You can find our weekly homilies (sermons, messages, etc) here.
May 4, 2025
Only the Spirit of God that has filled someone with his fire can speak that way. Whoosh.
April 20, 2025
April 9, 2025
April 6, 2025
April 2, 2025
March 30, 2025
March 26, 2025
Pastor Mielke explores the concept of repentance and wholehearted living through Jesus' teachings and parables. He emphasizes that God's patience and mercy provide opportunities for spiritual growth, urging listeners to turn towards God and bear the fruits of love rather than exhausting themselves and others.March 23, 2025
March 19, 2025
Pr. Mielke explores how we can become wholehearted when we have resisted Jesus, using the metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. He identifies five reasons why people resist Jesus' protection and love, and ultimately calls for believers to stop resisting and relent to Jesus' open arms. The sermon emphasizes that true wholeheartedness comes from allowing ourselves to be loved by Christ.March 16, 2025
March 12, 2025
This sermon on the first Sunday of Lent reflects on Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and its significance for our spiritual journey. In the desert we are not alone- Jesus is with us, calling us to something greater.
March 5, 2025
March 2, 2025
Pastor Mielke explores the concept of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, emphasizing that "second is best" in Christianity. He explains how our earthly bodies will be transformed into glorious, incorruptible heavenly bodies, drawing parallels between the first Adam (earthly) and the second Adam, Jesus (heavenly). The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder that the hope of resurrection triumphs over our earthly destiny of returning to dust.February 23, 2025
An introduction to the series "Rising Up" that will look at:1. Our Hope: The Resurrection of our Bodies on the Last Day - how we will be saved.2. How we are also being saved. We are Rising Up even now as we cling to this hope.
This sermon on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple highlights the themes of waiting and suffering, both in the lives of Simeon and Anna and in our own. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple for consecration, where they encounter Simeon, who proclaims Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise, and Anna, who rejoices at His arrival. These two elderly prophets represent Israel's long wait for redemption, a wait filled with suffering and longing. Like them, we also experience waiting and suffering in our lives—seeking relief from sin, loneliness, grief, and brokenness. The sermon reminds us that Jesus, the Light of the world, does not stay distant from our pain but enters into it, sharing in our suffering and ultimately overcoming it through His death and resurrection. The devil tempts us to doubt God's promises, but Christ's presence—especially in the Eucharist—assures us that He is with us always. As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to trust in Christ, who brings comfort and peace. The blessed candle serves as a reminder that even in darkness, Jesus is present, our light and salvation, guiding us until we rest in His eternal peace.Waiting and Suffering Are Part of Faith – Like Simeon and Anna, we often wait for God's promises to be fulfilled. Though this waiting can involve suffering, it is not in vain because God is always faithful. Jesus Enters Into Our Pain – Christ does not remain distant from our struggles but shares in our suffering. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He brings redemption and hope to those who feel lost or broken. Christ is Our Light in Darkness – Just as the blessed candle symbolizes Jesus as the Light of the World, He continues to shine in our lives. In moments of doubt and despair, we can trust that He is present, guiding us toward His peace and eternal salvation.
After the major accomplishment of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem in 52 days, the Judahites hear the Torah. But instead of a time of celebration, they are deeply grieved and begin to weep. Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites call to them to celebrate because the Joy of the Lord is our Strength.
January, 19, 2025
This sermon on the Baptism of the Lord emphasizes Jesus' identity as the beloved Son of God and the profound significance of His baptism. At His baptism, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends, and the Father declares, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Jesus, though sinless, enters the waters not for His sake but to sanctify them for our salvation, cleansing and preparing them to wash away sin for generations to come. Despite this act of love, people often resist Jesus. Some desire a harsher, judgmental figure, while others feel unworthy of His compassion, expecting abandonment and condemnation. Both responses stem from fear and misunderstanding of Jesus' true nature. The sermon highlights that Jesus' baptism is a demonstration of divine love and compassion. He comes to restore the broken, free the bound, and cleanse the sinful. Through baptism, we are made beloved children of God, called to repentance, renewal, and a life of radical love and compassion for others. Jesus invites us to enter the waters of repentance, to be transformed, and to embrace our identity as God's beloved children. In this, we find freedom, renewal, and a mission to share His love with the world.
