Christ Lutheran Church

06/23/2026

Great article on Lutheran Early Response Team right here at Christ Lutheran and in Northeast Nebraska. If this opportunity to serve appeals to you, contact the church office at 402-371-1210 and we will notify you when the next training is offered!!

Deb Kirsch of Norfolk was searching for something to do after her retirement — something meaningful that would make a difference.

06/23/2026

“Whoever confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 10:32

DEVOTIONAL
There is a kind of confession that costs nothing.
The one we make on Sunday, in this building, surrounded by people who believe the same thing, singing the same creed. That confession flows easily — because the conditions are easy. No one will push back. No one will look at you differently. Nothing is at stake.

Jesus is talking about a different kind.

He is talking about the moment at the office when someone says something dismissive about faith and you have a choice. The family dinner where a comment about the church hangs in the air. The conversation with a neighbor who is quietly falling apart and you feel the pull to say the name Jesus and pull back instead.
The Greek word for confess — homologeo — means to say the same thing. To align your mouth with what is actually true. We are good at Sunday alignment. Weekday alignment is where it costs us.

And yet: Jesus says the Father who receives your weekday confession will answer it with His own. What you say out loud, He says in heaven. The mirror goes both ways.

SENT TODAY: Find one moment today where you can say one honest sentence about your faith — not a sermon, not an argument. One sentence in the right moment.

WE PRAY: Jesus, You confessed the Father when it led to the cross. Give me courage for one honest sentence today. Amen.

REFLECT: When have you had the chance to say something about your faith and stayed quiet instead — and what stopped you?

06/22/2026

Check out whats happening this week at Christ Lutheran

06/22/2026

“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” — Matthew 10:31

DEVOTIONAL
Most of us read this verse in church and feel it for a moment — then walk out into a week where we forget it entirely.
But Jesus didn’t say it to be forgotten. He said it to be carried.
Consider what He’s actually claiming. Not that God is vaguely aware of you. Not that He has you somewhere in the back of His mind. He is saying that the number of hairs on your head — the ones falling out, the ones you’ve never counted, the ones nobody notices — God knows exactly how many. Right now.

That level of attention is not a comfort. It’s a reckoning. It means your fear is not hidden from Him. Your Monday morning dread, your 2 a.m. anxiety, the worry you’ve been carrying since last week — He sees every one of them and has not looked away.
The Father’s letter says fear not. It was written for exactly the week you’re walking into.

SENT TODAY
Name one fear you’ve been carrying quietly this week — to yourself, to God in prayer, or to someone you trust. Don’t manage it alone. The letter says: He already knows. Speak it out loud.

PRAYER
Father, You count hairs and sparrows and fears. You see what I carry this week that I haven’t told anyone. I’m telling You now. Fear not, You said. Help me believe it on a Monday. Amen.

06/21/2026

Christ Lutheran Sunday June 21, 2026 10:30am Contemporary Service

06/19/2026

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” — Matthew 9:37-38

If you grew up around agriculture — or know anyone who has — you know what a harvest window is. When the crop is ready, you go. You don't wait for perfect weather. You don't put it on next month's calendar. The crop does not care about your schedule.
Jesus looked at people who were ready — ready to hear the Gospel, ready for hope, ready for someone to simply show up — and He said the field is ready. The laborers are few.

That's not a problem with the harvest. That's a problem with us.
You've been briefed. You've been resourced. The mission doesn't wait.

Not when you're ready. Not when conditions are perfect. Not after the next course or conference or season of life. Now.

LIVING IT OUT
Stop waiting for the “right moment.” Take one small step today toward the person God has already put in front of you — a text, a visit, an invitation, a conversation you've been avoiding. The window is open.

PRAYER
Lord of the harvest, You've already given me everything I need — Your Gospel, Your Spirit, Your name. Forgive me for waiting. Send me today, into the ordinary places You've already put me. Amen.

06/18/2026

“You received without paying — give without pay.” — Matthew 10:8

There's no spiritual ledger where your good works accumulate enough credit to purchase what Jesus gave you. Grace doesn't run on that economy. There's no exchange rate between human effort and divine authority.

There's only gift. Unearned. Undeserved.

Jesus looked at you the same way He looked at the crowds — harassed and helpless, skinned by sin, thrown down by failure and rebellion. And He didn't wait for you to clean yourself up first.
He went to the cross. He died. He rose. The account was settled — not by you — at the cross.

Freely. Without cost. While you were still the problem.

LIVING IT OUT
Is there something you've been “charging interest” on — a forgiveness you've been withholding, a kindness you've been rationing, waiting for the other person to deserve it first? Give it away today. Freely. The way it was given to you.

PRAYER
Jesus, You didn't wait for me to deserve forgiveness — You gave it while I was still the problem. Help me give that same kind of grace to someone today, with no conditions attached. Amen.

06/17/2026

“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority...” — Matthew 10:1

Peter was about to deny Jesus three times. Thomas was going to demand proof before he'd believe the resurrection. The whole group would fall asleep when Jesus needed them most in the garden.

This was not a decorated unit.

And Jesus handed them His authority anyway. Not because they earned it. Not because their record qualified them. Because He decided the mission was worth it and they were the ones He was sending.

The same is true of you. At your baptism, His name was placed on you — not because you earned it, but because He gave it.
You carry His name into every room you enter. Every table you sit at. Every person you serve. Not because you're impressive.
Because He's generous.

LIVING IT OUT
Take a moment today to remember your baptism — the date if you know it, or simply the truth that His name is on you. Let that truth shape one conversation today.

PRAYER
Lord, I didn't earn what You gave me — not my salvation, not Your Spirit, not the privilege of carrying Your name. Thank You for choosing me anyway. Help me carry Your name well today. Amen.

06/17/2026

We're looking for 4-8 volunteers (including kids) to paint a few things for the parade Saturday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. and - order those shirts soon! Go to our webpage (https://church.clnorfolk.org/join-the-parade/) and sign up! Volunteers are free and you can purchase one for $17!!

06/15/2026

If you would like a shirt for the July 4th parade please order today or tomorrow. If you volunteer contact the office for a code and your shirt is free!