December 28, 2014: Reflecting on Christmas

We pray your travels are safe, and that you are enjoying the holidays. We hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a blessed 2015!

As we have celebrated Christmas, we reflect on Christ's birth and his impact on our lives. Have we truly been saved? You can listen to his message today here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeDec28

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

December 21, 2014: A Christmas Carol, part 4: the future

This week, Pastor Hodge continues his series on how we are to be more like Christ this Christmas. Running a parallel with "The Christmas Story", Scrooge sees his future if he does not repent, and it isn't good. What are we to do that will have an everlasting, eternal impact on who we love? Listen to his sermon today and find out.

Also, we recorded several elements of our service today, including our prelude, Advent Candle lighting, Molly's children's sermon, and our special music as well.

You can hear all of these recordings by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeSpiritofChristmasFuture

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

December 14, 2014: A Christmas Carol, Part 3: Finding joy in God's security

This week, Pastor Hodge continues with "A Christmas Carol", and shows how, unlike in the story, the true joy of Christmas---and in life---only comes from the free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ. And, our challenge today is to imitate him by the power of the Holy Spirit, as the gifts of the Spirit are given to us. Listen to his sermon today.

We also had the Storeys light our advent candle; today's is God's security. Also, we had special music with the Taylors, and Molly Blobaum did our children's sermon as well.

You can hear all of these here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeAChristmasStoryPart3

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

December 7, 2014: Dealing with the past

Today, we had Communion, and we had Pastor Michael Hodge show us how our past affects each of us. Using the story of Scrooge as a backdrop, the ghost shows Scrooge the things of his past that made him a bitter man. In real life, however, the only one who can heal us from the abuses and other sins of the past is our Lord through Christ Jesus. Although it takes time, healing of the worst sins begins to occur has we turn them over to Christ. Listen to Pastor Hodge's sermon on this here.

And then we had special music...and we hope you find that it is special, indeed. :-) (just listen and you'll understand).

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeDealingwiththepast

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

November 30, 2014: Gaining the world, but losing your soul

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge expounded in the book of Mark, specifically chapter 8, verses 36 through 38.

There's a very stern warning that Jesus delivers here, that many choose to ignore: what good is it if we gain all the riches of the world, but then lose our soul to Hell in eternity? Pastor Hodge talks about this warning, and why we should never be ashamed of Jesus. What can we do to avoid this? Listen to his sermon today and find out!

We also had special music today, and Molly Blobaum gave her children's sermon as well. All of these can be heard here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark83638

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

November 23, 2014: Jesus qualities, and the cost of following Jesus

This week, as I was unable to post last week, we have Pastor Michael Hodge continuing in the book of Mark, specifically verses 27-30 and 31-36. Pastor Hodge talks about the dangers of elevating one of Jesus' qualities over another, as many want to do these days, and then, in the second sermon here, counting the cost of following Jesus.

We had special music today, and Molly Blobaum has not one but two Thanksgiving children's sermons for you today. And of course, we had special music today, which we hope you enjoy!

You can listen to all of these here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark827-3031-36

And, we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

November 9, 2014: A blind man's gradual restoration

This week, Pastor Michael Hodge expounds on Mark 8, verses 22-26. In this chapter, we learn what Jesus does in healing this blind man. Why did he spit on the man's eyes? Obviously, we don't do that today. Why did He do this, and what does this mean for us today? Listen to his sermon and find out!

Also, we had special music with a quartet of vocalists,  and we had Mark Fagerstrom give his sermon for the kids, with the topic of leaves. You can listen to all of these recordings here:



https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark8verse2226

And, we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

November 2, 2014: A lesson on trust, or, who forgot the food?

First: our apologies, as the battery in the microphone died 3 minutes into the sermon. A quick replacement, and all was well. Pardon the interruption.

This week, Pastor Michael Hodge preached on Mark 8, verses 14-21. In this section, the disciples realized that they don't have enough bread. But Jesus told them to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, and Herod. The disciples were trying to figure out how that related to their food situation, but they missed the point altogether. We do this a lot! Listen to Pastor Hodge as he tells us that God will provide us with what we need, and not to worry over the things that we do need that the Lord says he will provide.

