Love is not a feeling. Love is a sacrifice. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples the night before He died. He knew what was coming. He knew the cost. And He laid down His life willingly. Veterans know something of this love. They signed up. They trained. They deployed. They put themselves between danger and the ones they loved. Some gave everything. We gather today to honor their sacrifice and to say thank you. We also gather to remember that the ultimate act of love was Jesus on the cross. He laid down His life for us. He gave everything so that we might live. This week, we will reflect on the cost of freedom and the love that makes sacrifice possible. We will thank God for veterans and for Jesus, the One who gave His life for the whole world.
The saints are not distant. They are a cloud of witnesses. They ran the race. They kept the faith. They crossed the finish line. And now they surround us. Not as spectators watching from heaven, but as evidence of God's faithfulness. Their lives testify that the race can be run. Their example encourages us to keep going. The writer of Hebrews tells us to throw off what hinders us and fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the pioneer. He is the perfecter. He is the reason we run. The saints point us to Him. This week, we will honor the faithful believers who have shaped our faith and recommit ourselves to running the race set before us. They are with Christ. We are joined with them in the communion of saints. And Jesus runs with us. We are not alone. We never have been.
On Reformation Sunday, we celebrate the unshakable truth that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation. At the same time, Concordia gathers for Loyalty Sunday, committing ourselves to live by faith and stand firmly on God’s promises in every aspect of life.
Stewardship is more than money. It is whole-life discipleship. The Macedonian churches gave beyond their means because they had first given themselves to the Lord in gratitude. Generosity flows from Jesus, who became poor so that we might become rich. Living with open hands means offering God our time, talents, treasure, relationships, and influence. Because Jesus gave His whole life for us, we offer our whole lives back to Him.
Loneliness is one of the deepest wounds of our culture, but God does not leave us alone. In Christ, He comes to us as Father, Savior, and Friend. Through His Spirit, He sets us in a family called the Church. This week we remember: Jesus has not left us as orphans. He has placed us in His body, where we are known, loved, and sent. To be renewed is not only to find peace with God, but to find belonging with His people.
The world says you must earn your worth or reinvent yourself. Jesus says you are already His masterpiece. Baptized into Christ, you have a new name and a new path. This week is about leaving behind the false scripts of culture and walking in the Spirit’s leading, secure in your identity as God’s child.
Burnout is the result of carrying what only Christ can carry. In Him, rest is not laziness — it’s worship. Gratitude turns our eyes from scarcity to abundance, from pressure to praise. Sabbath becomes a holy protest against the world’s endless demands.
Depression does not disqualify you from God’s presence — it may be where His mercy meets you most clearly. Through the cross, Jesus knows your sorrow. Through His resurrection, He promises that sorrow will not have the last word. This week, we lament honestly, pray persistently, and fix our eyes on the One who walks with the brokenhearted.
Anxiety thrives in the shadows, but Jesus calls us into His light. We name the fear, test it against God’s Word, and surrender it to the One who reigns over all. Christ has already defeated the enemy who whispers lies — the cross and empty tomb prove it. Peace isn’t found in fixing everything but in trusting the Lord who holds everything.
This Sunday, Pastor Tom Pfotenhauer (Woodbury Lutheran Church - Woodbury, MN) will bring us a powerful message about the upside-down nature of God's Kingdom, where Jesus calls us to serve "the least of these" not as charity projects, but as His beloved brothers and sisters. Based on his own transformative experiences in the slums of Nairobi, Pastor Tom will remind us that just because someone HAS less, it doesn't mean they ARE less in God's eyes. Every person bears the image of our King, regardless of their circumstances.
As our journey through Revelation concludes, we hear Christ's threefold promise: "I am coming soon." The Spirit and the Bride respond, "Come!" This final dialogue invites us to add our voices to this prayer while extending God's invitation to a thirsty world. Over these twelve weeks, we've discovered that Revelation isn't primarily about decoding future events but inviting present faithfulness in light of Christ's inevitable victory. Today, we'll summarize the central messages of this remarkable book and consider how they should shape our lives as we wait eagerly yet patiently for our King's return. How do we live as people who pray "Come, Lord Jesus" and "Give us this day our daily bread"?
