Redeemer's Refuge

Stubborn Realities | July 26, 2020 | Pentecost 8 (YrA) Psalm 22:1-5 Hosea 6:1-3 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 Matthew 28:11-20

How Do I Know He Lives | July 19, 2020 | Pentecost 7 (YrA) Psalm 119:105-112 Exodus 24:4-7a 2 Peter 1:16-21 Luke 24:36-48 Matthew 16:13-17

Too Good To Be False | July 12, 2020 | Pentecost 6 (YrA) Psalm 21:1-7 Daniel 7:13-14 Revelation 14:14-16 Matthew 16:13-17

Prepared to Make a Defense | July 5, 2020 | Pentecost 5 (YrA) Psalm 119:41-48 Isaiah 8:12-13 1 Peter 3:13-16 Mark 8:34-38

Hard Truth and Real Good | June 28, 2020 | Pentecost 4 (YrA) Psalm 91:1-10 Jeremiah 20:7-13 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:5a, 21-33

Praise of a Trapped Prophet | June 21, 2020 The Third Sunday After Pentecost (YrA) Psalm 91:1-10 Jeremiah 20:7-13 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:5a, 21-33

A New Heritage | June 14, 2020 Second Sunday After Pentecost (YrA) Psalm 100 Exodus 19: 2–8 Romans 5: 6 –15 Matthew 9: 35 – 10: 20

Crowned in Glory and Honor | June 7, 2020 Holy Trinity (YrA) Psalm 8 Genesis 1:1-2:4a Acts 2:14a, 22-36 Matthew 28:16-20

The True Living Water Pentecost Sunday (YrA) Psalm 25:1–15 Numbers 11:24–30 Acts 2:1–21 John 7:37–39

Reality Checkⁱ Seventh Sunday of Easter (YrA) Psalm 68:1-10 Acts 1:12-26 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11 John 17:1-11

An Inspiring View | May 17 Sixth Sunday of Easter (YrA) Psalm 66:8-20 Acts 17:16-31 1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21

God at Work | May 10 Fifth Sunday of Easter (YrA) Psalm 146; Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14

Much More than Mere Example | May 3 Fourth Sunday of Easter (YrA) Psalm 23; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

The Stranger Savior | April 26 Third Sunday of Easter (YrA) Psalm 116:1-14; Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-25; Luke 24:13-35

Easter is, among other things, about the power of the voice. On this Second Sunday of Easter, the risen Lord Jesus comes to you and to me to speak His peace into our hearts so that we may speak that peace into the world.

Finally, Easter Sunday gazes upon “Angel Eyes.” The angel in the tomb knows the whole story of Jesus’ resurrection. When he sees the women, he proclaims the Gospel to them, shows them where Jesus’ body had formerly lain, and tells them that they can see Jesus themselves in Galilee. Likewise, the “angels” or messengers of the Church in the apostolic ministry tell God’s people where they can find Jesus and His salvation in the Means of Grace.

On Palm Sunday, we look through the “Opened Eyes,” given to us by our Savior and whereby our King, humble and riding on a donkey, removes the scales from our eyes; and in our Baptisms we are given the gift of the sight of faith that we would behold His Word and Sacraments and take in the forgiveness and light and life that Christ gives to us as pure gift.

In the fifth week of Lent, we look through the “Worldly Eyes” of Pilate, the Jewish leaders, and the Roman soldiers. Pilate can only view matters in a worldly, pragmatic way, wishing to placate the worldly Jewish leaders and crowd, so he consents to handing Jesus over for crucifixion. The soldiers see the opposite of a worldly king, but their ironic hailing of Him as “King of the Jews” proclaims who He really is. The world looks for power and glory; God’s way is suffering and the cross.

Eyes on Jesus: Denying EyesRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVFourth Sunday of Lent (YrA)Message presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 10 : 1-12 Job 24 : 13-17 1 John 3 : 11-15 Mark 14 : 1-2, 53-65“Murderous Eyes” is the theme of Week 4 in Lent. The chief priests and scribes saw Jesus as an obstacle to be rid of by murdering Him through the Roman judicial system. Yet during the Passover festival, they would unwittingly bring about the Father’s sacrifice of the ultimate Passover Lamb.

