2019 Sermons
December 29th, 2019
"4 things followers of Jesus do to stay in shape"
We are beginning a new year and all have ideas of what changes we want to make to do a better job in 2020. What about getting into spiritual shape?
There are simple yet important decisions you can make to start out the new year on the right foot with God. Let's work at these together.
December 22nd, 2019
"JOY TO THE WORLD" week #4
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove.
The glories of, His righteousness,
And the wonders of His love.
Today we wrapped up this Christmas package called, "Joy to the World". Some of our most important theology is wrapped up in this last verse. Jesus Christ either rules the world or He doesn't. There is no other option. If He rules, then it is in our best interest to follow the leader and live His way.
December 15th, 2019
"JOY TO THE WORLD" week #3
Jesus entered a world under the curse of sin. We are all affected. We all suffer because of sin.
When Jesus comes again, the sin problem will be taken care of.
The third verse of our carol spells it out:
No more let sin and sorrow grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
How does this speak to you?
December 8th, 2019
"JOY TO THE WORLD" week #2
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns, let men their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy.
How does the coming of Jesus bring joy to the earth?
At the 23:34 mark, the video “God's Glory in his Creation” by John Piper was shown. Here’s the YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJYaAbrWsvA
December 1st, 2019
"JOY TO THE WORLD... THE LORD HAS COME!"
Today on this first Sunday of Advent, we are beginning a Christmas series called, "Joy to the World".
We are using this favorite Christmas carol as our guide each Sunday as we rediscover God's joy in our live's.
November 24th, 2019
The Games People Play: "Boggle... Making Sense of the Bible"
Do you ever ask yourself these questions? 1. Do I believe that the Bible is true? 2. How can I understand it? 3. If it is true, what does it mean to me?
During the sermon, at 1:52 we played the Youtube video “Word on the Street: What do you think about the Bible?”
Click on the following link to watch it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvq9ZhC7ZfM
Today we are wrapping up our Games People Play series. We have looked at whether we are following Trivial Pursuits or worthy ones. We have looked at how we often are like the game of Battleship in our relationships thinking we have to sink the other person to win ourselves. We are reminded again that all our relationships can be "un-Twistered" when we allow God to run them. Monopoly where the one who dies with the most wins, can be a trap any of us can fall into if we are following the world's values rather than God's. Then last week the game of Clue reminded us that discerning the will of God is a step by step journey of trusting and obeying. When we do, God will unfold his good, pleasing, and perfect will to anyone who will take Him up on it.
November 17th, 2019
The Games People Play: Clue... Discerning the Will of God
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
November 10th, 2019
The Games People Play: Monopoly ~ Resisting the Urge to Control
We live in a world where money talks. It opens doors and gives opportunity.
Money is good, but it can also be your downfall.
Today we are looking at how God wants us to handle our money in order to live a life of blessing.
November 3rd, 2019
The Games People Play: Twister ~ Navigating Confusing Relationships
Relationships can be so tricky and it's easy to say or do things that don't help.
Today we look at how God will help us build those relationships with positive actions to live in a way which honors Him.
October 27th, 2019
The Games People Play: Battleship...Sinking Others in Order to Win
Today we are looking at the power of our words to either build or tear down. Think about the words you have spoken recently.
Did they encourage? Were they loving?
This is the Youtube video we watched at the 10:44 mark of today's sermon - https://youtu.be/fsaKwDPBTeM
October 20th, 2019
The Games People Play: Today we are beginning a new series based on some popular board games as well as tying into our Trunk or Treat event on October 31st. Remember Trivial Pursuit? It was a game which challenged your knowledge of meaningless facts. Yet I wonder how often in our lives do we find ourselves in pursuit of less than worthy goals. That's where we are beginning today as we look at - Trivial Pursuits... Landmines to contentment.
October 13th, 2019
Welcome! Today Youth Pastor Justin Knapp is speaking in our morning service.
We appreciate the many ways that Justin has helped us focus on our vision to reach young families in our community and building up our youth ministry.
The Games People Play is the new series that we will be starting next week.
Trivial Pursuit, Sorry, Battleship?
We will see how these popular games also describe ways that we often behave which may or may not help us in knowing God's agenda for our lives.
October 6th, 2019
Finding Your Shape:
Today we are finishing up discovering how we can best serve God and His kingdom by knowing our Spiritual Gifts, our Heart, our Abilities, our Personality and our Experiences. Everyone of us have gone through different experiences in our lives which have affected how we think and act. That is what we are looking at today.
September 29th, 2019
We were happy to have had Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge with us today. They shared how God has transformed their lives and has taken them from hopelessness and addictions to a new life following Him. At the end of our service we received a special offering for the ongoing work of this ministry. Afterwards they were treated to one of Calvary's wonderful potluck lunches where we got to know them better.
