Category: Worship

It is said that “the clothes make the man.” We can debate whether or not this is true when it comes to the clothes in our dresser or closet. But when God clothes us, we really do become new people! In Ephesians 4, Paul calls on us to “put on the new self” (4:24), that is, the new identity that God has given us in Christ by the power of the Spirit. And what an attractive garment it is, for it is woven through with love, patience, kindness, and forgiveness for others. Initially, that new garment might not feel like a perfect fit – we might be tempted to trade it for the more “comfortable” garment of selfishness. But as we trust Christ and put on the new self each day by His power, we will come to love this new look – and the people around us will be blessed.

8:00 Traditional Service

9:30 Contemporary Service

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Liturgical portions from Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service Setting 3. Used by permission. LSB Liturgy License #000012403.

“Where Charity and Love Prevail,” text © 1960 World Library Publications. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License no. 110005570.

“Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise,” text and music © 1983 Augsburg Publishing House. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License no. 110005570.

All music in our Contemporary Service is performed under Hope’s CCLI Copyright License 2956118 and CCLI Streaming Plus License 21360672.

One of the most foundational teachings of the Bible and of the Christian faith is that God is One – “One” as the exclusive true God, and “One” as the perfectly united Trinity. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit’s work is to make the many people of God one – one with God, and one with each other. On one hand, our unity as the body of Christ is God’s creation, not our own – the Spirit working through the Gospel and bringing us through baptism into one Body. On the other hand, Paul writes to encourage Christians to live in such a way to preserve and bless the unity that we share with God and with one another – “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love…” (Ephesians 4:2). May God bless us to  celebrate and contribute to the unity He has redeemed us for in Christ.

8:00 Traditional Service

9:30 Contemporary Service

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Liturgical portions from Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service Setting 1. Used by permission. LSB Liturgy License #000012403.

“Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness,” text (stanza 1) © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License no. 110005570.

All music in our Contemporary Service is performed under Hope’s CCLI Copyright License 2956118 and CCLI Streaming Plus License 21360672.

In our reading from Ephesians 3, Paul prays that God’s people would be strengthened with His power. It’s a prayer we can all get behind! But what does the strong Christian life look like? The surprising answer: it’s not about getting our way or overpowering others, but about comprehending and trusting what God has done for us in Jesus, and living securely in His love.

8:00 Traditional Service

9:30 Contemporary Service

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Liturgical portions from Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service Setting 4. Used by permission. LSB Liturgy License #000012403.

“Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” text (stanzas 2-3) © The Church Pension Fund. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License #100012403.

“Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ,” text © 1974 The Hymn Society; admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License #100012403.

All music in our Contemporary Service is performed under Hope’s CCLI Copyright License 2956118 and CCLI Streaming Plus License 21360672.

By its nature, sin creates barriers and separation. It creates separation between us and God, and it creates separation between us and one another. One of the more obvious barriers that existed in Paul’s day was that between Jews and Gentiles. But Jesus changes that. When He puts to death our sin by His death on the cross, He also breaks down the barriers that accompany that sin. Today’s text invites us to rejoice that Christ has brought us in from the outside, and it challenges us to embody the peace He gives by welcoming in one another.

8:00 Traditional Service

9:30 Contemporary Service

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Liturgical portions from Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service Setting 1. Used by permission. LSB Liturgy License #000012403.

“Church of God, Elect and Glorious,” text © 1982 Jubilate Hymns Ltd.; admin. Hope Publishing Co.; music © 1942, renewed 1970 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License #100012403.

All music in our Contemporary Service is performed under Hope’s CCLI Copyright License 2956118 and CCLI Streaming Plus License 21360672.

As we begin a journey through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we are greeted by an explosion of praise to God for all that He has done for us in Christ. Paul recounts how God has chosen us, adopted us, and redeemed us – all as part of His ultimate plan: to unite all things in heaven and earth under Christ. And the church gets to live out a foretaste of that reality, as people from every tribe and language find their shared life in Jesus.

8:00 Traditional Service

9:30 Contemporary Service

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Liturgical portions from Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service Setting 3. Used by permission. LSB Liturgy License #000012403.

All music in our Contemporary Service is performed under Hope’s CCLI Copyright License 2956118 and CCLI Streaming Plus License 21360672.

As citizens and residents of the United States of America, we are called to recognize the great blessings and opportunities that God has granted us. These things are gifts that are not to be taken for granted – rather, we pray that God would preserve these blessings among us as we manage them responsibly for the good of our neighbors. As the people of God, we are reminded of an even greater gift we have received: His life-giving Word. The residents of Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, took His presence among them for granted and missed out. May God grant us with humility to hunger for His Word and to receive it with joy, never taking His gifts for granted.

8:00 Traditional Service

9:30 Contemporary Service

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Liturgical portions from Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service Setting 4. Used by permission. LSB Liturgy License #000012403.

“God Has Spoken by His Prophets,” text © 1953, renewed 1981 The Hymn Society; admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License #100012403.

“I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table,” text © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. LSB Hymn License #100012403.

All music in our Contemporary Service is performed under Hope’s CCLI Copyright License 2956118 and CCLI Streaming Plus License 21360672.