St. John's Lutheran (LCMS), Howard, SD
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Worship During the Vacancy
Worship service for August 31st and September 7th will be at 10:45am.
We welcome pr. Uecker from Our Saviour, Madison who will lead us in worship for the next 2 Sundays.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Pastor's Sermon for the Festival of the Holy Trinity , May 18 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 13 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Bulletin for 04-20-2008(pdf), The Fifth Sunday of Easter is online and available for download.
St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.
St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Bulletin for 04-13-2008(pdf), The Third Sunday of Easter is online and available for download.
St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.
St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Pastor's Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter, March 30 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
Pastor's Sermon for the The Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 2 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Pastor's Sermon for the The Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 2 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Pastor's Sermon for Feb 20 is Online
Pastor's Sermon for the The Second Sunday during Lent, February 20 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Pastor's Sermon for the The Second Sunday during Lent, February 20 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Lenten Series 2008
Singing the Songs of
In our mid-week services, we will focus on the theme "Singing the Songs of Zion," with sermon ideas by Old Testament professor, Dr. Reed Lessing, from Concordia Seminary,
This Week! Holding a Grudge or Extending Grace -- that's the theme of our Mid-Week Lenten Service, Wednesday, February 13, 7 p.m. In Genesis 50, we read of the incredible story of Joseph, whose brothers "intended to harm [him], but God intended it for good; to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). How did God work in the life of Jesus in an even greater way? Join us as our "Singing the Songs of Zion" series continues!
Lent / Easter Worship Schedule
Ash Wednesday, February 6, 7pm
Wednesday, February 13, 7pm
Wednesday, February 20, 7pm
Wednesday, February 27, 7pm
Wednesday, March 5, 7pm.
Wednesday, March 12, 7pm
Holy Thursday, March 20, 7pm
Good Friday, March 21, 7pm
Easter
Easter Service with Holy Communion, March 23, 9:30am
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Pastor's Sermon for Feb 3, Transfiguration Sunday is online.
Pastor's Sermon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord, February 3 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Pastor's Sermon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord, February 3 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Pastor'sSermon for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany is online for Reading and Listening.
Pastor's Sermon for the Third Sunday in Epiphany, January 27 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Pastor's Sermon for the Third Sunday in Epiphany, January 27 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
This Sunday is Sanctity of Life Sunday at St. John's. Join us to hear about Life issues, including a special bible study. Worship is at 9:30am and Sunday School is at 10:30am.Labels: Worship
Monday, January 07, 2008
Pastor's Sermon for Epiphany is online for Reading and Listening.
Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Dec 23 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Dec 23 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Dec 23 is online.
Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Dec 23 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Dec 23 is online.
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Worship Service Schedule
Worship Services at St. John's
Worship Schedule
Education Schedule
Worship Schedule
- Divine Service Sunday 9:30am
- Holy Communion 2nd and 3rd Sunday of Every Month and Festival Sundays
- Holiday Services 9:30am (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter)
- Weekday Services 7:30pm (Advent, Lent, Ash Wednesday, Maunday Thursday, Good Friday, etc.)
Education Schedule
- Sunday School - Sunday 10:30am
- Adult Bible Class - Sunday 10:30am
(updated 12/11/07)
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Listen to or Read Pastor's Sermon for December 5, Advent Service
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Listen to the Sermon HereRead the Sermon Here.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Listen to Pastor's Sermon for Thanksgiving Day, 2007
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Listen to the Sermon HereRead the Sermon Here.
Labels: PodCast, Sermon, Thanksgiving, Worship
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Read or Listen to Pastor Watt's Sermon for All Saint's Day
Listen to the Sermon Here
Read the Sermon Here.
Listen to the Sermon HereRead the Sermon Here.
