St. Peter's Helenville

Ep. 248 - Trust Fall into Jesus' Arms - Proverbs 3:5-6 - 8th Grade Graduation & School Year Closing Service

Service and Sermon Focus: As our 8th graders graduate, and as all of us go from one known situation to an unknown situation, we have to trust in something - someone - other than ourselves. We don't know what is coming just around the bend. We don't know what blessings and challenges will come. We don't know how we will do this or that. But who does know? Whose ways are higher than our ways? God knows. Not only that, God cares. God uses his knowledge to prepare a path for us to grow closer to him and to reach our heavenly home. That may not always be the path we would have chosen. It may not always look like the path we want to be on. We may often feel that we are lost and abandoned. But Scripture reminds us not to lean on our own understanding. Instead, God's Word reminds us to remember how great our God is and how gracious he is toward us. God loves us. He used his wisdom and knowledge to come into this world and create the perfect rescue plan that no one saw coming and no one could stop. Even those vehemently against God and his plan were part of God's ways. In the same way, be comforted that in High School, in life, and even in death, God knows, he works, he saves, he loves. So... trust fall right into Jesus' arms. He's got you. 2025-2026 School Year Theme Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Ep.247 - There Is in Store for Us a Crown! - Kindergarten Graduation - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

This Episode's Focus: What does faith look like through the eyes of a child? In this joyful Kindergarten celebration service, hear young students boldly recite God’s Word from memory and proclaim the promises of their Savior with confidence and joy. Alongside these Scripture recitations is a heartfelt meditation on 2 Timothy 4:7–8, reflecting on the challenges these children have overcome, the growth they’ve experienced, and the greater race all Christians are running by faith in Christ. This episode is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest voices can proclaim the greatest truth: the crown of righteousness is waiting for all who trust in Jesus. This Episode's Focus Text: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Ep. 246 - Stand Firm in the Faith - Confirmation Sunday - 1 Peter 4:12–17; 5:6-11

This Sermon & Service Focus: What does it actually look like to stand firm in the faith when life gets difficult? In this special Confirmation service episode, hear young Christians boldly confess what they believe through Scripture-based essays, public examination questions, and a message from 1 Peter reminding believers that suffering, pressure, and spiritual battles do not have the final word. This episode is a powerful encouragement for parents, students, lifelong Christians, and anyone needing the reminder that the God of all grace is still strengthening and establishing His people today. The Sermon Text: 1 Peter 4:12–17; 5:6-11 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Ep. 245 - He WILL Come Back - Ascension Sermon - Acts 1:1-11

This Sermon's Focus: This Ascension sermon wrestles with one of the deepest fears hidden inside the human heart: Will he come back for me? From abandoned disciples staring into the sky to our own insecurities about worth, failure, and faithfulness, this message from Acts 1 reminds us of the breathtaking promise of Jesus’ ascension — not that He left us behind, but that He reigns for us and will return for us. The same Savior who endured the cross, forgave fearful disciples, and conquered death has not abandoned His people. He is still present, still ruling, still interceding, and He will come back. If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, doubt, loneliness, or wondered whether you are truly loved by God, this sermon is a powerful reminder that Jesus does not walk away from His sheep. The Sermon Text: Acts 1:1-11 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Ep. 244 - I Am Jesus' Little Lamb, Ever Glad at Heart I Am - John 10:11-13, 27-28

This sermon was preached at Mark Genz's Funeral, focusing on the comfort all of us have as Christians, both young and old, that WE are the little lamb in the picture. We are the sheep that our Good Shepherd stops at nothing to save. He lays down his life for US. This is the great comfort Mark's family has and this is the great comfort you can have as well, that when we know and believe in Jesus, we know and believe that we are loved and cared for here and we also know we will be loved and cared for in the house of the Lord FOREVER. The Sermon Text: John 10:11-13, 27-28 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.