples came and pleaded, “Send her away, because she keeps crying out after us.”24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”25 But she came and knelt in front of him, saying, “Lord, help me.”26 He answered her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to their little dogs.”27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet their little dogs also eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, your faith is great! It will be done for you, just as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Ascension of our LordBible Readings: Acts 1:1–11, Luke 24:44–53, Ephesians 1:15-23Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4dbBiIPPastor John MelkeSermon text: Ephesians 1:15-23A Prayer for Knowledge and Strength15 This is why, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, 19 and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. 20 It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. 23 The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Sixth Sunday of EasterBible Readings: Acts 17:22–31, John 14:15–21, 1 Peter 3:13–22Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4ujLFjyVIDEOAUDIOPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: John 14:15–2115 “If you love me, hold on to my commands. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see him or know him. You know him because he stays with you and will be in you.18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will see me no longer, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 The one who has my commands and holds on to them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I too will love him and show myself to him.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

May 3, 2026 Fifth Sunday of EasterBible Readings: Acts 4:8-12, John 14:1–11, 1 Peter 2:4–10Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4ujLFjyPastor John MelkeSermon text: Acts 4:8-128 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, 9 if we are being questioned today for a kind act that was done for the lame man, as to how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead! By him this man stands before you healed. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone.12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Fourth Sunday of EasterBible Readings: Acts 2:42-47, John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19–25Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4mJYVLLPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Psalm 23The Shepherd Provides for His People1 The Lord is my shepherd.I lack nothing.2 He causes me to lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside quiet waters.3 He restores my soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.The Shepherd Protects His People4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me.Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.The Royal Host Provides for His People5 You set a table for me in the presence of my foes.You drench my head with oil.My cup is overflowing.6 Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life,and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Second Sunday of EasterBible Readings: Acts 2:14a,22–32, 1 Peter 1:3–9, John 20:19–31Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4cd6TbrPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: John 20:19–31Behind Locked Doors19 On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”Thomas Finally Believes24 But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”26 After eight days, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe.”28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”The Purpose of John’s Gospel Account30 Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Easter FestivalBible Readings: Jonah 2:2-9, Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4trdxShPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: John 20:1515 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you carried him off, tell me where you laid him, and I will get him.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Good FridayBible Readings: Luke 13:34-35, Luke 23:32-34, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Matthew 27:35-36,39-44, Luke 23:35-38, Matthew 6:9-13, John 19:25-27, Luke 23:35-43, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Matthew 27:45-46, Matthew 26:36,39,42, John 19: 28-30, Psalm 53, Luke 23:44-46, Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4mbPhBlPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Luke 23:44-46Jesus’ Death44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun was darkened. Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” When he had said this, he breathed his last.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Holy ThursdayBible Readings: Exodus 24:1-11, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28, John 13:1-15,34Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4v2DCIZPastor John MelkeSermon text: Zechariah 13:1-3A Fountain to Wash Away Sin1 On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.2 In that day, declares the Lord of Armies, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the impure spirit from the land. 3 If anyone still prophesies, his father and his mother who gave birth to him will tell him, “You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the Lord!” Then his father and his mother who gave birth to him will stab him when he prophesies.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Palm SundayBible Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10, Matthew 21:1–11, Philippians 2:5–11Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4bSCzmmPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Isaiah 40:88     Grass withers, flowers fade,     but the Word of our God endures forever.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Passion History of our Lord – Part SixWorship Folder: https://bit.ly/4bN7WzGPastor Dennis ValleauSermon text: Zechariah 12:10–13They Will Mourn for the One They Pierced10 “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace, who pleads for mercy. Then they will look at me, the one they have pierced.”They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child. They will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves over his firstborn. 11 On that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, as great as the mourning for Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land will mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves;The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Fifth Sunday in LentBible Readings: 2 Kings 4:17–37, John 11:17–27,38–45, Romans 8:11–19Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4bN7WzGPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: John 11:17–27,38–4517 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother.20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary was sitting in the house.21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. 26 And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 38 Jesus was deeply moved again as he came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, because it has been four days.”40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone.Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44 The man who had died came out with his feet and his hands bound with strips of linen and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus told them, “Loose him and let him go.”The Plot45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Passion History of our Lord – Part FourWorship Folder: https://bit.ly/4bN7WzGPastor John MelkeSermon text: Zechariah 6:9–13The Crowning of Joshua9 The word of the Lord came to me:10 Take an offering from the exiles—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and on that very day go into the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and place it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.12 Tell him that this is what the Lord of Armies says:There is a man whose name is the Branch, because he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 He is the one who will build the temple of the Lord. He will be clothed with majesty, and he will sit and rule on his throne. He will be a priest on his throne, and there will be peaceful relations between the two offices.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Fourth Sunday in LentBible Readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-8, John 4:5-26Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4cKuSkiPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: John 9:1–7,13–17,34–39A Blind Man Sees1 As Jesus was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that God’s works might be revealed in connection with him. 4 I must do the works of him who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the World.”6 After saying this, Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and spread the mud on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” Jesus told him, “wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.13 They brought this man who had been blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight.“He put mud on my eyes,” the man told them. “I washed, and now I see.”16 Then some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God because he does not keep the Sabbath.” Others were saying, “How can a sinful man work such miraculous signs?”There was division among them, 17 so they said to the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?”The man replied, “He is a prophet.”34 They answered him, “You were entirely born in sinfulness! Yet you presume to teach us?” And they threw him out.35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out. When he found him, he asked, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”36 “Who is he, sir,” the man replied, “that I may believe in him?”37 Jesus answered, “You have seen him, and he is the very one who is speaking with you.”38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” and he knelt down and worshipped him.39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, in order that those who do not see will see, and those who do see will become blind.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Lenten ServicePassion History of our Lord – Part ThreeWorship Folder: https://bit.ly/4lsHaQCPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Zechariah 8:14–1714 For this is what the Lord of Armies says. Just as I planned to bring disaster upon you when your fathers made me angry, says the Lord of Armies, so that I did not relent, 15 so in these days I plan to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah once again. Do not be afraid.16 These are the things that you are to do: Speak the truth to one another. Render judgments that uphold truth, justice, and peace in your gates. 17 Do not plot evil in your hearts against each other. Do not love false oaths. Indeed I hate all these things, declares the Lord.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Third Sunday in LentBible Readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-8, John 4:5-26Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4uf18ChPastor John MelkeSermon text: John 4:5-265 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Then Jesus, being tired from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone into town to buy food.)9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”11 “Sir,” she said, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his animals.”13 Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty ever again. Rather, the water I will give him will become in him a spring of water, bubbling up to eternal life.”15 “Sir, give me this water,” the woman said to him, “so I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”16 Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband, and come back here.”17 “I have no husband,” the woman answered.Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say, ‘I have no husband.’ 18 In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.”19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews insist that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But a time is coming and now is here when the real worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for those are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (the one called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”26 Jesus said to her, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Passion History of our Lord – Part TwoWorship Folder: https://bit.ly/4bklcLZPastor Peter PlagenzSermon text: Zechariah 13:7–9Strike the Shepherd, and the Sheep Will Be Scattered7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,    and against the man who is my associate, declares the Lord of Armies.    Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered,    and I will turn my hand against the little ones.8 This will take place in the whole land, declares the Lord:    Two thirds of those who remain in it will be cut off and perish,    but one third will be left in it.9 I will put that third into the fire,    and I will refine them as silver is refined,    and I will test them as gold is tested.    They will call on my name, and I will answer them.    I will say, “This is my people.”    And they will say, “The Lord is my God.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Second Sunday in LentBible Readings: Genesis 12:1-8, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/3MOJCE8VIDEOAUDIOPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: John 3:1-17Jesus Teaches Nicodemus1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these miraculous signs you are doing unless God is with him.”3 Jesus replied, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless someone is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”5 Jesus answered, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God! 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh. Whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be surprised when I tell you that you must be born from above. 8 The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.10 “You are the teacher of Israel,” Jesus answered, “and you do not know these things? 11 Amen, Amen, I tell you: We speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen. But you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Lenten ServicePassion History of our Lord – Part OneWorship Folder:  https://bit.ly/3MQAnmIPastor John MelkeSermon text: Zechariah 11:7-137 So I shepherded the flock which is to be slaughtered, especially the most afflicted of the flock. I took two staffs for myself. One I called Favor and the other Union. Then I shepherded the flock. 8 I removed three shepherds in one month. I grew very impatient with the flock, and they really detested me. 9 So I said, “I will not shepherd you. Whatever is dying, let it die. Whatever is being destroyed, let it be destroyed. And let those who remain devour one another’s flesh.”10 I took my staff, Favor, and I broke it in two, to cancel my covenant that I had made with all the peoples. 11 So it was cancelled on that day, and the most miserable of the flock, who were watching me, knew that this was the word of the Lord.12 Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, pay me my wages. But if it does not, withhold them.” So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver as my wages.13 Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, this magnificent price at which they valued me.” So I took the thirty pieces of silver, and I threw them into the House of the Lord, to the potter.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

