Sermon -- Festival of St. Andrew, Apostle (November 30, 2025)

JOHN 1:35-42

ST. ANDREW: A DISCIPLE WHO FOUND WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR.

In the name + of Jesus.

    During the Advent season, we prepare for the coming of our Lord.  That could refer to Christmas, which has a definite deadline.  It could also refer to Jesus’ return on the Last Day.  It, too, has a definite deadline, but that is known only by our Lord.  The Old Testament believers had an Advent season, as it were.  Since Adam and Eve had been expelled from the Garden of Eden, God’s people had been waiting for the Messiah who would open the way back.  The centuries went by.  God’s people waited, hoping to find what they were looking for.  They waited; for, there was no specific deadline.  They looked, but they never found the fulfillment. 

     Among those who were waiting and looking was Andrew, son of John.  He was from Bethsaida in the far north of Galilee.  Andrew knew the promises and had taken them to heart.  He was one of the two disciples who were with John the Baptist, as St. John described it: “The next day, John was standing there again with two of his disciples.  When John saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look!  The Lamb of God’” (John 1:35-36)!

     John the Baptist preached along the Jordan River in Judea.  If Andrew was from far north Galilee, how did he become a disciple of John the Baptist?  I offer this as a reasonable guess.  Since Andrew was a faithful Jew, he would have regularly attended the festivals in Jerusalem.  No doubt, he would have encountered John the Baptist on his way to and from Jerusalem.  The people regarded John as a prophet, as he called the people to repent and prepared the way of the Lord.  Since Andrew was looking for the Messiah to come, John’s message would have resonated with Andrew.

     Andrew found what he was looking for.  He found a prophet, the likes of which Israel had not seen for four hundred years.  Andrew not only took his words to heart, he also would have been baptized by John.  And rather than return immediately to Galilee, he would have remained to listen to John’s preaching.  After all, he became one of John’s disciples.

     Soon, Andrew truly found what he had been looking for.  “The next day, John was standing there again with two of his disciples.  When John saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look!  The Lamb of God!’  The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).  Apparently, Jesus had made his way down to Judea from Galilee, too.  It was likely for a religious festival.  The way John the Baptist identified Jesus suggests that it was the time of the Passover.

     In their Passover celebrations, each Jewish family would have slaughtered a lamb to roast for their celebratory meal.  It commemorated the slaughter of the lambs back in Egypt on the night when the angel passed over the homes there.  The Egyptians had oppressed, enslaved, and endangered the future of the people of Israel.  To endanger the future of the nation was to endanger the promise of the Messiah.  That was a promise that was never to be threatened.  So, the Lord sent his angel to put the firstborn of every home to death that night.  The Israelites, however, were to take the blood of the lamb and smear it on the doorposts of their homes.  When the angel saw the blood of the lamb, he would pass over those homes.

     This was commemorated annually.  It was a reminder how God preserved his people.  It was a reminder that God preserves his promise.  This commemoration was repeated so that future generations would never forget the Lord’s deliverance.  They were reminded that a lamb was slain in place of God’s people.  They feasted on the lamb which gave its life for theirs.  They remembered that the blood of the lamb delivered them from death and prepared the way to deliverance from their enemies.

     Now, if they had just celebrated the Passover, imagine the fireworks going off in the mind of Andrew when John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and declared, “Look!  The Lamb of God” (John 1:36)!  Andrew was a disciple who found what he was looking for.  Here is the Lord’s Christ!  Here is the one who would be slain in place of his people.  Here is the one whose blood would be shed to deliver his people from death.  Here is the one who would open the way back into Paradise.  For centuries, God’s people had been looking for the Messiah.  Now Andrew found him.

     “The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.  When Jesus turned around and saw them following him, he asked, ‘What are you looking for?’  They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’  He told them, ‘Come, and you will see.’  So they came and saw where he was staying. They stayed with him that day” (John 1:37-39).  When Jesus asked John’s two disciples what they were looking for, I suppose they could have answered, “You!”  Instead, they wanted to be with Jesus and listen to him.  It is not enough to just have knowledge about Jesus.  Disciples listen to their teacher.  God’s people pay attention to his words.  They found what they were looking for and they wanted to keep it.  So, they stayed with him that day.

