The Lutheran Church of Madison, Connecticut
9 Britton Lane, Madison, CT 06443; 203-245-4145
A congregation of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
Pastor Volker Heide
LCofMadison@aol.com
OUR CURRENT SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY WORSHIP, 10:00 AM.
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDY, 9:00 AM.
SATURDAY WORSHIP, 5:00 PM.
CURRENT BIBLE STUDIES:
THE BOOK OF REVELATION, SUNDAYS, 9:00 AM.
MEN'S BIBLE STUDY ON THE LECTIONARY, TUESDAYS, 8:00 AM.
LENT 2025: THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE
The season of Lent is a great time to get involved in the life of our parish. Join us as we continue to worship, pray, praise, and give thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We rejoice that we can serve our Lord and other people. Working together, we can do great things for God. Remember, you can make a difference! Join our efforts to share God’s love in Christ. Help us to serve others and to reach out to our community with God’s grace, mercy and compassion.
Our Lenten Services will look at the Passion of our Lord according to St. Luke. We will feature:
+ March 5: ASH WEDNESDAY: 7:00 PM: “Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus.”
+ March 12: LENT 2: 7:00 PM: “Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives.”
+ March 19 LENT 3: 7:00 PM: “Jesus is Arrested.”
+ March 26: LENT 4: 7:00 PM: “Peter Disowns Jesus.”
+ April 2: LENT 5: 7:00 PM: “Jesus Before Pilate and Herod.”
+ April 9: LENT 6: 7:00 PM: “The Crucifixion of Jesus.”
9 Britton Lane, Madison, CT 06443; 203-245-4145
A congregation of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
Pastor Volker Heide
LCofMadison@aol.com
OUR CURRENT SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY WORSHIP, 10:00 AM.
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDY, 9:00 AM.
SATURDAY WORSHIP, 5:00 PM.
CURRENT BIBLE STUDIES:
THE BOOK OF REVELATION, SUNDAYS, 9:00 AM.
MEN'S BIBLE STUDY ON THE LECTIONARY, TUESDAYS, 8:00 AM.
LENT 2025: THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE
The season of Lent is a great time to get involved in the life of our parish. Join us as we continue to worship, pray, praise, and give thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We rejoice that we can serve our Lord and other people. Working together, we can do great things for God. Remember, you can make a difference! Join our efforts to share God’s love in Christ. Help us to serve others and to reach out to our community with God’s grace, mercy and compassion.
Our Lenten Services will look at the Passion of our Lord according to St. Luke. We will feature:
+ March 5: ASH WEDNESDAY: 7:00 PM: “Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus.”
+ March 12: LENT 2: 7:00 PM: “Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives.”
+ March 19 LENT 3: 7:00 PM: “Jesus is Arrested.”
+ March 26: LENT 4: 7:00 PM: “Peter Disowns Jesus.”
+ April 2: LENT 5: 7:00 PM: “Jesus Before Pilate and Herod.”
+ April 9: LENT 6: 7:00 PM: “The Crucifixion of Jesus.”
“Do Not Worry So Much”: A Sermon on Matthew 6:25-34
Did you hear the story about the man who told his friend, “I’m in big trouble. I have a mountain of credit card debt. I have lost my job. My car is being repossessed and my house is in foreclosure. But, do you know what? I am not worried about it at all.” His friend said, “You’re not worried about it? How is that possible?” The man said, “I’ve hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying for me. Now, I don’t have to think about it.” “Why, that’s fantastic! How much does your professional worrier charge?” “He charges $5,000 a year,” the man replied. “But where are you going to get that kind of money?” his friend asked. The man calmly replied, “I don’t know. That’s his worry!”
Worry affects each and every one of us. If I were to ask how many of us are worried about something today, I wouldn’t be surprised if all of us raised our hands. There are certainly a lot of things we can worry about. We worry about our health. We worry about that latest pain that’s been bothering us. We are afraid of going to the doctor because he may find something wrong with us. We worry about our spouses, our children, our grandchildren. We have family problems that keep us up at night.
We worry about the economy. We are fearful about the future and our financial security. We are afraid of losing our job or the company we work for downsizing. We worry about our country and the direction we are headed in. There are certainly a lot of things we can worry about nowadays. Too much worrying can be dangerous for us. There is an old Russian folktale that describes the dangers of worry.
