Today, along with our California-Nevada-Hawaii District of the LCMS, we celebrate the works of God in, among, and through those with disabilities. In our gospel today, we hear Jesus’ response regarding to a question posed by his disciples regarding a man who was born with a disability. Jesus responded that the disability was not the result of any person’s sin, but rather that “the works of God might be displayed in him.” God is still at work today in and through those with disabilities. Today we celebrate God’s grace through these works.
The Works of God Displayed (Disability Awareness Sunday)
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The Works of God Displayed (Disability Awareness Sunday)

October 3, 2025 3:18 pm

Our passage from Galatians focuses on the profound shift the Gospel brings—from bondage under law to beloved sonship in Christ. We’ll reflect on the freedom and dignity of being adopted by God, no longer striving for approval but resting in grace. Through Christ, we are not just forgiven—we are family. We are called to live out our true identity as heirs, empowered by the Spirit to cry “Abba, Father.” (Paul’s uses the word for “sons” because in that culture, only sons could inherit). Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on September 14, 2025
From Slaves to Sons (Galatians 4:1-11)
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From Slaves to Sons (Galatians 4:1-11)

September 14, 2025 5:51 pm

Think of how important promises are in our lives. Promises we make on a daily basis. Promises that change our lives, such as marriage vows. But the promises that bring the greatest blessings are the promises of God. Our God is a good of gracious promise. But unlike the promises we make, His promises are always kept and so can always be trusted. Thanks be to God that our lives are defined by faith in God’s promises rather than our performance in following His commands. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on September 7, 2025
Unbreakable Promise (Galatians 3:15-29)
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Unbreakable Promise (Galatians 3:15-29)

September 14, 2025 5:41 pm

Does your standing before God depend on something you do, or something God has done? Paul pleads with the Galatians to remember how they received the Spirit—by faith in what Christ has done, not by their own works. But there is something in us that is drawn again and again to basing our identity on our accomplishments – before the world and before God. Today we look at the danger and allure of legalism, and how the gospel sets us free. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on August 31, 2025.
Enough (Galatians 3:1-14)
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Enough (Galatians 3:1-14)

August 31, 2025 4:39 pm

Paul confronted Peter in public because he believed that Peter was acting hypocritically. His actions seemed to deny the Gospel that he preached. By giving the impression that Gentiles were second-class Christians, Peter was at odds with justification by faith in Christ, and not by works. Our lives are also to be built upon the truth of justification by faith in Christ alone, and not by our works. But what does this mean for us today as we seek to follow Christ? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on August 24, 2025
Hypocrite! (Galatians 2:11-21)
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Hypocrite! (Galatians 2:11-21)

August 25, 2025 9:28 pm

We are called to give genuine, authentic love for those around us, not to merely talk about love. In this way we honor Christ who put His love into action for us by His life, death and resurrection. Love in Action is the 2025-2026 school year theme for St. John’s Lutheran School. We celebrate the start of a new school year today, praying God’s blessings upon our school community and rededicating our staff. Sermon preaching by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on August 17, 2025
Love in Action (1 John 3:18)
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Love in Action (1 John 3:18)

August 19, 2025 4:38 pm

Where do we ground our unity as a congregation? What truly makes us one? For that matter, what is the foundation of unity for the church at large? Is it in our traditions, worship style, socioeconomic status, ethnicity? When Paul visited the church in Jersualem, he came with a very different focus and method of ministry than Peter, James, and John. And yet they were unified because of the gospel, and the shared mission of bringing the gospel to all. What does it mean for us to base our unity on the gospel today? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on August 10, 2025
One Gospel For All (Galatians 2:1-10)
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One Gospel For All (Galatians 2:1-10)

August 19, 2025 4:38 pm

The Gospel is the good news of God’s free grace and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the announcement that Jesus Christ, by His life, death and resurrection has completely secured our forgiveness and salvation. But where did this message come from? In our passage from Galatians today, Paul is defending himself against the charge that he just made it up. Instead he proclaims that the gospel is of no human invention but rather comes from God himself. We make the same claim today as we seek to share this good news with all. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on July 27, 2025
No Human Invention (Galatians 1:11-24)
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No Human Invention (Galatians 1:11-24)

July 29, 2025 12:22 pm

Today we begin “Set Free,” a worship series focusing on Paul’s letter to the Galatians. In this letter, Paul is intent on helping the Galatian Christians to better understand how the Gospel has set them free - from sin, from death, and from the demands of the law. Because of what Christ has done, we now live in the freedom of God’s grace. Paul begins this letter with a forceful reminder that there is only one true gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Although Paul was addressing a specific false gospel that had taken hold in Galatia, his warning speaks to us amid all the false gospels in our world today, as well as the ones that well up in our hearts. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on July 20, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA
No Other Gospel (Galatians 1:1-10)
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No Other Gospel (Galatians 1:1-10)

