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

When it comes to those things that we might call the “mysteries of faith” the Bible never really tries to explain to us how these things can be. God never explains how He created the world from nothing, how He can be three Persons and yet one God, or how Jesus can be fully divine and fully human at the same time. God simply presents these truths to us in His Word and lets the focus be on what they mean for us and our salvation. The Lord’s Supper is one of these mysteries. Tonight we remember how our Lord instituted this meal for His followers to receive His body and His blood given and shed for us on the cross with the bread and the wine. No explanation is given by Jesus or the Apostle Paul regarding how this can be. Instead the focus of Scripture is on the blessings we receive: forgiveness, life, and salvation. Blessing we receive from God and blessings we share with one another as the body of Christ. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on April 17, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA
A Strange Meal (Maundy Thursday)
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A Strange Meal (Maundy Thursday)

April 29, 2025 5:09 pm

Where is your hope grounded? In the things of this life? Paul points out that if we are placing our hope only in this life, we are to be pitied. For a hope only in this life is no hope at all. But our hope rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We have hope that is far more than wishful thinking. We have hope that flows from a historical event. And nothing can take this away. Because He lives, we also will live. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA
But Christ Has Indeed Been Raised
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But Christ Has Indeed Been Raised

April 29, 2025 4:29 pm

Tonight we conclude our meditation on Psalm 23 by focusing on the final verse. “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6). The end of our journey is the house of the Lord where we will be welcomed by the shepherd who has provided for us, led us, and comforted us every step of the way. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on April 9, 2025
He Welcomes Me (Psalm 23:6)
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He Welcomes Me (Psalm 23:6)

April 11, 2025 3:21 pm

Why did Jesus come to be our Savior? Why was He born? Why did He live His sinless life? Why did He set His face toward the cross? Why did He suffer and die? The answer is the heart of the Christian faith: Christ came for us, lived for us, died for us, rose for us. Our Lent Sunday series this year is entitled “For Us.” Each week we will focus on a different aspect of what Christ has done for us, and who He is for us. The parable of the wicked tenants presents an obvious parallel to God the Father sending His son to His unfaithful people. But unlike in the parable, God our Father knew what the reception would be. He sent Him anyhow, and the Son went willingly. Such is His love for His unworthy people, for you and me.
Dying For Us (Luke 20:9-20)
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Dying For Us (Luke 20:9-20)

April 8, 2025 5:31 pm

Psalm 23 has provided comfort and hope to the people of God for 3000 years. Our loving and faithful God is presented to us as the one who provides for us, leads us, refreshes us, comforts us, anoints us and welcomes. Jesus identified Himself as this gracious Savior. His loving service of His flock centers in His laying down His life for us on the cross, only to take it up again in the resurrection. This Lent we seek to grow as faithful followers of our good shepherds as we study the richness of Psalm 23. Tonight we consider verse 5. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). When it seems as though the enemy is gaining the upper hand, and our path is hindered and obstructed, our Shepherd is still with us, blessing us even though we are surrounded by trouble. He anoints us with His blessing for every trial. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA, on April 2, 2025
He Anoints Me
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He Anoints Me

April 3, 2025 5:29 pm

The parable of the prodigal son is really the parable of the waiting father. Despite being rejected by his son, and his son’s reckless squandering of the inheritance, the father patiently waits for his son’s return that he might heap grace upon him again. Such us our Father’s love for us. No matter how far we wander, how far we fall, or how seriously we have strayed, our Father lovingly, patiently waits for us, eager to show His grace upon us anew. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on March 30, 2025
Waiting For Us (Luke 15:11-32)
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Waiting For Us (Luke 15:11-32)

April 3, 2025 5:21 pm

Psalm 23 has provided comfort and hope to the people of God for 3000 years. Our loving and faithful God is presented to us as the one who provides for us, leads us, refreshes us, comforts us, anoints us and welcomes. Jesus identified Himself as this gracious Savior. His loving service of His flock centers in His laying down His life for us on the cross, only to take it up again in the resurrection. This Lent we seek to grow as faithful followers of our good shepherds as we study the richness of Psalm 23. Tonight we consider verse 4. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). When we find ourselves in troubling, difficult, or painful times, we may feel that our shepherd has abandoned us. But the truth is that He is still with us to comfort us and lead us through that dark valley. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on March 26,2025
He Comforts Me (Psalm 23:4)
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He Comforts Me (Psalm 23:4)

April 3, 2025 5:13 pm

Jesus persisted faithfully in His mission to be our Savior. Despite opposition from Herod and the rejection of the people of Jerusalem, He presses on because He is faithful in His love for us, and His desire to save us. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA, on March 16, 2025
Faithful For Us (Luke 13:31-35)
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Faithful For Us (Luke 13:31-35)

March 18, 2025 4:47 pm

Psalm 23 has provided comfort and hope to the people of God for 3000 years. Our loving and faithful God is presented to us as the one who provides for us, leads us, refreshes us, comforts us, anoints us and welcomes. Jesus identified Himself as this gracious Savior. His loving service of His flock centers in His laying down His life for us on the cross, only to take it up again in the resurrection. This Lent we seek to grow as faithful followers of our good shepherds as we study the richness of Psalm 23. Tonight we consider verse 2 - “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2). Our Shepherd leads and guides in ways that are for our good, so that we are well fed and provided for. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid on March 12, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA.
He Leads Me (Psalm 23:2)
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He Leads Me (Psalm 23:2)

March 18, 2025 4:43 pm

At the conclusion of Jesus’ time in the wilderness, Satan came to Him to tempt Him from His path. Jesus overcomes Satan’s temptations, not just as an example for us, but also to show us that He is the one who will crush the serpent’s head and win the victory for us. Sermon preached by Pastor Mike Schmid at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, CA on March 9, 2025
Victorious For Us (Luke 4:1-13)
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Victorious For Us (Luke 4:1-13)

March 18, 2025 4:41 pm

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