From the Pastor

Thank you for taking time to explore who we are here at Light of the Cross Lutheran Church. Each Christian church brings something unique to the expression of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who has created us in the image of God and redeemed us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who is the Christ. What I hope to convey in this space is how we here at LOTC see ourselves under God’s mercy in our world. We are people of grace; we are forgiven by God for our thoughts, words, and deeds that have separated us from God and others. We need forgiveness not only for those things we have done and know about, but for that which we do not even realize we do, think, or feel. God has done this, we have no part in God’s forgiveness; we are only the recipients of the love and reconciliation that God offers all things. So I will speak in terms of grace, using the letters of G R A C E to show that.

G- We are all Gifted people. God has given us various and unique gifts to further God’s kingdom through the Holy Spirit. We are called to use those gifts and abilities to show others and remind ourselves of God’s presence in the world and how God is working among us to show mercy and love to all.

R- We are a Redeemed people. God has saved us from the effects of sin and death through the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God…Jesus. Jesus suffered and died a horrible death so that we would know how much God loves us and wants to be a part of our lives. Jesus has also given us great insight into what is important to God and how active God is among us.

A- We are Accepted by God. We are created in the image of God and chosen to be in relationship with God and each other. While at times it is not easy to be in relationships, God has never run away from us or left us alone when life gets difficult or when we do not want God around. The bible tells us of how God constantly wants to be in relationship with us.

C- We are Chosen by God. Through Baptism and Holy Communion, we are reminded that God loves us and has chosen us to be God’s people. We are given the responsibility to care for all God has made and to realize what God has done for us and for all of creation. In Holy Baptism we use human word and action to show what God has already begun in us…life, love, and relationship. With Holy Communion, we experience the forgiveness God has given to all as we remember that Jesus gave His body and blood so we would know that God is a God of forgiveness.

E- We are Empowered by God. As God’s chosen and forgiven people, we are free to share what God has done for us. We do this not to gain favor with God, but to share the good news of what God is doing with us, through us, and for us, so that all of creation will know this God who loves us so much.

These five things are only a small sample of what God is doing in the world. I hope this gives an insight to what we believe God is doing in our midst, caring for the world God made because God first cared for us. May God Bless you in your journey of faith and we hope that all of us at LOTC can walk with you as we discover God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever. Amen.