We hope you will take the opportunity to visit us and learn about all that Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Chapel, and School have to offer you and your family.

We are a community of believers who stand on God’s unchanging Word.

At the very center of everything we do is truth that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting men’s sins against them (2 Cor 5:19).

In Christ,

Pastor Saari

The famous hymn poses the question, “Were you there?”  Were you there at the death of our Savior?  Were you there at the resurrection of our Savior?  Did you look into the empty tomb and see the grave clothes lying there?  The answer, of course, is no.  We only view these events through the eyes of faith.  However, does that mean the certainty of Jesus’ resurrection is dependent on blind faith alone?  Here are some historic facts about the resurrection that show we can know empirically that Jesus did rise from the dead.

• The disciples never changed their story:  The disciples stuck to their story  even when they were threatened with physical punishment.  They would not recant their claim of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  In fact, Peter and John before the rulers said, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  (Acts 4:20)
• The disciples were willing to die because of Jesus’ resurrection:  Of the Apostles’, apart from Judas, 10 of the 11 were martyred.  The Apostle Paul, who also saw the resurrected Lord, was also willing to die in martyrdom.  If the disciples had been telling a lie, wouldn’t it be likely that at least one of them would crack and spill the beans?  But instead they gave up their lives because of what they had seen and heard.
• Over 500 hundred men saw that risen Lord at one time:  (1 Corinthians 15:6)  In Hebrew law, everything had to be established by two or three witnesses.  How much credibility does an event with 500 witnesses have?
• Where is the body?  Supposedly, the disciples, many of them simple fisherman, overpowered the elite Roman soldiers and hid the body.  The religious rulers of the time knew that Jesus had said he would rise from the dead – that is why they posted the guards at the tomb.  If they could prove that he lied in just one teaching, they could label him a false prophet.  If they really believed that he didn’t rise, don’t you think that they would have torn Jerusalem and the surrounding area apart looking for the body.  Instead, they simply paid off the Roman soldiers.  They knew that searching for a body would be useless because they knew the guards were not lying.  The tomb was empty.  Christ is risen!

Our faith in the resurrection is not merely based on blind faith.  We have the account of eyewitnesses to His glory.  Listen to the way John introduces his first epistle.  “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched– this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” (1 John 1:1)

Were we there? No, we weren’t but our joy is no less and our faith no weaker.  As Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)  Your faith in Jesus’ resurrection is not base God’s Word alone, though that would be enough, but also on the historical facts.  Stop doubting and believe.  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Maybe you’ve seen those freaky horror movies with little demon-dolls. They’re evil and foreboding. No matter what their victims do, they keep reappearing. Finally, the movie ends; it’s over. Or is it? There’s always the sequel.

That’s cinema. But real life brings demons of terror that are not products of imagination. This real horror doesn’t disappear with the words, “The end.” In fact, those only add another facet of horror – life’s termination. Death!

Maybe people watch movies to escape from fear. Perhaps themes of blood and terror appeal because they are left behind when we exit the theater. But we can’t avoid death. It’ll creep up on all of us no matter the diets or secrets to longevity we follow. It is only delayed, inevitable. The Grim Reaper will eventually cut us down. It sends shivers up and down the spine!

Death would never be haunting us if not for another culprit: sin. Everyone has sinned, done evil, thought the lurid, hateful, greedy thought, and… the list of sins is endless, as is the punishment from Holy God that we deserve! Just when we think we’ve overcome one sin, there’s a sequel. And don’t forget how we can’t forget: guilt!

Jesus Christ, true God, came to our cemetery-pocked world for us. He never gave in to temptation. Sinless, He should not have died, but He did, on the cross. Those spotless 33 years were lived for us; six hours of hellish death were died for us. But that was not “The End.”

