For the last couple of weeks, we’ve celebrated the birth of the baby Jesus. In this Sunday’s Scripture readings, we find the Jesus all grown up and ready to begin his public ministry. And as an adult, Jesus’ first recorded act is to be baptized.

Through his baptism, Jesus takes his place with humanity. He identifies with the crowds of people coming to John to be baptized. We see that Jesus is truly Emmanuel, God with us. God has entered our world, offering grace, hope, and love.

Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

Happy New Year! This week in worship, we wrap up the Christmas season with the celebration of Epiphany, looking at the story in Matthew 2:1-12 of Magi from the East coming to worship the baby Jesus. These foreigners symbolize the good news that God's grace and love are for all people, not just a group of insiders. As Paul declares in Ephesians 3, God has made us all members of the same body and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.

Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; and Matthew 2:1-12. The text of this week's message is available at https://danielflucke.com/epiphany-inclusion/.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

Merry Christmas! Tonight, we hear the story of God's grace entering the world in the person of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. Tonight's Scripture readings are the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20 as well as Titus 2:11-14, and the text of this sermon is available at https://danielflucke.com/christmas-eve-2024/

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

On this final Sunday in Advent, we hear Mary’s song, a song of joy as she proclaims the ways her son will change the world.

In the midst of the overwhelming evidence of this world’s brokenness, Mary proclaims that God is at work. And God’s grace brings us joy. Because of what God is doing, we can join Mary in her song. Because of God’s grace, we can live with joy and hope no matter what our circumstances may be.

This week's Scripture readings are Micah 5:2-5a, Psalm 80:1-7, and Luke 1:39-55.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

In this third week of Advent, John the Baptist calls for repentance. The crowds that hear him agree that change is needed, but they wonder, "What should we do?" Looking at the brokenness in the world around us, we wonder the same.

The answer, John says, is to love our neighbors. When we follow John's instructions to turn from our sin and greed, when those of us who have two coats give one away, when we give from our abundance, the world is blessed. Turning from sin to live God's way gives abundant opportunities for rejoicing!

This week's Scripture readings are Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 3:7-18. The text of this sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/grace-brings-us-together/.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

The season of Advent is about preparing the way for Jesus. In this time of waiting, we prepare our hearts to receive the King of Kings as he comes to us as a little child. There’s a paradox as we hear God’s messengers call us to prepare to receive the Messiah, while also recognizing that it is God who prepares us for grace. God comes to us whether we are ready or not.

Today's Scripture readings are Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, and Luke 3:1-6

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

This Sunday, we enter the season of Advent. Our Advent theme this year is “Grace-Filled Beginnings” and over these next four weeks, we’ll be exploring the significance of God’s grace in our lives as we prepare for the birth of Jesus, who is love and grace incarnate.

This week, our focus is “God’s Grace is for Us.” In the busyness of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget what it is we’re getting ready to celebrate. The miracle of Christmas—and thus, the point of Advent—is that God chooses to come and live among God’s people. When the days seem short and the nights long, when life feels disjointed and chaotic, we hold on to the hope of Advent: Christ is coming.

Today's Scripture readings are Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, and Luke 21:25-36.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

This week's worship service is a bit different than usual. On this final Sunday of the church calendar, our service walks through each liturgical season, reflecting on God's presence with us in all parts of life. The service was a mixture of lessons, reflections, and hymns, but I've re-recorded just the reflections and lessons for you, our podcast listeners.

Today's Scripture readings are Luke 3:1-6, Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 60:1-5, John 12:12-16, Mark 15:15b-20, 37-39, 46-47; John 20:11-18, Acts 2:1-4, Luke 10:29-37, and Matthew 25:31-40

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.