Community Wide Trunk or Treat! Bring the whole family for costumes and candy!

Congregational Meeting

Reformation Sunday

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses—statements for debate—on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, beginning a spiritual and historical movement known as the Reformation. The Reformation did not just change the face of Europe; it restored the gospel to the church. It gave God’s Word to the people. As we celebrate the Reformation, we are not honoring the man for whom our church body is named. We are thanking God for his grace which he has demonstrated through the generations—preserving the church and setting us free.

Productive Faith Is Growing Faith

As someone rises through the ranks at work, there are typically benefits: higher salary, more authority, better benefits. However, there is often a corresponding increase in responsibility: longer hours, more meetings, raised expectations. So, if someone is offered a promotion, they might ask, “Is this worth it?” It is similar in God’s kingdom. As our faith grows, there are obvious benefits: the comfort of knowing you are a redeemed and loved child of God, the peace of knowing your eternity is secure. However, increased faith also increases duty. There are ever more opportunities for service. This week, Jesus has sharp words for those who want the benefits of being Christian but would shirk those responsibilities. However, to lead us to take up those responsibilities, our Savior doesn’t threaten or cajole. He helps us see that while increased faith increases duty, increased duty increases delight. The believer knows he serves the One who came to serve us first. Just as Christ’s service brought him great joy, so does our service to others.

Productive Faith Uses Earthly Wealth

There are more than 2,300 Bible passages that speak about money. Why? Money is a master Satan frequently tempts us to serve. In fact, out of all the masters competing for our service besides God, money is probably at the top of the list. Money provides us with a false comfort and sense of security. Money serves as a source of pride. This week, Jesus’ sharp words identify the impossibility of serving more than one master. More, Jesus teaches that if we dedicate our lives in service to money, money will always let us down. In contrast, God has proven that he is a master worth serving. When we serve God, money is put in its proper place. Instead of it being a master to serve, it becomes a tool in our service of our true Master.

Our outdoor movies are returning this Fall. We will watch “Remember the Titans’ outdoors to kick-off Fall Break on Friday, October 3rd. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Movie starts at 7 PM

Children and Young People will learn about Noah and the Flood

Adults will study Exodus: Deliver Us From Evil. We will walk through this book and see how the children of Israel’s story is our story as we also journey from a known evil to an elusive good with our God going before us.

Productive Faith Uses Earthly Wealth

There are more than 2,300 Bible passages that speak about money. Why? Money is a master Satan frequently tempts us to serve. In fact, out of all the masters competing for our service besides God, money is probably at the top of the list. Money provides us with a false comfort and sense of security. Money serves as a source of pride. This week, Jesus’ sharp words identify the impossibility of serving more than one master. More, Jesus teaches that if we dedicate our lives in service to money, money will always let us down. In contrast, God has proven that he is a master worth serving. When we serve God, money is put in its proper place. Instead of it being a master to serve, it becomes a tool in our service of our true Master.

Youth Group for Grades 7-12. Mossy Creek mini-golf!

Children and Young People will learn about Noah and the Flood

Adults will study Exodus: Deliver Us From Evil. We will walk through this book and see how the children of Israel’s story is our story as we also journey from a known evil to an elusive good with our God going before us.

Productive Faith Knows It Is Lost

“He’s lost.” We use that term not only to refer to someone who is bewildered about where they are but also to refer to someone who is in a helpless, hopeless state. Mankind’s natural state is one of complete spiritual helplessness, a profound lostness. It manifests itself in countless ways. The one who simply wants God to leave him alone: lost. The one who feels she can handle life on her own: lost. The one who thinks he has the right to repent of his sins on his own timetable and terms: lost. The one who thinks God owes her in some way: lost. Wandering around physically lost can lead to winding up in bad places. Jesus’ wounding words this week teach that wandering around spiritually lost puts you in the worst place of all. Fortunately, Jesus does not leave us in our lostness. He relentlessly seeks us. He involves the rest of the Christian community in seeking the lost and rejoicing over the found.

Promise Kids

· All children grades K-6th are invited to join us for a day of putt-putt at Mossy Creek.

Children and Young People will learn about Noah and the Flood

Adults will study Exodus: Deliver Us From Evil. We will walk through this book and see how the children of Israel’s story is our story as we also journey from a known evil to an elusive good with our God going before us.

