There exists in man a terrible tendency to forget vital matters. Sixty-seven years ago today (Sunday, February 19), the first of 30,000 United States Marines invaded the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. Over the next 35 days 6,812 United States soldiers would die in the taking of this strategic island, giving the Allies their first "beachhead" in the Japanese homeland.

Comfort from Affliction 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Because I Don’t Want to Be Told Off by My Honda ~ Numbers 22-24

Every morning I hop into my trusty 1999 Honda Accord and drive one of many routes that all lead to the same place: 7901 South Meredith. I try to conduct myself in such a way that the Honda doesn’t stop in the middle of the road and talk to me. Let me explain.

We considered Numbers 11 (in line with our congregational reading plan) on January 15. It wasn’t my best moment. I arrived at the end of my first point, glanced at the clock (which said 10:02 or so) and said, “Whoa.” I talked through it out loud, realizing that I needed at least another 30 minutes to make it all work. I’m usually not off that far. So today is part 2 of that message.

Charter member Wilson Bamesberger, on the day of our 10th Congregational annual meeting, tell us why he loves the idea of the local congregation.

This passage in Acts describes the birth and growth of a free and living congregation. 

The weekly bulletin is attached.

Why Numbers? God wrote it, so even though there are two relatively tedious "countings" to read, it's important. The benediction you hear a lot of (Numbers 6:22-24) is from that book, for example. And when a Pharisee named Nicodemus asked Jesus about eternal life, the Son of Man Himself quoted numbers as He led up to the most famous verse in the Bible- John 3:16.

In this message Pastor Wade teaches us the nature of the new birth as we hear Jesus' Words that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God.

Pastor Bill Mitchell from Abiding Savior preaches on Romans 12, where the Apostle Paul is instructing us to have a revised attitude with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  This is a very timely message as we start a new year.

The true account of the birth of Christ...

Why did this Baby's birth happen?  Here is the rest of the story...

Christ is present and he is returning.  Do you live your life focused on that he is present or absent?

The Kingdom of God is His, theirs and yours.

The Prodigal God demonstrates His love in this passage greatly.

God has provided a way of escape from the temptations we face in life.  The Truth of God's Word destroys the lies of Satan.

Three Answers from God to the Question, “What do I do?”

1) Live for God (v. 6, 8)

2) Listen to God (v. 11-17)

3) Believe God (v. 18-20)

If you know Christ everything else is loss.

George Lautner, AFLC intern Pastor, calls us to remember that at one time we were separated from Christ.  But now, by the blood of Christ we have access in One Spirit to the Father and we are members of the household of God.

Five fulfillments of the Passover and the Exodus in the cross of Christ

1) Required the death of a lamb (Exodus 12:3-7; Hebrews 9:12; John 1:29)

2) Delivered from captivity (Exodus 12:31-32; Hebrews 9:13-14; John 8:32)

3) Delivered from death (Exodus 12:13; Hebrews 9:12)

4) Available to all (Exodus 12:3; John 1:29)

5) Effective only for those who believe and obey (Exodus 12:13; Hebrews 4:11; Exodus 14)

There is only one Gospel -
Salvation by:

Any other gospel is no gospel at all.

Please excuse the audio quality of this message as we experienced some technical difficulties in recording this Sunday.

Pastor Tonnes Pollestad is the Director of Development for the AFLC (Association of Free Lutheran Congregations), our larger church body.  He preaches on Philippians 3:1-14, where the apostle Paul presses on toward the Ultimate Goal: Knowing Christ.

Praise the LORD, for He is just & the One who does wondrous deeds

Jeff Heikes, Deacon of Christian Education at Living Word, preaches on the Parable of the Ten Virigins.

Listen to Jesus tell you who he is, who you are, and that he is here.

Jesus taught in parables to connect eternal truths with every day life. This time He did so by telling the parable of the wheat and the weeds. Pastor Wade helps us see three unchanging truths about conversion.