Those who are wise know they are not wise. That's why they seek wisdom. And wisdom is found in Jesus. He is wisdom. And the Wise Men find him seated on the lap of Mary. She is given the honorary title “Seat of Wisdom” because he is enthroned on her lap. Mary is also the icon of the New Jerusalem, Holy Mother Church, whose heart throbs and overflows with joy when her sons and daughters come home to her son.
This sermon reflects on the disintegration of families and communities, identifying the human heart as central to the problem. The story of Mary and Joseph anxiously searching for the boy Jesus highlights the importance of being in the Father's house, where priorities are realigned, hearts are nourished, and families are strengthened. Jesus' response, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” underscores that spiritual grounding in God's presence is essential for individuals and families to flourish. The sermon challenges us to reflect on misplaced priorities—whether due to work, activities, or distractions—that pull us away from God's house. Pastor Vieth calls for repentance, reminding us that church is where we are born, fed, and reminded of our true identity in Christ. It is also where we are prepared to be sent out to extend God's love and mercy to others, strengthening our cities, neighborhoods, and families. Finally, the sermon encourages the congregation to act as a holy family, sharing Christ's love with the world and pointing others to the Father's house for healing, restoration, and peace. By reprioritizing God's mission, we are called to participate in the rebuilding of broken families and communities.
A reflection on Irish artist Adam Pomeroy's The Nativity.December 24, 2024
Where is the holiest place on earth? The womb! Of all of the places on earth, God chose to dwell in the womb of Mary. This gives us great reverence for the dignity of human life in the womb and for the dignity of all women. But the “womb” is also a way of describing the spiritual life, according to St. Maximus the Confessor.
Advent remembers the past, celebrates it in the present, and looks to the future. Jesus came, is present with us now, and will come again. While we wait for Jesus to return, we would continue to celebrate the past and share that with future generations to come.
As we close our 150th Anniversary we review and give thanks for what God has done through us and in each of us. In addition, we take a look at time and eternity and where we go from here. Time is a gift.We are priests who consecrate the time. We give it back to the Lord and use it for his purposes.
It's not about the money. It's about the Lord. Which means its about your heart. Which means its about trust. Which means its about his faithfulness.The Lord doesn't want to be an important part of your life. He wants to be your life. November 10, 2024
Pastor Schallhorn reflects on Trinity Lutheran Church's 150-year history, emphasizing the importance of attitude in Christian life. He explores Jesus' Beatitudes, particularly "Blessed are the poor in spirit," highlighting how true happiness comes from recognizing our spiritual poverty and relying on God's grace. The pastor illustrates this concept through the inspiring story of Ruth Hankeke, a saint who embodied generosity and joy despite material poverty.November 3, 2024
We all struggle with our love of money and possessions. Our love for our stuff stands in the way of a love for God and others. Which is how we fulfill the commandments. We don't just follow the rules to get the reward of eternal life. The commandments are eternal life because they are God's life and God is love. The commandments are not the way to eternal life. We don't follow the rules to get the prize. No, the commandments are eternal life. Because Eternal life is God's life. And God is Love. So love is the fulfillment of the commandments.This is impossible for us. But not for God. So we must stay in his love that transforms our love.
