Fear at Christmas?

This is the video version of Pastor Bramwell’s December 2022 letter to St. Mark.

If the divinity of Christ terrifies you, if His majesty crushes you, then think on His humanity. Consider that God Almighty came to you as an infant. He loves you. At His Nativity, we see that Jesus came to comfort and confirm the repentant conscience.

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John the Baptist and Our Joy in Jesus | Sermon

Pastor Bramwell preached this sermon on Matthew 11:2-11 for the Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete) on December 11, 2022.

Sermon Notes

Why does sinning hurt the Christian’s heart?

What is required of stewards according to 1 Corinthians 4:2?

Christians don’t numb their hearts to sin. How do we deal with sin?

Does the life of John the Baptist teach us to expect a comfortable life of ease because we follow Jesus? What does his life reveal about the Christian life?

Whom does Jesus say is greater the John the Baptist?

How does Romans 8:18 encourage you to rejoice in Jesus?


St. Mark Lutheran Church posts Rev. Bramwell’s sermons online for the sake of the members of our congregation who are unable to gather with us due to illness, work, etc. This resource is not intended to discourage anyone from gathering in person around God’s Word and Sacraments. Matthew 18:20 and Hebrews 10:25 make it clear that God’s Divine Service is meant to be experienced physically with other Christians.

We give thanks to God that these sermons are a blessing to you and pray that if you’re in Humboldt County, you will join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM as God wills. (See the map below for directions.) If you’re not within driving distance of Ferndale CA, we encourage you to use the Church Locator at LCMS.org to find a church near you so you can gather in person with the communion of saints in your area.


Ancient Apocalypse, The Flood, and the Migdal of Babel | Cross Defense

Listen every Saturday at 9 AM (Pacific) at KFUO.org or on your favorite podcast app.

Graham Hancock’s hit Netflix show, Ancient Apocalypse, has stirred up controversy. It goes against mainstream science and is all about the memory of a global flood preserved in mankind’s ancient structures. Did an advanced pre-flood civilization exist? Did they teach post-flood people groups their technology? What does this have to do with the pyramids and the stars? Excite your theological imaginations and let’s get into the book of Genesis for some answers.

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Check out previous episodes of Cross Defense here or at KFUO.org


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There Will Be Signs: Scientism and Christ’s Return | Sermon

Pastor Bramwell preached this sermon on Luke 21:25-36 for the Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion) on December 4, 2022.

Sermon Notes

What does Jesus say will happen when your redemption draws near?

What should the signs cause us to remember?

What are we to do when we see and hear the distress of the nations and all the other signs?

“For the word of the __________ is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being _________ it is the power of God… Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God, the world didn’t know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to ____________ those who believe.” (1 Cor. 1:18, 20b-21). 

What is the point of the signs and of this sermon?


St. Mark Lutheran Church posts Rev. Bramwell’s sermons online for the sake of the members of our congregation who are unable to gather with us due to illness, work, etc. This resource is not intended to discourage anyone from gathering in person around God’s Word and Sacraments. Matthew 18:20 and Hebrews 10:25 make it clear that God’s Divine Service is meant to be experienced physically with other Christians.

We give thanks to God that these sermons are a blessing to you and pray that if you’re in Humboldt County, you will join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM as God wills. (See the map below for directions.) If you’re not within driving distance of Ferndale CA, we encourage you to use the Church Locator at LCMS.org to find a church near you so you can gather in person with the communion of saints in your area.


Christian Parents Matter to Kids, and the Nation | Cross Defense

Listen every Saturday at 9 AM (Pacific) at KFUO.org or on your favorite podcast app.

Luther Classical College’s November mailer continues the conversation about Sunday School and the parental responsibility of training children in the Christian faith. But why do pastors care so much about this? Martin Luther and C.F.W. Walther articulate the answer. Christian parents matter to kids! They’re also the solution to every problem that plagues our society.

Check out Luther Classical College: Lutherclassical.org

Family Vocation book: https://www.amazon.com/Family-Vocation-Marriage-Parenting-Childhood/dp/1433524066


 Google Podcasts  //  Apple Podcasts  //  iHeartRadio  //  Stitcher  //  Spotify  //  TuneIn  //  Podbean 

Check out previous episodes of Cross Defense here or at KFUO.org


Subscribe and we’ll email you when we post new content!

The Hour Has Come | Sermon

Pastor Bramwell preached this sermon on Romans 13:11 for the First Sunday in Advent (Ad Te Levavi) on November 27, 2022.

Sermon Notes

What is the short season of Advent all about?

What are the three comings of Jesus highlighted during Advent (“advent” means coming/arrival)?