Psalm 27:1-5Isaiah 59:1-3, 12-132 Timothy 2:8-13Mark 14:26-31, 66-72In the third week of Lent, we stare into the “Denying Eyes” of Peter and the other apostles. They could not see how they could ever fall away from Jesus, but after Jesus is betrayed by Judas, ten of them flee, and Peter—when he is spotted by a servant girl and sees that his own neck is on the line—sees fit to deny Jesus, which leads to his own eyes weeping in remorse. We sinners likewise deny our Lord in many ways, but Jesus denied Himself to take up the cross for our salvation.

“Sleepy Eyes” is the theme for this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, the second week of Lent. In Gethsemane, Jesus’ inner circle of Peter, James, and John cannot keep their eyes open to watch and pray with Jesus for even an hour, while Jesus comes to see that His Father’s will is that He drink the cup of God’s wrath when He comes to the “hour” of His suffering.

Eyes on Jesus: Betraying EyesRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVMarch 1, 2020 First Sunday of Lent (YrA)Message presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 41Acts 7:48-532 timothy 3:1-5Mark 14:1-21, 32, 41-46During this message on the First Sunday of Lent, we will look through Judas’s “Betraying Eyes” and learn why he did this awful deed. Yet the behind-the-scenes-reality is that Jesus was “handed over” (another way of translating the verb for “betray”) by God the Father Himself, so that Jesus could die for the sin of the world.

The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon YouRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVMessage presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 2:6-12Exodus 24:8-182 Peter 1:16-21Matthew 17:1-9The Festival of the Transfiguration of Our Lord serves as a wonderful transition from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday and Lent.The manifestation of the God-man at His Epiphany climaxes in majestic glory on Mount Sinai and the Mount of Transfiguration, which looks forward to the greater revelation of the Lord’s glory on the cross on Mount Calvary. That is really to say, then, thatThe Transfiguration Bids Us Look to Three Mountains Where the Lord’s Face Shines Upon Us.

Jesus spoke these words in His Sermon on the Mount in Galilee to people who regularly traveled south to Jerusalem to present their offerings on the Temple Mount. This was the great altar located just outside the doors of the temple. Thousands of worshipers brought sacrificial animals to be offered on this high altar.

Message presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 112:1-9Isaiah 58:3-9a1 Corinthians 2:1-16Matthew 5:13-20In Matthew’s Gospel account, Jesus tells his His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” How much light have we shined lately, compared to the energy God invests in us? While that question may – should – make us squirm a little, God’s Word today is really good news. It doesn’t say we should be light, or we must shine brighter, or God will replace us. It says we are the light of the world. It helps us to see that we who follow Jesus also brighten up the world.

Forty Days after ChristmasRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVFebruary 2, 2020 The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord (YrA)Message presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 841 Samuel 1:21-28Hebrews 2:14-18Luke 2:22-40Forty days after Christmas, everything changes when Jesus comes to the temple for us.It’s forty days after Christmas. In keeping with the Torah, Mary and Joseph have brought the forty-day-old Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. Big things happen on this day — more than Ground Hog’s Day and more than Super Bowl Sunday. A man waits, even into old age, for a promise by the Holy Spirit to be fulfilled: Simeon — his life will be changed forever. And eighty-four-year-old widow who spent her life in the temple, “worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:37): Anna — her life will be changed forever. And Mary and Joseph — their lives will surely be changed forever. So, for you and me, and for every Christian man, woman, and child, everything will change.

