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Theme for Worship for the Third Sunday in Lent, March 7th:
God's Law and Gospel Serve Our Souls
 Click image to open this week's worship video bulletin.
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"Peace to you!" from
Pastor Jon Cox
Thank you for visiting the Bethel website!
Bethel is a family of believers in the one true God. He has done all that the world needs to be saved from sin.
Jesus Christ, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through faith in his life, death, and resurrection, all people may have forgiveness of sins and life in heaven.
No matter what troubles may confront us in this life, God promises to provide for all life, to care for his believers, and to work through all circumstances to bring about good for those who love him.
I have been a pastor since 1992, and have had the privilege to serve many people in various situations. I want to serve you too.
If you would like any spiritual or pastoral care from me, questions answered, prayers prayed, or just a listening ear, please call me on my cell phone or send an email message to me.
Pastor Jon Cox
608.582.9998
jon.nathan.cox@gmail.com
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Faith Related Q and A
| In a recent answer, you quote Martin Luther lamenting "the fact that Christ acts so weakly in His ministry towards His own...". Did Luther actually write this, or is it perhaps a bad translation? It doesn't sound like the author of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." Thank you for your response.
It is an accurate translation. Perhaps the words that follow the previous quotation can provide greater meaning. In commenting on the fact that people can fall away from the faith, Luther continued: “At times thoughts such as these are bound to occur to a person: If you please, is this teaching really right? In view of this strange showing, is God doing well?
“This causes great offense. But we must absolutely close our eyes and say: Let fall who will not stand and stand who stands; let him who will persecute the Gospel persecute it, it is nonetheless the truth. This is not a surprise, for Christ Himself had the same experience. What can I do if the pope and the enthusiasts fall away from the Gospel and inflict great pain on us? My lot will be no better than that of my Lord. Since they fell away from Him, why should they stand by us?” (What Luther Says, Volume I, 38)
It is in the context of Jesus experiencing a falling away of his followers that Luther wrote of the Lord acting “weakly.” Luther’s point was that people have the ability to fall away from the Christian faith, and even the all-powerful Lord experienced that firsthand in his ministry.
Thank you for your careful reading of the question and answer.
| I would like to speak to a Christian counselor who shares my faith beliefs about some very difficult personal matters. Can you refer me to someone in the Greater Milwaukee, Racine or Kenosha area? I am feeling alienated from my home church and do not know where to turn. Thanks.
Christian Family Solutions, a WELS-affiliated ministry, offers in-person counseling in the Greater Milwaukee area and video counseling from the privacy of your home. You can learn more about their services here. God’s blessings to you!
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