“I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.  He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.”

Jesus has saved you from all the attacks of Satan and the effects of sin!  That means you aren’t going to hell – he no longer holds any anger against you, and death cannot harm you.  Hell couldn’t hold him and has no hold on you.

Don’t let the tempter make you think he’s a slave master or that you have to serve him in order to be saved.  Give that up for Lent, by repenting of thinking that Jesus is some despot that you have to satiate or satisfy.  Let him be your Lord today and every day by letting him love you.

• We return to a prayer for Jan, Ed Kraft’s mother, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her time on earth is drawing close to and end.  We pray that she and her husband, Stan and their entire family finds comfort in God’s wonderful promise of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus.  Fortify their faith in Jesus as their Savior.
• We pray that you keep Billy Griffin safe following a fairly serious bout of pneumonia. Give him time to rest and recover, dear Lord.
• We pray for your continued guidance for Darren Vogt (and his wife Ruth), whom our congregation has called to teach and to serve as athletic director in our school beginning in the fall of 2017. As he deliberates where you want him to serve, direct him to a decision that is according to your will.
• This week we add Tom & Linda Hering as Tom’s uncle Ken Behnken, an LCMS pastor, was taken home to heaven. Lord, you give us each other as gifts, especially among family and friends to support and strengthen one another.  Through the years this uncle and his family brought your grace and love to the Hering family.  Bless them now as they acknowledge your goodness to Ken and your fulfilled promise of everlasting life.
• We ask your grace and blessing as Dorothy Bladow’s sister, Judy, passed away last week. Thank you for allowing Dorothy to be by her side and care for her right up until her end.  We pray now for the assurance of Your presence and promises; and for the confidence that You will remain at her side through all the changes and challenges of life.
• Our hearts ache alongside Joe & Kim Sanfilippo at the news that Joe’s best friend was killed in a snowmobile accident. We ask the Lord’s gracious hand to guide the family of Jeff Schultz as they begin to deal with the implications of this loss.  Let them know the comfort and the power of the Easter promise.
• We pray that you grant us a faithful replacement for Mr. Raddatz through our Call Meeting today.
• We include Annette’s son Jacob, who has entered Army basic training. Keep him safe and strong that he may represent our country well.
• For rehabilitation and re-integration for Ron Telega, at the VA Spine Center.

 Divine Peace, Garland, Texas – Lord Jesus, we thank you for giving Divine Peace in Garland, Texas, the opportunity to serve people through a second campus and for the support to call a second pastor through our Board for Home Missions. Send your Holy Spirit to work through Pastors John Hering and Gunnar Ledermann and all the members of Divine Peace. Open the eyes of everyone they touch to see your love for them in your boundless forgiveness and perfect will. Amen.