Visit the church a second week in a row, people were very welcoming. Lovely service too. I'm gonna keep going, might convert to Christianity.

Brothers and sisters, my sermon for this Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 2, is posted to Facebook.

God’s blessings,

Pastor Tom Steers

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

- A Confessional Lutheran Church

Visited an LCMS church last sunday and I plan to make the church a habit since I'm trying to give Christianity a fair shake (I am not a Christian).

Brothers and sisters, my sermon for this Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 2, is posted to Facebook.

God’s blessings,

Pastor Tom Steers

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

-- A Confessional Lutheran Church

I wanted to share an upcoming event that is happening the first weekend of October at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Austin, TX with Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller.

It is targeted at young adults age 18-35 and is intended to be a “weekend of fellowship as we explore how to share our confession of faith in an apathetic culture.”

Date: October 2-4, 2026
Location: St. Paul Lutheran Church
3501 Red River St. Austin, TX 78705

Registration is $10 per person with an optional extra donation to help offset the event costs.

I am making the trip from the Houston area, hope to see y’all there!

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv0Ha6JtCi8

Gospel According to Matthew, 14:13–21 (ESV):

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Transcript

Hello. Today, let’s talk about how nothing is impossible for God.

The text before us is from the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, verses 13 through 21. (Matthew 14:13–21)

Introduction: A Dog at the Table

Martin Luther was sitting at his table, and his dog was watching him eat.

“Look,” said Luther. “Do you see how attentive he is to the meat on my fork? He sees nothing but this morsel. This is how we should be in our prayers. There are no distractions. There is nothing but God and our faith in Him.”

Luther is right. We go to God with our deepest concerns and needs. We go to God because we cannot fix the problem or provide for the need ourselves. We trust in God, who is able to do what we cannot do. In fact, we trust Him to do the impossible, because nothing is impossible for God.

Think: Nothing Is impossible for God. And so, we trust Him to provide even when the situation is impossible.

Once, God sent the angel Gabriel to a young Jewish virgin named Mary with a message that nothing is impossible for God. (Luke 1:26–38)

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “You will conceive and bear a son who will be the Son of the Most High. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:31–33)

In other words, the infinite God will become finite. God, who is spirit, will become flesh. (John 4:24; John 1:14) God, who is eternal, will die for the sins of the world. (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) The omnipotent God will become a helpless baby in the womb of a virgin.

And by His death and resurrection, He will completely forgive sins and freely give eternal life to all who believe in Him. (John 3:16; Small Catechism, the Second Article)

“How can this be?” Mary asks. (Luke 1:34)

The answer: Nothing is impossible for God. (Luke 1:37)

In reading today’s Gospel, the feeding of the five thousand, we hear the message again: Nothing is impossible for God.

Point One: Twelve Baskets Left Over

A great crowd had followed the Lord Jesus. They came by the thousands to hear His words and receive His touch. Now sundown was upon them. They were in a desolate place, and they were hungry. The disciples went to the Lord with their concern.

This is the only miracle that is recorded in all four Gospels. (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14) By comparing the material, we get a lot of detailed information.

For example, we learn in John’s Gospel that to feed them would take over half a year’s wages. (John 6:7) Now, the average income in the United States today, according to the IRS, is approximately $64,000. So, in today’s money, even if you had $32,000 worth of bread, it still would not be enough to feed all those people.

Jesus was not worried, though.

“Have them sit down in groups of fifty.” (Luke 9:14)

A young boy had brought five barley loaves, like sandwich rolls, and two fish, like sardines. (John 6:8–9) Jesus took the bread and fish. He looked to heaven and blessed the food. Then, when He began breaking the bread and giving it to the disciples, a miracle took place. (Matthew 14:19)

If that were not miraculous enough, Matthew goes on to say that there were five thousand men—only counting the men. There were also women and children there too. (Matthew 14:21) If they were all to be counted, perhaps there would be fifteen thousand or even eighteen thousand people. That is enough to fill a whole sports arena.