You can hear his sermon here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorHodgeMark8alessonintrust

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

October 26, 2014: Arguing with Jesus

As Pastor Michael Hodge continues in the book of Mark, he focuses in on Chapter 8, verses 10-13 today. Some people today will still argue against the Christian faith; many won't even talk about it. But in Jesus' day, the Pharisees argued with him, and wanted to test him...to prove he was the devil, not the Son of God. Jesus looked inside and knew their hearts...which were completely full of hatred against Him. He walked away, knowing nothing he could say or do would change them. Before you or someone you loves gets to that point, listen to this sermon on how to NOT be like a Pharisee! And you can do that by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeArguingWithJesus

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

October 19, 2014: A hungry crowd

Pastor Michael Hodge continues in the book of Mark, looking at chapter 8, verses 1 through 9. This is where Jesus feeds the 4,000. When he fed the crowd, Mark notes that they ate and were all satisfied. Today, Jesus says only he can satisfy us...not any person or thing. In this consumeristic world of bigger is better and will make you satisfied, Jesus says only he can satisfy. Listen to his sermon today and find out how.

Also, Roger Seldal did our special music today, and Molly Blobaum did our children's sermon. You can find these recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeAHungryCrowd

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

October 12, 2014: The touch of Jesus

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge's sermon was on the touch of Jesus. Ever get a hug from someone, or a handshake, or a pat on the back, and it really meant something to you? Well, Jesus did as well, and to those he touched, he made an eternal difference, as well as a physical difference. Listen to Pastor Hodge's sermon to understand how Jesus has touched us, not physically, of course...but spiritually, and how we should reach out and be Jesus' "touch" to all those who believe, and who do not believe in Jesus.

We also had special music today, and we hope you enjoy it. You can listen to both of these recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/02PastorMichaelHodgeTheTouchofJesus

And we hope you have a blessed week in Christ Jesus!

October 5, 2014: The importance of catching a breath of fresh air

When was the last time you took a day off, or an afternoon off, and went fishing. Or spent time with a friend. Or grabbed a warm glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate?

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge reminds us that we need to do this. Jesus did, and, due to the nature of his ministry, sometimes he simply couldn't get away as the crowds followed him. But, whenever he could, he talked to his Father and took time to get away to do that. Pastor Hodge expounds on this, and why it is so important to us today that we do this.

Also, we had Josiah Fagerstrom do our special music today on the trombone, "On Christ The Solid Rock". We hope you enjoy that as well.

You can listen to these recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeCatchingabreathoffreshair

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

September 28, 2014: Jesus teaches about the heart (or, a look at what comes from within)

This week, Pastor Michael Hodge continued in the book of Mark, looking at chapter 7, vs, 14-23. This verse is incredibly important in the Bible, and Jesus couldn't have emphasized it more. In verses 14-16, he says to listen to him, and to understand him. In fact, when the disciples didn't get the meaning, Jesus told them that they were dull in their understanding...pretty strong words! What Jesus was teaching is that what comes from the heart isn't because of what one eats, or from the outside of the body. It comes what is natural inside the heart. Ultimately, what makes a person sin, or defiles himself, is what comes out of a person. Listen to this challenging sermon today.

Also, we had the children do special music today, and Molly Blobaum did the children's sermons. She's got some riddles for the kids today...see if they and the adults can figure it out!

You can listen to these here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeJesusTeachesabouttheHeart

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

September 21, 2014: Legalism

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge continues his series in Mark 7...today on the topic of legalism. What is it? It's when man-made traditions are made equal to God's word. In the days of Jesus, you couldn't carry a scarf on the Sabbath. If you wanted to carry it, you had to put it on, walk to where you wanted to move it to...and then take it off. Today, however, we have legalisms as well that usurp the Word of God. Listen to what Jesus says about legalism, and where we see that today that causes us to sin when we do them.

We also had Molly Blobaum do our children's sermon on who we should pray for.

You can listen to both of these here:

https://archive.org/details/02PastorMichaelHodgeLegalism

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

September 14, 2014: The puruit of a reward

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge talks about the pursuit of a reward. Everyone has pursued something...a career or a job, a position on a sports team perhaps, great grades...there are lots of things that people pursue. But what does it mean to ultimately pursue something, and what, ultimately, should we REALLY be pursuing? Find out in Pastor Hodge's sermon for today.

