It does not add up. The Lord of all who made the universe would lower himself to become one of us. Even worse, in becoming one of us he would endure the indignity of being born to poor parents and sleeping in a manger.

It does not make sense that when he publicly proclaimed his will – God’s will – he would tolerate those who rejected him and persecuted him for teaching divine truth.

Finally, what can we say about the cross? The Creator of all that lives would endure death. His death would be filled with pain and shame. His enemies would gloat, and it would appear that he lost. That does not add up and does not make any sense.

But that is the divine and unchangeable truth. You do not need to make excuses for God or his plan. God’s way results in your salvation. All other ways are doomed to fail.

We may shake our heads for a moment or two as we consider God’s ways. We may not understand why he did what he did. But we believe! We believe in God’s promised forgiveness. We know the truth of God’s will for our lives. He wants us to know him and to find strength in him. He wants us, seemingly weak as we may be, to be his servants in this world. Believe God’s promises and know the power of God that is at work in you.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling

Jesus came to give light to the world. His light is the light of freedom from sin and the joy of being connected to God.

Sadly, our world is not interested. God is pushed away, and his ways are ignored and ridiculed.

Even worse, we have participated in rejecting God. Our sins are real. We know the guilt and shame of our failures. You’ve probably read the Bible or heard a Scripture Lesson in church and thought, “That is a sin too? I do or say that all the time.” Even long-time Christians can become accustomed to the darkness of sin.

“Light has come into the world.” Jesus brings you the light of forgiveness and renewal. He restores to you what your sins have destroyed. He shines the light of God’s love into your heart and declares to you that you are a member of his eternal kingdom.

You see too much darkness as you watch our world fight against God. You even see that darkness in yourself.

But focus on the light of Christ. He is your Lord and Savior. He claims you as his own. He loves you. Bask in the peace of his light and be light in what you do and say.

John 3:19–20 (NIV) “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling

Lent is a somber time when we gather for worship. Hymns are often in minor keys. We do not sing “Alleluia.” The readings call for repentance or focus on the death of Jesus. At the same time, we know how this season ends. The cross of Jesus is not actually a sign of defeat, but a sign of conquest and victory.

The bloody cross of Jesus is a place of glory because of who Jesus is and what he did. “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.” In other words, the One who dead on the cross is the same One who made the universe. He controls all things and with a single word can do anything!

That One, the Lord of All, allowed himself to be hung on a cross. He accepted the horrible punishment for every sin ever committed. He endured torments that he never deserved.

Because Jesus was on the cross, it is the most significant event in all of history. God intervened in our world to take away our sins and save us.

If you ever wonder what God is up to in the world, look at the cross. He is a God who saves. If you wonder if God is interested in you, look at the cross. He died for you so you could be with him forever. Through the cross we see and know God for who he really is. We know all we need to know about God.

The cross is not the possibility or potential of anything. It is the reality of God’s love directed at every moment of your life – “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” You are at peace with God. Live in that confidence today and always.

Colossians 1:19–20 (NIV) "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling

Lent has arrived. Many focus on spiritual things by “giving something up for Lent.” This practice can be useful if it helps us focus on what matters most.

But giving up movies, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, or anything is relatively easy. Jesus invites us to do something far more drastic. He does not ask us to give up something, but ourselves.

Human beings are not wired for this. We excel at being selfish and asserting ourselves.

Our way of living is not Jesus’ way. He does not want us to deny ourselves because he wants to hurt us or rob us of anything, but because he wants to heal us. Jesus does not want you to have a cheap imitation of real life – an earthly life that is trying to hide the reality of sin and death. Jesus wants you to be set free from the bondage and slavery of sin to enjoy the glorious freedom of life in his Kingdom.

So today, Ash Wednesday, we repent. We confess to our God our failures and our willingness to live like this world is our home. Today we admit that by ourselves we are trapped in selfishness that is directed at others and, worse, causes us to ignore God.

But as we repent, we do not stop with confession. We also turn to our gracious Savior and trust his promises. He takes away our sin. He gives us clean hearts and renews a right spirit within us. His forgiveness is real, and it is ours through faith.

As we give up our sinful selves, we find our new selves in Jesus. His love fills us and shapes us. We live in the peace of forgiveness and with the desire to turn from sin to live a full life – a God-pleasing life of service.

This Lenten season, be renewed as you look to Christ and see all that he has done for you.

John 12:23–25 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling