Life is full of endings and beginnings. The birth of Christ is an end and a beginning. There is another ending and beginning. Are you prepared for it?

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It takes the white hot heat of fire to clarify and cleanse the dross from the cauldron of precious metal. Is life any different. Perhaps it is not what we want to hear. Do you want to be clean?

December 12, Third Sunday of Advent
    Lesson Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18
    Sermon Title: Renewed in Love

Love can become cold. Love can become confused. Renewal will come in love. Learn how you can be fitted for the task of renewal.

December 19, Fourth Sunday of Advent
    Lesson Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-45
    Sermon Title: Rejoice in Security

In our world there is little security to be had. In God’s world there is complete security. The price of security can be met with confidence. How would you like to rejoice in security.

December 24, Christmas Eve Service, 6:00 pm
    Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7; John 1:1-5, 10-13
    Sermon Title: The Power Connection

Life is like a rechargeable battery. What good is the battery if you cannot recharge it. What do you need to charge your life?

December 25, Christmas Day

December 26
    Lesson: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:5-12
    Sermon Title: Looking for God in All the Right Places

Many people look for God in all the wrong places. What are the right places?

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January 2, Epiphany Sunday, Communion Sunday
    Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
    Sermon Title: Building A Life

Life is not pre-fabricated. Life is built piece by piece, section by section, experience by experience. What are the building blocks and how may we use them in a new year to build a better life?

January 6, Epiphany of the Lord

January 9, Baptism of Our Lord
    Lesson: Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
    Sermon Title: The Power that Transforms

How does one acquire the power that transforms fear into courage?

It was William Shakespeare who said, "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." What is greatness?

Would you rather believe eyewitnesses or depend on hearsay? The option is open to you. The choice is yours. But before you make a decision, listen to what Peter has to say.

February 9, Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00 pm
    Lesson: Colossians 2.8-19
    Sermon Title: Nailed to the Cross

We have heard the old biblical expression, "Ashes to ashes and dust to dust." This applies not only to the end of life, but also to our forgiven sins. They no longer exist; they are ashes and they are dust.

February 12, Lincoln’s Birthday

February 13, First Sunday in Lent, Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week
    Lesson: Luke 23.32-38
    Sermon Title: Father Forgive Them

How could Jesus forgive those who were crucifying him? Was he forgiving them? What does Jesus mean with this expression of forgiveness?

February 14, Valentines Day

February 20, Second Sunday in Lent
    Lesson: Luke 23.39-43
    Sermon Title: Today, You Will Be With Me In Paradise

Paradise is not an illusion or a myth, it is real. The only question is how do you get there, and do you really want to go?

February 21, President’s Day

February 22, Washington’s Birthday

February 27, Third Sunday in Lent
    Lesson: John 19.25-27
    Sermon Title: Mother, Behold Your Son

Jesus emphasizes the importance of family. What people make up a family, and how do we treat them?

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Does this expression invalidate the promise of God that he will never leave us or forsake us. Is this a paradoxical contradiction or a statement of the conditions of the immediate present?

March 13, Fifth Sunday in Lent
    Lesson: John 19.28-29
    Sermon Title: I Thirst

Thirst has many meanings. What is it that Jesus now desires?

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day

March 20, Passion/Palm Sunday
    Lesson: Philippians 2.5-11
    Sermon Title: One Hand, One Heart, One Mind

Palms and passion fill the air of this Sunday. The parade into Jerusalem will lead to another parade to Golgotha. Is there any real change in the spectators?

March 24, Maundy Thursday Service, 6:30 pm
    Lesson: John 19.30
    Sermon Title: It Is Finished

What a relief comes when a task is completed. Does Jesus feel much different than we might at the end of the day?

March 25, Good Friday Service, 1:00 pm
    Lesson: Luke 23.44-49
    Sermon Title: Father, Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit

Is there any other place to go? Is there anyone else to when we can commit ourselves with such complete confidence and hope?

March 27, Easter Day
    Lesson: John 20.1-18
    Sermon Title: Voice Recognition

It was only when he spoke that recognition eventually came. Jesus had a resurrection body. Is this what we are being offered, and is it worth it?

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April 3, Communion Sunday, Daylight Savings Time Begins
    Lesson: Matthew 18.15-20
    Sermon Title: Emergency Management Skills

Conflicts are inevitable. The resolution of conflict in the church is necessary for the congregation's health and well-being. Instead of "sweeping it under the rug," try Jesus' method.

April 10,
    Lesson: Matthew 18.21-35
    Sermon Title: You Don’t Mean It?

Forgiveness is a necessary part of the Christian’s lifestyle. We ought not to ever become tried of forgiving. How many times is enough?

April 17,
    Lesson: Matthew 19.1-12
    Sermon Title: How May We Talk about Divorce?

Once again the authorities test Jesus by asking a leading question about divorce. This is a touchy subject. How may we talk about it without imposing regulations or excessive guilt?

April 20, Secretary’s Day

April 22, Earth Day

April 24,
    Lesson: Matthew 19.13-15
    Sermon Title: Come Unto Me!

Children should be seen and not heard? Jesus overturns the conventional wisdom and acts of those concerned with his health and well-being. We are invited to come!

April 29, Arbor Day

April 30, Wisconsin Congregational Association Annual Meeting, Arena Congregational Church

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It’s all about orientation. It takes a compass and the right bearing. The direction you choose may lead to life or disaster.

Remembering is painful, but remember we do. We remember the fallen heroes so that the time may come when we no longer need to go to war.

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We do not wrestle not only with flesh and blood but with also with the spiritual forces of evil. To stand we need the protection that the armor of God provides.

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July 24, Parent’s Day
    Lesson: Matthew 20.1-16
    Sermon Title: Our Daily Wage

Each person received the same, was it fair. This is the question raised by those who started first. This ought not to be our question. What is the result? Is the right question.

July 31
    Lesson: Matthew 20.17-19
    Sermon Title: The Third Day

Communication is vital. Good and true information prevents misunderstandings. What is the problem here with what Jesus is communicating to the disciples?

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You do not know what you are asking! So, how do we learn to ask for what is necessary and helpful?

August 14
    Lesson: Matthew 20.29-34
    Sermon Title: Scratching the Itch

Desires are so often like mosquito bites. They itch. You may need some salve to quiet the itch. How do we scratch the itches of desire?

August 21
    Lesson: Matthew 21.1-11
    Sermon Title: Name Recognition

What names of famous people can you name? What makes them famous? How do people learn who Jesus is and what he can do for them?

August 28
    Lesson: Matthew 21.12-17
    Sermon Title: Cleaning House

Without realizing it dust bunnies and cobwebs collect in places that are not easily observable. You may find them not only in your home, but in your mind. When is it time to clean house?

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The promise was not met with results. Is the fig tree representative of something else?

September 5, Labor Day    

September 11, Grandparents Day, Informal Worship and Church Picnic at Church
    Lesson: Matthew 21.23-27
    Sermon Title: Questions of Authority

Jesus is the authority. What happens when we question authority? What results may be expected? How may we accept the authority of Jesus for the benefit of our lives?

September 18, Citizenship Day
    Lesson: Matthew 21.28-32
    Sermon Title: "No" and "Yes"

Two children, two different responses, one "No" which became "Yes," and one "Yes" that became "No." Are these good examples for us. What may be the results?

September 25
    Lesson: Matthew 21.33-46
    Sermon Title: What More Could He Do?

Jesus tells a story about a vineyard and the response of the tenants. Its about producing fruit. What does fruit production have to do with us?

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A wedding banquet for a king’s son requires that we wear formal attire. Look what happens to the one who comes in street clothes.

October 9, Laity Sunday, National Children’s Day
    Lesson: Matthew 22.15-22
    Sermon Title: Debts and Debtors

You will have to pay what is owed. You better know what is owed and to whom?

October 16, Pastor Appreciation Sunday
    Lesson: Matthew 22.23-33
    Sermon Title: Seven husbands, Whose wife?

Because they could not prove it, they did not believe. How may we learn to trust in the scriptures and the power of God?

October 17, National Boss’s Day

October 23
    Lesson: Matthew 22.34-40
    Sermon Title: The Greatest Commandment

Question: Which commandment is the greatest and the source of all other commandments?

October 30, Reformation Sunday, Daylight Savings Time Ends
    Lesson: Matthew 22.41-45
    Sermon Title: Whose Son Is He?

What is the most important question you will ever answer?

October 31, Reformation Day, Halloween

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All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Is this a paradox or what?

November 11, Veteran’s Day, Arena Congregational Church Anniversary Sunday (141 years)

November 14, Veteran’s Day Observed

November 13, Stewardship Day, International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, Church Anniversary Celebration, Harvest Dinner (after worship)
    Lesson: 1 Peter 1.1-10
    Sermon Title: Not Then, but Now

We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we forget the way that God has led us in the past, and his past teaching.

November 20, Thanksgiving Sunday, Bible Sunday, Christ the King Sunday
    Lesson: Revelation 19.1-16
    Sermon Title: King of kings and Lord of Lords

Vivid word pictures portray a scene of complete victory for the "saints." How is this scene a source of hope and comfort?

November 23, Thanksgiving Eve Service, 7:00 pm
    Lesson: Psalm 63
    Sermon Title: Joyful Lips

What is it that joyful lips proclaim, and how do they do that?

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