Shows
Grace AboundsOrdinary, Extraordinary MaryMary was a poor, young woman from a small, unremarkable village. Mary was also the mother of Jesus, God incarnate, the Savior of the world. Mary reminds us that we are all ordinary, extraordinary people, and it is ordinary, extraordinary people we are called by our Savior to love.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you...
2025-12-0112 minGrace AboundsChrist's ReignWhen the new king was promised, many expected glory and power. What they did not expect was a shepherd leading his flock; a shepherd that would protect his sheep with his very life. This is what Christ’s reign looks like.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of...
2025-11-2411 minGrace AboundsThe World is Not EndingHow do you envision the second coming of Christ? The Revelation of Scripture envisions a day when Christ Jesus will come again - as he came before. He will bring heaven to earth. He will establish the reign of our good and gracious Lord. He will heal us and the whole broken and beautiful creation. This is not a future to fear. This is a future to celebrate!Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and w...
2025-11-1916 minGrace AboundsI Shall See GodSome Sadducees have a question for Jesus about the resurrection. However, their ulterior motive is to trap Jesus with his answer. Jesus responds by upending an understanding of the resurrection itself. For as we can see throughout the bible to our current day and in the future promise, when we see God everything changes.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
2025-11-1112 minGrace AboundsAll The Saints of God“Saint” in Scripture is not used to single out extraordinary individuals or exclusively for the faithful departed. Saint describes each and every follower of Jesus Christ. And so “sainthood” is not something we achieve or something we only await. Sainthood is our present reality and our future hope. Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If...
2025-11-0312 minGrace AboundsWe BelieveTo believe also means ‘to put your faith in and trust’. Proclaiming our belief in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is to be part of a covenant. This covenant is the promise of God’s grace that we can trust in as we embody our faith.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!I...
2025-11-0212 minGrace AboundsGrit‘Just keep going.’ Like Jacob who wrestled with the Lord for blessing (Genesis 32). Like Paul and Timothy who proclaimed the Gospel of Christ in good times and bad times (2 Timothy 3). Like the Persistent Widow in the story Jesus told to encourage us to pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18). Scripture rings with the encouragement to demonstrate grit.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjo...
2025-10-2121 minGrace AboundsMade WellWe all look for healing in a hurting world. In the Gospel, Jesus not only heals a man with a skin disease but makes him well. We are all made well through the gift of the saving grace of God.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of...
2025-10-1511 minGrace AboundsRich in Good WorksAmos calls out the wealthy for living in luxury while the poor suffer (Amos 6:-17). Paul advises Timothy to reject the pursuit of worldly wealth and “be rich in good works” (1 Timothy 6:6-19). Jesus tells a parable reproving a wealthy man for failing to help the poor man at his gate (Luke 16:19-31). The message of Scripture is clear - are we willing to listen?Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by j...
2025-09-3011 minGrace AboundsValues“You cannot serve God and wealth [mammon].” (Jesus, Luke 16:13) Will we serve the false god of mammon - and in so doing ‘trample on the needy and ruin the lives of the poor’ (Amos 8:4). Or will we serve the true God embodied in Christ Jesus - using our resources to care and provide for the poor and vulnerable among us.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email of...
2025-09-2316 minGrace Abounds"Us" & "Them"Saul believed that separating himself from “sinners,” and even persecuting them, was the acceptable cost of defending his faith. He was wrong - a truth revealed to Saul by Christ Jesus himself. By the grace of Christ, Saul the Pharisee, a man of violence, became Paul the Apostle, a man of love (1 Tim 1:12-17; Phil 3:4-11; Gal 1:13-17; Acts 9:1-20; 1 Cor 13).Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list...
2025-09-1615 minGrace AboundsTo the End of the RoadJesus lays out the road to following him as costing much of the life of a disciple. This cost is everything that we have and our very life itself. Yet, it is in a life following Christ that we may truly live.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in...
