February 27 & 28, 2010
Second Sunday in Lent

Sermon Title: “Giving With a Cheerful Heart”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 9:7

Summary: Our stewardship habits reflect heart attitudes, and say much about WHO we are and WHAT we really value. One of the key ways we see our character becoming conformed to Christ is when we give. Someone once said, “Giving is not God's way of raising money; it is God's way of raising people into the likeness of his Son.” God’s Word for today helps us understand the great joy God has in store for us as we learn to give.

February 20 & 21, 2010
First Sunday in Lent

Sermon Title: “Out of the Saltshaker”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13

Reading: Luke 4:1-13

Summary: Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth!” In order for us to be the divine seasoning agent he intends us to be, we're going to have to get out of the saltshaker and into the world. Just imagine what can happen in your life when your consecration and determination is applied to serving Christ!

February 13 & 14, 2010
Transfiguration of Our Lord

Sermon Title: “Listen to Jesus”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Luke 9:28-36

Readings: Hebrews 3:1-6| Luke 9:28-36

Summary: The Gospel lesson for Transfiguration Sunday points us to Jesus, fixes our attention on Him, and tells us to LISTEN. (That’s good; it’s so easy for us to get distracted!) Jesus is found only where he has chosen to reveal himself: in his Word and Sacraments. We rightly listen to him when we read and study his Word, and seek to live according to his will. We don’t want to miss what he wants us to hear.

February 6 & 7, 2010
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Sermon Title: “It’s Time to Fish”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Luke 5:1-11

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8| Luke 5:1-11

Summary: Jesus had begun his ministry. He did several miracles; taught the multitudes; and was just beginning to call disciples to follow him. In today’s lesson, Jesus grabs the attention of four fishermen with some unusual instructions for Simon Peter, “Put out into the deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” By the time the story was over Peter and his friends had learned some remarkable things about following Jesus, and what it meant to be fishers of men. Jesus invites us to faithful following as well. It’s time to fish!

January 23 & 24, 2010
Third Sunday After Epiphany

Sermon Title: “The Crucial Question”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Luke 4:16-30

Readings: 2 Kings 5:9-14 | Luke 4:16-30

Summary: “What do you think of Jesus?” It’s a great question, and can open the door for deep discussion and personal testimony about Christ. Yet many folks don’t know what to think about Jesus! Luke tells us that even the people in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth refused to believe in him, reacting so strongly to his bold claims that they attempted to assassinate him. The Old Testament Lesson from 2 Kings 5:9-14 tells of another person, whose pride almost prevented him from experiencing God’s saving power. How about you? What do YOU think of Jesus?

January 16 & 17, 2010
Second Sunday After Epiphany

Sermon Title: “The Three C’s of Cana”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: John 2:1-11

Readings: Ephesians 5:22-33| John 2:1-11

Summary: John tells us of Jesus’ first miracle, introducing it with these simple words,
“…a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee…and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding” (vs. 1-2). Little did that wedding couple realize what was about to happen, and what everyone was about to learn! What a difference the presence of Jesus makes! He still comes to us today, into our marriages, into our lives, into our impossible situations. He’s still powerful to do far beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.

January 9 & 10, 2010
First Sunday After Epiphany

Sermon Title: “The Miracle of Holy Baptism”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Luke 3:15-22

Readings: Romans 6:1-11| Luke 3:15-22

Summary: Today’s Gospel Lesson tells us of the Baptism of Jesus. Our Baptism unites us with Christ, giving us all the blessings associated with the life, death and resurrection of our Lord. Paul, in Romans 6, tells us that, united with Christ in Baptism, we have the power to say no to sin, and to live our lives for Christ. The implications of this biblical truth are enormous.

January 2 & 3, 2010
Second Sunday After Christmas

Sermon Title:“The Fourth King in the Christmas Story”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 | Ephesians 3:7-12 | Matthew 2:1-12

Summary: Tradition tells us that there were “Three Kings” who came from afar, searching for the Christ Child. Their journey took them to the palace of another king, the “Fourth King” of the Christmas story, the evil King Herod. Ultimately, God led them to the “Real King” (Jesus, the Son of God), found not in a palace, but in a manger. Today, God still leads us to worship the King, Jesus.

December 19 & 20, 2009
Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sermon Title: “People God Chooses and Uses - Elizabeth”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Luke 1:39-45

Readings: Hebrews 10:5-10 | Luke 1:39-45

Summary: Elizabeth was blessed by God’s miraculous intervention. She and her husband Zechariah became the parents of John the Baptist. What a moment when she and Mary meet. Elizabeth, filled with Spirit, exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

“Why am I so favored?” is still an appropriate response to the Savior's coming. How blessed we are!

December 5-6, 2009
Second Sunday in Advent

Sermon Title: "People God Choses and Uses - Joseph"
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Matthew 1:18-2

Readings: Romans 15:5-7 & 13 | Matthew 1:18-25

Summary: Our Advent and Christmas sermon series takes a close look at those who played key roles in God’s mighty redemption plan. Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, Elizabeth, Simeon – all chosen by God to partake in the wonder of the Savior’s birth.