The story is told of how Death was walking toward a small village one morning. A man saw Death approaching and asked, “What are you going to do?” “I’m going to take 50 people today.” “That’s horrible!” the man said. “That’s the way it is,” Death said. “That’s what I do.” The man hurried to warn everyone he could about Death’s plan. As evening fell, he met Death again. “You told me you were going to take 50 people,” the man said, “But over 100 people died!” “I kept my word,” Death responded. “I only took 50 people. Worry took all the others.”
This story reminds us that worry can have a negative impact on our health. It’s been said that about 40% of all adults suffer health problems due to worry and stress, and about 50% of all visits to primary care physicians are stress-related disorders. Add to that all those nights without sleep and you get a picture of the havoc worry plays in wrecking our quality of life.
But look at what Jesus says about worry in Matthew 6. He says, “Do not be anxious about your life, about what you will eat or what you will drink. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Our Lord makes a bold statement here. In effect, Jesus says, “There’s more to life than just worrying all the time. Why are you so anxious and afraid? Don’t you have faith that God will take care of you and provide for all of your needs?”
You might say, “Look, I know Jesus says this, but that’s impossible for me to do right now. You don’t know what I’m going through in my life. Things are pretty bad. I’m really worried about my situation.”
But again, our Lord says, “Why don’t you just stop worrying about your life for a minute and take a look at the birds of the air. Consider the lilies of the field. Take a good look at God’s creation. Can you see how the Father provides each day for the birds, the animals, the plants, and everything else? God is constantly at work, taking care of everything in this entire universe - don’t you think that God will take care of you and help you in your hour of need?”
Do you see what Christ is doing here? He kind of shakes us by the shoulders and snaps us back to reality - God’s reality. We sometimes get so wrapped up in our problems we lose sight of the big picture. We lose sight of God’s kingdom. And when that happens, we can start to lose our faith. Jesus says, “O you of little faith! Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Consider again the lilies of the field, how they grow, they neither toil nor spin, yet not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these.”
It’s true. God feeds the birds and clothes the fields with flowers, and he will also feed and clothe us. It is our “little faith” that hinders us from seeing this reality. God is constantly at work in our world and in our life. Jesus says, “Consider the lilies.” Lilies grow from a deep root. The roots of a lily grow deep down in the soil to receive the nourishment it needs. In the same way, the roots of believers need to run deep into the spiritual nourishment God provides. Our roots should be going down deep into the rich soil of God’s love in Christ.
Paul says in Colossians, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” That is the perfect antidote for worry and anxiety. Be rooted and built up in Christ. Remember the faith you were taught. Overflow with thankfulness to God. Continue to receive Christ Jesus as your Lord.
Our Lord says, “Do not be anxious. Do not worry so much and say, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all this will be added to you.” Notice again how Christ says, “Your heavenly Father knows what you need.” You may think that you are all alone and no one understands what you are going through. But God knows. He knows exactly what you’re facing in your life today. He understands your situation completely.
God knows what you need. He knows you need help and deliverance. He knows you need forgiveness and spiritual renewal. He knows you need his help. He knows you need Jesus. That’s why the Father sent his Son into our world. The Son of God becomes flesh and blood, just like us. He knew exactly what it was like to need food and drink, clothing and shelter. Jesus lived our life. He got hungry and thirsty; he was tired and exhausted. He had to sleep and eat, just like everyone else.
And he faced all the problems we face. In fact, he carries all of our burdens and troubles and heartaches. He carries all of our guilt and regrets, all of our sins and mistakes, all of our failures and defeats - and he takes all of that to the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ dies for you on that cross. He puts to rest all of your deepest worries so that you might enjoy his blessing and rest. “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Our heavenly Father richly provides for us. He provides the cross and resurrection of his Son. He provides forgiveness, life and salvation. He provides baptism and Holy Communion and prayer. He gives to us everything we need so that we might be a part of his kingdom forever.
That’s precisely why you can let go of all of your worrying about your life. God is in control! He knows what you need. Our heavenly Father will provide for you. You should trust in God’s love and grace, especially when you face those hard times.
