Pastor Sullivan's Blog

[ This sermon was preached on Wednesday, Dec 19th due to pastor being ill on the 12th. There will not be a sermon on the letters to the three remaining churches in Revelation 3. ] In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Last week we heard the glorified Christ tells the saints at Smyrna, “ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life ” (Rev. 2:10). In Smyrna the church would face persecution for ten days, a relatively brief time. Although it was men that would apprehend the Christians and incarcerate them, it was the work of the devil. In the first letter for our consideration this week, Christ’s letter to the saints at Pergamos, we see that these saints have a greater share of persecution than the Smyrneans. Christ tells them, “ I know your w...

In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The first Sunday in Advent focuses our attention on Christ’s first advent in the flesh when He came in humility and meekness to win salvation for sinful humanity. This Sunday draws our attention to His Second Advent when He will descend from heaven in glory. Before He returns, “ there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. ” These aren’t specific signs that each only happen once. These are signs that we see in every generation since the Lord’s ascension. We see signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. Just last summer when we witnessed the solar eclipse. Because we live in a world where information races across the globe via the internet, we are acutely away of the dis...

Populus Zion, the 2nd Sunday in Advent St. Luke 21:25-36 December 10, 2017 Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 1)         As Christmas gets closer Christians will, without a doubt, lament the commercialization of Christ’s Mass. The day the Church celebrates the birth of Christ with the service of Christ’s Word and Christ’s Sacrament, His Mass, has been overrun by the moneychangers. Christmas, for the vast majority of the population, means something entirely different than the celebration of birth of the Son of God according our flesh. The angels sang “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! ” (Luke 2:14). The peace and goodwill which God promised to mankind was wrapped up in the baby wrapped up in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. God was making peace with the world through Jesus. “ God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing men’s tres...

Order of Matins - Pg. 32 Hymn # 74 Once He Came In Blessing Hymn # 274 Praise We the Lord This Day Hymn # 62 Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel Psalmody - Psalm42 Luther's Morning Prayer I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray You that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.   Reading Luke 1:26-38 Sermon on Luke 1:26-38 Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen .   1)         The Virgin Mary will conceive and bear a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the angel Gabriel’s news to Mary. By this miraculous conception God shows His almighty power . God ...

Order of Holy Communion - Pg. 15 Hymn # 90 Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising Hymn # 73 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Hymn # 95 Saviors of the Nations, Come Introit - Pg. 54   Daughter of Zion, Behold, surely your salvation is coming. The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard, and you shall have gladness of heart. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Jacob like a flock. Readings Micah 4:1-7 Romans 15:4-13 Luke 21:25-36 Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine Only-Begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Sermon on Luke 21:25-36 Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 1)          When a ...