Check them out on the web - https://www.mntc.org/
Since 1983, Mn Adult & Teen Challenge has been restoring hope to people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. They offer effective and affordable programs throughout Minnesota with campuses in Minneapolis, Brainerd, Duluth, Rochester and Buffalo. They offer both a long-term, faith-based recovery program and short-term licensed treatment program, allowing them to effectively serve individuals with a broad spectrum of addiction issues; from those seeking treatment for the first time, to those who have been struggling with addiction for many years.
September 22nd, 2019
Finding Your Shape:
Spiritual Gifts - Heart - Abilities - Personality - Experiences -
Today we are talking about how your particular personality steers you into where and how you can best serve.
September 15th, 2019
Finding Your Shape
We have talked about spiritual gifts. Have you found out what your spiritual gift is?
Last week we talked about your Heart passion. What do you get excited about and could talk about for hours?
Today we want you to look at your ABILITIES. How has God wired you and what abilities have you learned over the years?
Do you know what your spiritual gift is?
To get an idea we want everyone to take a spiritual gifts test. We have paper copies available or you can do it online at TeamMinistry.com
It's fun to see where you score yourself.
September 8th, 2019
Finding Your Shape
Today we are talking about your heart.
What is your passion?
What fuels you rather than drains you?
Do you know what your spiritual gift is?
To get an idea we want everyone to take the spiritual gifts test. We have paper copies available or you can do it online at TeamMinistry.com
It's fun to see where you score yourself.
*Sorry about today’s audio. We experienced “technical difficulties” during the recording,
If you enjoy background music while trying to listen to a wonderful sermon, then just click on the play button above*
September 1st, 2019
Finding Your Shape
As we begin the fall season our focus will be on learning how we all fit in the body of Christ.
When you know where you fit in you have a sense of belonging.
Today we are beginning with Spiritual Gifts. Do you know what your spiritual gift is?
To get an idea we want everyone to take a spiritual gifts test. We have paper copies available or you can do it online at TeamMinistry.com
It's fun to see where you score yourself.
Check out The Truth Project trailer - https://youtu.be/m292pbDSH1U
August 25th, 2019
Growing Up In Jesus
Do you often feel like you have a better idea when somebody makes a suggestion?
How about when God prompts you in a particular way?
Growing more mature in faith means following God's agenda without tweaking it, without trying to make it better.
It all comes down to trusting that He really does know what is best.
August 18th, 2019
Growing Up In Jesus
Part of growing up is learning that you can't have everything you want right away.
You have to WAIT.
As we grow more mature spiritually we must learn to wait on God.
Wait on His timing not ours.
How are you doing waiting for God to answer your requests to Him?
August 11th, 2019
Growing Up In Jesus
Can you grow in your spiritual maturity by yourself or do you need others to do it?
How much weight does the fellowship of believers play on us growing up in our faith?
August 4th, 2019
We are once again pleased to have Pastor Gordon Gathright speaking today.
Pastor Randy will be back from Ukraine for next Sunday's service.
Gordon is the Chaplain next door at Augustana and has been in many ministry settings in Hastings for many years.
Gordan speaks on Philippians, one of the great books of the Bible, because it talks about joy from verse one to the last verse.
July 28th, 2019
We are pleased to have Pastor Gordon Gathright speaking today on Luke chapter 15, which is a very familiar story to all of us, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, not a story of sin as much as it is a story about lostness. Gordon is the Chaplain next door at Augustana and has been in many ministry settings in Hastings for many years.
July 21st, 2019
Growing Up In Jesus
Part of growing up is learning how to handle the bad stuff in life. Growing up spiritually also involves learning how to handle the pain and hurt and disappointment. Also please remember to pray for Pastor Randy, Linda, and Justin as they represent us in Ukraine for the next 2 weeks. Pray for their safety and for their words and for their actions to be right for the moment. Gordon Gathright will be speaking the next 2 Sundays here. Encourage him by your presence and your smiling faces. God has a word for you from Gordon that you will not want to miss.
July 14th, 2019
Growing Up In Jesus
Have you considered why you do what you do? Today in our "Growing Up In Jesus" series, we are comparing legalism and freedom. It comes down to the motivation being desire or duty, which sometimes can be difficult to identify. If we are in fact free in Christ, what does that mean in how we live?
July 7th, 2019
We humans spend a lot of time worrying about the future and stewing on the past.
What does transformation look like?
How do we shift focus from our own ego to God's being?
How do we become shining lights for the gospel?
How do we join the divine dance?
June 30th, 2019
Mission Sunday
David and Katrina were with us sharing their mission experience in Spain, and Nastya Delikatna shared her perspective on our sister church in Ukraine.
We are collecting special offerings for both of these fantastic missions.
I wanted to post the entire service on our website, but it could have posed a security threat for David and Katrina.
