Immanuel Lutheran Loveland

The message in worship on Sunday, December 15th, 2024--"Love Is Born: Celebrating the Mystery and Wonder of Christmas"--was presented by Immanuel's Christmas Choir. Join us as we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord!Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE under license #A-724593-A and/or from CHRISTIAN COPYRIGHT LICENSING INTERNATIONAL (CCLI) under license #875069. All rights reserved.

We live in constant fear of not having or giving enough. In his advent, Christ brings with him the promise of total provision.Jesus expresses in multiple ways how and why we are not to worry, that He will provide everything that is truly needed. Ultimately, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So trust in Him and His provision! St. Paul writes in the opening of his letter to the Philippians that he is confident (:6) “that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” God will not leave things undone – He will provide everything needed to complete and accomplish His purposes. In Malachi we have the prophecy of John the Baptist – the Lord was going to provide everything needed, preparing the way for the Promised One, so there was nothing that was going to be lacking.December 8, 2024 – The Second Sunday of AdventAdvent/Christmas Series: His Gospel is Peace: The Advent of Christ and The End of FearOld Testament: Malachi 3:1-4 (secondary sermon focus)Epistle: Philippians 1:3-11 (secondary sermon focus)Gospel: Luke 12:22-34 (sermon focus)Sermon Title: No Fear of Lack

The incarnation of Christ means our future is secure and peace in the present is ours. All three readings speak encouragement about not having to fear the future. Psalm 112 speaks of secure hearts because of the Lord and trust we have in Him. 1 Thessalonians 3 speaks about being blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus – and in the meantime, we are called increase and abound in love. And even the Gospel reading from Luke 21 is the record of Jesus talking end times and how we are to be on guard, watching, and prepared – not fearful!As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them.December 1, 2024 – The First Sunday of Advent Advent/Christmas Series: His Gospel is Peace: The Advent of Christ and The End of Fear Old Testament Reading: Psalm 112:6-8 (sermon focus) Epistle Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (sermon focus) Gospel Reading: Luke 21:25-36 (sermon focus) Sermon Title: "No Fear of the Future"

We wrap up the Church Year with our celebration of Christ as King. We’ll reflect briefly on all three of the readings today, which speak powerfully and directly that, without any doubt, Jesus IS King. We’ll consider how those images and questions asked of Jesus can help us grow in our own appreciation for the need we have for a king – a real king!As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them ahead of Sunday.November 24 – Christ the King SundayFall Series: What’s the Big Deal? Old Testament Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Epistle Reading: Revelation 1:4b-8 Gospel Reading: John 18:33-37 Sermon Title: “Christ as King: What’s the Big Deal?”

At the end of the Hebrews 10 reading, we receive encouragement not to give up meeting together (i.e. worshiping together). As we take in this entire reading more fully, in addition to the reading from Mark 12, we see other elements of worship and why worshiping together is so important (forgiveness, Christ’s sacrifice, our offerings, humility before one another and before God, good works, encouraging one another, etc.). It’s a rich way to consider why we worship.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them.November 17th - Twenty-Sixth Sunday after PentecostFall Series: What’s the Big Deal? Old Testament Reading: Daniel 12:1-3 Epistle Reading: Hebrews 10:11-25 (sermon focus) Gospel Reading: Mark 12:38-44 (sermon focus) Sermon Title: “Worship: What’s the Big Deal?”

On this All Saints Sunday, we’ll dig deeper into both the Revelation 7 reading and the Hebrews 12 reading as we explore who and what “saints” are and if they really are a big deal. Part of this annual celebration will include the reading of names of loved ones who have died in the faith as we remember and give thanks for them, the lives they led, and the impact they had on us.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them.Sunday.November 3rd – All Saints Sunday, Twenty-Fourth Sunday after PentecostFall Series: What’s the Big Deal?First Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 (sermon focus)Epistle Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3 (sermon focus)Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12Sermon Title: “Saints: What’s the Big Deal?”

What’s the way to freedom? Jesus talked about how important truth is – and when we know it, we’ll really be free. On this Reformation Sunday, we’ll look more closely at what Luther re-discovered for us by way of both Truth and Freedom and why those are such a big deal for us in our lives yet today.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. October 6 – Reformation Sunday Old Testament Reading: Psalm 46 Epistle Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28 Gospel Reading: John 8:31-36 (sermon focus) Sermon Title: “Truth: What’s the Big Deal?”

