A Note from Pastor

“Christ sacrificed Himself in His own body on the tree for our sins, so that we who have died to sin, live in righteousness; through His wounds we are healed.”  The following is a portion of a sermon by Johann Gerhard on “The Suffering and Death of Christ.” 
     “How should we, on account of His suffering, show our gratitude towards Christ?  The scripture shows us this also, in as it admonishes that we having died to sin, should live righteously.  How dare we have an affection toward sin when it inflicted so much suffering on Christ?  Why would we not serve Christ with a godly life, in as much as He purchased us at such great expense? If the sad picture of the crucified Christ constantly hovers before our hearts, all evil lusts are easily extinguished.  Thus then, Christ’s sufferings should keep us from sinning in two ways:  For one, because it is such a horrible example of the wrath of God against sin; we are not to awaken this wrath against ourselves with deliberate sins, even though this burden should become so very heavy for us.  Secondly, because this suffering is such excellent proof of Christ’s love toward us.  Therefore, we should indeed once again show our thankfulness to this our best Friend - who has bestowed so much upon us - with all kinds of good works.  Christ suffered in all of His members; thus we should serve Him in turn with our every member.  To that end, God help us through Christ.  Amen.”   
The Collect for Palm Sunday, “Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.”