Today’s sermon text from Acts 10 includes Peter’s striking vision of animals descending from heaven, including animals that the Jews considered ceremonially unclean. A divine voice commands him to kill and eat these “unclean” creatures, foreshadowing the spreading of the gospel to gentiles—people likewise considered ceremonially unclean. You’ll notice many references to cleanliness in this…
This Sunday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, which is traditionally a time of prayer, fasting, and repentance leading up to Easter, observed by Christians since the days of the early church. Several elements of the service have been adjusted to fit the character of this season. We will begin each Sunday by singing…
Continuing Saul’s story from Acts 9 that we began last week, in today’s sermon text we find that Saul’s entire character has been turned upside down by his encounter with Jesus. This former persecutor of the church cannot help declaring the name of his Savior—as Luke writes, “immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues” (Acts…
The phrase “road to Damascus moment” metaphorically refers to a life-altering moment of enlightenment, an experience that completely transforms a person’s perspective or way of life. Today, we will read the story of the original “road to Damascus moment,” the soon-to-be Apostle Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus. As a significant portion of the story…
Q. Where do you learn how to love and obey God? A. In the Bible alone.
—Children’s Catechism
What a tremendous blessing we have in the Scriptures! In the Bible, we find all that is necessary for the knowledge of God and the salvation of our souls. This morning, we begin with a reminder…
In Acts 8, we come to the story of Simon the sorcerer, an early convert who foolishly believed he could attain spiritual gifts through bribery. He is rebuked by the apostles and seemingly follows their advice to “repent … and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven”…
Today’s service begins with Jesus’ command for His disciples to be His witnesses “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Right from the start, the elements of worship this morning portray the spread of the gospel—from person to person and nation to nation. Hymns like…
The Scripture readings, psalms, and hymns chosen for this morning’s service were inspired by several different points in the final section of Acts 7. Just as Stephen chastises the Jewish authorities, declaring that they “always resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51), the opening hymn warns us not to “resist His will” or “distrust His care”…
The middle portion of Stephen’s address to the Sanhedrin in Acts 7 concerns the life of Moses. In particular, he highlights the Israelites’ continual resistance to the leadership of the “man God sent as both ruler and redeemer” (Acts 7:35). Many of the psalms and hymns in the service this morning urge us not to…
Light has been a consistent motif found in Christmas celebrations throughout history. From the legend of St. Lucy’s candle headdress which enlivens the winter solstice in Scandinavia, to the “star singer” processions of central Europe where children re-enact the visit of the Magi while singing hymns, these images point to Christ as “the true light”…