ST. STEPHEN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Where God’s saving Word is taught in its truth and purity.
19Sep
Humiliation, Humility, and Humble Service
Sermon on Mark 9:30-37 for Pentecost 17 (Pr 20), September 16-19, 2021 Humiliation. Oh, that word brings many thoughts to mind—mostly painful memories. We’ve all got them. For me, there’s the memory of being an awkward fifth grader. Phy Ed or “Gym class” was the new subject. I remember having problems remembering the rules of…
16Sep
A Lesson in Underestimating and Overestimating Spiritual Power
Sermon on Mark 9:14-27 for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, September 12, 2021. Dear conquerors through Christ, The college football season started last week. Often, the very powerful school teams will schedule early season games with “lesser” opponents. For instance, this weekend Wisconsin plays Eastern Michigan University, a smaller school with a not so…
05Sep
Jesus Has Done Everything Well… …for You, Too!
It seems you can’t get away from it. You go to the doctor, and a week later you get a letter in the mail. “Please fill out this survey and tell us how we did.” Or Internet businesses. You buy something from eBay—an auction website, and you get a message “rate this seller.” Sometimes customer…
29Aug
We Want To Grow
Matthew 18:1-5 Christian Education Sunday 8/26/21; 8/27/21; 8/29/21 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church—Beaver Dam, WI I won’t grow up! This phrase appears over and over again in a song that Peter Pan and the Lost Boys sang to Wendy and her siblings when they first got to Neverland. This fun-loving group wanted to live in…
15Aug
We See True Wisdom
I Corinthians 2:6-16 Proper 15 8/12/21; 8/13/21; 8/15/21 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church—Beaver Dam, WI I can remember when I first got glasses. I was in fifth grade. I never complained about not seeing the board or anything else, probably because I grew accustomed to how things looked through squinting eyes. My parents must have…
08Aug
Are Your Expectations of Jesus Too Small?
Sermon on John 6:24-35 for Pentecost 11 (Pr 14), August 5, 6 & 8, 2021 Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters in him. Back in June, when I had the call to Portage, Michigan, I got two free lunches. A classmate…
25Jul
The Lord Knows Our Needs
Exodus 16:1-15 Proper 12 7/22/21; 7/23/21; 7/25/21 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church—Beaver Dam, WI Parents bring their first child home. All of a sudden reality hits them. They are now responsible for another life. Despite looking everywhere, and perhaps even asking the doctor, the new child does not come with an instructional manual. New parents…
18Jul
Jesus: The Great Shepherd of the Sheep
Sermon on Hebrews 13:7-8, 17-21 for Pentecost 8 (Pr 11) July 15, 16 & 18, 2021 Today’s readings all have a shepherd theme. We’re used to the shepherd theme on the Fourth Sunday of Easter—then the Gospel is always from John chapter 10, where Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Today’s readings focus also…
27Jun
“He Helps Us Free in Every Need”
Sermon on Mark 5:21–24a, 35–43 for Pentecost 5 (Pr 8), June 24, 25 & 27, 2021 The human condition is a one of constant need. When you were born, you needed someone to dry you off, wrap you in a warm blanket and put you in a crib. Within an hour you were squeaking or…
13Jun
Our Life of Faith Grows
Colossians 1:3-8 Proper 6 6/10/21; 6/11/21; 6/13/21 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church—Beaver Dam, WI A parent’s eyes roll. They look and only have to laugh at another growth spurt of their child. It happens at some of the most inconvenient times. Their shirts become tighter and shorts just a little bit shorter. Here it is…
13Jun
RADIO SERVICE: Strive for Such a Faith ~ Pastor Dorn
Strive for Such a Faith James 1:2-12 Hymns: TLH 352, 231, 396, 381
06Jun
Satan Has His Limits. “Crushed,” “Chained,” “Bound”
Sermon on Mark 3:20–35 for Pentecost 2 (Pr 5) June 3, 4 & 6, 2021 When I was in school, I remember teachers or pastors telling us about movies we shouldn’t see—and I confess, my sinful human flesh was at work. “Don’t see that movie!” “Oh, where’s it playing?” One controversial movie from that time…
28May
God Gives His Charge To You…
I Kings 2:1-4 8th Grade Graduation 5/28/21 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church—Beaver Dam, WI You finally made it. Nine years ago this day probably was not even on your mind. As the years went by, as you moved from grade to grade, this day came into focus a little bit more. Well, it is finally…
23May
The Holy Spirit Testifies….
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-11 Pentecost 5/20/21; 5/21/21; 5/23/21 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church—Beaver Dam, WI Goodbyes can be hard. Parents drop off a child at college. They spend a few days getting putting the finishing touches on things before school starts. A bunch of trips to the grocery store make sure they have all the snacks…
09May
Define “Love”!
Sermon on 1 John 4:7-11, 19-21 and John 15:9–17 for Easter 6 April 6, 7 & 9, 2021 I try to follow Jesus the Master Teacher who used parables—stories about everyday things–to teach deeper spiritual truths. When I’m teaching catechism class, I often tell some story including the students to make a point or to…