At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near. (Sundays and Seasons)

The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God. (Sundays and Seasons)

Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It appears utterly contradictory that a king should be crucified with a criminal. This victory appears for all the world as humiliating defeat. Yet through the gate of death Jesus opens the door to paradise. (Sundays and Seasons)

In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for all the saints “who from their labors rest.” In the same breath we petition our God for the strength to hear and to heed the admonitions of Jesus in today’s gospel. Sealed by the Spirit and sustained by the Savior’s body and blood, we live with joy as God gives us breath, to the praise of God’s glory.

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

It’s a miracle! Multiple miracles! The waters of holy baptism have healed us. The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean. We have died with Christ and been raised with him. For all this we have returned to offer thanks. From this place we are sent on our way rejoicing to share the good news.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them with thanksgiving.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom death could not hold—who comes to us risen from the dead—who can free us from the death grip of greed.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

As we are invited today to consider what it means to be managers (rather than owners) of all that we have, it is crucial to recognize that we are bought with a price. “Christ Jesus, himself human, . . . gave himself a ransom for all.” Apart from the generosity of God we have nothing—we are nothing. By God’s gracious favor we have everything we need.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

NOTE THIS SPECIAL WORSHIP TIME: 10:00AM.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

This morning, as we celebrate Our Redeemer’s 75th anniversary, we welcome as our guest preacher, Bishop Felix Malpica of the La Crosse Area Synod.

After worship, join us for a special pig roast picnic!

Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Strengthened by the company and forgiveness of Christ in holy communion and recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to “choose life”—to choose life in God as our own.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

Wednesdays: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20

Contact Kathy Slindee: kslindee@gmail.com

The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

Jesus says, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It is God’s promise from the beginning—to Abraham, to the early church, and to the “little flock” of which we are a part in today’s assembly. Faith, God’s baptismal gift, trusts the promises of God. Have no fear.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

Wednesdays: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20

Contact Kathy Slindee: kslindee@gmail.com

Today’s texts offer instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life. Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard against all kinds of greed. We who have died with Christ in holy baptism have also been raised with him and are encouraged to elevate our thinking, seeking the “things that are above.” To that end we seek the sustenance of the Lord’s supper and the encouragement of God’s word.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

This morning, we welcome back - and as our guest preacher, Pr. Kimberly Jordan, who shepherded Our Redeemer 1998-2007. Join us for worship and a time of fellowship.

Persistence in prayer is encouraged by Jesus and wins the attention of God when Abraham intercedes for Sodom. The life of the baptized—to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus—is to be nurtured with prayer. God hears and answers prayer and so strengthens God’s own. “When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.”

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

This morning, we welcome back - and as our guest preacher, Pr. Dennis Johnson, who shepherded Our Redeemer 1984-2006. Join us for worship and a time of fellowship.

Wednesdays: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20

Contact Kathy Slindee: kslindee@gmail.com

Perhaps the church, at its best, is “all ears.” God urges the faithful, again and again, to “listen up!”—to heed the word that gives life. So it was with Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Martha, and the early church at Colossae. So it is today as we join the assembly to hear the word of God, the word of life.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind is to reflect God’s mercy in responding to one’s neighbor. That mercy found its most profound expression in the “gospel that has come to you”—namely the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That gospel mercy comes to us again today: at the font, at the table, and from the pulpit. It is very near to you.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

This morning, we welcome back - and as our guest preacher, Pr. Michael Oakley, who shepherded Our Redeemer 1979-1981. Join us for worship and a time of fellowship.

Wednesdays: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20

Contact Kathy Slindee: kslindee@gmail.com

God is the source of our nourishment. Jesus’ invitation to “take and eat . . . take and drink” is a repeated one. In holy communion, in the word read and proclaimed, in the assembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

We have no good apart from God. That makes Jesus’ call to follow him an invitation to freedom. This is freedom to revel in the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, peace, and patience. This is freedom to not be imprisoned by anything that would keep us from the fullness of the life God has given us. This is the path of life.

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

This morning, we welcome back Pr. Bruce Iverson, who shepherded Our Redeemer 2008-2020. Join us for worship and a time of fellowship.

Wednesdays: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20

Contact Kathy Slindee: kslindee@gmail.com

This Sunday’s texts paint startling pictures of the horrific nature of sin. The church’s repeated celebration of holy communion counters that tragic reality in a continued showing forth of the death of Jesus until he comes again. It is a dramatic declaration of “how much God has done for you.”

This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.

This morning, we welcome back Pr. Jerry Wagenchnekt, who shepherded Our Redeemer 1973-1978. Join us for worship and a time of fellowship.