We are excited to announce that Pastor Eric Bohlmann has accepted the call to be the next settled pastor at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Pastor Eric comes to us from Grace Lutheran Church in Molalla, Oregon, where he faithfully served for four years. His installation service will be held on Sunday, July 1st, at 3:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more information about Pr. Eric and his family.
While uncertain and change are always part of human life, ultimately the future is not uncertain.
While we all like to “go our own way,” and want to feel like we can do life “our way,” and are in control, we may forget that we are vulnerable and fragile, and that we do often get ourselves lost in the thorny thickets of life’s struggles and difficulties.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia! These words begin and end our worship on each of the seven Sundays of Easter as an affirmation of the fact that Easter is not a day, it is a seven week long season that celebrates the resurrection of our Lord.
Maybe there is a bit of “doubting Thomas” in us all. The Good News is that the risen Lord met Thomas in the midst of his incredulity.
Let’s face it. A lot of people you and I come into contact with don’t much believe in the statement “Christ is risen.” Why should they believe that in a world where death and intolerance and hatred always seem to hold the day?
Because of our sinful nature people still want a god who will perform according to their expectations… Who needs a savior who gets himself crucified?
Authentic Christianity has no place for blaming others for the sufferings and death of Jesus. The root cause of His anguish is obvious. We see it whenever we look in the mirror.
The most urgent question that emerges for me as I think about the story in John 4 and our congregation is who should we be inviting?