Today’s lesson looks at Joseph. Talk about a man experiencing a change in plans! Yet Joseph believed and obeyed God, and responded with faith when told of God’s will for his soon-to-be wife Mary. It’s still God’s plan to work through people just like you to reach a world for Jesus Christ. Can your plans be interrupted?

November 21 & 22, 2009
Last Sunday of the Church Year

Sermon Title: “Shoots – Where Are We Going”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Readings: Jude 20-25| Matthew 28:18-20

Summary: For nearly 25 years God has blessed the people of Messiah, and expanded the scope of our ministry. Who are we? (our ROOTS), What are we doing? (the FRUITS), and Where are we going? (the new SHOOTS). Led by the Holy Spirit and guided by his Word, we will faithfully serve God, follow his leading, and responsibly manage the resources with which he has entrusted us in these financially challenging times.

November 14 & 15, 2009
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon Title: “Fruit – What God is Doing Through Us”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: John 15:5-17

Readings: Hebrews 10:11-25 | John 15:5-17

November 7 & 8, 2009
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon Title: “Roots - Who We Are”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Ephesians 3:17b-21

Readings: Ephesians 3:17b-21| Mark 12:38-44

Summary: Over the next three weeks we seek to explore the mission which God has called us as a congregation. For nearly 25 years God has blessed the people of Messiah, and expanded the scope of our ministry. Who are we? (our ROOTS), What are we doing? (the FRUITS), and Where are we going? (the new SHOOTS). Led by the Holy Spirit and guided by his Word, we will faithfully serve God, follow his leading, and responsibly manage the resources with which he has entrusted us in these financially challenging times.

October 31 & November 1, 2009
All Saints’ Day

Sermon Title: “I Look for the Resurrection of the Dead”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:50-52

Readings: 1 John 3:1-3| John 14:1-3

Summary: “I look for the resurrection of the dead.” These familiar words from the Nicene Creed remind us that the best is yet to come! As good as this life can be, it is not all there is. God's plan is resurrection and life everlasting. Just think, new bodies that won't ever wear out for these old ones that do! What hope that gives us, and it's ours because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

October 24 & 25, 2009
Reformation Day

Sermon Title: “Serving With Your Whole Heart”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: Joshua 13:1

Readings: Romans 3:19-28| Matthew 19:23-30

Summary: Many projects are relatively easy to begin. Some of them are very difficult to complete. In fact, most meaningful and worthwhile things take follow-through and commitment. It’s true of projects around the house, it was true of the Reformation, and it’s true of our spiritual lives as well.

This week we come to the end of our special 40-Day spiritual journey called “Discovering My Ministry.” You may have realized it’s not all that difficult to identify areas of ministry in which you feel led to serve God and neighbor.

But it’s quite another thing actually to commit to serving and to commence activity. Today’s lesson reminds us of the good intention but unfinished business that marked Joshua’s life. When it’s all been said and done, what will your life story be?

October 17 & 18, 2009
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon Title: “Serving From Experience” (Sermon N/A)
Preacher: Pastor Vic Fry
Sermon Text: Genesis 50:20

Readings: Hebrews 4:12-16| Mark 10:46-52

Summary: As we do a brief review of the life of Joseph, we see him being used by God in serving many people, especially his family members. Indeed, God does work in mysterious ways. What kind of experience might you have had as God used you? Many times you were probably unaware of how God was or is using you. God doesn’t ask about our ability or inability–only our availability. May God be glorified by and through us also!

October 10 & 11, 2009
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon Title: “Your Unique Personality – See Ourselves as God Sees Us”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: N/A

Readings: 2 Timothy 1:2-9a| Mark 10:17-22

Summary: Your identity is in Christ. When He came into your life, He made you brand new. The old is gone! The ramifications of this biblical truth are staggering! Whereas before you might have considered yourself unworthy to be called God’s child, now in Christ you have been made worthy. Before your focus may have been on personal short-comings, but now you see yourself as the much-loved child of the Heavenly Father. Your SHAPE? It’s a matter of seeing yourself as GOD sees you!

October 3 & 4, 2009
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sermon Title: “Discovering Your Gifts: God’s Grace Made Visible”
Preacher: Pastor Bob Schulze
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 4:10-11
Readings: 1 Peter 4:7-11| Matthew 25:14-30

Summary: What does electricity look like? Can you see wind? Actually, you cannot see either electricity or wind. The “invisible” becomes colorfully “visible” when we see the effects it produces. A light bulb glows in the dark; a flag flaps in the breeze.

What does God’s grace look like? Though invisible, it also becomes colorfully visible as God’s people, using their Spirit-given gifts, serve God and neighbor in various and wonderful ways. What does God’s grace look like in your life?