Pastor's Blog

The Ascension of Our Lord

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:08:52 +0000

Today is “Ascension Day.”

The Church has traditionally remembered and celebrated the Ascension of Our Lord 40 days after the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord, in keeping with the time-frame revealed in Acts chapter one.(see Acts 1:1-11) “After his suffering, [Jesus] showed himself to [His Apostles] and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3) After this period, Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9)

At His Ascension, Jesus was exalted to the Right Hand of the Throne of God where he exercises “all authority” and “dominion” over the kings and kingdoms of the earth until He will come again in glory. As Paul tells us, God the Father “seated [Jesus] at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:20-23)

Not only does Jesus rule the universe at the right hand of the Father, but He stands in the Father’s presence as our intercessor. As Paul says, “Christ Jesus, who died– more than that, who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34) As the writer to the Hebrews says, “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:24-25)

“Remain In My Love”

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:03:12 +0000

The message from Sunday is available in audio form on line here.

The Creed: Don’t Be A Robot!

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:50:05 +0000

I like this little video on the Creed.

Faith Comes By Hearing

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:04:54 +0000

According to Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing” the message of the Gospel of Jesus. But what if the Gospel is not available in your language? Our goal is to raise $25,000 dollars to fund the translation and publication of an audio version of the New Testament into a language in which the Word of God is currently not available. Please join us in this effort. http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/who-we-are

Three Readings On Prayer

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 02:32:04 +0000

This should have gone out much earlier today. Here are three readings we considered at our prayer service this evening:

Daniel 9:1-19. I love the humility. I love the focus on confession. I love the ground and basis of Daniel’s prayer toward the end, on the mighty saving acts of God, his mercy, God’s own reputation. Can you hear the earnestness of Daniel’s cries? Oh that we we pray with such desperation and appeal continually to the mercies of God. I love the appeal that God would honor again the place/people on which he had put his Name. And where has God put his Name today? And keep reading to see the awesome response of God to these humble prayers.

Colossians 4:2-18. We read Paul’s exhortation to devoted prayer. We see the example of Epaphras “wrestling in prayer.”

Luke 11:1-13 We see the example of Jesus in prayer. We learn from his teachings: The great outline for prayer–our Lord’s prayer. The example of boldness and persistence. The focus on the goodness and generosity of our Heavenly Father. The promise of prayers answered–especially those prayers which seek the gift of God’s Spirit.

How can we read these and not be moved to cry out to our Father who loves us and longs to bless us?

Rasmussen Family

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:47:51 +0000

Introducing: John, Kelly, William, and Joshua!

National Day of Prayer

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:50:25 +0000

Thursday, May 3rd is the National Day of Prayer. We will meet for a Prayer Service at 6PM in the OSL Sanctuary. Please join us as together we, devote ourselves to prayer. (see Colossians 4:2)

Associate Pastor

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:45:52 +0000

In case you missed the streaming of the Call Service, I am pleased to announce that John Rasmussen has received the Call to be our Associate Pastor. Please keep Pastor-elect John, his wife, Kelly, and their sons William and Joshua in your prayers.

Call Service: Order of Worship

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:22:29 +0000

Again, the Call Service is tomorrow night (May 1st) at 8 PM EST from the St. Louis Seminary. (Not that I’m excited or anything!) If you would like to follow along as you view on your computer, you may print out the order of worship here.

OSL On the Move 4.29.2012

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:17:09 +0000

Yesterday we had our “Fifth Sunday” event: “OSL On the Move.” What a FANTASTIC day! We split into three teams to serve our community in Jesus’ Name.

Team one worked under the umbrella of an organization called “Home Front.” They helped us to serve an elderly woman and her daughter by doing home repairs and landscape improvements. Among other things, doors, vanities, fixtures and toilets were replaced. Branches were trimmed and hauled. Weeds were pulled. MORE weeds were pulled. EVEN MORE weeds were pulled. Mulch was spread. New flowers were planted. The owners were thrilled.

Team two (mostly younger kids and their parents) decorated pots and planted them with flowers. These plants were then delivered to a local nursing home and to the home-bound members of OSL

Team three worked on picking up trash on our “adopted road” in town. (about 12-13 bags full of litter were collected!)

So we praise and thank God for these opportunities to serve. We serve because Jesus came to serve us. We serve to point others to the One who still serves us each day.