Jesus In the Clarence Center: Recent Episodes
Rako Zech
Beloved, behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called children of God.
A sermon by Pastor Rako from Luke 16:19-31 on September 28, 2025. Jesus does what only He can do; respond in faith!
Pastor Zech brings a challenging message from Jesus in Luke 14. What does it mean to renounce everything?
Pastor Zech brings a message from God's Word in I Timothy chapter 2. Sunday, September 22, 2025.
Sermon for St. Peter and St. Paul Sunday: In step with the truth of the gospel by Rako Zech
God prepared the world for His Son, and God prepared His Son for the world. A sermon from Pastor Zech on December 22, 2024.
Pastor Zech begins an Advent sermon series with Luke and the Gospel's introduction, with a focus on the certainty of our story.
Thank you for joining Pastors Rako Zech and Michael Dobler throughout 2024 (or just today). Thank you Lord for your true and sure promises, fulfilled in Christ!
Thanks for joining us for this double episode as we get near the end of the year. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for joining us for this double episode as we read through the One Year Bible and see our Lord Jesus in the Center!
Thanks for joining us as we continue through the One Year Bible reading plan, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us as we read through the One Year Bible seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us for this double episode as continue through the One Year Bible reading plan, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us for today's readings as we seek to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us for the readings through the prophet Joel and John's Apocalypse as we seek to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us for this double episode during a busy Advent season. God's richest blessings as you seek to hear Jesus in the Center!
Sermon series: "Surprised by Joy!" This week we learn from the great surprise of the announcement of the angel Gabriel to Miriam.
Thanks for joining us for this double header as we continue to read through the One Year Bible plan, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us for this midweek double dose (sorry, no gravy) edition of the One Year Bible!
Thanks for joining us for today's edition of reading the One Year Bible, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us as we continue through the One Year Bible reading plan, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thank you for joining us as we continue through the One Year Bible reading plan seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us as we continue through the One Year Bible reading plan, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us as we continue growing in our faith and reading through the One Year Bible plan, seeking to see Jesus in the Center!
Thanks for joining us today as we continue reading through the One Year Bible reading plan and seek to see Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us as we continue through the One Year Bible reading plan and seek to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us today as we read through the One Year Bible reading plan, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us as we read through the Bible using the One Year Bible reading plan and seek to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us today as we continue through the One Year Bible reading plan, seeking to see our Lord Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us today as we learn about faith, reading the One Year Bible plan and seek to see Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us on this Veterans Day as read through the One Year Bible plan, seeking to see Jesus in the Center!
Thanks for joining us for a weekend edition to read through the One Year Bible reading plan and seek to see Jesus in the Center.
Thanks for joining us as we read the One Year Bible plan and seek to see Jesus in the Center of it all.
Thanks for joining us as we read the One Year Bible Plan and seek to see our Lord Jesus Christ revealed in the Center of it all.
Thanks for joining us we read through the Bible and see our Lord Jesus in the Center of it all.
Thanks for joining us as we seek to see our Lord Jesus in the Center of all He has made.
Thanks for joining us as we continue to read through Lamentations and begin the letter called Hebrews.
Thanks for joining us as we talk about dealing with things as they are, not as we wish they were. God's peace!
Thanks for joining us as we read and ponder God's Word in The One Year Bible reading plan.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Thanks for joining us today!
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Thanks for joining us today!
Thanks for listening as we get back up and running after one of us derelicts was on vacation.
We begin a new book in the New Testament, Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. We read about the conflict of lords and much else.
Much to ponder in our Scriptures today - new life in the light of Christ, Christian marriage, spiritual warfare, the power of God's Word (just to mention a few).
Thank you for joining us as we read through the Bible using The One Year Bible reading plan.
Today we begin the great book of the prophet Isaiah, which many call the 5th Gospel. Thanks for joining us!
Happy Saturday and thanks for listening in as Pastor Rako & Pastor Michael share some thoughts on The Song and Paul's teaching on giving.
Join Pastor Rako and Pastor Michael and Winnie (an ordained puppy) as we discuss the Song of Songs, and some practical (glorious) advice from Paul about using funds to the glory of God.
We hear the final words of the Preacher Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes, and discuss Paul's motivations for giving generously. Thanks for listening. Here's a list of readings for the month: https://bibleinayearonline.com/september-oyb/?version=47&startmmdd=0101
Thanks for joining us as we continue to read God's Word together. For the reading plan, see https://bibleinayearonline.com/daily-oyb/?version=51&startmmdd=0101
Thanks for joining us today as we hear Solomon's despair and hope and as we reflect with the apostle Paul and the promises of God that change everything.
