Our Mission Statement:
We are a Gospel-centered community of people blessed by God to be a blessing to others.
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Highlights of our upcoming events:
Our Wednesday night gatherings resumed on April 4.
-Meals are served at 5:45 p.m., followed by POP Kids Club, Confirmation, and Adult classes at 6:30.
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This month's letter from Pastor Roger Osbeck
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study Class is currently reviewing some of the biblical principles uncovered in the Christmas film, "It's a Wonderful Life."
Strangely out of season, yes, but since I was able to get a hold of the resources at the present time, I took advantage of the availability.
The principles included in the study (goodness, godliness, prayer, and miracles) embrace all of Christian life, no matter what the season, which makes them appropriate subject matter at any time.
On Palm Sunday, March 25, the class reviewed a principle simply described as "godliness." We paused to reflect on the concept of godliness for life in Christ.
The examples from the film illustrated how the main character, George Bailey, did not live in godliness. Under extreme duress, he explodes in anger toward
his family members. As a last resort, he turns for help to God in prayer. Living in godliness, we discovered, is much more than just
controlling your temper and praying to God only when you feel there is nowhere else to turn.
I brought in an internet article from the website bible.org which contained excerpts from the book The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges.
The excepts helped explain godliness in greater detail. The New Testament word for godliness, in its original meaning, Bridges explains, conveys the idea
of it; a personal attitude toward God that results in actions that are pleasing to him. This personal attitude toward God is what we call devotion to God.
But it is always devotion in action, he explains. It is not just a warm, emotional feeling about God, the kind of feeling we may get while singing
some grand old hymn of praise or some modern-day chorus of worship. Neither is devotion to God merely a time of private Bible reading and prayer,
a practice we sometimes call "devotions." Devotion, he continues, is not an activity; it is an attitude toward God. This attitude is composed of three
of three essential elements: the fear of God, the love of God, and the desire for God.
As Bridges explains the three, I further quote, It is impossible to be devoted to God if one's heart is not filled with the fear of God.
It is this profound sense of veneration and honor, reverence and awe that draws forth from our hearts the worship and adoration that characterizes true devotion
to God. The reverent, godly Christian sees God first in his transcendent glory, majesty, and holiness before he sees him in his love, mercy, and grace...
The love of God has no meaning apart from Calvary. And Calvary has no meaning apart from the holy and just wrath of God. Jesus did not die just to give us peace and a purpose in life; he died to save us from the wrath of God.
He died to reconcile us to a holy God who was alienated from us because of our sin...
To expand on his meaning of "the desire for God," he says, This is the heartbeat of the godly person. As he contemplates God in the awesomeness of his infinite majesty, power,
and holiness, and then as he dwells upon the riches of God's mercy and grace poured out at Calvary, his heart is capt ivated by this One who
could love him so. He is satisfied with God alone, but he is never satisfied with his present experience of God. He always yearns for more.
These are just a few abbreviated excerpts from the book, which offers a more detailed and enriching look at the concept of living a godly life.
I pray we all yearn for more when it comes to serving the Lord, and seek godliness always.
Peace to you. See you in church.
Pastor Roger
Outreach links:
Meals from the Heartland
Habitat for Humanity
Lutheran Services in Iowa
Lutheran World Relief
ELCA Malaria Campaign
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