St. Paul Lutheran Church
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Welcome to Sermons!

We hope you are blessed by the contents of this page as it continues to grow.

Sunday Sermon Synopsis:

April 19, 2015
Pastor George Hockley and Pastoral Candidate Bonnie Klos
April 5, 2015
Easter Service - Dave Hudson
Jesus went from Hero Thursday to Zero Friday. But, the O (zero) is the Circle of Life. The Children's Message brought many young ones eager to participate. The Easter basket held four plastic colored eggs. Dave reminded us that when he was a child, there were no plastic eggs...because there were no plastic chickens! The first egg was blue and it held a cross. The second egg was orange and it held a rock. The third egg was pink and it held three nails. The fourth egg was yellow and it was empty. In his sermon, we were reminded that the greatest miracle of all is that Christ has risen! As Christians, we speak the language of miracles and the litany of faith. Easter is our Spiritual Nova! We are also reminded that even in this day and age of technology and the speed of information across the internet, there are people who still have not heard the news of Jesus. And, while many still seek to prove physical reasons why Jesus was no longer in the tomb...we are urged to look with awe at the Mighty Angel in front of the tomb. Dave said, in closing, "Our worship has ended...let the service begin".
January 4, 2015
Unsentimental Christmas - Dave Hudson
Rather than making our focus of Christmas, the adoration of the Baby by Mary, Joseph, the angels, shepherds, and Magi, make our focus the message from the Gospel of John. John 1 says that "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...to all that receive Him, He gives power to become the children of God."
What defines and describes us is not life's experiences, family, or circumstances, but the truth that we are children of God. Beginning today, look in the mirror each morning and say:
"I am God's child, deserving of love and respect, and God will use me to change the world!"
Then redeemed and empowered, make a difference as the way unfolds before you.
December 25, 2014
This message is from the Christmas sermon written by Dave Hudson
R E A C H
R: Reach In
What is Jesus asking of  you? This is discipleship!
E: Reach Out
Seek neighbors, church members, family, community, and share the Good News. This is evangelism!
A: Reach Down
Rescue, lift up those around you. This is called ministry!
C: Reach Around
Be fully engaged, show that you care. This is called fellowship!
H: Reach Up
In meditation, prayer, song, scripture, and sacrament, help us praise and adore You. This is worship!

Be the disciple through which Christ reaches those He loves.
Picture
August 17, 2014
Synopsis: Pastor Hockley's sermon was based on the Canaanite Woman's plea for help (Matthew 15). He explained the historical background of "dog". Although revered in many cultures, the Israelites did not own dogs. Biblically, references to dogs were negative in nature.  Therefore, when Jesus replied to her request for help, saying, "We don't throw bread to the dogs", she felt the cultural sting. And yet her response, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the table", was evidence of her persistence and revealed her faith and trust that God's love and mercy extends to all people!

July 27, 2014
Synopsis: Matthew 25 is a parable about three servants. Each servant was given amounts by the master. When the master returned, he found the first servant doubled his amount, the second servant also doubled his amount, but the third was too afraid and buried his treasure. The master was very unhappy with the third servant, called him wicked and unfaithful, and took away his treasure. 
There are 20 spiritual gifts identified in the scripture.
Jesus is the master that entrusts us with spiritual gifts. Each person is given one or more of these gifts. God has given these gifts as determine by His sovereign will.  If you don't use your gifts, you lose your gifts...just like in the parable.
Identify, open your gift, grow, and use your gift.
July 20, 2014
Synopsis: The Sermon was about cell phones in church and "selfies". The audio is available here. This was, interestingly, recorded on a cell phone a few rows back. Please forgive the low volume and the additional background noise from the air conditioner. We were invited to take "selfies" on our way out after church...and we did take one as a group!

June 22, 2014
Synopsis: Watch the service videos part 1 and part 2
The Narrative Service by Robin Abbot was very interesting and informative. Narrative readings by Susan and Gwen:
Narration: How We Worship
Narration: Before Confession and Forgiveness
Narration: Before Gathering Hymn
Narration: Before Greeting, Kyrie, and Hymn of Praise
Narration: Before Prayer of the Day
Narration: Before the First Reading and Psalm
Narration: Before the Second (Epistle) Reading
Narration: Before the Gospel Acclamation and Gospel Reading
Narration: Before the Sermon
Narration: Before the Creed
Narration: Before the Prayers of Intercession
Narration: Before Sharing the Peace
Narration: Before Dialogue, Preface, and Holy, Holy, Holy
Narration: Before Words of Institution and Lord's Prayer
Narration: Before Sharing the Meal and Prayer after Communion
Narration: Before the Blessing, Sending Hymn and Dismissal
*Liturgy means "the work of the people". As children of God, we are joined together by the gifts of God's grace. Kyrie means "Lord". 1st Bible reading is from the Old Testament followed by a Psalm, which is poetry meant to be sung. God loves you so much that he has counted all the hairs on your head and knows each one...even if you don't have much hair. Creed means "I believe". Eucharist is Greek for "Thanksgiving". 