Vanity of vanity, all is vanity cries Solomon...and Paul shows us how he's taken even the worst things in stride for his beloved new Christians at Corinth. God's blessings on this Labor Day.
We come to the end of the Book of Job and see a great reversal, which also happens to be the theme of much of the end of 2 Corinthians 5. Thanks for listening in! Please share any questions or comments to pastorzech@outlook.com
Thanks for listening in - please share your questions or comments at pastorzech@outlook.com
What good are friends if they bring words that don't comfort...and what are the words that would comfort? We throw these ideas around as we look at these Scriptures.
Today we review Job and his discourses with his so-called friends and introduce the comfort of II Corinthians. Thanks for joining us!
Wrestling through the Book of Job and celebrating the risen Lord Jesus in I Corinthians 15. Please share your questions or comments to pastorzech@outlook.com
Thanks for joining us as we continue to ponder the beginnings of the book of Job as well as Paul's directions regarding spiritual gifts during communal worship.
Today we ponder the opposite of our last Old Testament book - in Esther we see great success despite impossible odds. Today in Job we begin the journey of tragedy and testing for Job despite a blessed life beforehand. And in I Corinthians we ponder the supernatural spiritual gifts. Thanks for listening - as always, email questions and comments to pastorzech@outlook.com. We would love to ponder your questions in future episodes.
Thanks for joining Pastor Rako & Pastor Michael as we talk about God's providence and the place of the priority of love in spiritual gifts. Please share your questions and comments with us - you can use pastorzech@outlook.com
Thanks for joining us as we learn from God's Word each day. Today we hear Mordecai speaking to Esther, "Who knows whether you've come into the kingdom for such a time as this?" We will also discuss the gifts of the Spirit. Send questions or comments to pastorzech@outlook.com
Thanks for joining us! Please share any questions or comments with Pastor Zech pastorzech@outlook.com Topics today: God's providence even when all seems lost, and God's rich providing of Himself in the Lord's Supper.
A few topics today: learning a new old faith; the Lord's Supper and why Lutherans believe as they do.
Topics today: The people call for a devoted time to hear the Word of God, mourning and joy in repentance; Paul's example of giving up his rights.
Topics today: Nehemiah's and Paul's giving up their rights for the sake of others; the wall finished in 52 days by God's help and the people's courage; the tricky issue at the time of eating or not eating food offered to idols. Thanks for listening in!
A few of the topics: the end of the world, prayer and a plan of protection, the evil of usury, and vocations of marriage and singleness!
Thanks for joining us as we ponder God's Word. Today we see Ezra reacting to some of the returned exile's grave sins - turns out that's what Paul is dealing with in I Corinthians 5.
Great things to ponder in God's Word today. Pastor Rako Zech joined by Pastor Michael Dobler.
Back at it!, better than ever, with special guest Pastor Michael Dobler from Immanuel Lutheran (check the spelling already)! We are beginning a new epistle: I Corinthians, aka I America.
Solomon becomes king, riding David's mule in to town. The apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit to speak the good news to some people who would prefer they don't. But the church prays and is full of joy. Psalm 124: If Jesus Christ were not on our side, all of our enemies would have swallowed us alive!
The author of II Samuel lists 37 valiant warriors of David - but the king isn't content with that number, so he is incited to sin by getting a count of all his warriors. He sins, faces discipline, and the LORD will use it ultimately for good. In Acts, Peter and John boldly heal and preach and show us what the apostles' teaching includes: Jesus as God's servant, The Holy One, The Righteous One, the AUTHOR OF LIFE(!), The Prophet to come, The "Seed" of Abraham sent to bless the world. Can you take it all in?
Two thoughts on reading the psalms (and giving credit to God working in you), the Day of Pentecost! The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus the risen and ascended pouring-out-the-Holy-Spirit Lord.
David is saved by a loyal and brave friend. A man willingly gives up his life for no reason. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives up his life for good reason, as the perfect Lamb of God. He is buried by brave disciples.
King David on the run, still trusting in God. The Greater King David, the King of Truth, is handed over to be crucified, proclaimed to the world that he is the King of the Jews.
Getting caught up in David's life...as his sin catches up to him. He is forgiven, but the consequences in his family are disastrous. And in the Gospel of John, the Lord of Glory is arrested.
You should know II Samuel 7! David wants to build a house for the LORD, but the LORD will use David to build an eternal house with an eternal king who sits on the eternal throne. In John 15 we rejoice that this King will never leave us.
The assassinators of Ish-Bosheth (David's rival king) are not rewarded. God protects the newly crowned king of Israel. The ark is holy and David is foolish in the eyes of his estranged but returned wife. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!
Abner and Joab engage in battle for sport. It doesn't end well. David's kingdom grows despite some shadiness. King Jesus is the true Servant.
