Journey to the Cross and the Empty Tomb: Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection, February 13 to March 31

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Lenten Meditations, beginning Ash Wednesday, February 13,
and every Wednesday at 12:15 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.

"Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the LORD!"

Palm Sunday, March 24 at 9:00 A.M.

“Take, eat; this is my body [...] Drink of [this cup], all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Maundy Thursday, March 28 at 6:00 P.M.

"Behold! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!"

Good Friday, March 29 at 6:00 P.M.

"He is risen!"

Easter Sunday, March 31 at 9:00 A.M.

(Brunch follows)

A Message from the Pastor, December, 2012

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeefff! Can you picture a little boy or girl singing that song? It reminds me of a simpler time, before Xboxes, iPads, or Christmas getaway cruises. Maybe I am only partially remembering the past, but it seemed much less was asked for and much less was given.

More important were the traditions and true meaning of Christmas. Going to church. Hearing the Nativity story of Luke, Chapter 2. Bringing the whole family together (even the relatives that didn't get along!). Singing Christmas carols. Watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas", "Rudolf, the Red-nosed Reindeer", and even having to watch "A Christmas with Perry Como!"

I am sure I had my selfish, greedy moments as a child. But one thing that was never forgotten was that it was all about Jesus -- the Son of God who came to this earth with the mission to save all of us.

I think we all recognize that life goes on. We can't relive the past, and things can never be the same. But lest we forget: Jesus will always be the Reason for this Season. Because nothing else in all the world will ever matter -- if there is no Jesus in our life.

So let us get prepared. Let us decorate the house and the tree. Let us prepare with presents and food.
Let us prepare our hearts. Because Christ, our Lord comes!

Have a blessed Christmas season!

The Blessing of Confession and Absolution

It is our privilege every Sunday, as we begin our worship service in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to be reminded that “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

And then the pastor speaks these words, “Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.” And we then speak these words, “Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

It is then that the pastor, as the servant of God, speaks these consoling and comforting words to each one of us, “Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

This blessing of Confession and Absolution we need to experience every Sunday. And it is a blessing that we want every sinner to experience with us. Let us invite them to join us.

The Blessing of the Lord's Supper

In the Bible we are told, “Our Lord Jesus Christ on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.’

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament, in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”

We are so thankful to our Savior Jesus Christ that He has given us this holy supper in which He gives us, with the bread His precious body, which was nailed to the cross to pay for all of our sins, and with the wine, His precious blood, which was shed on the cross to pay for all of our sins.

We are also thankful to our Savior Jesus Christ that this heavenly feast is offered to us each Sunday in our worship service, and as we receive our Lord’s true body and blood we are assured that our sins are forgiven, that our faith is strengthened, that we are empowered to live our Christian life, and that we are comforted to know that we have the gift of eternal life in heaven.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for giving us the Lord’s Supper, which is such a wonderful blessing throughout our Christian lives. May we never think lightly of it or reject it. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Journey through Holy Week to the Resurrection: Divine Service, April 17 - 24

"Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the LORD!"

Palm Sunday, 9:00 A.M.

"Take, eat; this is my body [. . .] this [cup] is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. "

Maundy Thursday, 7:30 P.M.

"Behold! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!"

Good Friday, 7:30 P.M.

"He is risen!"

Easter Sunday, 9:00 A.M.

(Brunch follows)