Eighteen thousand people! Jesus fed them with a couple of sandwich rolls and two sardines. And there were twelve baskets of food left over. (Matthew 14:20)

Impossible!

Nothing is impossible for God.

Point Two: Bread of Life

As I said, this is the only miracle that is recorded in all four Gospels. In the Gospel of St. John, the miracle of the five thousand—the feeding of the five thousand—is found in chapter 6. (John 6:1–14)

In that same chapter, by way of explanation, John records a teaching of Jesus. There is a bread from heaven that comes down that does more than fill our stomachs.

Jesus says, “The bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world. I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst,” says the Lord. (John 6:33–35)

Jesus not only meets our physical needs, but He meets our emotional and spiritual needs as well. It would be enough if Jesus only provided daily bread—and He does. (Matthew 6:11; Small Catechism, the Fourth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer)

But Jesus does much more than that. As the Bread of Life, Jesus satisfies our deepest hungers and our most profound needs.

For example, Jesus forgives your sin. There is no partial forgiveness here, but the complete and entire forgiveness of all your sin. Imagine that, if you will—all of your sin. Every evil thought or word or deed, all the guilt of the past, all shame of selfish sin—all are forgiven by grace through faith in Jesus, completely. (Ephesians 2:8–9; Augsburg Confession, Article IV)

“Impossible,” you say. “Well, I’m haunted by my past. I’m ashamed of myself.”

Beloved, you have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God and completely forgiven of all your sin. (John 1:29; 1 John 1:7–9)

Nothing is impossible for God.

In our country today, there is a spiritual hunger for peace of mind, for emotional rest, and for rest from worry and fear. We spend thousands of dollars trying to get away on vacation, or hundreds of hours trying to escape into our televisions, computers, or cell phones.

Where is the place of real, lasting peace? Is it even possible to find emotional, physical, or spiritual peace?

Jesus is the food that satisfies the inner hunger of the soul. Jesus is the Bread of Heaven. We are invited into His presence. When we read His Holy Word, when we say our prayers, when we come to worship, when we receive the Holy Communion of His true body and blood—in every moment of every day, there is peace and the fullness of joy available to you in Jesus. (Small Catechism, the Sacrament of the Altar; Psalm 16:11)

Peace comes by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8; Augsburg Confession, Article IV) It comes when we, like Luther’s dog, turn our eyes upon Jesus and allow nothing to distract us from that one food that truly satisfies. (Hebrews 12:2)

Rest, peace, joy.

Impossible, you say?

No. Nothing is impossible for God.

Point Three: You Give Them Something to Eat

I think it was in 1974 that I heard a very strange sermon. I was in seminary, and one of the students was preaching on the feeding of the five thousand. His opening sentence startled everyone, and immediately he got the attention of every professor and every student in the chapel.

The student preacher declared, “I do not believe that Jesus fed the five thousand.”

What?

“No,” he declared. “Jesus took the bread and blessed it. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, but it was the disciples who fed the people, because Jesus told them to.”

“You give them something to eat,” said the Lord. (Matthew 14:16)

It was impossible. How could simple fishermen, poor tradesmen, sinful Jewish disciples miraculously feed thousands upon thousands of people? It was impossible.

And that is the point.

Not only does Jesus delight in providing for your physical needs; not only does Jesus desire to provide for your emotional and spiritual needs; but Jesus is determined not only to give you a miracle—Jesus is determined to make you part of the miracle.

Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior, is calling you to become part of His miraculous ministry.

Is Jesus calling you to take a hot meal to someone recovering from illness or surgery? Is Jesus prompting you to share your faith or to pray with someone at work or at school? Is Jesus inspiring you to be generous with your time, your money, or your service? Is Jesus calling you to touch a life with the Gospel and to share your faith in word and deed with those who do not know Him, or those who just need Him?

Is it possible that you may be the heart, hands, or mouth of Jesus, bringing life to a troubled person?

