Christ Lutheran Church

06/18/2026

Trinity 3
Jesus Receives Sinners
“This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees’ statement of judgment against Jesus is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18–20). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11–32), who think they are righteous of themselves, will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father’s house. Let us therefore be on guard against self–righteously trusting in our own merits. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.

Thursday at 6:30pm and Sunday at 9am

Introit: Psalm 25:1–2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: vv. 16, 18
Readings: Micah 7:18-20, Psalm 103, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15

Hymns:
608 Lord, to You I Make Confession
814 O Bless the Lord, My Soul

Distribution Hymns:
609 Jesus Sinners Doth Receive
612 As Rebels, Lord, Who Foolishly Have Wandered
915 Today Your Mercy Calls Us

06/18/2026

This week's sermon is on Psalm 103. Here is a podcast on this Psalm that Pastor Belt did a few years ago.

Psalm 103 and 104 are a pair of twin psalms that have the refrain o...

06/17/2026

This Sunday is the Third Sunday after Trinity. Here is a great podcast that talks through the assigned readings, the hymn of the day, and even the collect. Issues, Etc. has been producing these for years. You can find past episodes with different guests in their archives.

Pr. Will Weedon, Host of The Word of the Lord Endures Forever The Word of the Lord Endures Forever Celebrating the Saints Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey See My Savior's Hands

06/14/2026

June 14 – Second Sunday after Trinity

Luke 14:19 – “And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’”

The things of this world tempt us to cast aside the things of God. The things of this world demand our attention, time, finances, etc. But Jesus invites us to the feast — what could be more important than this gracious invitation? Today’s parable invites us to examine our own priorities and excuses, and then come home in humble repentance to the Lord who invites us.

06/13/2026

Why read the Book of Jeremiah only to watch the prophet go through unthinkable tragedies? Cities are torched. The temple is destroyed. People's lives are dismantled. Babylon is behind it all. How can an Old Testament prophet heal my heart and bind up my wounds? Jeremiah presents himself as a God-given example of how to overcome massive setbacks.

The prophet survives rejection, public humiliation, mockery, conspiracies, death threats, captivities, depression, times of doubt, imprisonments, and forced exile. He speaks about this darkness, writes a book, and provides hope. You still have questions. Does Jeremiah speak to me? Can the prophet, rooted in ancient events and culture, address my pain? Can he generate hope and reignite my faith? Is it worth my while to invest time and energy in an Old Testament spokesman? No doubt, Jeremiah stands at a distance from us. My! He lived over 2,500 years ago! I still invite you to take the plunge. Roll up your sleeves. Dig in. I promise Jeremiah will become a trusted companion. His book will become a lantern, lighting the way through your darkest valleys. Jeremiah will help you make sense out of life's nonsense.

What makes the prophet so relevant? He repeatedly points us to Jesus. Jeremiah directs us to Christ's suffering, but also to the empty tomb. That's where we see a new day dawning-for Jesus and for us. Sure, the path to recovery is uneven. It's often one step forward and two steps back. Yet as we study Jeremiah, by God's grace, we will make progress. Through the prophet's alarming poetry, jarring narratives, and multiple near-misses with death, our hope will be born anew. Let's get started!

- Overcoming Life's Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah by Reed Lessing (224.2 Le)

Check-out this and other books out from the Church Library (off of the Narthex by the Lincoln Ave entrance)

06/12/2026

Wisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Prov. 9:5–6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the...

06/11/2026

God made us so we would delight in Him and husband and wife would delight in each other. (Lutheran Witness - Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)

06/11/2026

Trinity 2

The Gospel Call Goes Out to All
Wisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Prov. 9:5–6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master’s house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15–24). For “you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13–22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13–18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end.

Divine Service Setting 1
Thursday at 6:30pm and Sunday at 9am

Introit: Psalm 18:1–2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: vv. 18b–19
Readings: Proverbs 9:1-10, Psalm 34, Ephesians 2:13-22, Luke 14:15-24

Hymns:
510 A Multitude Comes from the East and the West
690 Hope of the World

Distribution Hymns:
622 Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared
563 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

06/11/2026

This week's sermon is on Psalm 34. Here is a podcast Pastor Belt did on this Psalm a few years ago.

Psalm 34, one of the acrostic poems found in the psalm, details the...

06/10/2026

A rather timely Lutheran Institute of Theology Course is now available! This eight session course is all about the Psalms. If you haven't created an account yet, members of Christ Lutheran can get it for free through the Church. Contact the office or check the Friday email for the code.

Learn more and enroll here: https://lutheraninstitute.org/How sho...