St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)

2004 Annual Report: Pastor's Letter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The year of our Lord two thousand and four has been a year of war and turmoil. From terrorism, elections and tsunamis, our world has seen the effects of sin and fall. Yet, in the midst of darkness, there remains hope and light. Hope, not in man's power, wisdom or reason, but hope in God's weakness, in God's foolishness. It seems weak, foolish, to look for hope in Christ's cross, at least to the world around us. But there, in God for us, through Christ, we base our hope. There is God's Light, in the darkness of Calvary. As Christians, we don't put our trust in the power and glory of the world's princes. We put our trust in Christ, crucified for us, risen and ascended for us. In the flesh of the crucified God, we have hope, we have Life, we have Light in the darkness. In His wounds we put our trust. Jesus is our Hope. Jesus is our Light. No matter what this new year brings, God bless and keep you in Jesus. Amen. Dear Father in Heaven, we thank You for our creation, redemption and sanctification. We ask for Your protecting power in the new year, for our congregation, for our families and for ourselves. Restore to us those who have fallen away and bring to new life those who have not known You. Preserve our confirmands, wherever they may travel in life, in the true and saving knowledge of You. Protect from discord the homes of those married at our altar, and bring us at the end to our loved ones who have joined You at the eternal throne. In the Name of Jesus, Who is the Same yesterday, today and forever, Amen