Trinity Lutheran Church - LCMS

established 1899

Pastor's Message

The story is told about a teenage girl who was told that if she stayed out beyond a certain time, she would have to eat bread and water at supper.  She stayed out too late, so at suppertime she was given bread and water.  But as the family started to eat, the father reached over and took the bread and water and gave his daughter his own meal.  They ate in silence for a while, and then the girl, with tears in her eyes, came over and put her arms around her father’s neck as she said, “Daddy, I’ll never disobey you again.”  Something had happened to her on the inside.  No threat of punishment could work a miracle like that.  Only love could do that.

That is what the love of Jesus moved Him to do for you.  He took upon Himself the punishment that was due you for your disobedience.  Instead of taking the “bread and water” that should have been yours, he took on the very sin that is yours and suffered the punishment demanded – death on the cross.  In His mercy, God accepts that payment in your place and forgives you for Jesus’ sake.  And our Spirit-moved response is, “Father – let me live for You – according to Your will.”

That’s the way we begin this New Year.  In fact, that is the way we begin each new day – in the forgiving mercy of our Heavenly Father.  That miracle of faith is yours – only by God’s grace.  My prayer for each of you, dear people of God, is that you live in that miracle – in each and every day God gives you in 2012 – to the glory of God, the Father who truly loves you.

Serving Christ and His people,

Pastor Tim Dinger