Isaiah 2:1-5. Waiting for the impossible dream?? 28/11/10

(1) This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: {2} In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {4} He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. {5} Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Waiting! Waiting! Waiting! We spend much of our time in this life waiting. Waiting for this! Waiting for that! Looking forward to better times ahead: when the children grow up; when the business gets set up and paid for; when we leave school and get a job; when we retire and collect our super payout. Waiting, hoping, looking for better times ahead. Instinctively we know, deep down, that things should be much better than they are and we long for the time that it will come.

So also have God’s people, over the centuries waited, and looked forward to the promised good times ahead. They had experienced the fulfilment of a number of promises that had been made by the Lord and were looking forward to further and greater ones: ones that seemed like an impossible dream: one of which we have here in this reading today. The picture of which, goes something like this:

All countries throughout the world pulling down their weapons of war and turning them into peaceful and useful purposes. No longer is there even the talk of war; or nuclear deterrents, or whatever. Instead, peace reigning worldwide. And even on the local and personal level; all friction between a person and their neighbour; between husband and wife; parent and child; all disappearing: Sickness and accidents becoming a thing of the past. No longer aids, cancer and the like threatening to wipe many people to an early grave. People everywhere, living peaceful, contented lives, knowing that they are safe in God’s kingdom, under the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a picture! What a promise! Wouldn’t it be great to live in such a world?

But then to turn in another direction, and see people in their thousands flocking to churches all over the world; kneeling before the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving from him all the good things he has to offer. Everywhere we look, people talking about Jesus and what he has done for us through his death on the cross, and singing their praises for all he has done. All looking to him, receiving from him and learning all they can, so that they can live and walk as he would have them. No more are there divisions in the Church through faulty understandings of Scripture. Nor are there other cults and religions even a consideration.

Ah, to dream the impossible dream: To think on that which would seem to be totally beyond comprehension or reality. But what a glorious world it is that is pictured here, and that it would be if it where to be a reality. A world of total peace and happiness, and yet it is world that is so far from what we are experiencing. It does only seem to be an impossible dream.

However, here we are reminded that this is just a glimpse of what awaits those who are connected to Jesus Christ. Here God is helping us to get some idea of what the future has in store for his people as a certainty. This ideal world that is here pictured for us, and which we all would desperately like to be a part of, will one day be a reality for us. It will be! God has given us that as a sure promise. So it is a certainty. We can be sure of this. After all, our Gracious God has fulfilled all the promises he has made in the past; so all his promises with regard to the future we can take as being true also.

But of course, the problem is that we are creatures who live for the moment; for the here and now. The future is too far away for us. Instead, we want it all now, and we expect it now. We want the future of our making and we want it the way that we think it should be. So, the age-old problem of humanity wanting its own life on its own terms continually is at work; and continually means that we keep destroying the future that we know should be there for us. Sinful humanity will never be able to create or have this idyllic future on our own terms and without taking God seriously. As long as this world stands, with humanity wanting to live by and for itself, this promised ideal future is only a dream of what might be.

Yet, surely, knowing that this ideal world is something that will be in the future, for those who recognise their sinfulness and who look to Jesus Christ, they have this assurance that this future is a certainty. This also means for us that here and now, that life is drastically different and better. This sure knowledge does change our whole life now as we live out our lives every day.

So what does this mean for our lives now; in the present? Well, it means that we can live and wait with confidence. We no longer live in doom and gloom, despair and hopelessness. We live and love life to the full, not selfishly hedonistically, but for God and others, because we have the assurance that no matter what, it will all end up right, for those who believe in the Lord Jesus. We can give of ourselves and know that ultimately we still have everything. We can take up the challenge that Isaiah gives here, to walk in the light of the Lord. We can now go through life knowing that in and with the Lord Jesus Christ, we have everything that is important, and that he has a great way for us to live as we follow his directives and counsel.

So we wait, not in idleness and carelessness; not selfishly and simply for our own pleasure; but working diligently knowing what the future is and wanting others to have a share in it as well. Also, knowing that the time we have is short and that there is a lot of work yet to be done, we will make every effort to live as God would have us to; both in our relationship with him and with one another.

