Beloved in Christ,
How blessed we were to be gathered for Christ’s Word and Supper in His Divine Service to us this past Sunday!
His love–with the Father’s love–is infinite. So high is God’s love for us sinners that HE GAVE to us His only Son as the Savior. So we cherish what is surely one of the most popular passages of Scripture, from our Gospel reading Sunday, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
And there is another super-popular passage of Scripture from our Epistle reading, Sunday, and that passage reveals and assures us of the grace of God that saves us. Here are the words of Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
God’s love and God’s grace…these blessings are shown in the Gift of His sent-Son, Jesus Christ–crucified and resurrected for us poor sinners. And there is yet another gift of God: faith. These are what could be called the “touchstones” of salvation. So, we believe, teach, and confess that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone as proclaimed by Scripture alone.
The love of God is infinite, and yet, the Holy Spirit desires that we learn and grasp more and more how great is God’s love for us (Ephesians 3:17-19). The only way for this to happen is through the Word of God–by the preached Word–the proclamation of His Gospel.
The grace of God is incomprehensible but still given and assured us. How truly amazing is God’s grace! He loves us, His favor is upon us–just think, in spite of the mess that we are because of our sin. He gives us what we do not deserve: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation (rescue from sin, death, and the devil).
Indeed, as we sang in church: Amazing grace– how sweet the sound– that saved a wretch like me!
Oh the joy to bask in the Son-shine of God’s love and His grace and mercy–which is new every morning!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jr. Confirmation class meets this evening at 6:30PM.
There is no Prayer Shawl meeting this evening.
Elders meet at 7:30PM.
Wednesday: 10:00AM Bible Study
6:00PM Lenten Supper
7:00PM Evening Prayer
Thursday: 7:00AM Emmaus Walkers Men’s Bible Study at Immanuel Parish Center
9:00AM Pastors’ Circuit 6 Conference at Grace – Middletown
6:00PM Bible Study
7:00PM Choir
Saturday: 9:00AM Congregational Preparedness Workshop – District Office
Sunday: 9:00AM Divine Service
10:15AM Bell Choir
10:30AM SS/Bible Study
1:30PM LFL Chapter Meeting here at Holy Trinity (preparing mailing for Life Rally in September)
Palm Sunday Brunch, hosted by the Ladies of Holy Trinity, is coming quickly on March 29th. The ladies will provide egg and tater casseroles. Member families are asked to bring a coffee cake/Danish/baked good or fresh fruits.
Please continue to pray for Rev. Ingo Dutzmann and family who lost their home (losing everything) to a gas explosion and fire last week. Our District and Synod is responding in a marvelous manner with support for them. And look in Sunday’s bulletin on how you too can help–besides your prayers. Rev. Dutzmann is pastor at First Lutheran Church in Boston, MA.
Pray for God’s comfort upon the family of Michael Sebastianelli, Jason Plourde’s best friend, and close to the Plourde family, as they mourn his sudden and tragic death.
Pray for God’s comfort upon Brianna Shay (Megan Hendrickson’s friend) who lost her mother to Stage 4 breast cancer on March 11th.
SERVING THE LORD THIS WEEK:
Ushers: Rich Clukey
Brian Lassy
Elder: Gene Giblin
Altar: Leona Damboise
Acolyte: Megan Hendrickson
Coffee: Belanger/Denton
****ATTENTION YOUTH!!! (Grades 7-12) Let Pastor know by this Sunday if you are wanting to go to the Higher Things Retreat in Springfield, MA April 10th and 11th.
Have a blessed week in the Lord!
Pastor Kotila