Dear friends in Christ,

Worship flows from faith.  You cannot worship the Triune God without faith–that is, faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Faith is not just of the head (knowledge)–faith is also of the heart (trust, dependence on God, stuck to Him and His Word like glue).  Faith desires the gifts of God that He so richly supplies in His preached Word, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion.  Those gifts are none other than the triad of blessings so reptitively taught us in Luther’s Small Catechism: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Faith desires these gifts continuously in one’s Christian life.  Faith says, “I can’t live without them!”  It’s just another way of saying, “I can’t live without Jesus and what He so graciously and lovingly gives me!”

During Jesus’ three years of public ministry (about 30-33AD), many people followed Jesus.  Because of His teaching and wisdom like no one else before Him, because of His teaching and preaching with authority as God’s Son, and because of His mighty and incredible miracles, more and more people followed Him.  Surely, they were curious.  “Could this be the Christ?” they wondered. But many were not convinced that He was.  Some followed Him without faith; others followed Him because they did believe in Him–and really did want to know more–hear more–receive more.

Then we have that amazing but tragic scene in John chpater 6:60-69.  Here it is.

[Jesus had just finished His bread of life discourse, recorded in John 6:25-59.]

When many of His disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”  But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples[not the Twelve but a larger group of followers] were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?  Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  But there are some of you who do not believe.”  (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.)  And He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

As Jesus addressed Martha in John 11:26, so He asks all who hear His voice, follow Him, and listen to Him: “Do you believe this?”  He says to each of us: “Do you believe what I say to you?”  Or, a hard question He asks of us, too: “Do you take offense at what I say to you?”  Then He addresses us: “Do you want to leave Me too?”  True living faith says, “No, Lord!”  Struggling faith says, “Maybe.”  Unbelief says, “Yes, I choose to leave You.”  Really and yet so very sadly, we all find ourselves in each of those groups at times.  And we confess our sin in sincere repentance, calling on our gracious God: “Lord, have mercy on me!”

If your faith is waning, if you feel like and even think that Jesus isn’t so great to you anymore, if you do not see the need for or the benefit of His gifts, then all the more reason, still come to hear His Word preached and taught here at church.  The Holy Spirit, through the Word of Christ–through His Law and Gospel can make you alive again.  And so, the constant prayer of the Christian is just this: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

Dear people, come to church!  And don’t stop!  You’ll be glad you did.

Jr. Confirmation class this evening at 6:30PM.

Ladies of Holy Trinity have a very important meeting this evening at 7:00PM.

Wednesday AM Bible Study at 10:00AM.  We examine the Wednesday evening worship theme: “The King on the Cross.”

Wednesday Lenten Supper at 6:00PM with Vespers to follow at 7:00PM.

Thursday Evening Bible Study at 6:15PM.  Choir meets at 7:00PM.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday–the Sunday of the Passion.  Join us for Divine Service at 9:00AM followed by our annual Palm Sunday Brunch, sponsored by the Ladies of Holy Trinity, at 10:15AM.  Egg casseroles will be provided.  Bring a coffee cake, bread, or muffins, or fruit salad to share.  Other menu items include: hard boiled eggs, potatoes, and a variety of baked goods and fruit.  There will be a free will offering.

Peace and joy to you in Jesus!

Pastor Kotila