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The Baptism of Our Lord was observed at our Midweek Divine Service on Jan 13, 2021

Epiphany is the season that follows Christmas. The word “epiphany” means to learn and understand. This short season is about learning who Christ is. This week we observe the boy Jesus coming to the temple. He asks questions of the people that gather to speak with Him. They are amazed by His wisdom and His answers. His first recorded words in Scripture are read, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” Jesus is the Son of His Father in heaven. He has come not to do His own will, but to do the will of His Father. As Jesus arrives for His first Passover, we reflect on the last Passover that He will attend, where He will be the final Passover offering.

In this video we gather to begin the New Year with forgiveness. Readings and hymns impart to mind and heart the knowledge of past deeds done and forgiveness needed. In the climax of this service, we hear the absolution spoken by the voice of the pastor, but they are none other than the words of Christ Himself, sending us into the New Year with His grace, forgiveness, and salvation. The sermon considers the "Joy of the Wisemen." Their joy was to leave behind their sin-filled lives to take up Christ. A blessed New Year in the Lord in the Year of our Lord 2021!

On the Sunday after Christmas, we will celebrate the feast of St. John the Evangelist. A disciple of the Lord Jesus, John was, according to tradition, the only apostle not to die a martyr’s death. During his lengthy life, he endured persecution from governing authorities and was exiled from his congregation in Ephesus where, on the island of Patmos in the Mediterranean Sea, he recorded the Book of Revelation. On the third day of Christmas, we will hear John’s comforting words to us from the opening lines of the book of Revelation and what they have to say to us as we approach the New Year.

Merry Christmas and God's Blessings from all of us at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church!

Merry Christmas and God's Blessings from all of us at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church!

“Are you the Prophet?” It was the question the religious leaders asked John the Baptist. “No,” says John, “but the long-awaited Prophet is almost here.” Join us this Sunday as we recount God’s ancient promise to send a Prophet to lead His people, and how this Prophet has finally come.

Our Advent sermon series this year is entitled, “Surprised by Joy.” Tonight Pr. Seifferlein will preach on “The Joy of Elizabeth – The Joy of Christian Community.” Mary goes to the home of Elizabeth. As soon as Mary opened her mouth to tell Elizabeth the good news, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy. God’s Word spoken by our brothers and sisters in Christ brings joy in our lives. God gives us eachother, and sends us to one another to comfort one another. That is the joy of Christian community. God has a message this Advent that brings joy. It is not the message of joy in self, joy in the world, joy in politics, or joy in the hope of a virus cure. Those joys, if they are joys at all, are short-lived. This month we consider the message of true joy, that for us was born, on that night so long ago, a Savior from sin, death and hell.

Pink candle Sunday! Join us as we light the candle of rejoicing. The Advent color lightens as the glories of Christmas come streaming forward. We hear of John the Baptist and the message of the Prophet Isaiah, “Comfort…my people…Speak tenderly to Jerusalem…that her warfare is ended…that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” The coming of Christ, our Savior, brings tidings of comfort and joy!

our theme, “Surprised by Joy,” with a consideration of, “The Joy of Mary, the Joy of the Wait.” Mary’s joy is accepting God’s plan for her life, not her own. She rejoices even as she believes that if God sends it, it must be good, even if it involves pains and crosses. Joy isn’t always tinsels and bows. Joy is receiving what God has for us in Christ, and knowing that in Christ, HIS PLAN will always be good.

On the Second Sunday in Advent we draw near to our Lord. He sits on the Mount of Olives, teaching His disciples about the signs of the end of the world, answering their heartfelt questions about it. Our hearts are (1) awakened to see the terrible events that will befall us and (2) comforted to hear what our Lord says to us. "Lord," we pray on this Sunday, "awaken our hearts to be ready for your coming and return." Amen.