The apostle Peter says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Peter says you can cast all your worries on God because he truly cares for you. God wants for you to hand over to him every single worry and concern you have. Give all your worries to God, and let him worry about it!
We can even say that God is our professional worrier (and the cost is totally free). All you have to do is give him your cares and concerns, and he will take care of them. Let God worry about it. In this way, you can let go of the regrets of yesterday. You can discard all your fears about tomorrow. You can cast all your anxiety on God.
Yes, simply let them all go and let God take over. He can do your worrying for you. He can carry the load. He will deal with it. Let God take over your life. Commit yourself to him. Christ our Lord says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow can worry about itself. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Do not worry so much, but live by faith each day. Put God first in your life. Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well.” Amen!
Did you hear the story about the man who told his friend, “I’m in big trouble. I have a mountain of credit card debt. I have lost my job. My car is being repossessed and my house is in foreclosure. But, do you know what? I am not worried about it at all.” His friend said, “You’re not worried about it? How is that possible?” The man said, “I’ve hired a professional worrier. He does all my worrying for me. Now, I don’t have to think about it.” “Why, that’s fantastic! How much does your professional worrier charge?” “He charges $5,000 a year,” the man replied. “But where are you going to get that kind of money?” his friend asked. The man calmly replied, “I don’t know. That’s his worry!”
Worry affects each and every one of us. If I were to ask how many of us are worried about something today, I wouldn’t be surprised if all of us raised our hands. There are certainly a lot of things we can worry about. We worry about our health. We worry about that latest pain that’s been bothering us. We are afraid of going to the doctor because he may find something wrong with us. We worry about our spouses, our children, our grandchildren. We have family problems that keep us up at night.
We worry about the economy. We are fearful about the future and our financial security. We are afraid of losing our job or the company we work for downsizing. We worry about our country and the direction we are headed in. There are certainly a lot of things we can worry about nowadays. Too much worrying can be dangerous for us. There is an old Russian folktale that describes the dangers of worry.
The story is told of how Death was walking toward a small village one morning. A man saw Death approaching and asked, “What are you going to do?” “I’m going to take 50 people today.” “That’s horrible!” the man said. “That’s the way it is,” Death said. “That’s what I do.” The man hurried to warn everyone he could about Death’s plan. As evening fell, he met Death again. “You told me you were going to take 50 people,” the man said, “But over 100 people died!” “I kept my word,” Death responded. “I only took 50 people. Worry took all the others.”
This story reminds us that worry can have a negative impact on our health. It’s been said that about 40% of all adults suffer health problems due to worry and stress, and about 50% of all visits to primary care physicians are stress-related disorders. Add to that all those nights without sleep and you get a picture of the havoc worry plays in wrecking our quality of life.
But look at what Jesus says about worry in Matthew 6. He says, “Do not be anxious about your life, about what you will eat or what you will drink. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Our Lord makes a bold statement here. In effect, Jesus says, “There’s more to life than just worrying all the time. Why are you so anxious and afraid? Don’t you have faith that God will take care of you and provide for all of your needs?”
You might say, “Look, I know Jesus says this, but that’s impossible for me to do right now. You don’t know what I’m going through in my life. Things are pretty bad. I’m really worried about my situation.”
But again, our Lord says, “Why don’t you just stop worrying about your life for a minute and take a look at the birds of the air. Consider the lilies of the field. Take a good look at God’s creation. Can you see how the Father provides each day for the birds, the animals, the plants, and everything else? God is constantly at work, taking care of everything in this entire universe - don’t you think that God will take care of you and help you in your hour of need?”
Do you see what Christ is doing here? He kind of shakes us by the shoulders and snaps us back to reality - God’s reality. We sometimes get so wrapped up in our problems we lose sight of the big picture. We lose sight of God’s kingdom. And when that happens, we can start to lose our faith. Jesus says, “O you of little faith! Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Consider again the lilies of the field, how they grow, they neither toil nor spin, yet not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these.”
It’s true. God feeds the birds and clothes the fields with flowers, and he will also feed and clothe us. It is our “little faith” that hinders us from seeing this reality. God is constantly at work in our world and in our life. Jesus says, “Consider the lilies.” Lilies grow from a deep root. The roots of a lily grow deep down in the soil to receive the nourishment it needs. In the same way, the roots of believers need to run deep into the spiritual nourishment God provides. Our roots should be going down deep into the rich soil of God’s love in Christ.
