St. Bernard's ULC

03/30/2026

The Pope’s statement today on War and Prayers is simply false!

Brothers and sisters,

There are moments in life when the world feels loud with chaos—when duty calls people into places of conflict, into war, into situations where fear, uncertainty, and weight sit heavy on the soul. And in those moments, a question rises up:

“Does God still hear me here?”

Let me tell you plainly—yes, He does.

There is no battlefield too distant, no circumstance too broken, no place too dark where God cannot hear the cry of His people. Scripture reminds us that “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” Not just in peaceful times—but in the middle of storms, in the noise, in the struggle.

Even in war, God hears your prayers.

He hears the soldier who whispers for protection.
He hears the one who asks for strength to stand.
He hears the one who cries out for mercy, for forgiveness, for peace.

But hear this too—our God is not a God of chaos. He is a God of peace. Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” So while God hears us in war, His heart still longs for something greater—justice, mercy, and ultimately, peace.

That’s the tension we live in. We walk through a broken world, but we serve a perfect God.

And here’s the hope: Jesus understands. He knows suffering. He knows fear. He knows what it means to stand in the face of violence and still choose righteousness. Because of that, you are never alone—not in your doubts, not in your prayers, not even in the hardest places you may stand.

So if you find yourself in a place of conflict—whether on a battlefield or in the battles within your own heart—do not be silent.

Pray.
Call out.
Lean on Him.

Because God is listening.

Jesus is near.

And even in the middle of war…

His grace still reaches you.

Amen.

03/21/2026

“Not Condemned, But Called”

Brothers and sisters,

There are questions that people carry quietly…
Questions that weigh on the heart…
And one of those questions is this:

“Is who I am… a sentence against me in the eyes of God?”

And today, I want to speak clearly, lovingly, and truthfully:

God is not sitting on His throne looking for reasons to reject people.
He is reaching down, looking for ways to redeem them.

The Bible tells us in John 3:17:
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

That means this—
If someone believes their identity alone has already condemned them…

That is not the voice of God.

Because God’s first move toward humanity was not judgment—
It was love.

⸻

Now let’s be real—
Christians don’t all agree on every detail when it comes to topics like sexuality.
There are different interpretations, different convictions.

But here’s what we do agree on:

Every single one of us is broken in some way.
Every single one of us needs grace.
And every single one of us is invited to the same table.

⸻

So what does God actually ask of us?

Not perfection.
Not having it all figured out.
Not cleaning ourselves up before we come to Him.

He asks for this:

“Come to Me.”

Come with your questions.
Come with your struggles.
Come as you are.

Because salvation was never about having the “right” background—
It’s about having a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

⸻

And here’s the truth we cannot miss:

Jesus never built barriers for people trying to get to Him.
He broke them down.

He sat with the outcast.
He spoke to the rejected.
He loved the ones society pushed away.

And if we are going to represent Him…

We don’t push people away either.

⸻

So if someone asks you,
“Am I condemned just because of who I am?”

You can look them in the eye and say:

“No. You are not condemned.
You are called.
Called into a relationship with a God who loves you more than you can imagine.”

⸻

And church, let’s remember this:

People are not drawn to God by condemnation…
They are drawn by love, by grace, and by truth.

So let us be people who reflect that.
Let us be people who open the door, not close it.

Because at the end of the day…

There is room at God’s table.

Amen.

05/22/2023

Are we living in “The End Times”? Is the Great Tribulation upon us?

In Israel they have secured the land for the foundation of the Third Temple, built the Alter, and now have the Red Heifers for sacrifice. Could this set the stage for the end of times?

What are your thoughts?

04/08/2023

Tomorrow is Easter and we will give praise to the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The veil of darkness transformed to the brightest light. The most dreadful end became the most beautiful beginning. The depths of despair fade to reveal hope everlasting. The curse of death defeated by eternal life.

Go out into the word that he will return.

May God bless you all

Rev Father Osieja

03/03/2023

***This is an amazing story, truly this pastor’s story is a great example of how we should show our congregations how they react to their fellow beings. If a person is hungry and asks for help, and you feel that they may be the type to put money towards a habit then simply offer to get them a meal. I of all people understand the it’s very hard today because we are all on hard times, but if you can help someone in need please do.***

A pastor transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service. Only 3 people said hello to him, most looked the other way. He asked people for change to buy food because he was hungry. Not one gave him anything.

He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was told by the ushers that he would need to get up and go sit n the back of the church. He said hello to people as they walked in but was greeted with cold stares and dirty looks from people looking down on him and judging him.

He sat in the back of the church and listened to the church announcements for the week. He listened as new visitors were welcomed into the church that morning but no one acknowledged that he was new. He watched people around him continue to look his way with stares that said you are not welcome here.

Then the elders of the church went to the podium to make the announcement. They said they were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation. "We would like to introduce you to our new Pastor." The congregation stood up and looked around clapping with joy and anticipation. The homeless man sitting in the back stood up and started walking down the aisle.

That's when all the clapping stopped and the church was silent. With all eyes on him....he walked up the altar and reached for the microphone. He stood there for a moment and then recited so elegantly, a verse from the bible.....

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he introduced himself as their new pastor and told the congregation what he had experienced that morning. Many began to cry and bow their heads in shame. "Today I see a gathering of people here but I do not see a church of Jesus. The world has enough people that look the other way. What the world needs is disciples of Jesus that can follow this teachings and live as he did. When will YOU decide to become disciples?

He then dismissed service until the following Sunday as his sermon had been given.

***God bless you all, go into the world and spread his good word.

Rev Fr Osieja.***

12/16/2022

God, Bring our family peace. Provide us with your comfort. Let us know you tenderly care for each and every one of us. Lead us to be reunited with our loved one some day. Sit with us in our time of mourning. Let your presence provide rest. Thank you, for the gift of life that Diane brought to the world. May she rest peacefully with you for eternity. Amen.

This evening my Aunt, my father’s youngest sister took her last breath and entered peacefully into the Lords Kingdom. Please take a moment of silent prayer for our family and friends as we all mourn.

Rest in peace Aunt Dee.

03/02/2022

Today we receive ashes. As we begin our lenten journey let us take a few moments to pray for the people of Ukraine 🇺🇦. Over the past 7 days Ukraine has been struck by evil, by a power hungry man that does not share the compassion of our lord.

I ask that we pray for these brave, courageous people who have been pulled into a war that they have not been trained for. I ask that we pray that the Russia ground forces see the error of their ways, that almighty god intervenes showing them they do have a choice. And i ask that we pray for the nations around the world to stand up to Russia, but seek a peaceful solution. I ask that we pray for the Armor of God to be sent to us if those peaceful solutions are cast down.

May God be with us all durning this truly trying time.

Thank you all.
Rev Fr Osieja. 

05/12/2021

05/12/2021

And Jesus answered and said onto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:4-5

Brethren, since the beginning of time there have been those who are out to deceive us. We look to God to guild us and to help us see through the Evil that comes using the name of our Lord God to turn us to the wicked. We must hold strong to our faith in the face of Evil. God will deliver us, for he is the light that will flush out all darkness.

These are truly uncertain times. There are those that will believe that this is the beginning of revolutions and their our those that this is a sign of what will come in those times.

There may come a time where Christians will be persecuted for their beliefs, and we must hold onto our faith durning those times. Our strength in God will see us through.

Go out into the world and spread the word of our Lord God.

God Bless
Rev Fr Osieja.