We’re talking elections! The texts of the week don’t necessarily spell out “elections” at first glance, but when we take a deeper look at the prophet Amos’ words, it is easy to be caught up in in the passion of the prophet’s relentless call to faithfulness and the urging to uphold/return to God as King. For the disciple of Jesus, that’s what elections give us an opportunity to do – to vote through the lens of our trust in Jesus as our King and His design for life laid out for us through the scriptures. We will see that voting is not foreign to followers of Jesus. There are stories throughout the Bible where God, surprisingly enough, was “on the ballot.” But make no mistake about it, we “vote” daily about honoring the Kingdom of God versus the Kingdom of self, the world, and prevailing culture. If we believe that political power is the ultimate form of power to make things right in the world, we are at odds with the teaching of the Bible and the message of Jesus. We’ll see together that when we vote, we vote, just as we pray we can live every day, through the way, truth, and life of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. It will be a challenging but timely message as we approach the upcoming election.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. October 20th – Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost Fall Series: What’s the Big Deal? Old Testament Reading: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 Epistle Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10 Gospel Reading: Mark 10:35-45 Sermon Title: “Elections: What’s the Big Deal?”

In Hebrews 4 we’re told that we have a God who can sympathize with our weaknesses. What’s the big deal if God can empathize with me or not? I’m the one who has to live my life with all its ups and downs. It doesn’t make any difference to Him if I’m hurting or struggling or rejoicing or celebrating, does it? The prophecy from Isaiah 53 (the Suffering Servant), gives a powerful and poignant picture of how empathetic our Savior is! We’ll delve into just how important God’s empathy is for us as we seek to follow Him.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. October 13th – Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 53:4-12 (sermon focus) Epistle Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16 (sermon focus) Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-31 Sermon Title: “An Empathetic God: What’s the Big Deal?”

Does it really matter what we do, as long as we have faith? James has some rather strong feelings about that question! How do life and faith intersect? In Isaiah, we hear a prophecy of Jesus. The Gospel reading from Mark demonstrates how that prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. But is it just about caring for the poor and needy (or performing miracles to heal them, as Jesus did), or where does faith play into all this? What IS the big deal?As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. October 6 – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a Epistle Reading: James 2:14-17 Gospel Reading: Mark 7:31-37 Sermon Title: “Faith or Good Deeds: What’s the Big Deal?”

As we wrap up our Church: What’s the Big Deal series this Sunday, we’re going to consider the Church at home, where faith is formed. Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies (Vice President, Ministry Engagement of Lutheran Hour Ministries) will be talking about faith in the home, tapping into a wonderful resource that LHM has produced, called “Households of Faith.” Households include all the different shapes and sizes that we have here at Immanuel – everyone is included! You won’t want to miss this helpful and encouraging time together in God’s Word! As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. September 29th – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost September Series: Church: What’s the Big Deal? Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 22:6 Epistle Reading: Ephesians 6:1-4 Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:1-9Sermon Title: “Households of Faith: What’s the Big Deal?”

Being Church in this time and this place… Immanuel sharing the Gospel in Northern Colorado in the 21st century… Why do we do what we do? We’ll take a closer look at the Lord’s ministry here at Immanuel, asking the question we’re asking all month long – what’s the big deal? Along the way, we’ll also celebrate some of the awesome ways God has been using us in ministry. We hope you can join us!As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them.September 22nd – Eighteenth Sunday after PentecostSeptember Series: Church: What’s the Big Deal? Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 Sermon Title: “Immanuel Lutheran Church and School: What’s the Big Deal?”

We began our Church: What’s the Big Deal? series last week by looking big – the Global Church. This week we’re going to take a look at the Lutheran slice of the Global Church. We’ll ask, “What makes the Lutheran church Lutheran?” “What is unique about the Lutheran church?” “What’s the big deal about being Lutheran?” It’s not about bashing other denominations or church bodies – it’s about rejoicing over what God is doing in and through us! Come join me as we explore some of what makes the Lutheran Church a powerful and integral part of all the different denominations, and the gift of God’s grace that sets us apart in so many ways.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them ahead of Sunday. September 15th – Seventeenth Sunday after PentecostSeptember Series: Church: What’s the Big Deal? Old Testament Reading: Genesis 15:1-6 Epistle Readings: Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:19-28 Gospel Reading: John 5:24-26 Sermon Title: “The Lutheran Church: What’s the Big Deal?”

As we begin our 4-week September series on the Church, we start with the big picture – the Global Church. The readings take us across the spectrum of time, particularly taking into account God’s perspective on why He established His Church. Ownership is a big deal as is the timelessness of His Church. Through multiple languages used to read the Scriptures, and hearing how we are all one body, amidst so many differences, I pray we grow in appreciation for the church-at-large, the Global Church, of which we are all a part.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. We live stream our worship services directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. September 8th – Sixteenth Sunday after PentecostSeptember Series: Church: What’s the Big Deal?PAST— Old Testament Reading: Genesis 12:1-3PRESENT— Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-18 FUTURE— Fourth Reading: Revelation 21:1-7 Sermon Title: “The Global Church: What’s the Big Deal?”