All the while, we will live, wait and work with the assurance that Jesus is there with us at all times. He came to us here on earth 2,000 yrs ago as a little baby in manger. He lived and then died on the cross and rose again three days later, so that we can be sure that God loves us, forgives us and that we can be a part this future new and peaceful world. While he walked this earth, he continually assured us that he will be with his people throughout time. His Spirit would be with us guiding, directing and encouraging us through his Word and Sacraments. At our baptisms, he has connected us to himself and all that he had done for us. He comes to us every time we gather together in his name in worship and speaks to us through his Word. He comes to us in a special way every time we come forward to the Lord’s Table, there to receive his very body and blood, which he shed for the forgiveness of sins and assurance of eternal life, and of his presence with us as we live our lives every day. And us being here today is an assurance that he continues to fulfil his promises to us through these means.

Knowing then that he has fulfilled his promises in the past and in the present, we can continue to wait – wait for this future time – this new world - this impossible dream to come true. We can wait trusting our God who has never failed us before. We can busily wait, knowing that there is much to do and that the time is short. So let us walk in the light of the Lord, waiting for this impossible dream to come true. All the while looking to and holding firmly to the One who truly loves, forgives and holds us close to himself. And be assured that the Lord is with you and will bless you as you wait.

May we all now, then, have great peace, hope and joy as we wait patiently, knowing that we are a part of this new and glorious world that he promises us here. It will be truly great. It will be great because our Lord will be there in all his glory. So the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts, minds and lives close to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Luke 23:33-43. Christ the King! 21/11/10

(33) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. {34} Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. {35} The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." {36} The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar {37} and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." {38} There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. {39} One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" {40} But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? {41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." {42} Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." {43} Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Here we are at the last Sunday of the Church year; and the focus has shifted to the end of time – the final outcome of life - the fulfilment of all things; and that of course, leads us to think about who and what is ultimately important for us all as we live out our lives every day.

Now, of course, this is something that most people do not want to think about: They would prefer to live for the moment – to live for what they can get and have here and now. They would prefer to make up their own rules, and do as they please, without any real regard for the future – for they have fallen for the devil’s lies that suggests there is no real truth and reality. So when it comes to the end; well they will take their chances and hope for the best. And as to who and what is important in life; well naturally it is me and my freedom and happiness that is of greatest importance. Everything revolves around ourselves and what we want.

Now this thinking is very much in line with … this guy who had inherited his way into a hardware store. He had been raised with all the trappings of a moderately wealthy lifestyle and had been spoilt along the way. Now it was his turn to take over the running of the store and training up the next generation.

Well, he thought this was it and a bit. He was strutting around in his self-importance; telling the workers and others what he thought – even though in reality, he had little idea. In everything, he would spend on the outward and showy things that would be seen, in order to make a good impression; often at the expense of that which was truly good and important. He would also take time off, again and again, to do his own pleasurable things; but never taking the time to think about and manage the important aspects of the business; and he never listened to others and particularly the people who knew what was good and important and who kept trying to remind him of his obligations.

So as the money came in, he spent up. His accountants told him he must put aside for the tax man, because he would have to expect to pay big dollars at the end of the day. But, of course, he had it all under control - it would all work out, so don’t worry. Instead, he kept thinking of the moment and himself and what he wanted from life. Well tax time came around and with it a bill of a 1/4 million dollars; and he hardly had a dollar in the till to pay it. He was in trouble. He ended up being brought before the courts and was about to be declared bankrupt – when his father steps in and pays the debt and averts disaster.

With that, he goes back to the store and continues on just as before. Not listening to his father and others around him. Not thinking about his near disaster; until, of course, next tax time came around. But this time he was left to his own devices; and so he finished up out on the street with nothing – not even a friend in the world.

Ridiculous, isn’t it? Surely, very few people would be that stupid, would they? Yet that is just the attitude that many, many people have; and particularly in a far more important area of life. They think that they can go through this life without any significant consideration and thought for the spiritual things of life – to that which has lasting value. There they think that life is free and easy - that somehow it will work out in the end.

They are like many of those who were there at Jesus’ crucifixion. Some are there watching, but not involved. Looking on from the sidelines – but don’t ask them to commit themselves. There were those who were caught up in the moment and went with the crowd in calling for Jesus to be crucified. Then there were those who mocked and scoffed; openly ridiculing Christ and the things that were important. There were the criminals and the religiously self-righteous.