2025-09-0910 minGrace AboundsHumilityJesus works to dismantle the hierarchies we create in society. In the Gospel reading he does this by commenting on the places of honor at a banquet. The humility Jesus emphasizes encourages a banquet table and by extension a communion table that welcomes all.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you...
2025-09-0111 minGrace AboundsSabbathThe Sabbath means to rest; it has held this significance since God rested on the 7th day of creation. In the Gospel text, Jesus emphasizes, with rest comes an understanding of renewal, liberation, and the unburdening of others.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or...
2025-08-2609 minGrace AboundsWhen Faith Feels HardJoin us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church or Pastor Emily at am@stjohnslutheran.church.We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s community members, and the faithful financial support that contributes to...
2025-08-1912 minGrace AboundsThe Heart“For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” Jesus teaches us to treasure not the earthly possessions or prestige that will fade, but the love of God. Centered in Christ, our heart will rely on that which will last us for eternity.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you...
2025-08-1209 minGrace AboundsJudgementsOur world is full of judgements. We pass judgements on others' lives as well as our own. Jesus is also used to judge, just as he was in our Gospel reading. However, the true judgment of Jesus comes with his sacrifice to save us all through grace.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
2025-08-0509 minGrace AboundsSearchingWhen we come to God in prayer, we are often searching; whether that is searching for answers, comfort, or healing. Jesus meets us in our searching and offers us a place to start. This is what he provides for the disciples in the Lord’s prayer: a centering way to approach God.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be ad...
2025-08-0110 minGrace AboundsChosen OneGenerations have told the stories of God present for God’s people. Jesus is the primary example of God with us. The Chosen One who chose us.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church or Pastor Em...
2025-07-2113 minGrace AboundsReconciliationThe parable of the Good Samaritan is Jesus' reaction to a challenge. The challenge being the question, “Who is my neighbor?”. Jesus will answer this question with an even more important one, “Who was a neighbor?”.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnsl...
2025-07-1512 minGrace AboundsCreation's KingdomWhen Jesus calls us to bring God’s kingdom near, all of creation is included. This is because being in relationship with God means connection with each other and every creature on the planet. When we work toward this call together, we can bring peace on earth.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!...
2025-07-0712 minGrace AboundsFollow MeJesus often calls out to people, “Follow me”. Yet, are we ready to answer that call? Do we truly know what it means to follow Jesus and can we accept that reality? The first step is to let the love graciously gifted by God guide our path.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If...
2025-07-0211 minGrace AboundsFaith RevealedIn the Gospel text for today it is the demons who recognize Jesus as “Son of the Most High God”. Faith is revealed through the man from whom the demons had gone out. We must contend with the labels we give and those ones given by God.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, emai...
2025-06-2312 minGrace AboundsHopeOur world is full of suffering. Sometimes the pain of this suffering is too much to bear. However, we do not have to carry this burden alone. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been and will be with us every step of the way. In this knowledge, we can dare to hope for a better world.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:15am and 11:15am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran...
2025-06-1612 minGrace AboundsSpirit of TruthThe Holy Spirit descends on the disciples that receive an ancient call; a call to share the Word of God and follow God’s mission in the world. We receive the same call from the Spirit of truth, our advocate.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of pr...
2025-06-1111 minGrace AboundsWe Are All HereIn the text from Acts we see Jesus’ disciples spreading the good news. They extend the grace of God to all they encounter and enact the words of Jesus from John’s Gospel to make us all one in him.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of pray...
2025-06-0411 minGrace AboundsYou are Witnesses of These Things“You will be my witnesses,” Jesus says to his disciples on the day of his Ascension, promising them the power of the Holy Spirit to do so (Acts 1:8). Jesus continues to speak these words to his followers today. How might you testily to the life-giving love of Christ Jesus?Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
2025-05-2613 minGrace AboundsAll Things NewGod is always working on new things in the world. We are called to be a part of the change. Jesus said, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”. In living by this new commandment we can be a community rooted in the Gospel.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
2025-05-1911 minGrace AboundsGood ShepherdIn Psalm 23, David writes that the Lord, our Shepherd, gives us all we truly need, walks with us through the darkest valleys, and guides us on the right path for health and wellbeing and peace.Will you follow?Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of...