     Here is a disciple who found what he was looking for.  Andrew’s heart rejoiced that the long-awaited Messiah could be seen.  Perhaps Andrew was surprised when he and the other disciple asked, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” and Jesus did not evade them or regard them as an imposition.  Jesus welcomed them and spent the whole day with them.  Jesus was not too holy or too important for the likes of Andrew.  Yes, Andrew was a sinner, but Jesus had come for sinners.  This disciple found what he was looking for.

     It is no different for you.  But then, I guess it also matters what you are looking for.  If you want the Lamb of God to be cuddly, cute, and harmless, Jesus will be a disappointment for you.  For, the Lamb of God did not come to be snuggled.  He came to have the sins of the world laid upon him and to be slain for them.  So, if you are looking for the God who takes away your sins and who delivers you from the curse of death, then you will find what you are looking for in Jesus.  If you are looking for a God who guides you in paths of righteousness, then you will find what you are looking for in Jesus.  If you are looking for the God who teaches you to not crave life in this world but to yearn for life in the heavenly kingdom, then you will find what you are looking for in Jesus.  This is the Lamb of God who was slain for sinners.  And now sinners get to feast on his body and blood to be delivered from death.  If this is what you are looking for, you find it in Jesus.

     Andrew not only became a disciple who found what he was looking for, he also found others who were looking for the same thing.  “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Simon and say to him, ‘We have found the Messiah!’ (which is translated ‘the Christ’).  He brought him to Jesus” (John 1:40-42).  Andrew knew he was not alone in his longing for the Messiah.  We would be impressed to hear that Andrew immediately went all over Galilee to tell others about Jesus, but he didn’t.  Instead, Andrew went home.  There, he found a brother who also looked for the Messiah.  Just as John the Baptist directed Andrew to Jesus, Andrew directed Simon to Jesus.  And just as Andrew had spent the day with Jesus to become convinced that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah he was looking for, Andrew had Simon do the same.  “He brought him to Jesus” (John 1:42).

     This is what the Church has always done.  We could go knocking on doors to invite people to church.  We could stand outside Twelve Oaks Mall with a megaphone to confront the shoppers with their sins and call them to repent.  We could all get on a plane and visit some distant land to dedicate time and effort to a foreign mission field.  We could do any of that.  Or we could do what the Church has always done, and what Andrew did: We could bring our own family and friends to Jesus.  We can encourage children who have been consumed with their schedules to return to God’s house.  We can talk to friends who are fearful of the future or who are plagued by unanswered questions.  We can bring them to hear the words of Jesus so that they can find the relief and the hope that they are looking for.  Many look for relief and hope in places that will only end in death.  You know the Messiah who came to deliver you from death and to grant a life of peace here and a life of glory to come.  This is what many people are looking for.  They will only find it in Jesus.  Like Andrew, you can bring them to him.

     About three years after John the Baptist pointed Andrew to the Lamb of God, Andrew pointed some others to Jesus.  In this case, it was not Jews who were looking for the Messiah.  It was outsiders.  St. John wrote, “Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Festival.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘Sir, we want to see Jesus.’  Philip went to tell Andrew.  Andrew came with Philip and told Jesus” (John 12:20-22).  Andrew did not tell others what they should believe.  He brought them to Jesus so that his words would be heard.  Jesus’ words would grant them peace and hope.  Jesus’ words would give them what they were looking for.  That’s how it always works in the kingdom of God.  Jesus uses his people to bring others to him.  And if a crude fisherman from the backwoods territory of Galilee can do it, so can you.

     We don’t know what happened to Andrew after Jesus ascended to heaven.  Traditions don’t help much, either.  Different traditions have Andrew travelling in different directions.  The one tradition that is consistent is that Andrew died on an X-shaped cross for preaching the good news he found in Jesus.  If Andrew had been looking for glory or fame or riches in this world, he did not find it.  But that is not what he was looking for.  He was looking for the Lamb of God who would be slain for his sin and whose blood would deliver him from death.  He was looking for the one who would open the way back into Paradise.  He found it in Jesus.  That is where you have found it.  And it is the only place it can be found.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Update from Good Shepherd (November 27, 2025)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Advent Vespers -- Wednesdays (December 3, 10, 17).  Supper at 6:00 PM.  Vespers at 7:00 PM.