Jesus got up, alive, three days later. What good news for us who are so creeped out by sin, guilt, and death! With Jesus’ holiness credited to us and with His death paying our sentence in full, we’re forgiven! The Bible tells us why: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins,” 1 Corinthians 15:17. Jesus’ resurrection declares that we are NOT still in our sins. Why? Because if there is no need for a grave, that means there is no death anymore. And if there is no death anymore, that means there is no sin (the cause of death) anymore. So Jesus rescued us from the victimizing, terrorizing power of our sin, guilt, and mortality! Forgiveness ends the fear. This we believe. God’s Word declares it. We are not STILL in our sins. Jesus is risen! We are not STILL mortified by death and its source, sin. Jesus is risen! Still the guilt-sequels? No, Jesus is risen! Still comforted and secure in forgiveness and certain of eternal life in heaven? Yes, Jesus is risen!

(Blog courtesy of the ELS Board for Evangelism – www.learnaboutjesus.com

An expectant crowd gathers behind the large bus. Anticipation builds; the lucky family stands with bated breath. After what feels like hours, it’s finally time. “Bus driver… MOVE THAT BUS!” As one of 11 million in the television audience, your pulse races a little as the large bus creeps forward to reveal someone’s new dream home. The fortunate family gasps in amazement and delight as the new abode is revealed. It’s beyond their wildest dreams; it’s perfect! 

We are awed by those custom-built homes, but practicality (or is it jealousy?) tells us that eventually, shingles will blow off, the custom painted walls will bear toddlers’ scribbles, and everyday wear and tear will take their toll. One of those Extreme Makeover homes has even gone into foreclosure! So, let’s talk about a different Great Reveal that won’t fade or rust over time. It happened on a mountaintop while three students gathered with their teacher to pray.  While they were praying, their teacher, Jesus, began to shine with the glory of God. The students never forgot what they saw.

 This audience of three wasn’t made of model citizens. In fact, these men were just as undeserving as those folks who get the free houses on television. But they were the ones God chose to gather in excitement as a bright cloud enveloped their Teacher. They gasped as the Father proclaimed, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Their wildest dreams were reality: the Savior had arrived, and He was right among them! Jesus, their teacher, was God’s Son and their Savior from sin.  He walked among them, personally taught them about His Father’s plan, and then suffered for their sins. That ultimate price wasn’t paid just so the Disciples’ earthly lives could improve. Jesus lived and died to make them perfect in the eyes of God!  He provided them with a home in heaven.

Our Savior, Jesus, has been revealed as God’s Son.  He is no longer hidden.   He has shown you where He can be found today! His awesome truths are proclaimed through the Gospel, which is God’s good news to every person in the world. Find out how He achieved your perfection by reading His holy word, the Bible. Just as his disciples watched in amazement as He was changed before their very eyes, you will be astonished at His amazing revelations. You’ve been waiting for that Great Reveal. He’s here. He’s perfect. He is the Son of God. His name is Jesus.

Why are you excited about the New Year?  Is it because you have another excuse to celebrate?  Or maybe it’s because you just love the passing of time so much that you can’t wait for another year to be over!  No, in general, people resist and detest the passing of time.  With busy lives, everyone would like 2010 to take a little longer to finish.  So, what is so exciting about the New Year?  I suggest that it is the chance for a fresh start.  Many of us hope and pray for next year to be better than the present.            The New Year offers every person the chance to wipe the slate clean, to forget about their failings and disappointments, and to start over.

What’s on your slate?  Broken resolutions and promises?  Health and financial issues?  Family and marriage problems?  Should you be surprised that you want a fresh start?  The sad thing is that at the end of 2011, your slate will probably look much the same.  Hope springs eternal, but the New Year’s hope just doesn’t last.  There is a hope that does last, even beyond all New Years and into eternity.  It is the hope that Jesus gives.  He wipes the slate clean forever.

