Welcome to St. John Lutheran Church-LCMC

From the desk of Pastor Geske….

Greetings in the name of Christ! This month, we celebrate the 506th anniversary of the Reformation. It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses to begin a theological discussion. God used Martin Luther to renew again the great truth that we are saved by grace, not by our works. God’s amazing grace is that He has saved us from sin, death, and the devil. Just think about those words of Paul, where he wrote, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24 NIV) And a few verses later, we read, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:28 NIV) It is central to us that God has freely saved us by the life, death, and resurrection our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In defining who we are as the Lutheran Church—One Lutheran denomination had this to say on their website. “Grace alone ~ God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly. Faith alone ~ By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him. Scripture alone ~ The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.” (--LCMS Website)

I believe their understanding is our understanding of God’s work through grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone. We strive as Lutheran Christians to help the world understand our need for forgiveness and the love and forgiveness that God gives in and through Jesus Christ alone. The world needs our witness therefore we need to be prepared to give a reason for our faith. It is good to be in worship, in Bible study, in prayer, and in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. Our community needs what God is offering through St. John Lutheran Church. I pray that you would join me in inviting family, friends, and neighbors to join us in what God is doing through our ministry at St. John Lutheran Church.

In Christ,

Pastor. Jeffrey Geske