Scatter the Darkness with St. Paul Lutheran Church - Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

"The Generous Life: The Widow's Mite" 🪙 Mark 12:38-44 & 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 | Stewardship SeriesIn this message, part of our "The Generous Life" stewardship series, we meet a widow who gave two tiny copper coins worth 1/64 of a day's wages—everything she had to live on. The rich were dropping in large sums that clanked loudly down the metal offering boxes. Her coins were so light they hardly...

"The Generous Life: Elijah and the Widow" 🍞 1 Kings 17:1-16 | Stewardship SeriesIn this message, part of our "The Generous Life" stewardship series, we meet a widow preparing her last meal. She's down to a handful of flour and a little oil—just enough for one final meal for her and her son before they starve to death. Then a stranger shows up and asks for food. Not just wa...

"The Time Came" 🕰️ Luke 2:22-40 | First Sunday after ChristmasIn this message for the First Sunday after Christmas, we explore what happened when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple. Simeon had been waiting his entire life—promised by the Holy Spirit that he wouldn't die before seeing the Lord's Christ. Anna had been worshiping, praying, and fasting for decades. Then...

"A Thrill of Hope: Fall on Your Knees" | Luke 1:26-56 | Advent SeriesIn this message, part of our "A Thrill of Hope" Advent series, we experience the greatest announcement ever given—when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Some news is so life-altering that it stops you in your tracks. You don't jump into problem-solving mode or make lists—you just stand there, wide-eyed a...

"A Thrill of Hope: A Weary World Rejoices" | Matthew 1:18-25 | Advent SeriesIn this message, part of our "A Thrill of Hope" Advent series, we experience dramatic irony—we know something Joseph doesn't. As readers, we know Mary's child is from the Holy Spirit, but Joseph? All he sees is a future falling apart and a situation that requires him to divorce Mary. Then the an...

"A Thrill of Hope: Chains Shall He Break" | Luke 1:5-80 | Advent SeriesIn this message, part of our "A Thrill of Hope" Advent series, we explore the powerful third verse of "O Holy Night"—"Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother." When the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah with impossible news, doubt silenced him for forty weeks. But when his tongu...

"A Thrill of Hope: Living Hope" | 1 Peter 1:3-9 and Luke 21:34-38 | Advent SeriesIn this message, part of our "A Thrill of Hope" Advent series, we explore what it means to have a living hope in a world that feels increasingly hopeless. Like the people trapped in the City of Ember with their generator failing and food running out, we live in a fallen world between Christ's f...

"The Endless Pursuit of More: Money and Stuff" Luke 12:13-21 | In this message, part of our "The Endless Pursuit of More" series preparing us for Thanksgiving, we explore our relentless pursuit of "just one more." Just one more paycheck, one more purchase, one more zero in the bank account—then we'll finally have enough, right? Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich...

"The Endless Pursuit of More: Perfection" Romans 3:9-25a & Luke 10:38-42 In this message, part of our "The Endless Pursuit of More" series preparing us for Thanksgiving, we explore our relentless pursuit of perfection. You work harder, do more, try to meet every expectation—but somehow it's never enough. The goalpost keeps moving. When Martha complained about her sister...

"The Endless Pursuit of More: Comfort" | 1 John 2:15-17 In this message, part of our "The Endless Pursuit of More" series preparing us for Thanksgiving, we explore our relentless pursuit of comfort and how it can become an idol that diminishes our trust in God. From heated seats to easy lives, we all want things to be more comfortable. But what does the Bible say about chasing...

Sola: Christ Alone | John 14:1-7In this message—part of our Sola sermon series—we discover that true peace comes not from our own preparation, but from Christ’s preparation for us. Jesus tells His disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled... I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1–2) When everything around us feels uncertain, Jesus reminds us: He’s already made the way.🎯 Maybe you’ve been...

Sola: Grace Alone | Luke 15:11-32 In this message, part of our Sola sermon series, we explore the timeless parable of the Prodigal Son and discover it's really a story about grace alone. One son is restless and reckless, chasing riveting experiences and romance. The other is righteous but self-righteous, comparing himself to his wayward brother. Both are far from the father. But the father&#39...

"Faith Alone" John 3:13 -21 & Galatians 2:15 -21 | Sola SeriesIn this message, part of our Reformation sermon series, we explore the hidden meaning behind the "Star of Life" emergency medical symbol and how it connects to salvation through faith alone. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness for healing, Jesus was lifted up on the cross to give us eternal life...

