March newsletter will be mailed this week but for any of you who would like to read it early, it is posted online. Here is an excerpt from Pastor’s article:
Now, because Jesus was tempted, our temptations are no longer specifically our own. When we pray “Lead us not into temptation” it is a petition prayed in the confidence of Christ’s victory over temptation in our own flesh. Because we are linked to Christ, united with Him in faith, in every temptation of ours, it is not we who are tempted, …

Just listen to people on either side of an issue talk about each other. How Packer fans and Viking fans talk about each other, for instance. The words people on either side of the national health care debate use to describe each other. How different groups down in Madison have been characterizing each other this past week. The other side just can’t see straight. They must be idiots. They must be out to ruin things for everybody. If people get particularly riled up, we hear accusations that begin, “This is just like what the Nazis were doing.” If it has something to do with religious issues, then the wrong side of the debate are the enemies of God, and are probably going to get what’s coming to them in the end anyway.

Standard Podcast [ 13:06 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Readings:

Leviticus 19:1–2, 9–18
1 Corinthians 3:10–23
Matthew 5:38–48

God Manifests His Perfect Holiness in Christ through Compassion and Forgiveness
God reveals His perfect holiness in compassion as “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). By His grace in Jesus Christ we are holy just as He is holy (Lev. 19:2) and we are “God’s temple” in whom “God’s Spirit dwells” (1 Cor. 3:16). This gift of holiness begins with fearing, loving, …

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” (Matthew 5:27-30 ESV)

The Heart of the Matter [ 16:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In 1994 it was estimated that approximately ninety percent of Deaf people in the United States did not attend church. This was, in part, due to the limited number of indigenous deaf churches. In 2009 the estimate has risen to ninety-eight percent (Source www.lcmsdeaf.org). These are people that Christ died and rose for, and need God’s Word just as much as hearing people. There is work being done within our district and in the synod level as well. Here is what is currently being done, as well as resources for …

High Schoolers: Are you missing Midweek School? Longing for the days when you could curl up with your catechism at night? Jealous when little brother or sister brings home memory work to do?
Well, maybe not exactly. But we are looking to start up a High School Bible Study and I know now that the Packers have won the Super Bowl, your weekends should be a lot more free, so beginning this Sunday from 6:00-7:30. Vicar Sherman already has some ideas about what to study, but if you’ve got something you …

Sign up now for our upcoming photography event. The current directory is four years old and our congregation family has had many changes. We would like to have as many families featured in the new directory as possible. Each family photographed is given an 8×10 portrait and a directory at no cost to them or the church. Additional portraits will be available for purchase if you wish.
We are pleased to offer you the service of professional photography. Please allow up to an hour from the time of your appointment for …

This Wednesday, February 9th, the Midweek School will be heading on the annual winter outing. This year, we’re heading to Ultrazone Laser Tag in Madison.

Tuesday (Feb 8th)

1:00pm Women’s Bible Study (at Marie Cook’s)
6:00pm Board of Education
6:30pm Church Council
7:30pm Board of Elders

Wednesday (9th)

4:00pm Midweek School Winter Outing (Laser Tag)
6:00pm Handbells
7:00pm Choir

Thursday (10th)

6:30pm Contemporary Service

Friday (11th)

6:30am Men’s Bible Class (Philippians)

Sunday (13th)

8:00 & 10:30am Divine Service

Lower Grades Sunday-School sings 8:ooam

8:00am Child Care Center Bake Sale
9:15am Sunday School
9:30am Bible Class (Mere Christianity)
Christian Women’s Council Meeting in the Chapel

Image: By Fluff (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Christ came and died for us who had no spiritual identity, who had no assurance of who we were and what we were to do. Through His blood, he brings us near to God. Through His Cross we have been reconciled to God. “Through Him we have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph 2:17) In our baptisms, we have been called out of our former lives, we have been given new identities. Who we are and what we do has been drastically changed. And through the Word of God, read and heard at home and in worship, and the Body and Blood of Christ that we partake of, we continue to be shaped in that identity.

Sermon: Matthew 5:13-20 [ 12:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download