St. Peter's Helenville

"I'm just the messenger!" Have you ever said that before? Me too. Sometimes we have to say things that are not received very well by the recipient. Even if we are speaking truth (and especially then sometimes), anger may be the response. Our character and credentials may be ripped apart even though the message is not based in our identity but in the facts of what we were instructed t...

In this episode, Pastor G & T dive into 1 Peter and how the Apostle begins his comforting and challenging letter. He addresses his audience as THE ELECT and a CHOSEN PEOPLE even if they are strangers in this world. Peter recognizes that many of the Christians he is writing to feel alone and "weird" for believing in Jesus. Peter comforts them by reminding them "whose" they a...

We need to make a mental shift about the times we live in. We are acting as if we live in times of peace even though we live in a season of war. Until the last day comes, we are part of a war waging all around us, even if it is largely unseen by our physical eyes. Angels and demons, the devil and God battle for our souls. Thankfully, Jesus, the commander of the heavenly forces and the King of huma...

In this episode, Pastor G & T prepare to dive deep into the letters written by Peter, Apostle of Jesus. Reflecting on the accounts of Peter we have from the Gospel, we have lots to think about concerning his character, his growth as a follower of Jesus, and his wisdom gained through experience, persecution and age by the time of this letter. Join us as we explore the background to Peter's...

It is a beautiful paradox. We are terribly weak. God's power is incredibly strong. It is beautiful because our weakness does not disqualify us from having God's strength. In fact, our weakness serves to display the power of God in us and through us all the more! If you feel broken and unable to stand, listen in to this comforting sermon about how God's power shines all the brighter in...

Sermon Text: Luke 15:11-24 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.  12  The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13  “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.  14  After he had spent everything, there was a seve...

In this episode, Pastor G & T talk about how hard suffering can be, and how much harder it can make the slow days on earth. However, the eternal hope to come is so much greater and will be so much longer than the temporary struggle of these days. Long term vision and focus is essential to keeping the faith during the toughest of times. Prayer is another powerful tool for us to fight back again...

There are so many who claim to have the answer to get the most out of life and all the resources we have. How can we know where to invest our time, talents and very self? Good question. However, there is one source who is more trustworthy than all the others, God himself. He not only knows how we were designed and for what we were designed for optimally, but he has also provided a way for us to be...

In this episode, Pastor G & T wrestle with the balance between good planning for the future and not putting off things to tomorrow that you can do today! James is very direct in telling us not to be lazy, lounging around, using our time and affluence for a comfy life instead of getting out there and doing what we can to spread the gospel and care for our neighbor. Today may be our last day! If...

Have you wondered what it all means in the book of Revelation? There is no doubt Revelation is a confusing book that has confounded scholars from accross the world and throughout time since it was written. But does that mean we can't know for sure anything from its words? Does that mean we should avoid it? No. "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting...

In this episode, Pastor G & T wrestle with the difficult concept of submission. However, as we thought and talked about it in the context of James' words and one of creation and creator, it became easy to accept our submission to God. However, in practice this still remains very difficult. This means God is right and we are not. This means his standards are always good. This means our ways...

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt like you didn't belong? Have you had that feeling walking into church? Each of us is especially aware of our shortcomings, our flaws and our unworthiness to be before a holy God. We may even think we don't belong with the other people at church because they seem to have it more put together. But the reality is, even though NO ONE deserves...

In this episode, Pastor Gunnar & Pastor Titus discuss James 3 that wrestles with the greatest weapon, our tongues! We can build or destroy with our words, friends. Critical or dishonest words can destroy a person and their reputation. Kind and affirming words can help a person ascend from the ashes of self-doubt and fear. How much more so when we speak the Word of God! It is imperative that we...

Did your parents or friends ever wonder if you would amount to something? Did you internally believe that you were a nobody? Well, they were wrong! Through God's Word empowered by the Holy Spirit, you have been made alive! Just like God revived a valley full of dry bones into a standing army ready for war, so God revives us when we hear and believe His Word. He resurrects us spiritually right...

In this episode, Pastor Gunnar & Pastor Titus discuss James 2:14-26 that brings up the tough question of what exactly is the relationship between faith and works? Are both necessary for salvation? If not, what is the place of works? Are they optional? Are they automatic? Is it possible to do good works without faith? Is it possible to have real faith and not have deeds to reflect that? What ki...

What does it mean to rest? Is it just being lazy on a couch or does it mean something more? Jesus tells us to rest in him for the ultimate reality of what rest really is. Tune in! Preacher: Rev. Joel Jaeger Sermon Text: Mark 2:23-3:6 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24The Pharisees said to him, “Look, wh...

In this episode, Pastor Gunnar & Pastor Titus discuss James 2:1-13 that focuses on the motivation behind everything. Are you serving to get something out of it? Are your treating some better than others? If so, why? Do you lean a certain way because of money, popularity, sinful weakness? Are you afraid to say the right thing or the hard thing? Remember who you are and why you are allowed to be...

We are an important part of the circle of love. God has so loved us first by sending his only Son to live a perfect life and die an innocent death in our place. Now we are called to love our neighbors in view of the love we ourselves have already received. If we don't, why? How? Can we truly claim to be of God if we refuse to love as he has loved us? These and other tough questions will be ans...

Pastor Gunnar Ledermann & Pastor Titus Buelow continue their journey of reading the People's Bible Commentaries chapter by chapter, book by book. As they read each section of commentary, they give their personal reflections and comments for you to ruminate on and use as a springboard for your own personal study and growth as a child of God. May this be a blessing to you as you Bible Study....

Pastor Gunnar Ledermann & Pastor Titus Buelow continue their journey of reading the People's Bible Commentaries chapter by chapter, book by book. As they read each section of commentary, they give their personal reflections and comments for you to ruminate on and use as a springboard for your own personal study and growth as a child of God. May this be a blessing to you as you Bible Study....

Isn't the ascension of Jesus a hard one to get excited about? Yes, we are happy Jesus is being recognized and exalted for what he did. He deserves it, no question. Yes, we want him to be with His Father and siting in authority. But those facts don't lessen the hardships of this life. They don't take away the strong desire to have Jesus right here, visibly, standing next to us and comfo...

SBS = Sunday Bible Study What is different between general hope and Christian hope? We say we hope for things all the time but we are uncertain if those things will become reality. But when it comes to hope talked about in the Bible in connection to God's promises, there is no doubt. Those things will happen. We have a certain hope! After our Sunday worship service at 9am, we grab some coffee,...

Jesus Prays for Me 1. to Be United 2. to Be Glorified Before Jesus died, actually on the night he would be betrayed and handed over to evil men, our Savior prayed for us. He didn't pray for an easy week, more rest, or a better life, instead, he prayed for those he loved. He prayed for you. His prayer was that in the days ahead, after his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, the church woul...

Pastor Gunnar Ledermann & Pastor Titus Buelow continue their journey of reading the People's Bible Commentaries chapter by chapter, book by book. As they read each section of commentary, they give their personal reflections and comments for you to ruminate on and use as a springboard for your own personal study and growth as a child of God. May this be a blessing to you as you Bible Study....

Pastor Gunnar Ledermann & Pastor Titus Buelow continue their journey of reading the People's Bible Commentaries chapter by chapter, book by book. As they read each section of commentary, they give their personal reflections and comments for you to ruminate on and use as a springboard for your own personal study and growth as a child of God. May this be a blessing to you as you Bible Study....