You can hear this sermon, and Molly's children's sermon, right here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeThePursuitOfAReward

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

September 7, 2014: The ghost of the sea (or, learning to walk on water)

There aren't many people who could walk on water. OK, there's only One who really could: Jesus! Yes, we can use devices to help us, but Jesus did it without any mechanical or physical device. Today, we take a look at this walk across water, and ask the question: do we have the faith to truly believe as Jesus did? Listen to Pastor Hodge's sermon today. Just click here to do that:

https://archive.org/details/PastorHodgeMark645

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

August 31, 2014: Compassion empowers ministry

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge expounded on Mark 6:29, and subsequent verses. In this, we find out what the definition of ministry is. Each of us has one, for those who are believers. But things happen: Jesus and his disciples leave, and are followed by many along the shore. And then, how do you feed thousands with 5 loaves of bread and two fish? And do all of this with compassion. Find out how we are to do this today.

You can hear this sermon by clicking here:



https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark629

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

August 24, 2014: What do you do when you lose your head?

This week, Pastor Michael Hodge expounds on Mark 6:14-29; in these verses, we're going to see a gradual change of King Herod and heart and conscience. And not in a good way: we see a king whose conscience is moved, but to no avail. He was horrified of the request Herodias' daughter had made, and that his mother had wanted. And yet, in spite of his conscience, he beheaded John the Baptist anyway. When we reject God, we become insensitive to all that is good, and turn to wickedness. Listen how this affects us, and what we need to do...and not do.

We also had Molly Blobaum give our children's sermon, which you can also listen to on this page:
https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeWhatDoYouDoWhenYouLoseYourHead

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

August 17, 2014: Update on Love, INC. and what about Jesus?

This week, Director of Love INC, Nathan Scott, gave us an update on Love INC, the Christian ministry here in the DeKalb area which serves the poor. He then gave a sermon, asking us what have we done about Jesus. Are we truly in Him?

We also had Molly Blobaum give our children's sermon, and Marilyn Matheson sang our special music today. We hope you are blessed by both of these. And you can hear all three recordings by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/NathanScottLoveINCwhataboutJesus

And, we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

August 10, 2014: Dependence on God

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge continues his study of Mark 6, starting in verse 7 and going through verse 13. Jesus' ministry will be extended by his disciples (and there's an interesting reason behind that, listen to find out why). We discussed this to some extent at our Wednesday night Bible study: most of us do not travel light. That is we travel with quite a few things. But when Jesus sent them out, he sent them with just one tunic (you usually went out with two, one for the day, and one while sleeping)  No food, and no money! Why did Jesus do this? Listen to the sermon and find out!

Also...Pastor Hodge did our children's sermon this morning, and the Seldals did our special music. Listen to it and be blessed.

You can listen to these recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark6

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

August 3, 2014: Just call me a skeptic

This week, Pastor Hodge takes a look at the book of Mark, verses 1 through 6. As we do this, we see that Jesus was derided in his hometown, severely by some people. How can God be a lay worker in our community? One even disparaged Mary. Jesus was amazed---one of the few times in the Bible where He uses that term---at the people's unbelief and skepticism. While all of us are, were or will be skeptical of Jesus, what can we do to be honest about our doubts? And how, like his hometown, should we NOT handle those doubts? Listen to Pastor Hodge's sermon and find out.

Also, we had special music on this Communion Sunday; we hope you are blessed by it.

You can listen to these recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark616

And, we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

July 30, 2014: AFLC Illinois District Bible Camp sessions from Cedar Lake, Indiana

From July 27-30, the AFLC Illinois District Bible Camp was held. All 8 sessions were recorded. If you weren't here, or if you wanted to hear the sessions again, here's your chance! We hope you can join us next year, Lord willing, from July 26-29, 2015.

In any case, the recordings are here:

https://archive.org/details/Session3_201407

And we hope you have a great rest of the week in Christ Jesus!

July 27, 2014: Compassion

Today, Pastor Hodge continued his series in the book of Mark, specifically verses 21 through 43. Today, we see how Jesus displays compassion on the poor. How we can do that, and to others, is one of the topics in his sermon this morning. Listen to it today as he expounds on these verses.