First Sunday in LentBible Readings: Genesis 3:1-15, Romans 5:12-19Worship Folder:  https://bit.ly/3ZJH8K8Pastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Matthew 4:1-11The Devil Tempts Jesus4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The Tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.”4 But Jesus answered, “It is written:Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.”5 Then the Devil took him into the holy city. He placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and he said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:He will command his angels concerning you. And they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”7 Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written: You shall not test the Lord your God.”8 Again the Devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will bow down and worship me.”10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”11 Then the Devil left him, and just then angels came and served him. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

February 18, 2026 Ash Wednesday ServiceBible Readings: Isaiah 59:12–20, Matthew 6:1–6, 16–2 Worship Folder:  https://bit.ly/3MQAnmIPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Zechariah 1:1–6A Call to Repent1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.2 The Lord was very angry with your forefathers. 3 Therefore, now you are to tell this people that this is what the Lord of Armies says to them.Return to me, declares the Lord of Armies, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Armies. 4 Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed, “This is what the Lord of Armies says. Return, return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.”But our forefathers did not listen, nor did they pay attention to me, declares the Lord. 5 Your forefathers—where are they now? And those prophets—did they go on living indefinitely? 6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded to my servants the prophets, caught up with our forefathers, didn’t they?Then they returned and said, “Because of our ways and our deeds, the Lord of Armies has done to us just as he planned to do to us.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Last Sunday after Epiphany – TransfigurationBible Readings: Exodus 24:9–18, Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4amxZx2Pastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Matthew 17:1-9The Transfiguration17 Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James; and he led them up onto a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured in front of them. His face was shining like the sun. His clothing became as white as the light. 3 Just then, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Just then, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down and were terrified. 7 Jesus approached and as he touched them, he said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they opened their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Fifth Sunday after EpiphanyBible Readings: Exodus 19:1–8a, 1 Peter 2:9–12, Matthew 5:13–20Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4bF39RtPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Matthew 5:13–20Salt and Light13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again? Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.Jesus Fulfills the Old Testament17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy them but to fulfill them. 18 Amen I tell you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest letter, or even part of a letter, will in any way pass away from the Law until everything is fulfilled. 19 So whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 Indeed I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and experts in the law, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Fourth Sunday after EpiphanyBible Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:11-13, Matthew 5:1-12Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4aj8hcBPastor Paul TullbergSermon text: Psalm 1The Way of the Godly Leads to Blessing1 How blessed is the man    who does not walk in the advice of the wicked,    who does not stand on the path with sinners,    and who does not sit in a meeting with mockers.2 But his delight is in the teaching of the Lord,and on his teaching he meditates day and night.3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water,    which yields its fruit in season,    and its leaves do not wither.Everything he does prospers.The Way of the Ungodly Leads to Destruction4 Not so the wicked!No, they are like the chaff which the wind blows away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.Conclusion6 Yes, the Lord approves of the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Look at the Gospel’s Power– creating followers – creating fishers of peopleJanuary 25, 2026Third Sunday after EpiphanyBible Readings John 1:29-41, Colossians 2:6-15Worship Folder: https://bit.ly/4sQr727Pastor John MelkeSermon text: Matthew 4:17-2217 From that time, Jesus began to preach: “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near.”“Come, Follow Me”18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message.Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words,activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Second Sunday after Epiphany Bible Readings John 1:29-41, Colossians 2:6-15 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Colossians 2:6-15 The Fullness That Is Ours in Christ 6 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 by being rooted and built up in him, and strengthened in the faith just as you were taught, while you overflow in faith with thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, which are in accord with human tradition, namely, the basic principles of the world, but not in accord with Christ. 9 For all the fullness of God’s being dwells bodily in Christ. 10 And you have been brought to fullness in him. Christ is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in him, with a circumcision not done by human hands, in the putting off of the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 when you were buried with Christ in baptism. And in baptism you were also raised with him through the faith worked by the God who raised Christ from the dead. 13 Even when you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ by forgiving us all our trespasses. 14 God erased the record of our debt brought against us by his legal demands. This record stood against us, but he took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 After disarming the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them by triumphing over them in Christ. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

