Pastor Smith's Sermon on May 26, 2024 explores the theme of confusion in faith, drawing from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. Pastor Smith uses the famous "Who's on First?" sketch to illustrate how confusion can escalate, much like Nicodemus' misunderstanding of Jesus' message. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being "born again" or "born from above" through the Spirit, while acknowledging the challenges in understanding the Holy Trinity. Ultimately, it reassures believers that while not everything can be fully comprehended, the essential truths of God's love and salvation are made clear through Jesus Christ.

In this sermon, Pastor Josh explores the concept of inspiration, encouraging the congregation to reflect on what inspires them in their daily lives. He draws parallels between the story of Ezekiel and the event of Pentecost, highlighting how the Holy Spirit brings life and inspiration, transforming the spiritually dead. The sermon emphasizes that God's Breath not only gives life but also compels believers to share the wonders of God, much like the apostles did on Pentecost. Pastor Josh reminds us that while salvation is secure, actively sharing God's works can impact others' faith journeys. He concludes by encouraging the congregation to continuously declare God's mighty works, as divine inspiration is eternal and never fades.

Pastor Buegler reflects on God's comforting nature, using Isaiah 66:13 to compare God's comfort to that of a loving mother. He shares a story about the unique and sacrificial qualities of mothers, drawing parallels between a mother’s love and God's grace. Buegler emphasizes that God's comfort is available in difficult times, likening it to a mother’s care. He connects the nurturing role of mothers to the church's mission of evangelism, encouraging the congregation to share the gospel. The sermon concludes with a personal reflection on his own mother’s love and a call to remember and forgive their mothers' imperfections.

Pastor Smith discusses the principles of storytelling learned in grade school, emphasizing the importance of the "5 W's" (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and sometimes "How" to ensure stories are comprehensive and meaningful. He connects this to the biblical call for believers to serve others, integrating scripture readings from Matthew 25:31-40 and Ephesians 2. The sermon explores how believers, as blessed and redeemed children of God, are called to serve their neighbors with gratitude for God's overwhelming love and blessings. Pastor Smith highlights the diversity of gifts within the congregation and encourages practical involvement in the church's ministries, emphasizing the importance of participating in God's story of blessing others.

Pastor Josh takes a look at the word “love” which is used 27 times in John 4:7-21. Everyone can love people who treat them well, but what separates how Christians are supposed to love from the rest of the world? The type of love- the unconditional love we have first been shown by God.

Pastor Buegler's sermon on Good Shepherd Sunday emphasizes that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ, denouncing religious pluralism and universalism. He urges Christians to boldly share the gospel, lead and defend the flock, and live in a way that reflects their connection to Jesus, drawing from the transformation and boldness of Peter in Acts 4.

This sermon from April 14th emphasizes how our low expectations can be transformed by God's grace. Pastor Smith shares his experience of being awed by the April 8th eclipse and parallels it to the story in Acts 3, where a lame man expecting alms receives miraculous healing. He encourages the congregation to expect greater things from God, highlighting that God's blessings often exceed our expectations.

In this March 31 sermon, Pastor Josh highlights the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection. He poses the question, "Where is Jesus?" through various contexts, emphasizing how it shifts from playful to serious. Pastor Josh underscores the significance of Good Friday, noting Jesus' real death and burial, witnessed by many sources. He asserts that the resurrection, confirmed by the empty tomb and the angel's message, proves Jesus' reliability and divinity.

In this March 31 sermon, Pastor Smith highlights the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection. He poses a thought exercise about time travel, suggesting that witnessing the resurrection would be profound. Pastor Smith emphasizes that the resurrection changes how Christians live and view the future, urging the congregation to trust in Jesus' words, which have proven reliable.

In this March 24 sermon, Pastor Josh begins with a personal anecdote about a humorous shirt he received in high school to illustrate the concept of making trades. He connects this to Jesus trading the praise and comfort of Palm Sunday for the suffering and sacrifice of Good Friday. Pastor Josh emphasizes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he is received with kingly honor but chooses to continue towards his crucifixion, demonstrating his willingness to sacrifice for humanity.

In this March 17 sermon, Pastor Smith humorously shares his lifelong struggles with poor vision, including wearing glasses since first grade and later switching to contacts. He describes his annual eye exams, thick lenses, and color blindness experiences. Using this example, Pastor Smith draws a parallel between physical vision and spiritual vision, noting that just as he needs corrective lenses to see clearly, people need spiritual guidance to see Jesus clearly. He emphasizes that this lack of clarity is a recurring theme among Jesus' disciples in the Gospel of Mark. Despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and teachings, they often failed to understand his true nature and mission.