Also, Roger Seldal tells us to turn on the radio! Even in the midst of iPds, pods, Droids and everything else...listen to his special music. Both of these recordings are here:

 https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark52143

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

July 20, 2014: A heavy confrontation after a stormy night

Let's face it: We've all had those rough bouts of no sleep, or poor sleep. Jesus had those too...and after such a night, he deals with the events seen in Mark 5:1-20. First he deals with a demon-possessed man, sending his demons to pigs, who promptly drown themselves. That causes the people to tell Jesus to leave. How does this apply to us today? Listen to his sermon and find out!

We also had special music today, and we hope you enjoy this as well. You can hear both recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeAHeavyConfrontationAfterAStormyNight
.
And we hope you have a great day in Christ Jesus!

7/13/14: The authority to control the sea (or calming the storms of life)

In Pastor Hodge's sermon today,  he focused on Mark 4:35-41. This is the famous passage where Jesus stops the sea from churning. In this story, we watch the apostles lack of faith. In verse 38, they ask him incredulously if they care about them perishing in the boat? Rebuking Jesus wasn't the smartest thing they've ever done. Of course, Jesus calms the waters, and then asks them the most important question: Why are you so timid, and how is it you have no faith? Listen to his very important sermon today.

We also had Molly Blobaum talk about blessings that are overflowing. Listen to both sermons here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeCalmingthestormsoflife

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

July 6, 2014: A mustard seed

Today, as we wrap up the Independence Day weekend with some special music, Pastor Michael Hodge continued his series on the Kingdom of God by how Jesus compared it to a mustard seed. As he looks at Mark 4:30-34 today, people had to have been wondering how something as grand as the Kingdom of God was compared to a mustard seed. If you have never seen a mustard seed, it's pretty much the smallest seed on the planet. And yet, when it grows, when properly watered and taken care of. It gets HUGE! Listen to the parallels in Pastor Hodge's sermon today.

You can listen to these here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeTheKingdomOfGodIsLikeAMustardSeed

Also, our web site at http://www.gracefreelutherandekalb.org is now back up. We apologize for any inconvenience.

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

June 30, 2014: Planting seeds in the Kingdom of God

This week, Pastor Hodge focused on Mark 4:26-28. This is where the Bible tells us and reminds us that we are to be planting seeds in the Kingdom of God. We know that many people will reject Jesus, but that does not mean that we don't tell them the Good News! Pastor Hodge begins by explaining what the Kingdom of God is, and what qualities we need in proclaiming the Gospel...ultimately depending on God to be a good witness.

We also had Molly Blobaum deliver her children's sermon, and you can hear both by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgePlantingSeedsInTheKingdomofGod

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

June 22, 2014: The light that cannot be hidden

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge preached on Mark 4, verses 21-22. Today, we are told to "hide" our Christianity, to not spread it, the world doesn't want it. But Jesus tells us that if we have light within us, that is, Christ...we are to let it shine before men, and not shirk back or hide it. As we walk with Christ, we become light as well, and we are to share the Great News with others, and to live and walk as Christ did.

You can hear Pastor Hodge's sermon on this, as well as our children's sermon,
here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeThelightthatcannotbehidden

We apologize, but last week, the sermon didn't get recorded...and it sounds like our pastor's tie kept brushing against our microphone this week; I apologize for that, we'll get that taken care of. And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

Hello everyone,

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge expounded on Mark 4, Jesus' parable of the sower. Once we receive the Word of God, there are various things that happen. We may let the Word dwell richly in us and accept the Word, or we can reject it. Or, it can be choked. Listen to Pastor Hodge's sermon today and carefully evaluate where you are in your walk with Christ, and where we should be heading.

Also, we had Aaron and Josiah Fagerstrom do special music today. And, Michael Lowery give the testimony of the Gideons, and how they are working to spread God's word to every person in the world, and how we can partner with them. You can listen to all of these recordings here:


https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeParableofthesower

And, we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

June 1, 2014: The true family of Jesus

Today, Pastor Hodge expounded on Mark 3, verses 31-35. Who is family? We all think o them as brothers and sisters, uncles, nieces, nephews, and so on. But in the body of Christ, we are all brothers and sisters...without exception. Jesus talks about this, and Pastor Hodge unpacks that for us today. You can hear this sermon here:

https://archive.org/details/TheTrueFamilyOfJesus

And, we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

May 25, 2014: The unpardonable sin (and did I do it?)

