Grace Abounds

We may never be able to comprehend the Trinity, and we probably weren’t meant to. But what we can understand, know, and trust is who God is and what God has done for us. And every day when we experience community and see our fellow person. We are living in the presence of the Triune God. *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and...

It can be tough to talk about the Holy Spirit: the Wind who moved over the waters of creation (Genesis 1; Psalm 104); the Pentecost fire who inspired the disciples to share the good news of Jesus (Acts 2); the Advocate who intercedes for us with “sighs too deep for words” (John 15; Romans 8). Perhaps that’s because the Holy Spirit isn’t only Someone we talk about, the Holy Spirit is Someone we kno...

When God was made incarnate and walked this earth in the form of Jesus Christ, it was in part to bear witness to the pain of this world. The disciples were the first witness to the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. They may have been the first to witness to this radical truth but they would not be the last. We are also witnesses to this remarkable story and are called to pr...

“It really is all about love, isn’t it.” A beloved member of our church said this to his wife in the middle of one of my sermons years ago. He’s right. Love is the greatest commandment. Love is the fruit of the Spirit. Love is what Jesus embodied in his teaching and example. And love is how people will know we are his followers. *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11a...

The story of the Ethiopian Eunuch’s baptism shows us the incredible power of the Spirit. This is God’s Spirit that has acted in the lives of so many, including our own. We are all invited to be baptized by the spirit and participate in its life. This is because the Spirit is for all and so is God’s love. No exceptions! *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find ou...

As a young disciple, John experienced the love of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep (John 10). John shared the good news of God’s saving love in Jesus throughout the rest of his life (Acts 4). And John wrote the Gospel and letters that bear his name so we too might trust in Jesus Christ and love each other as Christ loves us. How might you, like John, “love in truth an...

When Jesus appears before the disciples after he has risen from the dead he greets them by saying, “Peace be with you”. It is a familiar greeting with a deeper meaning of reconciliation with each other, God, and all of creation. In this story’s retelling we carry the peace of Christ and offer it to the world. *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more abo...

Thomas doesn’t believe the disciples when they tell him that Jesus has risen from the dead. He has to see it for himself. When Jesus returns to show Thomas the holes in his hands and the scar on his side, Thomas believes. We too sometimes need to see and feel the presence of God in times of great fear and loss. Jesus is revealed to us through communion, baptism, community, and in many more ways. *...

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the joyous good news, “Christ is Risen!” Jesus Christ joined with us so that we might join with him; suffered with us so we know we never suffer alone; took our death as his own and gives us life, now and forever. And one day, Christ will make all things new. In Christ, we know, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” *** Join us In-...

God establishes a new covenant, a new promise with God’s people. Previous covenants had been a give and take. This covenant is different because it can never be broken, not matter how broken humanity has been or will be. God has seen our brokenness, forgiven it, and offered the gift of grace in return. This gift was made manifest in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Proving that i...

*** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added! If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s comm...

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up…I will draw all people to myself” (John 12:31). Jesus was lifted up on the cross and died. Jesus was lifted up from the grave and gives us life now and forever. Jesus was lifted up into heaven and is with us always. Are we lifting Jesus up - sharing his good news in our words and in our deeds - so that all may know him? *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship S...

What does it mean to have your “mind set not on divine things, but on human things?” Why does Jesus say this to Peter, his follower and friend, after Peter rebukes Jesus for speaking of his Passion (Mark 8:31-38)? How might we need to change our mindset as followers of Christ today? *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways...

A theme of water, death, and promise is seen throughout the gospel as well as the other readings. Water is scarce in the wilderness and so it is fitting that Jesus is driven out from his baptism into the wilderness. In the Genesis text God promises to never destroy the earth with water again. Through our baptism we are gifted the promise of God’s impossible love in the midst of our suffering. ***...

*** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added! If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s comm...

*** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added! If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s comm...

Who has authority in your life? Who do you follow? Who do you listen to? As the Gospel writers recount, Jesus has the authority to teach, heal, and set people free (Mark 1:21-28). What will you do with the freedom he has given you? *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list....

When Jesus called his disciple he did not call the most qualified or most educated. He went to the shore and called to fishermen, “Follow Me”. And they agreed to give up everything they had to learn how to be like Jesus. We are called to as disciples to do the same, to see those rejected by society as equal in humanity and Christ in this world. *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays a...

Jesus could have done his entire ministry on his own, but he didn’t. Jesus formed a beloved community of disciples (John 1:35-51); he invited his disciples to participate in his ministry during his time on earth; and he entrusted his disciples with his ministry just before he ascended into heaven (the Great Commissions of Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, and John 20:21-23). If even Jesus didn’t go alone,...

John the Baptist called on people to repent, to change, to receive the good news that our gracious Lord will forgive our sins and give us a fresh start. Jesus was without sin, and yet he went to be baptized by John in the Jordan River (Mark 1:4-11). Why? We explore this question, and more, in this week’s message. *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more...

*** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added! If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s comm...

Nearly two centuries after its publication, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in “ A Christmas Carol,” continues to remind us the ‘spirit of Christmas’ is goodwill toward our fellow human beings, going out and sharing happiness with others, “interfering for good in human affairs” as the author Charles Dickens puts it. The ‘spirit of Christmas’ is being open to the transforming work of the Spirit, and...

*** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added! If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s comm...

“It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered in theaters on Dec 20, 1946 - 77 years later, it still resonates. Perhaps because it’s a Christmas story that reflects the Christmas story. It speaks to the meaning and significance of each and every human life, and the fullness of life lived in community with family and friends. It expresses the gospel message of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate in this every seas...

The words of Jesus “just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family you did it to me.” Are deeply confusing to those gathered before him as they can be for us these many years later. This text in Matthew is often used to divide and judge each other on who will enter the kingdom of heaven. Yet, Jesus’ message has nothing to do with belief and everything to with our choi...