Pastor’s Corner

Following God’s Lead

                In Acts Chapter 8, Philip is led down a desert road by the Angel of the Lord to an Ethiopian eunuch. After what seems a brief conversation, the Ethiopian was baptized, and Philip disappeared! We often remember the highlights of this miraculous account and measure our personal witness against those highlights. Unsurprisingly we feel inadequate and spiritually poor after such a comparison. Let’s consider a few realities we often gloss over, and feel a bit more inspired and encouraged to follow Gods lead!

                8:26 “An angel of the Lord said to Philip” – We often feel God isn’t speaking or worse, we can’t hear Him. First, remember this is in the Bible for a reason; it is a major highlight in the life and ministry of the disciples! Second, remember we have the Holy Spirit living and active in the Holy Scriptures. We can listen to the Angel of the Lord ANYTIME we are willing! Third, Romans 12 reminds us that we are able to discern God’s will when our lives are lived in worship. In other words, when a believer is in the word, living for God, and open to His leadership, God grants us discernment to know where to go and when to speak.

                8:28 “This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way home reading Isaiah” – God was already at work in the life of the eunuch! We are often comparing our interactions and conversations with people far from God to Philip’s ministry. If this happened today, that a believing family got connected to Cross and were baptized, would we think it equally amazing? We ought to, and we just did! The entire Santa family came to our school, got connected in worship, and were baptized two Sundays ago… God is still at work even before we show up!

                8:30 “Do you understand what you are reading?” – Listen, LISTEN, LISTEN. We have two ears and one mouth, but we should have 10 ears to listen and 10 times as much as we speak! Philip asks an engaging question, and then waits for the answer, waits to be invited to sit, AND waits to be asked to help. He doesn’t jump in and try to correct the eunuch, but instead waits to see what God is doing, listening to the curiosity in the eunuch and then answering those questions.

                8:36 “As they traveled the road” – It takes time. Even this miraculous “quick” exchange took time! Philip listened, waited, read with the eunuch, and then they discussed. In that time together God created a shared experience that changed them both. How long does it take? As long as it takes to find water in the desert…

                8:36 “Shouldn’t I be baptized?” – The Eunuch asked Philip to baptize him… Philip didn’t coerce, trick, or have an agenda other than to follow God’s lead, and encourage the eunuch along his spiritual journey.

God is doing the work; we are blessed to be a part of it when we listen to what God is doing and give time to Him and the others in our life that He leads us to. Maybe God will do something miraculous like allow you to hear His audible voice or teleport you to a place to minister in His name. But let’s not sit around and be disappointed if it isn’t happening. Instead, let’s rejoice in the miracle of His Holy Word that leads and directs with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s “hear” God lead us when we discern His Will for our days. Let’s keep our eyes and ears open to the spiritual curiosity or starvation that is in the lives of people all around us. Let’s set aside time to listen and love, graciously and faithfully.

God performs amazing miracles through small interactions all the time, and He is doing them through you too, so don’t miss it!

In Christ,

Erik Gauss

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 28, 2024
Acts 8:26–40, Psalm 150, John 15:1–8

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner – Results are ALL IN!

Another important vote has been completed with lots of important discussion and feedback. We had one of our highest attended meetings in a long time and many people shared their thoughts and feedback. While sometimes meetings like that can be challenging, when we all share what is on our hearts, we are all better. When we filter our collective work through the Word of God and His will for us, amazing things happen.  

Our vote was unanimous to extend a Divine Call to Ellie Strable for the position of teacher! Unanimous votes are always exciting, and, in this case, it shows our commitment to ministry and growth for the students and families in our school.  

The vote for IDOT land acquisition was also approved with a 96% rate after an amendment was made in the voters meeting. We will negotiate for a higher payout but are also able to accept a resolution quickly. Thank you for your feedback, expertise, ongoing help, and your trust in negotiating with IDOT. 

The final vote was for solar energy. This also passed but with an 80% approval. 80% sounds good, but that means there is still significant uncertainty amongst the congregation. We hear the concerns and will continue to take those to heart. We are putting together a small task force to further study the bids we have and any additional ones that come in.  

Going forward we will have more information meetings to share our findings and continue to field feedback based on those findings. The good news is this strong vote gives us leverage with the companies we are talking with to move forward, apply for a loan and get toward a decision.  

There are countless needs and wants to put energy towards each day. We care for the hurting, reach out to the lost, and steward our resources. Your feedback and support are critical to helping to get those things done, as well as to direct us to the things that matter most. The Body of Christ, working together under the one Head Jesus the Christ — The Resurrected One!  