First Sunday after Epiphany – Baptism of Our Lord Bible Readings Isaiah 42:1-7, Acts 10:34-38, Mark 1:11, Matthew 3:13–17 Worship FolderPastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Isaiah 42:1-7The First Servant Song The Servant Is Called to Bring Justice1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I am placing my Spirit on him. He will announce a just verdict for the nations.2 He will not cry out. He will not raise his voice. He will not make his voice heard in the street. 3 A bent reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not snuff out. He will faithfully bring forth a just verdict. 4 He will not burn out, and he will not be broken until he establishes justice on the earth. The coastlands will wait for his law. 5 This is what the true God says, the Lord who creates the heavens and stretches them out, who spreads out the earth and everything that it produces, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk on it. 6 I am the Lord. I have called you in righteousness. I will hold on to your hand, and I will guard you. I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to be a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes of the blind, to bring the prisoners out from the dungeon, and to bring those who sit in darkness out of prison.The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week.We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Second Sunday after Christmas Bible Readings Isaiah 60:1–6, Ephesians 3:2–12, Matthew 2:2, Matthew 2:1–12 Worship Folder Pastor John Melke Sermon text: Matthew 2:1–12 The Visit of the Wise Men 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, 2 “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 He gathered together all the people’s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, because this was written through the prophet: 6 You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah: because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel.” 7 Then Herod secretly summoned the Wise Men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report to me, so that I may also go and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. 11 After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Since they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

First Sunday after Christmas Bible Readings Isaiah 63:7-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:15-40, 21-40, Worship Folder Pastor John Melke Sermon text: Galatians 4:4-7 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, then you are also an heir of God through Christ. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Christmas Day Bible Readings Genesis 3:8-15, Genesis 22:15-18, Isaiah 9:2, 6-7, Micah 5:2-4, Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-23, Luke2:8-16, Galatians 4:4-7, John 1:1-14s Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: John 1:1-14 Christ, the Word, Becomes Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The real light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to what was his own, yet his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They were born, not of blood, or of the desire of the flesh, or of a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Fourth Sunday in Advent Bible Readings Isaiah 7:10–14, Matthew 1:18–25, Romans 1:1-7 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Matthew 1:18–25 The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. 20 But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, 25 but he was not intimate with her until she gave birth to her firstborn son. And he named him Jesus. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Thursday Advent Worship 3 Bible Readings Psalm 57, Luke 2:8-14 Worship Folder Pastor Paul Tullberg Sermon text: Luke 2:8-14 8 There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.” The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Third Sunday in Advent Bible Readings Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-11 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Matthew 11:2-11 John enquires about Christ: Christ speaks about John 2-3 John the Baptist was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing, and he sent a message through his own disciples asking the question, “Are you the one who was to come or are we to look for somebody else?” 4-6 Jesus gave them this reply, “Go and tell John what you see and her—that blind men are recovering their sight, cripples are walking, lepers being healed, the deaf hearing, the dead being brought to life and the good news is being given to those in need. And happy is the man who never loses faith in me.” 7-10 As John’s disciples were going away Jesus began talking to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to look at? A reed waving in the breeze? No? Then what was it you went out to see?—a man dressed in fine clothes? But the men who wear fine clothes live in the courts of kings! But what did you really go to see—a prophet? Yes, I tell you, a prophet and far more than a prophet! This is the man of whom the scripture says—‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you’. 11 “Believe me, no one greater than John the Baptist has ever been born of all mankind, and yet a humble member of the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bible Readings Psalm 36, Luke 1:57-79 Worship Folder Pastor John Melke Sermon text: Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah’s Song 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited us and prepared redemption for his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 just as he said long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets. 71 He raised up salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 in order to show mercy to our fathers by remembering his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to Abraham our father, 74 to grant deliverance to us from the hand of our enemies, so that we are able to serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of God’s tender mercies, by which the Rising Sun from on high will visit us, 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Second Sunday in Advent Bible Readings Isaiah 11:1-10,Matthew 3:1 -12, Romans 15:4-13 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Matthew 3:1-22 John the Baptist Prepares the Way 3 In those days, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 2 “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near!” 3 Yes, this is he of whom this was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.” 4 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him. 6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit in keeping with repentance! 9 Do not think of saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 Already the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But the one who comes after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” John Baptizes Jesus 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John at the Jordan. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, because it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John let him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he immediately went up out of the water. Suddenly, the heavens were opened for him! He saw the Spirit of God, descending like a dove and landing on him, 17 and a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am well pleased with him.” The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

