First Sunday after Epiphany
January 12, 2020

The Lord Cares for His Children!
Exodus 2:1-10

1) Thank God through faith in Jesus you are His child.
a. God cared for His child Moses.
b. God showed Jesus is His eternal Son our Saviour.
The Lord adopted us. Giving us faith in Jesus by the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Appreciate this miracle!

2) Take up the task of caring for His little children.
a. God used Moses' parents to provide His care for Moses.
b. God uses us as His representatives to care for His children.
* Children are a sacred blessing and trust. Within our family and our congregation we have opportunity to show God's love and care for them.

Epiphany Celebration
January 5, 2020

Jeremiah 31:15-17
There Is Hope for Your Future

1) Because the Lord lovingly chastens us.
a. Rachel was weeping for her captive children.
b. Rachel wept again when Herod murdered.
* Why doesn't God prevent all evil? His Word assures us He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12).

2) Because God will accomplish His will to save us.
a. The Lord dried Rachel's tears after Babylonian captivity.
b. The Lord's promises of life dried the parents tears in Bethlehem.
* When you suffer, trust in the God of your salvation!

Sunday after Christmas
December 29, 2019

Micah 5:2-5
From Bethlehem, from Eternity God Gives His Gift

1) God's eternal Son came into time at Bethlehem.
2) God's eternal Son came to be our Shepherd, King, and peace.

Christmas Day
December 25, 2019

Isaiah 9:6-7
What's in a Name?

To Us a Child is Born!
His Name Is; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas Eve
December 24, 2019, 7PM

Isaiah 8:20-9:2
Afraid of the Dark?
A Light Has Dawned!

4th Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2019

Isaiah 12:1-6
The Day Has Come – Rejoice!

1) Joyfully trust in the God of your salvation!
a. God was justly angry with us.
b. Jesus turned away God's anger.
* We dying creatures in a dying world have this hope – We joyfully trust in the God of our salvation!

2) Joyfully grow in faith in the God of your salvation.
a. Jesus alone satisfies our spiritual thirst.
b. Draw the water of salvation from the Gospel.
* Show your joy in worship and in living to proclaim Jesus!

3rd Sunday in Advent
December 15, 2019

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, a Branch is Growing!

1) The Branch is the Son of David and the Son of God.
2) The Branch is King and Saviour of All.

2nd Sunday in Advent
December 8, 2019

Daniel 4:1-4
Fear Not! Your King Is Coming!

1) Before He comes, it will be a time of trouble.
a. Daniel prophesied a time of trouble for Israel.
b. Enemy invasion in 168 BC fulfilled the prophecy.
c. Israel's trouble foreshadowed great distress at the end.
* “Signs of the end times” are being fulfilled today - outside and inside the Christian Church.

2) Fear not – When He comes, it will be a time of triumph!
a. The Lord's arch angel, Michael, would work God's victory.
b. The Lord's Son, Jesus, accomplished our eternal victory!
* By God's grace, we who have been made “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” will shine forever. Let this hope inspire you to seek Christ's kingdom first - for yourself – and for others.

The First Sunday in Advent
December 1, 2019

Isaiah 62:10-12
Hear the Advent Cry - ”Your Saviour Comes!”

1) Prepare your heart to meet Him.
* Build a highway to your heart through daily repentance. Rally to the Gospel banner. Jesus rescued us from sin and earned our eternal life!

2) Receive the blessings He brings.
* The Advent cry gives us faith, hope and love. To whom will you proclaim the Advent cry, “Your Saviour Comes?”

Last Sunday of End Time – Christ the King
November 24, 2019

Colossians 1:13-20
Crown Him Lord of All!

1) Crown Jesus Lord – our Creator and Preserver!
a. He is true God and true man in one divine person.
b. His powerful Word gives us faith and courage.
* Be faithful to the point of death – to receiver the crown of life (Revelation 2:10)!

2) Crown Jesus Lord – Our Redeemer and Savior.
a. He rescued us from Satan's kingdom of darkness.
b. He redeemed (bought us back) us with the price of His blood.
* Jesus switches the “name tags” that identify our sin and names us God's redeemed children! Thank Jesus your King for His Word; Take Christ with you into the new church year and praise Him – Lord of all!

