Prayer is a conversation with God. Jesus said, “ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock the door will be open to you.” These words encourage us to be in constant prayer with God, and only God. As Lutherans, we believe that prayer is a vital part of our daily walk of faith. Through faith we boldly and confidently approach God with our prayers of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (A.C.T.S). Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Worship is fellowship. It is an assembly; a time to be in the presence of God, and receive His Word and Sacraments. Through His Word and Sacraments, God gives us His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. During worship, we hear God’s Word, which the Bible tells us, “faith comes through hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” From this word, we learn what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross.  There, He took all sin, and suffered and died in our place to open the doorway to everlasting life for all who believe in Him.  Therefore, as we come together for worship, we do so to hear God’s Word, and give praise, honor, and glory to Him for all that He has done for us.

Baptism is God’s grace for us. In Baptism we believe that we are washed clean of the original sin, which we inherited because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God in the Garden of Eden. This sin was not our choice, but Psalm 51 clarifies that regardless of our choice, “we were conceived and born in sin.” This sin marks us as enemies of God. Yet, God in His mercy gave us a way out of this situation. Paul writes in Romans 6, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Therefore, we believe that Baptism unites us with Christ through His death and cleanses us from the original sin. This cleansing and renewal is a gift for everyone regardless of age. Jesus commanded in Matthew 28, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

However, even though this is a connection with Christ’s death, a gift for every nation, and a renewal in the Holy Spirit, we do not believe that Baptism alone saves us. Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to God’s Word and teaching. Therefore, we believe that baptism puts us on the road to salvation, but it does not guarantee salvation.  This statement is based on Mark 16, “believe and be baptized and you shall be saved, believe not and you shall be condemned.” Baptism is the start of a new life in God, and a great opportunity to learn who God is and what He does for us. It is a washing and renewal. A connection with God. Come join us for Worship and Bible study so that you can grow and learn more.

Communion is a meal. Yet, unlike other meals, this meal brings forth the promise of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Christ Himself tells us, “This is My body, this is My blood given for you, and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11, that all who participate in this meal should first be instructed, otherwise they risk eating and drinking to their own judgment. Therefore, we practice what is called “close” Communion.  We do this, because we want all to be saved and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, we take Paul’s words seriously in 1 Corinthians 11, and desire that you are instructed prior to receiving Communion to prevent eating and drinking judgment upon yourself. If this is your first time with us, then please speak with our Pastor prior to joining us for Communion.

This covers a great deal of today’s conversations. The truth is that the Bible has a lot to say about all of the social issues. As a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we hold a conservative view on these issues. Yet, with a conservative view, we also believe that Jesus calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Therefore, we are not here to judge, but we are called by God to teach what His Word says, in the same fashion that Jesus taught us. This means we may not agree with your lifestyle or choices, especially where they contradict God’s Word, but we also recognize that we make choices that go against God’s Word. This is why forgiveness is vitally important to us. When we disobey God’s word, we know that if we repent of those actions, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our actions and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, even though we are members of a conservative Christian Church, we ask that if you have questions about our stance on different issues, then please speak with us before you determine what we are like.

This is bad! Sin is everything that we do against the Word of God, which means when we live our lives contrary to His instructions, commands, and guidelines, we sin. God’s Law is prominent in teaching us right from wrong, and it is necessary in our lives. The Law is used as a curb, mirror, and guide to keep us on the right path. As a curb the law keeps us from falling off the path. The mirror shows our reflection, which we cannot hide from.  The guide shows us how to walk and live. When we focus on these things, we become aware of our failure to follow God’s Law, and therefore, recognize our sin. Yet, for those who think they cannot or do not sin, the Bible is clear in 1 John 1:8, “If we say we have no sin, then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” This text reminds us that we are all sinners, and in need of something more. God gave us what we need through Jesus’ suffering and death. On the cross, Jesus won the victory for us over sin, death, and the devil. This does not mean that we stop sinning. The problem of our weak sinful flesh still exists. However, Jesus suffering and death provides an opportunity for us to recognize our sin and seek His forgiveness. When we seek God’s forgiveness through Jesus, “God who is faithful and just will forgive our sin, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgiveness is awesome! It is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Through forgiveness, God washes away our sin, and remembers it no more. There are steps to follow. First, we must recognize that we have sinned. This requires God’s Law, which points out our sin. Second, we must realize that we cannot take care of sin on our own. Third, by the power of the Holy Spirit, who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies us through God’s Word, we humbly admit our sin, take responsibility for our actions, and plead for God’s forgiveness. Fourth, through God’s grace, He forgives us, meaning the sin is gone. Finally, through prayer, we ask God’s strength to avoid sin, temptation, human desires that are contrary to God’s word, and that He would turn our hearts back to him. This is an act of true repentance and forgiveness.

Yes, we believe there is a heaven and a hell. For those who believe in Jesus, the Bible teaches that we will be with God in heaven. However, for those who do not believe, then they will be in Hell. One of the hardest things for people to understand is that there are good people in hell and bad people in heaven. What? Does it bother you to hear that there are murderers in heaven? The issue is that we all sin and fall short of God’s glory, therefore, none of us are deserving of heaven. The truth is that we all deserve hell. However, through God’s grace and mercy, Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and open the doorway to heaven. Jesus not only died to pave the way to heaven, but He gave us the directions on how to get there.  Jesus stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” Jesus also stated, “I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, even though they die, yet shall they live.” These words give us direction to heaven. They are for everyone, even those we consider, by human standards, to be horrible people. If we truly repent, turn from our evil ways, and believe in Christ, then His words of promise belong to us.  This is because God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. God does not want to see anyone go to hell, however, through their own personal choice to disobey God or ignore His existence, they separate themselves from His love.  If they die in this choice, then the promise of heaven is removed, which means they are left with hell, a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Therefore, repent of your sins, turn to Christ, and receive the promise, which Christ gave; life eternal for all who believe in Him.

These are terrible! So why doesn’t God remove them? This is a question many people are asking right now. The truth! It is not easy to answer. When we experience disaster, disease, etc. in our life we first want to know why. Second, we need to pass blame. For some, they look to someone in their life, but for others they instantly blame God, or state, “If God is real, then He could have stopped this, or maybe, if God is so loving, then why did He allow this?” True the Bible records many situations where God intervened in moments of illness, suffering, and death. However, some could ask, why did He only help a few? In fact, there were many more in need of healing. Does that mean God chooses some and forgets others?  See how difficult this answer becomes.

The truth is that God did not promise us a life free from these things. In fact, He said the opposite. Yet, in the midst of these things, the Bible teaches us that God works for the good of those who believe in Him. However, that good might be God calling us out of this world of darkness and into His marvelous light. That is the true promise that God gave us through Christ. The promise is that those who believe in Him will live with Him for all eternity. There we will find a world without disease, disasters, suffering, pain, sorrow, and instead find a place of God’s peace; His paradise. This is not always an easy answer to accept, and for those currently in these situations it is even harder. However, one thing the Bible does promise in addition to life in Christ, is that He will never leave us or forsake us. God is with during these times, and He is holding our hand whether we are in pain or not. Trust in Him to guide you through and seek Him always. Remember He loves you and is with you always to the very end of the age.