1st Midweek Advent Bible Readings Psalm 113, Luke 1:39-56 Worship Folder Pastor Peter Plagenz Sermon text: Luke 1:39-56 Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. 40 She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 In fact, just now, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, because the promises spoken to her from the Lord will be fulfilled!” Mary’s Song 46 Then Mary said, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble state of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones. He has lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever. 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

First Sunday in Advent Bible Readings Genesis 3:1-15, Isaiah 11:1-9, Isaiah 35:1-10, Isaiah 40:1–8, Jeremiah 23:5-6, 31:31-34 Worship Folder Pastor John Melke Sermon text: Haggai 2:6-9 6 Listen, this is what the Lord of Armies says. Once again, in a little while, I myself will shake the heavens and the earth, the seas and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the desired of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of Armies. 8 The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of Armies. 9 The glory of this second house will be greater than that of the first one, says the Lord of Armies. For in this place I will provide peace, declares the Lord of Armies. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Last Sunday of End Time—Christ the King Bible Readings Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4, Luke 12:35-40, Revelation 22:6-13 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Luke 12:35-40 Watchfulness 35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Third Sunday of End Time—Saints Triumphant Bible Readings Malachi 4:1-6, Luke 21:5–19, 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Luke 21:5–19 Jesus Speaks about the Future 5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” 8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls. Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bible Readings Isaiah 65:17–25, Luke 20:27-38, Revelation 22:1-5, Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Isaiah 65:17–25 17 “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. 18 Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people. And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more. 20 “No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only the cursed will die that young! 21 In those days people will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards. 22 Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses and confiscate their vineyards. For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. 23 They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the Lord, and their children, too, will be blessed. 24 I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! 25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat dust. In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

First Sunday of End Time—Reformation Sunday Bible Readings Joshua 4:1-9, Revelation 3:7-13, John 8:31-36 Worship Folder Pastor John Melke Sermon text: Joshua 4:1-9 The Monument 1 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord told Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, 3 and give them the following orders: ‘Pick up twelve stones from here in the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the feet of the priests are standing securely. Carry them over with you and put them at the place where you will stay tonight.’” 4 So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had selected from the people of Israel—a man from each tribe. 5 Joshua said to them, “Go to the middle of the Jordan in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. There each man is to lift up one stone on his shoulder. The number will correspond to the number of the tribes descended from the sons of Israel, 6 so that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in the future, ‘What do these stones mean for you?’ 7 Then you shall respond to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. When the ark passed through the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones will serve as a permanent memorial for the people of Israel.” 8 So the people of Israel did just as Joshua had ordered. They picked up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, corresponding to the number of the tribes descended from the sons of Israel, as the Lord had instructed Joshua. They carried the stones over with them to their lodging place and deposited them there. 9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the feet of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant had stood.[a] They are there to this day. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Bible Readings Luke 18:18–30, 1 John 2:15–17 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Deuteronomy 10:12–22 What the Lord Really Wants 12 “Now, Israelites, listen! What does the Lord your God really want from you? The Lord your God wants you to respect him and do what he says. He wants you to love him and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 13 So obey the laws and commands of the Lord that I am giving you today. These laws and commands are for your own good. 14 “Everything belongs to the Lord your God. The heavens, even the highest heavens, belong to him. The earth and everything on it belong to him. 15 The Lord loved your ancestors very much. He loved them so much that he chose you, their descendants, to be his people. He chose you instead of any other nation, and you are still his chosen people today. 16 “Stop being stubborn. Give your hearts to God. 17 The Lord is your God. He is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. He is the great God. He is the amazing and powerful fighter. To him everyone is the same. He does not accept money to change his mind. 18 He defends widows and orphans. He loves even the strangers living among us. He gives them food and clothes. 19 So you must also love them, because you yourselves were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 “You must respect the Lord your God and worship only him. Never leave him. When you make promises, you must use his name only. 21 He is the one you should praise. He is your God. He has done great and amazing things for you. You have seen them with your own eyes. 22 When your ancestors went down into Egypt, there were only 70 people. Now the Lord your God has made you as many as the stars in the sky. Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bible Readings Psalm 121 Luke 18:1-8 1 John 5:13–15 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Genesis 32:22-40 22 He got up that night and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and he also sent his possessions across. 24 Jacob was left alone, and he wrestled with a man there until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he touched the socket of his thigh, and the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated as he wrestled. 26 The man said, “Let me go. It’s daybreak.” Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 Then he said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have fought with God and with men, and you have won.” 29 Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” He said, “Why do you ask what my name is?” Then he blessed him there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel, because he said, “I have seen God face-to-face, and my life has been spared.” 31 The sun rose as he crossed over at Peniel, and he was limping because of his thigh. 32 For that reason, to this day the people of Israel do not eat the tendon of the hip that is on the socket of the thigh, because God touched the socket of Jacob’s thigh on the tendon of the hip. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today’s message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!