Sermons | Living Hope and Christ the King ELCA Lutheran Churches

Many people imagine God as a distant heavenly being watching from afar. But as Christians, we believe in a God who refuses to stay distant. God insists on coming into the world. God wants to be involved in our lives. God is personal and knowable, hearing and answering our prayers. As Jesus promises in today's reading, even though he himself is no longer physically walking around in our world, we have not been left orphaned. The Holy Spirit is God present with us, God’s breath blowing through the world. Today’s Scripture readings are Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:13-20, and John 14:15-21. You can watch the video referenced in the sermon of Derek Redmond's race in Barcelona from 1992 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynhD-vq2DUE.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

What does faithful Christian witness look like? Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr, but his death is only part of his legacy. Today’s sermon explores Stephen’s story as an example of how the Gospel is proclaimed in both word and deed. Along the way, we look at how the early church’s ministry of compassion became a powerful witness to the world around them.Today’s Scripture readings are Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 14-16; and John 14:1-14. The text of this sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/stephens-witness/.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In last week's sermon, we met Jonah, a reluctant prophet given a tough assignment. Although he ran away from God's call, God refused to give up on him. We left Jonah in the belly of a big fish.This Sunday, we hear the rest of Jonah's story, focusing on chapters three and four. It’s a great story about a shockingly successful sermon to some really terrible people, and a powerful object lesson from God about forgiveness and grace.Additional readings for this Sunday are Jonah 2; Psalm 86:3-9, 15; and Matthew 12:38-42. The text of this sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/jonah-unfair-grace/.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

For the next two weeks, we're exploring the book of Jonah. Today's message on Jonah 1 introduces us to a reluctant prophet given a tough assignment. Listen along as Pastor Daniel Flucke explores themes of sin, forgiveness, and faith in Jonah 1, and look for the rest of the story next week as we get to the point of Jonah's story in chapters 3 & 4.Additional readings for this Sunday are Acts 2:14a,36-41; Psalm 16; and Matthew 28:16-20.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This Sunday, we welcome a special guest, Pastor Larry Harpster to Living Hope & Christ the King. He is the mission developer pastor for Milwaukee Wild Church, a new worshiping committee in our synod. If you’ve ever said, “I feel closest to God when I’m out in nature,” marveled at the peace and stillness of a forest, or been awed by the beauty of a sunset, you won’t want to miss his message. Wild Church meets outside in nature, and Pastor Harpster shares his passion for Christian nature spirituality, assisted by our own Leslie Brawn.Today's Scripture readings are Joel 2:21-27, Psalm 96, and Matthew 6:25-34.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Alleluia! Christ is risen! And the good news of Jesus' resurrection changes everything. Sorrow and grief are transformed into joy and hope! Because he lives, death no longer gets the last word. The grave is empty, and a new creation has begun. Good news! Happy Easter!Our Scripture readings for this Easter Sunday are Colossians 3:1-4; Psalm 118:1, 14-24; and the resurrection story in Matthew 28:1-10.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Tonight we wrap up our midweek community Lenten worship series "Tell Me Something Good" with a profound story of the forgiveness and grace Jesus offers. When the religious leaders drag before Jesus a woman caught in adultery, he refuses to condemn her, instead pointing out their hypocrisy and choosing to offer grace, mercy, and forgiveness to her.The Scripture readings for tonight's Lenten service are Matthew 7:1-5, Psalm 130, Matthew 23:1-7, 23-24, and the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:2-11. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Have you ever wondered why God takes so long to act? In this Sunday’s Gospel story, Jesus hears his friend Lazarus is sick—and then waits two days before going to him. By the time he arrives, it seems too late. Lazarus is dead. No wonder the people say, “Lord, if you had been here…” Sometimes faith sounds like frustration.The good news is that Jesus doesn’t turn away from those questions. Instead, Jesus weeps with the grieving family. And then he calls Lazarus out of the tomb, back to life. This week we wrestle with the hard questions of faith and are reminded of the hope of resurrection. The Scripture readings for this fifth Sunday in Lent are Psalm 130, and John 11:1-45. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Today's message explores the story of Jesus healing the man born blind, inviting us to consider how Jesus invites us to see differently. Thank you to Rev. Chris Manke, Executive Director for Outreach for Hope, for leading worship and sharing the message this Sunday while Pastor Daniel is away for the weekend.The Scripture readings for this fourth Sunday in Lent are Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23, and John 9:1-41. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In John 4, a Samaritan woman's routine trip to the well turns into a life-changing encounter with Jesus. By offering her “living water,” he breaks cultural barriers, revealing the surprise of God’s grace. Today's Lent 3 sermon from Pastor Daniel invites you to notice God's holy interruptions in your own life.This week's Scripture readings are Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, and John 4:5-42. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

