From the President

1 Thessalonians 5-11
“⁵ For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.⁶ So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.⁹ For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,¹⁰ who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

The passage above describes God’s children as belonging to the light, the light of truth of Jesus’ work of salvation revealed in Holy Scripture. Those who dwell in the light are armed with faith, love, and hope. Paul continues to write in the chapter that given these gifts of the Spirit, God encourages us to do good to one another and to everyone, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. What a wonderful picture of how Christians should exist in this world. Because of sin, we all know that it is impossible for God’s children to realize such an ideal environment on this side of eternity, but God encourages us to carry on the fight against darkness and be a family of brothers and sisters that support each other.

The council website will be a place that communicates activity and information focused on encouraging our Hope family to stay faithful in the Means of Grace and to support each other. Through the Word and Sacraments, God shines His marvelous light on us and the Holy Spirit stirs our hearts to build each other up for the work of God’s kingdom. The church council looks forward to serving everyone and encouraging our family in Christ to truly be a light in dark world that desperately needs Jesus.

In His Service

Bob Hollman

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