Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven...

We have been reading from  Reading the Psalms with Luther and today we read Psalm 32 and wanted to share with you what it said.

The 32nd Psalm is an exemplary psalm of instruction that teaches us what sin is, and how one might be freed from it and be righteous before God. Our reason does not know what sin is and tries to make satisfaction for it with works. But even saints are sinners. They cannot become holy or blessed except by confessing themselves as sinners before God, knowing that they are regarded as righteous only from the grace of God, apart from any service or work.


In short, our righteousness is called (in plain language) the forgiveness of our sins. Here stand the clear plain words: All the saints are sinners and remain sinners. But they are holy because God in His grace neither sees nor counts these sins, but forgets, forgives, and covers them!

This is the prayer that follows the psalm. We are so blessed and thankful that we don't even have to come up with our own prayers, but can receive our many gifts from people who have gone before us to preserve life.

O God, our heavenly Father, with whom is grace and much forgiveness, be merciful to us who were born in sin and cannot but sin and fall short everyday. Forgive us our many transgressions and account them against us no more, but make us as Your heirs through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, who was delivered into death for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Amen.

Our fifth Bible study...

We will be reading the following Scripture references. *Bring in a Scripture or hit from Sunday's sermon that ties in with the following Scriptures. The first 12 people to email us can attend tomorrow night's study. You will be notified if there is not enough room.

Romans 4:2-5

Hebrews 3:15
John 7:38

John 6:28-29

Ephesians 2:1-8

We will also be reading parts from Martin Luther's Theology by Oswald Bayer pages 282-288.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Great peace have they that delight in God's law...

Here are the Scripture references from Sunday's sermon. Since Pastor O'Connor read a lot from Martin Luther's Theology by Oswald Bayer, you can read over those pages as well. We will post which Scriptures we will be reading for the Thursday night study.

Hebrews 3:15

Psalm 1:1-6
Psalm 2:1-5
Ephesians 2:6
1 Corinthians 1:2

Psalm 112:1-8
Romans 4:4
Romans 4:7-8

Luke 15:14-24
John 6:28
Ephesians 2:1-7

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-6

Our fourth Bible study

We have been so thankful that all of you have been able to come to these past studies. This week we will be reading from the following Scripture references. Please talk to your parents about "what does this mean?"

Acts 2:46
John 21:13-20 

Psalm 149:6-9

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Romans 5:6-10

Numbers 6:24-27

Due to limited space, please notify us if you will be attending this week's study before Thursday at 12:00pm. We can't wait to see each of you on Thursday! 

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103: 1-5

The Benefits of Baptism

What does baptism give or profit?

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe what the Word and promises of God declare.  The Holy Spirit creates faith by use of the sacrament, and all who desire forgiveness of their guilt are admitted to the sacrament.

pg. 265 Martin Luther's Theology

He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. Mark 16:16 Amplified Bible

Matthew Henry's Commentary says...They shall be saved from the guilt, and power of sin, it shall not rule them, it shall not ruin them. He that is a true Christian shall be saved through Christ.

...Baptism is no harmless ritual; it is a battle against evil. Pastor, parents, sponsors, and the congregation, ought to "throw everything that they have into the fight for the child against the devil and to act in such a manner that they make this so important that it is no fun for the devil." ... pg 270 Martin Luther's Theology

This is about us, today! This is what our faithful pastors, parents, and friends do to us daily. 

Your baptism is an indelible mark, and cannot be removed! Praise the Lord for His steadfast love and unceasing mercies!

My mouth is made to make known His faithfulness...

Here are the Scripture references from today's sermon:

Psalm 144:1
Psalm 89
Lamentations 3:22
Psalm 92:1-2
Psalm 103:1-5
Genesis 1:1
Isaiah 50:4
2 Corinthians 1:8
John 21:13-20
Acts 2:46
Malachi 4:6
Proverb 29:15
Psalm 149:6-9
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Isaiah 42:15
James 1:17
Acts 22:16
Romans 6:3-4
Romans 5
Psalm 34:1-5
Isaiah 53:6-11
Hebrews 4:14-16
Numbers 6:22-27

We are thankful for our pastors who labor in the Word for us. We will post which Scriptures we will read together on Thursday later this week. There is so much here to fellowship over with our families and friends. One thing our pastor did say today was that a world is created in confession. In the beginning, God spoke into the void and darkness and there was light. This is true for all of us today. We receive a new world, a new identity, through the waters of baptism. Thank you Jesus! We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

God's Word is our life

Proverbs 4:20-27 says...

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

This is an excerpt from a book we have on Proverbs...

"These words, God's Word, is our life. God's Word is to be an integral part of our daily life, and not something that is limited to a special half hour of the day or reserved for formal fellowship."

Again, we look to the Word and what it says about this...

Deuteronomy 6:6-7;24

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up...And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.

We still believe this! God commands us to do these things because He loves us. We serve a jealous God. Thank you Lord!

Our third study together...

We will be reading through the following Scriptures on Thursday at 7:00pm.

II Corinthians 5:14-15
Genesis 42
Romans 8:20-21
Romans 1:21-22
Isaiah 62:6-7

Because all of the Scriptures read on Sunday tie in together, you can read the other references before our Thursday night study. Also, if you would like to bring your sermon notes from Sunday, as a reference, that would be very beneficial to our discussion. Enjoy your week and we will see you all soon! 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

Scriptures from Sunday

Here are the scriptures from this Sunday. Later this week we will highlight which ones we will be reading through on Thursday. 


Isaiah 55:10-11
Genesis 32:27 (Amplified version)
II Corinthians 5:14-15
Romans 2:15
Genesis 42
Galatians 3:24
We still believe this! Proverbs 29:18; Proverbs 24:9; Proverbs 29:15
Romans 8:20-21
Romans 1:21-22
Matthew 7:22-25
Romans 1:18
Isaiah 62:6-7
Exodus 15:1-4
Isaiah 26:9-16
II Corinthians 5:18-21
Genesis 44:16


We are thankful for our pastors who labor in the Word for us. What a blessing and covering that we have this to meditate on and converse about!


Details about our study on Thursday will follow. Thank you!

I am not ashamed of the Gospel!

   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:7-9

Matthew Henry's Commentary says...The gospel aims at our salvation: He has saved us, and we must not think much to suffer for that which we hope to be saved by. He has begun to save us and will complete it in due time; for God calls those things that are not (that are not yet completed) as those they were (Rom. 4:17); therefore he says, who has saved us...Christianity is a calling, a holy calling; the calling wherewith we are called, the calling which we are called to labour in... 

This passage in his commentary is pretty exciting! We are called not according to our works - that means not because of ANYTHING we have done. But, we are called according to His own purpose and grace! Thank you Jesus!

Our Second Study

We are very thankful for each one of you that could make it to our second Bible study(even if it was via Skype :-). We are excited and looking forward to growing in our walk before the Lord with all of you. We truly are the most blessed people! Thank you Jesus!


...Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another...And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful... Colossians 3:12-15

Opening Post..

We will be reading the following Scriptures. Feel free to discuss these with your parents and friends prior to the study.

John 10:10
2 Corinthians 1: 8-10
Psalm 119: 65-72
Psalm 145
Philippians 1:6