A Family Growing In Christ

Sunday, January 4, 2026 Epiphany of Our Lord Ephesians 3:2-12 Pastor Joe Gawel The mystery of God's grace and mercy is revealed to us through the coming of Jesus - salvation and reconciliation for all the world. Don't forget to visit ⁠ https://www.mountoliveappleton.com ⁠ to learn more about our ministry and God's love for you! You can also watch this sermon and more from Mount Olive L...

Sunday, December 28, 2025 Sunday after Christmas Matthew 2:13-23 Pastor Robert Raasch The sinfulness of the world cannot rob us of the peace God intends to bring through his Son. Christ the Savior is born, and through his life, God brings us into the family. He gives us the rights of redeemed sons and daughters, the privileges of inheritance. Don't forget to visit ⁠ https://www.mountoliveapple...

Sunday, December 21, 2025 4th Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-14 Pastor James Fischer God's unstoppable love and infinite wisdom culminate perfectly in Christ's faithful life and sacrifice. He knew that in our sinful state, no part of our redemption could be left up to us - and his fulfillment is delivered to us perfectly through faith he plants by grace from his holy word. Don't forget t...

Sunday, December 14, 2025 3rd Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10 Pastor Joe Gawel The prophecy God reveals to us in Isaiah shares a promise of a relief, but relief that might look different than what our human hearts desire. May God grant us all the wisdom and patience to see that his perfect relief for our true source of suffering has already been granted through his Son Jesus - so we may share that...

Sunday, December 7, 2025 2nd Sunday of Advent Matthew 3:1-12 Pastor Tim Priewe The gospel message of John the Baptist often sounds to our sinful ears like a harsh warning, but it also contains the assuring comfort of our eternal forgiveness and ultimate peace with God! Don't forget to visit ⁠ https://www.mountoliveappleton.com ⁠ to learn more about our ministry and God's love for you! You...

Sunday, November 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent Philippians 4:4-7 Pastor Joe Gawel Even as we navigate this earthly life of turmoil and challenges, we are encouraged by our God through the writings of Paul to "Rejoice in the Lord always" and to "let your gentleness be evident to all." My God's overwhelming love and mercy never cease to overflow from our own hearts! Don&#39...

Sunday, November 23, 2025 Last Sunday of the Church Year Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4 Pastor Tim Priewe Our anxious anticipation of God's fulfillment is reassured today in the message revealed through the prophet Habakkuk. God's promises are true and his powerful glory will accomplish his purpose. Not our purpose, and not our timeline, but God's holy and merciful purpose. Don't forget to...

Sunday, November 16, 2025 23rd Sunday after Pentecost 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Pastor Joel Zank Our impatience with God's judgement on this world is not only the attitude of a spoiled child unwilling to wait, but it is wrathful retaliation wished upon a world that God so loved that he sent his Son to die for it. God is just, and we are not. May we bask in the mercy our Lord bestows and pray for...

Sunday, November 9, 2025 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Mark 14:3-9 Pastor Robert Raasch All things in this life are blessings from God, and as such we can always use these blessings to his glory. Don't forget to visit ⁠https://www.mountoliveappleton.com ⁠ to learn more about our ministry and God's love for you! You can also watch this sermon and more from Mount Olive Lutheran Church on YouTu...

It is easy to feel like "the world" is our enemy. We must remember that "God so loved the world" and that when we are tempted to "draw our swords" to fight with fellow humans, we should "let our gentleness be evident to all." Don't forget to visit ⁠ https://www.mountoliveappleton.com ⁠ to learn more about our ministry and God's love for you! You can...

Sunday, October 26, 2025 Reformation Day John 8:31-36 Pastor Joe Gawel By the gift of his word, God reveals to us that our sinful selves are in desperate need of salvation which we cannot attain. Thankfully, Jesus Christ freely grants us the righteousness he earned as a payment for our debt. Don't forget to visit ⁠https://www.mountoliveappleton.com ⁠ to learn more about our ministry and God&#3...

Sunday, October 19, 2025 19th Sunday after Pentecost 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Pastor Tim Priewe Our state of being in this broken world is one of separation from God the instant we begin to exist, and we are unable to satisfy his holiness through our actions. But thankfully our merciful God offers such shocking love to his creation that he reconciles us to himself by his own design. Don't forget...

