Your Faith Journey - Finding God Through Words, Song And Praise

This is a special performance by the Flutes of Faith, as they perform the Sonata in E Minor Movement One by Bach at the Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

This is a special performance of Sonata in F minor, Adante, Allegro by G.P. Telemann, performed by Sam Kadrofske on the Euphonium at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

At first the Ten Commandments might sound like a fistful of harsh “Thou shalt nots.”  But, the truth is these ten words are truly gift and through them God promises grace and every good thing to all those who keep these commandments.  Read them and remember, we are to love and trust God and gladly act according to God’s commands.

This is a special musical performance by the Faith Lutheran Chancel Choir of Nearer My God, To Thee by John Gardner.

This is a sermon based on Matthew 4: 1-11, the temptation of Christ.

Lent is about peeling away the layers of insulation and anesthesia which keep us from the truth of God’s promises.  It is a time of self-reflection, sacrificial giving and prayer as we make our way through the tangled mess of our lives.  It is a time when we can trudge through the lies of our death-defying culture and remember the truth about who we really are – God’s beloved children.  It is a time when we can let go of defending and self-justifying ourselves.  It is a time when can reflect upon the truth that we are very broken but we are also blessed and beloved of God.

Today, we walk through the doorway into Lent and journey to the cross, that place of transforming love.  Be open to be changed, be open to be transformed, and be open to be made new.  May God richly bless our journey!

Come and listen to a special performance of Thy Word of Your Peace by Bettcher the Faith Lutheran Faith Bells Bell Choir.

Come and listen to a special performance of Make me a Channel of Your Peace by Hayes be the Faith Lutheran Chancel Choir.

With the words of today’s reading, Jesus seeks neither to set impossible goals nor to shame people who cannot reach perfection.  Instead, he sets forth God’s vision of God’s world where genuine and unconditional love reigns.  The reign of God is inaugurated in the person of Jesus, and we, Jesus’ followers, are empowered by his witness to live the reign of God’s values. 

A special performance by the Faith Lutheran Chanel Choir of O Lord Most Holy by Franck.

A special musical performance of Break the Bread, Pour the Wine by the Faith Lutheran Chancel Choir of Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

Some students once asked Martin Luther, “What is your picture of God?”  Luther replied, “When I think of God, I think of a man hanging on a tree.”  Luther responded with those words because in the cross of Christ we see God’s love poured out for the whole world and we are reminded that God will go to any and all lengths to communicate just how much God loves us so that we, in turn, may better love one another.  So, go, be reconciled and live into love.

Jesus is the Rock is special music from the Faith Lutheran Joyful Noise Childrens' Choir. Be energized by the voices of these very talented musicians. 

Special Music - Shine Down by Mark Brymer. Come and get energized by this motivational piece of great music! 

Today, Jesus says to us, "You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.  God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.  If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I’m putting you on a light stand.  Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine!  Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."    May we always “open up to others and prompt others to open up with God.”

Love and compassion are the hallmark of the discipleship for which Jesus calls. It defines the content of righteousness, which is not a negative kind of withdrawal from impurity, but a wholehearted commitment to loving and caring applied in every area of life.

This is a special musical performance by the Faith Lutheran Chancel Choir with Emily Brown as soloist.

A special performance of Was ir Behagt, ist nur die muntre by Bach by the Flutes of Faith of Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

God calls us every hour of every day, wherever we find ourselves, to share the good news of God’s life-giving love in a broken world.  As we live into God’s call in our lives, it is God’s love and compassion that will move us to do the work of discipleship.  And, wherever we are called to serve, we will find ourselves on holy ground.