St. Paul's Howards Grove Podcast

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI - Nov. 26th, 2023

Every year leaders and candidates for office make promises. They promise to bolster the economy or better manage the environment. They say they will get tough on crime or cut corruption out of government. They promote plans regarding guns and foreign policy. At the end of the Church Year, we celebrate the leader whose promises have never failed and always hold true. He rules with justice and mercy and with all authority in heaven and on earth. He is our King, “Christ the King.” Our sermon is based on Ezekiel 34.

Nov. 22nd 2023 - St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI

Thanksgiving Service: Luke 7:36-50 While Jesus was visiting a Pharisees house, a sinful woman had so much to thank Jesus for, and it showed in her great love for him. He Sees You * As So Much More * As Nothing Less

Nov. 19th 2023 - St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI

Greeting St. Paul's Family, One of the sayings I'd hear as a kid is, "Are you working hard, or hardly working." I'm thankful that was only said to my brothers... Our Savior has entrusted the gospel to us and lovingly looks for the same hard work from his servants. _Are we working hard?_ When Jesus returns he will specifically look for _faithfulness._ To those who are faithful to the gospel, what a commendation you will receive! Faithfulness in what he calls _a little_ will bring SO much! To those who prove otherwise, Jesus has something very different in mind... May we treasure our Lord, love his gospel, and faithfully show that in work - and look forward to _sharing his happiness!_ Pastor Mueller

Nov. 12th 2023 - St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI

When you have a flight to catch, there is so much planning. You need to wake up early enough to get your baggage loaded up. You need to leave enough time to drive to the airport and go through the check-in and security. You want to get there early because the plane won’t wait for people who are late. Jesus’ return on Judgment Day will be much like that. When he leaves the gate to depart for heaven with his people, he won’t wait for those who weren’t ready. Now is the time to be prepared. Plan today for Jesus’ return. “Keep Watch for the Lord.” Our sermon is from 1 Thessalonians 5.

Nov 5th 2023 - St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI

Greetings St. Paul's Family and Friends -

The word comforts, and does it ever this weekend! We celebrate _Saints Triumphant!_ Look at the great cloud of witnesses who have run their race and now are in heaven! Consider the sins and struggles people of every time and generation have overcome with the strength of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Take to heart the truth of God's word and imagine them joyfully and exuberantly celebrating in heaven. 

And now consider by this same gospel you are a saint, an inheritor of all this, God's very own child. _And we shall be like him._

God strengthen us all as we wait in faith -

Pastor Mueller

Oct 29th 2023 - St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This sparked the Reformation, a movement which directed people back to the Scriptures to realize that they were saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Jesus warned us ahead of time that his disciples would encounter the kinds of problems they faced at the time of Martin Luther. God’s people endured them in the Old Testament, and they still take place in the lives of God’s people today. We live as sheep among wolves, hated just like our Shepherd was, yet bringing his voice to those around us. In these end times, “Stand Firm on Your Salvation.” Our sermon today is from Romans 3.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran - Oct. 22nd, 2023

Greetings St. Paul's Family, 

There's an edge within each of our lessons this weekend. It seems logical to the person who asked Jesus, "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not," that there _must be_ a tension between the people of God and earthly government. And if there is a tension, we should throw away the government and just obey God...right?? Or if we press it further, someone might even think God was wrong to institute government!! Hardly so. Jesus removes the tension by teaching us to give to both government and God what we respectfully owe each. He removes the tension. 

In our lesson from Daniel we will apply that lesson and see how Daniel seeks to do just that - honor his Babylonian government and his Lord. 

God bless you this weekend in the risen Jesus Christ!

Pastor Mueller

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI - Oct. 15th, 2023

One report shows the average cost of a wedding in Wisconsin at $26,000. People either have to save up for a while or spend some time paying that off. What if they invited a thousand people? Or the whole village? The Lord spares no expense. The best of foods. The finest mansion hall. The most elite honoree. And it comes at no cost to his guests. He calls each of us and so many others through people like us. You won’t want to pass up “The Lord’s Invitation for All.” Our sermon is based on Matthew 22.

Oct. 8th 2023 - St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI

Greetings St. Paul's Family, The Bible has two main teachings: law and gospel. We need to hear both. The law warns us and exposes sin. The gospel frees us from it by proclaiming Christ's mercy to sinners. In a context of a vineyard, Jesus brings home both teachings. When sinners get lazy with God's grace, reject it, and show that in their lives with actions that harm and hurt, God threatens still consequences. That's the law. He will take away what he's given and give it to others. Dear Christians, his grace has been given to you! That's the gospel. May we learn this lesson well! Having the gospel doesn't mean we are free to take it for granted like so many in the past have done. It can also be taken from us! May that never happen! May we treasure Jesus! May we love to hear about the forgiveness of sins! And may we without reservation live in the gospel and bear fruit by it. God bless your worship this weekend- Pastor Mueller

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran, Howards Grove, WI - Oct. 1st, 2023

Last week, Jesus corrected those who focus too much on what we do: I’ve been a Christian my whole life, Lord! I’ve worked much harder for you than others! I deserve a reward from you because of my works and worth! No, what God gives is all because of his grace. This week, Jesus corrects those who don’t focus enough on what we do. People naturally continue in sin and wickedness. Don’t settle for the same old same old selfish living! This is a matter of life or death! Turn from your evil! “Repent and Obey.” Our sermon is based on Matthew 21.