2025-05-1215 minGrace AboundsHere I AmThroughout the bible God has called on people to follow God’s mission in the world. These are people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and histories. Jesus calling his disciples was no exception. Therefore, when we are called by the Spirit we must remember that God calls all of us. This truth can give us the confidence to say, “Here I am, Lord”.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailin...
2025-05-0510 minGrace AboundsPeace Embodied“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21) God the Father sent Jesus the Son in love to bring peace and give us life eternal. Jesus sends his disciples in love to bring peace and share the good news of life in his name. May all followers of Jesus fulfill this good and Great Commission.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mail...
2025-04-3013 minGrace AboundsRise AgainThe story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is a familiar story. Yet, it was unknown to the women who first gathered at the empty tomb. We tell this story over and over again because it reminds us that Christ is with us in the darkest moments, and helps us to rise again to a new day.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!...
2025-04-2509 minGrace AboundsWhat Will You Do?Wide and narrow roads. Good and bad fruit. Wise and foolish builders. As Jesus brings his Sermon on the Mount to a close (Matt 7:12-29), he offers his listeners a choice - will you act on his teaching or not?Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral...
2025-04-0716 minGrace AboundsDo Not JudgeJesus commands us not to judge one another, for we too will be judged. It is important to remember that holding someone accountable is not judgement, but the upholding of justice. Yet we must not judge others according to our own righteousness, but to God’s grace. Ultimately, judgement and justice belong to the Lord.Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and re...
2025-04-0110 minGrace AboundsDo Not Worry“Do not worry,” Jesus says three times in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt 6:25-24). But how? Jesus answers this question by teaching us why we need not fear or worry or “be anxious about anything.” (Philippians 4:6-7)Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral...
2025-03-2419 minGrace AboundsTreasures in HeavenWhen thinking of treasure it often conjures images of wealth and power. However, as Martin Luther would say, “Now anything upon which you hang your heart and rely, I say, is really your God”. What in our lives do we rely on, instead of the grace of God?Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
2025-03-1710 minGrace AboundsWhen You Fast“Whenever you fast…” Jesus says to his disciples (Matt 6:16-18). Billions of Christians over thousands of years have ‘given up something for Lent.’ This teaching of Jesus helps us understand why.***Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Past...
2025-03-1115 minGrace AboundsWhen You Pray, part 2In his sermon on the mount Jesus teaches how to pray. We may not always know what to say in our most challenging moments, but the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. It is that very Spirit that transforms us through prayer.***Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
2025-03-0612 minGrace AboundsWhen You Pray, part 1“Whenever you pray…” Jesus says to his disciples (Matt 6:5-6). But what is prayer? And how do we pray? And why does prayer matter?***Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church or Pas...
2025-02-2716 minGrace AboundsWhen You GiveWhen Jesus preaches about almsgiving it is not to address if we should give but rather why we give. Giving is a spiritual practice that encourages us to give out of our abundance.***Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!If you are in need of prayer or...
2025-02-1710 minGrace AboundsA Higher Law, pt 3“Turn the other cheek.” “Love your enemies.” “Do not resist an evildoer.” (Matt 5:38-48). Are these clichés? unattainable commandments? naïve ideals that don’t apply to the ‘real world’? Or are they the life-changing words of Jesus teaching us how to live a good life now?***Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am.Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!...
2025-02-1016 minGrace AboundsA Higher Law, part 2When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount he was not trying to put into practice a new set of laws that could be used to condemn others. Instead, he was offering a transforming initiative to how the traditional laws could be lived out. In a world that seeks to shame and condemn Jesus offers grace and love.
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2025-02-0311 minGrace AboundsA Higher Law, part 1In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus quotes the 5th Commandment, “You shall not murder,” and then continues, ‘If you are angry…you are liable to judgment’ (Matt 5:21-26) Is Jesus commanding us not to be angry? giving us a law we can’t possibly keep? expressing an impractical ideal? Or is Jesus teaching us something unexpected about life in relationship with God and each other?
