2014 Message Archive:

Bulletin cover drawings by John Hrehov

December 28, 2014
1st Sunday after Christmas

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
• Epistle: Galatians 4:4-7
  
• Holy Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
• Hymn: In His Temple Now Behold Him
  (LSB 519) Hymn Text
• Sermon: According to Your Word - My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation
  (Luke 2:22-40) Rev. Peter C. Cage

December 24, 2014
Service of Lessons and Carols

• Processional Hymn: Once in Royal David's City
  Soloist, Choir, and Congregation (Hymn Text)
• Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful (LSB 379)
  Congregation and Choir
• Lesson: Genesis 3:1-15
• Carol by the Choir: Let Our Gladness Have No End
• Lesson: Luke 2:1-7
  
• Lesson: Luke 2:8-14
• Carol by the Choir: Angels We Have Heard on High
  
• Sermon: The Seed of the Woman (Crushing the Serpent's Head)
  (Genesis 3:1-15) Rev. Peter C. Cage
  
• Choral Response: Joyous Light of Heaven
• Carol: Silent Night, Holy Night
  
• Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (LSB 380)

December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve Children's Service

• Carol: The Holly Bears a Berry
  Choristers and Youth Choir
• The 1st Reading: Genesis 3:8-19
• The 2nd Reading: Isaiah 9:2,6-7
• The Ungemach Liturgy
  Pastor, Children, and Congregation
• The 3rd Reading: Luke 1:26-38
• Carol: Jesus, Jesus, Light from Light
  Grades K-4
• The 4th Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
• Carol: O, Come, Little Children
  Grades K-8
• The 5th Reading and Alleluia Verse: Luke 2:1-16
• Sermon: Another Look at the Christmas Story
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Carol: God Sent a Son / Silent Night
  Grades 3-8 and Congregation

December 21, 2014
4th Sunday in Advent

 

• Old Testament Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
• Epistle: Romans 15:25-27
  
• Cboral Alleluia & Holy Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
• Sermon: A Temple, A Virgin, and How to Receive Gifts
  (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16) Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Music: O Christ, whom nations sigh for
  St. Paul's Adult Choir

December 14, 2014
3rd Sunday in Advent

• Pre-Service Music
  Organist - Kantor Kevin Hildebrand
  Instrumentalists - Elise Troemel, Martie Young
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
• Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
  
• Holy Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28
• Hymn: Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
  (LSB 345) Hymn Text
• Sermon: Who Are You?
  (John 1:6-8, 19-28) Rev. Peter F. Gregory

December 7, 2014
2nd Sunday in Advent

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
• Epistle: 2 Peter 3:8-14
  
• Holy Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
  
• Hymn: On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry
  (LSB 344) Hymn Text
• Sermon: As Though God Were Really Here
  (Mark 1:1-8, Ps. 80:3) Rev. Peter C. Cage

November 30, 2014
1st Sunday in Advent

• Hymn: Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
  (LSB 336) Hymn Text
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
  
• Holy Gospel: Mark 11:1-10
  
• Sermon: The One Who Comes
  (Mark 11:1-10) Rev. Peter F. Gregory

November 23, 2014
Last Sunday in the Church Year

• Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
  
• Sermon: The Judgment Scene
  (Matt. 25:31-46) Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Choral Voluntary: Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray
  St. Paul's 3rd & 4th Grade Choristers
  Hymn Text

November 16, 2014
23nd Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Zephaniah 1:7-16
• Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
• Sermon: Into Your Masters' Joy
  (Matt. 25:14-30) Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Music: Hear Ye, St. Paul's Adult Choir
  "Hear ye! Hear ye! The Lord cometh with many thousands of angels! Pronouncing His judgment on all nations.

November 9, 2014
22nd Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Amos 5:18-24
• Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13
  
• Hymn: Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying
  (LSB 516) Hymn Text
• Sermon: The Bridegroom Comes! Awake!
  (Matt. 25:1-13) Rev. Peter C. Cage

November 2, 2014
All Saints' Day (observed)

• Hymn: Jerusalem the Golden
  (LSB 672) Hymn Text
• First Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
• Epistle: 1 John 3:1-3
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
  
• Sermon: The Blessed Surprise (Matthew 5:1-12)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

October 26, 2014
Reformation (observed)

• First Reading: Revelation 14:6-7
• Epistle: Romans 3:19-28
  
• Holy Gospel: John 8:31-36
  
• Hymn: Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide
  (LSB 585) Hymn Text
  St. Paul's Instrumental Ensemble & Abigail Eschelbach (soloist)
• Sermon: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura = Christ Alone
  (John 8:31-36) Rev. Peter C. Cage

October 19, 2014
The 19th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
  (LSB 940) Stanzas 1-3, Hymn text
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7
• Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
  
