Sermons from the Sanctuary

Moses gave the Law, Jesus gave the Beatitudes - one makes people look saintly, the other makes saints.

The first churches Paul established had no Bibles, no Hymnals, no Podcasts, only relationships... and yet...

The hermeneutic of Second City

With all the hub-bub about posting the 10 Commandments, it seems the act of wanting them in the civic sphere is itself a direct violation of the first three.

Pastor Krogh doesn't think self-help sermons are good preaching, he's more into selfless sermons.

Pastor Wang Yi is currently being held in prison by the Chinese Communist Party. We make it political, taking on more risk he makes is spiritual.

When we're experiencing such tremendous grace around us, how do we allow pettiness to come between us.

We shared the great news of our Living Waters Team check out the slideshow on our website!

Isaiah reminds Israel that God has solved problems from the beginning, so they should not single themsleves for special treatment.

The larger arc of some of these Bible stories is way more compliacated than we could imagine. A lot like life!

Our High School TUXIS group ministered to foster families in Waukegan, MI - Highlights of their journey.

Some people never get bored, they know how full the world is and how time matters.

It only takes a little bit of faith to know the full impact of God's love.

From Jacob's ladder to the wrestling angel, Jacob was on an odyssey, but not alone.

In todays Gospel Lesson, we read how Jesus gave his disciples the authority not to complain about the world, but to make it better. Traditional mainline churches may not have the influence they once did, perhaps because we quit making the world better. Listen in, it was a wonderful service.

The doctrine of the Trinity answered questions relevent to the 4th century - perhaps it's not our question.

Today was Ascension Sunday but also Confirmation Sunday. We celebrage those who witness Christ's word and work in the world.

In Acts 17 Paul preached a great sermon, but nobody was changed. What makes for a great message?

John 14 is not about funerals, it's about how we are living now

The early church sold stuff and tooke care of each other - it left them destitute but on the right track.

Even in their disappointment, the two on the road to Emmaus still invited in the stranger - and there they saw Jesus.

Jesus experienced rejection so he could gift us with peace

Peter didn't preach the full news of Easter until he understood the resurrection was for everyone!

Jesus entered the East Gate, Pilate the West - one made for war, the other for peace. We have those choices still.

God came to Ezekiel when he thought God was so very far away.

Religious people don't like change,. even if that means better.

Jesus met the Woman at the Well and after a little conversation Jesus told her he was the Messiah. Why her?

Cynical distain separates us from everything, including grace.

confusing story about the mount of Transfiguration, so is much of life

When Jesus spoke of the Blessed he wasn't using our metric - he was redefining the way we measure our world.

When Jesus said "Repent!" He invited people to a God's eye view of the world.

The Apostle Paul saw the Corinthian Community for who they were in Christ, Jesus saw Peter for who he was.

Jesus submitted to John's Baptism because his call needed to be affirmed by those around him. No one can claim legitimate authority by their personal morality.

The wise ones followed and came to find Jesus, it matters what you are following.

As we conclude the year, what gift makes sense, what is God really asking of us>

The children and youth of FPCLG prepared this service for you with thanks to parent volunteers, Kelly Higgins and Jason Fahrenbach

Jesus told the people that neither John the Baptist nor he were considered adiquate because the people didn't know what they wanted.

We keep looking at quarterly reports when the mesure of the Bible is Generation to Generation.

Guest Preacher Doreen Sterba DeZur provides some literary interpretation of the ancient prophet's words

The way we measure determins the way we treat others

Many are trying to convince us that this is the worst ever and justify their angry tactics, they're wrong. It's not the end.

Many are trying to convince us that this is the worst ever and justify their angry tactics, they're wrong. It's not the end.

When the stuff that makes us hate becomes an idol of permission.

Jesus said the sinner's prayer was justified, the unsinner was not

Every generation blames the previous generation for their problems, but in the new age proclaimed by Jeremiah, God forgets their sin. Perhaps we should too.

The Apostles asked for faith when Jesus told them to forgive. Forgiveness takes more faith than faultfinding

We are now disappearing 200,000 people, who are they?

Paul told Timothy to pray for kings and rulers so they would leave the Christians alone

We cannot change the potter's mind by being committeed to tradition!

Jesus invited the Pharisees to consider who they invite and include

We celebrated a Baptism and the comissioning of our Living Waters installation team leaving for El Salvador

The prophet Isaiah was clear, shelfishness will cause the land to kick the people out. The soil rebelion.

Our TUXIS youth group travelend to MIlwaukee to service and grow, this service is their gift back to the congregation in thanks for making it happen.

there was also a sermon about the futility of life... but why should we care - right?

Abraham barganed with God over the future of Sodom, this wasn't about sex, it was about God looking for a reason to spare the city.

Jesus quieted Martha's busyness, Abraham welcomed God

The Good Samaritan story was prompted by a lawyer. What does it take? he asked, "Compassion!" answered Jesus. The lawyer left sad.

Started off July with a final look at Galatians for now. How do you handle someone who has screwed up? Paul suggests, kindly, humbly, respectfully... Thank you so much Paul for taking the fun out of criticism.

We work hard to look good, because we think we look bad. But the fruits of the Spirit aren't work, they're just fruit.

Where you are in the story determins what you may learn from the text

The Unity of the Father and the Son requires a first century understanding of Fathers and Sons., Jesus represented the full will of the Faather, good old Jesus Godson.

The Penecost story in the Bible gives little content, but it does convey clarity

The slave girl in Acts 16 fell out of favor when she was no longer useful. Is our favor only for those who are useful?

When the man complained that he didn't have help, Jesus insted healed him.

In Acts 9 Dorcus was tired, like mom doing all the work tired, like little red hen tired, God finally called her to rest. Peter on the other hand had an early church staffing problem and had to bring her back. Pastor Krogh suggested the best memorial to faithful saints is to pick up their work, not lament their absense.

Jesus confronted Peter with some questions, Peter understood when he followed

When we see the world one way, thorugh the eyes of polotics, we lose so much.

Hospitality resulted in the first glimpse of the Risen Lord. perhaps that's the ticket to believing in Easater.

On Palm Sunday it looked like Jesus was going to be a winner - until he wasn't. We know Jesus with us in losing.

The focus on the death no the resurrection was intended to keep the people thinking about God's grace that was present in all things of life and death itself.

Jesus told this parable for the scribes and Pharisees to see themselves.

We are told not to question God, but we can. What remins completely incomprehsable is God's mercy and pardon

The Pharisees were not warning Jesus out of kindness, they wanted him gone as much as Herod did.

Jesus resited the temptation of the Devil, not because he had grit, but because he had purpose.

The Transfiguration doesn't give much practical direction. Fun to know, perhaps, but not a great place to focus. Jesus focused on the boy needing healing. What do we see?

Jesus commanded "Love your enemies" even those who misquote Jesus.

Life, like airline flights, is best when it is boring. Jesus and Jeremiah condemned or obsession with drama.

Isaiah was told to prophesy stupidity to Judah because they just didn't get it.

I Corinthians 13 is usually read at weddings, but Paul did not have ceremonies in mind when he wrote these words. In fact he had the church's extreme example.

God's first Mericle was Light, Christ's was Wine, the Spirit's was extascy - Why do we think we have to wait for joy?

Isaiah reminded the exiles of God's promise to redeeme them, not individually but as a people. We need to be a people who pool the risk for the sake of us all.