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2025-01-2918 minGrace AboundsSalty & Bright“You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the word.” (Matt 5:13-16). Salt heals, preserves, flavors. Light fosters life, illuminates, helps us see. What does it mean when Jesus calls his community of disciples, the church, us, salt and light?
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2025-01-2315 minGrace AboundsBlessed (Beloved)It is easy to forget that what Jesus preached in the sermon on mount were radical and life changing words for the disciples and for us. Jesus called those seen as least fortunate in society as blessed. We are challenged to do the same and recognize every child of God as beloved.
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2025-01-1311 minGrace AboundsJesus, our TeacherAs we launch our fourteen week series, “What It Means to be a Christian: Following Jesus thought the Sermon on the Mount,” this week, we explore the significance of Jesus’ teaching and example for our lives today, the importance of authentic discipleship, and what it means to follow Christ Jesus, remembering he is with us every step of the way.
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2025-01-0712 minGrace AboundsYour Light Has ComeThe gifts given to Jesus by the magi in the epic story of today’s gospel were full of contradictions. They included gold fit for a king as well as spices used for burial. In truth, all of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection contradicted most people’s expectations. The most radical of these contradictions was that the light of the world would come to be amongst us, in our own journey of life and death.
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2024-12-3009 minGrace AboundsPeace That Passes Understanding“We Need Peace” - words painted on a wall in Jerusalem near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sacred space marking the place where Jesus suffered and died and rose again to life. Jesus did this to bring us peace. Peace knowing the Lord is with us through it all. Peace that transcends our circumstances. Peace that guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:4-8). We need the peace Jesus brings, now and always.
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2024-12-1615 minGrace AboundsThat Your Love May OverflowAs we celebrate in this Season, and every season of the year, God expresses his love for us by coming to us in Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord. How might we - as the Apostle Paul encourages his friends to do (Philippians 1:3-11) - overflow with love for each other, in this Season, and every season of the year?
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2024-12-0913 minGrace AboundsHope Enough For TomorrowWe are surrounded by reminders of the Christmas season lining the shelves of every store. However, advent is a different kind of preparation. It is a time of waiting, wondering, and hoping. The people of God have waited and hoped for a long time that the promise of God will be fulfilled in the coming of the Christ child. This advent we join in their waiting.
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2024-12-0209 minGrace AboundsChrist The KingWhat kind of king is Christ Jesus the King? That’s the question at the heart of the encounter between Jesus and Pontius Pilate recounted in John 18. It’s a question followers of Jesus have wrestled with from that time to this. It’s a question that continues to resonate for us today. How would you answer it?
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2024-11-2612 minGrace AboundsSignsIn both the reading from Daniel and Mark we are given signs of a time coming where there will be suffering and also deliverance. These apocryphal texts use grand imagery to reveal a simple truth. That truth is that God’s people are afraid and God remains with them always.
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2024-11-1910 minGrace AboundsHope in the LordOur hope, the Psalmist declares, is not in human leaders; our hope is in the Lord (Ps 146), who is everlasting, who made us and loves us forever, who is with us and for us always. This is the hope that does not disappoint us, as the Apostle Paul proclaimed in his life and in his letters (Romans 5:1-15). This is the hope we have in our Savior Jesus Christ.
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2024-11-1213 minGrace AboundsMomentarily ForeverGod promises a new heaven and a new earth where “pain will be no more”. This promise can be hard to believe, just as it was hard for Martha to believe that Jesus would resurrect her brother Lazorus. However, we can be assured that a promise for the future is also true for us today, as we live in the liminal space of momentarily forever.
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2024-11-0610 minGrace AboundsRe-FormationMartin Luther and other re-formers of the church call on us to pass along the gospel gold that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Luther affirms the truly good news that Christ sets us free from sin and death and worries about our own salvation, and free for love and life and serving the Lord and our neighbors. How might you pass along this gospel gold?