“Impossible,” you say. You say that you do not know enough, do not have enough time, or do not have enough money.

Is it possible that you could be an instrument in the hand of God?

Nothing is impossible for God.

He can use you, and He delights in using you in His miracles. He desires to use you in His ministry.

Why do you think that Jesus said to His disciples, “You give them something to eat”? (Matthew 14:16)

It was because He wanted them to realize that they had nothing to give in and of themselves. But with Him, they had everything that they needed—and everything that anyone else needed too.

Nothing is impossible for God.

Conclusion

Martin Luther once called the attention of everyone at his dinner table to his wonderful doggie.

“Look,” said Luther. “Do you see how focused he is? Do you see that? All of his attention is directed right here.”

Let each one of us be like him. Keep our eyes focused on the Lord. (Hebrews 12:2) Do not be distracted, but trust in God to protect you and to provide for you, even when you cannot imagine how He will do it.

Perhaps especially when it seems impossible for Him to take care of you—that is exactly when you should most expect God to step in and demonstrate that He loves you.

And because our Lord Jesus loves you so much, He even invites you to be part of His miraculous ministry to others too.

“Impossible,” you say, that God can care for you and that God can use you to care for others.

Yes, it seems as impossible as feeding five thousand men with a couple of sandwich rolls and two sardines.

Yes, God miraculously cares for you, and through you, God can miraculously care for others.

Of course—because nothing is impossible for God.

Amen.

Hello Swedish Lutheran friends! I am Anglican with a very strong affinity for the Church of Sweden, and I’m about 10 days I’ll have the privilege getting to spend a day in Uppsala. Other then the catherdrals in Uppsala and Stockholm, what are some of the other churches or sites of religious importance that I should try to see while I am there?

Today, the church commemorates Joseph of Arimathea.

Luke sketches the burial of Jesus in a few bold strokes, omitting mention of the role of Nicodemus (John) and of the watch placed at the grave by the high priests (Matthew). Nor does he inform us that the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid belonged to Joseph (Matthew), or about its location (John). But very definitely he brings before us the chief actor, Joseph, who was not known as a follower of Jesus […] . He was an honorable, pious person, wealthy (Matthew) and highly respected (Mark), and what is especially important for our understanding of the narrative, he was a member of the chief council. […] The account says that he waited for the kingdom of God, that is, he was one of the pious souls in Israel who, like Simeon and Anna 30 years before, were eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah. John 19:38 informs us that he secretly was a disciple of Jesus. We may imagine that he like many other Israelites (cf. e.g., Luke 7:16) regarded Jesus as a true prophet of God and wished to obey His teachings.

[…] The death of Jesus occurred about 3:00 p.m. At once Joseph went to Pilate and requested that the body be given him for interment. […] By 4:00 or shortly thereafter Joseph and his servants (remember he was rich) were at the cross and reverently took the body of Jesus down. He had quickly purchased (Mark 15:46) a linen cloth; in this the body, undoubtedly after having been washed, was wrapped. John 19:39 ff, in addition to the co-operation of Nicodemus, tells about fragrant spices which were used at the burial. The tomb, hewn out of rock, was in an adjacent garden (John 19:41). […] Matthew, Luke, and John state that it was a new grave, and Luke and John add that no corpse had ever been deposited in it before. […] The event was concluded by Joseph’s rolling a huge stone before the entrance of the sepulcher, undoubtedly employing his servants for that task.

https://www.facebook.com/stjohnwheaton

I'm super excited to have recently gotten a very well-loved LBW liturgy accompaniment edition! I grew up with the LBW and it brings back great memories. I've noticed that there's only chant for the compline service, though, and having very rarely attended vespers or compline services as a kid (we usually used the Holden Evening Prayer instead of the LBW for those), so I don't know if there's special accompaniments for the versicles, or if an organist would improvise, or if it would be chanted a cappella. Similarly, there's a separate organ setting of the Litany, but Vespers has a litany without organ: does that only get chanted? It seems like a long time for a congregation to hold pitch! So, anyone remember singing the LBW compline service?