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”  Romans 12:4-5 

In Christ, 

Erik Gauss 

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 21, 2024
Acts 3:11-21, Luke 24:36-49

Pastor’s Corner

Unlocking the Scriptures on the Road to Emmaus

“Then he (Jesus) opened their minds so they (the disciples) could understand the Scriptures.”

Luke 24:45

This weekend’s Gospel reading is the Road to Emmaus.  If you’ve never spent much time considering this reading, I’d encourage you to take a gander. If you have studied it before, give it another read. Take a moment to explore the rich imagery and powerful testimony of one of the most transformational accounts of Jesus’ post resurrection appearances.

The events on the road to Emmaus occurred on the day of the first Easter.  Two disciples of Jesus (not part of The Eleven), who were likely walking home after spending a week in Jerusalem celebrating the Passover, are approached by a man they do not recognize.  They engage in conversation about what had occurred that morning, and the disciples are stunned that the man wasn’t aware.

The town of Emmaus is about 7 miles from Jerusalem. The trio walk together, chatting about the indescribable, unbelievable events of that day for multiple hours. Jesus taught them the scriptures about how the promised Messiah had to suffer before entering His glory.  The disciples of Jesus never recognize the man walking with them is their crucified and resurrected Lord.  How often is Jesus right beside us, His word dwelling in us, and we fail to recognize Him? 

When they get to the place where they are going, the disciples are tired and hungry,  and they urge The One that had been walking with them to stay and eat. They break bread together and eyes are opened, and they finally recognize the stranger is actually the Lord Jesus. Being TAUGHT the truth didn’t work, but they CAUGHT the truth in community with Jesus and one another.

Being in community, teaching, learning and putting into practice is where the scriptures and Jesus come alive. Our hearts and minds are constantly bombarded with the experiences of our broken world (dead people don’t come back to life) and so we miss the truth of God (the dead one is alive)! We need to be immersed in the truth in both word and deed.  We need to see people putting the truth into practice, we need time to let it sink in, and we need fellowship to model, mentor and support.

There is so much in the road to Emmaus account. The idea that the disciples thought they knew; that they in fact did know, and yet still missed the work and will of God right in front of their eyes, is a poignant reminder to me that nobody is immune to the weakness of the flesh. It is also a powerful promise that the fellowship of the breaking of the bread reminds us, and opens our hearts and minds to the blessings of God in our life.

The reaction of the disciples: to immediately go back to where they came from. It was already “near evening” they had eaten dinner, there were no flashlights or streetlights… but they can’t wait. They head back the 7 miles to Jerusalem and find The Eleven gathered and hiding. Jesus then shows up and appears to them all together. May participation in the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of the Saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body renew and embolden your witness to one another and the world!

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Luke 24:32

In Christ,

Erik

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 14, 2024
Acts 3:11–21; Psalm 4; Luke 24:36–49

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner: Cross Lutheran Congregation Meeting

April 7^th, 2024

                We are a family of Faith at Cross and, as such, each of us matter!  God calls it the “Body of Christ” where every member has a purpose and a function. Our leadership has been working diligently to keep us moving forward and stewarding our resources well. We need your prayers, input, feedback, AND expertise! Many of you have experience and wisdom that is valuable as we work together. Please read the recommendations below, and then come to our meeting on April 7^th immediately after our last service (approximately noon).We will have time to discuss, and then a week to vote.  Thank you for using and sharing your gifts and ideas, and for your willingness to help lead us forward, together!

Recommendation 1: Extend a Divine Call to Eleanor (Ellie) Strable for the position of teacher. 

The call committee would like to recommend that Cross Lutheran extend a divine call to Eleanor (Ellie) Strable to teach here at Cross next school year. Her initial role would be as a 1^st grade teacher, allowing us to split our large 1^st grade class into two classes. After much prayer and discussion following the interview process (which included an onsite visit), the call committee and teachers who spent time with Ellie unanimously agreed that she is the best candidate for the position. Below is a message from Ellie introducing herself, and her background in teaching:

“My name is Eleanor (Ellie) Strable and I graduated from Concordia University Chicago in December of 2022. I graduated with my Lutheran teacher, elementary education, and special education certifications. Since graduation, I have had experience running the resource room at Rockford Junior/Senior High School, teaching combined 1st and 2nd grade, and working as a one-on-one aide at a school for kids with disabilities who need a lot of support. My favorite thing about teaching is providing experiences and guidance to help the children actively learn and grow. Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a pastor’s child, I learned from a young age the importance of sharing the Gospel and different ways to do this. I have wanted to be a teacher practically my whole life and am following God’s guidance to figure out where He wants me to serve Him in this capacity.”

