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Thank You Mom
5/12/2026
The Bible tells stories of a lot of different parents – mothers and fathers. Some were good, some were better, and some were very bad! The Bible doesn’t hide the bad stuff. In fact, there are some juicy stories of manipulative parents and rebellious kids throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. These stories help us understand ourselves, and how God works through imperfect people to do His will in the world. This Sunday we’re going to focus on some of those moms in the Bible, and also some other women who were models of faith and faithfulness in a broken world. God used them to do powerful things. We could use some heroes today, and the Bible gives these to us to learn from. It might even help reveal to us some heroes we have around us today, who we can be thankful for.
Looking Forward
5/1/2026
I did take a week off at the end of the month, for a much needed break! One way I like to recharge is to go farming. It is spring, so my brother was happy to have me help him with planting and some other chores back in Minnesota. I rediscovered muscles I had forgotten about ! It is good to be back, and more than that, it is also good to be looking forward again. We’ve got a lot coming up, too: things like Mother’s Day, Vacation Bible School, Father’s Day, String Camp, and building a new playground! The future is exciting, and it is here! Let’s continue to press on, moving forward toward the goal, putting our faith in God, and fulfill that calling God has given us to reach people here in West Palm Beach!
Hopes and Dreams
4/14/2026
We made it, one hundred years! This weekend is going to be a wonderful party to celebrate all that God has done in, through and among all of us at First Evangelical, and now, with Holy Cross and all the ministries onsite. Are you excited? I am!!! As we look back over the last one hundred years, we will hear the stories, share memories, and sing about God’s grace. We also have the opportunity to look forward, into the future. We are already making memories! We are already changing lives with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Praise God!
Take Away the Stone
3/23/2026
“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. John 11:38Lazarus is dead. Dead-dead. Jesus approaches the tomb of His friend not with cold detachment, but with deep emotional anguish, a "groaning" in His spirit. Jesus isn’t distant from our pain, not aloof and unconcerned, he is fully aware of the agony of our loss and our fear of death. There is something standing between us and hope, a great big rock we call death. Jesus came to remove that barrier, and thankfully it wasn’t too heavy for him! In a few weeks we will be retelling that familiar redemption story of a different tomb, and a stone that had been rolled away.
Now I See
3/13/2026
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:24-25 The familiar hymn, "Amazing Grace" was written in 1772 by John Newton, a former English slave ship captain turned Anglican minister. Following a near-death experience in a violent sea storm in 1748, Newton began a spiritual conversion, eventually abandoning his past as a "wretch" to advocate for the abolition of slavery. Written for a 1773 New Year’s Day sermon, the hymn reflects Newton’s personal journey from a life of sin (including involvement in the slave trade) to redemption. He worked alongside William Wilberforce to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire. Can you even imagine a hymnal without this hymn?
Living Water
3/6/2026
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? John 4:11The Samaritan woman looked at the physical situation—a deep well, no bucket—and couldn't fathom how Jesus could provide water. We often do the same. When facing overwhelming circumstances, we fixate on our lack of resources, our "shallow bucket," or the "deep well" of our problems, forgetting that Jesus does not need our conventional, human tools to quench our thirst, meet our needs. The woman isn’t too proud to ask Jesus, "Where can you get this living water?". The surprise answer is that Jesus himself is the source. He doesn't draw from the world's supply; Jesus brings us new life from within.
No Condemnation
2/27/2026
16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 We’re all familiar with the famous passage in the Bible, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…” It is a beautiful passage filled with the hope and joy that the Gospel brings us. But I’ve always been fascinated by the verse that follows it. Verse 17 is just as important, as it clarifies a problem we all have - feelings of guilt and shame, of condemnation. Sometimes I meet a person who doesn’t really know and understand God’s character very well. When they hear “God so loved the world” they will often respond with: “but God can’t love me.” Somehow, in their mind, God’s love is only for “good people”, and they aren’t good enough. Are you one of those people?