Yet for all of that which is wrong and bad in all of this, did Jesus stop being the Christ? Did all of this falseness stop Jesus being the King of the Jews, and of all of us? Did he pull the pin on dying on cross for us? And does the indifference and laxness of so many today, even those within the churches, mean that the end and Judgement Day; heaven and hell ceases to be a reality? Does our self-centred approach to what is good and right mean that God’s views on what is important and what will happen at that time, change to suite us? Well, no it won’t! None of it!

The end will come. We will have to face the Day of Reckoning; and at that point, we all will have to face reality. There, we will not be able stand on our good name and reputation, or our reasonably good life. We will not be able to face that day simply with the attitude that we will take our chances with some sort of assurance that we will be let off somehow, even though we have chosen to please ourselves. Me, and my desire for freedom and happiness, will count for nothing.

The only thing that will count on that day will be the Lord Jesus Christ himself and what he has done for our salvation. This account of Jesus death on the cross here is the only thing that can give any one us any hope, and any certainty when it comes to that day. Jesus death on the cross is the one single thing that will enable us to face that day with confidence: Confidence not in ourselves or any other single thing other than Jesus and his death for the forgiveness of our sins.

It will be no good us saying simply that we are members of his church: as much as that is important for us as we live between now and then, so that we can be continually strengthened and encouraged through the Word and Sacraments. Also, so that we can support and encourage one another as we live in the midst of the difficulties and hardships of life in a sinful world.

Nor will our thoughts that we have followed his example in living the good life help us stand with confidence on that Day. Again, yes this is something that we need to strive after, since Jesus is our Lord and Saviour. But it will not gain us ‘brownie points’ to help us on that day.

Nor will the understanding that we know a certain amount of stories about Jesus and that we have done our confirmation lessons, ensure that we will be accepted into heaven. However, here again it is to be another of our aims along the way through this life, to know and understand all that we can about Jesus and what he has done for us. All of those kinds of things ultimately amount to nothing on that last day.

All that we can then and now do is to say. ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ All we can do is to look to him and trust in him; knowing that because of his death and resurrection there is forgiveness of sins; for our selfishness and rebellion against God. And that it is he alone who gives us the assurance of eternal life in heaven with our gracious Lord and Saviour. Here remember, that on Judgement Day, Jesus Christ will be seen by all, to be the true King of all: Some to their benefit and others to their damnation.

Now if that is the situation then on that last day – the Day of fulfilment - then surely, now we can and will hold him as King above all kings and Lord of all lords. We will look to him now as our saviour and friend. We will hold up the cross as central to our lives as Christians. We will regularly gather together in God’s house to be strengthened and encouraged by him through his Word and Sacraments. We will seek to live and be his people each and every day of our lives. We will trust him in the present and for the future.

Yes, as we think of what is important in life, and of what is important with regard to the end of life we are here again reminded that it is Jesus Christ alone who is the one who holds our destiny in his hands. He is King for us now, and most importantly on that last Day. That is our encouragement here today as we look forward in life. So remember always that the Lord Jesus Christ is King: and to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Malachi 4:1-2a. The fire season approaches!! 14/11/10

{1) "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. {2} But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

Just prior to the words of our text we have the people saying:
'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' (Mal 3:14-15)
Those words were written, as I said, in the chapter prior to our text here. Yet how much do those words not express the sentiments of many people around us today. “What’s the point in being an active Christian and going to Church regularly?’ After all, it is money, technology and pleasure that is all important. The people who connive and cheat, are the ones who seem to get on the world. The proud and arrogant ones are the ones who appear to be enjoying life to the full. The violent and evil ones seem to get away with blue murder. Nice people don’t win, today. So what’s the point in being a Christian? What is the point in serving God and doing what he says?

