Do you recognize the picture? Regular attendees of worship at Trinity might…though this picture is not easily seen. I see it clearly every time I lead worship. This stained glass window of Jesus at prayer (in Gethsemane?) is located in Trinity’s balcony. It has quite a history: it hung in the chancel of Trinity’s original downtown Minocqua sanctuary before it was relocated to its current location. It may well be more than 100 years old.
It is a powerful reminder to the preacher and worship leader that he is not alone, that Christ himself intercedes. After all, it is his message that is proclaimed! I love the image. Even if I can’t see anyone in the balcony during worship, I find myself glancing at the image. It’s comforting to me personally.
Romans 8:34 comes to mind: “Christ Jesus, who died and, more than that, was raised to life, is the one who is at God’s right hand and who is also interceding for us!” 1 John 2:1b,2 declares: “If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.” (Both Scriptures are from the EHV)
A picture/stained glass window like this doesn’t make this truth any more real. Even if no artist had ever rendered this scene visually, God’s Word declares the truth: Christ Jesus intercedes for us! Christ Jesus is our Savior! And he continues to intercede even now: “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5,6a).
Some are predicting that when the current Covid-19/coronavirus crisis and accompanying restrictions cease, more people will continue to go online for worship than go back to the way we “used to” worship, i.e., in person and together. I believe the opposite. I believe that people will see that online, “social distancing” worship is not enough. We need the encouragement and fellowship of fellow Christians. We need to worship together, confessing sins and receiving absolution, hearing the Word and responding with praise. We also need to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Online worship has been a blessing in many ways – preachers are all “televangelists” now; but God’s people hunger for the public assembly, to be able to receive the Means of Grace together and to respond together with worship and praise. Until we are able to return, we long to be together in the house of the Lord.
Here’s a resource I became aware of today. Are you interested in downloads of 80 free hymns from our hymnal? Organ or Piano music, your choice? Click on this link:
https://online.nph.net/cw-hymn-downloads
Continue to go to www.trinityminocqua.org for sermon videos, devotions, and announcements.
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
It is a powerful reminder to the preacher and worship leader that he is not alone, that Christ himself intercedes. After all, it is his message that is proclaimed! I love the image. Even if I can’t see anyone in the balcony during worship, I find myself glancing at the image. It’s comforting to me personally.
Romans 8:34 comes to mind: “Christ Jesus, who died and, more than that, was raised to life, is the one who is at God’s right hand and who is also interceding for us!” 1 John 2:1b,2 declares: “If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.” (Both Scriptures are from the EHV)
A picture/stained glass window like this doesn’t make this truth any more real. Even if no artist had ever rendered this scene visually, God’s Word declares the truth: Christ Jesus intercedes for us! Christ Jesus is our Savior! And he continues to intercede even now: “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5,6a).
Some are predicting that when the current Covid-19/coronavirus crisis and accompanying restrictions cease, more people will continue to go online for worship than go back to the way we “used to” worship, i.e., in person and together. I believe the opposite. I believe that people will see that online, “social distancing” worship is not enough. We need the encouragement and fellowship of fellow Christians. We need to worship together, confessing sins and receiving absolution, hearing the Word and responding with praise. We also need to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Online worship has been a blessing in many ways – preachers are all “televangelists” now; but God’s people hunger for the public assembly, to be able to receive the Means of Grace together and to respond together with worship and praise. Until we are able to return, we long to be together in the house of the Lord.
Here’s a resource I became aware of today. Are you interested in downloads of 80 free hymns from our hymnal? Organ or Piano music, your choice? Click on this link:
https://online.nph.net/cw-hymn-downloads
Continue to go to www.trinityminocqua.org for sermon videos, devotions, and announcements.
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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