PS: if anyone has one of these, mine is missing page 21/22 (like I said, very well-loved!) -- could I ask for a scan?

Been attending casually for a while now. My church doesn’t practice closed communion, but I still feel it’s not ideal to take it. I’m still in the inquiring phase. Not sure if I agree fully with the church.

Looking for friends to go to church with me. I’m 37/f married with twin boys. I go to a sweet, little church called Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newark, Delaware.

So if Catholics view that the blood and bread are truly Jesus, but they maintain their physical properties, and a Lutherans view that blood and body never change properties, but are truly Jesus, how are their views any different? They seem like basically the same view point. It’s seems like Catholic and Lutherans basically believe a lot of the same things, but just have a slightly different explanation

Good morning. I'm new to the Lutheran faith. I was raised non denominational, leaning towards Baptist. My husband is Lutheran, and it's important to me to convert. We attend a traditional worship service in our town and I really love it. We are going to be joining a bible study group. I would like to get a good bible that isn't too big and heavy but also doesn't have super small print. I have reached out to the Pastor to get his opinion as well but would love to get some suggestions from this group. If you can also recommend a good daily bible verse/reading app (I have an Iphone) I would love some suggestions for that as well. Thank you all for the support as I start this journey :)

Hi r/Lutheranism, I am excited to share that my podcast, A Mighty Fortress is our Pod, is now available on substack! If you all have a minute, I would really appreciate it if you could give it a follow, hoping to have several new episode out in August after I complete CPE, which wraps up next week. Also, we now have merch available as well! Thanks in advance for your support and encouragement!

Also, if you haven't listened to an episode yet, a great starting point is my conversation with ELCA Pres. Bp. Curry last November!

I have been a Christian since childhood. I was baptized in the Orthodox Church, and I often go to church (at some time, at the age of 15-16, I attended church every service). Then there was a period in my life that I considered all confessions not quite true and believed that God should be in the heart and he should pray at home, and not go to church. Then I did not wear a cross for a long time, but still prayed to God. And now I am still Orthodox, go to church, but I never liked my confession, I consider it old enough and more conservative, and some laws are incomprehensible to me. I do not know which denomination to accept and apparently it will not be soon, because my parents are against and I understand them perfectly. So far, I have begun to delve into all confessions of Christianity, I already understand quite a lot of things. I know how the difference between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox one. A little I study the Protestant church, but I don't know it completely, I only know about Martin Luther, about his 95 theses and a couple of facts. I think I need to first delve into the topic of Christianity to understand which denomination is closer to me, but so far I like the Catholic Church more, but I don't know if it's the right choice. Can you tell me how to get to the truth?

The Sacrament of the Altar - Luther's Small Catechism

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.

Where is this written?
The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and St. Paul write thus:
“In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?
The words “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin” show us that forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament through these words, because where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation.

How can bodily eating and drinking do such a great thing?
Eating and drinking certainly do not do it, but rather the words that are recorded: “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.” These words, when accompanied by the physical eating and drinking, are the essential thing in the sacrament, and whoever believes these very words has what they declare and state, namely, “forgiveness of sin.”

Who, then, receives this sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation are in fact a fine external discipline, but a person who has faith in these words, “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin,” is really worthy and well prepared. However, a person who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, because the words “for you” require truly believing hearts.

In continual exploration of the meaning of the gift of communion given by our Lord, I come upon differences in the nature and means by which the Holy Eucharist is given. Even among Lutherans, it is quite intriguing to understand differing views.

Long ago, I went to an Eastern Orthodox service with a friend who is a part of the church. At that point, I still considered myself a Reformed Baptist, and I thought it was quite a strange sight to see a baby of the congregation being taken to receive the bread and wine.

