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

We have been set free in Christ. But what have we been set free for? How is our freedom to be lived? Can it be so misunderstood and misapplied that what we think is freedom actually leads us back into slavery? We’re going to look at today at how the freedom of personal autonomy, so popular in our present day, is actually a doorway to slavery. The true freedom we have in Christ leads us into lives that bring honor to Christ and love to those around us. This is what we have been set free for. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on October 12, 2025
Living in Freedom (Galatians 5:1-15)
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Living in Freedom (Galatians 5:1-15)

October 21, 2025 3:33 pm

In today’s passage from Galatians, Paul is contrasting slavery and freedom and calling his readers to embrace the freedom that we have in Christ. What has Christ set us free from? Today we focus on and celebrate all the ways Christ has set us free. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on October 5, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA.
Children of Freedom (Galatians 4:21-31)
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Children of Freedom (Galatians 4:21-31)

October 21, 2025 3:24 pm

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 2:18 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 4:51 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 4:41 pm

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