.png)
A Good Name
9/25/2026
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Matthew 21:29-30 NIV In his book, I Almost Missed the Sunset, gospel song writer Bill Gaither talks about the legacy that he received from his grandfather (adapted from book). Bill and his wife Gloria had been married a couple of years, and were teaching school in Alexandria, Indiana, where he had grown up. They wanted a piece of land where they could build a house and settle in to the community.
Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement
9/18/2026
“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD.” Leviticus 23:27 (NIV) We have some very special guests returning this Sunday! The Elia family (Messianic Jews) will be sharing a program for us on the eve of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. It is celebrated as the holiest day of the year for Jews, a day to seek and receive forgiveness, looking backward in humility, but also looking forward in hope. The festival comes from the story of the people of Israel, and how they sinned by worshipping a golden calf. Moses ascended Mount Sinai and prayed to G‑d to forgive them. The day Moses came down the mountain became known as the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. (Some believers spell G-d this way to show deep respect for our Creator and avoid accidentally misusing His holy name, instead, spelling it without vowels: G-d, and L-rd). Read Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23:26-32 for the full story.
See Through The Scriptures
9/10/2026
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. table.” 1 Timothy 4:13-14 I’m excited to be starting the See Through the Scriptures study this week! We have more than 16 people signed up to take part in the class, including a few who will watch it over YouTube. This will be a great overview of the Scriptures for people to start to put the puzzle pieces together, helping us see the big picture how the Old Testament builds toward God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Ecuadorian Meal
9/3/2026
"And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts praising God and having favor with all the people, and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47 This Sunday we’re having a special cultural meal, including Ecuadorian food prepared by the Luzuriagga family. Jonathan and Heather joined last March when we baptized their baby, Icarus. When I was meeting with them ahead of that, they shared that they both have culinary experience, and would love to share that gift with the congregation in some way. Out of the meeting that day, came this idea: to serve all of us a delicious beef stew and rice, giving us a taste of Ecuador, coming out of his family’s cultural heritage.
It’s Time to Play
8/28/2026
"The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.” Zechariah 8:5 This Sunday after worship we will gather to dedicate the new playground for our kids now and for future generations. It is beautiful and has lots of features – slides, swings, ladders, a playhouse, suspension bridge, and climbing wall. It makes me want to be a kid again! When I was a student chaplain at a suburban hospital I spend time in the pediatrics unit, visiting children who were sick or injured. One lesson I learned that I have never forgotten was that for children, play is work!
The Body of Christ
8/21/2026
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12 Isn’t it great to see the body of Christ growing? St.Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that it is by faith in Christ that we become part of the institution we call the Church, the body of Christ. Jesus is the head, and we are the body, grafted in by grace through the gift of faith.This means we are all united with one another in that body – and more locally, we are united with one another in this congregation.
Even the Dogs
8/15/2026
Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Matthew 15:26-27 This memorable line about dogs and crumbs comes the story of the foreign woman who begs for mercy from Jesus, crying for him to heal her demon possessed daughter. She’d settle for just a crumb. You’ve got more than enough mercy to spare, Jesus, don’t you?
Compassion
7/30/2026
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:13-14 One of the most admirable qualities of Jesus in his earthly ministry was his compassion for people. He was able to identify with the desperation of people in need, and then he personally acted on that compassion. I like to think I have his compassion, but I know I fall far short. I wish I had it! Can you relate? Do you struggle with compassion for others around you who are in need? Do you have “compassion fatigue?” I think we all do at one time or another.
Follow Me
7/24/2026
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 In Luke 9:23-25, Jesus makes some bold statements about following Him. In many ways, these verses provide instructions for following, a kind of “Discipleship 101” Class. You will hear the word “disciple” in church a lot - and rightfully so. One of Jesus’ last commands is for the church to go and “make disciples” of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The word disciple literally means “learner” or “pupil”. Discipleship often focuses on making a whole life transformation, developing personal character and following a specific world view.
Growing In Christ
7/16/2026
Ephesians4:16: "From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." As I look back at the first half of the year, I’m amazed at how God has really pulled us together as one body, with each part working properly, and growing! Plus, all the love. Think about it…In January we had our outdoor anniversary kickoff Community Worship Service – it was a TON of work, but together and with the other ministries help, we had the perfect day for it. Glory be to God !In February and March – Pastor Ludder and Pastor Arnold joined us for special Sundays, helping us recall our history, and remind us how far we’ve come, and how God has blessed us so richly.
Under God
7/3/2026
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 Having just celebrated the100th anniversary of First Lutheran, we’re all ready for our nation’s 250th! Anniversaries mark important milestones in life. It can be a time for reflection on the past, thanksgiving, and looking ahead to the future.
Our Calling
6/25/2026
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39 Following Jesus can lead us into a whole new way of life. It often involves forsaking the self and all our sinful dreams, goals and ambitions. It brings about new behaviors, actions, attitudes and character. To follow Jesus, we need to embrace God’s ways.
We Can Trust in Jesus
6/18/2026
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise.” (Matthew 7:24) We had a wild week of Bible adventures this past week with our Vacation Bible School! Our theme was “True North”, which took us on an imaginary trip to Alaska to learn the truths of our faith in God. Each day had a special theme and characters. At our daily opening we heard from various “buddies” (animal characters) where we learned Bible Points and verses, practiced memory work, and sang super songs.
A Father's Blessing
6/17/2026
Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud. Genesis 27:38 Father’s Day is just a week away. Are you ready? Compared to the holiday honoring moms, many would agree that Father’s Day just doesn’t carry the same oomph.Years ago, I heard that AT&T saw the highest call volume of the year on Mother’s Day. Father’s Day had its own record; it had the most “collect calls.”While collect calls might be a bit outdated today, the number of calls – or texts, might not be all that different. Both moms and dads are important and needed, just appreciated in different ways. The Bible lifts up the role of fathers, especially their high calling.
Follow Me
6/16/2026
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9 NIV Two words, “follow me”, were life altering for Matthew the tax collector. In an instant, Matthew, also known as Levi, leaves his lucrative, safe life behind and joins this itinerant preacher on an adventure that will change him, and the whole world. In first-century Jewish society, tax collectors were reviled as traitors, extortionists, and outcasts who gouged their own people to line their pockets and the coffers of the occupying Roman Empire. No 'respectable' rabbi would ever associate with a man like Matthew – but Jesus did.
