Pastor Ike

The Visitation

This weekend, as our nation celebrates its 249th birthday, we reflect on the themes of freedom, happiness, and joy — not just as Americans, but as Christians. In today’s message, we’ll explore the deeper joy that comes not from independence or national pride, but from God’s mercy in Christ. We’ll look at the Visitation — that beautiful moment when Mary visits Elizabeth — and discover how their joy points us to a kingdom far greater than any earthly nation. What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord, even as we live as faithful citizens in this world? Let’s turn to God's Word to find out.
 
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Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul – Set Apart to Serve

On this feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, we give thanks for Christ’s gift of the Office of the Holy Ministry and introduce Set Apart to Serve, a nationwide initiative of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to encourage and support church work vocations. Peter the fisherman and Paul the persecutor were both called, forgiven, and sent—not because they were worthy, but because Christ is gracious.
In this sermon, we reflect on how God still calls men to be pastors—servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God—proclaiming His Word, forgiving sins, and administering the Sacraments. We pray for more laborers in the harvest, and we encourage young men to consider the sacred calling to serve Christ’s Church.

The Power of Word and Sacrament

In a world captivated by signs, spectacles, and emotional experiences, Jesus’ parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus delivers a sobering truth: the Word of God is enough. In this sermon, “The Power of Word and Sacrament,” we explore how God works not through miracles or flashiness, but through the humble means of His Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. Rooted in Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, this message calls us to trust in the sufficiency of the means of grace, through which the Holy Spirit creates and sustains saving faith.

Holy Trinity

On this Holy Trinity Sunday, we explore the foundational doctrine of the Christian faith: one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today’s sermon unpacks Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, showing how the Triune God is not a mystery invented by theologians, but the God who reveals Himself in Word and Sacrament. We confess the Trinity not because it is reasonable, but because it is biblical—and because in this God, we find life and salvation.

Pentecost

Pentecost, the celebration of the gift of the Law by the Jews is, for Christians, a celebration of the gift of the Spirit, the Gospel.

Through Lutheran Eyes Episode 5

Christians around the world confess faith in Jesus Christ—but they don’t all believe, teach, or practice the same things. Why do some baptize infants and others don’t? Why do some gather weekly around Word and Sacrament, while others emphasize personal experience or spiritual gifts? In this study,  We will explore the core beliefs and practices of other Christian traditions—from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy to Baptist, Reformed, and non-denoms. This is Episode 5.

Through Lutheran Eyes Episode 4

Christians around the world confess faith in Jesus Christ—but they don’t all believe, teach, or practice the same things. Why do some baptize infants and others don’t? Why do some gather weekly around Word and Sacrament, while others emphasize personal experience or spiritual gifts? In this study,  We will explore the core beliefs and practices of other Christian traditions—from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy to Baptist, Reformed, and non-denoms. This is Episode 4.

Through Lutheran Eyes Episode 3

Christians around the world confess faith in Jesus Christ—but they don’t all believe, teach, or practice the same things. Why do some baptize infants and others don’t? Why do some gather weekly around Word and Sacrament, while others emphasize personal experience or spiritual gifts? In this study,  We will explore the core beliefs and practices of other Christian traditions—from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy to Baptist, Reformed, and non-denoms. This is Episode 3.

Through Lutheran Eyes Episode 2

Christians around the world confess faith in Jesus Christ—but they don’t all believe, teach, or practice the same things. Why do some baptize infants and others don’t? Why do some gather weekly around Word and Sacrament, while others emphasize personal experience or spiritual gifts? In this study,  We will explore the core beliefs and practices of other Christian traditions—from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy to Baptist, Reformed, and non-denoms. This is Episode 2.

Through Lutheran Eyes Episode 1

Christians around the world confess faith in Jesus Christ—but they don’t all believe, teach, or practice the same things. Why do some baptize infants and others don’t? Why do some gather weekly around Word and Sacrament, while others emphasize personal experience or spiritual gifts? In this study,  We will explore the core beliefs and practices of other Christian traditions—from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy to Baptist, Reformed, and non-denoms. This Episode 1.