Immanuel Lutheran Church - Everson, Washington

04/30/2026

Here is Pastor Esaú's sermon from April 26:
Fourth Sunday of Easter
John 10:1-10
Abundant Life

Here we are on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. White is the color for this Season of Easter that suggests the joy of the resurrection.Before we reflect on today’s Holy Gospel, let us remember last week’s Gospel.

We heard about two of Jesus’s disciples who were going to a village called Emmaus. While they were talking and discussing and we could feel their disappointment, and hopes seemingly crushed by the cross.

Many times just as those disciples, we have all experienced moments where our expectations were met with sadness or loss. Yet, just as Jesus walked with them and opened the Scriptures, He continues to accompany us in our own moments of uncertainty.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus identifies Himself as both "The Gate" and "The Good Shepherd." As the Gate, Jesus offers us a place of welcome, intimacy, and protection.; as the Good Shepherd, He guides us toward a life of abundance. This "abundant life" is not a promise of material wealth, but an invitation into a new quality of existence—one rooted in the radical generosity and communal care we see modeled by the early Church in the book of Acts.

While we are often surrounded by many voices promising security and success, they frequently leave the heart feeling empty. Easter reminds us that true fullness is found in our Good Shepherd. By entering through His gate, we choose a way of living that is more trusting and open, leaving behind the fears that confine us.

Jesus is urging us to live an "Easter life" today, promoting abundance as a direct alternative to the culture of death and despair. As we gather as a community of believers, let us express to one another the very qualities the Good Shepherd demonstrates toward us: closeness, empathy, love, and solidarity.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

04/03/2026

2026 HOLY WEEK AT IMMANUEL:
GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 3: Worship service at 7:00 p.m.
EASTER SUNDAY:
Sunrise Worship Service at 7:30 a.m. in the church cemetery.
Easter Celebrative Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
Please join us! Everyone is welcome.

03/21/2026

Are you ready to answer the question, What did we discuss in church last week? Read the Gospel and sermon from March 15 below.

4 Lent, March 15, 2026
Gospel: John 9:1-41
Pastor Esaú's Sermon is below the Gospel.

1 As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am he.” 10 But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”

18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see and those who do see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

Pastor Esaú’s Sermon:
As we reach the Fourth Sunday in Lent, we continue our season of repentance and solemnity, marked by the color purple and our practices of prayer, fasting, and works of love.

Reflecting on the Gospel of John from last week, we recall how Jesus initiated a conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well. He broke through deep-rooted prejudices to offer "living water" and spiritual dignity; it is particularly meaningful that we had this Gospel reading on International Women's Day.

In today’s Holy Gospel, we witness a similar encounter as Jesus heals a man born blind. He not only sees but feels the pain this man is experiencing; he does not close his eyes or pretend the man is not there.

This stands in contrast to how we often behave. Frequently, we close our eyes to the suffering of the less fortunate in our own neighborhoods, acting on the idiom in Spanish "Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente"—or, "Out of sight, out of mind."

Our Lord’s approach was quite different. When his disciples asked whether the man or his parents had sinned, Jesus clarified that the man's blindness was not a moral failure, but an opportunity for God’s works to be revealed.

The narrative highlights a "theological drama" where neighbors and religious authorities remain blind to the miracle before them. They question and eventually expel the man because he does not fit their expectations. However, Jesus seeks him out in solidarity, leading him not only to physical light but to the recognition of God’s glory.

This message remains deeply relevant today. As we heard in our first lesson, "the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." The story of the blind man is ultimately one of transformation rather than just physical healing.

Sisters and Brothers, our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ is inviting us to open our hearts and minds to this transformative love, challenging social injustices such as disability, discrimination, and exclusion.

May Jesus the Christ, who gave sight to the blind, help us overcome the blindness that prevents us from seeing the suffering of our neighbors. Amen.

03/06/2026

Here's a beautiful and uplifting video. May it give you peace.

The Blessing UK —At this unique and challenging time in the United Kingdom over 65 churches and movements, representing hundreds of others, have come togethe...

03/06/2026

Here is the Gospel and sermon from March 1, 2026, the second Sunday in Lent:

Gospel: John 3:1-17

1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Pastor Esaú’s Message: Being Born from Above

Today we observe the second Sunday in Lent. During this season, the color purple adorns our sanctuary to represent royalty and mark a time of reflection and repentance.

Lent is a beautiful season that recognizes our human nature and our need for God, especially when we fail by trusting in our own righteousness.

Recalling last Sunday’s lesson, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested. This raises important questions for us: How are we being tempted today? How do we prepare ourselves when we are tested by the "devil’s economy" rather than God's?

We must evaluate our trust in God and our faith in Jesus’ teachings. Jesus resisted temptation by trusting the words spoken at his baptism: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Because he embraced his identity and God’s blessing, he was able to endure the wilderness.

Through our own baptism, we are also reminded that we are God's beloved children invited to resist temptation for the glory of God.

Today’s Gospel reading from John 3:1-17 reaffirms the importance of baptism.

The narrative tells of Nicodemus, a Pharisee who visited Jesus at night. During their meeting, Jesus told him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

Jesus stated that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again, from above.

This perspective shifts Nicodemus's initiative and places it entirely in God's hands. However meticulously Nicodemus obeys the Torah, his rebirth is necessary, a process over which he has no control, just as no one controls their own physical birth.