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2024-10-2811 minGrace AboundsDiaconia (Serve)Diaconia is the Greek word for service. It is more than just a word, but the work to follow Jesus in his example of service. As a church we can get caught turning inward when we must look outside our doors to meet Christ in our world.
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2024-10-2210 minGrace AboundsWhat is Means to be RichIt is because Jesus loves the rich man that he calls him to let go of his many possessions, embrace generosity, and “follow me” (Mark 10:17-31). It is because Jesus loves us that he calls us to do the same. Follow Jesus in a life of overflowing love. Let go of whatever is hindering our relationship with the Lord and embrace generosity. Give as we can for the glory of God and the good of the people God so loves.
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2024-10-1515 minGrace AboundsLaw & GospelThe religious authorities test Jesus with a question about the rules of marriage and divorce. The disciples try to enforce the rules of social decorum by shooing children away. Jesus teaches them, and us, that it’s not about the rules, it’s about our relationships (Mark 10:2-16).
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2024-10-0713 minGrace AboundsDeeds of PowerThere is a lot of power wielded in this world. Much of it at the cost of the powerless. God’s ultimate power is different. It is the kind of power that shows mercy and would die for us all. We are gifted this power by the Holy Spirit and must decide if we will use it to destroy and judge each other or use it to create the kingdom of heaven on earth.
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2024-09-3009 minGrace AboundsSeeking GreatnessWhen the disciples argue over who is the greatest among them, Jesus reframes their debate (Mark 9:30-37). James cautions against seeking greatness from selfish ambition, and offers godly wisdom for being truly great (James 3:13-4:8). What does greatness mean to you?
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2024-09-2314 minGrace AboundsWho am I?Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”. They know that he is the Messiah, but they are not quite sure what that means. We must ask the same kind of question, “How do we define the identity of Jesus?”. We must also ask what that means for us as followers of Christ.
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2024-09-1811 minGrace AboundsGrace, Faith, Works“We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not works,” writes Paul (Eph 2:8-9). “Faith without works is dead,” insists James (James 2:17). What does faith mean to you?
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2024-09-1012 minGrace AboundsWhy Did Jesus Die the Kind of Death He Died?There are many ways to answer this question, but here’s what I believe. The suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, reveals God’s profound love for us, makes known to us the God who would go that far for us. The God who suffers with us, so that we know, no matter what we suffer in this broken world, we are not alone. The God who participated even in our death, and thereby defeated death forever. The God who is with and for us, always.
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2023-04-0311 minGrace AboundsOut of the TombJesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11) and reveals the truly good news that he is the source of life, now and forever. Even in the messiness and sorrow of life in this broken world, Jesus does wondrous and beautiful things. Even as life in the here and now is often hard, life forever with our good and gracious Lord is already ours. Even though we die, yet we shall live.
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2023-03-2814 min
Grace AboundsNow I SeeIn the story of Jesus restoring sight to the man who was born blind (John 9), people have very different visions of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done in healing the man. The man’s parents, his neighbors, and the local religious authorities lack the spiritual insight to see the good that has taken place. The man himself not only regains his physical sight, but also comes to see that Jesus, the one who healed him, is the Savior of the world.
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2023-03-2013 minGrace AboundsLiving WaterThey may be two people chatting at a well (John 4), but Jesus crosses an ocean of social, political, and religious divides in speaking with the Samaritan Woman, as she does in speaking with him. Jesus gives her the space to share who she is, and he shares who he is with her. He is the Savior, the Lord, the source of living water.
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2023-03-1312 minGrace AboundsBeing Made Well“Do you want to be made well?” Jesus asked the man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). If Jesus asked you this question right now, how would you respond?
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2023-03-0616 minGrace Abounds"If You Are..."In one of my seminary classes, a student wondered how the disciples knew about the temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). We realized the simplest explanation is that Jesus told them. Jesus shared his experience - so that we know we have a Savior who was tested as we are, who knows the questions and challenges we face, and who walks with us through the wilderness places of this broken world.
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2023-02-2718 minGrace AboundsMountains and ValleysThe Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop (Matt 17:1-9) - where the disciples see him shine with divine light - gives them, and us, a glimpse into who Jesus is. Jesus is the God of all Creation, who joined with us in our humanity. Jesus is the Savior of the world, who loves us so much that he gave his life for ours. Jesus is with us always, in the mountaintop moments and in the difficult valleys of our lives.
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2023-02-2017 minGrace AboundsCelebrating Music in the ChurchMartin Luther once said, “next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise.” Scripture is filled with songs and singers - Moses and Miriam (Exodus 15:1-20), Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55), Jesus and the Disciples (Matthew 26:30), and many more. We follow in this wonderful tradition when we join our voices in song as the people of God. May you “sing to the Lord a new song” (Isaiah 42:10), and feel God’s presence in the gift of music.
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2023-02-1316 minGrace AboundsSalt and Light“You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the world.” With these metaphors (Matt 5:13-16), Jesus teaches his followers, then and now, how to follow him. He calls us to preserve what is good and make things better. He calls us to reflect the love of God in our words and actions. He calls us to flavor the world with God’s grace and illuminate the world with God’s light. How might you do so today?
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2023-02-0619 minGrace AboundsBlessedOur contemporary culture often defines being blessed as being rich and powerful and prosperous, untouched by the troubles of this life. But this worldview crumbles when the troubles, inevitably, come. In the Beatitudes (Matt 5:1-12), Jesus offers a true, authentic, and sustaining definition of blessing: We are blessed because the Lord loves us, because we have life in Christ, because we have the opportunity to share the grace of God with others.
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2023-01-3021 minGrace AboundsCasting the NetJesus calls his disciples, then and now, to ‘fish for people’ (Matt 4:12-23) - to cast the net of God’s good news far and wide and bring all people into the beloved community of Christ. We are called, personally and as a community, to tell people about Jesus and to show people his love. In this sermon, we hear from three members of St. John’s about the fulfillment they find in doing so.
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2023-01-2320 minGrace AboundsBeloved CommunityThe “Beloved Community” was a frequent theme in the sermons of Martin Luther King, Jr. - a community grounded in the agape love of God. God is Godself is a beloved community of Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and we are made in God’s image. How might you today, and every day, live into the blessed reality of the beloved community of Christ?
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2023-01-1618 minGrace AboundsDon't You Want to be a Part of That?The baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) reveals that God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - is a divine eternal relationship of love. When we are baptized, we are immersed in this relationship of love, and empowered to share God’s love with others. We have the opportunity, every day, to overflow with the love of God and change this world for good. Don’t you want to be a part of that?
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2023-01-0918 minGrace AboundsFollowing The StarThe wise men who visited Jesus as a child (Matthew 2:1-12), were looking for the sign, saw the Christmas star, discerned what it meant, and followed that star to Jesus. May we do the same. May we seek to know God’s way, and see the signs of God’s presence, and go where the Lord guides us. May we, like the wise men, see and follow the stars that led us to Jesus.
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2022-12-2715 minGrace AboundsOrdinary, Extraordinary PeopleMary was an ordinary, extraordinary young woman called by the Lord to give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world. And Mary said ‘yes’ to God’s call: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord” (Luke 1:26-38). As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we follow Mary’s example of faith. May we embody the good news of life in Christ. May we remember that we are all ordinary, extraordinary people, and it is ordinary, extraordinary people we are called by our Savior to love.
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2022-12-1915 minGrace AboundsThe Christmas Story, according to Matthew***
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Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church.
We continue to be deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s community members, and the faithful financial support that contributes to...
2022-11-2812 minGrace AboundsTheologians of the Cross***
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If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church.
We continue to be deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s community members, and the faithful financial support that contributes to...
2022-11-2116 minGrace AboundsGrowing In StatureWhen Jesus invites himself over for dinner with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), he is declaring to Zacchaeus, and Zacchaeus’ hometown community, that this despised tax collector is not despised by him. Jesus came to seek out and to save sinners - that is, all of us - in great and unending love. Zacchaeus responds to the invitation of Jesus with joy and generosity. How will we respond?