Bread of Life
2/19/2026
Next Wednesday, February 25th, join us for soup at 6:30 p.m., and a Bible study at 7:00 p.m., where we will begin our Lenten series on the Miracles of Jesus. To prepare, you can read through Mark 6:30-44; and Mark 8:1-13, which are the stories of Jesus feeding the 5000 and 4000. In a short, dramatic video presentation, artist Paul Oman will bring to life these miracles as he paints them on a canvas, layer upon layer, scene after scene. The story is told from the perspective of the disciple Philip, along with music and sound effects to help you experience it yourself. Come discover how this miracle demonstrates Jesus’ role as both God and Messiah, and teaches us to trust Him with what little we have, rather than focusing on the limitations of our resources.
Jesus' Exodus
2/14/2026
“Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” Peter, James, and John found themselves alone with Jesus on the top of a mountain. Suddenly Jesus appearance changed, he glowed! Then two heroes of old, Moses and Elijah appeared next to Jesus, just chatting away. What they were talking about? Luke (9:31) tells us that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were talking about His upcoming departure, or in the original Greek, His exodus. Just as Moses led Israel out of Egypt, Jesus was preparing for a greater exodus—one that would lead humanity out our bondage to sin and death.
Being a Light
2/6/2026
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13 Have you ever heard someone say: “I would be a Christian, but the main thing keeping me from Jesus is Christians.” That stings a bit, doesn’t it? Deep down, we know there’s some truth to it. We can be a stumbling block when we are quick to judge, act self-righteously, or fail to listen. Instead of being a beacon of light that helps draw people to Christ Jesus, we end up doing the opposite. As Christians, it’s our job to shine a light on God’s truth, on love, and on grace through our words and actions. It isn’t always about saying the right thing — it’s about living in a way that others can’t help but notice something different about us.
Blessed Are You
1/29/2026
“Bless you!” This is a familiar phrase when someone sneezes, or a common response given to someone who has experienced a tragedy. In this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew, we hear the familiar passage called the “beatitudes”. Jesus begins each verse with “blessed are you…”, where he redefines what blessings are by showing us that true fulfillment comes from humility, mercy, and peacemaking, not worldly success.
Community Worship
1/22/2026
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" Psalm 19:1 We’re kicking off our Centennial year with a special outdoor worship community celebration this Sunday. You don’t want to miss this exciting day of worship, where we will gather all the ministries to share messages, music, and food. Worship starts at 10 am and continues until 2:00 or so. We’ll break for a free lunch around noon. Expect to hear English, Hebrew, Creole, and Spanish throughout the day. A taste of Pentecost!
Kicking Off the Next 100 Years
1/11/2026
It’s 2026, one hundred years since First United Lutheran Church was organized – later renamed First Evangelical Lutheran Church. We’re celebrating our centennial this year with some special events. To help us think about that, let’s take a peek back at what was happening in 1926…
FIRST WORD "Joy to the World"
12/19/2025
Christmas celebrations have evolved a lot over the years in America. In the 1600s, the Puritans were so horrified by the raucous celebrations of the Twelve Days of Christmas that they outlawed the holidays. In their experience, Christ was dishonored during the Twelve Days of Christmas more than at any other time of the year. Many other English dissenters followed them, keeping Christmas a relatively small holiday in the early days of the American colonies. Things began to change in the 19th century when Hessian soldiers decorated a Christmas tree in 1777 during the Revolution. Millions of German immigrants brought this and other customs with them as well. Then, in 1823 the poem “The Night Before Christmas” was published and introduced the story of Santa Claus into our culture. Perhaps just as surprising to know, is that Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until 1870, only 155 years ago!
FIRST WORD "Stand Firm"
12/13/2025
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:8 What is Christmas about? Do you ever get confused? I recently passed by a neighbor’s holiday display that summed up what we often experience this time of year. First, I came upon a beautiful creche scene – with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in a stable, surrounded by wise men, shepherds and animals. It was the traditional Christmas story we all know and love.