God tells Abram to go without giving him a destination. God calls young Jeremiah before he feels ready. Nicodemus risks his reputation to ask honest questions. In each of today’s story, bravery isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the One who calls. Today’s sermon kicks off this year’s Lutheran Schools Week theme of “Brave” by exploring how God equips the called, walks with us into the unknown, and gives us courage to follow. Do not be afraid, for God is with you. Be brave.This week's Scripture readings are Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Jeremiah 1:1-8, and John 3:1-17. Read the text of this message at https://danielflucke.com/brave. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

On this first Sunday of Lent, as we begin our 40-day journey to the cross, we hear about Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Following his baptism, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus to the wilderness where he faces temptations challenging his identity. A sermon reflecting on how temptation works, where we look for our worth, and the powerful promise spoken over us in baptism: you are God’s beloved. Be reminded of who you are—and whose you are.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Welcome to Ash Wednesday! Too often the church's message (especially on days like Ash Wednesday) can come across as bad news and condemnation. Sin is real, and we are called to repent. But there is good news too: Jesus offers forgiveness for our sin. A sermon on law, gospel, and the classic children's story, "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly."Today's Scripture readings are Romans 7:15-25a, Psalm 51:1-17, and John 8:31–36. Due to the livestream not working, this week's Scripture and sermon have been re-recorded. Read the text of this Ash Wednesday sermon at https://danielflucke.com/ash-wednesday-2026/Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Transitioning from the season of Epiphany to Lent, this week we hear the story of Jesus' transfiguration. In this mountaintop moment, the disciples glimpse Jesus' true glory, a vision which will shape how the disciples will understand the events to come as Jesus is arrested, killed, and resurrected. These stories continue to shape how we encounter the world as people of faith. As Richard Lischer writes, "You can live a long time off a vision."The Scripture readings for this third Sunday after the Epiphany are 2 Peter 1:16-21; Psalm 2:1-8, and Matthew 17:1-9. This sermon draws on Richard Lischer's article "Seeing with Clarity" in The Christian Century. The full sermon text and citations are posted here: https://danielflucke.com/transfiguration-vision/Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Welcome to worship! Today’s message is a little different than normal. Rather than sharing a full sermon on a few verses of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, today’s message includes a brief introduction from Pastor Daniel, then the full text of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. Included in this podcast is also an extended welcome to the communion table and the post-communion blessing, both reflecting on Jesus’ words. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In his “Project Kingdom of Heaven,” Jesus rejects the world's standard of "might makes right." Instead, he calls us as his followers to participate in God's work of transforming this world ruled by violent, armed force into a world ruled by the power of gracious love.Thank you to Rev. Wendy Wirth-Brock for leading worship and sharing the message this Sunday while Pastor Daniel is at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza event in St. Louis.The Scripture readings for this fourth Sunday after the Epiphany are Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, and Matthew 5:1-12. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

On this annual meeting Sunday, we hear Paul make a passionate plea for the church to be united in Christ, knit together in the same mind and the same purpose. Yes, church annual meetings are bureaucratic procedures, but on another level, they offer an opportunity to practice living out this call for unity. Today's sermon is also a reminder that unity does not mean conformity, but rather working towards the same goal with the same purpose. Our unity is found in our identity as the body of Christ, and when one part of the body is wounded, the whole body hurts.The Scripture readings for this third Sunday after the Epiphany are Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; and Matthew 4:12-23.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