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2022-11-1417 minGrace AboundsGod is the God of the LivingIn response to a question from the religious authorities in Jerusalem (Luke 20:27-38), Jesus speaks the gospel truth that God is the God of the living, now and forever; death is not the end of the story; the ones we love are always with us. We are God’s children now, and one day we will be as our good and gracious Creator intends. Sainthood is our present reality and our future hope.
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2022-11-0713 minGrace AboundsThe Freedom of a ChristianMartin Luther could not meet the expectations of the church of his time that earn his salvation by doing his very best. It changed his life, the church, and the world, when Luther realized that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Christ frees us from sin and death, and frees us for love and life. How are you living into your freedom in Christ?
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2022-11-0218 minGrace AboundsThose Who Trust in ThemselvesJesus offers the “Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector” (Luke 18:9-14) for those who trust in themselves that they are righteous and regard others with contempt. This parable invites us to ask - Who are we trusting to make us righteous? Are we self-righteous and disdainful of those who don’t meet our moral standards? Are we aware of God’s mercy in our lives and ready to share that mercy to others?
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2022-10-2419 minGrace AboundsOn GratitudeWhen Jesus heals a man of leprosy (Luke 17:11-19), he recognizes what Jesus did for him, and goes to the source of his new life to express his gratitude, to give thanks, to acknowledge the grace of Christ in his life. May we also express our gratitude in giving thanks to God, in telling others about what Christ has done for us, in how we live our lives every day.
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When Jesus heals a man of leprosy (Luke 17:11-19), he recognizes what Jesus did for him, and goes to the source of his new life...
2022-10-1018 minGrace AboundsMustard Seed Faith***
When the disciples ask Jesus to “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5-10), Jesus helps them understand they already have the faith they need to do what he has called them to do. Even with faith “the size of a mustard seed” they can do the good, productive, life-giving work of the Lord. So can we.
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2022-10-0317 minGrace AboundsAsk-the-Pastor 8Pastor Jen answers questions YOU send in.
September 25, 2022 • 11:00 Service:
“What about all the different colors that change with the seasons? When did that tradition start?”
“If Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday, where does three days come from?”
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If y...
2022-09-2612 minGrace AboundsAsk-the-Pastor 7Pastor Jen answers questions YOU send in.
September 25, 2022 • 9:30 Service:
“Why are there different Synods in the ELCA and why do their beliefs vary so much?”
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If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church.
We continue to be deeply gratef...
2022-09-2622 minGrace AboundsAsk-the-Pastor 6Pastor Jen answers questions YOU send in.
September 18, 2022 • 11:00 Service:
“Where do the truly evil people go when they die, especially if they were faithful to God – are they ever punished for their actions in life?”
“When Jesus descended to the place of the dead to collect the souls, does that mean the place of the dead is where our souls will go to await his second coming?”
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2022-09-1923 minGrace AboundsAsk-the-Pastor 5Pastor Jen answers questions YOU send in.
September 18, 2022 • 9:30 Service:
"Someone once said to me that ‘denying the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable sin.’ What does that mean?"
"How much of the Bible is meant to be an allegory, not to be taken literally?"
"What about our beloved companion animals (dogs, cats, birds, etc.)? Are they given the same blessing and promise of eternal life after death?"
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2022-09-1922 minGrace AboundsAsk-the-Pastor 3Pastor Jen answers questions YOU send in.
September 11, 2022 • 9:30 Service:
“Please explain the afterlife and what we should be anticipating…and all who will be there (surprised that WE made it through the gate!)”
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If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church.
2022-09-1223 minGrace AboundsAsk-the-Pastor 2Pastor Jen answers questions YOU send in.
September 4, 2022 • 11:00 Service:
“Regarding when the congregation recites the words listed on the screen, specifically “I believe in the Saints and the Holy catholic Church” – how do these words fall into the Lutheran beliefs and how would I go about learning more?”
