First Lutheran Church

11/23/2025 – Christ the King

Christ the King

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

Read More »

November 22, 2025

11/16/2025 – Pentecost XXIII

Pentecost XXIII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Introduction to Today’s Service:

The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”

Read More »

November 16, 2025

11/09/2025 – Pentecost XXII

Pentecost XXII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Acolytes: Juliette and Matthew Carlson

Lector: Dennis Govoni

Introduction to Today’s Service:

We worship on the first day of the week because Jesus was raised on that day. Every Sunday is a little Easter. This Sunday feels more like Easter than many as the appointed texts celebrate the reality of the resurrection. Live it up this Lord’s day. Our God is the God of the living.

Read More »

November 8, 2025

11/02/2025 – All Saints Sunday

All Saints Sunday

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

Read More »

November 2, 2025

10/26/2025 – Reformation Sunday

Reformation Sunday

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Introduction to Today’s Service:

Genuine repentance and pretentious piety stand in stark contrast in the gospel and all around us. All creation stands in need of God’s forgiveness. Keep the faith. God’s people shall be accounted righteous for Jesus’ sake. Our God is merciful to sinners. For this we worship and glorify God forever..

Read More »

October 25, 2025

10/19/2025 – Pentecost XIX

PENTECOST XIX

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Jeanne Govoni

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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..

Read More »

October 18, 2025

10/12/2025 – Pentecost XVIII

PENTECOST XVIII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newbergl

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

Read More »

October 11, 2025

10/05/2025 – Pentecost XVII

PENTECOST XVII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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..

Read More »

October 4, 2025

2025 09 28 – A Heart for Ministry

Creative Spirit: A Heart for Ministry

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jill Wiley

Introduction to Today’s Service:

This is the third of three special services while Pastor Jeff is on vacation. Come experience these with us.

Today: A Conversation with Pastor Ken Bjorkland.

Read More »

September 27, 2025

2025 09 21 – Feather on the Breath of God

Creative Spirit: Feather on the Breath of God

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jill Wiley

Introduction to Today’s Service:

This is the second of three special services while Pastor Jeff is on vacation. Come experience these with us.

Today: Telling the Story of Faith for Hildegard of Bingham.

Read More »

September 20, 2025

2025 09 14 – Faith@Play

Creative Spirit: Faith@Play

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jill Wiley

Assisting Minister: Nina Sousa

Introduction to Today’s Service:

This is the first of three special services while Pastor Jeff is on vacation. Come experience these with us.

Read More »

September 16, 2025

2025 09 07 – PENTECOST XIII

PENTECOST XIII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Katarina Sousa

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

Read More »

September 7, 2025

2025 08 31 – PENTECOST XII

PENTECOST XII

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Sue Newberg

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

Read More »

August 30, 2025

2025 08 24 – PENTECOST XI

PENTECOST XI

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Chris Newman

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

Read More »

August 24, 2025

2025 08 17 – PENTECOST X

PENTECOST X

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Pete Randall

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.”

Read More »

August 16, 2025