In this week's Gospel reading from Luke 5, we hear a great story about some friends bringing (literally carrying) a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. No matter what obstacles they faced, nothing was going to stop them from bringing their friend into the presence of Jesus. What a great example for us!

This week's Scripture readings are 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28, Psalm 103:1-8, and Luke 5:17-26.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

Thank you to Pastor Dave Schoob for leading us in worship today on this Labor Day weekend. Today's Scripture readings are Romans 13:8-14, Psalm 119:33-40, and Matthew 18:15-20.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

Today in worship, we are celebrating a new church festival day: "The Feast of Creation in Christ." (Visit https://www.feastofcreation.com/ to learn more.) In addition to exploring what it means to praise God as Creator and ponder the great mystery that everything was created through Christ, Pastor Daniel Flucke reflects in this sermon on this new festival as ecumenical progress towards Jesus' prayer that all his followers would be united. The middle of the sermon includes a brief video from the World Council of Churches on the origins of the new feast day. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0NdarXfRF4

The first Scripture reading from Genesis 1:1-2:4 is read in The Message version. Other Scriptures included in the service are Psalm 148; Acts 17:22a, 24-28; and John 1:1-5.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

For nearly 2,000 years, the church has struggled with the question of who gets to be included in God’s family. We're tempted to treat God’s love if it were like a pie with only so many pieces to go around. But as Paul reminds us in today's reading, God has not rejected God’s people. As the Canaanite woman reminds Jesus, God’s mercy is bigger than the boundaries we draw. God’s love, mercy, and grace are big enough for all of us—and for “them” too. God's love is not pie.

Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; and Matthew 15:10-28.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

For today's sermon, we're picking up the story in Matthew 14 immediately after Jesus miraculously fed the huge crowd. Just wait until you see what he does next! There's fear and chaos, a boat battered by waves, and an incredible demonstration of Jesus' power and authority.

Today's Scripture readings are Romans 10:5-15, Psalm 85:8-13, and Matthew 14:22-33.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In this Sunday's readings, we get a glimpse of God's kingdom looks like as Jesus miraculously provides food for a massive crowd. Everyone is included, and everyone is fed. As we heard in last week's parables (listen here), God takes a little, tiny, almost insignificant offering--just five loaves and two fishes for a crowd of thousands--and does something incredible with it. Today's Scripture readings are Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; 2 Kings 4:42–44, and the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In this week's sermon, Pastor Daniel Flucke focuses on the Gospel reading from Matthew 13, where we hear Jesus tell not one, not two, but five parables about the kingdom of heaven. God can work through our small actions to make an eternal impact. Today's Scripture readings are Romans 8:26-39; Psalm 119:129-136; and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Pastor Daniel is on vacation this weekend, so we are grateful to Living Hope member Ralph Luedtke for sharing a sermon on Psalm 86:11-17. Today's additional Scripture readings are Isaiah 44:6-8, Romans 8:12-25, and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Pastor Daniel is on vacation today, so we are grateful to Christ the King member Fred Walls for sharing a sermon today on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Today's additional Scripture readings are Isaiah 44:6-8, Psalm 86:11-17, and Romans 8:12-25.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

As our nation marks its semiquincentennial, we exercise our religious freedom by gathering for worship on Sunday morning. In worship, we give thanks for the many blessings God has given us, and this weekend, we consider how this occasion challenges us to live up to our nation’s ideals of liberty and justice for all. As Christians living in 21st century America, we are blessed with tremendous opportunities and resources. How will we use our freedom? 

This week’s readings are Zechariah 9:9-12, Psalm 145:8-15, Galatians 5:13-26, and Matthew 11:16-1, 25-30.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

What does it mean to welcome others? In this Sunday's brief Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus tells us that when we offer even a cup of cold water to welcome someone, we are really welcoming him. Welcoming our neighbors means seeing them in their full humanity, as beloved children of God. As members of the body of Christ, we share the welcome of grace which we ourselves have received through Jesus.

Today's Scripture readings are Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 146, and Matthew 10:40-42.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Pastor Daniel is traveling with Lighthouse Youth to Nashville for a service trip, so this Sunday, we are grateful to Pastor Jennifer Olson for leading us in worship.