In John 8, we read of a woman who was probably hoping and wishing for a fresh start.  She had been caught in the act of adultery.  The Law of Moses required that she be put to death by stoning.  The religious leaders brought her to Jesus to see what He would do.  They were hoping to trap Him in some way.  What Jesus did was simply amazing!  He told the leaders, “If any of you is without sin, let him throw the first stone.”  One by one, convicted of their guilt, they went away.  Only Jesus remained.  He asked the woman, “Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.  “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  Jesus gave her a fresh start.  He, as the sinless Savior, could have cast the first stone.  But He didn’t!  He wiped her slate clean.  He forgave all her sins.

Jesus offers the same hope to you and to all people.  Through His death and resurrection, He has wiped your slate clean and given you a fresh start.  Your sins are forgiven.  He does this not just on New Year’s, but for every day of your life.  Now, that’s real and lasting hope.

The New Year is a joyous time when we are looking forward to a brighter future.  The future Jesus offers is brighter still.  A truly blessed New Year can only be had in Him.  He has forgiven all your sins.  Happy New Year!

            Australians have a saying for slow pokes: “Christmas is coming.”  The thought is that the person is taking so long to finish what they are doing that Christmas will be here and gone before they’re done.  It is often said in frustration.  The desire is that the person hurry up and finish.  They should have been done already!

            Have you ever felt that way with God?  “Lord, time is ticking.  When are you going to do “something”?  Can’t you see what is happening?  When will you fulfill your promises?”  I’m sure that the Old Testament believers felt that way about the birth of the Messiah.  God had promised to send the Savior but He took so long to fulfill it.  We may feel that way about the second coming of Jesus.  He has promised that He is coming but we wish He would hurry up and do it.  In our frustration we may impatiently say, “Jesus is coming?  Yeah, so is Christmas!” Isn’t that also a great reminder?  God works on His own schedule.  He promised long ago that the Messiah would come, but only “when the time had fully come” did God send “his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)  In God’s time and according to His plan, He fulfills His promises.  But He does fulfill them!

            Christmas is a great time to reflect on the faithfulness of God and His patience with us.  He not only fulfilled the promise of the Savior, but He remains true to His word in ALL His promises:

• To forgive our sins for Jesus’ sake.
• To adopt us as His children through baptism.
• To give us Christ’s body and blood for the strengthening of our faith.
• To guide us through His Word.
• To provide all that we need for this body and life.
• To see us safely to heaven.

If you find yourself being impatient with God, take a moment to reflect on His gracious patience with you.  Remember, “Christmas is coming!”  God will keep His word.  May the birth of our Savior reassure you that your sins are forgiven and that the gift of heaven is yours.  Christmas is coming indeed!

Pastor Hartwig

“What is truth?”  Pontius Pilate posed that question to Jesus.  (John 18:38)  What is truth?  Man has an innate desire to discover truth.  It is the pursuit of this truth that causes people to be fascinated with mathematics, biology, physics, religion, and politics.  The most famous sentence of the Declaration of Independence starts, “We hold these truths to be self-evident”.  The founding of the United States was based on truth.  We celebrate and enjoy the freedoms that those truths provide.  The Lutheran Reformation is also a celebration of liberty based on Truth.

Pilate didn’t believe that truth was really knowable.  Many today believe the same thing except they have a little spin on it.  They believe that truth is relative.  They make statements like, “What is true for you is not necessarily true for me.”  This allows people to justify sinful activity.  For example:  an abortion is a woman’s choice, not murder; homosexuality is a lifestyle, not an abomination; pre-marital sex is what everyone is doing, not violation of God’s holy law.  If truth is relative, then real absolute truth is unknowable.  But there is another important question to ask and it is, “Who determines what truth is?”  In our culture of relative truth, the individual determines what truth is.

Men throughout time have wrongly taken this right to themselves.  When men do this, they make truth into what sounds good or beneficial to them.  Their sin corrupts their perception and the Truth is lost.  It has been this way since the Garden of Eden.  Even in the pursuit of truth in science and the other studies of God’s creation, man’s sinfulness causes him to make wrong conclusions about our origins and purpose in life.  Therefore, man should pursue truth carefully and objectively.

