NEWSLETTER May 2017
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
John Chrysostom (4th century): First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day! You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
April 23rd was a fabulous day with the baptisms of Eli and Blake Evans (born to Tonya and Adam Evans)
Feast royally on it; the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness! Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Also baptized were Jamey and Julian Ward (born to Ami and Kyle Ward)
From the Pastor: A member of the congregation has been at a place far away from any Lutheran church and has been attending another church over the last few weeks. The report back about this church has been utterly horrendous, but far too often the reality in our country. What passes for “Christian church and worship” is often far from it. The children’s message was about the Easter Bunny and skunks. The resurrection was only a sign of God’s love for us and an encouragement that there is “new life” and “hope” for better things when we run into trouble in our lives. What I pray for is that here at Peace Lutheran Church, we might all give thanks to God that we preach and teach “Christ crucified for sinners”. We sing “He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Amen!” because it really does make a difference for out lives - an eternal difference. The resurrection is an historical event - not a myth. It is the fulfillment of prophecies. Our sins are forgiven and we are the children of God. Heaven’s gates are opened because of the sacrificial life and death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Good Friday and Resurrection means everything to us. (Yes, that is why my heart just weeps for those who are missing from our pews (or any church’s pews) on Easter Sunday. Jesus weeps even more.) Easter does not mean that if we want to be happy people we should follow God’s laws. It does not mean that if we give a generous offering to the church everything will be OK and God will love us. On the contrary: It is not about us. It is about the Lord Jesus Christ! Easter is the sure seal and sign of the Atoning Sacrifice of the cross, and final demonstration of God’s victory over sin, death, and the devil. We cannot and we must not slide into the faithlessness of so much of the rest of the American church. We preach meat and potatoes (confession-absolution/Law-Gospel), and keep Jesus Christ and His salvation of first importance. Thank YOU for your partnership in the Gospel here at Peace Lutheran. We are making an eternal difference in the lives of SO many individuals and families in our community. Alleluia! Amen! May the Easter Season of Joy and Resurrection remain and abide in you all your days! In Jesus
Pastor Bjornstad