As we approach Ash Wednesday and prepare to enter the season of Lent, it’s worth remembering how Martin Luther understood this time in the church year. Lent: A Season of Returning to Christ Luther did not object to the season of Lent. He valued it as a time for believers to slow down, reflect, and… Read More »

The story of the Magi reminds us that Christ draws all nations to himself. These wise men were outsiders to Israel, yet they were led by God’s light to worship the newborn King of theJews. Their faithful journey shows us that God’s good news is not limited to one people or one place, but is… Read More »

Hope is in the air around us this time of year. Hope for a wonderful Christmas season. Hope for the love of Christ Jesus, born in Bethlehem, to shine in everyone. Hope for the health of loved ones. Hope for family members and friends to reconcile. Hope that those traveling for the holidays arrive safely.… Read More »

PASTOR’S MESSAGE The Growing Tree Learning & Daycare located in Reidler Hall is scheduled to close no later than Friday, August 23, 2024, “due to financial challenges.” Our Council was shocked at this unexpected news. They had not known that the Growing Tree was having problems until the operator told them that she didn’t want… Read More »

There are lots of good reasons why we should give thanks to God. Among them the Bible tells us that “he is good” (Psalm 118:29) and “his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 100:5). Praising and giving God thanks simply go together. We cannot worship God without also being thankful and offering our praise. It is… Read More »

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery… You, my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:1, 13… Read More »

  THE SEASON OF LENT The word “Lent” comes from an old Anglo- Saxon word “Lencten,” as in “lengthen.” The sunlight lengthens as we approach the beginning of Spring. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and is a 40-day period (not counting Sundays) before we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday. This year… Read More »

 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread… Read More »

In 1522, Luther published “A Brief Instruction on What to Look for and Expect in the Gospels.” Luther wrote: The chief article and foundation of the gospel is that before you take Christ as an example, you accept and recognize him as a gift, as a present that God has given you and that is… Read More »

THE GOOD OLD DAYS Try as we might, we can’t turn back time. While that may seem obvious, we often hope to return to the church’s “good old days.” Many of us remember seeing the pews filled with people nearly every Sunday morning. knowing that our regular offerings would meet our congregation’s needs. the clamoring… Read More »