Whenever the topic of "what is the unpardonable sin?" comes up as a believer reads Mark 3:28-29, the first thing that people might ask is, "Have I done it? Is my faith fraudulent because I actually did this?". And the short answer to that question is this: If you are serious about an answer to that question, then you haven't done it. As we look at these verses today, I'm going to be honest: I haven't heard a clearer explanation of what it is...and what it isn't...than this. Sit back, listen, and know why Jesus warned the Pharisees so harshly of their blasphemy. As it turns out, it is much more than that, and many people are currently guilty of this sin. Find out what this is all about in Pastor Hodge's sermon here.

Also, we had Karen Hannan do our special music today, which was of a patriotic theme, in honor of our fallen veterans as we remember them on Veteran's Day.

You can hear these here:

https://archive.org/details/TheUnforgivableSin

We apologize for the large number of tracks; our audio equipment was having glitches this morning. Listen to them in sequence, and you'll be fine.

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

May 18, 2014: Strong accusations

As we begin Mark Chapter 3, verse 22, the strongest accusations against Jesus and who he is are brought forth by the Pharisees. It's bad enough they don't believe He is the Son of God, but they blaspheme him almost unimaginably badly. So much so, as we'll see next week, Jesus tells them about the unpardonable sin. We, too, can expect to be falsely accused in our Christian walk as well. Learn why in our sermon today.

Also, Molly Blobaum had our children's sermon; we hope you enjoy it as well. You can hear these portions of the service here:

https://archive.org/details/02PastorHodgeMark3strongaccusations

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

May 11: Mothers and marriage

Today, we celebrated Mother's day. But it's a tough go for mothers day. Feminism has told women that God is out to enslave women legally; that God should be destroyed, and that men are a lot of the problem. This is all easily refuted by Scripture, and as you listen to this sermon, consider how it has destroyed and ruined families and lives. Today, we honor moms, and who know the Godly value upon them, and the great importance they have in their families. Listen to the real importance of mothers...and women...in Pastor Hodge's sermon today.

We also had Roger Seldal and Karen Hannan do our special music honoring mothers, and Molly Blobaum's children's sermon was on Mother's day as well, and how we can honor mothers not only today...but every day.

You can listen to all of this here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeWhyMarriageandmothers

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

May 4, 2014: Worth the risk

In our lives, we all take risks. Some of us try to avoid them at all costs. Some take more risks than they should. But, as with all true risks, there is a reward for those who take them, and see them through. By taking risks in the stock market, some have gotten wealthy. And by asking a girl out on a date, sometimes hearts are broken...and sometimes relationships that last forever are born.

As we look at the book of Mark today, Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that faith comes with inherent risk. Of being harassed, mocked...all the way up to and including the loss of one's life, or health, or freedom. But unlike many risks, there is a sure reward to those who remain faithful to Jesus...an eternity in peace with Christ. Have you been willing to take that risk? Join Pastor Hodge today as he expounds on the book of Mark this morning.

We also had Pastor Hodge and Amy sing a medley this morning, including Great Is Thy Faithfulness. We hope you enjoy it, and you can hear both by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgerisksoffollowingJesus

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

April 27, 2014: Change agents God uses through the Holy Spirit

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we must remember that God does all the changing, but gives us the power to preach the Gospel, which will save the lost! We are his change-agents, if you will, by Christ giving us the power, through the Holy Spirit, to declare the Good News of Salvation to a dying world that desperately needs it. Listen to his sermon today how this is seen clearly in Scripture in the book of Mark, chapter 3.

We also had special music (sorry, the recording got cut off due to hitting the wrong button!), and our children's sermon was on "glasses" by Molly Blobaum. Why do people wear glasses, and how is God's Word like glasses? Listen to her sermon, and our other program segments, which is found here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark3

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

April 20, 2014: Easter Sunday!

Today is Easter. After celebrating the darkest day of mankind on Good Friday, we celebrate the greatest day in the Universe, ever! It's the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The death rate of mankind is right at 100%, but Jesus proved he was truly God in the flesh as he rose from the dead. Listen to how this should profoundly affect us in everything we do today...over 2,000 years later, as Pastor Hodge delivered our sermon today. Also, we had special music and much more as well! You can listen to it all here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorHodgeEaster2014part1

Happy Easter, and may you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

April 13, 2014: Palm Sunday

Hello everyone,

We're sorry you couldn't be with us for our Palm Sunday service. Do not forget, no Wednesday Bible study this week, but our Maundy Thursday service begins at 7 PM, and our Easter service begins next Sunday at 8 AM!