Recommendation 2: Accept the IDOT offer for land acquisition.

                As part of the widening project of Rt. 47, IDOT will be acquiring .572 acres of land stretching around the North and East  edges of our property, including 14 existing trees.  

                On the North:  Along Ament they will install an underground drainage from our dry retention ponds to the corner to eliminate seasonal flooding.

                On the East: Additional easement and right of way along the entire length of the property.

Other: 11 Deciduous and 3 Coniferous trees will be lost. Three driveway entrances will need to be redone.

Recommendation 3:  Approval for Governance Board to acquire Loan and select best solar purchase option.

                 After researching several companies and receiving no fewer than 10 proposals from 6 companies, we believe it is in Cross’ best interest to purchase solar equipment for our own usage. 

                Estimates vary of course, but on average in these proposals the total cost would not exceed $900,000, and the final cost to Cross after incentives will be approximately $60,000 or all the way down to zero dollars (not counting interest). On average, the annual cost savings for energy usage will be approximately $45,000.  This is an estimate because the new building isn’t completed yet, but the estimate is based on current usage and additional square footage.

                We are asking for permission to move forward with this project, but will be creating a task force to make the final decision about which company to go with, and whether ground mounts or roof mounts are a better solution for Cross. If you are interested in being on the task force, or just want to share insights, please contact me (Pastor Erik) and I’ll help get you connected!

 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

Romans 12:4-6

In Christ,

Erik

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 7, 2024
Acts 4:32–35; Psalm 148; John 20:19–31

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner – Christ is Risen!

Easter is “early” this year and for that I am extremely grateful. Lent seemed a little bit longer than normal with everything going on. I also gave up creamer in my coffee so I was maybe a little extra irritable this Lent… But it is here, it is finally here: it is here again, it is ALWAYS here.

Christ IS Risen. This is still a true statement and continues to be true. Christ is STILL Risen! Christ CONTINUES to be Risen! Christ will ALWAYS be Risen! Jesus didn’t rise for a minute or a week a month and then die again. Christ conquered death once and for all, and He conquers everything that leads to death.

Jesus conquers fear because the foundation of fear is not being in control. Jesus conquers shame, and shame is the residue of guilt still weighing us down. Christ conquers guilt and removes what we have done wrong from our life’s history and puts it in His life’s history. Jesus conquers our heartbreak, our loneliness, our doubts, our failure, our everything, and replaces it with hope, peace, and joy.

Easter worship is a time to receive these gifts again. Our lives, minds, and hearts are constantly bombarded with brokenness and the world tells us to heal by escaping. The world tries to tell us to consume what the world has to offer before it’s too late. Jesus says it’s never too late. IF we believe in Him we will have life to the full and a life that lives lasts forever. Without end! We will become a resurrected, glorified people in eternity, but also NOW!

Our resurrection doesn’t start when we die: our resurrection starts, NOW! Now is the moment we are baptized into Jesus, and into His death, and into His resurrection. We can die each day to sin. We can die each day to the stronghold the world has in our life. We can die each day to fear, shame, and guilt, and rise again in the newness of life.

Jesus invites us, through the Cross, to believe and trust in a different way. To see the world in a different way. The world is not something to conquer, and life isn’t something to achieve. The world is God’s gift to us, and we have all eternity to enjoy the blessings. We have all eternity to live in the joy of God’s power and mercy. We have all eternity without evil, sin, fear, anxiety or guilt. Our eternity starts today, NOW!

With the death and resurrection of Jesus, our death and resurrection begin. Jesus invites us to loosen our grip on the world and lessen its power over us, and to increase our trust in Jesus and His grip on us, and His power over all things. After all, if God is for us, who or what can be against us?

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Romans 8:29

In Christ,

Erik Gauss

Scripture Reading for Sunday, March 31, 2024
Exodus 15: 1-6, 11-13; 1 Corinthians 15:55–58; Matthew 28:1-10

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner – Follow The King!

This weekend is Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the triumphal exit out of Egypt. Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday is the most up and down week in the church year and arguably the world’s history. In preparation for this week, we have been following Moses through Exodus. Moses is the greatest Christ-like figure of the Old Testament and one whom God used to prepare the world for the arrival of Jesus.

