Faith Lutheran - Sharpsburg

Everyone wants the best seat at the table—but in Luke 14, Jesus turns our ideas of honor and status upside down. He warns against pride that seeks recognition and calls us to humility that trusts the Host to lift us up. Even more, he shows us that our place at God’s banquet isn’t earned but graciously given. This week’s sermon invites us to trade self-promotion for Christ’s invitation. Vicar Schro...

Just because "everyone says" something doesn't make it true. People have all kinds of ideas about who gets to go to heaven or how they might get there. Jesus says, however, that the door to heaven is narrow, and few will be able to enter it. Jesus himself is the only way in. Pastor Schroeder’s sermon preached at Faith at August 24, 2025. Intro/Outro Music: “Depth of Field” by David Hilowitz

We usually expect valuable things to be packaged in a way that shows their worth. That’s why it’s so striking when Paul says that God has placed his light in fragile clay jars like us. Not only does God bless us with the privilege of carrying his light, but he also entrusts us to bear it through trials and persecution for the sake of a world that desperately needs it. Vicar Schroeder's sermon prea...

It’s easy to move through life on a “turn by turn” basis— we focus on the little details instead of the bigger picture of where we’re going or what we’re doing. What if we get so caught up in the details that we forget that God is working out the big picture in his way and his time? We can trust him to lead us and to work all things in a way more beautiful than we ever could. Pastor Schroeder’s se...

What if the joy you’re chasing today vanishes when God calls you home? Focusing on Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13–21, we confront the subtle grip of greed that tempts us to anchor our true joy in possessions rather than God’s eternal love. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to pause and ask… When God calls us home to Him, whose will our joy be? And even further…Whose is our joy today?

Is it difficult for you to ask for help? If it is, you’re not alone. As we get older, we want to figure out our problems on our own, making it increasingly uncomfortable for us to reach out in times of need. But when it comes to prayer, God wants us to cry out to Him. What an incredible privilege it is to be able to humbly and confidently approach our Father in heaven with all our problems. As we...

In a world where the wants are many, Jesus tells us there is only one thing needed. That one thing might surprise us. It’s not something we need to stay alive physically, like food or water, but it’s something we need in order to live eternally: the Word. Through the story of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42, we see how Jesus sets our priorities straight, which then frees us t...

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus responds to a religious expert’s question, “Who is my neighbor?” with a story of radical compassion along the perilous Jerusalem-to-Jericho road. A Samaritan’s selfless care for a beaten stranger contrasts sharply with the indifference of religious passersby. This parable challenges us to move beyond convenience and fear, urging us to embrace a love beyo...

In Jesus’ parable of the two debtors, a Pharisee’s skepticism and a sinful woman’s devotion reveal the transformative power of grace. This narrative challenges us to confront the immeasurable debt of our own sins, recognize the boundless forgiveness offered by Christ, and reflect on how this gift inspires a life of heartfelt love and service to others. This sermon was preached by Daniel Buth, a me...

In a world that fractures our focus with endless demands, how can we live with single-minded devotion to Christ without hesitation? It’s a daunting call, requiring strength beyond our own. Only through Christ’s unwavering, unhesitant commitment to our salvation can we live fully committed to Him. Jesus’ love empowers us to follow Him boldly, as Elisha did, ready to embrace God’s call without a mom...

Psalm 127 teaches that lasting purpose in personal and family life comes from trusting God's love and promises, not human efforts that are like sandcastles swept away. Without God's guidance, endeavors like building a strong home life or striving for personal meaning are futile. By trusting God's promises of forgiveness and eternal purpose, believers can build lives and families on a foundation th...

The Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—invites us to embrace the mystery of the Trinity, not as a puzzle to solve, but as a comforting truth that pours peace into our hearts. In a world craving quick answers, the Father’s gift of His Son, Jesus’ sacrifice, and the Spirit’s presence in our hearts reveal a God too vast for our minds, yet fighting for our salvation and giving us eternal peace. V...

Human rebellion fractures the world, as vividly illustrated at Babel, where God scattered people by confusing their languages. In the face of that division, the Holy Spirit emerges as a divine force of unity, dramatically showcased at Pentecost when disciples miraculously spoke in different tongues to share the gospel. The Holy Spirit transformed a fearful group into bold witnesses who unite peopl...