Today, Pastor Hodge delved into the book of Mark chapter 7 and the meaning of Palm Sunday. As we begin Holy Week, listen to Pastor Hodge as Jesus makes his triumphant entry to Jerusalem, as people cry Hosanna to the highest!

Also, we had the Grace Notes Trio do our special music today, and Molly Blobaum had our children's sermon as well. Listen to all of these here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMark7

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

April 6, 2014: Mark 7 and 8: it's not about entertainment

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge continued his series in the book of Mark, specifically chapters 7 and 8. Yesterday, 80,000 fans watched the Final Four basketball games (and, of course, many more on TV). In Jesus' day, he also attracted large crowds. Some looked for entertainment; some looked for the teachings of a good teacher. But Jesus pointed to who He was...the Son of God, and that was what people needed, not entertainment. In our world of entertainment and excess, listen to what His purpose was...and what ours needs to be.

Also, we had Kaelynn Clark sing "Amazing Grace" for our special music.  You can listen to all of this here:

https://archive.org/details/Mark7and8

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

March 30, 2014: Legalism vs. doing good on the Sabbath

This week, Pastor Michael Hodge continues to talk about legalism and what can we do on the Sabbath? Pastor Michael Hodge expounds on Mark 3 to tell us that doing good on the Sabbath is more than OK, because Jesus did it, and told even the Pharisees that it was good to do. Listen to Pastor Hodge and what IS legal and good to do on the Sabbath.

Also, we had Molly Blobaum give our children's sermon today with her very chatty students, and special music on the piano today.

You can hear all of these things here:

https://archive.org/details/03PastorMichaelHodgeLegalismvsBiblicallycorrectthing

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

March 23, 2014: Moral principle challenged by legal law

In Pastor Hodge's sermon today, he talks about legalism. For instance: is it legal to watch football on Sunday? Is it legal to go to the hospital on Sunday? Believe it or not, the Pharisees believed that if you traveled more than 3,000' from your house on Sunday, you sinned, even when an emergency was occurring! But is it OK to work on Sunday, even if you have the day off, and it's not a very urgent matter?

Pastor Michael Hodge goes to the Scriptures and unpacks the concept of the Sabbath, and what we are to do on a Sabbath, and what we shouldn't do. Listen to this truthful, non-legalistic truth about the Sabbath today.
You can listen to this, Molly Blobaum's children's sermon, and our special music for today, right here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorHodgemoralprinciplechallengedbylegalisticlaw

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

March 16, 2014: Being new in Christ

This morning, Pastor Hodge expounded on Mark 2, verses 18-22. In Jesus' day, being religious meant the Bible...and then 600 more man-made regulations and laws. These self-described religious entities were known as "Pharisees", making them look religious on the outside, but inside, they were anything but. Jesus tells us the ONLY way we can be spiritual: by being born again in Christ. Listen to what that means to you today.

Also, we had Molly Blobaum's Children's sermon today; we apologize for the audio issue at the end. We also had Karen and Roger do our special music today.

You can hear all of these things here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeNew

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

March 9, 2014: Jesus calls Levi, and the challenge of the Scribes, Pharisees and hypocrites

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge continues his series in the book of Mark, chapter 2. His sermon talks about two things: 1) how Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, and why that is important, and 2) How it is a direct challenge to the Scribes, Pharisees and hypocrites. They all complained that Jesus hung out with "sinners". But the point is, we're ALL sinners, and we all need Jesus to save us from eternal condemnation in hell! Listen to his sermon today to find out why Jesus hung out around specifically with sinners.

Also, Roger Seldal broke out the electric guitar and did special music for us today...and Mark Fagerstrom did his children's sermon on folders today. How is God like a folder? Listen and find out, by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorHodgeJesuscallsLevi

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

March 2, 2014: Jesus' early ministry

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge takes a look at the book of Mark, chapter 2. In this, we see Jesus' early part of His ministry on earth. One of the key things that he preached, right from the beginning, is something we all need to hear and know today: repent (turn from your wicked ways), and believe the Good News! Listen to Pastor Hodge expound on this today.

