St. Paul's Howards Grove Podcast St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove

When people have a dog, they care for it much like a member of the family. They give it a name. They feed it. They take it on walks. They take it to the vet for shots. The dog is there for holidays and included in pictures and perhaps even goes along on vacations. Jesus reminds us today how much he cares for us as his sheep. He knows us, speaks to us, feeds us, and gives us rest. His love and care far surpass ours for a family pet. He was willing to lay down his life for us. We have the best Shepherd! “Our Risen Lord Shepherds Us.” Our sermon today comes from Acts 20.

When there are tornados touching down in our area, we take shelter. We go to an interior room with windows or to the basement and we hunker down. We know what it’s like to be confined and cowering. The disciples were gathered behind locked doors and terrified of persecution. No matter what fears have us feeling trapped, Jesus comes to us today and offers the message of forgiveness, proof of his presence, and the confidence of eternal life in him. “Our Risen Lord Calls Out Peace.” Today's sermon comes from John 20.

If you would have known the construction workers on night shift at the Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this week, and if you would have known that the bridge would be hit by a cargo ship early Tuesday morning, what would you have said? What would you have done? There are so many things in life that we don’t know: what will happen tomorrow, whom we will meet throughout the rest of this year, when we will die. But we do know the most important thing. It brings certainty for us and hope for others and security for all time. It is this confidence in Christ that we join to celebrate today: “I Know that My Redeemer Lives.” Our sermon comes from Mark 16.

Today is the last day of school for a while. The kids are done for Easter break. Yet even when summer rolls around, things are only done for a time. School will resume in April. When we have vacations and time off, there is still more work eventually if not right now. Yet when Jesus died on Good Friday, he said "It is Finished!" And he meant it. Our sins are completely paid for. Heaven is won. Jesus sacrifice took away the sins of the world. This is not just a good day. It is a great day. It doesn't get any better. Our sermon today comes from Hebrews 7.

What a blessing it is to be together! Many families travel to be together this week. Jesus longed to be together with his disciples on Maundy Thursday. He modeled humble love by washing their feet. He shared a special meal with them. He instituted the sacrament of Communion to offer us his body and blood together with bread and wine for our forgiveness. He spoke of  the new covenant, which he would put into effect the next day at the cross. All this he did because he wanted to be together with us forever in the banquet hall of our Father in heaven. Today, we gather "Together at the Lord's Supper". Our sermon is from Psalm 116.