Feeling consumed by the chaos of this world? Revelation 19:11–16 reveals Jesus as the Rider on the White Horse, actively conquering evil with perfect justice. Through His cross and ongoing rule, He assures us He’ll make all things right, freeing us to rejoice in His victory. Find hope and strength in this vision of our ascended Lord, whose triumph over chaos is ours. Vicar Behm’s sermon preached a...

In a world shrouded in confusion and grief, where fleeting pleasures and endless information fail to satisfy, Jesus’ words in John 16:16–24 offer hope. On Holy Thursday, he promises his disciples, amid their looming sorrow, a deep, lasting joy that transcends circumstances. Through his death and resurrection, Christ secures an unshakable joy for all Christians that is firmly rooted in God’s love a...

What is the best gift that you could leave behind for your children? Even more important than passing down a family heirloom, a large inheritance, or the family house, is passing down Jesus’ words. In a world that is filled with noise and doubt, we work to teach our children the words of eternal life, the words that have the power to save. And that’s why Christin education matters - to have pastor...

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, embodies unconditional love and care, meeting our every need, guiding us through life’s trials, and restoring our souls with complete forgiveness. He loves us, His sheep, so much that He laid down His life so that we would be safe eternally. Parents are called to mirror this love by nurturing their children with care, guidance, and a commitment to their faith. May our Goo...

Because He lives, we see success clearly now. Jesus’ resurrection pierces through the fog of a sin-clouded world, unveiling a clear understanding of true success. True success isn’t about what you achieve but about being where Jesus places you. It’s trusting His perfect wisdom, whether you’re soothing a crying infant or tackling daily work. Even in moments of failure, Christ’s triumph covers you w...

How does Jesus approach his fearful disciples on the evening of that first Easter Sunday? Does he scold them? No, he brings a word of comfort. He calms them with the peace that only He can give. That same unending, unchanging peace is also ours because of Jesus’ Resurrection. The peace that He gives us both calms our hearts and emboldens us to share the Good News. Just as Jesus calmed and commissi...

Because He lives, we are victorious! Because Jesus conquered sin, death, and the devil, he ushered in forgiveness and eternal hope for all who believe. Through his rising, Jesus liberates us from despair, empowering us to live with renewed purpose and the unshakable assurance of salvation in his name. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Pastor Schroeder’s sermon preached at Faith on Easter Sunday...

For our Good Friday service, Pastor Schroeder and Vicar Behm offered short devotions centered on each of Jesus' Seven Words from the Cross. Reflecting on these powerful words helps reveal to us the depth of Jesus’ love as he suffers in our place. Through these words, spoken amidst his agony, we uncover the profound sacrifice and unwavering compassion of Christ, who bore our sins to secure our salv...

Curious about true success? Listen to Pastor Doug Van Sice's sermon, "Living with the End Goal Constantly in View," based on Paul’s words in Philippians 3. Discover how focusing on eternity with Christ transforms our definition of success from "worldly wins" to "knowing Him." Pastor Van Sice serves at Huntersville Lutheran Church in Huntersville, NC, and is a former vicar at Faith. Pastor Doug Van...

In this sermon, we explore the timeless Parable of the Two Sons from Luke 15, a story that reveals the relentless, seeking love of our Heavenly Father for all his children. This love is certain whether the children have wandered far in reckless pursuit of freedom or remained close yet lost in self-righteousness. Through the younger son’s descent into the pig sty and the older son’s resentment in t...

Do you view repentance as a gift or a burden? In this sermon, we explore the liberating truth that repentance is another way that God shows us his grace. The unsettling story of Pilate mixing Galilean blood with temple sacrifices sets the stage for Jesus’ words in Luke 13, shifting our focus from others’ sins to our own need for repentance. Meanwhile, the parable of a barren fig tree, spared by a...

Citizenship matters. Paul wrote to Christians in Philippi who understood the benefits of being Roman citizens, and he reminded them that Christians are citizens of heaven. In this reading, he encourages all of us to live up the calling we have received, and to let our heavenly citizenship define our daily walk and our eternal hopes. Pastor Schroeder’s sermon preached at Faith on March 16, 2025. In...