David mourns for the slain king and becomes king only of Judah. In the Gospel of John: the only exorcism (the big one) and the One whose glory Isaiah saw.
The LORD is with David through tragedy. Saul loses hope and life. Mary anoints the true King of Israel for his burial. Wow, so much to learn!
I Sam 20-21: The Lord protects David (through Jonathan), John 9: A blind sees more than the seeing men.
We read of King Saul's jealousy, God's protection for David, and Jesus: Truly, truly, before Abraham was, I am.
Listen in to this sermon from Pastor Zech on the second Sunday of Easter (April 14, 2021).
Listen in to Pastor Zech's 2024 Easter sermon based on Mark 16:1-8. The resurrection of Jesus is Real! It releases & resolves us!
Day 81 (March 22) Jesus In The Center One Year Bible Numbers 33-35, Luke 5.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 80 (March 21) Jesus In The Center One Year Bible Numbers 32-33, Luke 4-5.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 79 Jesus In The Center One Year Bible Numbers 30 - 31, Luke 4.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 78 Jesus In The Center One Year Bible Numbers 28 - 29, Luke 3.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 77 Jesus In The Center One Year Bible: Numbers 26-28, Luke 3, Psalm 61.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 75 of The One Year Bible: Numbers 24 - 25, Luke 2.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 74 of The One Year Bible Numbers 22 - 23, Luke 1.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 73 of The One Year Bible Numbers 21, Luke 1https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 72 of The One Year Bible: Numbers 19-20, Luke 1.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 71 of The One Year Bible: Numbers 16-18, Mark 16.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 70 of The One Year Bible: Numbers 14-15, Mark 15.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 66 of The One Year Bible: Numbers 8-9, Mark 13, Psalm 50, Prov. 10:29-30.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 65 of The One Year Bible (March 6): Numbers 6-7, Mark 12-13, Ps 49, Prov 10.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 47 of The One Year Bible: Leviticus 1-3, Mark 1-2.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 46 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 39-40, Mark 1.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 45 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 37-38, Matthew 28, Psalm 34 & Proverbs 9.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 44 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 35-36, Matthew 27.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 43 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 34-35, Matthew 27.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 42 of The One Year Bible podcast: Exodus 32-33, Matthew 26-27.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 41 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 30-31, Matthew 26, Psalm 32.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 40 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 29-30, Matthew 26.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 39 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 28, Matthew 25-26.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 38 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 26-27, Matthew 25.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 37 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 23-25, Matthew 24.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 36 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 21-23, Matthew 24.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 35 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 19-21, Matthew 23.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 33 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 15-17, Matthew 22, Psalm 27.https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 32 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 13-15, Matthew 21https://www.jesusintheclarencecenter.org/one-year-bible
Day 31 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 12-13, Matthew 21.https://365daybible.com/365-day-bible-reading-schedule/
Day 30 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 10-12, Matthew 20, Psalm 25, Prov 6. https://365daybible.com/365-day-bible-reading-schedule/
Day 28 of The One Year Bible: Exodus 5-7, Matthew 18-19, Psalm 23, Proverbs 5:22-23. https://365daybible.com/365-day-bible-reading-schedule/
Join the St. Paul congregation as we gather around God's Word: the Lord has come to catch us...
Day 19 of The One Year Bible: Genesis 39-41, Matthew 12-13, Psalm 17, Proverbs 3:33-35.
Day 15 of The One Year Bible: Genesis 31-32, Matthew 10-11, Psalm 13, Proverbs 3:16-18.
Day 9 of the Jesus in the Center One Year Bible: Genesis 20-22, Matthew 7, Psalm 9, Proverbs 2.
Day 8 Jesus in the Center One Year Bible: Genesis 18-19, Matthew 6-7, Psalm 8, Proverbs 2.
Listen in as Pastor Zech brings a message based on the coming of the magi's to worship the King of the Jews.
Day 7 of The One Year Bible: Genesis 16-18, Matthew 6, Psalm 7, Proverbs 2. Thanks for listening in!
Day 6 of The One Year Bible: Genesis 13-15, Matthew 5, Psalm 6, Proverbs 1. Thanks for listening in!
Day 5 of Jesus in the Center One Year Bible - Genesis 11-13, Matthew 5, Psalm 5, Proverbs 1. Thanks for listening in!
Day 4 of The One Year Bible includes readings from Genesis 8-10, Matthew 4, Psalm 4, and Proverbs 1. Rako brings some random thoughts!
Reflections and prayers after reading Genesis 5-7, Matthew 3-4, Psalm 3, and Proverbs 1:10-19.