Sunday, October 12, 2025 18th Sunday after Pentecost Romans 5:8-10 Pastor Joe Gawel All of humanity is in dire need of salvation which none of us are capable of achieving. Thankfully, God,in his inconceivable mercy, gives us his own Son's holy life as a gift of his immeasurable love for each and every one of us. He did this while we still existed ignorant of his love and offers it despite our...

Sunday, October 5, 2025 17th Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 8:10-18 Pastor Tim Priewe It is all too easy for us to look at material comfort or success and congratulate ourselves for "not needing a hand-out" or "putting in the work". In God's word, Moses gives us a blunt reminder that nothing good in our lives happens without God and we owe all thanks therefore. The gift...

Sunday, September 28, 2025 16th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 16:19-31 Pastor Robert Raasch In his parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus bluntly reminds us that the earthly wealth we hoard in this life will serve no purpose in eternity. Instead, our hearts should be transformed by his own grace and mercy for giving us free salvation so that we cannot help but overflow with that same mercy to ot...

Sunday, September 21, 2025 15th Sunday after Pentecost Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 Pastor Joe Gawel We are reminded and humbled by God's word today and it's overt call for generosity. Too often our performative acts are still selfish at heart, and we truly fail at pour out what we are given in surplus. Thankfully God's almighty generosity is most poignantly demonstrated in his Son's death...

Sunday, September 14, 2025 14th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 15:1-10 Pastor Robert Raasch Christians don't gather together in church to hear God's word because we think we're better; we come because we know how lost we are. God's unconditional mercy and love are discussed today in no uncertain terms. Praise Jesus for his sacrifice and grace, and may we overflow with that same grace...

Sunday, September 7, 2025 13th Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Pastor Tim Priewe While it can often seem that we as Christians are caught in an endless cycle of failure, repentance, and failure again - God assures us continually of his promise fulfilled. Christ's holiness and triumph over death is the only choice that matters, and he has chosen YOU. Don't forget to visit ⁠ moun...

Sunday, August 31, 2025 12th Sunday after Pentecost James 2:1-13 Pastor Joe Gawel Too often we are plagued with thoughts of "Am I good enough?" while simultaneously casting judgement so easily on other's worthiness. In the reading from James, we are confronted with our failings and our own need for mercy. Thankfully our savior sees us as dear children and grants us his own perfection...

Sunday, August 24, 2025 11th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 13:22-30 Pastor Robert Raasch All the world is granted Christ's free offering of salvation and forgiveness through his death and resurrection, but yet so many would still reject this gift. Jesus gently reminds us time and again, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Don't forget to visit ⁠ mountoliveappleton.com ⁠ to learn more about our...

Sunday, August 17, 2025 10th Sunday after Pentecost Hebrews 12:1-13 Pastor Tim Priewe Too often in this life we perceive any hardship or struggle as a sign of either God punishing or abandoning us. The chaotic truth of what our loving God allows into our lives is that we are shaped and formed by these experiences, which are temporary bumps along the path laid out for us. This path forged by Jesus...

Sunday, August 10, 2025 9th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 12:22-34 Pastor Joel Zank Mortal life on this broken earth is filled with cause for worry, but our Savior reassures us that we can trust his promises. Unlike a human pep talk, God's reminders that he will provide for us come from the creator of all things and the redeemer of our eternal souls. Don't forget to visit ⁠ https://www.mount...

Sunday, August 3, 2025 8th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 19:1-10 Pastor Matt Behmer Jesus shows time and time again throughout his life on earth, that his gifts to us are given freely by his love and mercy. How can we help but overflow with the very same mercy afforded us by at least sharing our earthly gifts in generosity and hospitality? May God transform us by his grace to extend it outward and g...

Sunday, July 27, 2025 7th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 11:1-13 Pastor Robert Raasch God reminds us continually throughout his Word that he hears our prayers and invites us to pray persistently. But prayer is about more than asking God to grant earthly outcomes we desire, rather it is about God making his will know to us through his answers - regardless of our comprehension. Don't forget to visi...

Sunday, July 20, 2025 6th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 10:38-42 Pastor Joe Gawel Far too often our human minds default to a binary reduction of more complex and contextual matters. Jesus' words to Martha are not an indictment of the will to serve and act out our faith, but a reminder of what is in fact the core of such actions. Don't forget to visit ⁠ https://www.mountoliveappleton.com ⁠ to...