Third Sunday of Easter

1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 

This is the essence of our sanctification: becoming like our Lord. As St. John notes, this will only be completed in the Resurrection, but in the meantime, we strive toward that goal because we want to walk in the footsteps of our Lord. 

By His grace we share His destiny in eternal life, and therefore we desire to share His life of service now. 

LCMS Stewardship Bulletin Sentences

 

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Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 3:11–21; 1 John 3:1–7; Luke 24:36–49

The Preaching of Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins Makes Us Pure

The risen Lord Jesus taught His disciples “that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” and “that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:46–47). 

Therefore, St. Peter preaches repentance and forgiveness to the people of Jerusalem. As he proclaims that Jesus fulfilled all that “God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets” (Acts 3:18), he also convicts the people of their sin, because they “delivered over and denied” this Lord Jesus and “killed the Author of life.” Yet God “glorified his servant Jesus” and raised Him from the dead (Acts 3:13–15). 

St. Peter calls the people to repent, so that their “sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19–20). Through this forgiveness of sins and by faith in this forgiveness, the Father shows His love for us in order that “we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). Thus, we hope in Him and are made pure even “as he is pure,” because “he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (1 John 3:3, 5).

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Life Thoughts for the Week

Third Sunday of Easter – With St. Peter and the Pentecost Apostles, we confess Jesus Christ alone as “Author of life” (Acts 3:15). 

This means no one else has right or responsibility to decide what kind of life a neighbor may have or when any human life ought to end. Rather, we rejoice to repeat the message of repentance and forgiveness (Luke 24:47) for every sinner and every sin – abortion and assisted suicide included.

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Regular Service Schedule
Divine Service - 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. 
               Holy Communion is offered at both services.
Adult Discipleship Class / Children's Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Wednesdays in Lent and Advent: 6:30 p.m. Vespers

 

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