Thoughts From the Pulpit

Dear family at Immanuel,
One of the great things that I have had a chance to hear from you is that Immanuel is a family. Not only have I heard it, I have seen it and experienced it. Thank you all for welcoming my family and me into your family.
 
We have often heard that “blood is thicker than water.” This common expression, as you know, means that our earthly families always come before other relationships as we share a common bond of bloodlines. In the Church we also share a common bond as a family. Our bond in the Church is not physical. Nor is it based upon other ways that the world might gather people together, such as common interests or opinions or likes and dislikes. In the Church, the thickest bond that we share in our church family is the water: specifically, water with the Word. In our Baptism, we have all been given a new family connection in Christ. In Baptism, we have been adopted into the family of God. And as members of this family, we have received an inheritance that we will enjoy in full in the life to come. That is, we have received life and salvation because of the forgiveness won for us by Christ’s cross and resurrection. It doesn’t end there! We have eternal brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s you! This bond always comes first in the Church.
 
Even though we are still getting to know one another, I cherish you all as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are family. In Christ, there’s nothing thicker than the water!
 
Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Rosebrock