Adult Bible Class is Sundays at 9:00 AM.  We are studying the book of Revelation.  A schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, January 7 at 6:30 PM. 

CALENDAR: For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

Our Open Forum on November 23 will present a recommended budget for the 2026 year, as well as present some plans we hope to implement in the next year or so.  

On December 7, we will present a long-term plan for various improvements or maintenance projects which may need to be done in the next ten years or so.  Some projects are necessary; others would be nice.  We welcome feedback to see what the congregation would support or what alternatives we might consider.

CHURCH DECORATION FOR CHRISTMAS
          On Saturday, December 6, we will meet at 10:00 AM to set up the Christmas tree and decorate the church for Advent and Christmas seasons. While we have usually done this on Sundays, the congregational meeting on Sunday, December 7 is enough to occupy that day. All are welcome.

ADVENT VESPERS
            The first three Wednesdays in December will offer Advent Vespers (an evening prayer service). Advent Vespers is an opportunity for peaceful and prayerful preparation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s birth. Take a break from the frenzied December schedule and rest for a moment to ponder God’s promises, fulfilled by Jesus. Join us at 6:00 PM for a dinner followed by a 7:00 PM service. The theme for this Advent season is: Prophecies Pinpoint the Messiah.
              Wednesday, December 3        He is the Seed of the Woman. (Genesis 3:15)
              Wednesday, December 10      He is the Son of David. (2 Samuel 7:11-16)
              Wednesday, December 17       He is the Child of Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2-5)

PRIVATE CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
            As we begin a new church year, we also offer the opportunity for private confession & absolution. You may come in without any appointment on Monday, December 1 from 7:00-9:00 PM. If you have not observed this rite before, the pastor will walk you through it. Private confession & absolution is also available by appointment at any time throughout the year.
            An explanation for Private Confession & Absolution can be found here.

NEW PASTOR AT PALABRA DE VIDA

         Rev. Martin Loescher who had previously served in Neenah, Wisconsin has accepted the call to serve at Palabra de Vida Lutheran Church in Detroit. We look forward to having him, his wife, and his family come to southeast Michigan as he begins his service to God’s people at Palabra de Vida.  The date of his installation will be Sunday, December 7.
          When a new pastor moves to the congregation which has called him to serve him, it is customary for that congregation to welcome him with a food shower, gift cards, or some other expression of gratitude. While Palabra de Vida is certainly grateful for a new pastor, their resources are limited to express it with material gifts. We would like the congregations in the metro-Detroit area to share that expression of gratitude.
          If you would be willing to supply gift cards or gifts of money as part of the welcome for the Loescher family, please submit them to Good Shepherd so that they can be delivered to the Loescher family upon Pastor Loescher’s installation.

175^th Anniversary of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

            The WELS was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1850 by five Lutheran pastors.  Since then, it has grown to about 1,200 congregations throughout the USA and does mission work in about 50 countries.  We thank God for preserving a synod in which the Bible is upheld as God’s inerrant, inspired word.  We should not take this blessing for granted, as many denominations have chosen to ignore or reject parts of God’s word, leaving people to wonder what in the Bible is still true and what is not.

            In order to express our gratitude to the Lord for preserving our synod, and in hopes to see our synod expand its ministry to the USA and to the world, we will be participating in a thank offering throughout the month of November.  There will be a collection plate by the ushers’ station.  You may also designate an offering (mark it as “WELS 175”, but payable to Good Shepherd) and put it in the collection plate with your usual offering.

WELS NIGHT AT THE PISTONS
          The Detroit Pistons are sponsoring a WELS Night at the Pistons on Saturday, December 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tip-off is 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased through a QR code (posted on the bulletin board in the hallway of church). The cheapest seats are $40.65 plus fees. You can spend up to $230.80 plus fees if you want to.

