April 2025 Newsletter

“Behold, the Lamb of God , who takes way the sin of the world!” –John 1:29

With those words John the Baptizer pointed out Jesus who had come among the crowds to be baptized by John. For the people of Jesus’ generation “the lamb of God’ was heavy with history and meaning.  The sacrifice of a lamb was deeply rooted in the Temple worship of Judaism.  The first significant appearance of a sacrificial lamb occurs in Genesis 12. Abraham, about to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Mt. Moriah, was suddenly interrupted by the Angel of the Lord, calling out from heaven, “do not lay a hand on the boy, for now I know you fear God.”  God provided a substitute sacrifice in place of Isaac- a ram caught in the brush by his horns.

From the great patriarch Abraham, who had moved from Canaan from Ur of the Caldeans, the 12 tribes of Israel were born. In  the rich valleys and hill tops of Canaan the tribes established themselves as herdsmen.  Raising and herding sheep became their way of life.

The tribes were moved to Egypt during a severe drought and famine by the hand of God. Joseph, great grandson of Abraham, had become 2^nd in command of all Egypt beneath Pharaoh.  Joseph reserved for his kinsmen good land in Goshen of Egypt where they continued their way of life as herdsmen.  But at Joseph’s death a new Pharaoh came to power who disliked the foreigners dwelling in his land.  The sheep were taken from the herdsmen Israelites, and the twelve tribes became slaves in Egypt.  God sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage and back to the Promised Land.  In Exodus 12, on the eve of their escape from slavery, God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to their doorposts as a sign for the angel of death to pass over their homes during the final plague in Egypt. This event is commemorated annually in the Jewish Passover, symbolizing deliverance and redemption.

The sacrificial system established in Leviticus further underscores the importance of a lamb in atonement rituals. Hebrews 9:22 “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Leviticus 4:32-35 describes the offering of a lamb, “without blemish,” as a sin offering, emphasizing the necessity of a spotless sacrifice to atone for sin. Thus the Israelites through the generations witnessed the sacrifice of the lambs in the temple.  God was imprinting on their brains the eternal, immutable truth:  Without a perfect sacrifice there can be no forgiveness of sin.

Many centuries after the Exodus, the prophet Isaiah wrote about a final, great, perfect sacrifice which would eternally pay the redemption price for all sinners.  “Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray;  we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,  yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth…  ¹² because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many,    and makes intercession for the transgressors.

The Apostle Peter, an eyewitness to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, reinforces this imagery in 1 Peter 1:18-19,  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” Here, Peter draws a direct parallel between Jesus and the unblemished lambs of the Old Testament sacrifices, highlighting the purity and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.

In Revelation 5:6 John describes a vision of the triumphant Lamb of God, having been sacrificed on the cross, but raised again to life and now at the right hand of the throne in heaven. John sees a vision of a Lamb standing as though it had been slain, symbolizing Jesus’ victory over sin and death. The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll and execute God’s final judgment and redemption plan, as seen in Revelation 5:12: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

Still in our day The Lamb of God holds a prominent place in Christian liturgy and devotion. The Agnus Dei (O Christ the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us…),  a part of the Communiuon liturgy, is a prayer that acknowledges Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, seeking His mercy and peace. This prayer reflects the deep reverence and gratitude Christians hold for Christ’s sacrificial act.

In art and hymnody, the Lamb of God is a recurring motif, symbolizing innocence, sacrifice, and redemption. It serves as a powerful reminder of the core message of the Gospel: that through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are provided forgiveness and eternal life. The title “Lamb of God” is a profound and multifaceted designation for Jesus Christ, deeply rooted in biblical tradition and theology. It encapsulates the essence of His mission and the hope of salvation offered to all who believe. The suffering yet victorious Lamb of God is the indispensable image of the season of Lent.

-Pastor K.J. Anderson

Midweek Lent 2025,  Wednesdays 6:30 pm Vespers

Wed April 2,  Joseph and God’s Great Plan”  (Genesis 37: 1-4; 12-14, 18-28; 45:4-11)

Wed April 9, “Moses, the Great Deliverer of Israel”  (Ex 2:23-25; 3:1-12)

Thurs April 17, Maundy Thursday. “Jesus, the Fulfillment of the Passover” (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb 10:15-39; Luke 22:7-20)

Friday April 18 – Good Friday, “The Bronze serpent.” (Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14,15)

Saturday April 19 – No Saturday Service

DIRECTOR REPORTS:

Inreach

• Kevin is working to communicate with the men of the congregation for Easter breakfast

Spiritual Oversight

• Altar Guild discussion
• Currently seeking replacement for Jef as Elder

School Board

• Next year looks promising and summer session is full.
  • More than 10 would require an aide-growth is good!
• <10% Heritage children currently enrolled
• Math and Science night – 141 attended +helpers!

Outreach

• Have activities planned and are working to make them more effective by continuing to develop relationships and following up.
• Everyone Outreach: looking to reignite this. WELS rep will need to be reached out to.

Properties

• Front door repairs are finished

Treasurer

• Follow up with Phil regarding budget

Chairman

• All the sample employee handbooks have been shared with Jodi and we’re trying to modify them for our purposes. Plan is to present them for review to the May council & school board meetings so that they can be approved prior to next fiscal year.

TLC/Office

• Lenten suppers are all planned
• Pastor Ernst fund ($100 from TLC)
• Carpet-fund of $5000
• Shut-ins will be remembered at Easter with a visit and a plant

Greetings from Members Helping Members,

We help with rides to doctors’ appointments, limited help with car repairs, meals, or any other help someone may need. This month we supplied several meals to families in need. Please contact Pastor or myself if you need any help. If you would like to help on this committee, please contact me.

Thank you,

Barb Oachs

952-465-5272