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In a world of "soft targets," headlines of terror, and personal "kingdoms" that feel like they are crumbling, it is easy to find ourselves living as if Jesus were still in the grave. We call this "thinking inside the tomb"—a state of mind defined by fear, downcast eyes, and a past-tense hope. This week, we join two disciples on the Road to Emmaus as they journey from the despair of the road to the joy of the table. Drawing a clever parallel from a familiar slogan, we explore what it means to "Think Outside the Tomb." Discover how the resurrected Christ—who descended into hell to proclaim His victory—now opens our eyes through the Scriptures and the breaking of bread. When we stop living for our own kingdoms and start living for the risen King, our perspective shifts from the finality of death to the bold confidence of the Gospel. Join us as we move from "we had hoped" to the joyful realization that He is risen indeed! Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: William Ellington and Rev. Tony Boos Order of service: Third Sunday of Easter, Apr 19, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #death #resurrection #tomb #following #scriptures #roadtoEmmaus #resurrectionhope #fearvsfaith #kingdomofGod #thinkoutsidethetomb #Luke24 #TonyBoos

What happens after the stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty? For the first disciples, the initial rush of Easter joy was likely met with a bit of "What now?" They may have assumed their journey with Jesus had reached its natural conclusion. But as we see in John 20, Easter was not the end—it was a commissioning. We will dive into the moment Jesus appeared to His huddled disciples and completely redefined their purpose. He didn't just offer them peace; He gave them a mandate: "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: Joe Rathert and Pastor Bill Engfehr Order of service: Second Sunday of Easter, Apr 12, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #mission #disciples #Thomas #John20 #BillEngfehr

The resurrection of Jesus is one of the few Biblical events that is recorded by all four Gospels. However, there are some things only Matthew tells us about, things that are especially important to us today. Matthew records Jesus's greeting to both the women and us. It's actually a very common greeting but takes on a much greater meaning when spoken by one risen from the dead. Matthew also records the very important word Jesus uses to describe us and the disciples. A word which he never used of them before. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: David Moldenhauer and Pastor John Lukomski Order of service: The Resurrection of Our Lord, Apr 5, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #resurrection #greetings #brother #Matthew28 #JohnLukomski

The Hour of Darkness Good Friday is the day the world went dark so that we might live in the light. This service follows the ancient tradition of Tenebrae (shadows), moving from light into deep reflection as we listen to the final seven utterances of Jesus. These are more than just the dying thoughts of a man; they are the declarations of God’s plan of redemption being fulfilled. From the cry of abandonment to the shout of victory, "It is finished," we will explore how each word secures our justification and seals our eternal life. Come and behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos Order of service: Good Friday, Apr 3, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #HolyWeek #cross #death #forgiveness #separation #sins #eternallife #Tenebrae #justification #atonement #PassionofChrist #substitution #LambofGod #redemption #Luke23 #John19 #Matthew27 #TonyBoos

“This is a day you are to commemorate... a lasting ordinance.” Our Lenten journey brings us to the Upper Room, but the story truly begins in the shadows of Egypt. As we gather for this Holy Thursday service, we look back to the first Passover—where the blood of a perfect lamb on the doorpost meant the difference between death and deliverance. In “The Remembering Word,” we explore how God’s command to the Israelites to "remember" was not just about a past event, but a living promise. We follow that promise to the night Jesus sat with His disciples, transforming the Passover meal into the New Covenant. Join us as we move from the blood of the Exodus lamb to the blood of the Lamb of God. We will dive into the Small Catechism’s focus on the Lord’s Supper. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr Order of service: Holy Thursday, Apr 2, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #Jesus #Passover #Lord'sSupper #remembrance #MaundyThursday #HolyWeek #sacramentoftheAltar #meansofgrace #redemption #forgivenessofsins #WordsfromtheCross #Covenant #Exodus12 #BillEngfehr

One of the church's special celebrations is Palm Sunday. The question is why? On this day everybody gets Jesus wrong - the Jewish leaders, the crowd, even the disciples. In the Gospel of John they call Jesus "the King of Israel." But isn't that a very limited and localized title for one who is to be Savior of the world? The question is, do we also get Jesus wrong in our daily lives? The greater question is what does Jesus do with people who get him wrong? Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: Larry Frey and Pastor John Lukomski Order of service: Palm Sunday, Mar 29, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #PalmSunday #KingofIsrael #Hosanna #John12 #JohnLukomski

"It is finished." With this cry, the debt of sin is paid in full, and the Law’s demands are satisfied. In this midweek Lenten service, we meditate on the final breaths of our Savior. Drawing from the lament of Psalm 39 and the "stumbling stone" of Isaiah 8, we see Christ as our sole sanctuary. His final words—committing His spirit to the Father—become our own prayer of hope, knowing that because His work is finished, our life is hidden with God in Him. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr Order of service: Midweek Lent, Mar 25, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #vicarioussatisfaction #atonement #justification #itisfinished #intoyourhands #Luke23 #John19 #BillEngfehr

