Devotions for Worship

This is the first session of Pastor Tritten's study on St. Paul's letter to the Colossians. For the handout from the session go to https://lotrittens.blogspot.com/ and look for November 9 - Colossians

Joining Jesus on His Mission - 6 by Pastor Eric Tritten

This sermon is based on Luke 19:1-10, the story of Zacchaeus; particularly how Jesus' salvation came to him. Pastor Tritten's message points us to the salvation that has come to us in Christ and the hope we have with the saints who have gone before us. Jesus has won the victory and we are holy in God's sight because of him!

Joining Jesus on His Mission - 5 by Pastor Eric Tritten

This sermon is based on Luke 18:9-14, the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. This parable is an excellent text for Reformation Day since it points to justification by grace through faith as the heart of our relationship with God.

Pastor Tritten continues the study of Greg Finke's Joining Jesus on His Mission. In this session he talks about five missional practices.

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus told a parable to the effect that his followers ought always to pray and not lose heart, which is a struggle we all face. He tells of an unrighteous judge who ends up doing the right thing because of a widow's persistence, and he reminds us that we are not dealing with an unrighteous judge, but a loving Father who created and saves us. In that we love, we are bold to pray!

In this sermon, Pastor Tritten tells the story of Naomi, which you can read about in the Old Testament Book of Ruth. Naomi experienced great sorrow and bitterness in her life, and while that challenged her faith in God, God remained faithful to her, used her life, blessed her and her daughter-in-law so greatly that they became essential to the birth of our savior.

This session includes a Bible Study on Ephesians 5:15-16, which says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." Pastor Tritten talks about the unique opportunities we are facing at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hudson. In addition, congregational president, Mike Korba presents the suggested budget for 2026 and takes q...

Pastor Tritten continues our study of Greg Finke's book Joining Jesus On His Mission. In this presentation we discuss the theology behind this statement: “The kingdom of God (that is, the redemptive presence and activity of God in human lives) has come into the world to work out the mission of God (the redeeming and restoring of human lives to the kingdom of God) through the people of God (the red...

This sermon is based on Jesus' challenging words in Luke 17:10 in which we are taught to hold to the attitude that we are unworthy servants and have only done our duty. We're not used to thinking of ourselves as servants. We see ourselves as people who are free. But what if that is not the full picture? What if we are naturally in bondage to sin and our first relationship with God is that He serve...

Pastor Tritten continues the discussion of Greg Finke's book, Joining Jesus On His Mission, as we consider how we might be a part of helping people experience Jesus' love and forgiveness. What if our part of the process is rooted in enjoying people? What if a key characteristic of the evangelist is not confidence, but curiosity?

This sermon focuses on Luke 16:19-31 - the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. What is the point of this parable that talks about heaven and hell, wealth, resurrection, and campassion? How does it apply to us today? Take a listen to find out.

This sermon, based on Luke 16:1-3, the Parable of the Unrighteous Manager, wrestles with the strange way Jesus compliments the unrighteous servant for his shrewdness. That comment is confusing to many! Perhaps, however, Jesus is challenging us to consider our stewardship of his blessings in our lives, urging us to think beyond this life to the everlasting life he won for us by his death and resurr...

September 21 - Joining Jesus on His Mission 1 by Pastor Eric Tritten

In this introductiory session, Pastor Tritten talks about evangelism as an adventure that is led by the Holy Spirit. This is the first of seven session rooted in Greg Finke's book Joining Jesus on His Mission.

This sermon for Cross of Christ Sunday is based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Pastor Tritten talks about the foolishness of the Gospel, but the power of God which He delivers through the proclamation of the Cross.

This last offering on the Nicene Creed looks at the aftermath of the Council of Nicaea in 325, the Council of Constantinople in 381, and the Great Schism in 1054. It examines the additions to the Creed regarding the Holy Spirit, and that troublesome filioque clause.

This sermon on Luke 14:25-35 takes Jesus' words about those who cannot be His disciples seriously and reminds us that none of us are worthy to follow Jesus. Indeed, we must count the cost - both what it cost Jesus and, following in Jesus' steps, what it will cost us to be His disciples.

This is the second lesson Pastor Tritten offered on the Nicene Creed. In it we compare the texts of the Nicene Creed from 325 A.D. and modern translations we use noting and explaining the differences. Pastor Tritten also supplies Bible verses to support all the parts of the creed.

Focusing on Luke 14:1-14, when Jesus was invited to dine at the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees, Pastor Tritten draws out lessons on humility that we should emulate in our lives. More importantly, he shows that Jesus' humility was crucial to our salvation.

Sometimes Jesus says things that make us uncomfortable, especially when He confronts us with our own sin or hypocrissy. Luke 13:22-30 contains one of those uncomfortable conversations which challenges us and drives us back to the important fact that Jesus came to save sinners, and the Kingdom of God will be full of us!

This first session of our study focuses on the history leading up to the Council of Nicaea with special attention to what was happening to and in the Church.

In Luke 12:49-53, Jesus makes some challenging statements about whether or not He came to bring peace on earth. This sermon looks at Jesus' work to bring peace, who he makes peace with, and why having one kind of peace can lead to conflict in another part of the Christian's life.

Pastor Tritten finishes his report on his sabbatical with reflections on the Psalms and lessons learned for the future of Gloria Dei.