As both Christ the King and Living Hope prepare to hold annual congregational meetings next Sunday, today's reading from Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth offers encouragement and a powerful reminder that we're not doing this on our own. In his greeting to the Corinthians, Paul reminds his readers (and us!) that God has given everything needed for the church to carry out its (our!) mission. Our strength as a church and as Christians in daily life comes from God, and God is faithful. Today's Scripture readings for this second Sunday after the Epiphany are 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Psalm 40:1-8, and John 1:29-42.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

For us as Christians, baptism is a means of grace, a gift from God offering forgiveness of sin and a welcome into God's family. But if baptism is for forgiveness, why does Jesus need it? Today's sermon from Pastor Daniel Flucke for Baptism of Our Lord Sunday explores baptism as identity. Jesus comes to identify with us—not to receive forgiveness, but to stand with humanity, offering grace. In a divided and overwhelming world, baptism reminds us who we are and whose we are.Today's Scripture readings are Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29, and Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:13-17.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Epiphany reminds us that God's light shines in the whole world. Reflecting on the Magi, King Herod, and the weekend's news of US intervention in Venezuela, this week's sermon from Pastor Daniel Flucke reminds us that there is no “them” in God’s kingdom—only a world deeply loved by God. As Christians, we are always called to pray for peace.Today's Scripture readings are Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, and Matthew 2:1-12. The text of the sermon is available here: https://danielflucke.com/venezuela-peace-sermon/Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Merry Christmas! On this first Sunday of Christmas, we're looking at the lives lived by two lesser-known characters in the Christmas story who could not be more different from one another: Joseph & Herod. One pursues power at all costs, and the other gives of himself to protect another. Although this story of Herod's massacre of the innocents seems like an abrupt turn from the joy of Christmas, we see in this story the sort of world God chose to enter. Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148, and Matthew 2:13-23.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Merry Christmas! Tonight's Christmas Eve sermon focuses on the message of good news of great joy for all the people which the angels gave to the shepherds. But what if you don't feel great joy this Christmas? What if not everything feels merry and bright for you right now? Perhaps you are exactly who this news is for.Tonight's Scripture reading is Luke 2:1-20.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This final Sunday of Advent is all about proclaiming good news. Heaven is breaking into earth, and God is turning the world upside down. We eagerly await the fulfilment of God's promised reign of peace. In worship, we'll hear Mary respond in song to the miracles God is working. God is entering the world—let us rejoice and sing with joy! Today's Scripture readings are Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 1:26-56.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