Today's Scripture readings are Romans 6:1b-11; Psalm 69:7-10, 16-18; and Matthew 10:24-33.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Today's joint worship service celebrates a great week of "Do Something Superheroes" Vacation Bible School! No matter your age or abilities, God has a mission for you. Everyone can answer the call to DO SOMETHING to share God's love through your words and actions!

This week’s readings are Jeremiah 1:4-8, Psalm 105:1-5, 1 Timothy 4:12, and Mark 12:28-34.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading from Matthew 9, the religious leaders criticize Jesus for spending time with sinners and even (gasp!) eating with them. Jesus responds, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” How often do we fall into the trap of thinking we need to be “good enough” to come into God’s presence? More than once, I’ve heard people concerned, “If I step into the door of the church, the roof will collapse!”

But sinners are exactly who Jesus is seeking. Jesus calls no one but sinners! And he invites them (us!) to follow, to leave behind our sin and receive forgiveness and new life. Good news indeed!

This week’s readings are Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-6; and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Right before he ascends to heaven, Jesus gives his disciples some instructions. He sends them out into the world to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

This “Great Commission” is given not only to the 11 disciples who heard it in person, but to us as well! And so is the promise—the last words recorded in Matthew’s gospel: “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This Sunday's sermon from Pastor Daniel Flucke digs into our instructions from Jesus and celebrates the promise of God’s ongoing presence with us. 

This week’s readings are 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Psalm 8, and Matthew 28:16-20.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Happy Pentecost! As we celebrate the birthday of the church, this week's message from Pastor Daniel Flucke looks at three aspects of the Holy Spirit's Pentecost work: The Holy Spirit fills the church. The Holy Spirit sends us. And the Holy Spirit goes with us. Those promises are as true today as ever. Receive the Holy Spirit!

This week’s readings are John 20:19-23, Psalm 104:24-33, 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, and Acts 2:1-21.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Today we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus, the moment when the risen Christ departs from the disciples and commissions them for the work ahead. Although we mention Jesus’ Ascension each time we say the Apostle’s Creed together, it’s one of those parts of Jesus’ story we often gloss over. What do we do with this strange, awkward, almost unbelievable story?

This sermon from Pastor Daniel Flucke explores what this story says about where God is now, what it means for the church to be the Body of Christ, and why the disciples are told to stop staring into the sky and get to work! Today's Scripture readings are Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, and John 17:1-11. The text of today's sermon is available at https://danielflucke.com/ascension-commissioning/.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

Many people imagine God as a distant heavenly being watching from afar. But as Christians, we believe in a God who refuses to stay distant. God insists on coming into the world. God wants to be involved in our lives. God is personal and knowable, hearing and answering our prayers. As Jesus promises in today's reading, even though he himself is no longer physically walking around in our world, we have not been left orphaned. The Holy Spirit is God present with us, God’s breath blowing through the world. 

Today’s Scripture readings are Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:13-20, and John 14:15-21. You can watch the video referenced in the sermon of Derek Redmond's race in Barcelona from 1992 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynhD-vq2DUE.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

What does faithful Christian witness look like? Stephen is remembered as the first Christian martyr, but his death is only part of his legacy. Today’s sermon explores Stephen’s story as an example of how the Gospel is proclaimed in both word and deed. Along the way, we look at how the early church’s ministry of compassion became a powerful witness to the world around them.

Today’s Scripture readings are Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 14-16; and John 14:1-14. The text of this sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/stephens-witness/.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/. 

In last week's sermon, we met Jonah, a reluctant prophet given a tough assignment. Although he ran away from God's call, God refused to give up on him. We left Jonah in the belly of a big fish.

This Sunday, we hear the rest of Jonah's story, focusing on chapters three and four. It’s a great story about a shockingly successful sermon to some really terrible people, and a powerful object lesson from God about forgiveness and grace.

Additional readings for this Sunday are Jonah 2; Psalm 86:3-9, 15; and Matthew 12:38-42. The text of this sermon is posted at https://danielflucke.com/jonah-unfair-grace/.

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.