But Lord Almighty says here and elsewhere in Scripture that the time will come when, ‘my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and the wicked: To person who serves me and the one who does not.’ "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

The day is coming! Sooner or later it will come.
Here, we can draw the analogy with the approaching summer. Nothing is surer than the fact that it is coming. And with it, the fire season approaches. For much of our country when the summer comes so then the grass and bush dries off. Making it tinder box dry. Then before we know it, the dangers of a raging fire are at hand. So in this country we are well aware of the dangers that a hot summer will bring. We know that with summer comes that real danger of a raging fire that leaves in its path death and destruction. We know that without proper precautions and care how vulnerable we are to being burnt to the ground. We know that we can easily be left with nothing, but ashes and memories. Complacency has led many a person to live to regret their lack of attention to the proper precautions. They have paid the price for their inactivity when they had the opportunity.

That is the same message that is given to us here, quite clearly this morning, with regard to our spiritual lives. Be assured that the time is fast approaching when the results of peoples lives will be shown for what they really are. The fire season, with regard to the day when all people will be held accountable for their lives, is just around the corner.

Surely that day is coming! As surely as Jesus lived on this earth, died and rose again, that day will come. The Lord Almighty has promised it; and he has never failed to carry out any of his promises in the past. So be assured that the day of judgement and fire is coming. The day when the wicked and the arrogant will be burnt like grass in a stinking hot northerly fire.

The proud and the evil who have failed to give their attention to the things that matter, face the raging fires of destruction which will wipe them into extinction. Those who have cut the sap of God's Word off from their lives and that have not allowed the freshness of new life in Christ to renew and bring growth to their lives are dried off; like grass waiting for that bushfire to happen.

Unfortunately the good times of present day Australia has left far too many facing the inevitability of being burnt to nothing - totally annihilated. Their prosperity, pursuit of pleasure and disregard for God will come to an end and they will have to pay the price for theirs attitudes and actions.

When that raging fire comes, then the difference will be seen between those who live in a right relationship with God and the wicked: between those who live in obedient service to their Lord and Saviour and those who don't. On that day, the Lord will vindicate his people. He will bring to light the orientation of their hearts.

On that day, while some are burning to nothing, others however will be restored to full health, freedom and happiness. They will be as free and as happy as calf or young horse that has just be released from its stall. They will kick up their heels and dance with joy. They all will join together in eternal happiness with their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There to live in the eternal Garden of Eden; enjoying the pleasure of all the goodness of God.

Yes, these will be those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ: Those who have been humble enough to know that without God they are nothing and have nothing. They believe that Jesus is their only hope of true life and salvation. That his life, death and resurrection has made it possible for us to be right with God; and to be children of God. As a result of this, they willingly and thankfully seek to live as God now wants them. In response to what Jesus has done for them they now seek to be obedient to the Word of God: to live a life of love, forgiveness and service.

For these people there is no concern of a raging bushfire; for their lives are lived in the eternal, early spring, where the grass grows lush and green; continually being fed and irrigated by the goodness of God's Word, and the body and blood of Christ. As they continue to grow up toward their Sun, they need not concern themselves with withering and drying off as they continually receive the life-giving sap that comes from their Lord. As they wave in the breeze of thankful praise, surrounded by the life-giving Lord, they need not be concern about the coming fire season.

So take heart, it not useless to serve God. There is very good reason to be and live as children of God, despite what we see around us; the prospering of the wicked; the absolute disregard for God and his Word; the apathy and self-centredness of their living. There is however, very good reason not to become disheartened; nor to wander from the narrow path. It may seem at the moment that the non-church going person is no worse off than you or I. It may seem as though those many people who have neglect and disregard for God and his word are doing very well at the moment.

BUT, 'once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the person who serves me and the one who does not.' The Lord Almighty says, "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

So take heart and remain faithful to your Lord. Serve and obey him for he has great things in store for you. Look to him at all times for he is your only hope and salvation; and may you continue to wave in thankful praise, as green grass in the breeze, continually looking to and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Be thou faithful, unto death and I will give you the crown of life.’ Says the Lord God Almighty. To him then, be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Ephesians 1:11-23. All Saints!! 7/11/10

{11) In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, {12} in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. {13} And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, {14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. {15} For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, {16} I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. {17} I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. {18} I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, {19} and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, {20} which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, {21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. {22} And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, {23} which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

This week has been set aside as All Saints Remembrance Day: A time when we can reflect back and give thanks to God for all the saints who have gone before us and who have passed on to us the essence of what it is to be a Christian and therefore a saint. Then also to be reassured and comforted by the fact that they are now enjoying the riches of his glorious inheritance which he has promised to all those who die trusting in the fact that Jesus’ life, death and resurrection has accomplished this for them. Then through this wondrous message to be strengthened and encouraged in our own faith; that in connection with Jesus we too are saints assured of the same glorious inheritance.

