From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our reading is Matthew 5:13-20
Epiphany is the season
of witnessing the Good News
of Salvation to an unbelieving world.
We are
the Salt of the earth,
the Light of the world.
The Law shows us how
to be salt and light.
We also see
we cannot justify ourselves
by keeping the Law.
The Messiah fulfilled the Law,
and won us our salvation.
Pale Bands in Agate
From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our reading is I Corinthians 1:18-31
God saves us –
Fools, Weak, Low, Despised.
The wisdom and strength of God
(preaching of the cross)
are thought to be foolish and weak,
but
His ‘weakness’ is stronger than
the strengths of the day
and
His ‘foolishness’ is wiser than
the sophistication of the day.
And so, we are made
wiser and stronger,
because
we have been given eternal life.
Agate with colors of Ivory and Chalcedony
From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our reading is Isaiah 9:1-4 (6-7)
A pastor is called to preach
the pure Word,
what God has given us
in 66 books.
We read: The people who walked
in darkness Have seen a great light;
as when Gideon led his army
with trumpets and torches. (Judges ch. 7)
Of the Increase of His
government and peace
There will be no end.
Yellow Epiphyllum
From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our reading is John 1:29-42
Behold the Lamb of God,
who takes away
the sins of the world!
This is the Son of God.
We have found the Messiah.
Think back to the lamb
sacrificed for Passover,
then look forward to the Lamb
sacrificed on Calvary.
And so, we, the lost lambs, were found.
And the pastors are instructed
to feed and tend the sheep.
Mammillaria Cactus with pink flowers
From Pr. Holm’s sermon:
Our reading is Matthew 2:1-12
Through the cross
we see Jesus Christ
as King and Shepherd
better
than the wise men and shepherds saw.
He came for each of us,
wise men and fools,
unclean, and sinners, and saints.
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD
has risen upon you.
Fluorite
From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our readings are Luke 2:21 and Eph. 3:23-29
Jesus shed His first blood
at His circumcision.
His active ministry began
at His Baptism.
It was fitting,
to fulfill all righteousness.
We are buried with Him
in baptism, and raised with Him.
We have His righteousness, that is,
we can ‘put on Christ’
as a garment that is given us.
Swallow and Young
From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our reading is from John 1:1-14
Today, we read that
the Creator of all
dwelt among us,
as in pitching a tent.
He became the Light to us
who walked in great darkness.
This is THE Christmas present!
Merry Christmas!
White Epiphyllum
From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our reading is from Matthew 1:18-25
Your Heavenly Father gave you
the greatest Christmas present!
God sent His Only-Begotten Son
that
we could be adopted as His children.
Nativity – Grace Lutheran, San Diego
From Pr. Holm’s sermon:
Our reading is from Isaiah 7, v10-17
God with us.
As with Judah under the reign of Ahaz.
Our faith is not great,
We are truly sinners,
Our enemies are arrayed against us,
and we’re not sure we’re OK or
that we will last.
In the midst of this,
God is gracious toward us;
and He is with us.
He is with us
in our Baptism,
in the Lord’s Supper,
in the preaching of the Word.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Purple African Violet
From Pr. Hendry’s sermon:
Our reading is from Isaiah 25, v6-10
The children of Israel celebrated
3 feasts:
Passover, Pentecost and Succoth.
At the end of time, we have
one more celebration:
in the eternal Jerusalem
in God’s Heaven.