Sermon: “John the Baptist, Rottweiler of the Gospel”. Advent is not an easy season. There is so much to do! With all this preparation, God sends us John the Baptist Rottweiler of the Gospel! REPENT!! When all we want to do is sing “Oh Holy Night”. But repentance equals change. That’s why its hard. We only change when we must. John the Baptist wants us to prepare for the glory of God by changing, by opening ourselves to the WOW of repentance. Advent is a season of Hope. The color blue signifies hope. God is in us, changing us forever. Our hope is for a savior. We are all invited into the kingdom of heaven. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy

Sermon: “The Music of God”. Three thousand years ago in Jerusalem there were rumors of war. The king received conflicting advice from his advisors and he was torn. Then comes the prophet, Isaiah. Isaiah called the people to come to the mountain and to know God. Isaiah persisted when the king’s advisors derided him. Isaiah told them that nation shall not lift sword against nation. These are the sounds of Advent. Can we keep quiet long enough for God to be heard. Tune our hearts to God on this time when many out of tune voices demand our attention. Listen for the silence, listen for the Holy Spirit to speak. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy

Christ the King Sunday. Sermon: “Jesus is Always the Answer”. We acknowledge that Christ is the answer to the questions: who are we, where are we going, and can I ever truly be loved. Christians know about the love of Christ. We don’t need to see God to know, we know Christ. “Whoever has seen me has seen God.” Only in Christianity is God looking for us. Persistently looking for a relationship with us. No matter what we’re going through, remember we are never alone. For Christ said, “I am the way the truth and the light”. Christ is always the answer to the questions of life. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy

Sermon: “Never Give Up”. November is here, its getting dark earlier and colder. God gives us winter to teach us that all things must pass. There will be a time where everything will pass. Things get worse before they get better. What matters is how we react. Do we give up? No, Jesus says not to be led astray by people who come in God’s name and say that the end is near. Those people have lost their trust in truth and justice and want to escape this world. There is no escape. Jesus’ word is about trusting in God. With God there is hope, love, and endurance. The gospel today is telling us to work hard, worship, and welcome others. We are children of God. We are truly saved! Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy

Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy

Sermon: “Resurrection, hope, overcoming Despair.” The 7th chapter of Daniel is notable the greatest chapter of the Old Testament. It starts our horrible, but ends with good news. Like a son of man. The world may curse God. But ultimately God is in control. Always! Today we remember those who have died. We must look to the future and how to live it fully. Wht do we do with our lives? We should live it a fully Godly live. We still have a mission while we wait for our time to join our loved ones in heaven. We try to separate our lives into the sacred and the secular. But everything is sacred, God wants it all. Nothing escapes God’s all seeing eye. Resurrection helps us see beyond death. On this All Saints Day, we learn of hope that overcomes death and focus on Christ and Christ alone. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road; Westland, MI www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy

Sermon: “Feeling Worthless…?” Sometimes we feel like we are worthless. But no matter what God values us. Today we commemorate the posting of the 99 theses by Martin Luther, to the Roman Catholic church. Martin Luther was told by his father that he was to become a lawyer. But Martin had to passion for the law. He changed his studies to theology and his father basically disowned him. Luther studied very hard. Then, while studying Romans, he found for the first time that we are saved by faith alone. Then he looked very hard through the scriptures for other evidence of God’s loving nature. He found many. Then Martin Luther challenged his students and the church to have a debate about what it takes to be saved. This debate remains active today. We, as Lutherans, continually re-form the church, going forward, ever forward. Our salvation is not in our hands. We are saved by faith alone. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road; Westland, MI www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy Go in Peace. Follow the Risen Christ. Always and Forever! Amen!!

Sermon: “ A God of New Beginnings.” Jacob was a scoundrel. He was the second born son, but he so wanted to have the inheritance of the first-born son. Jacob the cheat, he cheated his brother, with the help of his mother. Jacob took the riches and went into exile. After a while he became homesick. Jacob sent ahead a large gift for his brother. That night Jacob wrestled with God. God prevailed and God change Jacob’s name to Israel. This was a new beginning for Jacob. Jacob the cheat became a new man. He had the limb that God gave him to remind him to get back on the right track. He was truly blessed. We try to fill our empty lives. Only when we face the challenges of our lives and come face to face with God we are reconciled and receive forgiveness. Thanks be to God that we believe in a God of new beginnings that we have new life and God comes to us in grace. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road; Westland, MI www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy YouTube: Celebration! Lutheran Church @celebrationonjoy