SAINT PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH–AUSTIN, MINNESOTA

Updates from congregations around the Church of the Lutheran Confession

Three years ago this coming September, we were blessed to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church. One of our Saint Paul’s members who was part of the very first confirmation class was still an active member of the congregation at that time. There was much reminiscing, and it was good to see a number of visitors that had grown up in the congregation come home to celebrate this special gift of God’s grace. It was a joy to have one of the sons of the congregation preach the Gospel on that joyous occasion. Certainly, it was a blessed day with a special speaker proclaiming the precious Gospel we are blessed to possess in its truth and purity. Praise the Lord!

The Gospel we heard again that day is what Saint Paul’s ministry continues to be about. We have that blessed assurance of God’s love and forgiveness bringing to each of us the sure and certain hope of everlasting life. What’s new here at Saint Paul’s is that this promise of everlasting life in heaven has been granted to several of our congregation members since that anniversary observance. Pillars of the Church Militant have now been received into the Church Triumphant where, by God’s grace alone, they also have heard the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)

This is the mission of the Church on earth which remains the focus of Saint Paul’s ministry today. It is not simply a matter of getting more people to come through the doors of our church building, which we continue to hope to see every Sunday, but revealing from Scripture the Way, the Truth, and the Life—which is Christ Jesus—so that souls may come to the Father, and in the end pass through the gates of heaven.

While attendance numbers have declined since our last article, we still receive visitors with joy, seizing the opportunity to share the hope of everlasting life that is found in Christ Jesus. Working with some visitors and prospects, we go forward with the confidence that the Lord’s Word does not return empty but accomplishes what He desires.