St. John's on the Hillside Lutheran Church—Milwaukee, WI

St. John's on the Hillside Lutheran Church—Milwaukee, WI St. John’s on the Hillside Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation that has served the Lord and our community since 1848. We are located at 804 W. Vliet St.

St John’s on the Hillside Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation that has served the Lord and our community since 1848. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205.Our service times are Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Services last for about an hour. You are invited to join us afterward for coffee and treats at the Parish Hall, located immediately west of the church building at 814 W. It's the smallest building on the property.For more information you may contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at (414) 263-1616.

09/08/2026

THINK OF JESUS MORE!

Matthew 23:1-12 (EHV): Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. 2 He said, “The experts in the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So practice and observe whatever they tell you. But do not do as they do, because they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy loads, burdens that are hard to carry, and place them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to help them. 5 They do all their works to be seen by people. They make their phylacteries wide and lengthen the fringes of their garments. 6 They love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and being called ‘Rabbi’ by people. 8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Also do not call anyone on earth your ‘Father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 And you are not to be called ‘leaders,’ for you have one Leader, the Christ. 11 But the greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew spends two and a half chapters recording the discourse between Jesus and the Pharisees and his comments on them afterward. That alone tells us how dangerous the attitude of the Pharisees was. They pretended to be so righteous. They loved to be acknowledged and praised by people for their godly lives. They were proud of themselves. However, they were no better than anyone else. If anything, a Pharisee was good at hiding his sin, even from himself.

And so are we. We would rather think about our accomplishments than think about our moral failures. We love the praise that people give us while we bristle at the smallest criticism that comes our way. We put on a good face when we must so that we don’t reveal our evil thoughts and intentions. We would rather hide our sins and tuck them away than confess them to a brother or sister in Christ and bring them to the light of day.

What is true humility? Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. The way to do that is to think of Jesus more. He is our Teacher, our Rabbi, our instructor, our Messiah, our Savior. Don’t think of your righteousness, but his righteousness. Don’t think of your glory, but his glory. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. You don’t have to pretend to be somebody, because you are already a redeemed child of God in Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, do not let me be a pretender. Unmask my hypocrisy so that I see my sins clearly and do not hide them from myself or others or you. More importantly, let me hide myself in you so that I might see my life clearly as a redeemed child of God. Amen.

PONDER: Whose approval matters too much to you? How does remembering who you are in Christ free you from needing that person's praise?

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸As we enjoy a day of rest, we give thanks to God for the gift of work and for those who serve their f...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

As we enjoy a day of rest, we give thanks to God for the gift of work and for those who serve their families and communities through it. May we remember His goodness in both our work and our rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

09/06/2026

WHICH IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?

Matthew 22:34-40 (EHV): 34 When they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees met together. 35 One of them who was an expert in the law asked him a question, trying to trap him. 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Again, notice that this question was not asked to learn from Jesus, but to test him. The enemies of Jesus got together and conspired against him (Psalm 2:2). They tested Jesus with the question, “Which is the greatest commandment of the law?” It was a trick question because every commandment has equal weight. They are ALL God’s commandments, and not one of them can be considered less than another. Missing church on Sunday and murdering your neighbor will both earn you a death sentence before God.

Again, the One who spoke from the burning bush and gave the law on Mt. Sinai answers the question perfectly. Love God with your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Notice that Jesus doesn’t pick one over the other. Instead he shows how every commandment is fulfilled by the law of love.

The problem is not with God’s law but with us. We have broken every single one of God’s commandments many times. When I go to church, I break the third commandment because I am distracted at some point and fail to listen carefully. Why can I devour a crime novel reading for hours on end and not have the same passion and devotion when I read God’s Word? It’s because of my sinful nature.

That is why I need Jesus! The Pharisees missed the point altogether. Only one person in the whole world has ever kept the law perfectly, and that is Jesus. The one who gave the law put himself under the law so that we might receive the adoption of sons (Galatians 4:5). Thank you, Jesus, for being my perfection and my righteousness, before God!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for being so utterly sinful. I have not kept even one of your commandments. That is why I turn to you and only you for my salvation. You became my sin so that I might have your righteousness! As a redeemed and forgiven child of God, teach me your ways that I may walk the way of your commandments! Amen.

PONDER: Why is it dangerous to consider one commandment more important than others? How does remembering the law of love help us understand every commandment better? Why is it important to focus more on Jesus than on the law?

Looking for a fresh start?At St. John’s on the Hillside, you’ll find hope, community, and the love of Jesus, no matter w...
09/05/2026

Looking for a fresh start?

At St. John’s on the Hillside, you’ll find hope, community, and the love of Jesus, no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve been through.

Come as you are. We’d love to have you with us!

⏰ Worship Sundays at 10:00 AM
📍 St. John’s on the Hillside
804 W. Vliet Street
Milwaukee, WI 53205

09/05/2026

THE RESURRECTION IS REAL!

