Easter Sunday has now passed and I hear I missed out on a fantastic Easter Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. I missed out on our first ever Children’s Easter play along with the egg hunt. I also missed out on the wonderful breakfast and fellowship. I hope each and every one of you had a very blessed Easter and enjoyed the festivities. But mostly, I hope you were truly blessed and touched by God’s greatest gift, the gift of His Son, who was sacrificed for our sins so that we might have everlasting life with our one true Father in Heaven. Easter, to me, is such an amazing time. It is amazing all of the events that took place leading up to Jesus' death that were foretold about in the Old Testament from the dividing of His garments to the piercing of His side. It is even more amazing that this man, Jesus, came down from heaven to be with us. He showed and taught us how we should live our lives, and about His Father in heaven. This man knew no sin, yet He died on the cross for OUR sins. This is true love, grace, and dedication to His Father in Heaven. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42. He never experienced the joy we might experience in our sin, only the pain of it. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53: 5. Amazing!!!!!
On May 7th we will be confirming three confirmands. Their confirmation journey has been a three year long process. During this time they have learned more about the Lutheran Church, studied Luther’s Small Catechism, and of course – learned more about the Bible. They have been quizzed by the elders and Pastor on all that they have learned, and will be confirming their faith before the congregation during the late service on May 7th. They will also be giving mini sermonettes on a topic they have chosen to share their faith with us. This is a big time for them. I hope you will join us in celebrating with them as they continue on their life long journey with Christ. For our confirmands, I hope they will continue to grow in their faith and stay straight on their path to righteousness. Jesus has given us the ultimate example of a righteous life. John 17: 20-21 gives us these words that Jesus prayed as he was approaching his crucifixion, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them which shall believe on me through their word. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Becky Aragon, GSLS President