Immanuel Lutheran Church - Everson, Washington

Immanuel Lutheran Church - Everson, Washington A congregation of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Here is Pastor Esaú's message for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 23, 2026Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20Who is...
08/28/2026

Here is Pastor Esaú's message for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 23, 2026
Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20

Who is Jesus?

Here we are at the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. During this season, we use the color green to indicate our growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of Christ.

Before we focus on today's readings, let us refresh our memories from last Sunday. What did you hear in the Holy Gospel, or what caught your attention from any of our readings?

Last week's Gospel narrative was divided into two parts. First, Jesus challenged the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions, such as ritual hand-washing, over honoring God. He argued that true impurity comes from the heart rather than public conduct, warning His disciples: "Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles."

The narrative then moved to the district of Tyre and Sidon, where a Canaanite woman begged for mercy because her daughter was tormented by a demon. Jesus initially did not answer her, and the disciples asked Him to send her away because she was shouting. Citing His mission to the "lost sheep of Israel," Jesus initially rejected her request, stating, "It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs."

The woman knelt and replied that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. Touched by her persistence and great faith, Jesus granted her request and healed her daughter.

This reading can be difficult to accept, but it serves as a powerful reminder that God's grace transcends the limits we set. Jesus calls us to work through our own prejudices and help those in need, remembering that everyone is a human being just like us.

In today's Holy Gospel, Jesus asks two questions to his disciples: "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" and "Who do you say that I am?”

Regarding the first question, Jesus's disciples answered: "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

On the second question, Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus told him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” Peter openly confessed his faith that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

This leaves us with a question to reflect on: Who is Christ for you?

The Bible presents Peter as compassionate and loyal to Jesus, but he also shows doubt, even denying Jesus three times. He can also be a stumbling block, as we will hear next Sunday in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus turns to him and says, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Peter was very human, just as we are. We can certainly be like Peter, and that is why we need the help of our powerful spiritual food: Word and Sacrament. It is for this reason that we gather every Sunday at church to worship, and also to be reminded of who Jesus is for us.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ energizes us every Sunday when we hear His word and receive the Holy Sacrament. He asks us to live according to His teachings and to consider who He is in our lives. By embracing His ministry as a way of life rather than just a statement, we can go out into our daily lives and bear testimony to His presence.

May God, in His infinite grace and mercy, be with us as we follow the teachings and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

08/22/2026

Here is Pastor Esaú's sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Gospel: Matthew 15:10-28
Faith without Borders

Dear Brothers and Sisters,As we reach the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, we continue to use the liturgical color green, symbolizing our growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Reflecting on last Sunday’s Holy Gospel, we heard about Jesus walking on water, a narrative following the feeding of the five thousand. While theologians and scholars often struggle to explain these events, it is faith alone that helps us believe they were real.

In that storm, the disciples faced fear and darkness, and Jesus offered them encouragement, making Himself recognizable to them. This poses an important question for us today: Can we recognize God's presence amidst our own fears and darkness? Do we have faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Jesus knows that the storms of life are opportunities to heal, support, and brighten our lives and the lives of those around us. When things go badly, our hearts are often more receptive, serving as a door through which Jesus can enter. That door is faith.

In today's Holy Gospel, the narrative is divided into two parts. First, Jesus challenges the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions, such as ritual hand-washing, over honoring God. He argues that true impurity comes from the heart rather than public conduct, warning His disciples: "Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles."

The narrative then moves to an encounter in the regions of Tyre and Sidon, where a Canaanite woman begs for mercy because her daughter is tormented by a demon. Jesus initially does not answer her, and the disciples ask Jesus (just as they did at the miracle of the feeding the big crowd sending away the people so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves) to send her away because she keeps shouting after them. Citing His mission to the "lost sheep of Israel," Jesus initially rejects her request with harsh language, stating, "It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs."

The woman kneels and replies that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. Touched by her persistence and great faith, Jesus changes his mind, grants her request and heals her daughter. Jesus listens to a woman on the margins of society—a Canaanite and woman considered "impure" by Jewish tradition. He acknowledges her faith and recognizes her as a human being in need, showing us that His grace expands beyond traditional boundaries.

This reading can be difficult to swallow, but it serves as a powerful reminder that God's grace transcends the limits we set. Jesus calls us to work through our own prejudices and help those in need, remembering that everyone is a human being just like us.

