Jesus the Way of the Father
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his […]
The Good Shepherd
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. […]
The Walk to Emmaus
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to […]
Jesus Appears to the Disciples/Thomas
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in […]
Easter Sunday
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s […]
Good Friday
Friday’s Bulletin Introduction Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as […]
Maundy Thursday
Thursday’s Bulletin Introduction This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. […]
Palm Sunday
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently […]
The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus
Sunday’s Bulletin On Sunday, we will be joined by Guest Preacher Seminarian Sharei Green Introduction In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. […]
Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Activities
All worship services will be live-streamed on FB Live via the church’s Facebook page. Midweek Meditation (Final session) via Zoom – March 30 at 7 pm CST To call in dial […]
A Man Born Blind Receives Sight
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” […]
Jesus in the Wilderness
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Today’s gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. In the early church Lent was a time […]
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday’s Bulletin Introduction On Ash Wednesday we begin our forty-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting and repentance. Marking our foreheads with dust, we acknowledge that we die […]
Concerning Anger, Adultery, Divorce and Oaths
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction In today’s reading from Deuteronomy we are called to choose life by loving and obeying God. Much of today’s gospel reading echoes portions of the Ten Commandments. […]
The Beatitudes
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the […]
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have […]
The Lamb of God/The First Disciples of Jesus
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Today’s gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus’ baptism. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the one anointed […]
Baptism of Jesus
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant […]
The Escape to Egypt and Massacre of Infants
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod. The birth of […]
Christmas: A Savior is Born!
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction As on the first day of creation, on this Christmas Day the Word illumines the world, shining forth to bring all things into being. Today we celebrate […]
Christmas Eve: Lessons & Carols
Service Bulletin Join us for as we journey through the story of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and sing our favorite Christmas carols. Service begins at 7 pm. […]
Advent 4: The Messiah is coming
Sunday’s Bulletin Volunteers are needed for Christmas Eve service! Readers, musicians, and singers! Contact Pastor Christina if interested in participating in the service! Introduction Today Isaiah prophesies that a young […]
Advent 3: Joy in John the Baptist
Sunday Bulletin Introduction A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom, and Jesus points to the unexpected and transforming signs of […]
Advent 2: A Voice Cries Out in the Wilderness
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn […]
Advent 1: Keep Awake
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for […]
Reign of Christ
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. […]
All Saints Sunday
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for […]
All Saints Day
Today is All Saints Day, a time when we remember our loved ones who have died. As the Gospel Message from Sundays and Seasons reminds us, “We don’t call them […]
Reformation Sunday
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing […]
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Genuine repentance and pretentious piety stand in stark contrast in the gospel and all around us. All creation stands in need of God’s forgiveness. Keep the faith. […]
The Unjust Judge
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to […]
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction It’s a miracle! Multiple miracles! The waters of holy baptism have healed us. The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean. We […]
Mustard Seed Faith
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required […]
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Sunday’s Bulletin Introduction Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good […]
The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
Sunday’s Bulletin As we are invited today to consider what it means to be managers (rather than owners) of all that we have, it is crucial to recognize that we […]
The Parable of the Lost Sheep/The Parable of the Lost Coin
Sunday’s Bulletin The grumbling of the religious leaders in today’s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God seeks and saves […]
9th Anniversary of RIC Vote!
(the following is from a personal Facebook post by Pastor Tom Gaulke from September 8, 2013) Voters Assembly 9 8 2013, discussion on the motion to become RIC! Adopted 9/8/2013A […]
The Cost of Discipleship
Sunday’s Bulletin Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. […]
Humility and Hospitality
Sunday’s Bulletin Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of […]
Jesus Heals A Crippled Woman
Sunday’s Bulletin Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive […]
Jesus the Cause of Division
Sunday’s Bulletin The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are […]
Watchful Servants
Sunday’s Bulletin Jesus says, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It is God’s promise from the beginning—to Abraham, to the early church, and to the […]
The Parable of the Rich Fool
Sunday’s Bulletin Today’s texts offer instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life. Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard […]
The Mission of the Seventy
Bulletin: God is the source of our nourishment. Jesus’ invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is a repeated one. In holy communion, in the word read and […]
A Samaritan Village Refuses to Receive Jesus/Would-Be Followers of Jesus
Bulletin: We have no good apart from God. That makes Jesus’ call to follow him an invitation to freedom. This is freedom to revel in the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, […]
First Lutheran Church of the Trinity 