In this message based on Matthew 4:23, we confront a difficult truth about our human nature: we do not naturally gravitate toward God. Left to ourselves, we are prone to drift away, wandering from the light of His truth and the peace of His presence. Recognizing our inability to bridge this gap on our own, Jesus stepped into our history to do what we could not. He came to actively turn us back to the Father, launching a ministry defined by three distinct pillars: preaching the Good News of the kingdom, teaching the truth of God’s Word, and healing the brokenness of a fallen world.
However, the ministry of Jesus was not a finished historical event; it was a divine beginning. Today, that same work of Preaching, Teaching, and Healing continues through the Church, which is the Body of Christ on earth. As we gathered around Word and Sacrament, we see that Jesus is still actively calling the lost, instructing the faithful, and binding up the wounds of the hurting. Through the mission of the congregation, the same Christ who walked through Galilee continues to reach out to us today, drawing us out of our drift and back into the grace of His eternal kingdom.
Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Michael Walther
Order of service:
Readings:
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 27
- Old Testament reading is from Isaiah 9:1–4
- New Testament reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:10–18
- Holy Gospel is from Matthew 4:12–25
Recording:
- Audio:
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- Video:
- Watch on YouTube
Announcements:
- Sunday, Jan 25:
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- Worship Service (Online Only) – Pastor Michael Walther: 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- No Sunday School
- No Adult Bible Study
- No Discovering Christianity Class
- Wednesday, Jan 28:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
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Downstairs.
- Thursday, Jan 29:
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- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
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Downstairs.
- Saturday, Jan 31:
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- Women’s Bible Study: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
- AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
- Saturday, Feb 28:
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- SID Junior High Youth District Conference: 9:45 AM to 3:30 PM
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Designed for Junior High students, this day of learning and fun takes place at Metro East Lutheran High School. The cost is $25 per person. Lunch is provided (please note if you have dietary needs in online registration.) Doors open at 8am for registration and everything kicks off at 9:45am. The day wraps up at […]
- St. James Life Ministry
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Advocating, Educating, and Caring for All Human Life
- “Was That the Holy Spirit?” (Ep135)
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God promises his Holy Spirit to his people, but what exactly does it look like for a Christian to experience the Holy Spirit? And how can he or she know that what they’re experiencing is in fact the Holy Spirit? Chuck and Aaron talk about these and other related questions on this episode.
- Mosaic Baby Bottle Campaign
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This campaign will last from January 11 until February 15.
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