Scripture: John 15:1-8   Script Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy! Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Guess what Pastor! Pastor: Yes, Sammy? Sammy: Today is music Sunday! I would like to teach everyone a song. Ready? Pastor: Okay! Is everyone ready? Sammy: Repeat after me: I just want to be a sheep Baa-Baa-Baa-Baa I just want to be a sheep Baa-Baa-Baa-Baa And I pray the Lord my soul to keep I just want to be a sheep Baa-Baa-Baa-Baa Let’s put it all together! [repeat song ..read more

“But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:17-18). When you were a child, did you every cry out, “Look at me?”  We are often led to seek the approval of others.  Do not call attention to yourself but go about your day in ordinary fashion.  The Lord will lead.  Come to the Lord and learn how to pray without ceasing.  In every circumstance and at all times the Lord is with you.  ..read more

“Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matthew 6:16). Whom are you trying to impress?  This world encourages pretense. The Lord deals in the real.  Do not try to impress others, but in all things, walk humbly with the Lord.  When you fast, do so to come closer to the Lord.  Others need not know what you are doing.  This is about your relationship with the Lord, not that of others.  Be genui ..read more

“For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses” (Matthew 6:14-15). This is not a conditional phrase in the sense that if you do one thing, our Lord will do another.  But it is conditional in that your heart will reveal whether you are like Christ.  To have a forgiving attitude reflects Christ in you.  Seek first the righteousness Christ gives and then all else which is needed shall be added.  If you are filled with hate, how can the ..read more

“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:11-13). Most everyone has all that they need.  Need, not want.  Mind you, we are reminded of those who do not have, but is it need or want?  Besides, if I had no home, no food, no extra clothing, but our Lord was with me, I would have all I need.  Sometimes we are too focused upon things and forget that our Lord delivers us from evil and grants us all that we need.  He redeemed us from the pit ..read more

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9). Your Father and not some distant figure.  Your father is to be hallowed.  Do you look to the Lord and trust Him?  Do you look to the Lord and revere Him?  His kingdom is in your heart.  He desires to do His will through you.  He wants you to learn to do things here and now as you will do them in heaven.  He has chosen to partner with you in the adventure of making you to be like Christ. Lord ..read more

“But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). The Lord knows you. Not only that, He sees all of your days.  He knows what you will do.  He who knows you offers you an open door to come and talk with Him.  He will lead you.  You cannot pretend and sneak, for He sees and knows.  Come to Him earnestly, no matter the state of your faith, and begin by placing yourself in His hands.  As He has led you, He will lead you alw ..read more

“And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matthew 6:5). Is it show and tell? Or is it talking with the Lord?  When you pray, to whom will you pay attention? Just as it is rude to ignore someone next to you that is trying to talk with you, so it is extremely rude to pray for the sake of being seen and not to truly pray.  Come to the Lord and talk with Him and listen as He answers your prayers Seek the Lor ..read more

Lessons and Suggested Hymns, Easter Sunday – Trinity Sunday, Cycle B March 31 – May 26, 2024   NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book) WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book) LSB – Lutheran Service Book (The Maroon Book) ELW – Evangelical Lutheran Worship (The Cranberry Book)   There are versions of some hymns that are superior in LSB and I recommend using them if possible. Also, there are some superb hymns in LSB that aren’t available in the other hymnals. When I suggest one of the latter, I try to include an alternative from LBW or WOV. I recommend that a license and DVD ..read more

“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). It sure seems that sometimes people give for all the wrong reasons.  When you give, seek to be sure it is a good place to which you are giving and then let it go.  Do not be one who meddles in the outcome, but one who gives grace in the same way you have received it.  Our Lord has been overly generous to you.  Be overly generous with others in th ..read more