Labels: All Saints, Sermon, Worship
Friday, October 26, 2007
Read and/or Listen to Pastor Watt's Sermon for Reformation, October 28, 2007
Labels: PodCast, Reformation, Sermon, Worship
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for Sept 23 Has Been Posted to His Blog
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for September 23rd, 2007, The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 16) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for September 23rd, 2007, The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 16) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?” The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: “Surely I will never forget any of their deeds. (Amos 8:4-7, ESV)
From the Sermon:
God remembers his promises. He places our sin and punishment on Jesus and gives us Jesus resurrection to new life. We walk in newness of life! We live and act and worship differently. What God has done for us in Jesus turns that turns our sin into sing. Oh come let us sing unto the Lord. Let us make a joyful noise to the God of our salvation. He turns our sin in to song. We rejoice. We celebrate. We sing about what God has done for us.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Greeter List for October 2007 thru September 2008
October 2007
7 Gary and Theowne Bell
14 Mae Brummett and Thelma Haak
21 Mavis Christiansen and Brad Chase
28 Joyce Everhart and Theresa Van Sickle
November
4 John and Darcy Albert
11 Joe and Donna Bechen
18 Harlan and Joyce Haak
25 Chris and Rose Chase
December
2 Rob and Staci Eggert
9 John and Joyce Haak
16 Jared and Sarah Feldhaus
23 Ron and Pam German
30 Rodney and Jodie Gluhm
January 2008
6 Doug and Nila Larson
13 Wade and Jessica Haak
20 Arvella, Leona, Velma Hahn
27 Jim and Bonnie Litterick
February
3 Leroy and Bonnie Hemmer
10 Dave and Mary Hillman
17 Clint and Jane Hoyer
24 Tom and Karen Hueners
March
2 Gary and Lesa Hueners
9 Curt aand Thelma Hueners
16 Wally Jacobson and Steve and Shawna Jacobson
23 Janice Kuhle and Lois Kuhle
30 Lorraine Laufmann and Gerry Genzlinger
April
6 Steve and Holly Litterick
13 Barney and Bobbi Mette
20 Ed and Donna Meyer and Joanne Beyer
27 John and Deana Nelson
May
4 Gaylord and Molly Rasmussen
11 Jim, Marilyn, Mary Rentschler
18 Henry and Lou Rentschler
25 John and Lela Rentschler
June
1 Walter and Judy Rentschler
8 Rich and Charlene Schmit
15 Max and Julie Schwader
22 Jerry and Helen Sprecher and Judy Lucht
29 Earl and Beverly Voeltz
July
6 Ron and Nancy Jacobson
13 Marvel and Ann Wombacker
20 Pastor and Waunita Watt
27 Greg and Kathy Callies
August
3 Ryan and Sara Miller
10 LaVoy Neises and DeAnna Hoyer
17 Kim and Vicki Miller
24 Mark and Gloria Karstens
31 Kelly and Sally Barnhart
September
7 Gary and Lesa Hueners
14 Jim and Bonnie Litterick
21 Gary and Theowne Bell
28 Curt and Thelma Huener
If you are unable to serve please find your own substitute.
Also view this on the Elder, Usher and Acolyte Calendar
Also view this on the Elder, Usher and Acolyte Calendar
October 2007
7 Gary and Theowne Bell
14 Mae Brummett and Thelma Haak
21 Mavis Christiansen and Brad Chase
28 Joyce Everhart and Theresa Van Sickle
November
4 John and Darcy Albert
11 Joe and Donna Bechen
18 Harlan and Joyce Haak
25 Chris and Rose Chase
December
2 Rob and Staci Eggert
9 John and Joyce Haak
16 Jared and Sarah Feldhaus
23 Ron and Pam German
30 Rodney and Jodie Gluhm
January 2008
6 Doug and Nila Larson
13 Wade and Jessica Haak
20 Arvella, Leona, Velma Hahn
27 Jim and Bonnie Litterick
February
3 Leroy and Bonnie Hemmer
10 Dave and Mary Hillman
17 Clint and Jane Hoyer
24 Tom and Karen Hueners
March
2 Gary and Lesa Hueners
9 Curt aand Thelma Hueners
16 Wally Jacobson and Steve and Shawna Jacobson
23 Janice Kuhle and Lois Kuhle
30 Lorraine Laufmann and Gerry Genzlinger
April
6 Steve and Holly Litterick
13 Barney and Bobbi Mette
20 Ed and Donna Meyer and Joanne Beyer
27 John and Deana Nelson
May
4 Gaylord and Molly Rasmussen
11 Jim, Marilyn, Mary Rentschler
18 Henry and Lou Rentschler
25 John and Lela Rentschler
June
1 Walter and Judy Rentschler
8 Rich and Charlene Schmit
15 Max and Julie Schwader
22 Jerry and Helen Sprecher and Judy Lucht
29 Earl and Beverly Voeltz
July
6 Ron and Nancy Jacobson
13 Marvel and Ann Wombacker
20 Pastor and Waunita Watt
27 Greg and Kathy Callies
August
3 Ryan and Sara Miller
10 LaVoy Neises and DeAnna Hoyer
17 Kim and Vicki Miller
24 Mark and Gloria Karstens
31 Kelly and Sally Barnhart
September
7 Gary and Lesa Hueners
14 Jim and Bonnie Litterick
21 Gary and Theowne Bell
28 Curt and Thelma Huener
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Bulletin for Sept 16 is Available Online
The Bulletin for 09/16/2007(pdf), The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Prop 19), is online and available for download.
