The Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost, At-Home Service for September 26th.

We have witnessed in our own time some stumbling blocks placed before little ones that diminish this life in the Body of Christ. There is even an English cognate for the word we heard translated as “put a stumbling block.” It’s scandal! In recent months the church has again been diminished, embarrassed, and scandalized by the actions of former Cardinal, Theodore McCarrick. That is not to exclude similar instances closer to home and within the Lutheran Church.

Click here to view the at-home version of the service.

Pastor Rike’s Sermon

No group can enter into the vibrant life of Christ until that group has been guided by the Lord Jesus as he has come to us through the Bible. Another way of saying this is that the Holy Spirit is not bound or limited by human ways of organizing; the gift of life in Christ Jesus transcends our human divisions. Such life can be present wherever the name of Jesus is preached. Instead of stopping the man, the twelve should have recognized the fellowship and life they shared with him through Jesus. Recognition of such fellowship would have been a step toward preserving the life bestowed by the Spirit through Christ Jesus. Instead, the well-intentioned but misguided twelve diminished it.

Click here to read Pastor Rike’s sermon.

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Video Options

Follow along with the service on video led by Pastor Rike, with music performed by Randy Broker.

The Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost Service for September 26th includes: 
Intro 
Hymn- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling performed by the Randy Broker 
First Reading- Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Holy Gospel- Mark 9:38-50
Sermon by Pastor David Rike 
Hymn- O God, My Faithful God performed by Randy Broker 
Prayers 
Blessing