Armor-up! We have here again, as we did earlier in our Crazy summer series, the reality of the devil and the dark spiritual forces that are continually plotting against us. However, this time around, we’re going to take a close look at what God provides for us by way of His armor, His mighty power, and all that is needed for us to be able to stand up to the devil and all that is against us. Ephesians 6 is a powerful word of encouragement, especially needed for these days!As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. From now through Labor Day, we will only be live streaming our 8:00am Classic Grace service, which we will do directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. August 25th – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Summer Series: It’s Crazy! Old Testament: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-20 Gospel: John 3:1-17 Sermon Title: “Fighting Spiritual Forces? Crazy!”

For the past three weeks we’ve been following this significant discourse of Jesus in John 6 where He’s talking continuously about bread from heaven, being the bread of life, etc., and here, at the end of this discourse, Jesus speaks directly about needing to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Crazy sounding stuff, to be sure! What was He talking about? We’ll spend time trying to sort this all out. As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. From now through Labor Day, we will only be live streaming our 8:00am Classic Grace service, which we will do directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. August 18th – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Summer Series: It’s Crazy! Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1-6 Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-20 Gospel: John 6:51-69 Sermon Title: “Eating Flesh?! Drinking Blood?! Crazy!”

St. Paul in Ephesians 4 and 5 hold out some pretty high ideals. How are we supposed to read those for our lives today? They sound unrealistic, even crazy! He’s taking us down a path of the sanctified life and to remind us that we still live by grace and are led by the Holy Spirit. At the heart of it all, however, is forgiveness – forgiveness we receive and forgiveness we’re called to show and to share with others. We’ll touch on a lot of very practical elements of our life together in Jesus.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. From now through Labor Day, we will only be live streaming our 8:00am Classic Grace service, which we will do directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. August 11th – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Summer Series: It’s Crazy! Old Testament: Psalm 34:1-8 Epistle: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51 Sermon Title: “Am I Supposed to be Perfect?!”

Ephesians 4 provides so much guidance and encouragement for us when it comes to answering the question I pose as the sermon title for this Sunday. St. Paul speaks to our attitudes and approach to life; he speaks to the unity that we’re to strive for; he lays out the very real hope we have and why we have it; we have a “gift list” that expresses how the Lord chooses to use us for His work; and then at the end, we’re told very clearly how we can be grounded or deeply rooted in Truth and how we speak into the craziness of our world today. This Sunday is rich!As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. From now through Labor Day, we will only be live streaming our 8:00am Classic Grace service, which we will do directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them. August 4th – Eleventh Sunday after PentecostSummer Series: It’s Crazy!Old Testament: Psalm 145:10-18Epistle: Ephesians 4:1-16Gospel: John 6:24-35Sermon Title: “How Do We Stay Strong in This Crazy World?”

We are continuing our crazy sermon series this week and how much CRAZIER can you get reading, studying, and seeing what God is going to say to us about a story where a little boy’s lunch feeds thousands?! Can you imagine what the disciples were thinking when Andrew came to Jesus with a lunch bag with a couple of loaves of bread and five small fish? “What good is that?” may have been the first thing out of their mouths! But Jesus had other ideas… We’ll be considering how our God is a God of abundant grace and love for all of us, that He is not only the “bread of life” but He’s also the One who challenges us to trust Him with anything we can bring to Him of our gifts, abilities, time, and treasure. If Jesus can take a small boy’s lunch and feed thousands, can you imagine what He can do in and through you? Come and join us for worship on Sunday and hear more about what God wants to do in all our lives through this CRAZY story!As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. From now through Labor Day, we will only be live streaming our 8:00am Classic Grace service, which we will do directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them.July 28th – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Summer Series: It’s Crazy! Old Testament: 2 Kings 4:42-44Epistle: Ephesians 3:14-21Gospel: John 6:1-15 Sermon Title: “Feeding 5000 With WHAT? That’s Crazy!"

The recording of the prophet Isaiah’s call from God to be His spokesman is pretty dramatic and worth spending some time just soaking in the awe and wonder of what that must have been like. In addition to the miraculous and awe-inspiring presence of angels/seraphim, God’s “train” from the throne, and other amazing things that Isaiah experienced, there are actually some very down-to-earth elements of Isaiah’s call we can relate to. At the end, Isaiah is very inspired to raise his hand and ask God to send him/use him for God’s purposes. How do we get there with that same sense of inspiration and confidence? That’s what we’ll be exploring.As always, if you can’t be here in-person, take advantage of our live stream option. From now through Labor Day, we will only be live streaming our 8:00am Classic Grace service, which we will do directly from the home page of Immanuel’s website through YouTube. You can view our worship live streams here: https://immanuelloveland.org/ Below are the Scripture readings if you want to take a look at them ahead of Sunday. July 21st – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Summer Series: It’s Crazy! Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-8 Epistle: Ephesians 2:11-22 Gospel: Mark 6:30-34 Sermon Title: “Could God Use Me? It Sounds Crazy…”