Coming Up in Worship 2008

Date	Minister	Sermon Title	Based on Scripture	Synopsis
Jan 6	Rev. Bryan Wendling	"The Wise Still Seek Him"	Matthew 2:1-12	We commonly use the word epiphany to describe a revelation or an "aha" moment. The word epiphany has Greek origins, and it originally meant appearance or manifestation. The coming of Christ was first revealed to the Jewish world through the shepherds who heard the angelic announcement and ran to the stable to see for themselves. Through the wise men, Christ was revealed to the Gentile world. May this Epiphany season be a time of discovering or rediscovering God's love for all of us?
Jan 13	Rev. Bryan Wendling	"What Does God Think of Us"	Luke 2:21-22; Isaiah 43:1-7	To a large extent, each of us is a product of our environments. What we hear — what we are told about ourselves — shape us. It affects the way we respond to and interact with the world around us. Little by little, our environment can either build us up or tear us down. Think about it. If a child lives with criticism, the child learns to condemn. But, if a child lives with acceptance, the child will learn to love. With that in mind, what better way to start the New Year than with a firm grasp on what our loving God thinks of us, his children?
Jan 20	Dr. James L. Smith	"Any Road Will Do"	Psalm 119:33-47; John 14:1-11	...and the white rabbit said to Alice, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will do."
Jan 27	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"A House Divided"	Isaiah 9:1-7, Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23	In the early church there was confusion as to who to follow as a leader of the church. Paul makes a plea to the early church, which is appropriate to our day, to follow Christ and seek unity of teaching and purpose in all we do.
Feb 3	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"On a Mountain Top"	Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21	If you have ever been on a mountain top you know you can see forever. It is the same when we have an experience of God in that it causes us to see eternity. When you have seen eternity your world is never again the same.
Feb 6	Dr. James L. Smith	"Thoughts on Lent"	Luke 18:9-14, 2 Chronicles 7:12-14	Ash Wednesday - Lent is a journey and the journey has no alternate routes. Ash Wednesday is the starting point and across the finish line is the miracle of the Empty Tomb. To get there, though, we have to climb the long road to Calvary and leave our baggage at the foot of the Cross. There’s no way around it.
Feb 10	Rev. Bryan Wendling	"Driven Into the Wilderness"	Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15	Who among us hasn’t experienced what its like to come off a “spiritual mountaintop” only to find yourself, almost in the very next instant, having to struggle your way through the harsh “wilderness”? That’s exactly what happened to Jesus. In the blink of an eye he went being baptized in the Jordan and affirmed by his Father to a lonely 40 day spiritual trek through the harsh, cruel wilderness. Nonetheless, the same Father that affirmed him on the mountaintop sustained him in the wilderness. It’s no different for us.
Feb 17	Dr. James L. Smith	"You Be the Judge"	2 Samuel 12:1-9, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5	Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven..."
Feb 24	Rev. Bryan Wendling	“There’s No Time Like The Present”	Isaiah 55:1-9 & Luke 13:1-9	This is the season of turning. We are called on this journey to turn our lives to the Lord, to turn away from all those things which have harmed us and others. It is far too easy for us to sink into the mire of self-pity and self-serving attitudes, wondering why everything isn’t coming our way. We want comfort, contentment, no stress, no struggle. Yet our lives are filled with stress and discontent. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and healing. Open our hearts to the warmth of your love, the freedom of your spirit, and the joy of serving you.
Mar 2	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	“One Great Hour of Sharing”	John 9:1-41	When we come to see the world through the eyes of Jesus we change how we use our time and resources. Because of this new vision we make a difference through our giving to others.
Mar 9	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"The Raising of Lazarus:	John 11:1-45	Jesus in his raising of Lazarus reveals his human nature in the love he has for his friend. But it is his faith in God that gives him power in his life even over death.
Mar 16	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"The Prophet From Nazareth"	Matthew 21:1-11	Palm Sunday
Mar 20	Dr. James L. Smith Communion	“Stations of the Cross”		Maundy Thursday
Mar 23	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"Where Do You See Jesus?"	John 20:1-18	Easter Sunday
Mar 30	Rev. Bryan Wendling	"The Greatest of All Ironies"	Luke 24:1-9 Isaiah 12:2-6	Ironically, Easter begins where all other stories tend to end. Easter begins in a graveyard. For us humans, the graveyard is the final stop on our earthly journey…the place where our tracks run out. We begin with life, but end with death. That’s not the case for God. Like it says in Isaiah, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” The beauty and mystery of Easter is that God’s story begins with death and ends with life.
Apr 6	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr. Communion	"The Walk to Emmaus"	Luke 24:13-35	The early disciples struggled with the meaning of the life, death and the resurrection of Jesus for their lives. Their lives were transformed as they moved from following, to understanding, to knowing Jesus. How has the life, death and resurrection of Jesus transformed your life?
Apr 13	Youth Sunday			Youth Sunday - there will be presentations at all 3 services and will feature choir, drama, bells, string and jazz band. Our youth have been working hard to bring you the special message that god is indeed “Everything” in our lives. A special feature will be the re-creation of a moving God Tube video based on the song “Everything” by Lifehouse to show us that God is everything we need for the best life ever! An offering will be taken to support the youth summer work camps. The Mid High will be going to St. Joseph, MO and the Senior High will be going to Monticello, IA. Please invite friends, relatives and neighbors to come be inspired uplifted by God’s words of love!
Apr 20	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"On Being a Church Member"	Luke 15:11-32
Apr 27	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"The Church and the Community"
May 4	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.	"The Church and it's Place in the World"
May 11	Rev. Bryan Wendling Communion			Confirmands received into the Church Family
May 18	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.
May 25	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr. Communion
June 1	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.
June 8	Dr. James L. Smith
June 15	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.			Father's Day
June 22	Dr. Ken Lutgen, Jr.
June 29	Rev. Bryan Wendling Communion
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27
Aug 3	Communion
Aug 10
Aug 17
Aug 24