DISCIPLESHIP SERIESHelp, Hope, Home – Fan into FlameRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVJanuary 26, 2020, Third Sunday after the Epiphany (YrA)Message presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 119:41-48Isaiah 51:6-82 Timothy 1:6-10Matthew 4:12-25In the first two parts of this series, we heard the Word remind us – Do not neglect the gift you’ve been given (cf. 1 Timothy 4:14); Do not quench the Spirit (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:19); and this episode further underscores and highlights this theme as Paul exhorts: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)God has gifted us with an active faith calling us into meeting the needs of others, so we may be Help in the Body of Christ.In baptism, God has put His seal on us and prepares us to share the good news of the Gospel, making us Hope in the Body of Christ.And as we live our baptism lives, that living water wells up and spreads to others, building relationships which make us Home in the Body of Christ.—————————————————Help, Hope, Home In this sermon series, we explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. What it means to be a lifelong follower and learner of Jesus. What it means to be a disciple – to follow and learn from Jesus right here and how we can live that out for the good of our congregation – for each other – and the good of the greater community as we look to continue to enact our vision of being help, hope, home, in the Body of Christ.

Help, Hope, Home – Do Not Quench the SpiritRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVJanuary 19, 2019, Second Sunday after the Epiphany (YrA)Message presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 51:10-12Numbers 11:24-301 Thessalonians 5:12-24John 1:29-42aIn this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, we learn more about our discipleship role of lifelong following and learning from Jesus as individuals within the context of a congregation.By using the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, Pastor Frank discusses honoring and respecting those who step up to lead and challenges us to seek how each one of us might use our gifts to play a part to build up the body of Christ.The Apostle Paul also urges us as a congregation to encourage one other through joy, prayer, and thanksgiving, which will unite us as God’s people gathered at Redeemer.We build our relationships (HOME), share the encouragement of Gospel inside and outside of our congregation (HOPE), and act on and through our faith without quenching the Holy Spirit (HELP).—————————————————Help, Hope, Home In this sermon series, we explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. What it means to be a lifelong follower and learner of Jesus. What it means to be a disciple – to follow and learn from Jesus right here and how we can live that out for the good of our congregation – for each other – and the good of the greater community as we look to continue to enact our vision of being help, hope, home, in the Body of Christ.

Help, Hope, Home – Don’t Neglect Your Gift[Discipleship Series]Redeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVJanuary 12, 2019, Baptism of Our Lord (YrA)Message presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 1Joshua 1:1-91 Timothy 4:13-16Matthew 3:13-17So, we are nearly two full weeks into the new year and the question is, how many of your resolutions for the new year have already fallen to the wayside?Gym? Diet? Devotions? “Resolutions were made to be broken,” is truer than we’d like to admit.As we head toward our Congregational Summit in a few weeks – where we get together not to make resolutions, but to gain a greater understanding of Redeemer’s purpose here in Charleston and to bring a renewed sense of the mission and ministry for which God has gifted us to do – over the next few weeks, we’ll explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. What it means to be a lifelong follower and learner of Jesus. What it means to be a disciple – to follow and learn from Jesus right here and how we can live that out for the good of our congregation – for each other – and the good of the greater community as we look to continue to enact our vision of being help, hope, home, in the Body of Christ.

Mystery and WisdomRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVJanuary 5, 2019, Second Sunday After ChristmasMessage presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 119:97-104 1 Kings 3:4-15 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12January 6 is Epiphany. It is telling that an epiphany can be considered a sort of divine ‘a-ha!’ moment in one’s life. Officially, Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as we heard in the Gospel of Matthew this morning. So, in the life of the Church it is the ‘a-ha!’ that Jesus – the baby born in a manger in Bethlehem – is Divine – is God incarnate – that the one who spoke the world into existence and who formed me and you in our mothers’ wombs, has come to save the world from the sin which so permeates our lives and overwhelms our consciences.In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, listen to what God uses Paul to tell the Ephesians, and us, about who He is in Christ Jesus and what this means in how He deals with and relates to us, His beloved children.

