Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 | For the past few weeks, we’ve been immersed in the parables of Jesus in Matthew 13. Painting a picture of the kingdom of heaven through numerous parables, Jesus concludes by asking his disciples, “have you understood all this?” The disciples respond, “yes,” but we may find ourselves still scratching our heads. And yet, the point of Jesus’ parables is not for the sake of cognitive comprehension; instead, the whole of Jesus’ parables are an invitation to invest in the riches of God’s Kingdom. So, as we conclude our focus on Jesus’ parables, join us for worship as we receive again God’s unexpected forgiveness, and as we are formed to participate in what God has already begun in us.

Sunday, July 26, 2026, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: 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. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Gather Us In. Text and Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1982, GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. Text and Music: Karen Lafferty. Text and Music: © 1972 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours). Text and Music: Matt Maher, Bryan Fowler, Jacob Sooter. Text and Music: © Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) bryanfowlersongs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Caroco Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Just When Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Build Us Up, Lord. Text and Music: Donna Hanna, Mark Glaeser. Text: © 2003, Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 | When we hear images of fire, weeping, and gnashing of teeth in Scripture, it’s not uncommon to be uncomfortable or even to label God as vindictive, angry, or judgmental. But if we look at these images in isolation, we miss the message of God’s ultimate desire for God’s Kingdom of goodness and wholeness to reign over all things. So, as we continue to wrestle with Jesus’ parables of the kingdom, join us this weekend as we acknowledge the weeds that reside within and around us, as we pray for Jesus to invade our lives and our world for good, and as we are sent to spread seeds of hope.

Sunday, July 19, 2026, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Sing to the Lord of Harvest. Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875, alt. Music: Johann Steurlein, 1546-1613. Text and Music: © Oregon Catholic Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: The Reign of God, like Farmer’s Field. Text and Music: Delores Dufner. Text and Music: © 2003 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: In the Fields of the Lord. Text and Music: Isaac Wardell, Audrey Assad. Text and Music: © 2017 Essential Music Publishing LLC. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Bring Forth the Kingdom. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text: © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 | Of Jesus’ parables, one of the most common is the parable of the sower. Seed falls in four places, yielding fruit only in good soil. At first glance, this parable may simply be a moralistic tale giving us the message that we “should” be “good soil.” This interpretation isn’t wrong, but the way Jesus presents his parables in the Gospels push us to go deeper. So, as we consider how Jesus’ parables paint a picture of the nature of God’s Kingdom, and as we consider Jesus’ invitation for us to become active participants within God’s ongoing and active mission, join us for worship as we hear again the promise of God’s faithfulness and as we are given yet another invitation to respond in faith.

Sunday, July 12, 2026, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: For the Fruit of All Creation. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Music: Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Text and Music: © 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: O God, Whose Word Well-Planted. Text and Music: Herman G Stuempfle, Stephen P. Folkemer. Text and Music: © 1990 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: The Gardener. Text and Music: Ben Shive, Maria Roate, Sarah Quaglia. Text and Music: © 2024 Beehive Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Fiat Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) The Sounds Of Running Club Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music) Remaining portion is unaffiliated. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: God of the Fertile Fields. Text: Georgia Harkness, 1891-1974, alt. Music: ITALIAN HYMN, Felice de Giardini, 1716-1796. Text: © 1955, ren. 1983 The Hymn Society, admin Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 | We all have expectations. Expectations of what might happen at an event, expectations of what life might look like years from now, expectations of one another, and expectations of our country. Expectations aren’t inherently wrong to have, but things get interesting when expectations get out of wack. Even within the church, and in our lives of faith, we carry expectations of who Jesus is, what the church is about, and God’s mission in the world. But as we’ll see in our Gospel this weekend, sometimes those expectations become a reality that hinders us from truly listening to Jesus and becoming a part of God’s Kingdom work in the world. So as we celebrate Independence Day this weekend, join us for worship as we turn to the only one who can offer us freedom, and as we heed Jesus’ invitation to take his yoke upon ourselves and learn from him.

