Pastor Joel Schwartz - Midweek Lent 6 - Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Text: John 12:20-33

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They traveled from afar – we don’t know where they were from or how far they came. They wanted to see Jesus. They did. They saw king Jesus. Were they startled when they found the boy Jesus? Were the magi startled by his humble surroundings, humble home, humble family? Now it is days before Jesus will die and we are told that foreigners are seeking Jesus. This time, some Greeks. We don’t know how far they traveled or where exactly they traveled from. All we know is they wanted to see Jesus. As far as we can tell, this request of the Greeks to see Jesus is a noble request, well-intentioned. John tells us they weren’t just in Jerusalem to observe the Jewish festival Passover, to enjoy the culture and food, no, they were there to worship at the true God of Israel. They must have been startled by what they heard. Jesus begins talking in a way that kings don’t usually talk.

Pastor Joel Leyrer - The Fifth Sunday in Lent - Sunday, March 26, 2023

Text: Romans 8:11-19

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Dear Friends in Christ, We begin this morning with a true story I can verify from first-hand knowledge, but will reserve the individual’s identification until the end…

Pastor Joel Leyrer - The Fourth Sunday in Lent - Sunday, March 19, 2023

Text: Luke 12:13-21

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Dear Friends in Christ, It is not far from the consciousness – and concern – of the average American. It is also a regular feature in both news cycles and casual conversation. “It” is the high cost of living. However, our text for this morning revolves around a man who apparently had no worries in this area. From all outward appearances, he had it all.

Pastor Eric Schroeder - Midweek Lent 4 - Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Text: Luke 20:9-19

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⁹ He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. ¹⁰ At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. ¹² He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. ¹³ “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’

Senior Vicar Christian Willick - The Third Sunday in Lent - Sunday, March 12, 2023

Text: Philippians 4:14-20

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our sermon text is Philippians 4:14-20; you’ll find it on page 8 of your service folder. We read: ¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Pastor Joel Schwartz - Midweek Lent 3 - Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Text: Matthew 21:12-17

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What was it like for the 12-year-old boy Jesus to go to his Father’s house for the first time? As he went up to Mount Zion, the holy hill where the temple stood, what were the sights, the smells, the sounds? He would have seen the massive stones stacked, one upon another made for an impressive building. Then there were the activities that took place there on a daily basis… the sacrifices of bulls and goats and sheep on behalf of the people! Then there were the crowds of people converging on the temple, praying, worshipping. Purchases being made to celebrate the Passover meal. Relatives meeting and reminiscing. But for Jesus … What was it like for Jesus entering the temple as a 12-year-old? Did his heart skip a beat as he sighed, “My Father’s house.” Did he think, “Ahh, home at last in my Father’s house.”

Pastor Eric Schroeder - The Second Sunday in Lent - Sunday, March 5, 2023

Text: John 3:1-17

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Why would a man like Nicodemus come to Jesus? Humanly speaking, from the little we know, Nicodemus would have looked like one of those people who has everything you could ask for. Our first verse tells us that he is both a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council—you may have heard of this group called the Sanhedrin before: that was basically the Jewish Supreme Court. He has religion, he has the best formal education, he has power and influence, most likely he has wealth and opportunity thanks to his political connections, and that means that he has either the admiration or the envy of most people that he meets on a daily basis. So why would Nicodemus come to Jesus?

Pastor Joel Leyrer - Midweek Lent 2 - Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Text: John 12:1-11

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Dear Friends in Christ, The theme for our midweek Lenten devotions this year is entitled, “His Final Steps.” With the exception of our fifth midweek service on March 22 when our worship will take the form a sacred concert by our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Choir, each week we’ll consider places and events in the life of Christ that have a final ring to them; places or events that fall toward the end of the blessed timeline that concluded with the ultimate final steps our Savior took to the cross.

Pastor Joel Schwartz - The First Sunday in Lent - Sunday, February 26, 2023

Text: Matthew 13:44-46

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I am sure you have heard something along those lines before: “A diversified portfolio is the best way to save for retirement.”. The idea is simple – the more diverse your investments are, the less risk there is over time. With a diversity of investments, no one investment will hurt you badly.

Pastor Joel Leyrer - Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Text: 2 Corinthians 7:8-13a

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Dear Friends in Christ, One of the hardest things to do is telling a Christian family member or friend something you know they need to hear, but you also know they don’t necessarily want to hear.