STOCKINGS FOR VETERANS
          We are collecting items for stockings for veterans again this year. We will be putting together 36 stockings. This year our stockings will be distributed to veterans at the VA hospital in Ann Arbor.
          The items to be purchased, as well as to NOT purchase, are listed here. If you are contributing to this effort, please plan accordingly. Items will need to be at church by Sunday, November 30. We will be assembling them after church THIS SUNDAY (November 30). The stockings and hats will be provided.
          It is understandable if you don’t wish to donate enough items to cover all 36 stockings. If you would like to make a donation to cover part of the stockings, you can indicate that on a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall, indicating the item and the quantity you will be donating. Your generosity is appreciated!

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (November)

>  Our projector has not been consistent in projecting.  Since it is better than ten years old, we are considering a replacement.  We are looking into getting a smart TV with interactive capabilities which allows HDMI input as well as ability to draw with a special, electronic pen.  

>  We have added to our Servant Keeper office management system which allows for texting to large groups.  It will be similar to the email blasts, but with texting.  It will also be used more sparingly than the weekly email blasts.  When it is ready to go, we will do a test run after church some Sunday.  

NOTE: If you end up receiving neither email blasts nor any texts by the end of the year, it means we either don’t have your information or we recorded it incorrectly.  Please contact the church if you are not receiving any notices. 

>  We approved two policies, one new and one updated.  They are policies regarding pastoral counseling and anti-harassment / misconduct.  These policies have been posted on a bulletin board and church.  They are also available upon request.

>  We discussed ideas about improving security at church.  These ideas will be presented for further discussion at our Open Forum.

GROWING TOGETHER IN GOD’S WORD
          Starting in January, we are going to approach Bible Matters with a different format. We will be reading through a book as a group and meeting to discuss the chapter which was read the previous week. The book we will be working with is entitled, “Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role in an Epic Story.” This can be purchased in bulk for a discount ($20 each), but we will need to have people let us know if they will be purchasing the book so that we do not overspend on unused books. You can sign up for a book at church. They will be ordered so that you can have a copy by Christmas. Bible Matters will begin our discussion of the book on Wednesday, January 7.

          NOTE: If you will be bringing any friends to this study (and we encourage you to do so!), this book will be our gift to them.  Please indicate if we will need to order a book for any guests.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from November 23, 2025. Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, November 23, 2025

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
          For the most part, the pastor will be observing formal office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). Occasionally, duties will take him away from the office during these scheduled times, so you will still want to call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

DO YOU LIKE US?

          Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook. Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings. Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
          We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess. Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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REGULAR SCHEDULE

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, January 7 at 6:30 PM.

Advent Vespers -- Wednesdays (December 3, 10, 17).  Supper at 6:00 PM.  Vespers at 7:00 PM.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

Sermon -- Thanksgiving (November 26, 2025)

PSALM 19:1-14

SEE HOW GOD REVEALS HIS GLORY, AND GIVE THANKS FOR IT.

In the name + of Jesus.

    There are two ways that God has made himself known to all people so that no one has an excuse.  The Bible testifies, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1).  Anyone who denies the existence of God is called a fool because that he denies what is evident to all mankind.  All mankind can see the heavens and the earth and everything in them.  Creation itself insists that there is a God who put it all together.  The other way God has made himself known to all mankind is from the conscience.  The conscience testifies to a standard of good and evil.  It commends those who do good and convicts those who do evil.  It is not some random standard that everyone gets to choose for himself, even though we hear people speak about “my truth.”  Everyone’s conscience upholds the same standard.  This is one reason people say that all religions are the same.  Each religion confesses that there is a God, that he has expectations of us, and that we are accountable to him.  Where religions differ is how to God’s favor.  But God has revealed this to you so that you do not need to live in fear.  See how God reveals his glory, and give thanks for it.

     In Psalm 19, King David points us to God’s creation.  “The heavens tell about the glory of God.  The expanse of the sky proclaims the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour out speech.  Night after night they display knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2).  Neither atheists nor evolutionists have a proper appreciation for the precision with which God created and sustains our universe.  They claim that it all happened by chance.  To attribute the precision of the heavens to chance is to ignore the glory of God.

     From the very beginning, God proclaimed what his design was.  On the fourth day of creation, “God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night, and let them serve as markers to indicate seasons, days, and years’” (Genesis 1:14).  With GPS and radar systems, we don’t pay attention to the sun, moon, and stars like the people of ages past.  They relied on the constellations to mark the seasons.  Sailors trusted the stars to determine where on the seas they were.  None of it was guesswork.  The stars are reliable because they are precise.  To say this all happened by chance is as foolish as saying the Mackinac Bridge or Mount Rushmore just happened by accident.  The heavens reveal how wise, how powerful, and how glorious God is.  See how God reveals his glory, and give thanks for it. 

     King David also noted that God’s glory was not revealed only to Israel.  No matter where you live on earth, all people can see the glory of God.  “Their voice goes out into all the earth, and their word reaches the end of the world” (Psalm 19:4).  God’s glory, his wisdom, and his power have been made known to all people because all people witness his creation.  Even the most primitive of people acknowledge the creator even if they don’t know him by name.

     Of course, God’s goodness is revealed by more than just the heavenly bodies that rule over the day and night.  When St. Paul visited one of the cities in Galatia, he proclaimed that God made himself known in other ways.  Paul said, “(God) did not leave himself without testimony of the good he does.  He gives you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons.  He fills you with food and fills your hearts with gladness” (Acts 14:17).  Many do not honor the Lord on Christmas or Easter, but everyone celebrates Thanksgiving because the Lord has demonstrated his kindness to all people by supplying all they need to live.  God’s glory is revealed in the way God has created the world and sustains his creation day after day.  See how God reveals his glory, and give thanks for it.

     Psalm 19 goes on to say that God’s glory is revealed more fully by his word.  In his word, God reveals who he is and what he desires.  While our conscience gives us some understanding of God’s desires, his word makes his will very clear.  David wrote, “The precepts of the LORD are right.  They give joy to the heart.  The commandment of the LORD is bright.  It gives light to the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is pure.  It stands forever.  The just decrees of the LORD are truth.  They are altogether righteous” (Psalm 19:8-9).  King David declares that God’s glory is revealed in his commandments.  His commandments are good because he is good.  “In keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11).
     But what happens when you don’t keep them?  And what if you don’t want to keep them?  What if you don’t want to honor those who have authority over you?  What if you don’t want to bless those who curse you or to pray for those who persecute you?  What if you want to look at a woman lustfully?  What if you can’t wait to share some juicy piece of gossip because it is the only interesting thing you have to talk about?  God’s word exposes your sin and reveals that you are not right and pure and true and righteous.  “In keeping (God’s commands) there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11), but you and I have earned a curse rather than a reward. 

     First, the sinful heart denies any wrong-doing.  But your conscience does not lie to you.  The guilt is real and inescapable.  Then the sinful heart insists that the problem is God’s word.  “There’s what God’s word says we should do and then there’s real life,” we reason.  But the word of the Lord does not budge.  The conviction sticks.  God’s Law is good, even when it shows you that you are not.  “Yes, by them your servant is warned” (Psalm 19:11), but we have failed to heed the warning.  We have failed to escape the judgment.  In fact, our sinful condition is so corrupt that we fail to understand the depths of it.  “Who can recognize his own errors?  Declare me innocent of hidden sins” (Psalm 19:12).  We even live in ignorance of some of our sins.  If our sins are hidden from us, what hope do we have of freeing ourselves from them? 

     God’s glory can be seen from majesty of his creation.  It is right to give thanks for the beauty and bounty God has provided.  We acknowledge that God is good because our conscience reveals his standards.  And up to this point, all religions are pretty much the same.  Many will glorify the Lord because he is powerful.  Many will glorify the Lord because he is holy.  Many will give thanks to God because he provides for us.  But no one is saved by the Lord for these attributes.  If we are to have hope or comfort, the Lord has to reveal more to us. 