Remembering MercyRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVDecember 29, 2019, First Sunday After ChristmasMessage presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 111Isaiah 63:7-14Galatians 4:4-6Matthew 2:13-23Ever hear of a “Praise Sandwich”? It’s a technique of offering criticism that’s intended to ‘soften the blow’ a bit. It’s a way to say things without being too blunt. It’s done by beginning and ending with something positive, sandwiching your critique between the two.We see a different sort of “Praise Sandwich” in Isaiah 63. The prophet’s lament for Israel’s sin and rebellion against God is ‘sandwiched’ between remembrances of God’s past actions on Israel’s behalf. The ‘praise’ in this case is directed toward God and about God, specifically about His great work of salvation that He accomplished in the exodus of Israel from Egypt. In the first part, Isaiah remembers God’s works, His deliverance of His people. Then he talks about Israel’s apostasy and rebellion against God despite His kind and gracious actions toward them. And Isaiah concludes by pointing to God’s remembrance of His works and inquires whether the Lord will act again in the same manner.In this message, we will see how our gracious God works in the same way toward us.

Arise and Shine: Eternal LightRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVDecember 22, 2019, The Fourth Sunday of AdventMessage presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 84:8-12Daniel 12:1-31 Corinthians 15:42-49Matthew 13:36-43Coinciding with he Fourth Sunday of Advent. This episode of Redeemer’s Refuge and the fourth part in the Arise and Shine series, Eternal Light, is based on Daniel 12:3.At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.We look forward to Jesus’ Second Advent, when we will be raised in glory to live in his presence and shine like stars forever. Come, Lord Jesus!-----------"Arise and Shine"In this Advent series for traditional worship we welcome the Christ Child, who is the light of the world, arising in our lives this season. In celebration, we, in turn, shine with the light of Christ in various ways for all the world to see the brightness of his love. Each week will focus on a different aspect of the light of Christ and how we are enlightened by him throughout our lives. The theme verse for the entire series is: “Arise, shine, for your light has come” (Isaiah 60:1).

This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent. In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge — Arise and Shine: Healing Light, Pastor Frank delivers a message based on Malachi 4:1-6.

This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent. In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Reflected Light, pastor Frank touches on Zechariah 9:14-17. On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. During Advent we remember the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world. We reflect his light in our daily lives. 

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Frank talks about Isaiah 60:1 and the first week of Advent. Living in the light of Jesus, we prepare to celebrate his birth.Repenting of our sins, we put away the works of darkness and dress in the armor of light.

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Frank discusses this week’s Gospel lesson. When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” What if Jesus was right? Maybe it’s we who don’t’ know what we’re doing.

Our lives are complicated, and money is short There may even be times when you doubt God’s love because of what’s going on in your life and how things in this world perhaps seem so unjust. Tune in to this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge to hear what Malachi had to say about this and how his prophesy ties to Elijah and then Jesus and how that impacts us today.

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, from the Old Testament reading from Exodus, we hear God call Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. “Who Am I?” is the key question and leads to some of the most profound discoveries in the Old Testament — also, some of the most profound realizations about ourselves.

You're invited to hear what might be a different perspective on what it means to be a "saint" and what Jesus was really saying in His "Sermon on the Mount," specifically the Beatitudes. Join us as Pastor Ruffatto opens up the scripture and looks at the actual grammatical meaning and context of "Blessed are..."

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, we listen to what Jesus speaks to some Jews who had believed in Him. He tells them (and us) what it means to be one of His disciples. “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples …” In other words, stay in it, stay with it, rest by it. Yet, Jesus is not merely saying, “Rest in what I say.” He is saying rest in Me and what I am doing for you. And we can rest in Him because Jesus is the Word we hear about in the beginning of John’s Gospel, the Word with God and the Word that was God, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word that these Jews had been hearing for years in the Law and the Writings and the Prophets – our Old Testament – is literally standing before them!

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge we hear the Old Testament of story from Genesis of Jacob wrestling with a man all night, prevailing, be touched on the hip, and then given the name Israel by this man. What is this all about? Who is this mysterious wrestler? And what does it mean for us? The answers might not be what you are expecting. The answers are likely better than what you were expecting.

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Ruffatto discusses Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his assistant who suffers from a bit of timidity. Paul has finished the instruction of details he outlined in his first letter and is encouraging Timothy – and you and me – to fan this live flame-- the torch we carry for Jesus -- because others needed – others now need – to be connected to our heavenly Father through the Gospel of His son Jesus.

