"To gather with God's people in united adoration of the Father is as necessary to the Christian life as prayer." - Martin Luther "It must not content us to take our bodies to church if we leave our hearts at home." - J.C. Ryleuis
The church is the body of Christ. Jesus died for the church. Throughout the New Testament the church is referred to as the body of Christ. Is it referring to a physical building? No, but it is referring to everyone who has truly been saved by the blood of Christ. Being a member of the body of Christ is beautiful because we have been joined to Christ in salvation and we receive all of the spiritual benefits. As the body of Christ, we demonstrate His heart and mind. Although imperfectly, the life of Christ will be reflected by the church. This means that the church will be loving, obedient, meek, devoted, holy, merciful, etc.
If the church should reflect Christ, then that means that the church should be devoted. Christ was always devoted to doing the will of His Father. It is God's will that we regularly attend church. We are told to go to church for a plethora of reasons. Are you saved by going to church? No, of course not Also, there are a number of reasons why someone might not be able to attend church such as an injury, work schedule, etc. However we must always examine our deep motives. Are you not going due to excuses, laziness, or lack of a desire to have fellowship with other believers?. However, when we deliberately refrain from going to church that is sin! Not only is it a sin, but we are not allowing God to involve us in His activity within the church.
HOSPITALITY MATTERS "...extend hospitality to strangers". Romans 12: We all know what genuine hospitality feels like when we experience it as a guest. It feels like you, as the new person, are cared for...because your hosts have taken the time to anticipate and meet as many of your needs and questions as possible. In the church, being intentional about hospitality senda the message that those are new to the community matter just as much as those who have been there a long time. Hospitality is the practice of seeing and removing the barriers that make people feel like "outsiders".
Disciples to Apostles Disciple: acommitted follower or student of a teacher or teachings After Jesus was baptized, he spent approximately three years teaching, preaching and healing People gathered to hear this man who taught with authority, unlike any others. Jesus invited people tofollow him and learn from his teachings, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying havy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul." (Matthew 11:28) Jesus did more than speak words. He lived his teachinfg and embodied love. He continues to invite people to follow him, to become his students and to invest time in learning his teachings.
Faith Stories Creating Opportunities to Share Your Faith When asked to share a faith story, do you ever wonder if you actually have a faith story? Chances are, you have many faith stories. A faith story is simply an encounter with God. These encounters with our amazing God can happen through an exchange with another person, through what one might call a coincidence, through a vision or dream, through that still small voice whispering within you, through happenings that come together in a way that makes you shake your head and smile, through nature, and other various ways. An encounter with God as magnificent, gracious, powerful, and merciful as our God is emotional. What a privilege to identify these stories and tell them! May the Holy Spirit empower you a you discover and share.

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LUTHERANS IN AMERICA: DID YOU KNOW?1. Lutherans were in America 7 years before the Pilgrims.2. The first book translated into any American Indian language was Luther's SmallCatechism.3. The first "Stars and Stripes" was made by Sara Austin and the Ladies Aid Society ofGloria Dei Lutheran Church, Philadelphia.4. Our Statue of Liberty was made by a French Lutheran, M. Frederic Bartholdi.5. Washington's army at the Battle of Trenton was composed largely of Lutherans.6. It was a Lutheran boy who called a Lutheran sexton to ring the Liberty Bell.7. The Liberty Bell was hauled from Philadelphia to Allentown, PA by a Lutheran and thenhidden under the floor of Zion Lutheran Church.8. The second oldest military unit in America was formed by 137 men from St. John'sLutheran Church, Charleston, South Carolina in 1775.9. The first president of the Continental Congress was a Lutheran, John Hansen. He serveduntil George Washington was inaugurated.10. A Lutheran, Michael Hilligan, became the first Treasurer of the U.S., serving untilAlexander Hamilton took office.A Lutheran pastor, Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, was the first Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives. With John Adams, he signed the first ten amendments to the Constitution,known as the Bill of RightsI’m a paragraph. Drag me to add paragraph to your block, write your own text and edit me.

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St. John Lutheran Church