Paul says in Colossians, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” That is the perfect antidote for worry and anxiety. Be rooted and built up in Christ. Remember the faith you were taught. Overflow with thankfulness to God. Continue to receive Christ Jesus as your Lord.
Our Lord says, “Do not be anxious. Do not worry so much and say, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all this will be added to you.” Notice again how Christ says, “Your heavenly Father knows what you need.” You may think that you are all alone and no one understands what you are going through. But God knows. He knows exactly what you’re facing in your life today. He understands your situation completely.
God knows what you need. He knows you need help and deliverance. He knows you need forgiveness and spiritual renewal. He knows you need his help. He knows you need Jesus. That’s why the Father sent his Son into our world. The Son of God becomes flesh and blood, just like us. He knew exactly what it was like to need food and drink, clothing and shelter. Jesus lived our life. He got hungry and thirsty; he was tired and exhausted. He had to sleep and eat, just like everyone else.
And he faced all the problems we face. In fact, he carries all of our burdens and troubles and heartaches. He carries all of our guilt and regrets, all of our sins and mistakes, all of our failures and defeats - and he takes all of that to the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ dies for you on that cross. He puts to rest all of your deepest worries so that you might enjoy his blessing and rest. “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Our heavenly Father richly provides for us. He provides the cross and resurrection of his Son. He provides forgiveness, life and salvation. He provides baptism and Holy Communion and prayer. He gives to us everything we need so that we might be a part of his kingdom forever.
That’s precisely why you can let go of all of your worrying about your life. God is in control! He knows what you need. Our heavenly Father will provide for you. You should trust in God’s love and grace, especially when you face those hard times.
The apostle Peter says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Peter says you can cast all your worries on God because he truly cares for you. God wants for you to hand over to him every single worry and concern you have. Give all your worries to God, and let him worry about it!
We can even say that God is our professional worrier (and the cost is totally free). All you have to do is give him your cares and concerns, and he will take care of them. Let God worry about it. In this way, you can let go of the regrets of yesterday. You can discard all your fears about tomorrow. You can cast all your anxiety on God.
Yes, simply let them all go and let God take over. He can do your worrying for you. He can carry the load. He will deal with it. Let God take over your life. Commit yourself to him. Christ our Lord says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow can worry about itself. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Do not worry so much, but live by faith each day. Put God first in your life. Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well.” Amen!
If you have a question about our church or our schedule, please email us.
Click the button below.
OUR CHURCH HOME IS:
- A PLACE FOR WORSHIP: We meet together to worship Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We joyfully give Christ our praise, adoration and thanksgiving. We come to receive his blessing and gifts. Worship is a special time of spiritual refreshment and renewal. Join us this weekend! Receive God's peace in Christ.
- A PLACE FOR LEARNING: Studying the Bible is vital. We believe its message and accept it as God’s Word. The Bible is truthful, alive and relevant to life today. Learning the Scriptures together is a thrilling adventure. We offer several different Bible Studies every week to strengthen your spiritual life.
- A PLACE FOR ENRICHMENT: For every person at every age level, we offer a wealth of opportunities – special programs, service projects and events for children, youth and adults. You can be sure that in this kaleidoscope of activities there’s more than one place where you can be personally enriched.
- A PLACE FOR FRIENDSHIP: Nothing quite compares to the joy of Christian friendship. That’s why we make it a priority to build lasting bonds between the members of our church family – bonds of concern and genuine commitment to one another. Best of all, this circle of care is ever widening. We’d love for it to include you, too!
- A PLACE FOR SERVICE: Just as our Lord Jesus Christ came "not to be served, but to serve," we accept our calling to reach out to others in mercy and compassion. We seek to serve our Lord and our community. We are called to serve all people with love, mercy, and compassion. Join us as we work together to glorify God's name!
Pastor Heide posts Sermons and Bible Studies regularly on his Substack.
Click the link below to check it out.
His blog is called, "Jesus Christ Is Alive."
Click the link below to check it out.
His blog is called, "Jesus Christ Is Alive."
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