The church is old. It has a long history and a deep memory. The church has suffered tragedy, dark betrayal, and heart-breaking loss. It has also experienced exciting success, life-changing love, and stunning victory.
The church is under constant attack by monsters that beggar our imagination. And yet it endures. The church endures because it is filled with the power of God. The church endures because people still need to be saved and God is still reaching out with the power of the Gospel—reaching out through the church.
In every generation there is always someone who declares that the church is outdated and unnecessary. Perhaps it’s because they can only see the outward organization. All they can see are flawed people, under-funded ministries, and the frailties and foibles common to every human being. That’s what the church looks like from the outside.
But looks can be deceiving. There is so much more if you start to look.
It’s a lot like Joshua’s pile of stones. If you didn’t know, all you would see were 12 old stones piled up by the Jordan river. But if you asked, you would find out that they were a reminder of God’s power. They were a memorial of the day that God parted the Jordan River, brought his people into the promised land, and kept his promises. You would hear about the love of God who rescued his people from slavery, protected them on every step of their journey, forgave their wickedness and sin, and brought them home.
The church remembers. The church is God’s people, gathered around Word and Sacrament, filled with God’s grace, broadcasting God’s love, and growing into the image of God.
The church endures. Its appearance cannot sufficiently convey its character. The church is a bastion of strength against the demons who hate all people and would destroy them. It is a hospital where sick and injured souls find healing. The church is a seminary where the works of God are remembered and taught. And the church is a clarion—calling out to sinners in every generation—offering life and peace to a broken and hurting world.
It might not always look like it, but in every generation, God moves through his church.
Joshua 4:5–7 (EHV)
5Joshua said to them, “Go to the middle of the Jordan in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. There each man is to lift up one stone on his shoulder. The number will correspond to the number of the tribes descended from the sons of Israel, 6so that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in the future, ‘What do these stones mean for you?’ 7Then you shall respond to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. When the ark passed through the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones will serve as a permanent memorial for the people of Israel.”
God bless you,
Pastor Tesch
Worship at Trinity
Come to worship! You can sign up here: https://trinitymarinette.com/events/worship-serivice/ or call Pastor or call the church office to let us know which service you prefer.
Here is this week’s bulletin: https://trinitymarinette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-08-30-Announcements-The-Thirteenth-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf. Check it out. There is a lot coming up at Trinity!
It’s a Girl!: Save the date for a Baby Shower in honor of Kelly Danell, on Saturday, Sept. 19th at 11:00 am in the School Gym. More details to follow.
If you would like to support the Lord’s work at Trinity, you may contribute at trinitymarinette.com/giving/ or you can mail it to
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
1501 Thomas St.
Marinette, WI 54143