“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Our society always makes a big deal about entering into a new year. This is especially so when that new year also brings with it a new century or decade. Now, technically 2020 is not the start of a new decade. There […]
The word “advent,” from Latin, means “the coming.” It is a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation. An Advent wreath is made from greens to symbolize continuous life and contains four candles— three blue (to symbolize expectation) or purple (to symbolize repentance) and one rose (to symbolize joy). We light the Advent wreath […]
Join us at Hope on Saturday July 20th at 1pm for a presentation by Dr. Gary Locklair of Concordia University Wisconsin: Creation is Reasonable “Four evidences that argue powerfully for God’s creative activity.” Is it reasonable to believe that the universe is the result of a special creative act of God? Is it reasonable to […]
During the season of Lent the Church Year takes on a particular focus. This focus is on our Savior’s death. This is, of course, always a focus of the Church, but we particularly focus on Jesus’ suffering during this season. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. On Ash Wednesday we begin a forty day […]
“For in this hope we were saved…”(Romans 8:24) It is a question found in many churches today. It is a question which is found in large congregations, medium congregations, and small congregations alike. It is a question which has been asked at the synodical level and the congregational level. “Can we sustain our church […]
On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod… Last year we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. This year we celebrate another significant anniversary. 2018 marks the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. In 1917, the Norwegian Synod had 351 pastors, 986 […]
In the first petition, we ask God that He would hallow His name among us, which means that He would preserve among us the pure doctrine of Scripture, and that as bearers of Christ’s name, Christians, we would live holy lives to His honor and glory. In the second petition, we ask that God would […]
Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 10:1-9 1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the […]
May is here. Summer is near. That means that some of you might be planning vacations. If you will be away on a Sunday, let me know so I can help you find a solid confessional Lutheran Church near you to attend. I know the temptations in vacations. Our leisure, too, is a gift from […]
Lent has begun. While we repent of our sins and ponder Christ’s suffering and death all year round, we especially emphasize these things this time of year. So it is fitting that we have arrived at the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed in our walk through Luther’s Small Catechism. All the six chief parts […]