We also heard "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" on the piano for our special music today. We hoped you are blessed by it.

You can hear these recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeJesusEarlyPreaching

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

February 16/23, 2014: a two part series in the book of Mark

Over the past two weeks, Pastor Michael Hodge has been preaching from the book of Mark on Jesus' death and resurrection, and in part two in his series today on Jesus' temptations. Jesus was tempted many times in His walk with the Lord, but he overcame them all. He was tested and proven worthy as the Son of God. We will also be tested through trials and temptations on this earth. We must stand firm on God's written word to be able to resist the devil at all times. Listen to both these sermons today to be challenged on this.
You can listen these sermons here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeMarkChapter1Verses9Through11

In the second sermon, due to an audio equipment issue, it is broken into 5 parts. Listen to them in sequence and all will be well. And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

February 9, 2014: John prepares the way for Jesus

Today, heroes come and go. Sports figures, rescuers...some get their name and fame in the limelight for their proverbial 15 minutes, but then they are forgotten. In the Bible, however, heroes are forever noted. Although there are many, today, Pastor Hodge shows how John was faithful to Jesus, talking about his coming, and surviving on what God provided him...at times, merely locusts in the desert. Find out how we are not to be be heroes as the world sees them, but faithful to the Gospel and to Christ, and to confess and repent from our sins.

Amy and Pastor Hodge also performed our special music today, "What Wondrous Love is This". We hope you enjoy it.

Regrettably, we do not have our children's sermon today due to a microphone battery outage. It has been fixed, and you'll hear Molly next week. :-)

You can hear the special music, and our sermon for today, by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeJohnpreparesthewayforJesus

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

Gilbert Sebenste, Deacon
Grace Free Lutheran Church

February 2, 2014: The atonement, part 2

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge continues the second part in his series at a look at the atonement. The Gnostics denied the atonement. We, as Christians, believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh as both man and God, and that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross fully paid for the atonement of the sins of believers. See how this false teaching, and similar, still is in the church today. Also, we had Amy Taylor on flute do "He is Exalted". We hope you enjoy it. You can listen to both recordings here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeAlookatatonement

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

January 26, 2014: Gnosticism and other heresy...and what to do about it

Today, Pastor Michael Hodge continued his thoughts from our Wednesday night Bible study...gnosticism, and heresy. Today, he spoke about how this occurred right thousands of years ago, still does, and explained how many publicly refuted heresy, and that we need to speak up as well.

Also, Molly Blobaum had our children's sermon on cell phones today, and tells us that this is how we communicate with each other, but God communicates by his Word. And, we also had special music...bring the tissue as Roger and Karen do a duet.

You can listen to all of this here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeGnosticismandheresy

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

January 19, 2014: Nehemiah, and idolatry

Hello everyone,

This week, we learned about Nehemiah in chapter 13, that they needed to repent and turn from other gods and their idols (worshiping things that are not God, including false gods). Pastor Hodge details this in his sermon today, and how it should affect every believer in Christ. This is not an easy thing to accept in our day of "everything is OK as long as you don't impose your will on me", but it brings life to those who repent, believe, and draw close to God through Christ via God's Word.

Also, we had Molly Blobaum present our children's sermon today with an illustration of a photo album. You can listen to this and both sermons by clicking here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeNehemiah13

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

January 12, 2014: The city begins to grow: or, from humility to new heights of celebration

This week, Pastor Michael Hodge looked at Nehemiah 11-12. He looked at how, in obedience to God, once the walls were rebuilt, the Jewish people and the priests moved back in. And there was rejoicing! Today, Pastor Hodge explains the celebration they had, and what it means to us today. You can listen to his sermon here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichelHodgeFromHumilityToNewHeightsofCelebration

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!

January 5, 2014: Our unchanging God

Our attendance was low today largely due to the major winter storm going on, but that didn't stop our service. Pastor Michael Hodge today continued his series on the unchanging God. When God says it, he means it...and He never changes. He can turn away his wrath when people repent, but that doesn't mean who he is has changed. Listen to how that must impact every Christian today. You can listen to his sermon here:

https://archive.org/details/PastorMichaelHodgeunchangingGod

And we hope you have a great week in Christ Jesus!