How did you come to faith? Someone loved you and Jesus enough to introduce you to him! Today's sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent reflects on John the Baptist as a witness who points beyond himself to the true Light of the world. God uses ordinary people like us to share extraordinary good news. As we light the candle of joy, we’re reminded that we are not the light—but we are sent to testify to it.Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 61:10-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, and John 1:6-8, 19-28.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This Sunday we continue our theme of Heaven and Earth by looking at the messenger sent to prepare the way, John the Baptist. In the wilderness, John proclaims that God is on the way, a savior is coming. So, get ready! Prepare the way!Just continuing in the path we're on requires no preparation. But God interrupts our lives. God claims us in baptism, declaring we belong not only to ourselves, but to our Creator. And because we belong to God, we are called to repent, to change our ways, to let God work in us and transform us. At Living Hope, we celebrated this baptismal promise in a special way with Weston Franzen's baptism, in which he is claimed in the waters of baptism, washed clean, and named forever as a child of God.Today's Scripture readings are 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Psalm 139:1-2, 5, 7-12, 16-18; and Mark 1:1-8. The sermon text is available here: https://danielflucke.com/advent-love-interrupts/Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This Sunday, we enter into the season of Advent, a season of waiting, watching, and preparing for Jesus.We often think about our participation in church and worship as us taking time for God, but Advent is about God taking time for us. Advent is about God refusing to leave us alone, and instead relentlessly insisting on breaking into our world.  In Jesus Christ, God is bringing heaven to earth and changing everything. Over the next four weeks, our Advent series “Heaven and Earth” celebrates and anticipates the earth-shaking, life-transforming good news that God is coming to us. Watch out. Get ready. God is on the way.Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:3-7, and Mark 13:24-37. The text of the sermon is available at https://danielflucke.com/advent-hope-wait/.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Today is Christ the King Sunday, the festival at the conclusion of the church year when we recognize Jesus as our Lord, our King who reigns over creation. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a redeemer to rescue God’s people and set them free from oppression. He is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.Yet in our Gospel reading from Luke 23, we find Jesus not seated on a king’s throne, but hanging on a cross. This king’s power is revealed not in domination, but in sacrifice as he lays down his life for the world. This scene of humiliation, suffering, and death reveals the triumph of God’s love over human empires built on violence and fear. Today's Scripture readings are Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:13-20, and Luke 23:33-43.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Don't panic! It's just the end of the world. As we near the end of the church year, the focus of our readings in worship moves forward to the end times. In this Sunday's Gospel from Luke 21, Jesus warns about the signs of the apocalypse and the end of the world—and then he says we don't need to worry about it.As Christians, our hope is in One who is greater than this world. Even if everything else we know falls apart, Jesus assures us God will still be watching over us. The Holy Spirit is still active in our lives, working in and through us. Instead of panicking, we are to continue doing what is right, because God is still good, and God is still faithful.Today's Scripture readings are Malachi 4:1-2a, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, and Luke 21:5-19.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In this Sunday's Gospel reading from Luke 20, a group of Sadducees attempts to drag Jesus into a debate over the logistics of how the afterlife will work. But as Jesus points out, the questioners are missing the point. Their concerns and so many of our own worries in life fade in comparison to the promise of the Gospel: I know that my Redeemer lives.As the hymn we'll sing declares, "What comfort this sweet sentence gives." Last week, we remembered the lives of the saints of our church who have died. This week, we proclaim the good news that the end is not death, but resurrection and new life. Thanks be to God!Today's Scripture readings are Job 19:23-27a; Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; and Luke 20:27-38.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In this All Saints Day message, Pastor Daniel explores what it really means to be a saint. You don’t awarded the title of saint for giving away over 38% of your income or volunteering at least twice a week; sainthood is about being loved by God. Every follower of Jesus is both sinner and saint, called to love, serve, and share God’s grace in daily life. Today's Scripture readings are Ephesians 1:11-23, Psalm 149, and Luke 6:20-31.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

On this Reformation Sunday, Pastor Daniel Flucke's sermon explores the new mission statement recently adopted by Christ the King: “Rooted in Christ, Nurturing Faith, Loving and Serving All.” What does it mean to be rooted in Christ? How are we nurturing faith? What does loving and serving all look like?Today's Scripture readings are Colossians 2:6-8, 12-14; Psalm 67; and Luke 4:16-21 as well as Luke 4:22-30 within the sermon.Living Hope's service for this week was a lessons and hymns service shaped around the five solas of the Reformation and did not include a full sermon.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

If God is good and powerful, why do bad things happen? This Sunday in worship, we conclude our series Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith by looking at one more unavoidable, unanswerable question (and this one’s a big one): Why do the innocent suffer? This week's sermon explores the problem of suffering, challenges common assumptions about God, and shares a hope rooted in Christ’s promise that love and life have the final word.Today's Scripture readings are Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 139:7-18, Romans 5:1-8, and Luke 13:1-5.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

As we continue our series on Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, we’re looking this week at the question of prayer. “Does Prayer Work?” Jesus invites his followers to pray, yet often, we wonder if our prayers are heard. Is God even listening? Or are we just talking to ourselves? Why aren’t our well-intentioned prayers always answered?There’s a lot to wrestle with this week, and this sermon doesn't have clear-cut, satisfying answers. Nevertheless, join us as we dig into the purpose of prayer, and wrestle with how we faithfully go to God in prayer. Today's Scripture readings are 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10; Psalm 22:1-5, 19; and Matthew 22:18-22.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In John 14, Jesus promises he will prepare a place for us in his Father’s house. It’s a beautiful, comforting promise. Throughout the Bible, we’re given glimpses of what that eternal home God has prepared might look like, and yet believing in heaven still requires a lot of faith. After all, no one’s ever gone there and come back!As we continue Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, this morning we're exploring the question, Is Heaven Real? What does the Bible tell us about life after death?Today's Scripture readings are Revelation 21:1-6; Psalm 16:1, 7-11; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; and John 6:35-40.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

