| A Midweek MessageMarch 17, 2021Hello good people of St. Paul, I am excited to share with all of you a reflection from my good friend and colleague, Rev. Tim Kneuss, who is the pastor at Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in China Grove, NC. Remember we have now returned to in person worship for both Sunday (10AM) and Midweek (7PM) Worship. All services will also be livestreamed, please join us however you feel most comfortable. A special thank you this week to everyone who helped out with Easter -In Peace Rev. Aaron Baughman (interim pastor)  The Sign of the Cross.In John 3: 14-15, Jesus says, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” The Serpent in Moses’ case was a bronze serpent that God instructed him to make (Numbers 21:9). When people were bit by serpents in the wilderness and they looked to the bronze snake, they lived. They no longer had to fear the image, likeness, or mold of a snake. No, because of God the image of a snake was now an image of salvation and healing. Early in John’s Gospel account, Jesus foreshadows the salvation of the world via his own crucifixion. Just as in the days of Moses where the snake was a symbol of death, the Roman cross was a humiliating, fear-laden, death machine. All over the ancient world bandits, murderers, and insurrectionists lined the highways atop crosses. Their anguish and mutilated corpses sat as billboards and a reminder that if you betray earthly authority, your life will end. Yet, God has a way of turning things around for his Glory. Jesus takes the symbol of power and persecution and he turns it into a sign of salvation. Is there a time in your life that you shy away from talking about? Divorce? The death of a loved one? A dumb mistake? Perhaps, the sign of your darkest time is actually a way in which God is bringing about his greatest blessings in your life! He’s growing compassion, understanding, and patience in you that will bless all who you minister too. Don’t let Satan use your hurts to hide you away. Allow God to transform the hurt into healing. Let your cross be a sign of hope. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen. Blessings on your Lenten Journey. Rev. Tim Kneuss Pastor of Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church China Grove, NC  |
 This coming Sunday will be in person and livestream We have have returned to in person worship. If you do not feel comfortable joining us in person, we will continue to live stream our services. Please remember that all social distancing guidelines still apply. Please wear a mask and sit in only the open pews. Please no congregating before or after services. We look forward to seeing you in person! Instructions to watch Live StreamYou don’t have to watch it live. You can watch it anytime during or after the service.You can go to youtube.com and search: “St. Paul Lutheran Church New Rome, OH” You can subscribe and get an email when we are live. It is also posted on our website and Facebook page.Facebook-www.facebook.com/stpaullutherancolumbusohiochurch website: http://stpaulnewrome.comAt-Home Communion for Everyone Would you like to participate in communion from home? St. Paul is now offering at home communion to everyone who is worshiping from home. Simply send an email to Jeanine at jeanine_secretary@sbcglobal.net or call her at 614-563-3230 to sign up communion kits will be blessed by Rev. Aaron before distribution. Be sure to note how many people are in your family. If you are interested in helping with distribution please let us know! |