Following state orders, we have suspended our indoor Sunday worship gatherings.
We are currently meeting for OUTDOOR worship services in the courtyard/parking lot
of First Lutheran Church of Venice, with a single worship service at 10:00 a.m. Our weekly
worship service is livestreamed on our YouTube page (First Lutheran Church Venice).

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Join us for OUTDOOR worship each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.

Messages by John Palka

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March 15, 2020

Martin Luther's and Our Response to Contagions

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

March 8, 2020

The Birth of the King

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

March 1, 2020

Rebuilding the Walls

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

February 23, 2020

The Queen of Beauty and Courage

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

February 16, 2020

The Return Home

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

February 9, 2020

Daniel in Exile

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

February 2, 2020

The Kingdoms' Fall

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

January 12, 2020

A Kingdom Torn in Two

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

January 5, 2020

The King Who Had It All

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

December 29, 2019

The Dark Side of Christmas

Pastor: John Palka

December 15, 2019

Doubt and Greatness

Pastor: John Palka

November 24, 2019

From Shepherd to King

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

November 3, 2019

The Faith of a Foreign Woman

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

October 27, 2019

A Few Good Men...and Women

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

October 20, 2019

The Battle Begins

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

October 13, 2019

Wandering

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

October 6, 2019

New Commands and a New Covenant

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

September 29, 2019

Deliverance

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

September 22, 2019

Joseph: From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story

September 8, 2019

Creation: The Beginning of Life as We Know It

Pastor: John Palka Series: The Story Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2, 26-31

September 1, 2019

The Ultimate Story of God

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Romans 15:4

August 25, 2019

The Great Commission & Hospitality

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

August 18, 2019

Acts 26-28: To the Ends of the Earth

Pastor: John Palka Series: Acts: God in Our Word Scripture: Acts 26–28

July 7, 2019

Acts 6: The Church Responds to Prejudice

Pastor: John Palka Series: Acts: God in Our Word Scripture: Acts 6

June 30, 2019

Acts 5-6: Challenges to the Church

Pastor: John Palka Series: Acts: God in Our Word Scripture: Acts 5–6

June 23, 2019

The Church in Jerusalem

Pastor: John Palka

June 16, 2019

Trinity: Why Bother?

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Acts 2:36-37

June 9, 2019

Pentecost: How does God carry out His work?

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

June 2, 2019

The Strength of Being ONE in Christ

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 17:20-26

May 26, 2019

Building Bridges: Integrity

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

May 19, 2019

Building Bridges: Grace

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Acts 11:1-10

May 12, 2019

Building Bridges: Trust

Pastor: John Palka

May 5, 2019

Building Bridges with Mutual Respect

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

April 21, 2019

Building Bridges

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

April 14, 2019

Looking for a King

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 21:1-9

March 31, 2019

Facing Betrayal

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 22:47-52

March 24, 2019

Prayer and Hardship

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 22:39-46

March 17, 2019

Get in the Game - Serve

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 13

March 3, 2019

How Do You See Jesus, Fuzzy or Clearly?

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

February 24, 2019

Encountering God

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

February 17, 2019

Gratitude

Pastor: John Palka

February 10, 2019

Your Spiritual Wellness and Community

Pastor: John Palka Series: Our Spiritual Wellness

January 27, 2019

Spiritual Wellness and Worship

Pastor: John Palka Series: Our Spiritual Wellness Scripture: Revelation 4:8b, 5

January 20, 2019

Our Spiritual Wellness and the Word

Pastor: John Palka Series: Our Spiritual Wellness Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

January 13, 2019

Our Spiritual Wellness and Jesus

Pastor: John Palka Series: Our Spiritual Wellness Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-19a

December 30, 2018

Return My Gift! Why?

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 2:34-35

December 24, 2018

Jesus: Re-Writing Our Stories

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 2

December 16, 2018

The Spirit of Patience

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-4a, 8-10

November 18, 2018

Let It Shine: Your Spiritual Journey

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

November 4, 2018

Let It Shine: Fruitful Lives

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 15:1-8

October 28, 2018

Let It Shine: Unconditional Acceptance

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

October 14, 2018

Resetting Others: Difficult People

Pastor: John Palka Series: Resetting the Home

September 30, 2018

Resetting the Workplace: Boss

Pastor: John Palka Series: Resetting the Home

September 9, 2018

Resetting the Home: Marriage

Pastor: John Palka Series: Resetting the Home Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

September 2, 2018

Compassion: Environment

Pastor: John Palka Series: Compassion Scripture: Genesis 1:24-31

August 26, 2018

Compassion's Key: Forgiveness

Pastor: John Palka Series: Compassion Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

August 19, 2018

Compassion: Social Justice

Pastor: John Palka Series: Compassion Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:1-4

August 5, 2018

Compassion

Pastor: John Palka Series: Compassion Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

July 29, 2018

Summer of Psalms: Psalm 146

Pastor: John Palka Series: Summer of Psalms Scripture: Psalm 146

July 22, 2018

Summer of Psalms: Psalm 19

Pastor: John Palka Series: Summer of Psalms Scripture: Psalm 19

July 8, 2018

Summer of Psalms: Psalm 32

Pastor: John Palka Series: Summer of Psalms Scripture: Psalm 32

June 24, 2018

Summer of Psalms: Psalm 1

Pastor: John Palka Series: Summer of Psalms Scripture: Psalm 1

June 17, 2018

Portraits of Grace: Jacob

Pastor: John Palka Series: Portraits of Grace Scripture: Genesis 32:22-30

June 10, 2018

Portraits of Grace: Sarai

Pastor: John Palka Series: Portraits of Grace Scripture: Genesis 16:1-6

June 3, 2018

Portraits of Grace: Moses

Pastor: John Palka Series: Portraits of Grace Scripture: Numbers 20:1-12

May 27, 2018

Portraits of Grace: Aaron

Pastor: John Palka Series: Portraits of Grace Scripture: Exodus 32

May 20, 2018

Challenges and Dangers of Pentecost

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Acts 2:17

May 13, 2018

It’s a Good Thing Jesus is in Heaven

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 24:44-54

May 6, 2018

Adulting: Establishing Boundaries

Pastor: John Palka Series: Adulting: Maturing in Christ's Image Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