While our faith is often expressed through cherished traditions, God's love and grace are far larger and more inclusive than our own customs. May God in His infinite grace be with us as we strive to live out the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Here is Pastor Esaú's sermon from 11 Pentecost: Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 Having Jesus in our Boat Here we are on this El...
08/15/2026

Here is Pastor Esaú's sermon from 11 Pentecost:

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33
Having Jesus in our Boat

Here we are on this Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. During this season, the color green serves as a powerful reminder of our ongoing growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Reflecting on the Holy Gospel from last week, we heard the powerful story of the feeding of the five thousand. After hearing of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew to a deserted place, yet crowds followed Him.

Moved by deep compassion, He healed the sick. As evening approached, the disciples suggested sending the crowds away to buy food, but Jesus instructed the disciples to feed them instead.

Despite having only five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus blessed the food, and more than 5,000 people were fed, leaving twelve baskets of leftovers.

This immense miracle demonstrates Jesus's absolute power and encourages us to rely completely on Him while taking action to transform our world with the resources we have.

In today's Holy Gospel, we witness the story that follows: Jesus walking on the water.

Once again, the disciples learned that they needed Jesus to save them in a new situation. While scholars and theologians have often struggled to explain this miracle—some proposing
that Jesus walked on a sandbar and others suggesting it was a post-resurrection account—it is ultimately faith that helps us believe this event was real.

The experienced fishermen in the boat, far from land, were not easily fooled, yet they faced genuine terror when they saw a figure approaching them through the storm, initially believing it was a ghost.

In the face of their fear and darkness, Jesus offered encouragement and made Himself recognizable to them. This poses an important question for us today: Can we recognize God's presence amidst the threats, fears, and darkness we face?

When Peter recognized Jesus, he embodied an attitude we often adopt on our own journey of discipleship. Impulsively, he wanted to walk on the water to reach Jesus, but the force of the wind brought back his fear. Just as fear clouded Peter's vision and caused him to sink, it can do the same to us. Yet, Jesus immediately responded to Peter’s cries, reaching out His arm to pull up His friend from the dark, stormy waters.

Sisters and Brothers, Our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ knows that the storms of life can be an opportunity to take action and brighten, heal, or support the lives of those around us and ours. When things are going badly, we have to open our hearts and be more receptive; a broken heart is frequently a door through which Jesus the Christ can find entry.

As Christians, Jesus will always be the answer to our doubts, our fear, and our chaos. He still comes to us in the midst of our troubles, saying, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” What a beautiful way to afirm as a disciple of Christ: “Truly you are the Son of God.”

We need Jesus in our boat. Amen!

Here is Pastor Esaú's sermon for August 2, the Tenth Sunday after PentecostGospel: Matthew 14:13-21A Humongous Miracle D...
08/06/2026

Here is Pastor Esaú's sermon for
August 2, the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

A Humongous Miracle

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we gather on this Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, we reflect on this season of Ordinary Time, where the color green reminds us of our continuous growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of Christ.

Before diving into today's readings, let us recall last Sunday's Holy Gospel, which presented five parables: the mustard seed, the yeast, the hidden treasure, the pearl merchant, and the net. Each of these illustrates the Kingdom of God as something seemingly small or insignificant that ultimately holds supreme value, prompting a joyful response from those who find it.

Today, we look at the profound miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude. After hearing of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdraws to a deserted place, yet crowds follow him on foot. Moved by deep compassion, Jesus heals the sick. As evening approaches, the disciples suggest sending the crowds away to buy food. Instead, Jesus instructs the disciples to feed them. Despite having only five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus blesses the food, and more than 5,000 people are fed.

This immense miracle demonstrates Jesus's absolute power and encourages us to rely completely on Him while taking action to transform our world with the resources we have.

What does the Kingdom of Heaven look like? It is manifested when we show profound compassion to the less fortunate, support them in their time of need, and welcome them to our table. The Greek word used for "compassion" in this passage implies being moved to the absolute depths of one's soul. It goes beyond mere pity or sympathy; it is a deep concern that compels us to act on behalf of those who suffer. In the Gospel of Matthew, this word is reserved for moments that reveal the very heart of God, showing that compassion is an essential characteristic of His reign.

While our present economy often breeds indifference or contempt, God’s economy—the Kingdom of Heaven—teaches us to view those in need through the eyes of Christ's abundant grace. The feeding of the multitude is a lesson in the type of community God desires: one where we share in Christ's compassion and gather everyone around a common table where there is enough for all.

As the church, we are called to look at the world with the compassionate eyes of Christ, place our resources into God’s hands, and build communities where everyone is welcomed with dignity.

May God in His infinite grace strengthen Us as you follow Our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Here is Pastor Esaú's message from July 19, the Eighth Sunday after PentecostThe Gospel of Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43Dear S...
07/25/2026

Here is Pastor Esaú's message from July 19, the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

The Gospel of Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As we gather on this Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, we continue to use the liturgical color green, symbolizing our growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of Christ.

