The Twin Steeples Podcast

February 18, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 1:16-17

 

Announcements

• John Hein’s victory service
• Church Council
• Music Call for 2026-2027
• Ash Wednesday Service
• Soup Supper
• Board of Elders
• Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies Bible Study
• Weekend Worship
  • Bible Class - The Resurrection of Jesus
  • Sunday School - The Temptation of Jesus
• Sunday School Teacher's Meeting
• Board of Education

 

Prayer List 

• Lynette Roehl
• Pastor Tim Wheaton
• Jim Lien
• Becky
• Family of Pastor John Hein
• Marvin Schweim
• Erinn Bergemann
• Preaching and Hearing of God's Word this Lent
• Mission in India

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 141 “Enslaved by Sin and Bound in Chains”

Sermon - February 15, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on February 15, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: John 11:47-57 (NKJV)

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48  “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” 49  And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 51  Now this he did not say on his own [authority]; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52  and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53  Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. 54  Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. 55  And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56  Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” 57  Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.

Theme: One Man Would Die for the People 

Hymn 354 - In the Cross of Christ I Glory

This is the last weekend before we enter the seven weeks of Lent, during which we mediate on the suffering and death of Jesus and its meaning for sinners. Our theme this weekend leads us into that thoughtful meditation. Why was the cross necessary? What was accomplished through it?

We will be singing "In the Cross of Christ I glory" by John Bowring this weekend. This hymn is more emotional and personal than we might be used to from Lutheran hymn writers. While it is based on truths from Scripture, it is not a teaching hymn, as much as a reflective, contemplative hymn. 

Galatians 6:14 serves as one of the main passages brought out by this hymn. There Paul writes: "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

In both the good and the trouble of this life, the work of Jesus stands as the most important and impactful event of history. It is our comfort in times of trial, and it remains our confidence in times of success. Just as the LORD worked through the good and evil in the lives of His people (like Joseph, David, and Peter), the LORD also sanctifies the good and the bad of your life. He uses it to His glory just as Paul declares in Romans 8:28: "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." 

Thanks be to God! Thank Him for the confidence that is ours in sins forgiven and eternal life because of the work of Jesus at the cross. Reflect on that truth during this upcoming Lenten season. Rejoice in the peace and the joy that are now yours by God's grace, through the cross!

May the LORD bless your proclamation of His praises this weekend!

February 11, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 1:8-15

 

Announcements

• ERC Meeting
• Early Out Today
• Youth Group
• Board of Education
• Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies Bible Study
• Weekend Worship
  • Bible Class - Death and Resurrection of Jesus
  • Sunday School - The Baptism of Jesus
• Board of Deacons
• Women's Study Guild
• Church Council
• Ash Wednesday - February 18
• Lenten Soup Supper

 

Prayer List 

• Family of Pastor John Hein
• Lynette Roehl
• Pastor Tim Wheaton
• Jim Lien
• Becky
• Members at a Distance
• Mission in Bangladesh

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 470 “Rise Again, Ye Lion-Hearted”

Sermon - February 8, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on February 8, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: John 11:20-27 (NKJV)

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 "But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

 

Theme: Our Death Defying Savior

1. Announces His Coming Victory

2. Invites Us to Declare His Victory