July 29, 2025 12:18 pm

Does it matter that we confess that Jesus is truly God? Does it matter that we confess that He is “of one substance” with the Father? That He is one with the Father and the Spirit and yet distinct? It most certainly does matter. Not only because it reflects biblical truth, but also because the certainty of our salvation rests upon this truth. This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, which we use today to confess the Christian faith, especially regarding the Triune nature of God, the divinity of Jesus and what that means for us today and for eternity. Today we take a closer look at the creed we confess so often and what it means for God’s people today. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on June 15, 2025
We Believe (John 8:48-59)
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We Believe (John 8:48-59)

June 19, 2025 1:20 pm

To our modern ears, the account of the tower of Babel may seem odd. Is God against progress and human ingenuity? Does He delight in the confusion of language? Or is He teaching a powerful lesson on pride and humility? Today we look at the tower of Babel, its connection to the sending of the Spirit at Pentecost, and what it means for us today. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on June 8, 2025
A Tower to Reach the Heavens (Genesis 11:1-9)
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A Tower to Reach the Heavens (Genesis 11:1-9)

June 8, 2025 4:57 pm

Before His ascension, Jesus met with His disciples and “opened their minds” so that they could understand the Scriptures. We are reminded that in order to truly take to heart the message of the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is involved, opening the Word, and opening our minds. Today we look at the importance of prayer in our reading, studying and hearing of God’s Word. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on June 1, 2025.
An Opened Mind (Luke 24:44-53)
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An Opened Mind (Luke 24:44-53)

June 2, 2025 9:58 pm

If Christ has overcome the world, why do we still have such hardship in our lives? Why is there still such hardship in our world? The Bible doesn’t give us a direct answer but does give us a direction to find comfort and hope. We look at Jesus’ words to His disciples at the Last Supper, calling them to take heart, because despite all appearances, He has overcome the world. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on May 25, 2025
Take Heart! (John 16:33)
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Take Heart! (John 16:33)

June 2, 2025 9:49 pm

In our reading from Revelation 21, we have a picture of the New Creation, what our Lord has in store for us in eternity, a place of “no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” Instead, the Lord will wipe all tears from our eyes. We long for that day because our present lives in this fallen world are marked by tears, death, mourning and more. But although we must wait for the resurrection to have the effects of the fall taken away, the Lord is at work in and among us now, wiping away tears, and bringing His comfort. One of the ways He does this is through each other, as we love one another, as we have been loved by Him. Sermon also includes Martin M sharing about his experience with cancer and the blessing of having a Stephen Ministry Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on May 18, 2025
Wiping Away the Tears (Revelation 21:1-7)
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Wiping Away the Tears (Revelation 21:1-7)

May 23, 2025 4:16 pm

Jesus calls Himself a shepherd. He is the good shepherd who calls His sheep, and, as He says, He knows them. What does it mean to be known by the Shepherd? To hear His voice? To follow Him? Jesus uses this metaphor and these words to communicate profound truths about our relationship with Him, both the incomprehensible blessings, as well as the way He calls us to respond. May we all hear the Shepherd’s voice today and follow after Him faithfully! Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on May 11, 2025
Known By The Shepherd (John 10:22-30)
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Known By The Shepherd (John 10:22-30)

May 13, 2025 11:00 am

This Lent, we have been focusing on the tremendous blessings that are ours because our Savior offered Himself completely for us. Today as we commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the path that would take Him to the cross, we reflect on the suffering that lies before Him. Our God is not remote and detached from the suffering of this fallen world. He entered into it and took it upon Himself. As we face suffering in our lives, we do so in the strength of the Savior who suffered for us. This sermon, preached by Pastor Mike Schmid, serves as an introduction to the dramatic reading of the Passion of our Lord according to St. Luke (Luke 22:1-23:56). Preached at St. John's Lutheran Church on April 13, 2025.
Suffers For Us (Palm Sunday)
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Suffers For Us (Palm Sunday)

April 29, 2025 4:36 pm

The disciples of Jesus were afraid, hiding out. More than that, they were stuck. Their hope, their master, the one whom they had called Lord, was gone. For them, everything had come crashing down in a matter of hours. Now, huddled together behind locked doors, they waited. But for what? Their end, time to form an escape plan? Unbeknownst to them, the Lord was about to circumvent any obstacle that impeded him from being with them. In the midst of their sorrow, Jesus was about to stand in their midst, risen, triumphant, and ready to empower them with power from on high. He would even change Thomas' unbelief to faith! This day too, Jesus comes into our midst and blesses us with His gifts of faith, life and hope through His mighty word. Sermon preached by Rev. Jonathan Priest at St. John's Lutheran Church on April 27, 2025
In Their Midst (John 20:19-31)
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In Their Midst (John 20:19-31)

April 29, 2025 5:18 pm

Pastor Mike provides an introduction to the Tenebrae portion of the Good Friday service at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA, on April 18, 2025
Tenebrae Introduction (Good Friday)
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Tenebrae Introduction (Good Friday)

April 29, 2025 5:11 pm

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