But what was Moses’ Palm Sunday or Holy Week equivalent (if there is one)?? I think Palm Sunday is most like the triumphal exit out of Egypt with the key verse being Exodus 13:17.

In my youth I always read this verse as an obvious decision by God and Moses to avoid war with Philistines and go “around” the desert. This is how the NIV actually translates this passage. But, in the original language and in the newer ESV translation the passage translates God led them around the desert through the wilderness.

This sounds so familiar. Jesus enters Jerusalem on the donkey, the ceremonial coronation steed of a king for the people. And then it almost immediately goes in a different direction than the people anticipated.

Can you relate? Have you been so excited that God provided that new job, the physical healing, the spouse, the child, the new home you have always wanted only to have it suddenly turn way different than you expected? Our human nature is to instantly second guess ourselves, our God, and our leaders. We somehow forget that we prayed, sought wise council, read scripture, and followed God’s leadership. Why would we suddenly not believe God is leading just because it is not the way we would have done it? If we wanted to do it our way, why ask God at all?

God’s way is indescribably greater than our way. He leads us to avoid unnecessary challenges (like the Philistines), but we must face the necessary ones (the Egyptian army coming after us). Jesus avoided unnecessary confrontations by doing ministry outside of Israel but eventually had to face the Jewish priestly class and the Devil himself to free humanity.

So, if you find yourself following God but up against the wall, know you are not alone, this is a regular occurrence for people in war against the Devil. But also know that God has and will continue to provide a way out. He has proven faithful time and time again. This Holy Week we once again join Jesus on His journey and remember it too is our journey. We face death all day long, like sheep before a slaughter. Thanks be to God we already have that victory each day and eternally at the resurrection of all life.

Join us for Holy week services on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, and Easter Sunday

Romans 8:36-37 “As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

In Christ,

Erik Gauss

Scripture Reading for Sunday, March 24, 2024
Exodus 34:1-8, Matthew 21:1-11

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner – Intentional Failure

I still remember training my oldest child to ride a bike without training wheels. I was scared and fearful. For the first time in my life, I was plotting how to intentionally put my child in harm’s way. What would happen? Would she hate me forever? Was it too soon?

I thought of all sorts of ways to try to limit the damage caused by inevitable failure; long pants, helmet, limited trees, limestone pathways for a softer landing. But, in the end none of us could guess how well it would go. In fact, even the best-case scenario where she pedals off with no issues had me concerned since there is no way she knew how to stop without tipping over.

I finally got up the courage to run alongside her and prayed for the best. Despite running countless scenarios in my head and planning solutions for each possible outcome, I found myself unprepared. When we finally got to go time, a situation occurred that I had not anticipated. She was more scared than I was. She did not want to fail any more than I did.

Those next several minutes of discussion and prayer, when I was calming her fears and telling her I would be right beside her reminded me that my Heavenly Father is right there with me too. He too allows us to go to places beyond our current human capability. If we did not, we would never grow and we would never use faith because we would not know we needed it.

As we approach the Cross of Jesus, we see that the mission Jesus was sent on would end in abject failure before the good could be done. He would have to die before we could all be fully forgiven and redeemed.

In our walk-through Exodus God has the people of Israel in a similar place. He has given the commandments and sacrificial system they need to fulfill to be considered Holy. It is a system of rules that will be impossible to fulfill without Divine intervention. Even if it were possible to give them guidelines that were possible to complete perfectly (this is debatable based on humans stunning abilities to find ways to fail) what would not have happened is the people realizing their need for God.

God allows us to reach the end of our rope. When we are out of ideas we then start to rely on God’s plan. Even when we think we are relying fully on God there is always a deeper level of faith awaiting. A greater gift that can only truly be reached first realizing we need it. A risk we can take because we know our Heavenly Father is right there beside us.

God gave the people the Old Covenant to show them we will fail without God. He gives us the New Covenant to show us that no matter how egregious the failure, we are never outside God’s mercy and grace. Failure is not truly failure if we allow the struggle to refine us and turn us back to the perfect and powerful hands of our God.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -Jesus- in John 16:33

In Christ,

Erik Gauss

Scripture Reading for Sunday, March 17, 2024
Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 5:27-30

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner – God’s Law

Rules are meant to be broken. Those laws do not apply to me. These are suggestions, not die-hard laws.

As human beings, our relationship with rules and laws is rather interesting. Tell someone they cannot have something, and they want it more. Give someone a boundary and they press up against it to see if they can break it or test if you are serious. Make clear rules and people cry you are controlling and taking away all the fun.