St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.
St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.
Labels: Worship
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for Sept 9, has been Posted to His Sermon Blog
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for September 9th, 2007, The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 16) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for September 9th, 2007, The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 16) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-33, ESV)
From the Sermon:
The promise of God there is this. The sin in your life, the things that you put before God, I have done something about. I have killed you. I have raised you. You are my precious child. Just as I killed my own Beloved Son, just as I raised my own Beloved Son, this baptism is my promise to you that I have done all this for you. Go now live your life bearing your cross.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for Sept 2, has been Posted.
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for September 2nd, 2007, The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for September 2nd, 2007, The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” And they could not reply to these things. Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:1-14, ESV)
From the Sermon:
Ah, but Jesus has something to say about that too. He sees the man with dropsy. He loves him and cares for him. He heals him. He sends him back to his life to live it all differently. Jesus sees you. He loves you. He heals your sin. He gives you his blood bought forgiveness. He doesn’t send you back to your life alone. He promises to go with you by giving you the Holy Spirit. He gives you his Word, full of his promises for you. He gives you his body and blood as food to continue the healing. Because of all the Jesus sees in you, you can and do see the world differently.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Podcast for August 26th is Now Available.
The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is now available. August 19, 2007.
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for Aug 26 Has Been Posted
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 19th, 2007, The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 19th, 2007, The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:22-30, ESV)
From the Sermon:
Right now Jesus makes it very clear that the door is still open. It is open wherever Christians speak up and tell people about Jesus and what he has done. But, it is open right now and especially right here where his Word is preached and his Sacraments given according to his command. We can actually see the open door here. We see it and feel it as water together with God’s name washes away our sins and makes us a member of his God’s family. We are pulled through the open door by God’s action, brought where his family is and given his very name. Inside we sit at table with him, in his very presence, and eat the food that we need to grow in faith. We hear his words that are spoken to us to keep our focus on what’s important. And yet there is a danger even here where God so clearly has the door open. There is a danger because the open door will not always be open as it is today, as Jesus tells us. Many of those inside will walk out the door.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Podcast for Aug 19 is available.
The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is now available. August 19, 2007.
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Pastor's Sermon Posted, 12th Sunday After Pentecost, Aug 19, Heb 11:17-12:3
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 19th, 2007, The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 19th, 2007, The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 11:17-12:3, ESV)
From the Sermon:
God’s Word tells us that God himself came to earth to deal with pain and suffering. He became a human being to deal with sin. In Jesus Christ, the wholeness of God dwells, we are told. He suffered and died for the sins of the whole world. He bore the punishment for all sin on the cross. No matter how great your suffering is, it will never compare to what Jesus suffered for you. He didn’t just suffer physical pain, nails in his hands, bruises and cuts, and harassment. He suffered spiritual death and separation from God. Jesus suffered the pain of hell on the cross.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
PodCast for Aug 5th Sermon is Now Available
The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost is now available. August 5, 2007.
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for tAug 5, 2007 is posted
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 5th, 2007, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 5th, 2007, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
13Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21 (ESV)
From the Sermon:
That’s what it means to be rich toward God. To have Jesus in the life you now live in the flesh. To have faith that what God declares for you is true. To believe that everything that he has done for you means that he will take care of you no matter what. You know what he has done, you know the promises he has made. The perfect life of Jesus; the perfect suffering and death of Jesus; the resurrection to new life by Jesus; is God’s gift to you. It’s God’s promise that you are forgiven, that your sinful nature doesn’t affect your relationship with him. To live by faith in the Son of God, is to hold on to the promises of Jesus who loves you and gave himself for you. That’s what it means to be rich toward God. That was it means to be really, really rich. Few of us will ever be called multi-millionaires. Few of us can really imagine how much money that really is. The richness that God gives us in Jesus is also totally beyond our understanding.
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Podcast for Pastor's Sermon for July 29th is available
The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost is now available.
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for July 29th is Posted
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for July 22nd, 2007, The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for July 22nd, 2007, The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:1-13, ESV)
From the Sermon:
He’s saying, “You know what it means to have a loving father. No loving father is going to give his son poison when he asks for food.” God is our true father. He is God over all things. He will give us everything we need, because He alone knows exactly what we need. And as Luther said, “God tenderly invites us to believe” this. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are confessing that we believe that God is our Heavenly Father; that He loves and cares for us beyond our understanding. We pray that He will do what is best for us, no matter what. And because of Jesus, that’s God’s promise to us, God’s Children.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for July 22 posted.