Productive Faith Bears the Cross

This week Jesus’ sharp words expose our desire to pursue comfort and avoid pain at all costs. Jesus explains that following him will be hard. Jesus’ disciples will be called to let go of things they love and embrace things we naturally loathe. Jesus promises that discipleship comes with crosses—a unique type of pain. So, Jesus tells us that we must count the cost of following him. He wants us to do that now, ahead of time, rather than waiting until we are in the heat of the moment and emotions are running high. However, our calculations must not only consider what we might give up for Jesus. They also entail calculating what we get through him! When we perceive the infinite blessings we find in Christ, the decisions we just make, while difficult, will be clear. Whatever is lost as we follow Jesus pales in comparison to what we gain.

Women’s Morning Bible Study - Angels - Lesson 2

Welcome Home Sunday

God’s people belong together. While we can watch services online and hear pastors over podcasts there is something about being together around Word and Sacrament that is uniquely different and Christ-centered. The hour we spend together is the closest we will ever get to heaven this side of eternity. It is our home until we arrive home. Whether it has been a long time or short time since we have last seen each other, Welcome Home.

Women’s Morning Bible Study - Angels - Lesson 1

Sunday Worship

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Everyone knows that humility is a positive trait and pride is a negative one. So, why bother talking about what we already know? Because in spite of that knowledge, we still helplessly fall into the trap of pride. We all desire acclaim, recognition, and praise. Jesus’ sharp words this week teach us that seeking exaltation in futile and fleeing ways will only result in receiving the opposite. Those who attempt to exalt themselves will eventually be humbled by God. In contrast, Jesus promises that those who leave their exaltation to God will receive honor and glory far greater than any that can be awarded in this life. Our exaltation does not need to be our responsibility, because Jesus has already made it his.

Women’s Morning Bible Study - Wherever Love May Lead Chapter 8, Day 5

Children and Young People will learn about Noah and the Flood

Adults will study Exodus: Deliver Us From Evil. We will walk through this book and see how the children of Israel’s story is our story as we also journey from a known evil to an elusive good with our God going before us.

Sunday Worship

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

When it comes to the uncomfortable topic of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, it is natural to want to avoid the issue. One way we do that is to direct our attention to more theoretical questions. “What is heaven like?” “How old will we be there?” Today someone asks, “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?” Jesus brushes all such questions aside. Instead, he answers the question we should be asking. “How might I be saved?” Jesus explains there is only one way—entering through a very narrow door. Jesus’ words cut deep! For he teaches that it is very easy to develop a false sense of security about our standing before God based on some superficial familiarity we have with him. Jesus warns that many who think they are on the path to heaven will end up shut out. These wounding words of Jesus provide healing, pushing us toward that narrow door: faith in him.

Women’s Morning Bible Study - Wherever Love May Lead Chapter 7, Day 5

Children and Young People will learn about the Day of Pentecost

Adults will study Exodus: Deliver Us From Evil. We will walk through this book and see how the children of Israel’s story is our story as we also journey from a known evil to an elusive good with our God going before us.

Sunday Worship

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

God’s words are powerful! With only his words, Jesus cured illness and raised the dead. With his words, Jesus created the faith that receives his forgiveness. So we should not be surprised this week when we see that Jesus’ words also have the power to push back the spiritual forces of evil that are in the world. Jesus’ words expose idols as worthless and following idols as self-destructive evil. Jesus’ words are so compelling, even demons must obey them. It is not surprising that God’s words crush evil. It is a surprise, however, to see that Jesus’ words have Jesus’ power even when they are not coming from Jesus’ mouth. Jesus puts his words on our lips. He makes us his witnesses. And as we carry out that awesome role, Jesus continues to drive back Satan and his allies, just as he did when he walked the earth.

Women’s Morning Bible Study - Wherever Love May Lead Chapter 7, Day 4

Sunday Worship

Third Sunday after Pentecost

God’s words are powerful! With only his words, Jesus cured illness and raised the dead. With his words, Jesus created the faith that receives his forgiveness. So we should not be surprised this week when we see that Jesus’ words also have the power to push back the spiritual forces of evil that are in the world. Jesus’ words expose idols as worthless and following idols as self-destructive evil. Jesus’ words are so compelling, even demons must obey them. It is not surprising that God’s words crush evil. It is a surprise, however, to see that Jesus’ words have Jesus’ power even when they are not coming from Jesus’ mouth. Jesus puts his words on our lips. He makes us his witnesses. And as we carry out that awesome role, Jesus continues to drive back Satan and his allies, just as he did when he walked the earth.