"Scripture Alone: The Bible as Your Picture & Ruler" 🧩 2 Timothy 3:14 -17 | Sola: Scripture AloneIn this message, part of our Sola sermon series, we explore why the Bible matters and how it serves as both the picture on our puzzle box and the ruler for our lives. Life can feel like a mess of scattered puzzle pieces from different boxes—worldviews, opinions, cultural pressures. But S...

"Do Try This At Home: Self-Control" | Galatians 5:16-25 | Living with Spirit-Led Self-ControlIn this message, part of our "Do Try This at Home" series, we explore the final Fruit of the Spirit—Self-Control—and how it helps us live out all the other fruits. Using the emotional rollercoaster of football season as an illustration, we discover what it means to walk by the Spirit in...

"Do Try This At Home: Gentle Strength" 🌊Matthew 21:1-17 | Living with True Gentleness In this message, part of our "Do Try This at Home"series, we explore how the Fruit of the Spirit—especially Gentleness—shows up in one of the most paradoxical moments in Jesus' ministry: His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus rides humbly on a donkey, then boldly cleanses the temple....

"Do Try This At Home: Faithfulness" Matthew 25:14-30 | Living Faithfully Through God's GiftsIn this message, part of our "Do Try This at Home" series, we explore how the Fruit of the Spirit—especially Faithfulness—shows up in one of Jesus' most challenging parables: Matthew 25:14-30. Through the story of two Alberta Spruce trees, we discover what happens when we're...

"Do Try This At Home: Express Empathy"🌿 Mark 10:17-22 | Expressing Empathy, Kindness & Goodness Like JesusIn this message, part of our “Do Try This at Home” series, we explore how the Fruits of the Spirit—especially Kindness and Goodness—show up in one of the most well-known gospel encounters: Mark 10:17–22. Jesus invites a rich man to try something new: to give up what he’s holding...

"Do Try This At Home: Peace and Patience"🌿 Matthew 6:25-34 | Do Not Worry | Trusting God’s ProvisionIn Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus reminds us not to be anxious about our lives—what we will eat, drink, or wear. Instead, He calls us to trust in our Heavenly Father, who provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. Worry cannot add a single hour to our lives, but seeking first...

“Do Try This at Home: Overflowing Joy”Galatians 5:16-25 & John 15:1-11 | Living by the Spirit & Abiding in ChristWhat does it really mean to bear fruit as a follower of Jesus? In Galatians 5:22-25, Paul describes the Fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In John 15:1-11, Jesus tells us that the only way to bear lasti...

"Exodus: The Face"Exodus 34:29-35 | The Shining Face of MosesWhen Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, his face was shining with the glory of God. In Exodus 34:29-35, we see how God’s presence transforms His people in ways that cannot be hidden. This passage reminds us that true encounters with the Lord leave a lasting mark on our lives. In this message, we will discover how...

The Golden Calf | Exodus 32:1–10When the people of Israel grew impatient with Moses, they turned from the living God to worship an idol made of gold. This was more than impatience — it was rebellion, ingratitude, and unbelief. We, too, can be quick to trust our own works, desires, or false “saviors” when God seems silent or slow to act. Yet even in the face of such sin, God’s mercy in Christ is gr...

Exodus: The Presence Exodus 25:10–22 | The Ark of the Covenant What does it mean that God dwells with His people? In this message, we turn to the Ark of the Covenant—the place where God's presence rested in Israel's midst. Constructed by God's own command and covered in mercy, the Ark was more than just a sacred object; it was a powerful sign pointing ahead to Christ. Here, in the Most Holy Place,...

Exodus: The Presence Exodus 25:10–22 | The Ark of the Covenant What does it mean that God dwells with His people? In this message, we turn to the Ark of the Covenant—the place where God's presence rested in Israel's midst. Constructed by God's own command and covered in mercy, the Ark was more than just a sacred object; it was a powerful sign pointing ahead to Christ. Here, in the Most...

Exodus: The Commandments | Exodus 20:1–21 What do the Ten Commandments really mean for us today? God doesn’t give His Law to restrict us—but to reveal His will, reflect His holiness, and point us to our need for a Savior. In Exodus 20, God speaks directly to His people, carving His commandments into history. Yet even as the mountain trembles, God's ultimate plan is not fear—but grace. 🔑 Key T...