Angels Among Us
Angels are God’s messengers. There are many examples in the Bible of angels bringing messages to people, such as God’s promise to Abraham, to the virgin Mary, and to the shepherds caring for their flock by night. More than two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary, a yo ..
Prepare the Way for the King
Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent t ..
Mary Knew
In my living room, the Christmas tree spreads its familiar light. The tree lights are faint, like a distant inkling of those that already shine in that land of eternal joy. Their light brings to mind that light that shone from the manger. In my living room, a star-shaped lamp shines in the w ..
SFC Summer Services Youth Presentation: Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please Him
You who are sitting and listening here in the sanctuary or out in the yard. Or perhaps you are sitting at a computer in some other place listening to this. Have you pondered the meaning of life and what faith will mean the moment you close your eyes for the last time? Faith Is an As ..
By Faith Alone
Installment 10 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) During the Reformation, Lutheran beliefs came to be categorized as material and formal principles. The formal princ ..
Season of Special Music
First Advent Sunday is only a few weeks away, so we can start thinking of music on that theme to listen to and sing in our homes. In our hymnal, the first eleven songs are Advent songs. Two of them are special to me. The first of these is, fittingly, song number 1: Hosanna, Son of David. Th ..
God’s Grace in Christ
Installment 9 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) Grace distinguishes Christian faith from other religions. We cannot speak of a saving faith without speaking o ..
The Great Commandment
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy ..
Love Your Neighbor
God created us. All of us humans are part of God’s creation work. God gives each of us a time and a place to live. We can’t choose our time of birth, where we’re born, our culture, our country, our family. We build our lives upon the blessings God gives and trust in His guidance. Ea ..
Confirmation Is SRK-LLC Mutual Work Area
In late May, Timo Kosola, of Joensuu, Finland, was asked by Juha Luokkala, who is responsible for SRK confirmation schools, to come to America to teach at the HLC Confirmation School in July. The brother previously scheduled to serve was unable to travel so a replacement was needed. Timo, w ..
