First Lutheran Church

12/28/2025 – Christmas II

Christmas II

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Layreader:Katarina Sousa

Introduction to Today’s Service:

As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod. The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope as we walk with all the “holy innocents” of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly. In our gathering around word and meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and carry us as in days of old.

December 27, 2025

12/25/2025 – Christmas Day

Christmas Day

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Layreader: Nina Sousa

Introduction to Today’s Service:

As on the first day of creation, on this Christmas Day the Word illumines the world, shining forth to bring all things into being. Today we celebrate the incarnate Word, God becoming flesh to live among us in the person of Jesus Christ then and now. Emboldened by the good news of Christ’s birth, along with the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and all witnesses to the light of Christ, we declare to the world that we have indeed seen and been transformed by the arrival of “the salvation of our God.” O come, let us adore!

December 23, 2025

12/24/2025 – Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Katarina Sousa

Layreader: Nina Sousa

Introduction to Today’s Service:

In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world.

December 23, 2025

12/21/2025 – Advent IV

Advent IV

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Bill Kiesel

Introduction to Today’s Service:

Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.

December 20, 2025

12/14/2025 – Advent III

Advent III

Worship Leaders Today

Presider: The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister: Dawn Caffelle

Introduction to Today’s Service:

A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom, and Jesus points to the unexpected and transforming signs of God’s reign. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflection and in works of justice and love. We pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ’s advent among us.

December 12, 2025

12/07/2025 – Advent II

Advent II

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Sue Newberg

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

December 6, 2025

11/30/2025 – Advent I

Advent I

Worship Leaders Today

Presider:The Reverend Jeffrey C. Johnson

Assisting Minister:Sue Newberg

Introduction to Today’s Service:

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.

November 29, 2025

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.

November 22, 2025

In Remembrance of Lynne Kenyon

Lynne Kenyon’s funeral will be held at First Lutheran on Wednesday, December 3 at

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.”

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.

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.

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..

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..

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.

October 11, 2025