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Ruffatto discusses Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his assistant who suffers from a bit of timidity. Paul has finished the instruction of details he outlined in his first letter and is encouraging Timothy – and you and me – to fan this live flame-- the torch we carry for Jesus -- because others needed – others now need – to be connected to our heavenly Father through the Gospel of His son Jesus.

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Rev. Ruffatto connects the mention God’s provision and protection by way of angels in the Old Testament (as mentioned by Daniel) to the angels of the New Testament in Jude and Revelation. The chief angel whom God mentions is Michael, who is called an archangel in the New Testament. It is through the service of His archangel Michael and all the other holy angels that God cares for and protects his people.

Mission & Ministry: Salt & LightRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVFirst aired September 22, 2019 15th Sunday after PentecostMessage presented by Rev. Frank C. RuffattoPsalm 96:1-6Isaiah 49: 1-6Hebrews 10:19-25Matthew 5:13-16In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, Pastor Ruffatto unpacks Jesus’ illustrations of salt and light and what they mean to church congregations today. Christians are challenged to create a thirst for Jesus and to be the light of Truth in a dark world.Questions and Topics in this Episode• Jesus singles out His disciples: “Blessed are ‘y’all.’ “• How "regular church attendance" is now defined• Things are changing•What brings dechurched and unchurched back or into fellowship• What He means when Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. "• Salt creates thirst.• Then Jesus used another example: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." What this means.• What our churches will look like in less than 20 years if things don't change• Why does this church exist?• Why YOUR story is important• Glory to God in the High st.• The Good News

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge we pose the question: What does an Old Testament prophecy have to say to us today? From Sunday’s Old Testament lesson: “And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.”What does this mean for us today? We don’t live a pastoral, agrarian lifestyle. So, who is Ezekiel talking about, and who is he addressing? Is he actually speaking figuratively? What are the realities he’s talking about in his prophecy? Are the realities still pertinent to us today?

In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge, we discuss Jesus’ difficult to hear teaching, , “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” And that’s not all. He goes on to say, “any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Not much “safe space” in His words, are there? But is that really the case? What does this mean? Could it be that there is more hope there than may meet the eye.

This episode of Redeemer’s Refuge is based on Proverbs 25: 2-10.

The Gospel of Peace brings division. In this episode of Redeemer’s Refuge we learn Jesus gives us a peace that the world cannot give, a peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace between God and man. It’s a peace in believers’ hearts. It’s the peace of knowing that our sins are forgiven. Yet, some would like the Gospel to give world peace, a utopia on earth. But that will never happen. Because of sin, Jesus divides like nothing else – even more than politics! Some will believe, and some will refuse.

Division and Perfect PeaceRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVAugust 18, 2019 Sunday Worship10th Sunday after PentecostMessage presented by Rev. Frank RuffattoPsalm 119:81-88Jeremiah 23:16-29Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3Luke 12:49-53The Gospel of Peace brings division.Jesus gives us a peace that the world cannot give, a peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace between God and man. It’s a peace in believers’ hearts. It’s the peace of knowing that our sins are forgiven. Yet, some would like the Gospel to give world peace, a utopia on earth. But that will never happen. Because of sin, Jesus divides like nothing else – even more than politics! Some will believe, and some will refuse.

Ex NihiloRedeemer Lutheran Church - LCMSCharleston, WVMessage presented by Rev. Frank RuffattoThe writer of Hebrews reminds us that God finds us in ‘nothingness.’ He tells us that the world was not created out of things that are seen. It was created out of nothing – ex nihilo. This nothingness is a perfect picture of the state we are in apart from God’s gracious activity in our lives.God Calls Us out of Nothing to Trust His Promises and Follow Him to the Promised Land.Ex Nihilo is based on these scriptures:Psalm 33:12-22;Genesis 15:1-6;Hebrews 11:1-16;Luke 12:22-34 (35-40)]