Word of the Week

Word of the Week: COMMUNION

In another word which relates to worship and the worship service, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew discusses the word "communion" and what it means from 1 Corinthians 10:16-17. Communion is a word that is often used as a synonym for the "Lord's Supper" - the sacrament instituted by Christ before His crucifixion. From these words of Paul we will discuss the Scriptural foundation for the teaching of the "Real Presence" of Christ's body and blood in and with the bread and the wine, as well as the Scriptural foundation for the practice of Closed Communion. This a very fitting title for this Sacrament and very important section of Scripture as well. Join us for this valuable study!

Word of the Week: Absolution

Absolution: It may be a familiar word, but what does it mean? Pastor Ben Libby goes into the subject of absolution and why it is an important part of our worship. It is the forgiveness of our sins in action. God assures us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Only God is able to forgive us our sins, but He has truly given that to us and we are able to assure others of that same blessing. But it did not come cheap. In fact, the only way we were able to be absolved of our sins was by the blood of Jesus Christ, the spotless lamb of God. "And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Absolution and forgiveness only come through and by the blood of the lamb!   

Word of the Week: Worship

What is worship? It is a familiar word in our society, but what does it mean? Pastor Mark Tiefel show that already in the book of Genesis we have examples of worship. There were the acceptable and unacceptable offerings of Abel and Cain (Genesis 4), and people began to "call on the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). The Old Testament people built altars to the LORD and the LORD gave them detailed instructions about how they should worship Him. The most common word for "worship" in the Bible, literally means to prostrate oneself (bow) before God. This is contrary to many forms of worship in our society today which emphasizes the sinner, and not God. But the Biblical concept of worship always emphasizes the work of God for the sinner which is what the Gospel really is. In John 4 Jesus explains for the Samaritan woman what true worship really is (4:24) believing it with sincerity in our heart (in spirit), but to be founded on the truth of God's Word and follow it in our lives (in truth). This is what true worship really is.

Word of the Week: Liturgy

Lutherans are familiar with the word "Liturgy" while many others are not. In fact there is a trend in our society away from liturgical or "orderly" worship. The word simply means ministry or service. The concept of Christian worship is founded on the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:40: "Let all things be done decently and in order." The use of liturgy is not a new concept, but goes back to the very early Christian church. It includes these points: It confesses the Trinity. It confesses Christ. It is Evangelical. It is Historic. It confesses the Creeds. These qualities of our liturgy are taken from and based on the truths of Scripture, and are used by God to serve us!

Word of the Week: Service

What do you think of when you hear the word "service"? There are three main words in the New Testament that are translated service. 1) a servant or slave who serves another; 2) official service (also in a religious use) this is where we get the word "liturgy"; 3) service in the church either with the word like pastors, or deacons who serve in other ways as well. Paul reminds us in Eph. 6 that when we serve we are remember that we are serving the Lord. The Lord serves us in many different ways, and as a result there are many different ways that we serve our Lord and our neighbor. There is always something that we can do to serve using the gifts He has given us.  

Word of the Week: Magi

Who are the Magi and what do they have to do with Christmas? Pastor Mark Tiefel tells us that the word magi is related to our English word "magic" although it is not like the magic we think of today. The magi or wise men were students of many different subjects and sometimes even had "super"natural abilities. Think of the examples of Joseph or Daniel in the Old Testament and the God-given ability to interpret dreams. In fact the magi may have been influenced by the "ministry" of Daniel in Babylon centuries before who shared the truth of the coming Savior while he was in that foreign land. The magi knew about the coming of the Savior, and seeing His star, traveled many mile to worship the Savior sent by God. The account of the magi reminds us that God's Word is intended to bring hope and comfort to all people, which is one of the main themes of the season of Epiphany.

Word of the Week: Admonition

Pastor Mark Tiefel defines the word "admonition" as it is used in Scripture and the importance of it in our lives. This is not a popular word in our world today, but the word has the idea of giving information to correct or change our lives for the better (from God's perspective). This is one of the priorities which God has given to parents in raising their children, just as God does for us. This is viewed as arrogant in our society, but something that God does to us and we do for one another in love. God instructs us through the hearing and reading of His Word. As Christians, God has called us to admonish one another in love, it is part of our calling as His children and our faithful witness of our Savior. 

Word of the Week: VIRGIN BIRTH

In our Christmas Day Word of the Week, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew takes a look at the Biblical doctrine of the "Virgin Birth." This doctrine has been doubted and opposed throughout the history of Christianity, but is CLEARLY taught in both the Old and the New Testaments. A close look at the birth accounts recorded in Luke (to Mary) and Matthew (to Joseph) reveal that there was no doubt that the conception of Jesus was a miracle seen in the fact that Mary was indeed a virgin. This is also prophesied in the Old Testament by the prophet Isaiah (7:14). Thanks be to God for His gift of a Savior who was both True God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and True Man, born of the Virgin Mary! It is this truth that makes Christmas a gift from God!

Word of the Week: Only-Begotten

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the World we return to a Name of Jesus: Only Begotten. This term in Greek mean "unique" or "unparalleled" and describes the relationship with another. It is only used 9 times in the New Testament and 5 times to describe Jesus and His relationship with the Father. It is used twice in John 1, twice in John 3 and once in 1 John. There are two important truths that we learn from these references. 1) Because Jesus has this unique relationship with the Father, He is able to be our Savior. 2) We should believe in Jesus because of who He is. Without faith, we are condemned, but through faith we receive the salvation He has come to win. What more important Christmas message is there, than Jesus is the Word, the Only-begotten of the Father who came to deliver us from sin and death? A blessed Christmas to you as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the only-begotten Son of the Father!

Word of the Week: Neighbor

Pastor Nathanael Mayhew digs into the Second Table of the Law and Jesus' Parable of the Good Samaritan to define the term "neighbor" as it is used in Scripture. While our flesh would like to justify our actions by narrowly defining our neighbor as those that we like or love, Jesus points out that our neighbor is anyone and everyone, and even includes our "enemies"! Join us for this practical review!