Of course, being that we are humans there is always the other perspective. People want rules so they know what is expected and can be in control. They want the badge that says they did it the right way. They find great comfort and self-righteousness in the black and white of right and wrong.

The way we view, and our relationship with, authority and laws are directly related to our relationship with God. If we are more rebellious, we will often despise, challenge, or feel restricted by God’s laws. On the other hand, if we are rule followers, we will find great satisfaction and comfort in our ability to follow God’s rules, often adapting the real meaning to fit into what we are capable of accomplishing.

The interesting part is that this is not what God’s laws are for or what they are intended to do in our life. God’s laws have two simple purposes. To help us grow in relationships to God and in so doing, better reflect Him to the world around us. That is it.

Psalm 19 describes the role God has for His laws in our life. Some language from there; perfect, reviving the soul, enlightening the eyes, rejoicing the heart. I wonder how many of us would use these words to describe the Ten Commandments or any of God’s laws for that matter.

Verse 11 reminds us that these laws matter, “by them your servant is warned, in keeping them there is great reward.” But this great reward probably isn’t what you are thinking. The great reward for keeping God’s laws is not righteousness, salvation, or heaven. The keeping of God’s laws only does two things. Draws us near to God and allows us to better reflect God wholly in the world around us.

The Law of God draws us closer to Him by showing us we need Him. We cannot keep the laws on our own, we will fail. If our comfort and salvation come from following all the rules, we will either become distraught or will change the rules to be something we can accomplish and not what God intended. But when we are honest with our inability to keep the law, we grow in gratitude that God loves us and forgives us and came to save us. The larger we realize our need for a savior, the larger our gratitude toward God.

The Law allows us to reflect God better to others because when we follow God’s laws, we are imitators of Christ. BUT! We do not require others to obey them anymore than God requires us to obey them. The greater the sin and disobedience of those around us, the greater our opportunity to show and express God’s whole and complete forgiveness.

The Laws of God make the people of God capable of impacting the world around us in a powerful way. The Laws of the Lord have allowed His followers to be healthy and strong through dietary restrictions. They have provided tremendous scientists to yearn to discover the creator more intimately through His Creation. They have provided a people who are not tossed to and fro in a politically divisive word, but instead shine as a beacon of hope, a city on a hill to all the world.

This week we will explore the Ten Commandments and their power in our lives and the world around us. We will do this through the lens of our Savior the only one proved holy by fulfilling them and gifting His hard-earned righteousness to us freely by God’s love. May we receive it and share it with one another and the world!

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20

In Christ,

Erik Gauss

Scripture Reading for Sunday, March 10, 2024
Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 20:20-28

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner – God, Sex, Money, and Alcohol…How is that for a teaser?

Late last year I approached a good pastor-friend of mine about doing a faith-based podcast together. He was immediately interested in a partnership. He had one requirement: “It will be called Whiskey Shepherds.”

This request was not a total blindside (listen to the first episode to find out why) but it was certainly a challenging request. The relationship Christians have with alcohol is, to put it mildly, a mess. Some Christians believe drinking alcohol for any reason (even communion) is anathema. Other Christians make their own alcohol and share it with friends as a hobby.

Over my years of being a pastor I have ministered to, prayed for, cried with, challenged, answered late night phone calls, gone on emergency visits, and most recently responded on scene after a suicide that no doubt was at least partially fueled by alcohol. My Co-host, Rev. Dr. Chris James, is deeply impacted by alcoholism in his family. This was no light request; alcohol is a big deal in our country. Addiction is real, its impact is generational, do we run from it, or do we work to reframe it centrally into a biblical worldview?

What I believe is that if the Church is silent on a topic, or the only thing we say about a topic is “don’t do it” then the World is the one informing believers about that topic. I have taught this concept to parents, business owners, husbands and wives and anyone in a position of influence. When the church is silent at worst or at best has a “don’t touch it” mentality about things we fail to train the next generation in their most critical role; developing a biblical framework with which to interpret the entirety of their life’s decisions.

For some Christians, the best and most faithful use of these controversial gifts will be abstinence. Sex and alcohol when used outside a biblical framework can cause irreversible and generational harm. At the same exact time, sex and alcohol are used by God for some of our richest and closest to God blessings.

