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

Just who is God? The highest heavens cannot contain him. His judgments are unsearchable and his paths beyond tracing out. Yet the Spirit, who was poured out on Pentecost and whose coming we celebrated last weekend, searches the deep things of God and makes known what God has freely given us. On this Trinity Sunday, we consider the One whom the Spirit leads us to trust. He is holy, and the whole earth is full of his glory. He is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who makes us heirs of glory. He brings us into his kingdom by water and the Spirit. Now and forever, "The Triune God Gives Us Life."

In the Easter season, we have heard Jesus promise his disciples over and over that he would send the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, the wait was finally over. Like a powerful tidal wave, the Holy Spirit was poured out. He came to saturate Jerusalem with the message of the Savior. Jesus did and said so much that the apostle John would later surmise by the Spirit that the whole world would not have room for the books that could be written about Jesus’ words and works. As we celebrate the festival of Pentecost once again today, we have “The Holy Spirit Sent with Testimony”. Our sermon comes from Ezekiel 37.

Now ascended to God’s right hand, Jesus is interceding for us. What does that sound like? Today we get to listen in as Jesus prays to the Father on our behalf. John recorded one of his prayers in chapter 17 of his Gospel. We live in a dangerous world that hates followers of Jesus and what they stand for. They murdered Stephen just as they put Jesus himself to death. So, Jesus prays that we would overcome the world, that we would be “Protected by God’s Powerful Name.” Our sermon comes from John 17.


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This weekend thirteen young people are confirmed in the faith. Though Confirmation is not commanded in Scripture, the occasion serves several good purposes. It is a celebration of the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts and lives of these teens, giving them faith and knowledge and growth in the Scriptures. It is also a public profession of faith by these young men and women, who are saved by God’s grace in Christ alone. Confirmation is furthermore an acknowledgment that they are able to examine themselves and are prepared to receive the Sacrament of Communion. Finally, Confirmation includes a promise of the faithfulness Jesus calls for in Revelation 2:10 – Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Where else would we go? Jesus has the words of everlasting life. We are “Determined to Remain with the Lord”. Our sermon comes from John 6.

There are over 21,000 acres of cranberry marshes in the state of Wisconsin - more than any other state by far. That's a lot of fruit! Jesus says that anyone connected to him will bear much fruit. He was talking about the good works produced by believers that are deliciously sweet to God in heaven. On this 5th Sunday of the Easter season, Jesus teaches us about our new lives connected to him: "Living Branches Bear Much Fruit."

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.