Matthew 22:23-33 (EHV): 23 That same day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him a question: 24 “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without having children, his brother should marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one died after he married her, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 It was the same with the second brother, the third, and all the way to the seventh. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since they all married her?” 29 “You are mistaken,” Jesus replied, “since you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 In fact, in the resurrection people neither marry nor are given in marriage. Instead they are like the angels of God in heaven. 31 And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you never read what was spoken to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 When the crowds heard his answer, they were amazed at his teaching.

Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection from the dead. There were liberal theologians even in Jesus’ day. They came to Jesus with a “what if” question which they felt would be impossible to answer. Jesus did answer it. And do you see how he answered it? He proved from the scripture that there is life after death. Otherwise, God would have said, “I WAS the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” God said, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” meaning that they were still alive and well in heaven. Therefore, there is life after death, and the Scripture proves it.

But won’t we know our spouses and loved ones in heaven? Of course, we will. Scripture in Genesis chapter 25 says that Abraham was “gathered to his people.” David said of his infant son when he died, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23). The point that Jesus is making about marriage is simple. There won’t be the need in heaven for having children and raising families. Our relationships with children and spouses will mature beyond the needs of intimacy and protection that we have in this life.

But the main point Jesus is making is that life after death and the resurrection is real. It’s not made up. It’s not a fantasy place that people invented to give us some hope. We make the same mistake whenever we judge God’s promises by what seems possible to us. The resurrection seems impossible only when we forget the power of the God who created life in the first place.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, what hope you hold out for all who believe in you! If this life were all there was, what despair would overwhelm us! But we know that you died and rose again and live at God’s right hand. You promised to make a place for us in heaven. What joy we have each day knowing and believing this! Amen.

PONDER: What two things did Jesus say the Sadducees failed to understand in verse 29? How can the same two failures weaken our faith today? What comfort do you find in Jesus’ words, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living”? How does knowing that Jesus will raise your body on the Last Day change the way you view your life—and your death?

09/04/2026

POLITICS AS USUAL?

Matthew 22:15-22 (EHV): 15 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted together how to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in accord with the truth. You are not concerned about gaining anyone’s approval because you are not swayed by appearances. 17 So tell us, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus knew their evil purpose and said, “Why are you testing me, hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” They brought him a denarius. 20 He asked them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied to him. Then he said to them, “Therefore give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. Then they left him and went away.

They thought they could trap Jesus with the perfect question. If Jesus said it was okay to pay taxes to Caesar, he would look bad in the eyes of the Jewish nationalists. If he said it was not okay to pay taxes to Caesar, it would be even better. They would report him to the authorities. Jesus saw through their duplicity and gave them the perfect answer.

He pointed to the image of Caesar on the coin and said, “Therefore give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” He laid down the principle that we live in two kingdoms. We can be thankful for what the state gives us—protection, good roads, schools, and many other things. We owe taxes to the government and should pay them willingly in keeping with the fourth commandment. In Romans chapter 13, Paul says we also owe those who govern us our honor and respect. That seems to be in short supply lately, and we should not be drawn into angry and disrespectful debates.

We owe to God what is God’s. And what is that? It is our very life. Where would we be without God’s protecting hand? What hope would we have without our faith in Jesus? Even under severe persecution by the Roman government, early Christians distinguished themselves by their love, respect, and good works. In the same way, as we live our lives in a contentious political climate, our light can shine even brighter.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the government you have given us—the police to protect us, the leaders who make our laws, the men and women in the armed services who keep watch against our enemies. Help us to avoid partisan politics that may alienate those who need to hear the gospel. Amen.

PONDER: How can you participate responsibly in political discussions without allowing politics to interfere with your Christian witness? When might it be better simply to listen rather than argue?

09/03/2026

WHAT WILL I WEAR?

Matthew 22:8-14 (EHV): 8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 So go to the main crossroads and invite as many as you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10 Those servants went out to the roads and gathered together everyone they found, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wearing wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. 13 Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Once again Jesus directs this parable especially to the Jews who rejected him. They were God’s chosen people, but they rejected God’s invitation to his feast because they did not believe in Jesus, whom God sent to be their Savior. Therefore, the invitation was sent to the Gentiles, to the “good and the bad.” The very Gentiles that the proud Jews despised would enter the kingdom of God before them, because they believed in Jesus.

But what about the man who didn’t have the wedding clothes? I’ve read that it was a custom for a king to cloth all his guests. We do the same with our wedding parties, where the bridesmaids and groomsmen are dressed the same. But in the parable, one man didn’t wear his wedding clothes, and he was cast out. What a beautiful picture of our salvation! God has invited us to the wedding feast, and he has even provided us with the robes of righteousness that Jesus made for us by his perfect life and death. Anyone who is wearing his robes of righteousness is acceptable at the feast which God has prepared!