Sexual intercourse in a marriage is the physical reality of the unity we have with God and each other as well as the gifting of children! Husbands and wives should be having lots of sex as God’s gift to them and His kingdom. This helps to create a unity inside and outside the bedroom that models Christ’s love to the world. The unity of husband and wife is the closest thing we have to the unity of God and His Church on Earth. Jesus is the Groom, the Church His bride. (Ephesians 5, Revelation 21)

Alcohol is the tool God has chosen to deliver forgiveness Christ’s Body and Blood to his people. The means of grace that many believe we ought to receive daily! Christ’s first miracle was providing wine to a wedding feast and not just any wine, the finest of wines. Which, by the way, will also be present at the wedding feast of the Lamb at the resurrection of all flesh. (Isaiah 25)

I promised to talk about money, which Jesus does more often than any other topics except the Kingdom of God itself. Money is the number one earthly tool to expand God’s kingdom and at the same time is the number one tool of the devil to take our trust away from God.

It should not surprise us that the greatest gifts that God gives us also have the ability to cause the most damage when used inappropriately. How much more important is it then that we put a biblical framework around it and allow God to use it for His purposes? Not just sex, alcohol, or money, but every breath that we breathe.

Consider this question. What area of your life do you currently think has no connection to God? Is it work? Your hobby? Your music interests? Everything in our lives has the opportunity, when brought into a biblical framework, to be used by God. It can enhance our relationship with Him, and it can connect us to other people. When we find ourselves in a place where few Christians would dare to tread, we find ourselves in a tremendous mission field of people with whom to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The mission field can be dangerous too, it can lure us away from God. But it has a greater chance of doing that when we leave God out of it because it is not “my faith life.” My hope with this new podcast is to model faith conversations and how anything and everything can be a place where God dwells and moves and have fun while doing it. What would it look like if you brought God to that place and space where you have said He does not really fit? What would He accomplish in you, who might be impacted by God because you invited Him there?

So far there are only a few episodes but the feedback has been largely positive so we might continue to do this for a while. I want to thank the Cross Lutheran Foundation for giving us a grant to cover the technical equipment and fees that go with websites etc. (disclaimer: no grant money was used to purchase alcohol). And I pray that you might listen. Have some fun, share with coworkers, and be encouraged to invite Jesus into every area of your life, it is not always easy, but wow is it powerful.

So, sit back; grab your bibles, pour a dram, the Whiskey Shepherds are on!

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1,2

Listen on:

Spotify – Search Whiskey Shepherds

Patreon- internet based http://www.patreon.com/whiskeyshepherds

http://www.whiskeyshepherds.org

In Christ,

Erik Gauss

Scripture Reading for Sunday, March 3, 2024
Exodus 17:1-7, John 4:3-10

Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner – 2 New Pastor Led Spiritual Growth Opportunitiees

Starting next weekend, February 25th, we will be launching two new pastor led spiritual growth opportunities. We pray that these will be a blessing and a launching point for ongoing adult discipleship.

Sunday February 25th at 9:30AM in the Food Court – Dig a little deeper into God’s Rescue Story. The story of Exodus is second only to Easter itself in the importance of our faith story. Moses is a “type” of Christ. In other words, the people of God are able to look at Moses and see a glimpse of the future Messiah. When Jesus comes, he essentially builds onto the account of Moses and other people God provided in Israel’s past. These people of our family history were there to help us to know God our Creator and prepare us to recognize Christ our Savior.

As we look back on these accounts as people who have already met Jesus, it is even more obvious and amazing than it would have been to most of the people at the time. Moses delivers God’s people from slavery into freedom through water. He does so by the blood of a perfect lamb slaughtered and shared in a meal. This meal celebrated ever since Moses is the same meal we still celebrate today as we receive the blood of the perfect Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.

You are not required to purchase the book, but it is strongly recommended to bring your bibles!

Wednesday Night, February 28th, in the Fellowship Hall – Activate: Discover – Pastor Matt will lead you through a time of Discovery. You will investigate God’s promises and provision in your own life. Just as God reminds his people throughout scripture to remember his deliverance from Egypt we too will look back and remember. When we look back at How God has shown up in our lives, we often Discover how God has been leading us. This helps us to better follow where God may be guiding our future!

After this 4 week experience you will leave with more confidence and direction on how to partner with how God is leading your life. If you are trying to figure out how to make a difference for God in your day-to-day life, this is the place to Discover and Activate that spiritual nudge.

We hope these two opportunities continue to spark that spiritual renewal and resurgence for our congregation and community.

In Christ,

Erik Gauss

Scripture Reading for Sunday, February 18, 2024
Exodus 3:1-14, Mark 1:9-15