Calendar
Saturday, October 24th
Open House @ Crossville - 11 am - 1:30pm
Trunk-or-Treat - 4-6pm
Sunday, October 25th
Worship - 9:30 am
Sunday School – 10:45 am
Bible Study – 10:45 am
Ascension of Christ Rededication Ceremony @ Crossville - 3 pm
Tuesday, October 27th
Bible Foundations Class – 6:30 pm
Thursday, October 29th
Book Club - 6:30 pm
The Beginning of the End (Series)
The cartoon character holds a sign saying, “The End Is Near.” For Christians, this is not a message of fear. Instead, it is a message of watchful hope. Scripture teaches that the End Times began with Christ’s first coming, especially his death and resurrection. Christ will come again on judgment day. Now we live in that in-between time, when salvation has been won, but full glory is still to come. It’s the beginning of the end.
Jesus himself makes clear that no one knows the day or hour of his return. This uncertainty is not meant to trouble us, but to keep us spiritually awake. Each day becomes an opportunity to live in repentance and faith, turning from sin and trusting fully in Christ’s finished work for us.
Our preparation for the end is not about trying to predict signs or earn God’s favor. Instead, it is about remaining rooted in Jesus: hearing the Word, receiving the sacraments, and trusting the promises of forgiveness. These are God’s ways of keeping us ready.
“The Beginning of the End” reminds us that history is moving toward our own death and toward Christ’s return. For believers, that end is truly a beginning.
IT'S TIME TO...STAY STEADFAST
Jesus told his followers, “You will be hated by everyone because of me” (Matthew 10:22). So, the time between Christ’s first and second coming is going to be perilous for believers. A good example: Martin Luther. All that priest wanted was to share the pure gospel with the world. For trying to do just that, both political and religious leaders wanted to end his life. The Festival of the Reformation emphasizes our unfailing reliance on the Word of God. We give unflinching testimony to that Word even in the face of persecution. Today we pray that the Lord would keep us steadfast in the faith.
SERMON LESSON - Matt 10:16-23
The Spirituality of the Cross
Gene Edward Veith Jr. explores the distinctive riches of Lutheran theology—justification by faith, the difference between Law and Gospel, the Means of Grace, vocation, the two kingdoms, and the hiddenness of God in suffering. With clarity and pastoral realism, he shows how the cross frees sinners from moral striving and self-justification, grounding faith instead in Christ’s finished work for us.
This is no escape from ordinary life. Here, God meets his people in his Word and Sacraments, sustains them amid suffering, and calls them to serve their neighbors in homes, workplaces, churches, and communities.
Discover a spirituality neither shallow nor abstract: a spirituality centered on Christ crucified, graciously given for you.
Our book study will continue with Chapter 3 on October 29th.
Advent by Candlelight
Our Advent by candlelight service this year will be on December 5th at 5:30 pm. Ladies, mark your calendars and plan to enjoy the evening with food, Scripture, and Christmas hymns.
We Still Believe and Confess
The pages of church history are full of examples of people who have wandered from the truth and promoted teachings that are contrary to what God teaches. The Lutheran Confessions are important documents that address some of those errors by focusing on what the Scriptures say. They are important documents because they help us understand the truths God teaches in the Bible. Throughout our Bible class series, We Still Believe and Confess, we will take a brief look at all of the official confessions of the Lutheran Church. We will discuss the importance of confessions and get a better understanding of the historical background of each of the confessions. We will also study a key teaching of the Bible that is confessed in each document. Please join us for the next several weeks in our Sunday morning Bible class. Learn why the Lutheran confessions are still important today.
Trunk-or-Treat at Rock of Ages
Date: Saturday, October 24th
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Join us for an afternoon of wholesome family fun at our annual Trunk or Treat! All children and families from our congregation and community are invited to come out for candy, a bounce house, and pumpkin painting.
Church Members Needed!
We need your help to make this event special for our kids! We are looking for members to decorate their vehicle trunks and hand out treats. Whether your theme is simple, creative, or full-out festive, we’d love to have your car in the lot!
Please note: To keep the environment welcoming and safe for all ages, please ensure all trunk decorations and costumes remain cheerful and friendly (no scary, spooky, or ghost/zombie themes).
If you’d like to reserve a parking spot for your decorated trunk or help volunteer with pumpkin painting and the bounce house, please sign up in the foyer or contact the church office. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Want more Jesus from home? Try Time of Grace
The mission of Time of Grace is to point people to what matters most: Jesus. Using a variety of media (television, radio, podcasts, print publications, and digital), Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, accessible in multiple languages, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.
Pastor Visits
If you haven't visited personally with Pastor Schneider, please consider a time you could meet up. The visit only needs to last a half hour, though it can be longer if you wish. He just wants to get to know you a little better, learn some of your background, and any issues you may have currently going on in life. It's also a great time to ask any questions you may have of your pastor.
You can choose to meet at a coffee shop, restaurant, your home, or at Rock of Ages. If distance or scheduling makes it difficult to meet in person, you may also schedule a video chat (Zoom or Google Chats).
You may schedule by calling or texting Pastor Schneider at: 708-582-9608.
