Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near! The Forerunner prepares for the coming Christ by preaching repentance that brings renewal of life. The Root of Jesse will come in swift judgment on the unrepentant but in mercy and grace for God’s people. His coming will end the wickedness of the world and usher in a new age restored to the perfection with which God made it.
December 8, 2019 -- The Second Sunday of Advent
Pastor Titus Buelow
Matthew 3:1-12
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, 2 and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? 3 Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.” 4 When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, 5 and they called that place Bokim. There they offered sacrifices to the Lord.
December 4, 2019 -- The First Wednesday of Advent
Pastor Titus Buelow
Judges 2:1-5
Keep watch for the unexpected coming of Christ! Its unexpectedness, however does not change its certainty or our prayer. Rather, the coming of Christ defines our present time because we know that he comes with unexpected judgment on the unbelieving world and unexpected grace for his people. We are filled with hope, with love, and with light. With anticipation in our hearts, we long for the fulfillment and say,
“Come, Lord Jesus!”
December 1, 2019 -- The First Sunday of Advent
Pastor Titus Buelow
Romans 13:11-14
On this national day of thanksgiving, we take the time to remember in thanks the many physical and spiritual blessings our gracious God showers upon us. But our thanksgiving doesn’t just last one day. It is to be an attitude of our whole lives.
November 27, 2019 -- Thanksgiving Eve
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 7:11-19
The Church Year ends with the lasting song of triumph for Christ our King. The promise is sure: We will live with him in his kingdom, rejoicing in his goodness and resting in his eternal peace.
November 24, 2019 -- Christ the King Sunday
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 23:35-43 EHV
The relationship between God and his saints will last into eternity.
This gives us comfort today as we remember those who died in the faith and are now enjoying eternity with their Lord and we look forward to the day when we too will stand in the presence of God!
November 10, 2019 -- Saints Triumphant Sunday
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 20:27-38 EHV
It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings true freedom. This promise of forgiveness and resurrection to eternal life come only through a righteousness found in the Savior. This righteousness sets the soul free from slavery, free to serve God. Hold to these teachings, and “you will be free indeed.”
Reformation Sunday
Pastor Titus Buelow
John 8:31-36
Cleansed of sin the life of the believer is one of thanksgiving for deliverance now and into eternity. By remembering where we came from, we naturally give thanks for where we are and where we are going, by God’s grace!
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Pastor Titus Buelow
1 Samuel 12:20-24
Real wealth is found in heavenly treasure. Earthly riches are not a reward for doing good, but rather an opportunity to do good. Let us use whatever the LORD gives us faithfully and be at peace knowing we have more than enough already in Christ!
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost -- October 20, 2019
Rev. Robert Balza
1 Timothy 6:6-12
The believer loves the lost like Christ. The righteous live by faith; yet how easy it is for the righteous to slip into self-righteous judgment of other sinners, forgetting the grace that has been shown them. Today Christ calls us to love the lost like he does and rejoice over every sinner that “once was lost, but now is found.”
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost -- October 13, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 15:1-10
For the past three Sundays we have seen that the narrow path to heaven is marked by division and humility. Yet another warning is heard this week: the life of faith may come at great personal expense. Counting the cost of discipleship leads to true wisdom.
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost -- October 6, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 14:25–33
The life of faith is one of true humility. But it is humility rendered by faith in the promise of God that those who exalt themselves on earth will be humiliated for eternity, but those who humble themselves now will be exalted forever!
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost -- September 29, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 14:1,7-14
The way to heaven is narrow. Mere outward attachment to the family of God is not sufficient—only through faith in Christ can we enter heaven. The door is narrow and Christ commands us to make every effort to enter it, so the Church prays, “that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command.” Although the door is narrow, it is open to all, and the saints will come from all nations to behold the glory of the Lord.
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost -- September 22, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 13:22-30
Four weeks of warnings for Christians begin on this Sunday that the life of faith will be marked by difficulties. These warnings are given so that the believer will be prepared to meet these challenges with the confidence of the cross. Today we see that the Word of God doesn’t always unite—it also divides. The living and active Word of God does not bring peace between believers and unbelievers, but division.
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost -- September 15, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 12:49–53
Why does our St. Paul family spend so much time, energy and resources to hear God’s Word and sing the truths we believe? Why do we have Sunday school, Catechism class and adult Bible studies? Because of what Jesus says, “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” We want to know the truth. We want to be free. And we want our friends, relatives, and children to know those things as well, just as Jesus commissioned his people to do when he told them to go out into the world “… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded…” May the Lord bless every effort of ours to know the truth and to pass it on to the next generation. Let us celebrate and continue our Christian Education!
Christian Education Sunday -- September 8, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Deuteronomy 11:1-7, 16-21
Earthly wealth is meaningless without God. The meaning of life cannot be found in the abundance of earthly possessions but in the abundance of heavenly blessings. The believer recognizes that everything the world seeks and offers is meaningless. Rather, he sets his heart on the treasure found in the fullness of Christ.
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost -- August 25, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 10:38-42
Do you have a list about a mile long of things you have to get done today? Me too. We all have so much to do. Most of it feels like it has to get done today or else.
All of those things may be important, but there is one thing that is more important than all of those tasks that often doesn't even make our list. That one thing is God's Word.
Where does that rank of your priority task list today? On the top or on the bottom?
This sermon focuses on the account of Mary and Martha hosting Jesus. Jesus makes abundantly clear that while many things are good, only one thing is truly needful, and it tends to be the last thing we prioritize. Only the words of our Savior himself have the power to save us from the stress and busyness of everything else. Only the words of our Savior can bring us from death to life, from fear to joy, from hell to heaven.
Let us reexamine what NEEDS to get done. Read Luke 10:38-42.
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost -- August 11, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
The believer loves his neighbor. We have every reason to love him. We know what we were when God found us; we know the love and mercy he poured out on us. Christ, the compassion of God, has treated our spiritual wounds and paid for our healing with his own blood. As we have known his goodness, let us do good to all. As our Prayer of the Day reminds us: The word is planted in our hearts, and now we ask the Holy Spirit to bring forth such fruits of faith as loving our neighbor for the sake of Christ.
Eight Sunday after Pentecost -- August 4, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Luke 10:25-37
The Lord invites believers to take part in his kingdom work. What joy and privilege is ours to work in his harvest fields, to witness the power of the Spirit, and to support this ministry! However, even though this is such an amazing privilege, we often treat it more like a chore and a burden. We get caught up in what we need, what we want, and how much it will cost to follow Christ. Today, let us remember what we have in Jesus and why that gives us the freedom to serve our God and others regardless of the cost. Let us find freedom in service!
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost -- 28, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Galatians 6:1–10, 14–16
When God calls us to faith, he calls us to a totally different way of life. We are no longer simply pushed along by whatever the world or our own sinful desires lead us to do. Instead, we are drawn by God to go upstream, to fight against the world, our own selfishness and sinfulness, and the devil himself. Only the Spirit can teach us and empower us to follow Jesus to the cross and beyond. And it is only in following Jesus that we find true freedom and life.
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost -- July 21, 2019
Pastor Titus Buelow
Galatians 5:1, 13–25