In this March 10 sermon, Pastor Buegler reflects on the stories of the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on the water. However, the focus is shifted to the verses preceding these miracles, where Jesus shows compassion towards a large crowd. Pastor Buegler highlights three lessons in Christian compassion from Jesus: opening our eyes to see the lost sheep around us, caring about them as Jesus does, and taking action to help them. He emphasizes that Christian compassion should be at the heart of everything done in Christ's Church and that followers of Jesus need unusually large hearts to care for the lost.

In his February 25th sermon, Pastor Smith discusses the peculiar nature of Jesus in Mark's Gospel, portraying Him as a figure who defies conventional expectations. He highlights the tension between Jesus' divine power and human limitations, and how His actions and teachings often seem strange within the context of a broken and sinful world. Pastor Smith emphasizes the importance of taking Jesus at His word, even when it contradicts our natural inclinations or the world's logic. Through the story of Jesus calming the storm, he illustrates the disciples' struggle with faith and Jesus' role as both an example and object of faith. The sermon encourages listeners to trust in Jesus' reliable word, which has the power to calm chaos, forgive sins, and ultimately, lead to eternal life.

In his February 18th sermon, Pastor Josh delves into the theme of authority in the Gospel of Mark, examining the story of Jesus healing a paralytic man. He emphasizes the significance of faith, community, and acknowledging Jesus' authority over all life aspects. Pastor Josh urges the congregation to trust in Jesus' authority, approach Him confidently with their prayers, and remember that He orchestrates all things for our benefit.

In his February 11th sermon, Pastor Smith explores the overwhelming nature of our lives and the importance of discerning which voices to listen to amidst the noise. He encourages the congregation to prioritize listening to Jesus' voice above all others, as it is the purest and most reliable source of truth. Pastor Smith emphasizes that while other voices may offer some wisdom, only Jesus' words provide the foundation for a life rooted in grace and truth. As we enter the season of Lent, he challenges us to read the Gospel of Mark weekly, allowing us to immerse ourselves in Jesus' teachings and align our lives with His voice.

In his February 4th sermon, Pastor Buegler focuses on the theme of connecting with others and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. Reflecting on the story of Jesus and his disciples, Pastor Buegler illustrated how even Jesus grew weary from his ministry but found strength in prayer. Using this, and other passages of Scripture, Pastor Buegler encouraged the congregation to stay strong and not grow weary in their faith, drawing parallels to the weariness of modern life. Additionally, he shares strategies for dealing with weariness, such as meditation and focusing on one task at a time.

Pastor Smith's sermon on January 28, 2024 explores the concept of authority, using examples from everyday life and biblical teachings. He emphasizes that while authority can sometimes evoke negative feelings, it is ultimately a gift from God when wielded correctly. Drawing from Mark 1, Pastor Smith highlights Jesus' authority in teaching and exorcising demons, showing that Jesus uses his authority for good and to bring order to chaos. He also explains that Jesus' ultimate authority extends over sin and death, offering hope and salvation to all. The sermon concludes with a call to spread the news of Jesus' authority and lordship, encouraging listeners to connect with their neighbors and share the good news.

In Pastor Smith's sermon, he explores the theme of connecting with others, using the story of Philip and Nathanael from John 1:43-51. The sermon prompts reflection on personal connections within one's neighborhood and church, as well as the impact of concrete steps towards deeper connections. It also encourages practical application, urging listeners to consider how they can connect with those who do not know Jesus. These discussion questions encourage introspection and action, challenging individuals to strengthen their relationships and share their faith.

In his sermon, Pastor Buegler dives deep into the significance of Jesus' baptism, emphasizing its dual nature: Jesus being identified as both one of us and the divine Son of God. He explores how this duality bridges the gap between humanity and divinity, allowing Jesus to be our mediator and savior. Pastor Buegler also touches on the relevance of God's promises during challenging times, drawing parallels between the uncertainties faced by people under Roman rule and the tumultuous periods we encounter today. Additionally, Pastor Buegler discusses the gift of the Holy Spirit received through baptism, highlighting its transformative power and the inclusivity of God's love, which extends even to infants. Through these insights, Pastor Buegler's sermon invites us to reflect on the profound impact of Jesus' baptism in our lives and the depth of God's love and promises.

In his December 17, 2023 sermon titled "Above the Manger Looms the Cross," Pastor Buegler offers a compelling exploration of the intertwined themes of birth, sin, forgiveness, and sacrifice. He reflects on the profound truth that while Jesus was born to redeem our sins, our own birth into sin is redeemed through forgiveness, allowing us to truly live. The sermon places a special emphasis on the Advent season as a time for heart preparation and repentance, recognizing Jesus' humble birth in Bethlehem as the prelude to his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.