The First family enjoys a diverse mixture of ages, backgrounds, and talents, all unified by our common faith in the one Lord Jesus Christ. He is truly the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
There is a place for you here! Come and share God's good gifts! We are First in Christ - Sharing His Blessings. And we desire to share His blessings with you!
In Christ,
Pastor David Renfro
To hear and view the sermon from 10/5/2008 click here.
For other past sermons, children's messages, and recordings from our services click here.
Letter from Pastor Renfro
(from the 10/1/2008 newsletter).
Dear First Family:
At the end of the month of October and the beginning of November we observe two very special commemorations in the life of the church.
OCTOBER 31
No, not Halloween. Reformation
Day! On October 31, 1517, a monk and professor at the University of Wittenberg, Martin Luther, nailed his 95 theses to the bulletin board on the door of the Castle Church. In his document he invited his fellow professors to a debate. The Reformation historian, Myconius, wrote that the contents spread throughout Germany in 14 days and throughout all Christendom in a month.
In challenging the indulgence traffic, Luther was convinced that the answer to the problem of sin lay in God’s Word. While preparing lectures on the Psalms and Romans, he discovered God as his merciful Father. The key to the Scriptures was God’s promise of forgiveness, to be accepted by faith in the redemptive grace of Jesus Christ.
Luther noted that we must be truly humble before God and sincerely penitent to receive God’s forgiveness. In his theses he stressed that the Gospel is the real treasure of the church, stating that we “should not rely on the treasury of indulgences, but upon the real treasury of God’s wonderful grace, the holy Gospel.”
Luther claimed Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” Blessed Reformation to you all!
NOVEMBER 1
All Saints Day. Who, me? A saint?! The Apostle Paul began may of his epistles “to the saints at....” In Philippians 4:21 we read: “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.” That’s the key—in Christ Jesus!
People often use the word “saint” to describe a person who is exceptionally good or generous, without reference to that person’s relationship to Christ. But the Bible uses this word to describe a person who has been declared holy by faith in Christ and is consecrated or dedicated to the Lord. A saint is a redeemed sinner who has been brought into a living relationship with Christ through His death and resurrection.
So, you see, all who believe in Christ are God’s saints. The indwelling Holy Spirit, then, produces the fruits of faith in our lives. By these fruits, which show that God is at work in us, we demonstrate to the world that we are truly God’s saints. So, redeemed sinner-saints: Blessed All Saints Day!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dave Renfro
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“HOW DO I JOIN THE CHURCH?”
If you are interested in becoming a member of First Lutheran Church and you do not have a Lutheran background, we invite you to attend a class entitled Faith Renewal. Each week, for approximately 7 weeks, this class meets for about two hours and provides an overview of Lutheran teachings, as well as an introduction to the various activities and groups at First Lutheran.
If you are already Lutheran and would like to move your membership from your home church to First Lutheran, please contact the church office. You may also want to attend Faith Renewal, not only as a refresher course, but also as a way of making new friends and discovering other opportunities for Christian fellowship in the congregation.
If you have any questions, please email the church office, or the Pastor, or call the church office at 549-3311.
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