As Lent approaches and people plan nominal fasts, Isaiah teaches what our Lord is really looking for in fasting. He is not interested in demonstrations of faith and piety, when our lives are not marked by compassion and love for those around us. Helping those in need is a true expression of our faith and a demonstration of our Lord's heart and character. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on February 8, 2026
True Fasting (Isaiah 58:1-10)
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True Fasting (Isaiah 58:1-10)

February 10, 2026 5:57 pm

Waiting is hard—and trusting God can be even harder. Have you ever noticed how good intentions, impatience, and frustration can lead us to rely on our own ways instead of God’s? Through the stories of Moses, David, and the disciples, we’ll see how this struggle is still present in our lives today—and how God meets our brokenness with forgiveness, a new heart, and peace through Jesus Christ. Sermon preached by Rev. Paul Ferguson at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on February 1, 2026
When Good Intentions Go Wrong…and God Still Shows Up
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When Good Intentions Go Wrong…and God Still Shows Up

February 4, 2026 4:48 pm

Would you have dropped everything to follow Jesus if He had called you the way he did Peter, Andrew, James and John? But hasn’t He called us? The truth is that while we may not have been called to the same role or tasks as these men, we have been called to follow Jesus. What does this mean? How do we follow Him in our lives today? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on January 25, 2026
Following Jesus (Matthew 4:12-23)
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Following Jesus (Matthew 4:12-23)

January 27, 2026 10:40 am

What do I want? If you're like me, you find yourself asking this question all day. What do I want to wear? What do I want to eat? What do I want to listen to? What do I want to watch? What do I ask next? The list goes on and on and on. Sometimes it's easy to answer those questions, but the answer doesn't always prove to be good. Would we change our answers if Jesus was asking? He invites us to remain in Him and He knows that it's not easy on our own so He has sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit. "Come," he replied, "and you will see." (John 1:39) Sermon preached by Kevin Mathison at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on January 18, 2026
Wait, What Do I Want? (John 1:29-42)
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Wait, What Do I Want? (John 1:29-42)

January 27, 2026 10:34 am

This Sunday, as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, we ask a simple but life shaping question: “I’m baptized—so what?” Looking at Jesus’ own baptism and the promises God attaches to ours, we’ll explore how baptism gives us a new identity, a new power for daily living, a new community to belong to, and a new future anchored in Christ. Far from being a past event, baptism is God’s ongoing gift—His daily declaration that we are beloved, forgiven, and joined to the life of Jesus. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on January 11, 2026
I'm Baptized! So What? (Romans 6:1-11)
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I'm Baptized! So What? (Romans 6:1-11)

January 13, 2026 10:55 am

The Magi are rather unlikely examples of discipleship, considering that it was astrology that started them on their journey. But the journey ended with them bowing down and worshiping the infant Jesus. As part of that act of worship, they “opened their treasures,” and worshipped Him with their offerings. What does this mean for us? How do we worship the Lord Jesus with our treasures? And how will we do so in the coming year? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on January 4, 2026
They Opened Their Treasures (Epiphany)
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They Opened Their Treasures (Epiphany)

January 6, 2026 1:58 pm

Today’s gospel brings us from the joy of Christmas to a horrific tragedy conceived in the twisted mind of King Herod. Instead of singing for joy at the birth of the Savior, Herod struck out in violent fear, committing an atrocious evil upon innocent victims. We are reminded that Jesus came into a fallen world where evil is a present reality. But this is why He came. He came to bring redemption to a fallen humanity, each of our lives tainted by evil as well. Deliver us from evil, Lord Jesus. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on December 28, 2025
A Clash of Kings (Matthew 2:13-23)
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A Clash of Kings (Matthew 2:13-23)

December 30, 2025 1:13 pm

The birth of any child is cause for great joy and celebration. But the birth we celebrate today is no ordinary birth and this is no ordinary child. The prophet Isaiah prophesied amazing words about the birth of this child, giving this child amazing titles. What does it mean that the “government will be on His shoulders,” and that He is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”? This morning we unpack Isaiah’s prophesy as we rejoice at the birth of such a Savior. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on December 25, 2025.
For To Us A Child Is Born (Christmas Day)
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For To Us A Child Is Born (Christmas Day)

