St. Paul Lutheran Church Grafton, WI

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Stephen Langton died on this date in 1228. Who is he? He was a preacher, scholar and theologian at the University of Paris and later the Archbishop of Canterbury. While serving in Paris he developed the system of chapter divisions, something that others had done in the past in local settings, yet Langton's system caught on and is what we still use today. Evidence of this...

Psalm 65

Sermon by Rev. Larry Prahl

“A Reality Check for Disciples,” by Pastor Maschke based on Matthew 10:34-42.

Proverbial Summer, Week 5

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: "My soul magnifies the Lord!" Those words of Mary spoken on her visitation to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-46) are a wonderful reminder of how we can bring the presence of Christ when we visit others. On this date, many Christians recall the Festival of the Visitation. Elizabeth recognized the presence of her Lord and praised God for Him. May you also find opportunities to...

Proverbial Summer, Week 4

A DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE: Happy birthday, Lutherans throughout the world. On this date, June 25, in 1530, Christian Beyer read the German text of the Augsburg Confession before Emperor Charles V and the assembled religious and political leaders of the realm. This confession clearly states the basic beliefs of all Lutherans, based upon God's Word as the sole authority. Beginning with the doctrine o...

Face Your Fear,” by Pastor Anderson, based on Matthew 10:26-33.

Proverbial Summer, Week 3

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: God's Word is like the recent rains that we've had here. It nurtures the ground and produces vegetation in so many beautiful ways. Isaiah (55:10-11) reminds us that God's Word will accomplish all that He desires. It is food for our souls. To neglect Bible study is to become malnourished spiritually. May you find comfort, satisfaction, and strength as you read God&...

Sermon

Proverbial Sumer, Week 2

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: On this date, June 11, Christian communities remember Barnabas, "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36). He was an important leader of the early Christian community and introduced St Paul to the Christian church in Antioch. The word "encouragement" is the same word used of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), the One who stands as our side, the Comforter, the Counselo...

Psalm 100

"Matthew 3-D Moments" by Rev. Timothy Maschke based on Matthew 9:9–13

Proverbial Summer, Week 1

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: The Far East Broadcasting Company went on the air for the first time 78 years ago today. The desire was to get the good news of Jesus into the hearts of people in lands where Christianity was either forbidden or at least unwelcome. On that first broadcast from the Philippines, the staff sang the hymn, "All Hail the Name of Jesus' Name." Two of the stanzas procla...

Psalm 118

"Very good, very bad, very good, very well” by Pastor Anderson, based on Genesis 1

What's in a Name? Yahweh ("I Am Who I Am")

Psalm 8

What's in a Name? Jesus ("The Lord Saves")

Sermon

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: We remember Constantine the Great and his mother, Helena, today. Constantine made Christianity an accepted religion in the empire and later assembled the Council of Nicaea, which articulated the doctrine of the Trinity. Helena traveled to the Holy Land and located a number of sites associated with Christ's life, particularly His birth and death and had churches built at t...