April 29, 2018

Adulting: Investing in Others

Pastor: John Palka Series: Adulting: Maturing in Christ's Image Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

April 15, 2018

Adulting: Accepting Responsibility

Pastor: John Palka Series: Adulting: Maturing in Christ's Image Scripture: Luke 24:36-49

April 8, 2018

Adulting: Guarding Your Heart

Pastor: John Palka Series: Adulting: Maturing in Christ's Image Scripture: John 20:28

April 1, 2018

Living Jesus’ Resurrection

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 20:1–18

March 29, 2018

The Church's Feast

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 26:26–30

March 21, 2018

God’s Will Leads to the Unexpected

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 24:44–49

March 11, 2018

God's Grace

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Ephesians 2:8–10

March 7, 2018

God's Will and My Journey

Pastor: John Palka

March 4, 2018

Is It Real or Counterfeit

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 2:13–25

February 25, 2018

How Certainty Leads to Joy

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Romans 5:1–11

February 21, 2018

God's Will and My Inadequacy

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Exodus 3-4

February 18, 2018

Spiritual Rhythms and Lent

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Mark 1:9–1:15

February 14, 2018

God's Will and God's Promise

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Hebrews 11:8–11:19

February 11, 2018

The Transfiguration of Jesus

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Mark 9:2–9:9

February 4, 2018

God's Multiplying Kingdom

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-27

January 28, 2018

Our Faith Says Go

Pastor: John Palka

January 21, 2018

Gathered to Grow

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 22:34–22:39

January 14, 2018

Our Gathering God

Pastor: John Palka

December 25, 2017

The Word Became Flesh

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 1:14

December 24, 2017

The Surprises of Christmas

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 2:4-7

December 17, 2017

Confidence in Jesus

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

December 10, 2017

Jesus: The Greatest Gift

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

December 3, 2017

The Coming of Eternity

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

November 22, 2017

Bridges and Barriers to Thanksgiving

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

November 19, 2017

Giving Thanks or Grumbling?

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

November 12, 2017

Living God’s Plan...Generosity

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

October 29, 2017

Lost and Found: The Gospel of Jesus

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 13:44-50

October 15, 2017

A Gospel-Shaped Venice: Mercy

Pastor: John Palka Series: A Gospel-Shaped Venice Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

October 8, 2017

A Gospel-Shaped Venice: Love

Pastor: John Palka Series: A Gospel-Shaped Venice Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

October 1, 2017

A Gospel-Shaped Venice: Reconciliation

Pastor: John Palka Series: A Gospel-Shaped Venice Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

September 24, 2017

A Gospel-Shaped Venice: Justice

Pastor: John Palka Series: A Gospel-Shaped Venice Scripture: Amos 5:21-24

September 17, 2017

A Gospel-Shaped Venice: Shalom

Pastor: John Palka Series: A Gospel-Shaped Venice Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31

September 3, 2017

Jesus' Love vs. Racism

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

August 27, 2017

The Gift of Sacrificial Love

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 4:14-23

August 20, 2017

That Ever So Elusive...Contentment

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

August 13, 2017

A Healthy or Junk-Food Diet of Thought

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 4:4-10

July 30, 2017

Follow My Example

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 3:15-21

July 23, 2017

Never Satisfied

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

July 16, 2017

The Passion of Knowing Jesus

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 3:7-12

July 2, 2017

Philippians 2: Shining Like Stars

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

June 25, 2017

United in Christ, We Strive

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

June 18, 2017

The Good News Knows No Barrier

Pastor: John Palka Series: Philippians: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

June 11, 2017

The Divine Dance of God

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

June 4, 2017

The Power of Pentecost

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

May 28, 2017

Wisdom: Some Things Aren't Worth Dying For

Pastor: John Palka Series: Daniel: Thriving in Babylon Scripture: Daniel 9:1-5

May 21, 2017

The Power of Humble

Pastor: John Palka Series: Daniel: Thriving in Babylon Scripture: Daniel 4:19

May 7, 2017

Hope, the Elixir of Life

Pastor: John Palka Series: Daniel: Thriving in Babylon Scripture: Daniel 6:21-22

April 30, 2017

God is Greater Than Our Problems and Pain

Pastor: John Palka Series: Daniel: Thriving in Babylon Scripture: Daniel 2:17-18

April 16, 2017

Jesus' Resurrection Changes Everything

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 11:25

April 13, 2017

Jesus Shows Us God's Good

Pastor: John Palka Topic: Maundy Thursday Scripture: John 13:1-17, 31-35

April 9, 2017

Welcoming Jesus as Savior

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 12:12-19

April 2, 2017

So Where Do I Find Life?

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 11:41-44

March 26, 2017

Living in the Light

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

March 19, 2017

Revealing God's Heart

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 4:5-26

March 12, 2017

Called to Journey

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

March 5, 2017

Living a Countercultural Life

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

March 1, 2017

The Great Exchange

Pastor: John Palka Topic: Ash Wednesday Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21

February 26, 2017

What is Discipleship?

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

February 19, 2017

Living as Sent

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 20:19-23

February 12, 2017

Life Together

Pastor: John Palka Scripture: John 13:34