Mercy Journeys with Pastor Harrison: Fall Greetings

If you haven't purchased Matt's book "At Home in the House of My Fathers" do yourself a favor and get a copy. We can learn so much from those that have gone before us!

The Augsburg Confession Article V

Article V: Of the Ministry.

That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ's sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ's sake.

They condemn the Anabaptists and others who think that the Holy Ghost comes to men without the external Word, through their own preparations and works.

Peace

This is a class project for my SMP class - Confessing Christ in Today's World. I used my friend Paul Ruehl's song "Peace" and scanned bulletin covers from this years services. I am happy with it for a first try. I only wish I didn't have to the use the covers that were folded in my coat pocket, but it just shows that God can use all things for the good...

The Augsburg Confession Article IV

Article IV: Of Justification.

Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4.

The Lord works in mysterious ways...

Wow, who would have thought the Lord would have taken this strange path to get me here?

 

SMP Gamma students installed as Vicars.

Fred Gaede and Steve Warren both
were installed as Vicar's at their
respective churches. God's richest
blessings on their ministries.

The Augsburg Confession Article III

Article III: Of the Son of God.

Also they teach that the Word, that is, the Son of God, did assume the human nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, so that there are two natures, the divine and the human, inseparably enjoined in one Person, one Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, that He might reconcile the Father unto us, and be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men.

He also descended into hell, and truly rose again the third day; afterward He ascended into heaven that He might sit on the right hand of the Father, and forever reign and have dominion over all creatures, and sanctify them that believe in Him, by sending the Holy Ghost into their hearts, to rule, comfort, and quicken them, and to defend them against the devil and the power of sin.

The same Christ shall openly come again to judge the quick and the dead, etc., according to the Apostles' Creed.

Vicar Installation

I was installed as Vicar of Peace Lutheran Church of Waterford today. It was a great service and I am truly blessed to have this opportunity to serve. While I complete the classes in the SMP program at Concordia Theological Seminary, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I will be under the supervision of my pastor/mentor Rev. William Merrell. God has given me the desire of my heart and I honor and praise Him for opening a way.