Sola Gospel!

What cannot be redeemed through the Gospel certainly cannot be redeemed. -- Rev. Friedrich Pfotenhauer

A new tract on the "Luther Rose"

Welcome to Concordia Lutheran Church!
God our Father loves you and wants all people to be saved! He has made this possible through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. The Holy Spirit calls us to turn from our sins and believe in the Good News of forgiveness through the Word of God. In our life together as forgiven sinners, Christians strive to grow in faith and hope toward God and in love toward our neighbors through simple acts of service. During our times of worship, God manifests and reveals His grace to us through ordinary things such as word and water, bread and wine, which move us to treasure all He has freely given us, give thanks always and tell everyone what He has done. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

The picture on the front of this tract is called the “Luther Rose ”, because it was designed by Martin Luther (10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546).
It offers a beautiful summary of the Christian faith of all ages.

 In the center, a black cross: we are saved by the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
 A red heart: new life through faith in Jesus.
 A white rose: Spirit-given comfort and peace.
 A blue sky: the beginning of heavenly joy, grasped in hope.
 A gold ring: never-ending blessedness.

Old Covenant Stewardship!

They still kept bringing him freewill-offerings every morning, so that all the artisans who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task being performed, and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.’ So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp: ‘No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ So the people were restrained from bringing; for what they had already brought was more than enough to do all the work.

What I will NOT be teaching in "evangelism" class.

D. James Kennedy wrote, “If you are a functionally mature, responsible, reproducing Christian, you will produce others like yourself. To a great extent the spiritual quality of life in those who were multiplied through your ministry will depend upon the spiritual quality of your life. The quantity of multiplication is determined by your passion for spiritual reproduction.” (Evangelism Explosion, fourth edition, p. 137) I shudder to think of how many LCMS clergy and laity have swallowed this theology hook, line and sinker. This should be on the short list of “koinonia project” discussion items. Do those who take issue with Pastor Curtis see the spiritual danger of Dr. Kennedy’s prescription?

Great Easter Hymn

Death is dead, the true Life liveth O'er the portals of the grave,
Life's great Sun bright-shining giveth Light our darkened souls to save;
Christ arisen bursts our prison; See His triumph banners wave.

Life's own King on Calv'ry dying, wins a crown of life for me;
E'en the grave to Him complying flow'rs in life abundant, free.
Death's chill sadness changed to gladness -- this the Easter victory!

H. Halfdanarson (1826-94)
(REGENT SQUARE)

Giving to Synod

Here are the results in dollars pledged per Baptized Member to the National Office from that district for 2011-12:

Alphabetical
Atlantic – $1.67
Cal-Nev-HA – $3.95
Eastern – $1.59
English – $3.53
Florida/Georgia – $4.13
Illinois Central – $7.82
Illinois Northern – $5.21
Illinois Southern – $5.80
Indiana – $6.77
Iowa East – $3.31
Iowa West – $12.15
Kansas – $9.01
Michigan – $8.93
Mid-South – $16.01
Minn North – $10.24
Minn South – $10.57
Missouri – $4.04
Montana – $9.25
Nebraska – $10.67
New England – $6.18
New Jersey – $3.54
North Dakota – $10.44
Northwest – $2.60
Ohio – $4.85
Oklahoma – $9.12
Pacific Southwest – $2.02
Rocky Mountain – $4.30
SELC – $12.14
South Dakota – $10.11
Southeastern – $7.29
Southern – $4.40
Texas – $12.87
Wisconsin North – $6.33
Wisconsin South – $2.69
Wyoming – $10.90

Per Baptized high to low
Mid-South 16.02
Texas 12.87
Iowa West 12.15
SELC 12.15
Wyoming 10.90
Nebraska 10.67
Minn. South 10.57
North Dakota 10.45
Minn. North 10.25
South Dakota 10.11
Montana 9.25
Oklahoma 9.12
Kansas 9.01
Michigan 8.92
Illinois-Central 7.82
Southeastern 7.29
Indiana 6.78
Wisconsin North 6.33
New England 6.18
Illinois-Southern 5.80
Illinois-Northern 5.22
Ohio 4.86
Southern 4.40
Rocky Mountain 4.30
Florida/Georgia 4.13
Missouri 4.04
Cal-Nev-HA 3.95
New Jersey 3.54
English 3.54
Iowa East 3.31
Wisconsin South 2.70
Northwest 2.60
Pacific Southwest 2.02
Atlantic 1.67
Eastern 1.59


The “stewardship winners” here are, in descending order: Mid-South (16.01), Texas (12.87), Iowa West (12.15), SELC (12.14), Wyoming (10.90), Nebraska (10.67), Minn South (10.57), North Dakota (10.44), Minn North (10.24), South Dakota (10.12) .

The “stewardship losers” here are, in ascending order: Eastern (1.59), Atlantic (1.67), Pacific Southwest (2.02), Northwest (2.60), Wisconsin South (2.69), Iowa East (3.31), English (3.53), New Jersey (3.54), Cal-Nev-HA (3.95).

The average pledge $ per Baptized Members for these statistics is $6.94.

sobering statistics

"In 1960, the LCMS baptized 82,000 babies.

"While total LCMS membership has remained relatively static since 1960, the LCMS baptized only 31,700 children in 2005, a drop of 66% since 1960."

http://lutheransandcontraception.blogspot.com/2007/04/some-illuminating-figures.html