Christ the King (Year C)

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Created: November 20 2022 November 20 2022

Christ reigns in love among those who are baptized in His name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” His service, enduring the cross and death for sinful humanity, saves us from sin and anchors us in new life.

Christ came into His kingdom by the cross. The Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus meant to mock Him with the sign they nailed to the cross, but He truly is “King of the Jews.” He has authority over His church in heaven and on earth, and He graciously remembers us in paradise.

He is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” He reigns over all creation because “all things were created through Him and for Him,” and “in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” By His blood, shed on the cross, He took His throne, reconciling all creation to Himself.

Pastor Nettleton’s message (mp3)

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All Saints Day (Year ABC)

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Created: November 06 2022 November 06 2022

In worship we add our voices to those of the “great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,” crying out, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne.” Faith-filled saints from every time and place unite their voices to magnify the Lamb of God. As His beloved children, we “shall see Him as He is.” Joined with the throng of angels and myriad of saints, we will “serve Him day and night in His temple.”

In our earthly tension between saint and sinner, faith and doubt, sacred and profane, we earnestly seek Jesus to calm our fears, comfort our spirits and forgive our sins. The Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ, propels us toward our heavenly home while fortifying us in Word and Sacrament for the joys and trials of our earthly home. In the midst of our constant struggle as believers, we need to be blessed. And so we are. The poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure and the persecuted are all part of the throng that will most certainly inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Pastor Nettleton’s message (mp3)

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Reformation Sunday (Year ABC)

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Created: October 30 2022 October 30 2022

On October 31, 1517, an Augustinian monk posted ninety-five statements for discussion on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Dr. Martin Luther hoped that posting his theses would bring about an academic debate regarding repentance, the sale of indulgences and other matters of concern within the Roman Catholic Church. However, Rome eventually excommunicated Luther, judging him to be a heretic. Luther’s reforms, centered on the teaching that a believer is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, sparked religious reforms not only in the German states but also in many European countries.

The message of the Reformation was and is salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone. Because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and since “no human being” can or will be justified by “works of the law,” God revealed a righteousness apart from the law, “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” This is the truth that sets us free! For “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”!

Pastor Nettleton’s message (mp3)

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Proper 25 (Year C)

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Created: October 23 2022 October 23 2022

In a parable to people “who trusted in themselves,” Jesus tells of a boastful Pharisee and a tax collector who intently prayed to God for mercy. The tax collector went home justified, not the Pharisee, for “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Thus the Lord regarded Abel’s offering over Cain’s, and stood by St. Paul as his life was sacrificed. We come to Jesus with our need, and in faith “receive the kingdom of God.”

Pastor Nettleton’s message (mp3)

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Proper 24 (Year C)

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Created: October 16 2022 October 16 2022

Jacob wrestled through the night with the Lord. Even when his hip was knocked out of joint, he would not let go until God blessed him. At times we, too, strive with God; He strives with us and blesses us by grace. Jesus teaches us “always to pray and not lose heart,” telling the story of an unrighteous judge who still gives a just sentence because of the persistence of a widow who kept calling on him. So we should not lose heart: how much more will our righteous Lord give “justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night”?

Pastor Nettleton’s message (mp3)

Download the bulletin (pdf)