God created all things in perfection. Deceived by Satan, we have rebelled against God and gone our own way, bringing all kinds of evil on ourselves and our world. We deserve God's eternal punishment. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves.

In his amazing grace God sent his eternal Son Jesus into this world to rescue us. He lived for us the perfectly obedient life that we are unable to live. He took the blame for our sins and suffered hell in our place on the cross. He defeated death for us by rising from the dead. He fought and conquered Satan for us. He now rules from heaven.

God's Holy Spirit moves us to trust Jesus as our Savior and works in us a new life that grows in loving obedience. The Christian Church is made up of all those in whom the Spirit is working this faith and life.

Jesus is presented to us in the Bible, which is God's Word to us, trustworthy and true in all it says, our only sure guide to Christian faith and life.

Jesus comes to us in Baptism, presenting to us, including infants, the forgiveness of sins, new life and eternal salvation. And he comes to us in Holy Communion, with his body in the bread and with his blood in the wine, so that we might remember him and trust what he has done for us.

Someday Jesus will return to earth to raise all the dead and to judge all people. While unbelievers will be separated from God forever in hell, believers in Christ will go to live in eternal joy with their Lord in heaven.

Pastor Ronald Kusel, Holy Cross Lutheran Church