“What does signing the cross over your chest mean? I've always seen it in reference to the Catholic religion, but even then, not entirely sure when and why.”
“A question that has come up for me often involves the Holy Spirit. The “Advocate” is mentioned several t...
2022-09-0515 minGrace AboundsAsk-the-Pastor 1Pastor Jen answers questions YOU send in.
September 4, 2022 • 9:30 Service:
"Please share the many experiences that lead you to be Pastor here at St. John’s Lutheran Church."
"What does it mean to be 'made in God’s image'?"
"Demons might be another subject to explore...How to explain the pigs."
"How should we be regarding angels? Is it wrong to pray to them? There are Christians who believe in Jesus and pray through Him for all other concerns and praise His Name, but where individual concerns lie, they believe in using...
2022-09-0529 minGrace AboundsHumble HospitalityInvited to a meal with “a leader of the Pharisees,” Jesus teaches those present to act with humility - ‘Do not seek the best seats at the table’ - and hospitality - ‘Invite the poor and vulnerable to eat at the table with you’ (Luke 14:1-14). May we follow his counsel.
May we “do good and share what we have” (Hebrews 13:10). May we welcome others as Christ welcomes us.
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2022-08-2918 minGrace AboundsWhat it Means to Keep the SabbathJesus does the ‘work’ of healing on the Sabbath (a holy day of rest), and a religious leader complains about Jesus ‘breaking the rules’ (Luke 13:10-17). Jesus responds that restoring a person to wholeness is holy work rightly done on a holy day. The Sabbath Commandment is not about rules governing how we behave on a particular day of the week. Sabbath is about how we live all the time in relationship with God and each other, about resting in God’s grace, about sharing God’s grace with others.
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2022-08-2217 minGrace AboundsFaith That LastsAfter recounting stories of the “great cloud of witness” who have come before us (Hebrews 11), the author of Hebrews encourages us to fix our eyes of Jesus Christ, the staring mark and finish line of faith, to strip off the sin that weighs us down and trips us up, and to run with perseverance the race ahead of us (Hebrews 12:1-2). What does that mean for you today?
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2022-08-1517 minGrace AboundsFaith, is Not What You Think“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not simply what we say we believe. Faith is the lived experience of being in relationship with God our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. Faith is trusting that God is good and wants good for us and will work all things together for good. Faith is expressed in the hope that keeps us going and the love that we share serving God and our neighbors.
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2022-08-0917 minGrace AboundsStuff, or How Much is Too Much?In response to two brothers fighting over an inheritance, Jesus says, “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Jesus illustrates this truth with a parable about a “rich fool” who builds bigger barns to keep his abundance all to himself (Luke 12:13-21). As Jesus teaches, our toil for worldly possessions is vanity (Ecclesiastes 2); our labor for the Lord is never in vain (1 Cor 15:58). The stuff that money can buy is fleeting; the love we give and receive is eternal (Luke 12:22-34). Bigger barns cannot give our life meaning; bigger hearts will.
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2022-08-0116 min
Grace AboundsThe Passion of Our Lord (Dramatic Reading)Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added!
If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church.
We continue to be deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John’s community members, and the faithful financial support that contributes to our mission to “Know Christ and Make Christ Known.”
Thank you!
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2022-04-1217 minGrace AboundsKeep On Keeping OnJesus tells the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) to encourage his followers “to pray always and not to lose heart.” With this story of a tenacious woman, Jesus encourages us to make our requests known to our good and gracious Lord - trusting that God hears our prayers, cares for us, and will, ultimately, make things right. As Jesus himself teaches and embodies, whatever else God may or may not give us in answer to our prayers, God always gives us himself.
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2022-03-1316 minGrace AboundsFacing TemptationThe temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-3) is a test of his identity and mission - who he is and what he will do. We too are tempted to forget our identity as God’s beloved children and fall short of our mission to do God’s good work in this broken world. May we overcome these temptations, as Jesus did. May we remember who, and whose, we are. May we do what our good and gracious Creator would have us do.
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2022-03-0613 min