April

AWAKE, MY HEART, WITH GLADNESS, SEE WHAT TODAY IS DONE; NOW AFTER GLOOM AND SADNESS, COMES FORTH THE GLORIOUS SON!!!!

These beautiful words to this Easter/ resurrection hymn were written by Paul Gerhardt, a great, hymn writing, Lutheran Pastor in the 1600’s. Lutherans have always had a deep Christian faith. Sharing what Christ Jesus has done, is the driving force of the Lutheran faith.

 In Germany and Europe, and then also here, as Lutheran Christians arrived; sharing faith was a part of our name. Most Lutheran churches established in our country; including St. Matthew here in Albany, bore the name Evangelische (German), Evangelical (English), which means: of, or in keeping with the Gospels… marked by fervor or zeal! (Webster’s Dictionary).

The Gospel changes the lives of everyone who believes. Paul says it is… the power (dunamis) of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… Romans 1: 16.

The Lutheran Church is a Gospel sharing church! The word in parenthesis just above is the Greek word for power and it sounds like our English word dynamite! Our English dynamite comes from the Greek dunamis. Now let me ask you this; have you ever know dynamite to be a quiet, inactive thing? When the fuse is lit, dynamite quite literally moves mountains!

The greatest news of all is that Christ Jesus has risen from the dead! It is the message of Easter! It is our message; it moves us, it gives us power and victory in our lives! It blows us away, like dynamite! Read the rest of Gerhardt’s joyful hymn (LSB 467) and when you get the power of the truth from its words; be Evangelical!

Share the Gospel. Go ahead; it’s what you’re supposed to do with Good News!

SHARE IT!

A Blessed and Dynamite Resurrection Day,

Pastor David, Michelle and Joshua

 

         

Revdavidnuss@aol.com