After the final judgment, John witnesses creation's renewal - a new heaven and earth where God dwells directly with humanity. The description of the New Jerusalem dazzles with imagery of beauty, security, and God's intimate presence. This isn't a spiritual fantasy but the fulfillment of God's original intent for creation. The tree of life reappears; healing is available for all nations. Today, we'll explore how this vision of restoration should transform our view of present suffering, environmental stewardship, and community life. When God promises to "make all things new," He doesn't start from scratch - He redeems what was broken, including us.
After hearing "Hallelujah!" echoing through heaven, John witnesses the most anticipated scene in human history - Christ returning as Conquering King. The humble Jesus, who rode a donkey, now rides a white horse. Many crowns replace the crown of thorns. Once stripped away, his robe now bears the title "King of kings." This vision invites us to see Jesus in His full glory and authority. For Christians facing seemingly insurmountable opposition, this picture of Christ's ultimate triumph reframes our present struggles. Today, we'll consider how this vision of the returning King should shape our confidence, priorities, and daily choices.
"Babylon has fallen!" This declaration resonates through chapter 18 as the corrupt system that opposed God's people collapses. For first-century Christians suffering under Rome, this vision offered profound hope. For us today, "Babylon" represents any system built on greed, exploitation, and self-worship. While such systems seem invincible, Revelation reminds us they all share the same fate. The merchants weep, but heaven rejoices. As our culture increasingly resembles ancient Babylon's values and priorities, we'll explore what it means to "come out of her, my people" - living as citizens of a different kingdom while navigating our complex world.
The seven bowls represent God's final judgments - complete, undiluted, and decisive. While these scenes are disturbing, they affirm an essential truth: God will not allow evil to continue forever. There comes a point when His justice must prevail. Yet even here, we find grace. The plagues echo those of Egypt, reminding us of God's determination to free His people from bondage. The saints in heaven affirm, "Your judgments are just and true." Today, we'll wrestle with difficult questions about God's wrath while finding reassurance that a world where evil goes unchecked is more terrifying than a God who judges it.
After the disturbing visions of the dragon and beasts, Revelation 14 offers a contrasting picture of hope: the Lamb standing victorious with His faithful followers. The chapter then depicts two harvests - one of redemption and one of judgment. This reminds us that history moves toward a definitive conclusion where God's mercy and justice will be fully revealed. For believers, this isn't cause for fear but for confidence. Today, we'll explore what it means to live as those already marked for the harvest of grace, singing "a new song" that only the redeemed can learn, while compassionately sharing God's invitation with those around us.
Revelation 12-13 pulls back the curtain on the cosmic battle beneath all earthly conflicts - a dragon waging war against the woman and her child. These vivid symbols reveal something profound: a spiritual reality lies behind our struggles and society's chaos. The dragon (Satan) couldn't destroy Christ (the male child) and now turns his rage against the church. But God provides protectection in the wilderness. Meanwhile, the dragon empowers "beasts" - corrupt political and religious systems that oppose God's people. Today, we'll learn to recognize these influences in our world while finding hope in the Lamb's certain victory.
The trumpet judgments sound terrifying, yet they carry a surprising message of grace. Unlike the final bowl judgments, these are partial (affecting "a third"), giving humanity space for repentance. God's judgment never comes without warning or opportunity for return. Even as the mighty angel of chapter 10 announces that "time is no more," we're reminded that God's patience has limits. We'll confront the uncomfortable truth that God's love includes judgment while finding encouragement in His persistent grace. How are the trumpets of warning sounding in our lives today, and how might we respond before the final trumpet calls?
The breaking of the seals in Revelation 6 reveals calamities that feel disturbingly familiar: war, economic instability, persecution, and death. But before the seventh seal breaks, John sees two remarkable visions of God's people: the 144,000 sealed from harm and the countless multitude in white robes. These images remind us that though followers of Jesus aren't spared from suffering, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and destined for victory. Our congregation faces its hardships and uncertainties. Today, we'll discover how God's protective seal enables us to survive and thrive amid life's storms.