At the time of the Lutheran Reformation, it was the “Church” that determined what was true and what was not.  The traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, along with Papal decrees, were influenced by human philosophies.  These became the rule of “truth” within the Church and society.  In fact, the Church went so far as to say that only the Pope and the Priesthood could determine truth.  The Church does not determine Truth.  God does.  The role of the Church is to proclaim the objective Truth that God has declared in His Word.

It was the pursuit of Truth that caused Martin Luther to study the Scriptures.  What he found there was very different from what the church was saying.  Through the Bible, God revealed that people cannot be saved through their own “good” works.  His prophet, Isaiah, said, “Even our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”  (Isa 64:6)  Our salvation is not by works but by God’s grace in Jesus.  (Eph. 2:8-9)  We cannot satisfy God’s demands by our deeds.  Man cannot save himself.  God had to rescue man by sending Jesus to live, die and rise again.  Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are declared righteous in God’s eyes.  All who trust in Jesus receive the benefit of His life and death.  This is objective truth.  Whether you believe it or not, IT IS TRUE.  This objective truth was the heart of and reason for the Reformation.  It is the reason that we celebrate the Reformation.  It is the reason that we are free.  As Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

What is Truth?  Is truth knowable?  Yes, truth is knowable.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)  If you know Jesus, you know the truth.  Join us as to celebrate the Reformation.  Let us continue the pursuit of truth and follow Jesus all the way to heaven.  To Him be glory.

 Pastor Hartwig

People have misconceptions about church attendance.  Once a week, once a month, once every couple of months, the responses would be as varied as the number of people that you asked.  Sometimes, I wonder if the question people are really considering is, “How often they need to go to church to keep God happy?”  This is the first misconception.  People view worship as something that the individual does for God.  This error effectively takes the Gospel out of worship life.  Instead, we should view worship as something that God does for us.

This understanding of God’s service to us is emphasized in our worship services.  What is the first thing we sinners do in our divine service?  We confess our sins.  Throughout our life, we hate, insult, offend, lust, get angry, lie, cheat and steal.  We need forgiveness!  If we are going to enter the presence of holy God our sins must be dealt with.  In fact, it is this need for forgiveness that drives us to His presence.  He is the one that judges, and therefore He is the only one that can forgive us.

When we confess our sins in the divine service, God’s messenger declares to us the gracious forgiveness of all our sins.  Jesus told His disciple, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:23)  When God’s servant forgives our sins they are really forgiven!  God comes to us through His servant and lifts the terrible burden of our guilt.  That is certainly something to sing about.

Another misconception about worship is that we come mainly to offer songs and prayers of thanks and praise.  Though this is true to a degree, it is not the primary focus.  We don’t come to say something to God but to listen to what He has to say to us.  Therefore, the second focus of our divine service is the Word of God.  Every week we read portions of the Bible and a sermon is delivered on a particular text.  Jesus said to His disciples, “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16)  We come to church to listen to God speak to us through His messenger.  In the Law, God reveals our sins to us.  He shows us that we fall short of His glory and deserve eternal death.  But in His sweet Gospel, He tells us that He loves so much the He sacrificed Jesus to save us from hell.  Once again God comes to us with the forgiveness that Christ won on the cross.

One Sunday, after the service, a woman greeted me at the door and said, “Vicar, have you been looking in my window?”  The sermon had really touched her because of its relevance to her current situation.  She felt like I had written the sermon just for her.  Now, she didn’t get that same experience every Sunday.  But this emphasizes the need to be in church regularly.  What if this Sunday’s is “your” sermon, and you’re not there?

So what is regular church attendance?  Regular attendance is taking advantage of every opportunity that God gives you to hear His Word and to receive absolution and the Lord’s Supper.  Our need and desire for the forgiveness that Jesus won on the cross motivates us to seek every opportunity to partake of Word and Sacrament.  No wonder the writer of the book of Hebrews urges us, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as we see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)  May Jesus’ love for you, poor sinner that you are, inspire you to regularly “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)  See you in church!