• Alleluia Verse & Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22
  
• Sermon: To God, What Is God's (Matt. 22:15-22)
  Rev. Richard Radtke
• Hymn to Depart: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
  (LSB 940) Stanzas 4-5, Hymn text

October 12, 2014
The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

• Psalm Hymn:
  "The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want"
  (LSB 710) Hymn Text
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
  
• Epistle: Philippians 4:4-13
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14
  
• Sermon: Come to the Feast (Matt. 22:1-14)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

October 5, 2014
The 17th Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
• Epistle: Philippians 3:4b-14
  
• Alleluia Verse & Holy Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46
  
• Sermon: The Lord's Doing (Matt. 21:33-46)
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Choral Voluntary: "The Lord's Right Hand"
  St. Paul's Adult Choir
  

The Lord's right hand has triumph brought.
The Lord's right hand has raised me up.
I shall not die but I shall live, singing of all God's mighty deeds!
The stone the builders would not use has now become the cornerstone.
Such wonders are the work of the Lord, and they are marvels in our sight!

September 28, 2014
The 16th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast" (LSB 655)
• Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32
  
• Epistle: Philippians 2:1–18
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 21:23–32
  
• Sermon: Jesus' Authority and the Two Sons
  (Matt. 21:23–32) Rev. Peter F. Gregory

September 21, 2014
The 15th Sunday after Pentecost

We regret that the service recording is unavailable.

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55:6–9
  
• Epistle: Philippians 1:12–14, 19–30
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 20:1–16
  
• Sermon: The Vineyard of the Master’s Mercy
  Rev. Peter C. Cage

September 14, 2014
The 14th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: From All that Dwell Below the Skies
  (LSB 816)
  
• Old Testament Reading: Genesis 50:15–21
  
• Epistle: Romans 14:1–12
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 18:21–35
  
• Sermon: As We Have Been Forgiven (Matt. 18:21–35)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

September 7, 2014
The 13th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds
  (LSB 867)
  
• Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 33:7–9
  
• Epistle: Romans 13:1–10
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 18:1–20
  
• Sermon: Gaining the Brother, Finding the Sheep
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
  

August 31, 2014
The 12th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: Christ Be My Leader (LSB 861)
• Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 15:15–21
  
• Epistle: Romans 12:9–21
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 16:21–28
• Sermon: No Cross, No Glory (Matt. 16:21–28)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
  

August 24, 2014
The Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

• Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 3:1–8
  
• Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4:7–10
  
• Holy Gospel: John 1:43–51
  
• Hymn: “Come, Follow Me,” (LSB 688) 
  (The soloist sings stanza 3)
  
• Sermon: An Israelite Indeed!
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Music at the Offering: "I Will Praise the Lord at all Times"
  Soloist: Mr. Jonathan Busarow
  

August 17, 2014
The 10th Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6–8
  
• Epistle: Romans 11:1–2, 13–15, 28–32
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 15:21–28
  
• Hymn of the Day: "When in the Hour" (LSB 615)
• Sermon: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Go Away
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
  

August 10, 2014
The 9th Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Job 38:4–18
  
• Epistle: Romans 10:5–17
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 14:22–33
  
• Sermon:Rough Water at the Lake (Matt. 14:22–33)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Music at the Offering: "How Beautiful Are the Feet"
  Soloist: Rev. Ralph Schmidt

August 3, 2014
The 8th Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55:1–5
  
• Epistle: Romans 9:1–5
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 14:13–21
  
• Sermon: “Give Them Something to Eat.”
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Hymn: "The Gifts Christ Freely Gives" (LSB 602)
  

July 27, 2014
The 7th Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 7:6–9
  
• Epistle: Romans 8:28–39
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 13:44–52
  
• Sermon: The Man Who Went and Sold All He Had
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Music at the Offering: "Your Kingdom, O God" 
  Vocalists: Martie Young & Chrissy DeBartolo
  The text, based on today’s Gospel reading and other
  parables of Jesus, is found at LSB 654.

July 20, 2014
The 6th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: "Christ Sits at God’s Right Hand"
  (LSB 564 sts. 1–5)
  
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 44:6–8
  
• Epistle: Romans 8:18–27
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
  
• Sermon: Let Them Grow (Matt. 13)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

July 13, 2014
The 5th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: "O Word of God Incarnate" (LSB 523)
  
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55:10–13
  
• Epistle:Romans 8:12–17
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23
  
• Sermon: The Sower and the Seed (Matthew 13)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

July 6, 2014
The 4th Sunday after Pentecost

• Hymn: "O Blessed Holy Trinity" (LSB 876)
  
• Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 9:9-12
  
• Epistle: Romans 7:14-25a
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
  
• Sermon: Jesus: Rest For the Sinner/Saint
  Rev. Peter C. Cage

June 29, 2014
The Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul

• Hymn: "The Church's One Foundation" (LSB 644)
• First Reading: Acts 15:1-12
  
• Epistle: Galatians 2:1-10
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
• Sermon: Two Saints, One Gospel (Acts 15:1-12) 
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

June 22, 2014
The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

• Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-13
  
• Epistle: Romans 6:12-23
  
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 10:5a, 21-33 
  Rev. Richard S. Radtke
• Sermon: Joy in Confessing Christ (Matt. 10)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Music at the Offering: "Consider How the Birds Above" (LSB 736)
  Concordia Theological Seminary Christ Academy
• Music During Distribution:
  "Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness" (LSB 636 Stanzas 5-8) 
  Concordia Theological Seminary Christ Academy

June 15, 2014
Holy Trinity Sunday

• Hymn: "Holy, Holy, Holy" (LSB 507)
• Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:4a
  
• Second Reading: Acts 2:14a,22-36
  
• Alelluia, Verse & Holy Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
• Sermon: Blessed, Holy Trinity
  Rev. Peter C. Cage

June 8, 2014
The Day of Pentecost

• Processional Hymn:
  "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest" (LSB 498)
  Choir:  High School and College Ensemble
• Old Testament Reading: Numbers 11:24-30
  
• Second Reading: Acts 2:1-21
  
• Alelluia, Verse & Holy Gospel: John 7:37-39
• Sermon: Out of His Heart-The Spirit!
  Rev. Peter C. Cage

June 1, 2014
The Seventh Sunday of Easter

• Psalm 68: 1-10 (antiphon v. 32)
  Vocalists: Chrissy DeBartolo, Martie Young
  
• First Reading: Acts 1:12-36
• Epistle: 1 Peter 4:12 -19
  
• Holy Gospel: John 17:1-11
  
• Sermon: Glorified and Interceding (John 17:1-11)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

May 25, 2014
The Sixth Sunday of Easter

• Psalm 66: 8-20 (antiphon v. 8)
• First Reading: Acts 17:16-31
• Epistle: 1 Peter 3:13-22
  
• Holy Gospel: John 14:15-21
  
• Sermon: "Another Helper Helping: The Holy Spirit"
  Rev. Peter C. Cage

May 18, 2014
The Fifth Sunday of Easter

• First Reading: Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60
• Epistle: 1 Peter 2:2-10
  
• Holy Gospel: John 14:1-14
• Sermon: "Show Us The Father and Other Cool Stuff"
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Choral Music During Distribution:
  "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain" (Text LSB 487)
  St. Paul's Adult Choir

May 11, 2014
The Fourth Sunday of Easter

• Choral Prelude: "Brother James"
  St. Paul's Adult Choir, (Text LSB 710)
• First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
• Epistle: 1 Peter 2:19-25
• Holy Gospel: John 10:1-10
  Liturgist: Sem. Kelly Krieg
• Sermon: The Sheep's Life (John 10:1-10)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory

May 4, 2014
The Third Sunday of Easter
Confirmation Sunday

• First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Epistle: 1 Peter 1:17-25
• Holy Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
  
• Sermon: Company on Life's Journey (Luke 24:13-35)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Choral Music During the Distribution:
  LSB 602 "The Gifts Christ Freely Gives"
  St. Paul's Adult Choir

April 27, 2014
The Second Sunday of Easter

• Choral Prelude - "Chariots"
  Concordia Lutheran High School A Cappella Choir
  
• First Reading: Acts 5:29 - 42
• Epistle: 1 Peter 1:3-9
• Holy Gospel: John 20:19 - 31
• Sermon: Showing His Hands and His Side
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Choral Music at the Offering - "Lord, Make Me an Instrument"
  Concordia Lutheran High School A Cappella Choir

April 20, 2014
The Resurrection of Our Lord

• First Reading: Acts 10: 34-43
• Epistle: Colossians 3: 1-4
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 28: 1 - 10
• Sermon:
  A Child's Faith: "Jesus Died and Rose Again"
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Choral Music at the Offering  - "This Joyful Eastertide"
   St. Paul's Adult Choir
• Choral Music at Distribution
  "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands"
  St. Paul's Youth Choir
  "Christ, Victorious; Christ, Now Reigning"
  St. Paul's Adult Choir

April 13, 2014
Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion

• Epistle: Philippians 2: 5-11
• Sermon: Your King Comes
  Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Choral Music at Distribution
  St. Paul's Chorister

April 6, 2014
Fifth Sunday in Lent

• Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
  
• Epistle: Romans 8:1-11
• Choral Verse & Holy Gospel: John 11:17-27, 38-53
• Sermon: Called from Death to Life (John 11)
  Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Choral Music at Distribution
  St. Paul's Adult Choir

