A Note from Pastor

 “Salvation unto us has come, by God’s free grace and favor. Good works cannot avert our doom, they help and save us never. Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone; He is our one Redeemer.” The words of this hymn, beautifully summarizes the teaching of the Lutheran church, which is the true teaching of God’s Word.  St. Paul wrote, “For I am not shamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)  With these words, Martin Luther became convinced that salvation was by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and not by the work or merit of man.  This central doctrine of the Christian faith was further taught in the Augsburg Confession, article IV, which states, “Our churches teach that people cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits or works.  People are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake.  By his death, Christ made satisfaction for our sins.  God counts this faith for righteousness in His sight.” (Romans 3:21-26; 4:5).  Simply put, this teaching is the foundation of the Christian faith and the whole reason to remember Luther or celebrate the reformation.  As Luther so beautifully composed, “With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected; but for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.  Ask ye, ‘Who is this?’  Jesus Christ it is, of Sabaoth Lord, and there’s none other God; He holds the field forever.” Amen.“