The audio presented here was edited for their safety.
June 23rd, 2019
"GROWING UP IN JESUS"
We are learning what the difference is between a new Christian and a mature one.
What attitudes change?
What habits change?
How do we handle fear, worry, anxiety and money?
It all changes as we grow up in Jesus.
June 16th, 2019
"Bucket List Sunday"
This one was aimed at the men. It was off the wall fun and yet challenged every guy to look at what really matters in life. A car bash and all-you-can-eat hotdogs happened afterwards. What a great Father's Day service!
June 9th, 2019
"Growing Up In Jesus"
Jesus tells us as followers to be in the world but not of the world. Today we want to get a clearer picture of what He means without falling into legalism.
June 2nd, 2019
"Growing Up In Jesus"
How we mature as a Jesus follower is determined by specific habits, disciplines, and attitudes that we adopt as we get older.
Today we will identify a few of those disciplines.
May 26th, 2019
Youth Pastor Justin Knapp is speaking this Sunday, on this Memorial Day weekend.
What is the Christian response to loss and tragedy? How do we move forward in life?
In this sermon we will look at the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11 and compare Mary and Martha's loss to some personal experiences.
May 19th, 2019
"Growing Up In Jesus"
Do you ever consider how old you are from a spiritual perspective? Are you a baby? A child? An adolescent? An adult? How do we grow up and move from totally dependent to mature? We are going to work on our spiritual journeys together this summer on Sunday mornings.
May 12th, 2019
Happy Mother's Day!
We are so glad that you are here worshipping with us! Today is all about you women. This is your Sunday! Think about how the roles, rights and responsibilities of women have changed over the last 50 years. What has not changed though, are the wonderful promises that God has for you. Promises which strengthen you, encourage you, and help you be the woman that God intends for you to be.
May 5th, 2019
Today was our First Responders Appreciation Sunday.
We are so grateful for all who serve us as public servants.
If you were new here today, we hope that you felt like you were part of our church family.
Everyone stayed after the service for free brats, dogs, ice cream, etc.
It was a wonderful time!
April 28th, 2019
"Successful Parenting in a Social Media World"
We are talking about parenting in a world which is constantly changing.
We will talk about specific steps you can take to be the kind of parent who succeeds.
April 21st, 2019 Easter Sunday
We welcome you to our Easter Celebration today.
The whole reason Jesus came, was crucified and rose again, was to show the love of the Father to the world. This love sets us free from anything in our past and gives us hope for the future. If you have any questions about God or would like someone to pray with you talk to Pastor Randy Berg. Every Sunday we also have members of our prayer team that would love to pray with you.
April 14th, 2019
It is Palm Sunday
This is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd honoring Him as King.
But what kind of king were they looking for?
What kind of Jesus are you looking for?
April 7th, 2019
"How to Finish Well"
Today we are concluding our journey through the book of Acts. Paul has been the primary leader of the church as it spread into the Roman Empire.
He is a wonderful example of how to finish your life well, investing in what is eternal. Today think about how you want to finish your life.
How you are living right now, regardless of your age, will have a lot to do with how you finish.
March 31st, 2019
Barriers to the Gospel
What type of resistance did the early church leaders face as they expanded their mission into the Roman Empire?
What barriers do we face as we talk about our faith experience with people who are not yet Christians?
March 24th, 2019
Today we are in Acts 10, starting at verse 11.
Peter is being challenged as to who the gospel is for. Is it for a select group or open to anyone?
March 17th, 2019
Is Jesus really God?
Is he powerful enough to overcome the obstacles in your life? Does he care enough about you to listen and to answer your prayers? In Acts 12 we see God respond to prayer in a powerful way by saving Peter from prison. But does God act in our present day? We hope that through this sermon you are encouraged by the stories of answered prayers of our congregation and that you begin or continue to incorporate prayer into your regular rhythm of life.
March 3rd, 2019
"A Most Unlikely Conversion"
Saul of Tarsus was the last person in the world you would expect to be a follower of Jesus.
What made him change?
What can we expect God to do in preparing the hearts of people we know who are far from God?
February 24th, 2019
"Hearing the Voice of the Spirit"
Bible text today - Acts 8
How do you know God is telling you to do something?
We are encouraged to seek God's will, but how can we be sure?
Today we are looking at Philip and how the Spirit directed him to specific people and places.
Was that experience just for that time or is it for us today?
Sunday February 17, 2019
In today's sermon we hear the story of Stephan's martyrdom from Acts Chapters 6 & 7.
As we explore the role of the church, I would like us to consider the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Particularly, we will focus on what to expect if you walk by the Spirit.
February 10th, 2019
Why Church? On January 6th we began a series on the purpose of the church.
Today - "Heart trouble in the Church".
Acts Chapter 5 describes a day when terror hits the newly organized church.
The reason? Listen to Pastor Randy's sermon.
February 3rd, 2019
Why Church?
On January 6th we began a series on the purpose of the church.
Today we are in Acts 3-4 where Peter and John are called to step up and speak for Jesus, even when some oppose you.
At the 21 minute and 7 second mark, we watched this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJzCPR-X1HU
January 27th, 2019
Why Church?
On January 6th we began a series on the purpose of the church.
Today - "4 Musts that the Church took seriously"
What did the first church do which made them grow stronger together and be attractive to outsiders?
It all boils down to fellowship. What is real fellowship and what is not?
January 20th, 2019
Why Church?
On January 6th we began a series on the purpose of the church.
Today we are exploring Acts Chapter 2 when the Hold Spirit of God came with power in the upper room.
January 13th, 2019
Why Church?
On January 6th we began a series on the purpose of the church.
What kind of people make up the church?
What makes this group unique and unlike any other organization on earth?
Before we begin today, in your mind answer this question: "How do you define church?"
January 6th, 2019
Why Church?
Today we are beginning a series on the purpose of the church.
What did the original church look like?
What do we think God wants the church to be today?
Are there things we are doing which we should not be doing and are there things we are not doing which we should be doing?
Bring your Bible as we study the Acts of the Apostles.
December 30th, 2018
Youth Pastor Justin Knapp filled in for Pastor Randy Berg today.
Are you in a desert? Are you going through a trial in life and struggling with the silence of God? For 400 years the nation of Israel had not heard from God. For 400 years the nation of Israel had been waiting for the Messiah. In Matthew Chapter 3, we see that Messiah commissioned by a poor desert prophet. In our sermon today we will explore how God uses deserts in our lives and how His Kingdom is coming through repentance.
December 23rd, 2018
God With Us..."Peace, Something Worth Finding & Keeping"
What is Peace? Is it the calm between storms? Is it brief moments in our busy lives where we can stop and relax, only to start up again when the bell rings again? I don't believe momentary or 5 minute blocks of time are the peace God has in mind for us. He promises us peace which rules our hearts and minds.
Sunday December 16th, 2018
"God With Us...Our Reason For Joy!"
Where does your joy come from? Is it based on circumstances or is it always there?
We have looked a Emmanuel being our Hope and a gift of God's love for us in the past 2 weeks.
Today we will open up and discover our real reason for Joy.
Sunday December 9th, 2018
"God With Us" is all about His love for us.
Today we are digging a little deeper to better understand the love that God has for us.
If He loves us, how should we respond to that love?
Sunday December 2nd, 2018
"God With Us" is our hope
We begin our Advent season this week focusing on the hope that Jesus promises everyone who follows Him.
There are many places to look for hope, but only the lasting, unfailing hope is in God and following His agenda for your life.
Sunday November 25, 2018
We just celebrated Thanksgiving, and we all know that we should always be thankful.
What habits can we develop to keep THANK-BASED throughout the year?
Sunday November 18, 2018
BE Thankful
This whole week we are reminded of Thanksgiving and the need to be thankful.
Be thankful for what?
Does your thanks stop with your possessions or good health?
Sunday November 11, 2018
What Does God want you to BE?
God has a lot to say about giving generously and it does not all have to do with money.
It's not something that kicks in at Thanksgiving or Christmas, or when you walk by a Salvation Army kettle.
Generosity is more a mindset than an action.
If God were to evaluate your heart, would He say you were a generous person?
Sunday November 4, 2018
What Does God want you to BE?
BE STILL
Do you hear the voice of God when He speaks to you? What are the distractions in your life?
What noise is constantly drowning out the voice of God as He tries to speak into your life?
How can we shut out what we don't need in order to open up to hear what we need to hear?
Sunday October 28, 2018
What Does God want you to BE?
Today we are looking at what it means to be on the receiving end of the incredible love of God.
You are loved just the way you are, regardless of how good you can be or how much you can contribute.
What keeps you from fully comprehending the implications of His love?
Sunday October 21, 2018
What Does God want you to BE?
Elijah was a ordinary man God used in an extraordinary way.
What character traits can we learn from him?
Sunday October 14, 2018
Do you want to be WITH God or do you want to BE God?
(Our Youth Pastor Justin Knapp took over today while Pastor Randy was at play)
Looking at Genesis Chapter 3, Justin uses the story of the fall as an illustration of temptation, connecting how God is with Adam and Eve in the garden, to parenting.
Be a parent of YES, so that your NOs matter.
Sunday October 7, 2018
What Do You Want to BE?
Become... Belong... Be Transformed
God calls us to Be Bold / Be Strong.
We are often put into places where God needs us to be His light and voice.
It is not easy and we can shy away and do nothing, or we can show up, stand up, and speak up.
Where do you find you are challenged to be bold for God and His agenda?