Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

The world measures funerals by size and fame, but Jesus does not. Whether in a stadium or a small chapel, He sees the same need—sinners in need of forgiveness and life. That is what He gave Reinhardt in Baptism, in His Word, and in His Supper: the promise that though he died, he is not dead but alive in Christ. Like the paralyzed man Jesus healed, Reinhardt will rise, not to temporary strength, bu...

This week’s tragedies remind us how deeply sin has scarred our world and our own hearts. Violence, hatred, and death are not exceptions but the fruit of our fallen humanity. That is why we need the holy cross. At the cross, Jesus took all sin, guilt, and hatred upon Himself, died in our place, and rose victorious to give us life. There, what looked like defeat became victory, turning death into li...

Today, I reflected on Jesus’ hard words about hating family, bearing the cross, and renouncing all we have. At first, they sound impossible—almost like disqualifications for discipleship. But Jesus isn’t telling us how to earn salvation; He’s warning us not to let anything stand in the way of following Him. Like those in His parable who made excuses about property and family, we too can let “later...

Today, I reflected on how Jesus turns the tables on what it means to be honored. At the Pharisee’s banquet, people fought for the best seats, but Jesus chose the place of the outcast and welcomed a man with dropsy, healing him and giving him dignity. That is what He does for us, too. Our sin disfigures us, but Jesus opens the door, forgives us, and gives us a seat of honor at His table. In His kin...

Today, I reflected on the disciples’ argument about who was the greatest, even after Jesus had given them His Supper. Jesus reminded them—and us—that greatness in His kingdom is not about status, but service. That truth comes alive in the story of St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, whose very name means “gift of God.” Though not among the most famous apostles, he shows us that our worth doe...

Today, I reflected on Jesus’ hard words about casting fire on the earth. At first, they can sound harsh—even off-putting—but they reveal the truth about a world already burning with sin and brokenness. Jesus doesn’t come to ignore the flames but to fight fire with fire, taking the blaze of God’s wrath upon Himself at the cross so that we are saved. His work may bring division, even in families, bu...

Building on the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus teaches that life is more than possessions and that anxiety over material needs is unnecessary for those who know God as Father. Just as He feeds the ravens and clothes the lilies, He will surely care for His children—so much so that He gave His only Son for them. Our work, then, is not merely for personal gain but a way God provides for others and u...

In this episode, we reflect on a powerful moment when a man asks Jesus to divide an inheritance, revealing how easily worldly desires can overshadow eternal truths. The message warns against covetousness and idolatry—when we chase things that ultimately leave us spiritually empty, like drinking salt water that only increases thirst. Jesus invites us instead to seek heavenly treasures—His forgivene...

When the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray,” they weren’t just asking for words—they were asking to be drawn deeper into relationship with God. Though they knew the traditions of prayer, they longed for what Jesus had: intimacy with the Father. Jesus responds by teaching them the Lord’s Prayer, beginning with the powerful word “Father”—a reminder that we pray not as strangers, but as...

Today’s message reflects on the story of Mary and Martha, highlighting how Jesus gently redirects Martha—not because of her serving, but because of the division it caused. Mary had chosen the “good portion”: sitting at Jesus’ feet to receive His Word. That same Word speaks life, peace, and forgiveness to us today. Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve—and to heal the brokenness sin causes,...

In today’s message, I reflected on Jesus sending out the seventy-two—ordinary people, sent with nothing but His Word, and yet they returned full of joy. Why? Because even the demons couldn’t stand against the power of Jesus’ name. That mission wasn’t just about then—it’s about now. Jesus still sends us out into a world full of wolves with the truth that changes everything: the cross. We might feel...

In this episode, I reflect on the life and faith of Carris, a beloved member of our church who recently joined that great multitude in heaven. Though his earthly life ended, Carris was prepared—clothed in Christ from baptism, praising God with his voice and life until the very end. What comfort and confidence we have knowing that, just as Jesus kept every promise to Carris, He will keep them for u...