Sunday, July 5, 2026, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: I Was Glad. Text: Psalm 122:1, refrain; Jay Beech, stanzas. Music: Jay Beech. Text and Music: © 1999 Jay Beech. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: This Is My Song. Text: Lloyd Stone, 1912-1993, sts. 1-2; Georgia Harkness, 1891-1974, st. 3. Music: Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957. Text sts. 1-2: © 1934, 1962, Lorenz Publishing Company, st. 3 © 1964 Lorenz Publishing Company. Music: © Breitkopf & Härtel. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: We Are One (In The Father’s Love). Text and Music: Alanna Glover, Claire Williams. Text and Music: © 2019 Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Make Me an Instrument. Text and Music: Larry Olson, Karol Baer. Text and Music: © 1989 Dakota Road. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 10:40-42 | “Welcome!” It’s a greeting we use with one another often, and a shortened response to “thank you!” But what is “welcome” really all about? And, are we willing to not only offer welcome, but also receive it? Join us this weekend for worship as we hear Jesus’ promise given to his disciples – promising that they would find welcome and hospitality as they were sent out in mission – and as we are gathered at the table of our King who welcomes us and transforms us into Christ’s servants.

Sunday, June 28, 2026, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: All Are Welcome. Text and Music: Mary Haugen, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1994 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Spirit, Open My Heart. Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947. Music: Irish melody; adapt. Alfred V. Fedack, b. 1953. Text: © 1996 Pilgrim Press. Music: © 2011 Alfred V. Fedak. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: All belong Here. Text and Music: Lacey Brown. Text and Music: © 2022 PoorClare (Admin. By Lacey Brown) Brown, Lacey. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Lord of Justice. Text and Music: Larry Olson. Text and Music: © 1989 Dakota Road. Covered under One License subscription.

Matthew 9:35-10:8 |This weekend, we’re reminded of the compassion of Jesus, who sees the burdens, struggles, and needs of his people and responds with love. As Christ calls and sends his disciples into a plentiful harvest, he also calls ordinary believers today to serve faithfully where God has placed them. Even in a world filled with challenges and uncertainty, we can move forward with confidence, trusting that the Lord of the harvest is still at work, gathering us and accomplishing God’s purposes through us.

Sunday, June 14, 2026, Third Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: This Is My Fathers World. Text: Maltbie D. Babcock, 1858-1901. Music: Franklin L. Sheppard, 1852-1930, adapted. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: You Give the Great Commission. Text: Jeffery Rowthorn, b. 1934. Music: Cyril V. Taylor, 1907-1991. Text: © 1978 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 1942, ren. 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: I Love to Tell the Story. Text: Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911. Music: William E. Fischer, 1849-1936. Text and Music: © Public Domain.

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Matthew 28:16-20 | Who is God? It’s a question that’s voiced not only by people of faith, but by those who are wondering, seeking, and searching. So what do we have to say about who God is? The short answer is that God is Triune. But even this doesn’t answer our questions. So rather than turn to short, black-and-white doctrine, join us in worship this weekend as we explore who God is as revealed to us in Scripture, who we are as people made in the image of God, and from that, what our why is as followers of Jesus’ Way.

Sunday, May 31, 2026, Holy Trinity Sunday

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. Liturgy: Text Acknowledgement for Behold, I Make All Things New. Music: Benjamin Splichal Larson. Purchased by SOTC, 2019. Gathering: Come, Join the Dance of Trinity. Text: Richard Leach, b. 1953. Music: English folk tune. Text: © Richard D. Leach, 2001, 2002; © 2002, 2005, Selah Publishing Co., Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: The Play of the Godhead. Text: Mary Louise Bringle, b. 1953. Music: William P. Rowan, b. 1951. Text: © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: © 2000 William P. Rowan, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Apostle’s Creed. Text and Music: Alanna Glover, James McDonald, Liv Chapman, Philip Gordon Percival, Tim Chester. Text and Music: © Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Go, Make Disciples. Text and Music: Handt Hanson, b. 1950. Text and Music: © 1996 Prince of Peace Publishing, Changing Church, Inc.. Covered under One License subscription.

John 20:19-23; Acts 2:1-21 | Iowans know that winds can be gentle and calm, or fierce and strong. We’ve seen both and we’ve experienced both! Within Scripture, we also witness varying winds of God’s Spirit upon God’s people. At times, God’s Spirit may blow over us (or even within us!) to bring peace, while at other times, God’s Spirit may seem to push us beyond what we thought was possible! So as we approach the festival of Pentecost – commemorating the coming of God’s Spirit upon the crowd in Jerusalem – what does it mean for God’s Spirit to come up on us today? Join us for worship as we give thanks for God’s Spirit that fills us with life, and as we pray for the power of the Spirit to re-form us and the world according to God’s will.

