Luke 2:22-35 - The Wait Is Over

In this sermon, Rev. Mike Wenzler looks at Luke 2:22-35 and Isaiah 60:1-3 in conjunction with the Christ Candle. The salvation Jesus brought is played out in His presentation in the Temple. There His conformity to the Law and His complete revelation calls us to account. The music of this season began on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflected longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we moved closer to Christmas Day, the music focused more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:22-35

Read Online: Luke 2:22-35

Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 9:2-7 - Treasuring Jesus

This Sunday, Rev. Ben Sinnard will look at Luke 2:8-20 and Isaiah 9:2-7 in conjunction with the Angel Candle. This revelation and proclamation from the angels led those who heard it to wonder and treasure up this newborn baby. May we treasure Jesus above all else. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 9:2-7

Read Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 9:2-7

Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 40:9-11 - Shepherds

This Sunday, Rev. Chris Vogel will look at Luke 2:8-20 and Isaiah 40:9-11 in conjunction with the Shepherd Candle. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 40:9-11

Read Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 40:9-11

Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:1-5a - Bedlam in Bethlehem

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel will look at Luke 2:1-7 and Micah 5:1-5a, which is in conjunction with the Bethlehem Candle as we reflect on the Messiah’s birth in David’s city. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:1-5a

Read Online: Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:1-5a

Matthew 1:18-23 & Isaiah 7:10-17 - The Promise of God's Presence

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel will look at Matthew 1:18-23 and Isaiah 7:10-17 in conjunction with the Prophecy Candle as we reflect on the promise from ages past in which a virgin will give birth to a son, whose name will be Immanuel, God with us. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Matthew 1:18-23; Isaiah 7:10-17

Read Online: Matthew 1:18-23

Read Online: Isaiah 7:10-17

John 1:43-51 - Heaven Is Open To Us

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel preaches from John 1:43-51. Here Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, who in turn invites Nathanael. Jesus continues to build his church, first through the preaching of John the Baptizer, family outreach by Andrew and now friendship evangelism that brings in Nathanael. Jesus’ words to Nathanal takes us to Genesis 28 as God calls the deceiver, Jacob.

Listen Online: John 1:43-51

Read Online: John 1:43-51

John 1:35-39 - What Are You Seeking?

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel preaches from John 1:35-39, where John the Baptist points two of his disciples to Jesus, thus illustrating the role of the preacher: is to point others to the Lamb of God. Jesus then asks these two the probing question, “What are you seeking?” a question which we should ask ourselves as we gather together. This inauspicious beginning of Jesus’ ministry illustrates how Jesus continues to build His Church.

Listen Online: John 1:35-39

Read Online: John 1:35-39

John 1:29-34 - Jesus' Redeeming and Empowering Work

In this sermon, Rev. Christopher Vogel takes us to John 1:29-34. Here we read how John the Baptizer reveals Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus’ identification as the Son of God, revealed by the dwelling of Spirit in the form of the dove pictures Christ’s work in rescuing His people from their sin.

Listen Online: John 1:29-34

Read Online: John 1:29-34

John 1:19-28 - Revealing the Hidden

In this sermon Rev. Ben Sinnard preaches from John 1:19-28. John 1:19-28 directly follows the prologue (1:1-18) and begins the narrative of John's Gospel. On the surface, this looks like a how-to on witnessing, but the deeper concern is blindness. The Christ was hidden from those gathered with John because of their spiritual blindness. No matter how hard they (and we) might try, the "One who comes after John" must be revealed.

Listen Online: John 1:19-28

Read Online: John 1:19-28

John 1:14-18 - Christ: Unique in Grace

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel preaches from John 1:14-18 which highlights the uniqueness of both the glory and the grace of Jesus Christ. This Sunday we will focus on the grace, a word not used again in the Gospel. Nevertheless, the uniqueness of the grace permeates this gospel as we see that Christ is unique in abundant grace, unique in surpassing grace, and unique in revealing grace.

Listen Online: John 1:14-18

Read Online: John 1:14-18

John 1:14-18 - Christ: Unique in Glory

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel preaches from John 1:14-18 which highlights the uniqueness of both the glory and the grace of Jesus Christ. This week we will focus on the glory and look at the grace next week. The uniqueness of Christ’s glory is found in the incarnation, that God took on flesh and made His home among us. What is hinted at in Exodus 25:8 and pictured as a passing shadow in Exodus 33-34 is made real for us today.

Listen Online: John 1:14-18

Read Online: John 1:14-18

John 1:6-13 - True Witness. True Light.

In this sermon, Rev. Ben Sinnard preaches from John 1:6-13. Here we see that God uses human witnesses to make clear the light of Christ (Jn 1:6-8). God uses the witness of humans to peel back the darkness of the world. The response of the world comes in two forms: rejection or reception. The beauty of the Gospel is seen in that God adopts us as his children (Jn 1:9-13).

Listen Online: John 1:6-13

Read Online: John 1:6-13