     See how God reveals his glory, and give thanks for it.  King David tells us, “The law of the LORD is perfect.  It revives the soul” (Psalm 19:7).  The Commandments of God do not revive the soul.  They tell you the good that you are to do, but they can’t help you to do it.  The Commandments of God are good, but they can’t make you good.  When we read, “The law of the LORD is perfect” (Psalm 19:7), the word “law” covers more than just the Commandments.  The Hebrew word has its root in the word “throw.”  What God throws out to people is not just orders and threats for those who don’t follow them.  God throws out to us all he wants us to know.  And, as it turns out, he throws out a lifeline to us.  He reveals how his favor is won.  And here is how your Thanksgiving is greater than that of others.  Anyone can and should thank God for well-fed bellies.  But God’s favor for you results in blessings that outlast a turkey dinner, seasonal excitement, and even death.  God provides not just what sustains you for today, but for eternity.

     See how God reveals his glory, and give thanks for it.  He gives us the word that revives our soul.  It is not merely a word spoken, but the Word which became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  Whatever is true of God’s word is true of Jesus; for he is the Word.  As we re-read this Psalm, we see that it describes Jesus.  “[Jesus] is perfect.  [He] revives the soul.  [Jesus] is trustworthy.  [He] gives wisdom to the inexperienced.  [Jesus is] right.  [He gives] joy to the heart.  [Jesus] is bright.  [He] gives light to the eyes.  [Jesus] is pure.  [He] stands forever.  [Jesus is] truth.  [He is] altogether righteous” (Psalm 19:7-9).  See how God reveals his glory, and give thanks for it.

     While other religions have words that give instruction, the Word made flesh took action.  He revives the soul, because he has mercy on the soul that is crushed by guilt.  Jesus alleviated that crushing weight by taking it from you.  “He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved” (Isaiah 53:5).  The damning weight of your sins fell upon Jesus.  Your conscience has been set at ease because Jesus has taken away all its accusations.  Your soul has been revived so that you live in peace.

     He gives joy to the heart, because he reveals the love God has for sinners.  Jesus has set you apart as children of the resurrection so that you will dwell in God’s holy presence forever.  Jesus shows you that he is not some distant “God.”  He is your Father.  He seeks your good.  He is invested in you and interested in you.  He does not merely put up with you; he delights in you.  He longs to dwell with you and to have you dwell with him.  This is a joy that endures, even in days of grief and trouble.

     He gives light to the eyes.  Jesus sends his Holy Spirit to enlighten us to see that God’s word truly is good.  With David, we acknowledge, “By (your words) your servant is warned.  In keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:10-11).  The words of God show us what we were created for and what we have been redeemed to be.  God’s word warns us against evil so that we are not filled with self-inflicted grief and guilt.  God’s word reveals that we are set apart for good works and destined for glory and honor.  Since we find delight in keeping God’s word in this imperfect state, imagine our joy when we will serve the Lord without failings or flaws!  

     See how God reveals his glory, and give thanks for it.  Rejoice that the Lord “richly and daily provides clothing and shoes, food and drink, property and home, spouse and children, land, cattle, and all (we) own and all (we) need to keep (our) body and life” (Luther’s Small Catechism; Apostles’ Creed: 1^st Article).  The glory of the Lord is revealed in part by his gracious care for his creation.  But you are a new creation.  Therefore, rejoice that the Lord “has redeemed (you), a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won (you) from sin, death, and the power of the devil” (Luther’s Small Catechism; Apostles’ Creed: 2^nd Article).  This is the true glory of God, revealed in Jesus Christ and proclaimed in God’s word.  Unlike all other gods, our Lord loves sinners, saves them, and will dwell with his redeemed forever.  “[This is] more desirable than gold, even better than much pure gold.  [This is] sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Advent Vespers 2025

Advent Vespers

We prepare with repentance as we prayerfully, quietly, and eagerly await our Savior.

 Prophecies 

Pinpoint 

the Messiah

 

 

December 3            He is the Seed of the Woman. (Genesis 3:15)

December 10          He is the Son of David. (2 Samuel 7:11b-16)

December 17           He is the Child of Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2-5a)

Join us on Wednesdays for Advent.

Supper 6:00 PM

Vespers 7:00 PM

YouTube -- Last Sunday of the Church Year (November 23, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, November 23, 2025.