The 3rd Sunday of End Time – Saints Triumphant
November 17, 2019

2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
May the Lord Direct Your Hearts into God's Love and Christ's Perseverance!

1) Continue in God's love in Christ.
a. From the beginning of our lives, we were dead in sin.
b. From God's eternal beginning, He chose to save us.
c. Hold on to the teachings of God's Word!
* Despite widespread attacks on the Word and people turning from the Word, trust the Lord's promises. He will protect and strengthen us by the gospel in Word and Sacrament – to continue in Christ's love!

2) Thankfully live for Christ.
a. The Lord gives us eternal encouragement and good hope.
b. We say “thank you” to the Lord with our words and deeds.
c. Pray that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly.
* As we await the final day of glory, may the Lord lift our souls above the storm clouds of this life – and give us His love and perseverance!

The Second Sunday of End Time – Last Judgment
November 10, 2019

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

First Sunday of End Time – Reformation Sunday
November 3, 2019

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Reformation Christian – Return to the Word!

1) God's Word makes us wise for salvation through faith in Christ.
a. All Scripture is God-breathed.
b. God's Word reveals Law and Gospel.
c. God's Word makes us wise for salvation through faith.
* By the Gospel in Word and Sacrament the Holy Spirit makes and keeps us alive in faith.

2) God's Word guides us as we live by faith in Christ.
a. Scriptures guide every generation.
b. Know the Scriptures “from infancy.”
c. Know the Scriptures as we gladly hear it preached.
* Look what will happen when we return to the Word as Reformation Christians!

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost
October 27, 2019

2 Peter 1:3
Relying on the Survival Kit

1)Protected in the Short Term.
2) Saved in the Long Term.

The 19th Sunday after Pentecost
October 20, 2019

1 Timothy 6:6-16
Godliness with Contentment Is Great Gain

1) Loving the things of this world is loss.
a. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
b. God gives us our property to manage for Him.
c. If a man will not work he shall not eat (2 Thess. 3:10)
d. Learn from the lesson of the rich man and Lazarus.
* The Love of money leads to so many other sins and problems. It ultimately leads to eternal ruin in hell.

2) Loving the Lord Jesus is eternal gain.
a. Christ's poverty gained eternal life (2 Cor. 8:9).
b. Fight the Good Fight of faith!
c. Live the life of faith!
* What good would it be to gain the world, but lose our souls (Mark 8:36)? Therefore, be content.

Thanksgiving
October 13, 2019

When You Pray, Say, “Thanks”!
1 Timothy 2:1-8

1) Thank the Lord when you pray for peace.
a. Praying expresses our faith the Lord meets all our needs.
b. In hardship we still have reason for rejoicing in the Lord.
c. We pray for everyone.
d. We pray for rulers – so we may live peaceful lives.
* The Lord extends His rule of grace even when wicked rulers are in power. Thank the Lord for the peace we have as we worship and carry out the kingdom work the Lord entrusted to us.

2) Thank the Lord when you pray for the salvation of others.
a. God wants all to be saved.
b. Thank the Lord He blesses us and others by His gospel.
* Offer your prayers of thanksgiving; Offer your life in thanksgiving.

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost
October 6, 2019

1 Timothy 1:12-17
I Was Shown Mercy!

1) I was shown mercy despite my opposition to Christ.
a. Paul had opposed Christ and persecuted his believers.
b. Paul was shown mercy.
c. In our sinfulness we too opposed Christ.
d. We are shown mercy!
* Jesus came to us in baptism and comes to us now and in Word and Sacrament. He shows us God's mercy!

2) I was shown mercy and now I serve Christ.
a. Jesus called Paul to serve as His ambassador.
b. Jesus has chosen us as His ambassadors today.
* Gladly hear and lean God's promises, and trust you were shown mercy. Christ Jesus came into the wold to save sinners!

The 16th Sunday after Pentecost
September 29, 2019

Luke 14:25-27
Test Your Discipleship – Are You Bearing Your Cross?

1) Every Disciple will bear a cross.
a. Jesus bore His cross.
b. We bear our cross.
* Real crosses aren't just earthly suffering, but suffering for faith in Christ.

2) The Lord gives us strength to bear our cross.
a. One example - “hating” the family.
b. Examples from early Christians.
* We face pressure due to our faith in Jesus. With His strength, bear your cross!