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for July 22nd, 2007, The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for July 22nd, 2007, The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, ESV)
From the Sermon:
A different Gospel writer put it this way, “… the he Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matt 20:28) In the midst of Martha’s busy life, Jesus Christ came to serve her. In the midst of our busy lives, Jesus Christ has come to serve us. He has come to give us the one thing that we need most. Jesus Christ comes to serve… remember how he healed the man with the withered hand, how he restored sight to the blind. Remember too how he said to Jairus’s daughter, “Talitha Kum!” and life returned to her cold dead body. Jesus Christ comes to serve… he served us beyond all our ability to serve ourselves. When we deserved death because of our selfish will to live our lives without God. Jesus Christ served us by dying for us. When we deserved God’s wrath and punishment for our rejection of God’s control of our lives, Jesus Christ served us by enduring that wrath and punishment. When we deserved to die and stay dead, Jesus Christ served us by rising from the death and breaking its hold on us forever.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for July 8th has been posted.
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for July 8th, 2007, The Sixth after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for July 8th, 2007, The Sixth after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:14-15, ESV)
From the Sermon:
Paul said that he was dead to the world, crucified to it. Jesus’ death on the cross put to death the old way of the world. All its values and boasts are worthless to you. They can’t do anything to help you. Jesus resurrection from the dead brought about a new world, a new creation. In another letter Paul says it like this. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.(2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV) That new creation is in you through faith in Jesus.
The old world doesn’t rule over you anymore. Jesus death is your death through baptism. Jesus new life, his resurrection is yours, too, through baptism. You have been crucified with Christ and now you no longer live, but Christ lives in you. You don’t have to boast in your achievements to get God to notice you. He knows who you and he considers you worthy because you are connected to Jesus.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Pastor's Sermon for July 1 Posted.
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for June 24th, 2007, The Fifth after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for June 24th, 2007, The Fifth after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Lk 9:51-62 (ESV)
From the Sermon:
We heard also from Paul in the Second reading: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1, ESV) The freedom that Paul is talking about, the freedom Jesus won for us, isn’t the kind of freedom we often think about, especially as we think about last weekend’s celebration of our Nation’s independence. It’s not a freedom to do whatever we want. That kind of freedom is self indulgent. Christ set us free from our need to earn our own salvation. We don’t have to work to make our place with God. We don’t have to do good works to earn anything. Jesus has earned it all for us. In fact, Jesus freed us from the slavery to sin, death and Satan, so that we could be his servants. Just like the Declaration of Independence didn’t mean that our forefathers were free from dependence. They were just dependent on each other instead of the King. “Take my life, O Lord, renew, Consecrate my heart to you;” Disciples of Jesus are dependent on him. We are dependent on Jesus. We are free to serve. Free to follow Jesus… full time, with our whole heart, soul and mind.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Audio Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost is online
The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost is now available.
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Click here to read the Sermon:
Click here to listen to the Sermon:
Pastor's Sermon for June 24 posted
Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for June 24th, 2007, The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
Pastor's Sermon Posted Pastor Watt's Sermon for June 24th, 2007, The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.
The text is:
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:26-39, ESV)
From the Sermon:
Chaos, trouble, helplessness… that where we are most of the time in our lives isn’t it? Surgery doesn’t just cause us pain, it takes away our ability to care for ourselves and we have to depend on someone else. It may even mean a change of how we’ve always done things. The wind blows and the house creaks and the water rises. We panic about all our stuff we’re going to loose in the storm. We send out storm spotters to watch so we can scurry to cover and protection. Murderers live closer than we care to even talk about. News of father killing mothers and unborn children leave us wagging our heads and feeling well out of control. Drug dealers are selling to our kids. Not to mention that we let our kids go out and party on Friday nights closing our eyes to the danger. “They’re going to do it anyway.” Talk about helpless… and danger. My heart aches for the families that will be hurt when Satan’s handiwork comes to its fullness. Death hovers over us. We’ve not done a funeral here in quite awhile but sooner or later another casket will be lifted up our high stair case and set before this altar with broken hearts. All of these dangers are real. We get sick, we can’t control or even predict the weather, there’s real evil out there, and people die every day. Satan is constantly trying to get us to focus on our troubles instead of Jesus. We need money for the roof. So be it. The roof isn’t more important than God’s word proclaimed under it. We think we’ve got to do something to make people give more money to fix it… well remember that everything is in God’s hands…
Saturday, May 26, 2007