June 15, 2014
Synopsis: 
The sermon revolved around the History of Ketchup. 
  • An Asian Inspiration!
  • 544 A.D – Recipe: Take the intestine, stomach, and bladder of the yellow fish, shark and mullet and wash them well. Mix with a moderate amount of salt and place in jar. Seal tightly and ferment in the sun. Ready to consume in 20 days (summer), 50 days (spring/fall), 100 days (winter). Hey...at least they washed the intestines!
  • The recipe changed over time to use salted, fermented anchovies.
  • British traders brought the concoction home and added beer. They fiddled with the recipe, taking anchovies out and creating instead a walnut version and a mushroom ketchup similar to Worcestershire.
  • In 1834, after the discovery that tomatoes were not a large deadly poisonous berry, an Ohio physician, Dr. Bennet, declared tomatoes to be medicinal.
  • Tomatoes became a Patented Medicine in the form of a pill by Dr. Bennet!
  • In 1876, the public regarded ketchup as a tonic, even though a few years prior, commercial ketchup were putrid and full of decomposed ingredients that could kill you.
  • In the 19th Century, production sought to prevent ketchup from molding so they filled them with harmful preservatives. This caused the ketchup to turn yellowish, so they added coal tar to keep the red color. Yum!
  • Coal Tar = Carcinogenic Health Hazard. How does that flammable preservative taste? If we buy enough of this, can we coat our driveway? Did they tell their patrons that cooking this Ketchup in a copper pan would cause a poisonous chemical reaction?
  • In 1896, it was discovered that 90% of the market ketchup could lead to death.
  • In 1876, Henry J. Heinz came on the Ketchup Scene. He was described as a visionary, morally strong, and progressive. He took care of his employees and their health and became the first model of the “Glass-door” policy. Prior to Ketchup, Heinz was selling horseradish in transparent jars so customers could see the purity for themselves. 
  • Heinze used coal tar to dye his ketchup red too...but he wasn't happy about it!
  • In 1904, the chief food scientist, G.F. Mason found a good preservative-free recipe for Ketchup.
  • By 1906, Heinz was making 5 million bottles of his new recipe every year. And...he put them in transparent jars!
  • 57 Varieties: Not true. There are different stories about where this number came from. Perhaps it was he and his wife's favorite numbers put together, or he chose the number 7 because it was a popular and lucky number in society. By the time he put the label on the bottle, he already had over 60 varieties of products.
  • Non-Newtonian Fluid. What is that?! The viscosity of the fluid that changes depending on the amount of stress/force applied. Because tomatoes have such a watery consistency, xanthum gum was added to thicken ketchup, which gave it the Non-Newtonian side effect.
  • So:
  • How does Heinz recommend we deal with this slow pour that only travels at a speed of 147 feet per hour? Thump it of course! No, not the bottom of the bottle...that's not where it's clogged. Simply give the neck a tap with two fingers, because that is where the contents are choked. 
Does God use physics on us? 

As Christians we can either stress and thicken or with a tap on the neck from God, we flow with gentleness and respect to produce with true motives a life of transparency...so people can see God through us.

Baptism is a deep cleaning which sterilizes and protects us to live transparently.
The way we react to suffering, not caused by God, but used by God to produce the best in us.

Nowadays we have squeeze bottle ketchup. Do you suppose when we are so congested and full of “Stuff” God has to give us more than a tap...maybe a squeeze?


Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4 

June 8, 2014

Synopsis:
God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. On Penectost, the Holy Spirit descended on ordinary men, equipping them to share Christ's story with thousands of travelers - in languages they were able to understand.
Today, the Holy Spirit is at work amongst us and through us. The Spirit can turn an otherwise quiet person into one who boldly talks of the faith that is within. 
Prepare for Spirit of the Lord to come upon you!
*Phrase from Hymn 576 - We All Are One In Mission: "....touch the lives of others with God's surprising grace!..."

June 1, 2014
Synopsis:
During the children's message, Pastor Schafer discussed to-do lists: clean room, do homework...
He told us that the disciples were also given a to-do list. Jesus told his disciples they would be clothed with the power from on high to become super story tellers. Super Heroes telling the story of Jesus!
In talking about Ascension, we can think about how far the world of aeronautics has come in the last century...humans rising from Earth to sky and knowing that there is no dome that separates us from the Heavens. 
Much has changed since the time of Jesus, but the truth is that even though we don't hold the same Old World views, we can learn much from the doctrine and the conquest of Earth's most feared enemy, Death. There were 11 that were responsible for getting the Word out, they were average folks with ordinary abilities. What if they failed? What was Jesus' backup plan? Jesus didn't need a backup plan because of His promise. 
Jesus removed himself from the Earth to make room for us. He believes in us! The manner of all things in the spirit of the church makes all things possible. Gods power is in us and working through us. the plan for St. Paul was already there when the disciples received their to do list from Jesus. 
My dear child, chill out, you are not responsible for everything and everyone in this world, I am. Signed God

May 25, 2014
Synopsis:
Memorial Day Weekend
Jesus answered His disciples, "I am going but I will come back. I know it will be hard for you so I'm preparing you to "Remember Me".
Pastor Hockley shared letters from soldiers/veterans that revealed their struggles with war and death, their desire to be remembered or their realization that they were saved for a purpose.
The first letter was from Darryl of Capac who recently returned home from the Middle East. He spoke of childhood memories of Memorial Day - riding his decorated bike in the parade, picnics and fun, but now his prayer is a dream of peace and to have what Memorial Day is really all about.
May 30th, four unclaimed WWII bodies will be laid to rest in Detroit with money donated by a 23 year old bride who wants them to be remembered for their sacrifice. 
Pastor Hockley quoted Patricia Yearwood's How Can I Help You to Say Goodbye...life is about changes...it's okay to hurt, to cry...

May 18, 2014
Synopsis: 
Holding rocks rescued from the beaches of Lake Huron, we heard that not only is Jesus the Cornerstone and Rock of our salvation, but through grace and faith, we became "living stones" empowered to proclaim His Gospel in words and actions.
Water brings dry stones to life, giving them color and depth. As "living stones" washed in baptismal waters, we find our color and depth to impact the world around us.

May 11, 2014
Synosis: 
The sheep follow the Shepherd because they know His voice. Who is the Shepherd? He is the King. The one to whom I owe all my loyalties.
A life with God in control is a life with measureless and unlimited possibilities. 

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