This week's reading from St. James offers a stark warning to the rich about the fleeting nature of wealth, while the Gospel contains harsh admonitions about sin, with Jesus encouraging the removal of anything that causes sin, even if that means drastic measures. Despite this challenging message, we can find hope in the first reading of the lectionary for this week, where Moses wishes for all of God's people to be prophets, filled with the Spirit. Like all of the weeks of this series, we are invited to be open—to God's Word, to seeing others and ourselves through Jesus' eyes, and to receiving wisdom that is pure and sincere. This openness should extend to using our time, talent, and treasures to serve God and others, echoing the refrain of the sermon series, "Be open."1. Wealth and Possessions are Temporary: The readings warn against placing too much value on material wealth, as it will eventually decay and fail to bring lasting fulfillment. 2. Openness to God is Crucial: The central theme of the sermon is "Be open." We are called to be open to God's Word, to seeing others as He sees them, and to using our time and talents for His glory. 3. Everyone is Called to be a Prophet: Like Moses, God desires all His people to be filled with His Spirit and to proclaim His Word through their words and actions. 4. Sacrifice for Righteousness: The Gospel reading emphasizes the importance of cutting out sin from our lives, even if it requires difficult or drastic changes. 5. Commitment to Service: The sermon challenges the congregation to commit their time, talent, and treasure to God's work, embracing openness as a way of life in their faith journey.
This sermon focuses on the theme of active faith and its transformative power in our lives. It begins by discussing how openness—both of the heart and the eyes—enables us to see ourselves and Jesus for who we truly are. The pivotal question from the Gospel, "Who do you say that I am?" leads to Peter's confession, "You are the Christ," which lies at the center of Christian faith. However, faith is not just a declaration; it is meant to be lived out through actions. Jesus teaches that faith involves denying oneself, taking up the cross, and following Him. St. James reinforces this in his epistle, stating that faith without works is dead. The sermon challenges listeners to move beyond lip service and embrace a faith that is active, even when it hurts. Faith requires us to prioritize Christ above all else, which may lead to rejection and suffering. Yet, through this death to self, new life and healing emerge. The sermon concludes by urging listeners to use their gifts for God's kingdom, becoming part of a chain reaction of resurrection that transforms lives.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of openness in the Christian faith, as exemplified by the word "Ephphatha," meaning "be open" in Mark 7. The call in St. James' epistle today is for Christians to be impartial and open-hearted, recognizing the value and dignity of every person, regardless of their status. The overarching theme is that being open to others is the way of Christ, the way of heaven, and should be the way of the Church. We are encouraged to see Christ in everyone and to participate actively in the work of salvation by showing love and compassion to all, without partiality.Openness to God's Word: The sermon emphasizes the importance of keeping our hearts open to welcome God's Word, allowing Jesus to purify and work through us.Ephphatha – Be Open: The call to be open extends beyond just our hearts; it involves every part of us—our ears, eyes, and actions—so that we can fully engage in God's work and see His will for us.Impartiality in Faith: Christians are urged to be impartial, treating everyone with the same love and respect, regardless of their status or appearance, reflecting the reality of heaven on earth.Seeing Christ in Others: The sermon encourages believers to view every person through the lens of Christ, recognizing that each individual is created and redeemed by Him.Active Participation in Christ's Work: Followers of Christ are called to participate in His salvific work by using their unique gifts to bless others, particularly those who are marginalized or in need.
This homily introduces our new sermon series and small group study titled "Faith and _______," inspired by the epistle of James. The series aims to ignite a deeply active faith in us as believers, focusing on different acts or virtues each week. As we begin these five weeks wading through St. James' epistle, it's important to note that he's writing about the way of heaven not the way to heaven. In this first week, St. James is encouraging us to open our hearts to receive and welcome God's Word, allowing it to transform and purify us. In this first week of our series, before we get into the nitty gritty of being doers of the Word in future weeks, let us first commune with the Lord which will quiet and heal their hearts.
The readings today call us: Choose this day whom you will serve? This choice cannot be ala carte - picking and choosing what we want and rejecting what we don't want. Because everything Scripture teaches connects back to Jesus. It is personal. We are choosing or rejecting him. This is important when we look at many of the “issues” of our day around the topics of gender, marriage, and sexuality. They are not isolated issues. They are personal because they are all connected to him. As Pauls writes: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31–32)We must choose whom we will serve and love. Marriage and sexuality image God and his relationship with us.
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