Life is a gift from God. The mere fact that we have breath in our lungs today is a biological miracle—but for the Christian, there is a miracle even more profound. In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul declares the most comforting words a sinner can hear: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." In this service, we dive into the transition from death to life. By nature, we were captive to the "law of sin and death," unable to please God or save ourselves. But through the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "law of the Spirit of life" has set us free. You are more than a biological wonder; you are a child of God, redeemed by Christ, and sealed by the Spirit. You are a living miracle. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Jonathan Lange; Reader: William Ellington and Pastor Jonathan Lange Order of service: Fifth Sunday in Lent, Mar 22, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #life #death #sin #judgment #resurrection #nocondemnation #justification #sanctification #livingmiracle #Romans8 #JonathanLange

In this service, we meditate on the profound irony of the Fifth Word from the cross: “I thirst.” Drawing from John 19:28–29, this message explores the genuine human agony of our Savior, who—though He is the very Source and Fountain of Living Water—endured a parched throat and a bitter cup for our sake. By taking the suffering for our sins upon Himself, Jesus transforms our spiritual desert into a wellspring of grace, trading the bitterness of death for the “sweet, new wine” of His salvation. As we look to the cross, we find deep comfort for our own seasons of physical pain and spiritual thirst, knowing that Christ has gone before us in His suffering. Just as the soldiers tended to Jesus’ dying request, we are reminded of our high calling to tend to the needs of others in our midst. Join us as we reflect on “The Suffering Word” and the hope we have in the One who suffered all so that we might never thirst again. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr Order of service: Midweek Lent, Mar 18, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #suffering #compassion #thesufferingword #livingwater #atonement #humanityofJesus #faithinsuffering #thebittercup #John19 #BillEngfehr

In John 9, we encounter a man blind from birth and a question that still haunts us today: "Who sinned?" Jesus shatters the assumption that suffering is always a calculation of personal iniquity, revealing instead that this man’s life is a canvas for the works of God. Drawing a parallel to the creation of Adam, the Master Potter uses mud and spit to re-create what was broken. He sends the man to the Pool of Siloam—the "Sent" water—mirroring the promise and power of Holy Baptism. While the man gains both physical and spiritual site, the religious elite remain trapped in the darkest form of blindness: the self-righteous belief that they can see clearly without the Light of the World. This narrative invites us to stop looking at our own "moral math" and instead look to the One who became "sin for us," washing us clean and making us children of the Light. Liturgist and Preacher: Rev. Tony Boos; Reader: Joe Rathert and Rev. Tony Boos Order of service: Fourth Sunday in Lent, Mar 15, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #spiritual #sight #blind #mud #water #sin #light #baptism #creation #pharisees #sabbath #John9 #TonyBoos

As Jesus hung upon the cross, fulfilling the Father’s will for the salvation of the world, He spoke a deeply personal word to His mother and the "disciple whom He loved." In this moment of unfathomable agony, our Lord’s heart remained focused on the care of those He loved, establishing a new family bound not by blood, but by His own sacrifice. By entrusting Mary to John and John to Mary, Jesus demonstrates that even in the face of death, He provides for the earthly and spiritual needs of His people. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski Order of service: Midweek Lent, Mar 11, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #Mary #John #wordsfromcross #John19 #JohnLukomski

Here is a summary tailored for your website and social media descriptions, designed to be both welcoming to newcomers and theologically grounded for your congregation. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Bill Engfehr; Reader: Nic Schatte and Pastor Bill Engfehr Order of service: Third Sunday in Lent, Mar 8, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #grace #Jesus #Samaritan #livingwater #John4 #BillEngfehr

All we need to do is mention John 3:16, and most people (even non-Christians) know exactly what we’re talking about. It is the summary of faith. But who was Jesus originally speaking to when he said these words? Whom was he referring to when he said, "God so loved the world"? What connection is there between these words and the Old Testament? And, most of all, what does it mean to "believe"?Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: Joe Rathert and Pastor John Lukomski Order of service: Second Sunday in Lent, Mar 1, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #Nicodemus #faith #world #John3 #JohnLukomski

For our midweek Lenten services, we are reading Jesus’ seven words from the cross—words spoken to particular situations, but recorded in the Scriptures to speak to us. We begin with Jesus’ words to the crowd assembled at the cross, “Father, forgive them,” and His particular word to a thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” What is the connection between these two words? While they were spoken 2,000 years ago, what do they have to say to us today? Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski Order of service: Midweek Lent, Feb 25, 2026#sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #Cross #Jesus’SevenWords #forgiveness #thief #Luke23 #JohnLukomski

The temptation of Jesus give us three illustrations of how the tempter tempts us. This will help us to recognize his attacks. It also gives us three illustrations of how he can be overcome. But most importantly it tells the story of a God who loves us so much he is willing to take our place in that temptation. It is the story of how only Jesus can prevail over the devil for our sakes. Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: William Ellington Order of service: First Sunday in Lent, Feb 22, 2026 #sermon #gospel #Easter #Lenten #Devil #Satan #temptation #Scripture #Matthew4 #JohnLukomski