In today’s episode, I reflected on Peter and Paul—two unlikely men Jesus called to preach one powerful truth: it’s just Jesus. Not Jesus plus effort, law, or status. Just Jesus—who saves sinners like them, and like us. I talked about how humbling that truth is. We all want to believe we’re special or that we’ve earned something. But before God, we’re all the same: sinners in need of grace. And the...

In today’s episode, I talked about the demons we can see—and the ones we can’t. Some show up in wild, obvious ways, like the possessed man in the tombs. But others hide behind comfort, respectability, or quiet resistance to Jesus. I asked myself: where do I push Jesus away in my own life? But the good news is, Jesus doesn’t walk away. He sees it all—every fear, every sin, every hidden struggle—and...

In this episode, I reflected on how Jesus never walked away—even when it would’ve been easier. He endured rejection, insults, and death on a cross, not for His own glory, but to save us. That kind of love—real, sacrificial love—challenges me to live differently. Jesus is the eternal “I AM,” God in the flesh, who came to give us life, not death. And because of His word, His cross, and His victory,...

This week, I reflect on the surprising and powerful gift Jesus promised before His ascension—being “clothed with power from on high.” At Pentecost, that power came not with fireworks, but with words—Spirit-filled, life-giving words that transformed lives then and still do today. The power of God isn’t about spectacle; it’s about salvation. It’s the Word that gathers, forgives, heals, and gives ete...

In today’s message, I reflected on how Jesus prayed before doing anything else—before the cross, the resurrection, or the ascension. In His “high priestly prayer” from John’s Gospel, He intercedes for us, asking that we be one—not just united in name, but perfectly one through His death and resurrection. He prays that we be united with Him and the Father, a oneness made possible through His Word,...

In this episode, I reflect on transitions—those moments when one chapter ends and another begins. Whether it’s graduating, getting married, or even facing death, these times can bring both fear and anticipation. The Ascension of Jesus is one of those moments: His earthly ministry ends, but something greater begins. He doesn’t leave us; He ascends to continue His work through His Church, through us...

I recently read a book called President Hamilton, a fascinating “what if” imagining Alexander Hamilton surviving his duel with Aaron Burr and becoming president. It was an optimistic take on how history might have changed—but it got me thinking about the “what if” game we all play in our own lives. What if I had made different choices? Would things be better? But dwelling on those questions rarely...

This week, I reflected on Jesus’ words: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” The disciples were overwhelmed, and Jesus knew they weren’t ready to understand everything. But He promised the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth—not new teachings, but the same truth He had already spoken. That’s important today, too. The Spirit doesn’t give us “new revelation...

In Chapel this week, I told the kids that if I were Thomas, I probably wouldn’t have believed either. Seeing your friend die and then hearing He’s alive again? That’s hard to accept. But Jesus did say He’d rise. He even raised others from the dead. Still, when it’s you who dies—that feels final. But here’s the thing: death wasn’t part of God’s original plan. Jesus came to fix that, to take away si...

If only you could see the world like we angels do—how different your worries would seem. Yes, there’s sin, pain, and my former brother, the devil, still prowls. But our Father is greater, and He is always working for your good, even when you can’t see it. I saw it that first Easter morning. I rolled the stone away, not to let Jesus out—He was already risen!—but so the women could see that death ha...

Tonight, I reflected on how stories shape who we are—our families, our country, and especially our faith. Just like people turn to ancestry sites to learn their roots, we as Christians turn to Scripture. The stories of Adam, Abraham, Israel, and more—they’re not just old tales; they’re our story. And through baptism, Jesus’ story becomes our own. His death, resurrection, and life are now part of o...

Since last Good Friday, death has touched so many lives—friends, family, strangers near and far. It’s a reminder that the wages of sin is death, and we all feel its sting. But tonight, we gather not in despair, but in hope. Because Jesus, the Unbroken Life, stepped into death to break it from the inside. He wasn’t a victim—He chose the cross to pay the full price of sin, once and for all. And when...

Tonight, I reflected on the true meaning of the Passover—how Jesus, knowing His death was near, became the final Passover Lamb for us all. Just like the first Passover in Egypt, there was blood and there was eating—but this time, it was His own body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus gave us this meal not just to remember, but to live. Every time I come to the Lord’s Supper, I’m n...