In Revelation 7:14, John saw the saints in heaven before the throne dressed in white. The elder in heaven explained to John who these beautifully dressed people were. “These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” What a joy to think of heaven and not be afraid, because we are wearing the robes of Jesus’ righteousness!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, life would be fearful and death even more horrible if I didn’t believe in you as my Savior! Thank you for taking my sins away through your death on the cross, and for giving me your righteousness to wear before God. I am a saint by faith in you! Help me to live each day in thankfulness and praise. Amen.

PONDER: Jesus told parables because these stories make the truth stick in our minds and in our hearts. What would a person who does not believe in Jesus take away from this story? What do you take away from this story?

09/02/2026

YOU’VE BEEN INVITED!

Matthew 22:1-7 (EHV): Jesus spoke to them again in parables. He said, 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent out his servants to summon those who were invited to the wedding banquet, but they did not want to come. 4 “Then he sent out other servants and said, ‘Tell those who are invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and my fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet!’ 5 “But those who were invited paid no attention and went off, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 The rest seized the king’s servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 As a result, the king was very angry. He sent his army and killed those murderers and burned their town.

What will you do with Jesus? The parables in the last chapter and again in this chapter force us to ask ourselves that question. The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. You can’t help but think of the reference in the book of Revelation that talks about the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). We are invited to join that feast in heaven.

In the parable, Jesus points out that there are those who care nothing about the invitation that God has extended to us through Jesus. “But those who were invited paid no attention and went off, one to his own farm, another to his business.” Oh, how Jesus speaks to our hearts in our busy culture, where it seems that everything is more important than Jesus! Careers, sports activities, hobbies, travel, mowing lawn—these all become priorities in our lives when there is nothing more important than to sit down and enjoy the feast that God has prepared for us. When we wake up in the middle of the night and all we can think about are the worries of this world, what does that say about what is important to us?

Here is a suggestion to get your mind and heart back where it belongs. Pray a favorite psalm three or more times a day. If you have a Bible app on your phone, you can have a psalm with you all the time. Many of the psalms dwell on our relationship with our God and Savior. They turn our hearts from the worries of this life to the promises of eternal life. God gives us a foretaste of the heavenly feast he has prepared for us.

And at night, too. Do you wake up in the middle of the night, or in the early morning, thinking about the worries of this life? Appointments to make, or a lawn to cut? Set them aside and dream about what it will be like in heaven—no worries at all! Dwell on the promises Jesus has made to you that guarantee a place at the heavenly banquet. Enjoy the feast!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Amen. (Adapted from Psalm 73—NIV.)

PONDER: Take a moment to make a list of five worries on your mind today. How many of them will be resolved in a few days or weeks? Now make a list of five things that you are guaranteed in heaven. These will last forever.

God calls us to encourage one another, gather together, and live out our faith in love. We’re thankful for the gift of C...
09/01/2026

God calls us to encourage one another, gather together, and live out our faith in love. We’re thankful for the gift of Christian fellowship and the opportunity to grow together in Christ.

09/01/2026

JESUS.

Matthew 21:42-46: 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’’ 43 “That is why I tell you the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces its fruit. 44 Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was talking about them. 46 Although they were looking for a way to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds because the people regarded him as a prophet.

There was a church in the city that I served that called itself Jesus Assembly of God. They put up large billboards on the roads coming into town that were bright yellow. The billboards read, “Jesus.” They used the same slogan and advertised in the local high school community publication. There were vocal complaints about the ad. They were not allowed to place the ad again. Do you know what people complained about? It was the period behind Jesus’ name.

“Jesus.” is not politically correct in our culture, but it is theologically correct. Jesus made it clear in John 14 when he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” The apostles made it clear in Acts 4 when they said, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

The whole story of the Bible would make no sense at all if it were true that you could believe in any religion at all and still be saved. If that were the case, why would God the Father send his Son into the world to die for the sins of the world, if any religion could save us? Why would the Son of God lay down his life for us if we could find salvation in any other name but his?

The story of our salvation in Jesus is the most exclusive and yet inclusive story of all. It is exclusive, because only Jesus can save us. It is inclusive, because he died for the sins of the whole world, and everyone who believes in him will be saved. Even me. Even you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there is hope in you and in no other! Thank you for bringing me to faith in you, for without you I would be crushed beneath a load of sin. Help me to see the countless people around me who still do not have that hope in you. Use me to bring this message of salvation to as many people as I possibly can. Amen.

PONDER: How does the exclusiveness of the gospel give us a sense of urgency in sharing the gospel with others? How does the inclusiveness of the gospel widen the scope of our mission work? Based on what you learned today, write a mission statement for yourself.

Address

804 W Vliet Street
Milwaukee, WI
53205

Opening Hours

10am - 11am

Telephone

+14142631616

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St. John's on the Hillside Lutheran Church—Milwaukee, WI posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category