What can we learn from pregnant mothers (Mary, the mother of Jesus) during the season of Advent?

As the calendar moves us closer to the celebration of Christmas, what else does it move us closer to?

Romans 13:11 says, “salvation is nearer to us ______ than when we first __________.”


St. Mark Lutheran Church posts Rev. Bramwell’s sermons online for the sake of the members of our congregation who are unable to gather with us due to illness, work, etc. This resource is not intended to discourage anyone from gathering in person around God’s Word and Sacraments. Matthew 18:20 and Hebrews 10:25 make it clear that God’s Divine Service is meant to be experienced physically with other Christians.

We give thanks to God that these sermons are a blessing to you and pray that if you’re in Humboldt County, you will join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM as God wills. (See the map below for directions.) If you’re not within driving distance of Ferndale CA, we encourage you to use the Church Locator at LCMS.org to find a church near you so you can gather in person with the communion of saints in your area.


No Kids for Sunday School and the Prom Phenomenon | Cross Defense

Listen every Saturday at 9 AM (Pacific) at KFUO.org or on your favorite podcast app.

What should we do when there aren’t enough kids to have Sunday School? Do we need Sunday School? Is Sunday School biblical? Where did it come from? When did it become the norm? Who is Robert Raikes and what does John Dewey have to do with Sunday School? How does it relate to the Small Catechism and what on earth is the Prom Phenomenon? We answer all these questions and a few more in this episode.


 Google Podcasts  //  Apple Podcasts  //  iHeartRadio  //  Stitcher  //  Spotify  //  TuneIn  //  Podbean 

Check out previous episodes of Cross Defense here or at KFUO.org


Subscribe and we’ll email you when we post new content!

The Darker the Night, the Brighter the Light | Sermon

Pastor Bramwell preached this sermon on Matthew 25:1-13 for the Last Sunday of the Church Year on November 20, 2022.

Sermon Notes

The Kingdom of God is yours because you are…?

How does St. John describe Jesus in the first chapter of his gospel?

What were you given when you were baptized?

Who is your current oil dealer?

What is the oil for your lamp?

How will the Day of the Lord come? 

How can you see it?


St. Mark Lutheran Church posts Rev. Bramwell’s sermons online for the sake of the members of our congregation who are unable to gather with us due to illness, work, etc. This resource is not intended to discourage anyone from gathering in person around God’s Word and Sacraments. Matthew 18:20 and Hebrews 10:25 make it clear that God’s Divine Service is meant to be experienced physically with other Christians.

We give thanks to God that these sermons are a blessing to you and pray that if you’re in Humboldt County, you will join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM as God wills. (See the map below for directions.) If you’re not within driving distance of Ferndale CA, we encourage you to use the Church Locator at LCMS.org to find a church near you so you can gather in person with the communion of saints in your area.


Christian Nationalism | Cross Defense

Listen every Saturday at 9 AM (Pacific) at KFUO.org or on your favorite podcast app.

Journalists say Christian Nationalism is on the rise. What is it? How is the term used? Do people want to be associated with it? The Augsburg Confession is a helpful place to start the conversation. Plus, we learn about the faithfulness of our third-century Christian brother, Alexamenos, and overcoming verbal allergens.


 Google Podcasts  //  Apple Podcasts  //  iHeartRadio  //  Stitcher  //  Spotify  //  TuneIn  //  Podbean 

Check out previous episodes of Cross Defense here or at KFUO.org


Subscribe and we’ll email you when we post new content!

Partnership in Christ’s Forgiveness | Sermon

Pastor Bramwell preached this sermon on Matthew 18:21-35 for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity on November 13, 2022.

Sermon Notes

In what have you been granted partnership?

What part of the Lord’s Prayer is related to today’s Gospel reading?

What was true of the apostle was true of the _______________, just as what was true of Christ is true of the ______________. What does this mean with respect to Matthew 10:40-42 and what Jesus teaches about a prophet’s reward?

We are joyful recipients of…?

Personal Reflection: What does being a partner in Christ’s forgiveness look like in your life?


St. Mark Lutheran Church posts Rev. Bramwell’s sermons online for the sake of the members of our congregation who are unable to gather with us due to illness, work, etc. This resource is not intended to discourage anyone from gathering in person around God’s Word and Sacraments. Matthew 18:20 and Hebrews 10:25 make it clear that God’s Divine Service is meant to be experienced physically with other Christians.

We give thanks to God that these sermons are a blessing to you and pray that if you’re in Humboldt County, you will join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM as God wills. (See the map below for directions.) If you’re not within driving distance of Ferndale CA, we encourage you to use the Church Locator at LCMS.org to find a church near you so you can gather in person with the communion of saints in your area.