Listen in on the last message of 2023 from Pastor Zech, focusing on Simeon - and all of us - hearing the Word of God.
Pastor Zech brings us a message about Christ, the Light of the World on the darkest week of the year (December 17, 2023).
Some thoughts and prayers as you read Genesis 3-4, Matthew 2-3, Psalm 2, Proverbs 1:7-9. Plus a question sort of answered.
Jesus in the Center One Year Bible Podcast - join Rako Zech as he reads The NET Bible: Psalm 1, Genesis 1-2, Matthew 1-2, Proverbs 1.
Christ is risen! Listen in as we hear the Gospel of Matthew - why it is believable and relevant.
Listen in as the church in Clarence Center ponders God's Word to Isaiah: Comfort, comfort ye my people...you have received from the Lord's hand double for all your iniquity. This sermon is from December 10, 2023.
Listen in as Pastor Ben Eder shares the good news of the coming of Christ, and the different ways He chooses to come to us. This sermon is from December 3, 2023 and the Scripture focus is Mark chapter 11.
In this sermon, Pastor Zech brings us the warnings and promises of Jesus in the parable of the Master who had been gone a long time. Listen in to the good news that is for you!
What words ought to encourage us when a loved ones die? Listen in as Pastor Zech brings us St. Paul's encouraging words from I Thessalonians chapter 4.
In the "Reformation Day" sermon, Pastor Zech shares his favorite comma, and some other good stuff. Listen in!
Jesus was challenged...pay the taxes or not. He answered with the famous, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, render to God what is God's." Listen in on this sermon from Pastor Zech from October 22, 2023 - there is good news for you here!
Jesus tells us about the greatest of all feasts in the parable in Matthew 22. Listen in to this sermon from Pastor Zech on October 15, 2023.
If you are a renter and act like an owner, dude, you're crazy! Yep, own it and repent when you see the kindness and craziness of of God. Pastor Zech brings us a message about The Cornerstone.
Pastor Zech brings a message based on Matthew 28 - forgiven to forgive. Use this message to encourage your meditation and steps of faith.
Good news from Psalm 32 at St. Paul's in Clarence Center. Special thanks to the late Pastor Tim Keller for some of the insights referenced in this sermon.
In this sermon audio, which was rescued from a very bad recording, Pastor Zech reminds us how God deals with suffering.
This is the audio recording from the 2023 Living Last Supper reenactment at St. Paul's.
The week before Easter is often called Palm Sunday, because on this day we remember the crowds who waved their palms for a coming King. Pastor Zech brings us a message from the gospel of Matthew focusing on this event and what it might mean for us today.
How might we know that Jesus is risen? And what might this mean if it is true? Good news from Pastor Zech on Easter 2023.
Good news from Pastor Zech on June 4, 2023. Here we introduce a sermon series on the letter that St. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi. This sermon centers on the word originally coming to the people in Philippi as recorded in Acts 16.
How can Jesus be our Good Shepherd? What might that look like for us? Sermon by Pastor Rako Zech on April 30, 2023
Scripture readings from the daily lectionary and devotional thoughts from Pastor Rako Zech
And on his thorn-crowned head And on His sinless soul Our sins in all their guilt were laid That He might make us whole.
The end of the world! We ask Jesus, "When?" He gives us a different answer. Read along!
Pastor Zech steps aside today as a much-more-in-the-know preacher steps in to give us good news.
Scripture readings and thoughts from the Daily Lectionary and thoughts from Pastor Rako Zech.
Scripture readings and thoughts from the Daily Lectionary and thoughts from Pastor Rako Zech.
Scripture readings and thoughts from the Daily Lectionary and thoughts from Pastor Rako Zech.
In Western New York we are all hunkered down through the Scrooge Storm Blizzard. But, Christ still comes. Here are a few thoughts.
Bro. Of Jesus, James, didn’t (couldn’t) believe in his brother. Until… Listen in to see what James learned of his brother, and how that changes his life for all the nations of the world!
This is the hardest parable of Jesus - the master commends a dishonest agent! But it is good - listen in!
In this message we walk through “peace” in Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome, and we see how he applies it in his letter to his friend Philemon.
“The man (in Luke 12:13) comes to Jesus for half an earthly inheritance. Jesus offers him a far better inheritance.” -Paraphrase from St. Augustine
Prayer seems impossible, and is, without the petitions Jesus teaches, the promises of the Father, and the provision of the Holy Spirit.
Good news from John 21 - Christ calls us to gather and he reveals Himself when we group in His name.
We are called by Christ to be the confessing church. In this message Pastor Zech shows us, from John 20, how Jesus showed up to his gathered (and fearful disciples), and how he is still showing up when we “Gather for Grace.”