Pastor’s Message
Rev. Joe Herb
The life-giving presence of our Lord Jesus is here at Elias Lutheran Church where God’s Word has been the center of our gathering since 1757. Our Lord Christ opens to us the Holy Scriptures that reveal the wonder of God the Father and the Holy Spirit, who is the giver of life. The background image of this site shows our Elias Bible window depicting the opening of the scriptures and the light of God’s Holy Word that illumines our church. The Psalmist confesses, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119: 105). Indeed, the Holy Scriptures are God’s Living Word and when we gather in the Name of Jesus, his Word illumines our lives with wisdom and light. As Jesus said to the devil in Matthew, “One does not live by bread along, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). In obedience to Christ, Elias has been called and kept as a congregation to keep the lamp of God’s Word shining into the community and the light of God’s active presence touching the whole world. Each one of us is a vital point of God’s brilliant light penetrating the darkness of this world.
With our Lord, all things are possible, and I know that there will be new persons who will come and join this assembly. May our church always keep the light of God’s Love first and make God’s Word available to all as a beacon of hope. May Elias always open her doors to offer the life-giving Word to souls who hunger for meaning, Truth, and goodness. May the Lord continue to bless Elias with many spiritual gifts in the formation of our faith and faithful service to others. These things we pray in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