March 30, 2014
Fourth Sunday in Lent

• Choral Introit
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 42:14-21
• Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14
• Holy Gospel: John 9:1-7, 13-17, 34-39
• Sermon: "Foolish" Healing: Spit. Mud. Cross.
  Rev. Peter C. Cage

March 23, 2014
Third Sunday in Lent

• Psalm 67 (antiphon v. 5)
• Old Testament Reading: Exodus 17:1-7
• Epistle: Romans 5:1-8
• Holy Gospel: John 4:5-26
• Sermon: The Well and the Mountain
  (John 4:5-26) Rev. Peter F. Gregory

March 16, 2014
Second Sunday in Lent

• Old Testament Reading: Genesis 12:1-9
• Epistle: Romans 4:1-8, 13-17
• Holy Gospel: John 3:1-17
• Hymn of the Day: Lord, Thee I Love (LSB 708)
  Choir sings st. 2; Chrissy DeBartolo, Soloist
• Sermon: God So Loves
  (John 3:1-17) Rev. Peter C. Cage

March 9, 2014
First Sunday in Lent

• Psalm: 32
• Old Testament Reading: Genesis 3:1-21
• Epistle: Romans 5:12-19
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
• Sermon: Temptations to Sin
  (Matt. 4:1-11) Rev. Peter F. Gregory

March 2, 2014
Transfiguration of Our Lord

• Old Testament Reading: Exodus 24:8-18
• Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
• Sermon: On God's Mountains: Sinai, Transfiguration, Zion
  (Matt. 17:1-9) Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Choral Voluntary: Beautiful Savior
  Soloist: Jonathan Busarow

February 23, 2014
7th Sunday after the Epiphany

• Choral Psalm: Pslam 119:33-40
  Vocalists: Matthew, Nathan & Paul Grime
• Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23
• Alleluia Verse & Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48
• Sermon: Getting Even
  (Matt. 5:38-48) Rev. Peter F. Gregory

February 16, 2014
6th Sunday after the Epiphany

• Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
• Alleluia Verse & Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:21-27
• Sermon: Anger, Lust, Divorce and Oath Breaking
  (Matt. 5:21-27) Rev. Peter C. Cage
•  Hymn to Depart: On What Has Now Been Sown (LSB 921)

February 9, 2014
5th Sunday after the Epiphany

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 58:3-9a
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20
• Choral Psalm: Psalm 112
  Abigail & Susan Eschelbach, Vocalists
• Sermon: Being Salt and Light
  (Matt. 5:13-20) Rev. Peter F. Gregory

February 2, 2014
4th Sunday after the Epiphany

• Old Testament Reading: Micah 6:1-8
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
• Alleluia Verse & Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
• Sermon: Foolish God, Blessed You
  (1 Cor. 1:18) Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Choral Voluntary: Blessed Are
  St. Paul's Adult Choir

January 26, 2014
3rd Sunday after the Epiphany

• Choral Prelude: Sing Praise to God
  setting by W. A. Mozart, see text below
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 4:12-25
• Sermon: The Great Light Shines
  (Matt. 4:12-25) Rev. Peter F. Gregory
  
  Sing praise to God above all ye nations, praise Him ye people,
  All ye souls on earth. For He hath shown His Kindness toward us,
  His love and merciful kindness, and the truth of God lastesth forever,
  For all eternity. Praise to the Father and Son also, and the Holy Spirit,
  As it was then and will ever be, both now and always through eternity.
  Amen.

January 19, 2014
2nd Sunday after the Epiphany

• Hymn: Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
  (LSB 531, st. 1 & 2)
• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
• Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
• Alleluia Verse & Holy Gospel: John 1:29-42a
• Sermon: Where are You Staying?
  (John 1:29-42a) Rev. Peter C. Cage

January 12, 2014
The Baptism of Our Lord

• Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9
• Epistle: Romans 6:1-11
• Holy Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17
• Sermon: Jesus in the Water
  (Matt. 3:13-17) Rev. Peter F. Gregory
• Hymn to Depart: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (LSB 395, st. 6)

What joy to know, when life is past, The Lord we love is first and last,
The end and the beginning! He will one day, oh, glorious grace,
Transport us to that happy place Beyond all tears and sinning!
Amen! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Crown of Gladness! We are yearning
For the day of Your returning!

January 5, 2014
2nd Sunday after Christmas

• Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-15
• Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-14
• Alleluia Verse & Holy Gospel: Luke 2:40-52
• Sermon: Searching for Jesus... in Great Distress
  (Luke 2:40-52) Rev. Peter C. Cage
• Hymn: Once in Royal David's City (LSB 376)