December 26, 2025 3:47 pm

The Christmas celebration is filled with beauty and joy: The lights, the music, the decorations, the singing, the gatherings, and more. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that all of this beauty and joy flows from a story filled with hardship and difficulty. There was very little about the first Christmas that was beautiful, especially the reason that we needed such a miraculous birth to take place. But the love of God that lies at the heart of what we celebrate tonight is the greatest beauty of all and gives rise to a joy that shall never end. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on December 24, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA.
The Beautiful the Ugly and The Redeemed (Christmas Eve)
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The Beautiful the Ugly and The Redeemed (Christmas Eve)

December 26, 2025 3:38 pm

Joseph receives instructions from the Lord that point in the opposite direction from where he had decided to go and what he had decided to do. And yet, he obeyed. Following our Lord’s instructions is sometimes difficult, pointing us in directions we would rather not take. But Christ has called us to take His Word to heart and to let it be seen in our lives and actions. In other words, to obey. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on December 21, 2025
Obey! (Advent 4)
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Obey! (Advent 4)

December 23, 2025 10:54 am

John the Baptist has been arrested for doing what God called him to do. In light of this, is he having doubts? He sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He is really the One. Sometimes the circumstances of our lives present a challenge to our faith. Where do we look for assurance and hope when times are hard and God’s presence seems far? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on December 14, 2025
Believe! (Advent 3)
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Believe! (Advent 3)

December 16, 2025 11:51 am

John the Baptist was called by the Lord to prepare the way for the Messiah. And much of his preparation centered on one word: Repent! Why is repentance so critical for preparing for the Lord? What does it mean to repent? And how does our Lord respond to our repentance? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on December 7, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA.
Repent! (Advent 2)
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Repent! (Advent 2)

December 9, 2025 5:32 pm

Today we begin our Advent journey with a call to watch. In a world lulled by distraction and fear, Christ urges us to stay awake—to lift our eyes and hearts in expectation. What does it mean to live in expectation of His coming? What does it mean to “watch”? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on November 30, 2025
Watch! (Advent 1)
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Watch! (Advent 1)

December 3, 2025 12:00 pm

We conclude our study of Galatians, a study of the gospel, by joining Paul in meditating on boasting. Why is this a fit conclusion? Because our boasting is an indicator of whether we truly understand the gospel. As Christians, we boast of nothing in ourselves before the Lord, but rather boast in the Lord before the world. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on November 16, 2025
Boasting in the Lord (Galatians 6:11-18)
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Boasting in the Lord (Galatians 6:11-18)

November 21, 2025 3:19 pm

What does it mean to be a community shaped by the Gospel? How does the Gospel affect how we live among each other? In our passage Paul describes church life in terms of caring for one another, and doing good to one another. What does this mean for us today? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on November 9, 2025
A Gospel Community (Galatians 6:1-10)
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A Gospel Community (Galatians 6:1-10)

November 21, 2025 3:18 pm

One of the blessings of the story we are living is that we know the ending. Like looking to the end of novel to know how it ends, our reading from Revelation shows us how the story ends for the people of God. Because of Easter, eternity is sure for those who follow Christ. John has seen us there! And no matter how difficult the struggle, or how many the obstacles, how challenging the road, nothing can take away the certainty of the glorious conclusion. Sermon Preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on November 2, 2025
The End of the Story (All Saints Sunday)
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The End of the Story (All Saints Sunday)

November 4, 2025 10:52 am

In Christ, we have been set free—free to follow Him and live as the people He has called us to be. Today we celebrate the anniversary of the Reformation. The celebration of Reformation, however, is not just a look back historically, but rather a call to be the church of God for today. In the words of Jesus in John 8, it is a call to hold to Jesus’ Word, for that Word alone is what sets us free. Where is God calling us to “reformation” today? As individuals and as a church, where do we need to hold to the truth? Where do we need to be set free? Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on October 26, 2025
The Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:31-32)
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The Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:31-32)

October 28, 2025 10:47 am

In Christ, we have been set free—free to follow Him and live as the people He has called us to be. Yet the temptation remains to return to slavery: whether to the law or to our own sinful nature. Thankfully, we are not left to face this struggle alone. The Holy Spirit is at work within us—not only giving us faith, but also guiding us to live out that faith as He produces His fruit in our lives. Today, we reflect on the Spirit’s role in shaping us and bearing the fruit of the Spirit within us. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on October 19, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA
Life in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)
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Life in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)

October 21, 2025 3:39 pm

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