Sunday, May 24, 2026, Pentecost Sunday

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. ELW Setting 4,  © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Gathering: Come, Holy Spirit, Descend. Text and Music: John L. Bell, b.1949. Text: and Music: © 1995 WGRG c/o Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind. Text: Herman G. Stuempfl e Jr., b. 1923. Music: John Hughes, 1873-1932. Text: © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.
Offering Song: I Am the Bread of Life. Text and Music: Suzanne Toolan. Text and Music: © 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc. Text: Based on John 6 and 11; © 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993, GIA Publications, Inc.. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Fresh Wind. Text and Music: Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, David Ware, Matt Crocker. Text and Music: © 2020 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing USA). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Send Me, Jesus. Text and Music: South African traditional; tr. Freedom Is Coming, 1984. Text and Music: © 1984 Walton Music. Covered under One License subscription.

Luke 24: 44-53 | Forty days after Christ’s resurrection, the church celebrates Jesus’ ascension. In a seemingly strange story, Jesus ascends to the right hand of God, being lifted up by a cloud “into heaven.” Literally, it might sound like Jesus is “leaving us.” And yet, quite the opposite is transpiring in this even for in Christ’s resurrection we are pulled into God’s reign of life. But still, what does this mean for us today as followers of Jesus? Join us for worship as we once again hear the promise of God’s Kingdom come (to us!), and as we are commissioned to live as servants of Christ, confident that Jesus – our Lord – reigns over all things.

Sunday, May 17, 2026, Ascension Sunday

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. ELW Setting 4,  © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Gathering: Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Text:Brian A. Wren, b. 1936. Music: Thomas Pavlechko. B. 1962. Text: © 1986 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 2006 Thomas Pavlechko, admin, Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Christ Is the King! Text: George K. A. Bell, 1883-1958, alt. Music: Charles R. Anders, b. 1929. Text: © Oxford University Press. Music: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Christ, Be Our Light. Text and Music: Bernadette Farrell. B. 1957. Text and Music: © 1993 Bernadett Farrell, admin. OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: You Have Called A People. Text and Music: Abigail Marthinet-Payne, Alanna Glover, Jacob Marthinet-Glover. Text and Music: © 2023 Emu Music Ltd (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Rise Up, O Saints of God. Text: Norman O. Fitness, b. 1936. Music: William H. Walter, 1825-1893. Text and Music: Norman O. Fitness, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

John 14:1-14; 1 Peter 2:2-10 | On a daily, and even weekly, basis we occupy many “places.” We go from one space to another for school, work, and play. Often, we’ve associated “place” with a specific “space.” But as Jesus speaks of preparing a “place” for us with his disciples before his death, Jesus goes beyond our typical conception of space promising us that, even now, Jesus dwells not only with us but also in us. How does that shift our perspective as followers of Jesus? And how does that influence the way we live as dwelling places of God in the world? Join us for worship as we consider the mystery of our unity with Christ, and as we let ourselves be built into God’s holy priesthood.

Sunday, May 3, 2026, Fifth Sunday of Easter

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under 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. ELW Setting 4,  © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Gathering: Making Their Way. Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939. Music: A. Balerius, Nederlandtsch Gedenckclank, 1626; arr. Adrian Engels, 1906-2003. Text: © 2011 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: © 1967 Gooi en Sticht, BV, Baarn, The Netherlands, admin. OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Build Us Up, Lord. Text and Music: Mark Glaeser, b. 1956, and Donna Hanna, b.1952. Text and Music: © 2003 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Come to Me, All Pilgrims Thirsty. Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939. Music: The Sacred Harp, Philadelphia, 1844; arr. Selected Hymns, 1985. Text: © 1992, 1996 Sisters of St Benedict. St. Joseph, MN. Music: © 1985 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: This Life I Live. Text and Music: Michael Morrow. Text and Music: © 2009 Michael Morrow. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing. Text: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997, alt. Music: Welsh folk tune. Text and Music: © 1964 World Library Publications. Covered under One License subscription