Light of the Valleys

Pastor Paul Kolander, from The Springs Lutheran Church in Sparks, leads us today as our guest preacher as we study John 11, where Jesus dramatically reveals himself to be the resurrection and the life for his people.

It's the most popular passage of the Bible -- John 3:16. But what makes it so sweet? Join Light of the Valleys Lutheran today as we take a look at this passage, phrase by phrase, to savor the sweetness.

After his baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus to be tempted by the devil in the wilderness. We will learn about the strategies of the devil by examining his three temptations, and also be comforted by the fact that Jesus is the Champion who has already defeated Satan for his people.

Today we follow three of Jesus' disciples to the top of a mountain to see the Savior's glory. We'll learn that we don't need to fear God's power because we have been redeemed. We'll also learn that we can follow Jesus through all of life's challenges because he is always with us, no matter how difficult our paths may be.

What does it mean to be "blessed"? Blessedness doesn't come from shiny cars or luxurious homes. Today, Jesus invites us to slow down and take in his promises, realizing just how blessed we are through his Word. Message by Pastor Joel Heckendorf is based on Psalm 1:1--2.

Why are you a Christian? In many ways, it sounds like an intimidating question. But as we study the Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, we are reminded that we are Christians because of the undeserved love God had for us even before we were born, and the love that he shows to us every day of our lives.

What makes a person a follower of Jesus? Today we learn that it's not the things that they do or something they earn. It's the Word of God that changes hearts so people follow the Savior. We're reminded of the gospel's power in Matthew 4:12-23.

Is Jesus too small in your eyes? Today's message based on Isaiah 49:1-6 comforts us as we celebrate just what it took for God to send his Son to rescue us.

Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. By taking a look at the account of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, we will be able to see clearly his identity as our Savior. And we'll be able to see our own identity too. Today's message based on Matthew 3:13-18.

Have you ever walked right past something important without even noticing it? God used a star to welcome the wise men from far away, making it clear that Jesus is the Savior for all people. And he’s still doing that today. As you listen, consider how God has welcomed you and how this Savior isn’t just for the world—but for you personally. Message based on Matthew 2:1-12.

On Christmas Eve, our worship focused on one word: Peace. But in Matthew 2, we hear an account that shows that at least outwardly, the world right after the birth of Jesus wasn't very peaceful. There was still pain, sin, and horrific loss. As we study this challenging section of Scripture, we will find comfort in the fact that we have a Savior who was willing to come into a world as broken as this, a Savior who understands our pain, and who keeps his promises even when it seems impossible. Today's message based on Matthew 2:13-23.

Joseph never speaks a recorded word in Scripture, yet his life speaks volumes. Light of the Valleys in Reno invites you to listen in to see how our heavenly Father used this father-figure as a blessing in our Savior's life.

Our family trees sometimes look more like stumps, than trees. Jesus also had his fair share of "stumps" in his lineage. And yet, he was the "shoot" that came out of that stump to bring peace. By God's grace, you, too, have been grafted into his royal family. Light of the Valleys Lutheran Church of Reno invites you to tune in for this message based on Isaiah 11:1-10 & Matthew 1:6-11.

The first person listed on Jesus' family tree is a man named Abraham. Today, we look at an incredible account from Abraham's life in Genesis 15, where he comes to a greater understanding of God's unfailing love.

Join us at Light of the Valleys in Reno as we explore one powerful question Jesus still asks today: ‘What do you want?’ In this sermon, we follow the disciple Andrew’s journey from curiosity to faith and discover Christ’s invitation to ‘Come and see.’ Message based on John 1:39-45.

How long will we have to watch and wait for Jesus to return? We do not know. Jesus said he would return soon. However, the definition of "soon" for the One who has no beginning and end will naturally differ from ours. Whenever Jesus returns, it will take us by surprise. So, how do believers avoid growing lethargic? How do we remain ready and watchful for Christ's return? Our Savior points us to the Bible -- the place where he gives us all the readiness we need!

The world around us is filled with chaos and injustice. It can make Christians wonder, "Is God really in control?" In our readings today we are reminded that God is ruling our world, and that he will bring about justice in his time and in his way. We are also encouraged as we hear that the Lord will keep all of his promises -- most of all his promises to spread the gospel, and bring his people home!

"The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." Those words of Jesus explain his entire mission on earth. Today, we study the story of Zacchaeus, a man who truly was lost in sin. We will hear how this man was found by Jesus, and examine the depths of God's undeserved love to all people -- including us!

Today, we hear words of encouragement for the saints. In the book of Revelation, we will see some pictures of our heavenly home, where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Today's message based on Revelation 21:1-6.

How does the Lord deal with his people during times of distress? How does he give believers victory? A man named Jacob asked similar questions thousands of years ago -- and got some surprising answers. Today we study Genesis 32, where we see the surprising grace and faithfulness the Lord shows his people.