Epiphany Sunday. Sermon: Reflecting the Light of Christ. Aha experiences are epiphany moments. We hope to have aha experiences in our understanding of God. We want to see God. That is what the Magdi wanted, why they followed the star to Jesus. Isaiah foretold this hundreds of years earlier. He told the people that God would take care of them. The third plague, darkness, was the darkness of the heart. Jesus, the light, came to save the world from this darkness of the heart. A tiny ray of light, of hope. We are called to live in reflection of Christ, to push away some of the darkness in the world. Any light we shine in this world in the reflected light of Christ. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go in Peace to reflect the light of Christ. Thanks be to God!!

The Second Sunday after Pentecost. Sermon: “God is Calling”. People don’t really listen, even to each other, even to those they love. God called to Samuel in 1 Samuel chapter 3. We come to church to look for God and hear His voice. Can we hear where He is calling us to go? God is calling you. Are you listening? Nathanael was called by Jesus in today’s gospel. Come to church, God is here; in the chit chat, in the touch of the sharing of the peace, in the hymns, in the readings, in the bread and wine. Jesus is calling us to “come follow me”. Answer Him, “Here I am Lord!”. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go with Christ into a weary world to share the good news. Thanks be to God!!

Third Sunday after Pentecost. “God’s love is a certain love” Jonah was running from his calling, from the Lord, but there is no escape from our Lord. So Jonah went to Nineveh and preached about God. And everyone repented!! Their hearts were changed. God changed His mind and did not destroy Nineveh. This made Jonah mad, he was very angry, and he just wanted to die. So God had some fun with this pouting prophet, and teaches him a lesson. God’s love is a certain love, and it’s the same loved everywhere. For God so loved the world… Jesus loves all the children of the world. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go with Christ into a weary world. Share the Good News! Thanks be to God!!

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. “Foremost Authority” Do you know people who think they know everything? It’s about being right and getting everyone to do it their way. Authority was very important to Israel. God chose Moses to lead them from slavery. Then he showed them how to properly do everything in life. He was the foremost authority. When a prophet’s words come true they are considered a true prophet. Jesus was a true prophet according to Moses’ definition. Even the evil spirits obeyed Him. Jesus authority came from God. Today, who speaks for God? That’s what the church is for, it’s what we are here for. We need to recognize God’s truth in our lives and in the world around us. We are the authority, we are called to tell everyone the Good News. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go with Christ into a weary world. Share the Good News! Thanks be to God!!

The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. “Have you not known?” Those that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength… There is much violence in the world and we all say, what’s next! We need God to give us strength to continue. We need hope, love, power, and strength. The power to fly above your troubles. Where do we find the power of God? Is Isaiah telling us something useful? Its practical, he tells us how – that our God is an everlasting God. The beginning and the end. He will last through the evils of this world. We may get tired or discouraged, but God does not. God is at work in the world. Lean on God, He will give you the power and patience to live through the troubles of today. Don’t ask what’s next, ask when God will show up next. He always shows up. That’s how we find strength, we do know this. We are called to share our love and let God take care of the outcome. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com\ Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go with Christ into a weary world. Share the Good News! Thanks be to God!!

The Transfiguration of our Lord. Sermon: “I Will Let it Shine”. Valentine’s Day is this week, some of us think of diamonds. Diamonds are hard, sparkling, and expensive. They are the miracle of refracted light. The purest of light was on Jesus at the mountain top. There are two types of light, luminous and refracted. We try to shine by our own light, but we only really shine through the light of Christ. The pure light of the divine shines on salvation. Today is the celebration of the light of Christ. We are clled to proclaim the light of Christ to all. This light was not intended for showing off or hiding away. Its meant to be refracted on and through us all. Christ is the love light to be shone on everyone. We all become little Christs to the world. “I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go with Christ into a weary world. Share the Good News! Thanks be to God!!

The First Sunday in Lent. Sermon: “The Rainbow Connection”. Rainbows signify dreams, simply follow to the end of the rainbow. Although science tells us that rainbows are as illusion, its still fun to think of them as magical. Noah’s family and the ark finally landed on a mountain peak. God made a pact with Noah. God sent a bow in the sky to signify the promise. During our Lenten journey thank God for the rainbows. On our own forgiveness is unattainable. Only through God, the resurrection, and rainbows. Our Lord has come to bring us new life in Him. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God!!

Second Sunday in Lent. Sermon: “So, Why Abraham”. Easter is the end of the story. Through our Lenten journey we learn the whole story. Today is the beginning of that story. Abraham was chosen because of his faith. His faith was solid, no matter what. The purpose of the resurrection was to repair the relationship between God and the people (us), to reconcile us to God, to make us right with God. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Rev. James L. Fogle, Pastor Celebration Lutheran Church, ELCA 39375 Joy Road Westland, Michigan www.CelebrationLC.com Facebook: Celebration Lutheran Church on Joy Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.