Nevertheless, Nicodemus asked Jesus, how this was possible. Jesus clarified, “No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”

Living our baptism means being born of water and Spirit. As Martin Luther wrote, “Faith is God’s work in us. It changes us and makes us to be born anew of God... Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.”

Baptism is a significant part of our journey as we emerge from the waters to live new lives as children of God.

Sisters and brothers, Jesus is inviting us to trust God by living our baptism, and reminds us every Sunday that through his word and the Sacrament of Holy Communion to whom we belong!

May the God who promised many blessings to Abram, and who offers those same promises to us through Christ, help us to build a solid faith in God’s salvation. All honor and glory be to God! Amen.

02/24/2026

February 22, 2026
First Sunday in Lent, Gospel and Sermon
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

The Testing of Jesus
4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”
11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Pastor Esaú's Message
Being Tempted

Here we are on the First Sunday in Lent, having just marked the beginning of this 40-day journey on Ash Wednesday.

Lent is a beautiful season that invites us to recognize our need for God, especially when we fail by trusting in our own righteousness rather than God's. During this time, we use the color purple to symbolize royalty and to mark a season of reflection and repentance.

Before we focus on today’s Holy Gospel, let’s recall last week’s message. On the mountain of Transfiguration, the disciples witnessed Jesus’s face shine like the sun while a voice from the cloud commanded, “Listen to Him!”

God invites us to listen to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, and then move down from the mountain to be transformed.

Today’s Gospel takes us to the wilderness, where Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. This leads us to reflect: How are we being tempted in our present time? How do we prepare ourselves for these tests? We are often tempted to prioritize the "devil’s economy" over our faith in Jesus and His teachings.

We are here today to grow in our faith and prepare ourselves. Just as Jesus resisted temptation by trusting the words spoken at His baptism—“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased”—we must remember our own baptism.

We are beloved children of God, and that identity allows us to withstand temptation and endure the wilderness!

When we are tested, we must remember that God, in His infinite grace and mercy, invites us to listen and place our full trust in Jesus. Let us listen to Him, worship the Lord our God, and serve Him only.

Sisters and brothers, let us walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Let us remember to whom we belong. Let our Lord Jesus be in our lives and guide our walk.

All honor and glory be to God who embraces us as beloved children and is inviting us to abide that love into the world.
Amen.

02/20/2026

Below you can read the Gospel reading from last Sunday (February 15) and Pastor Esaù's sermon. We will hopefully be doing this every week for those who were unable to attend worship or for anyone who wants to be ready to answer Esaù's regular weekly question of what we discussed the week before.😉

Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 15, 2026

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Listening to Christ

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus the Christ. For this occasion, we use the color white to adorn our sanctuary and to call to mind the purity of our Lord and the light and joy we find in Jesus Christ.

Time is moving quickly, and Wednesday, February 18, marks the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday—the start of our 40-day journey to the cross. Sundays are not included in this count, as they serve as "mini-Easters." Lent is a beautiful season that helps us recognize our need for God, especially when we fail by trusting in our own righteousness.

Before we focus on today’s passage, I invite you to reflect on last Sunday’s message:

Jesus told us that we are the salt and light of the world, encouraging us to let our light shine so that others may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.

He also reminded us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. While the scribes and Pharisees often placed heavy burdens on others without practicing what they taught, Jesus invites us to truly live His teachings.

He is not simply demanding that we exceed expectations; He is renewing us through His grace so that we may fulfill our purpose naturally.

In today’s Holy Gospel, the disciples witness the Transfiguration. The narrative says Jesus’s face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as bright as light. As Moses and Elijah appeared, a voice from the cloud commanded, “Listen to Him!”

We are surrounded by many voices today, celebrities, and commentators—all promising health, wealth, and happiness. Yet, these voices often lead to ruin. The only truly trustworthy voice is that of Jesus.

God wants us to listen to Him and then move down from the mountain to be transformed. Often, we enlist Jesus as a divine symbol or "believe in Him" simply to be saved, yet we neglect to follow His teachings.

As we enter the season of Lent, let us remember that we are called to do more than just believe; we are called to listen and follow.

Sister and Brothers, May the experience of the Transfiguration help us place ourselves in the hands of God, meet face to face with Jesus, and commit to listening to His Word above all others. Amen!

02/16/2026

The seasons of the church change this Wednesday, February 18, as we begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service at 5:30 p.m. (We'll have a soup supper preceding the service at 4:30.) The season of Lent is a period of prayer, repentance, reflection, and preparation for the joy and renewal that Easter brings. Everyone is welcome to this short and peaceful worship service.

12/17/2025

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright...
Please join us at 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve for a joyful and peaceful candlelight worship service with music and carol singing.

10/26/2025

We have a small but dedicated group of generous and talented quilters at Immanuel. Each year they produce quilts and school kits that are shipped all over the world, sending out warmth and God's love from our community like rays of sunshine. Tomorrow, October 26, we bless the quilts and those who make them and those who receive them before they ship next week.

After worship we will have a spaghetti luncheon fundraiser sponsored by the Love Will Make a Way team - a "Love Offering" to help support the Grandin Family in Haiti. Please join us on this special Reformation Sunday beginning with worship at 9:30 a.m.