Our Advent sermon series this year is entitled, “Surprised by Joy.” In this video Pr. Seifferlein will preach on “The Joy of Zechariah – The Joy of Going to Church.” Zechariah was promised joy when the angel Gabriel met him in the temple and told him that his wife would have a child that would prepare the way for Jesus. “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.” Luke 1:14 God has a message this Advent that brings joy. It is not the message of joy in self, joy in the world, joy in politics, or joy in the hope of a virus cure. Those joys, if they are joys at all, are short-lived. This month we consider the message of true joy, that for us was born, on that night so long ago, a Savior from sin, death and hell.

What is Advent? Advent celebrates the past, present, and future coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He who was born in Bethlehem, died on the cross, and ascended into heaven will come to be our Judge! That same Lord comes to us weekly in Holy Communion and in His Word preached to be with us and bring us the gifts of heaven. This Sunday we will consider Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and His arrival on the scene to be our Savior.

We’ve made it. The Last Sunday of the Church Year. The watchman on the wall cries out, “The Bridegroom is here! Go out to meet Him.” Jesus is returning. Sleepers awake!

We have made it to the end of the church year. Advent will be here in just two weeks. This Sunday we consider Jesus' return in glory. Matthew 13 says, The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! These words move us to rightful repentance over our failures, and a rightful hope in Christ and His promises of salvation for all who believe in Him.

On this third-last Sunday of the church year we hear Christ's word of warning and comfort about the end of times. Pr. Seifferlein applies the Gospel lesson to this time after a national election.

For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia! This Sunday we gather to remember all the saints, young and old, living and departed, great and small. We will ring the bell for those who died this last year in our congregation, remembering in particular, Wayne DeVan, and also celebrate the rite of confirmation for one new member of our congregation, Eric Badaracco. Join us in the congregation of saints as we celebrate Jesus who has made us holy by His blood.

An important official walks 25 miles to come to Jesus asking him to heal his son who is about to die. Sometimes we can ask for THE RIGHT THINGS for THE WRONG REASONS. What this man needs MORE than his son being healed is the FAITH that sees Jesus for who He is. More than miracles, we need the faith in Christ as the One who came to die on the cross to be our Savior to raise us up from death to eternal life. Join us this Sunday as we gather together as the body of Christ to sing, pray, and praise Our Lord for WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS DONE.

This Sunday we will hear a parable about an INVITATION. - A king invites his subjects to the wedding of his son. - They refused the invitation, even killing those who delivered the invitations. - The king opened up the wedding to include those on the streets who were willing to come. In this parable Christ speaks about God’s INVITATION to His people, the Jews, their refusal and rejection of Him, and God’s inclusion of the Gentiles in the plan of salvation. We will consider God’s invitation to all, God’s judgment on those who refuse, and the wedding hall of heaven that is filled with guests. You are INVITED to come.

We will hear the account of four men who bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus. We will consider WHAT JESUS DOES FIRST, and WHAT IT IS THAT WE NEED MOST. Join us as we consider the topic of JESUS & FORGIVENESS

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Have you heard of Christmas in July? How about Easter in September? Join us as we hear the account of Jesus raising the widow of Nain's son. WE WILL SING THE EASTER SONGS WE MISSED ON EASTER SUNDAY as we shout in the face of the devil and the world because CHRIST is RISEN, death cannot threaten or rob us of our cheer! Come join us for EASTER IN SEPTEMBER.

Jesus urges us not to worry about the things of this life, but to seek first God's kingdom. As God cares for the birds and flowers, so He will care for us.

Jesus heals the ten lepers. Today we will consider what that means for us.

How long would it take to walk 17 miles? That is what the man set out to do in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. His journey from Jerusalem to Jericho, however, was impeded by a group of robbers who stole what he had and left him for dead. In today's Gospel we contemplate what we have lost due to man's fall into sin, the failure of our journey to attain eternal life, the hope that we have in Christ, the Good Samaritan, and the call to love others, as we have been loved by Christ.