As we continue Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, we're spending two Sundays exploring one of the biggest parts of our faith: Life after death. Next week we’ll look at what the Bible says about heaven, but this week we start with the other potential destination.As Christians, we don’t need to be afraid of hell, because we are saved by grace through faith, redeemed by Jesus Christ. Because of the cross, you are saved now and forever. That’s the powerful, comforting promise given to all Christians, all who call on the name of Jesus for salvation. But…what about people who don’t share our faith? Is heaven limited to just those who have consciously chosen to trust in Jesus? What about people who never had even an opportunity to believe, who never heard the good news of the Gospel? What about those who lived their whole lives before Jesus, or before Christianity spread to their part of the world?Wrestling with the question of Who’s In and Who’s Out? may not be comfortable, but it has eternal significance!Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 25:6-9 , Psalm 22:25-31, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, and John 17:1-5. Read the text of the sermon here.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This week's sermon from Pastor Daniel continues our series Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, exploring some of the big questions of faith. Today's topic is The Good Book? Wrestling with the Bible, and we're exploring what it means to claim the Bible as the “inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of our proclamation, faith, and life” (that’s from our church constitution!)? Can we just reject the parts we don’t like? If we want to hold on to the good news of Jesus, do we have to accept everything in the Bible as literally, factually accurate?Today's Scripture readings are 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Psalm 119:103-108, and John 14:1-7.  The text of the sermon is available here.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This week's sermon is the first in a six-week series exploring some of the big questions of faith, titled Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, based on Adam Hamilton's book of the same name. We may not like to admit our doubts, but the reality is we all have doubts and questions, aspects of faith we wonder about, and if there’s anywhere we ought to be open to wrestling with doubts and questions, it’s church. This initial sermon in the series engages with a foundational question: “Is There a God?” Although we generally take the answer for granted, it’s a question worth exploring, and a question with which many in our world wrestle, including church people!The Scriptures for this week are Genesis 1:1-2:4a (read in parts from The Message), Psalm 19:1-4, and John 1:1-5, 9-13. The text of the sermon is available here.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Welcome to September! It's a busy weekend at church, with new Bibles for some of our kids, blessing teachers and students for the new school year, service projects for God's Work, Our Hands" Sunday, and most importantly, a baptism at Christ the King.In today's Scripture readings from 1 John 3:1-3, 16-24 and Luke 15:1-10, we're going back to some basics of our faith: We are God's beloved children, called to reflect God's love by serving our neighbors. And when we wander away, God comes to find us and bring us home. Thanks be to God!Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Thank you to Pastor Brian Halverson for leading worship and sharing a message this Sunday while Pastor Daniel is away over Labor Day weekend. Today's Scripture readings are Proverbs 25:6-7, Psalm 112, and Luke 14:1, 7-14.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

As we near the end of summer, this week’s Scripture readings from Isaiah 58:9-14 and Luke 13:10-17 invite us to consider the importance of Sabbath rest time. God gives us the gift of Sabbath because we need rest. In the midst of life’s busyness, it’s important to take time to pause and reflect, to spend time in worship giving thanks for what God’s done. The prophet Isaiah makes it clear how much God values Sabbath, calling on God’s people to “refrain from trampling the Sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day.”And yet, Sabbath rest cannot be allowed to become a legalistic excuse for us to avoid helping others. When Jesus sees a woman in need, he heals her, even though it’s a Sabbath. He’s willing to endure controversy and criticism for the sake of loving one of God’s children.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Our circumstances are constantly changing, but one thing that will never change is a God in heaven who loves us. Thank you to Christ the King member Fred Walls for sharing a sermon this Sunday while Pastor Daniel was on vacation. Our circumstances can change our view of God, yet in all situations, we are still called by Jesus to love God and love people. Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 40:1-10, Psalm 143, and Matthew 11:1-19.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This Sunday’s Psalm concludes with a prayer: “Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22) Our hope as people of God is rooted in God’s steadfast love. Even as the world around us changes, even as yet another story gives evidence of the brokenness and suffering around us, we trust that God is still faithful. God is still at work. God is still good.In our Gospel reading, Jesus tells us, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” The hope we cling to as Christians is not based on how much we have in this world, but on the promise that we are God’s children for all eternity. Sometimes that hope can be hard to see, but it is ultimately a deeper foundation for life than anything this world has to offer.Today's Scripture readings are Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Psalm 33:12-22; and Luke 12:32-40. The text of this message is available at https://danielflucke.com/hope-faith-fear/.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Thank you to Rev. Jon Jacobs for leading worship and sharing an inspiring message on Jesus' "Parable of the Rich Fool" with us this morning while Pastor Daniel is at a Teens Encounter Christ retreat weekend. Today's Scripture readings are Psalm 49:1-12 and Luke 12:13-21.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