Reflecting on the Holy Gospel from recent weeks, we recall Jesus sitting by the sea, teaching the great crowds gathered on the beach through parables.The word "parable" derives from a Greek term meaning "to throw alongside," implying a comparison where one entity illuminates another.


In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus used a simple story to illustrate a spiritual lesson. This parable encourages us as disciples to be sowers of the Gospel, focusing not on the seed that is lost, but on the promise of a stupendous harvest from the good soil.

This Sunday, Jesus teaches us through another agricultural illustration: The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat. This story addresses the challenging reality of evil co-existing with good in the world, promising that opposition will not define the ultimate outcome. In the end, God and the faithful will prevail.

The parable also guides us on how to respond to opposition and challenging people. The householder instructs his servants not to gather the w**ds prematurely, for fear that they uproot the wheat along with them.

Jesus refers to a specific w**d (zizania, or bearded darnel) that closely resembles wheat in its early stages, with roots that intertwine. While separation is eventually necessary because the w**d is toxic, the plants must grow together until the harvest, when they can be safely distinguished and separated by hand.

In this Gospel, Jesus encourages us to get the facts and understand the whole picture before taking action, rather than being quick to condemn and slow to show grace. We see the relevance of this teaching in how we view complex societal issues today:

- Homelessness: The National Alliance to End Homelessness notes that this is a highly visible yet poorly understood challenge resulting from economic hardship, lack of affordable housing, and systemic barriers. While some are quick to criticize or condemn those experiencing homelessness, the reality is that most are facing circumstances beyond their control requiring systemic solutions.

- Immigration: According to the United Nations, people have migrated since earliest times to seek opportunity, join family, or escape conflict and natural disasters. While some call for massive deportations, we must remember the many hardworking, good people affected, who are true assets to our nation.

As disciples of Christ, we are called to look carefully at the whole picture before rushing to judgment. Our Lord and Savior desires that we allow His teachings to shine through us. He promises that, in the end, the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen! Amen.

Pastor Esaú's sermon from the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23The Bold SowerDear Sisters and Brother...
07/18/2026

Pastor Esaú's sermon from the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Bold Sower

Dear Sisters and Brothers, as we gather on this Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, we recognize the liturgical use of the color green, which signifies our growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of Christ.

In today's Gospel reading, we find Jesus preaching from a boat to the great crowds gathered on the beach. He speaks to them in parables, beginning with the Parable of the Sower.

Before we examine today's text, it is helpful to recall last week's reading, in which Jesus offered thanks to the Father for revealing these truths to the infants rather than the wise and intelligent. He extended a meaningful invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus notes that many who listened to him did not truly hear his message. Despite facing accusations and misunderstandings, he remained clear in his identity, prioritized the approval of his Father, and invited all to truly know him.

Jesus' instructions to us who are carrying heavy burdens is quite simple: "Learn from me." We fulfill this by moving beyond merely speaking his Word to engaging in active listening, meditation, and obedience, allowing the Word to transform our lives.

In today's reading, Jesus presents the Parable of the Sower to the crowds without immediate explanation, concluding with the call: "If you have ears, hear!"

Jesus frequently utilized parables as rhetorical tools to challenge religious pride and narrow expectations, drawing direct comparisons between his vision of life and the common realities of rural agricultural labor.

While modern gardening relies on strategic soil preparation to ensure a predictable harvest, Jesus suggests that the soil of the human heart is invisible and unpredictable. Consequently, we must follow the sower's example and scatter the seed of the Word everywhere, regardless of the perceived odds of success.

Furthermore, this message challenges the contemporary assumption that worldly success and material wealth resolve all personal anxieties. We are reminded of the rich young man who asked Jesus what good deed would secure him eternal life. When Jesus instructed him to sell his possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow him, the man went away sorrowful due to his great wealth. The "anxiety of the age" and the "deceit of riches" remain profound challenges to our spiritual growth.

Sisters and Brothers, Jesus continues to encourage and challenge us today, saying, "If anyone has ears to hear, listen to the message!" May the Lord assist us in opening both our ears and our hearts so that we may truly receive his word and bear fruit abundantly!

May the Grace of God be with us as we keep growing in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, amen!

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!

2026 HOLY WEEK AT IMMANUEL:GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 3: Worship service at 7:00 p.m.EASTER SUNDAY: Sunrise Worship Service at 7:...
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.

Address

5782 Lawrence Road
Everson, WA
98247

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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