Minor Festival -- Festival of St. Andrew, Apostle

           Lutheran worship is liturgical.  While that often refers to an order of worship, it can also refer to the calendar of the Church Year.  The Church Year includes major festivals, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, etc...  On Sunday, November 30, we will recognize a minor festival, the Festival of St. Andrew, Apostle.

            St. Andrew (together with St. John) was the first of the twelve who would become apostles to follow Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  The first thing Andrew did was to bring his brother, Simon Peter, to the Messiah.  Ironically, it was not Andrew, but Peter, who became a more prominent apostle.  Little is told of Andrew in the gospels, and almost nothing in Acts.  Tradition says that Andrew preached the gospel in Asia Minor and Greece, and that he was martyred in Achaia, being nailed to an “X” shaped cross for three days.  May we, like Andrew, be eager to bring people to Jesus.

Private Confession and Absolution -- Monday, December 1 (7:00-9:00 PM)

 

           Private confession and absolution will be available at church from 7:00 - 9:00 PM on Monday, December 1. No appointment is necessary. Just stop in. If this rite is new to you (and it is for many who attend here), the pastor will walk you through the rite so that you understand and appreciate it more. Private confession and absolution is always available by appointment throughout the year.

Why Private Confession & Absolution?
The answer follows:

          When Lutherans hear someone speak of Private Confession and Absolution, the response is usually a knee-jerk, "That's Roman Catholic!" Though that may be a common perception, the perception is because either it was taught wrongly or understood wrongly. Consider what the Lutheran Confessions teach about Private Confession and Absolution.

Our churches teach that private Absolution should be retained in the churches, although listing all sins is not necessary for Confession. For, according to the Psalm, it is impossible. "Who can discern his errors?" (Psalm 19:12) -- Augsburg Confession, Article XI

What is Confession?
Answer: Confession has two parts: the one is that we confess our sins; the other is that we receive Absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are forgiven before God in heaven by this.

What sins should we confess?
Answer: Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even of those that we do not know, as we do in the Lord's Prayer. But before the confessor we should confess only those sins that we know and feel in our hearts. -- Luther's Small Catechism, Part V

          These are basic confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They are catholic, insofar as they are Christian. But they are not Roman, insofar as the penitent is not obligated to orally confess every sin in order to be forgiven of it and insofar as one's forgiveness is not dependent upon some action on the part of the penitent. The forgiveness is based on Jesus' sufferings and death for the penitent who has been baptized into his name.

          Since the practice of Private Confession and Absolution is a Lutheran practice, it would be good for Lutherans to practice it. It is good for the penitent who is grieved by a particular sin to confess it so that he can hear Christ say through the mouth of his minister: "I forgive you." It would be good for the one who is burdened to be relieved of his burden by Holy Absolution. It would be good for this practice, though foreign to many in my corner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to be restored. 

          Private Confession and Absolution has always been available to all members by appointment. In order for this practice to be restored and perhaps put to better use, there will be dates on the calendar set aside for anyone who would like to drop in and make use of this means of grace. These will be set up about 4 times per year. Private Confession and Absolution will still be available by appointment in addition to these scheduled times.

          It is anticipated that Private Confession and Absolution will roughly follow this regular schedule.
                    A day around Epiphany (Epiphany is always January 6)
                    A day during Holy Week
                    A day around Labor Day weekend
                    A day after Thanksgiving weekend

          The next scheduled date and time for Private Confession and Absolution will be Monday, December 1, 7:00 - 9:00 PM.  Appointments are not necessary. You need only drop in. All participation is voluntary, as Absolution cannot be forced upon anyone.

          Of course, this will be new to pretty much any member who decides to make use of it. If you happen to come in, the pastor will walk through the rite with you and explain the various parts of it, especially including the "private" part, namely, that this confession is to Christ and, therefore, remains his business alone. The pastor will not report any confession or even the names of those who come for confession. Finally, the point of this is not for a pastor to learn everyone's dirty, little secrets. (His life is easier if he remains ignorant. But God's people do not call a pastor to be ignorant; they call him to absolve in the name of Jesus.) The point is for the guilty and the grieved to find relief and receive forgiveness, or absolution.