This Sunday we gathered at Kolbach Park in Port Washington for a community worship service with Christ the King, Living Hope, First Congregational Church, and Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. While we were able to record Pastor Jim Schleif's sermon on Luke 11:1-13, even after enhancing the audio, it's still not great quality. But we had a great time worshiping outdoors with our neighbors and praying together!Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the One who makes God known to us. God is not only the Creator of the cosmos; God is personal, knowable, and loving. Today's Scripture readings are Colossians 1:15-28 and the familiar story of Jesus' visit to Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Thank you to Pastor Brian Halverson for leading worship and sharing a message on Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan while Pastor Daniel was in St. Louis on the Lighthouse Youth summer mission trip. Today's Scripture reading is Luke 10:25-37.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

As followers of Jesus, we are people who are sent out into the world. In this Sunday's Gospel reading from Luke 10:1-11, Jesus instructs his disciples to travel light as they go from place to place proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom. The mission is not easy–Jesus warns, "I'm sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves"–but the harvest is plentiful and the work has eternal significance. Unprepared, facing rejection, the disciples nonetheless proclaim, "The kingdom of God has come near." That's good news our world needs to hear–and it's good news trusted to us to proclaim.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. The text of the sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/travel-light-2025/.

Today in worship, we had the joy of celebrating a baptism at Christ the King! The sermon (recorded at Living Hope) reflect on the Holy Spirit's work of justification and sanctification, and talk about Paul's image of the Fruits of the Spirit and what a life rooted in baptism looks like, according to Galatians 5. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are called to freedom in Christ, not for the purposes of self-indulgence, but to love and serve our neighbors. The life of faith bears fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Today’s Scripture readings are Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Psalm 16; and Luke 9:51-62. The text of the sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/sanctification-fruits/.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

After a week off from regular sermons due to our June 15 joint VBS carnival worship service, welcome back to our regular sermon podcast! Today's sermon from Pastor Daniel Flucke on the good news of the gospel is a little shorter than usual as today's worship services also feature a guest speaker sharing about Breaking the Chains Church, an ELCA congregation inside the Milwaukee Felmers Chaney Correctional Center, and our June monthly ministry partner. During VBS, we also did a service project to make 80 hygiene kits that we gave to Breaking the Chains Church for people being released from incarceration. Today's Scripture readings are Galatians 3:23-29, Psalm 22:19-28, and Luke 8:26-39. The text of the sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/gospel-means-god-loves-you/.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

Today is Pentecost, the festival on which we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the formation of the Church. In today's Scripture, we hear both Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit to be an Advocate for the disciples after he is no longer physically with them, and the fulfillment of that promise in Acts 2.Although we confess our belief in the Holy Spirit each time we say the Creeds together, this third member of the Trinity is often overlooked. And yet, the Holy Spirit's work and presence with us is essential to our faith. The Holy Spirit's work is to stir up faith. The Holy Spirit is the one guiding us in life, nudging us, pointing us back to Jesus.Today's Scripture readings are Romans 8:14-17; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21; and John 14:1-2, 11, 15-16, 25-27. The text of the sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/pentecost-2025/.Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.