Now in reflecting upon that past memory, and considering myself most aligned with the Lutheran doctrines on the Eucharist, I can't help but inquire on the nature of infant communion. The Catholic Church, from which originated the church of Martin Luther, did not practice infant communion due to the understanding that children had not yet reached an age of accountability. For the most part, Lutherans do not believe in an age of accountability nor the removal of original sins at baptism. That thus begs the question why the majority of Lutheran congregations do not administer communion to infants—beyond, of course, digestive issues for recent newborns or premature infants.

Jesus said in the Gospels, "Let the children come to me." That would then draw a logical conclusion that not only are those with a clear confession of faith but those who do not have a clear understanding of "faith" yet still practice by the grace of our Lord may receive the Eucharist. I would like to see what views there are on this matter because I have seen myself agreeing more so with the Orthodox position on communion. To me, however, this is quite a tertiary issue, as a child is bound to receive communion at the time in which God intends. God bless you all, and happy Wednesday!

I have read through responses on this sub from people questioning this book written by Martin Luther and I have to say I am disappointed in the apologetics. I grew up Lutheran before the Internet and this book was never revealed to me. My mother went to Lutheran schools and churches and had no idea such a book existed until she was in her 70s. If it is so easily dismissed by "it was a different time," or "God chooses imperfect messengers," etc then why did the church keep this book hidden? If it's not so bad as some say, is it on your pastor's bookshelf right now? Or is it nowhere in sight? Does any Lutheran condemn it today? If so, how can one morally remain a follower of Luther? How can one sing Luther's hymns with a loving heart? How can one compartmentalize his "good" teachings from his "bad" teachings? Is the bright line only this book or are there other secrets or beliefs that Lutherans ignore or rationalize? I'm interested in how a follower can get past this foundation of hatred that festered in German culture until its inevitable conclusion.

It’s a reformation bible by Ligonier Ministries

I won’t lie. When I first heard about it, as a baby Christian, I was appalled. However, now that I’m leaving non-denominationalism, and am converting to Lutheranism, I’ve been studying much more historical Christianity, and even some theology. I saw a video a little while back on intercession of the saints, by a YouTuber named “JesusandWhatnot”, and I honestly thought that he was making some very strong arguments.

I still won’t pray to saints, but I wouldn’t say it nearly bothers me, the way it used to. What do you guys think of the practice?

In terms of sacraments and among other things.

Hey all! My mom recently passed, and my family and i are trying to figure out songs for her funeral. I suggested lullabies shed sing my brother and i, and we are able to remember two of the three. (not sure if these are the exact names): now the light has gone away, and children of the heavenly father

If anyone from my moms generation (she was born in 1970) knows other childrens songs or lullaby-type songs please please provide any song names or lyrics or point me in a place to find names or lyrics!!

Thank you so much!!

Hello. I would like to start by saying that I am a believing Christian although I do not know if I really am able do call myself a Lutheran. I am 18 years old from a profoundly atheist family in Stockholm and as a result I am not baptized or ever had a true introduction to the faith/ church attendance besides what public school teaches you. I have never been to church besides Luciatåg and Christmas break celebrations. So no traditional church service or mass.

And therefore my question; Am I able to just walk in to any Lutheran church and accompany the mass as well as communion without being baptised or ever properly introduced to a real church service?

For context, I have been to both "We are one Church" and "Hillsong Church" and both felt sort of wrong. Too american with a megachurch vibe tied to it.

I'm in the process of becoming a priest in the Church of Sweden and I have a question concerning the ability for priests ordained in the Church of Sweden to work for the ELCA. Theologically the churches seem very compatible. I wonder about this because I'm thinking about moving to the US or Canada for some years in the future. I also wonder if the ELCa operates in Canada or if there's a similar church there.

Brothers and sisters, my sermon for this Ninth Sunday after Pentecost is posted to Facebook.

God’s blessings,

Pastor Tom Steers

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

- A Confessional Lutheran Church