Now to begin with, in light of the recent Mary MacKillop canonisation, let us be assured that the Bible makes it very clear that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and is baptised, they are saints already. This is not the pronouncement of some church body, but is what is clearly stated by God’s Word. All who trust in Jesus and what he has achieved for us through his death on the cross, are saints. They have the sure hope of the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Remember he said here in this reading that, he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. He chose us for perfection. That is you and me that he is talking about. God himself had his eyes set on us, to be his special people; saints.

But I can hear you saying to yourselves; something has obviously gone horribly wrong. That is not the way we are. We are anything but perfect and holy and blameless. We are not and cannot be these special people that he has in mind. Is that so? Are we really that far off being what God has in mind? Well yes, and no. When we look here [at ourselves] we don’t even come close to it. We in fact have missed the mark completely. But no, let us here take note of what God himself tells us. He chose us IN CHRIST ……

In our connection with the Lord Jesus Christ it is a whole new ballgame. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we have been bought back: the price has been paid for our forgiveness. We are now accepted by God; as his perfect people. We have been adopted now back into his family, through baptism. So the whole situation has been reversed for us. In Christ; through Christ; by Christ; in his grace, we are holy and blameless. We are his perfect people: saints; his very own sons and daughters. So now, despite what we see when we look here, we know that we are new people; holy people. In Christ we are what he is.

Now that surely turns the tables on everything. Now then, we look to him, wanting to be close to him: in him. With him, being what is all important for us. All of our praise: our focus: our lives are centred in him: Not in ourselves and our thinking. Not in our world and what it sees as important: No, in Jesus Christ and him alone; remembering he himself has chosen us, and cleansed us; and adopted us; and blessed us with every spiritual blessing. So that side of life is secure. It is all together taken care of: thanks be to Christ and to the praise of his glorious grace.

With that then, we can now go forward with all boldness and hope. We can, and now surely want to, live in him. We want to uphold his word and his truth. We want others to know and be a part of all of this that our great God has done for us. We will want others to hear the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation. We will want them too to be adopted into God’s family through baptism. We want to do and say what God wants us to do and say.

When God commands us to live and act differently to the rest of society, we will do so, as best we possibly can. When he calls us to look away from ourselves and what we want to do, and instead focus on what he has in mind, we will seek to do so as much as we can. When he calls us to remain faithful to the teachings of his Church, which have been passed down through the ages, we will listen and humbly seek to do so. When he calls us to warn one another of the dangers that are before us, we will gently, and yet boldly do so. When we need to stand up against the lies and deceptions of our society around about us, we will now try our very best.

But all the while, we can go forward with the confidence that now God accepts us as saints: his own dearly loved people who he wants to share eternity with. Because of what Jesus did for us through his death and resurrection, we know that our loved ones who have died in Jesus are with him now; awaiting those of us who have faith in him to join them when God takes us from this life.

This has been the confidence and hope of the saints who have gone before us; who have stood firm on this wondrous message and have ensured that it has been passed on to us. We thank God that he enabled them to know and trust this Good News; and to be a part of those who have ensured that we also can know and trust this same message. In and through Jesus we are his saints, with a glorious inheritance.
Paul, Peter, Luther, Kavel, Traeger, Roehrs, Schutz, Dahlitz and countless thousands of other saints have all held to this wondrous Good News that God has given to us through Jesus Christ. They are saints in the highest order, because of what Jesus has done for us all. Thanks be to God, now they share in his glory for all eternity. They now stand ready and waiting for us too to join them.

So I ask, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

With this in mind, may we now go forward with humble confidence and hope; with our eyes lifted and focussed on our Lord, knowing that we are saints: Not because of who we are and what we have done; but because of Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. With this amazing knowledge, let us strive to live in accord with who we are and with the sure hope they we also have a glorious inheritance in the saints awaiting us: But all along giving thanks and praise to our great and gracious God for making this possible for us. So to him again, be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish