Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

Matthew 2:1-12 | Just as the birth of Jesus seemingly appeared “out of the blue,” the arrival of the wise men in Jerusalem, following the star that appeared in the sky, seems to happen “out of the blue.” As it happens in Scripture, often we meet characters midway through their journeys. But just because we meet the wise men at this specific point on their journey, it doesn’t discount that (likely) for years these wise men had practiced looking to the skies, awaiting a promise. For ourselves today, we might not look to the stars. But, we also engage in our own practices of faith that point us to Christ and help us recognize what God is doing in us and around us. So as you venture into 2026, join us for worship as we turn ourselves to God in prayer, and as we open our hands to receive what God has to generously bestow into our hands.

Note for online listeners: to engage with the sermon, you’ll need access to the Star Words list linked below. Those attending in-person received a star word randomly. Though this cannot be duplicated online, we encourage you to choose a word as randomly as possible to allow the Spirit to lead you to what it is that you need to hear.

Star Words List

Sunday, January 4 2026, Epiphany Sunday

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: The First Noel. Text: English traditional. Music: English traditional, arr. John Stainer, 1840-1901. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Home By Another Way. Text: Anna Strickland, A Sanctifi ed Art 2021. Music: John Henry Hopkins (1857). Text and Music: © Anna Strickland, 2021. Commissioned by A Sanctifi ed Art. Public Domain. Covered under A Sanctifi ed Art LLC. Offering Song: What Child is This. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 Lorenz Publishing Company/Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) All Rights Reserved. ASCAP Text: © 2011 Lorenz Publishing Company/Lorenz Corporation (admin. by Music Services) All Rights Reserved. ASCAP. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Follow the Star. by Poor Claire. Purchased by Aleese Kenitzer. Transaction ID. 3258119804.
Sending Song: Arise Your Light Has Come!. Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Music: William H. Walter, 1825-1893. Text and Music: © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 2:13-23 | As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the hands of Herod. The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope. So join us this weekend for worship as we continue to bask in the light of Christ come to earth, and as we gather around word and meal where God redeems us, lifts us up, and carries us as in days of old.

Special thanks to the Bishop’s Office of the Southeastern Iowa Synod and lay leaders at Shepherd of the Cross for leadership today in worship!

Sunday, December 28 2025, First Sunday of Christmas

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: O Come, All Ye Faithful. Text: attr. John Fancis Wade, 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st.2. Music: attr. John Francis Wade. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: What Child is This. Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898. Music: English ballad, 16th cent. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Offering Song: Do You Hear What I Hear?. Text and Music: Gloria Adele Shain, Noel Regney. Text and Music: © 1977 Universal Music Works on behalf of Primary Wave Jewel (Admin. by Universal Music Publishing Group). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Go Tell it on the Mountain. Text: French carol; tr. H. F. Hemy, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864. Music: French carol; arr. Edward S. Barnes, 1887-1958. Text and Music: © Public Domain. 

Luke 2:1-20 | Tonight is the night of God’s grand arrival. Throughout Advent we’ve been waiting for the promise of God’s deliverance.  And tonight, in the fullness of time, God makes God’s entrance into humanity, becoming flesh for our sake. This gives us reason to sing with the angels, and to come and adore Christ on bended knee. But even beyond this holy night, God still promises to come – in the ordinary and not-so-extravagant moments – and God still promises to, at last, renew all the world. So as we gather with millions of Christians, join us for worship as we witness God’s grand arrival – arriving right on time – and as we look for God’s advent in our lives and in the world.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025, Christmas Eve

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem. Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893. Music: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Angels We Have Heard on High. Text: French carol; tr. H. F. Hemy, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864. Music: French carol; arr. Edward S. Barns, 1887-1958. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Offering Song: Away in a Manger. Text: North American, 19th cent. Music: James R. Burray, 1841-1905. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Communion Song: All Is Well. Text and Music: Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick, James Ray. Text and Music: © 2020 Excelcia Music Publishing. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Silent Night. Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885. Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863. Text and Music © Public Domain

Matthew 1:18-25 | Roadmaps (and the genius of GPS) help pave the way for our travels – telling us where to go and exactly how long it’ll take to get there. But for Joseph, whom we meet in our Gospel this weekend, his roadmap was interrupted not once, not twice, but over and over again. Each of these turning points had the potential to completely disorient him. But instead, each of these disruptions reoriented him to God as he said “yes” for God to have God’s way in him. For ourselves, as we close the season of Advent, we may recognize “turning points” that’ve led us in different directions, and we may recognize approaching “turning points.” Like Joseph, these disruptions can disorient us. But following the example of the saints who’ve gone before us, we too are invited to live even more deeply in God’s story. So before turning to the news of Christ’s birth, join us this weekend as we hear the promise of Emmanuel – God with us – and as we allow God to have God’s way in – and through – us.

Sunday, December 21, 2025, Fourth Sunday in Advent

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln, 1710; tr. composite. Music: French processional, 15th cent. Text and Music: © 1997, 2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.
Hymn of the Day: Savior of the Nations, Come. Text: attr. Ambrose of Milan, 340-397; Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. hymnal version. Music: J. Walter, Geistliche Gesangbüchlein, 1524. Text: © 2006 Augsburg Publishing. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: What Child is This. Text and Music: Carol Tornquist. Text and Music: © 1997, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008 Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.). Covered under CCLI subscription.
Communion Song: Mother of God. Performed by The Brilliance. ℗ 2011 The Brilliance. Privately Purchased by Aleese Kenitzer. Sending Song: Joy to the World. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Music: English melody, 18th cent.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. Text and Music: © Public Domain.

Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11| Visions of hope, and peace, and life pepper our Advent readings, urging us to trust God’s faithfulness to God’s promises. And yet, amidst the barren wilderness, it can be challenging to witness – and trust – the promise of God’s life. In our lives, our world, and even in the church, we may not see grand displays of God’s majesty. And yet, amidst the mundane, ordinary, and sometimes dry and dusty landscapes, God is doing something and God is bringing life out of what seems dead. So as we inch closer to welcoming God’s grand arrival in our midst at Christmas, join us for worship as we recognize and give thanks for the flowers of Christ’s life for the world that are emerging …even out of the blue.

Sunday, December 14, 2025, Third Sunday in Advent

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788. Music: W. Walker, Southern Harmony, 1835. Text and Music: © 1978, 2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Light Dawns on a Weary World. Text and Music: Mary Louise Bringle, William Pl Rowan. Text and Music: © 2000, 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: In a Manger. Text and Music: Edward Broughton. Text and Music: © 1989, 2006 The Lorenz Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Come to Us O Lord. Text and Music: Eric J. Marshall. Performed by Young Oceans. Text and Music: © 2012 Young Oceans (Admin. By Eric Marshall.) Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: All Earth is Hopeful. Text and Music: Alberto Taule, James E. Bobb. Text and Music: © 2017 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 3:1-12; Romans 15:4-13 | With snow continuing to fall in the Midwest, it’s likely we aren’t experiencing a lot of road construction. And yet, in the life of the church, as we experience the season of Advent, it’s like we’re put on God’s road construction crew. Hearing the message of John the Baptist, we are told to prepare the way of the Lord through repentance. But what is repentance? And what does it tangibly look like to prepare for God’s Kingdom, coming to us even out of the blue? As we continue to look in hope for God’s arrival, join us this weekend for worship as we give thanks for Christ’s work on our behalf, and as we are sent to pick up our orange construction vest to continue God’s work in the world.

Sunday, December 7, 2025, Second Sunday in Advent

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: Now the Heavens Start to Whisper. Text and Music: Anne Krentz Organ. Text and Music: © 2021 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Prepare the Royal Highway. Text: Frans Mikael Franzén, 1722-1847; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship. Music: Swedish folk tune, 17th cent.. Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin, Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: The First Noel. Text and Music: Jerry Ray. Text and Music: © 2004 Alfred Sacred. Covered under One License subscription. Communi on Song: On that Holy Mountain. Text and Music: Joseph Mattingly. Performed by Fr. Kent O’Conner. Based on Isaiah 11;9. Text and Music: © 1990 World Library Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: People Look East. Text: Eleanor Farjeon, 1881-1965. Music: French carol; arr. Barry Rose, b. 1934. Text: © Miss E. Farjeon Will Trust, by permission of David Higham Associates. Arr.: © 1999 Novello & Co. Ltd., London. Covered under One License subscription.

Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44 | This Sunday the church begins the sacred season of Advent. While many stores have already been filled with greens and reds, glitter and bells, for the next four weeks, the church assumes hues of blue and songs that are still a bit more subdued. Why? Because in these sacred weeks, we have the opportunity to wait, and to keep watch, for how God is coming into our lives, and into our world, seemingly “out of the blue.” So as you begin to prepare for the coming of Christ, join us this weekend as we attune our eyes together to how God is coming, bringing beauty into the darkness.

Sunday, November 30, 2025, First Sunday in Advent

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: Come NOw, O God. Text and Music: David Bjorlin. Text and Music: © 2018 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: We are Waiting for Jesus. Text and Music: John Helgen. Text and Music: © 2013 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming. Text: German carol, 15th cent.; tr. by Theodore Baker, 1851-1934, alt. Music: Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Cologne, 1599. Michael Praetorius. Text and Music: © Public Domain.Communion Song: Wake Up. Text and Music: David Leonard, Don Chaffer, Leslie Jordan. Text and Music: © 2011 Gentleman Adventurer’s Songs (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]) Simple Tense Songs (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) Little Way Creative (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

Luke 23:33-46; Colossians 1:11-20 |As we close the church year, we confess and proclaim “Jesus is King!” And yet, in a culture that isn’t accustomed to “kings” and thrives on living independent from outside authority, what does it mean for us – as followers of Jesus – to live as though Jesus is our King and our Lord? Join us this weekend as we dare to claim this confession of faith that has been the confession of the Christian church throughout the ages, and as we live in hope for God’s Kingdom over all that is.

Sunday, November 23, 2025, Christ the King Sunday

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: He is Exalted. Text and Music: Twila Paris. Text and Music: © 1985 Jubilee Communications Inc. (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Mountain Spring Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Holy God, Holy and Glorious. Text: Susan R. Briehl, b. 1952. Music: Robert Buckley Farlee, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: In Christ Alone. Text and Music: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend. Text and Music: © 2001 Thankyou Music Ltd (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Crown Him with Many Crowns. Text: Matthew Bridges, 1800-1894, Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903. Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893. Text and Music: © Public Domain.

Luke 21:5-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 | Amidst challenges, and especially when we can’t see the end of the road (let alone the road itself sometimes!) it can be difficult to endure…to keep going. Often, endurance is cracked up to something that we need to do. To that end, a common image may be “white-knuckling” our way through a situation. But what if endurance wasn’t solely up to us and our ability? As we consider what is asked of us by Jesus to “endure,” join us this weekend as we hear again God’s promised faithfulness to us, and as we are given what we need to not grow weary in doing what is right.

Sunday, November 16, 2025, Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: O God, Our Help in Ages Past. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt. Music: William Croft, 1678-1727. Text and Music: © Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. Text and Music: African American spiritual. Text and Music: © 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: When We All Get To Heaven. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Company Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: It is Well with My Soul. Performed by Audrey Assad with full permission. Text: Horatio G. Spafford. Music: Philip P. Bliss. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Sending Song: Trading My Sorrows. Text and Music: Darrell Evans. Text and Music: © 1998 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered under CCLI subscription.

Luke 20:27-38 | The resurrection. It’s central to the Christian faith. And yet, how do we describe it? And, how do we live as though it’s actually true? This morning, we hear a group of Sadducees attempt to trap Jesus with a question about the resurrection. Truth be told, those Sadducees didn’t care about the resurrection as much as they were trying to trick Jesus. But for us today, what the resurrection is, and what it means for us, is an honest question. So as we look to the end of the church year, inhabiting the truth of God’s Kingdom among us even as we await its fullness, join us for worship as we claim the promise of God’s Good News and as we look – and work – in hope for the recreation and renewal of all things.

Sunday, November 9, 2025, Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: I Know that My Redeemer Lives. Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799, alt. Music: attr. John Hatton, d. 1793. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Sing with All the Saints in Glory. Text: William J. Irons, 1812-1883, alt. Music: William Bradley Roberts, b. 1947. Music: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Give Thanks. Text and Music: Henry Smith. Text and Music: © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: Breathe. Text and Music: David Gungor, John Arndt, Lisa Gungor, Michael Gungor. Text and Music: © 2015 Ame Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing). Remaining portion is unaffiliated. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Soon and Very Soon. Text and Music: Andraé Crouch, b. 1945. Text and Music: © 1976 Bud John Songs, Inc./Crouch Music, admin. EMI Christian Music Publishing. Covered under CCLI subscription.