Most people fear death—at least a little. Some fear losing someone they love. Others fear the unknown. Still others quietly wonder what will happen when they stand before their Creator. Death raises questions no one can avoid and no human being can answer. Except one.

Jesus died and was buried. But he did not remain in the grave. He defeated death. And because he lives, he alone can answer the question that shadows every life: What happens when we die? For those who belong to him, the answer is not darkness, not silence, not judgment without hope—but life. New life. Better life. Eternal life. The resurrection proves that Jesus has both the authority and the power to take us from death to life. What once looked like a sealed tomb has become a doorway to paradise.

And there is more. Scripture speaks of another kind of death—not physical, but spiritual. Unbelief is death of the soul. But the risen Christ defeats this as well. Through his Spirit, he creates faith, awakens hearts, and brings the spiritually dead to life. In every possible way, Jesus takes us from death to life.

Good Friday begins with an uncomfortable truth: we need saving. We need saving from guilt that will not go away. From sin we cannot undo. From self-inflicted suffering. From death we cannot escape. From demons who stalk us. From ourselves. We need saving. We are skilled at managing, explaining, and distracting—but not at saving. When the noise finally fades, when excuses fall silent, we are left with the question we would rather avoid: Where can salvation be found? Not in our efforts. Not in our goodness. Not in the world’s promises.

Only in one place. An unexpected place.

On this day, we look up and see the source of salvation lifted high on a cross. There hangs the Son of God, bearing what we deserve, enduring what we could not, finishing what we never could. What appears to be weakness is God’s power. What looks like loss is our life. We gather on Good Friday not to explain the cross, but to stand before it—to look up—and to remember that here, and only here, salvation is found.

Research in social behavior shows a common association between guilt and lowered eyes. When we feel ashamed, we often tilt our heads down and avoid looking up. Yet once again this Holy Week, Jesus invites us to lift our eyes. On Holy Thursday, we look up and see more than bread and wine. Hidden beneath these humble forms, Christ gives us his true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. In this meal, Christ is truly present, bringing with him life and salvation.

The Lord’s Supper does more than comfort us in the present; it gives us a glimpse of heaven. Christ comes to us as he promises, veiled under humble means, while pointing us forward to the heavenly banquet where we will see our Savior face to face. Now, Christ comes to us in mercy and forgiveness. Then, we will share fully in his joy and peace forever. As we gather at the table on Holy Thursday, we look up and taste the promise of heaven itself—a foretaste of the eternal feast Christ has prepared for all who trust in him.

**Attention WELS Waukesha crafters**

Looking for some company and inspiration for your current crafting projects? Look no further! Join us for a fun evening of crafting and fellowship with other creative souls.

Bring along your crafting supplies and get ready to share a laugh or two as we work on our projects together. Crafting alone is nowhere near as fun as crafting with others!

We begin at 6:30 pm and will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall. We can't wait to see you there!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, reminding us of our mortality and calling us to repent. The ancient practice of imposing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is what gives Ash Wednesday its name. The church father Tertullian (c. A.D. 160-215) writes of the practice as a public expression of repentance and of our human frailty that stands in need of Christ.

“I didn’t know I needed that” is a common expression of surprise and realization. It suggests that something—whether it’s a piece of information, a lesson learned, or a newfound understanding—has come to light and is now recognized as being essential or valuable.

Lent is the season of the Church Year when I recognize my greatest needs. During Lent, I realize that in Christ all my greatest needs are met. God knows what I need even when I don’t have any idea. The Holy Spirit makes it clear, week after week, that if I lack Christ, I have nothing. But if I have Christ, I have exactly what I need.

I recognize my sinfulness. I am aware of my guilt, and the more I look at my situation, the more I realize what deep trouble I am in. I realize that what I really need is forgiveness, but I don’t deserve it. Fully aware of these facts, God worked salvation for me, provided me a Savior, called me to repentance, and promises me forgiveness.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, reminding us of our mortality and calling us to repent. The ancient practice of imposing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is what gives Ash Wednesday its name. The church father Tertullian (c. A.D. 160-215) writes of the practice as a public expression of repentance and of our human frailty that stands in need of Christ.

Everyone is welcome to join us for a brief Ash Wednesday devotion and the imposition of ashes, where one of our pastors will place an ash cross on your forehead as a sign of faith and reflection.

We invite you to begin this Lenten journey with us.

**Attention WELS Waukesha crafters**

Looking for some company and inspiration for your current crafting projects? Look no further! Join us for a fun evening of crafting and fellowship with other creative souls.

Bring along your crafting supplies and get ready to share a laugh or two as we work on our projects together. Crafting alone is nowhere near as fun as crafting with others!

We begin at 6:30 pm and will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall. We can't wait to see you there!

A Savior So Desperately Needed

Christmas holidays mean family time, often with extended family travel and visits. Meals are prepared, gifts are given, memories are made. But the memories might not all be good. Sometimes there are Christmas hurts or even tragedies. We live in a world still affected by sin.

The sinfulness of the world cannot rob us of the peace God intends to bring through his Son. Christ the Savior is born, and through his life, God brings us into the family. He gives us the rights of redeemed sons and daughters, the privileges of inheritance.

The Festival of the Nativity

The theme for worship this Christmas season comes from the most popular Christmas carol in the world, Silent Night. The tune and text are simple, yet the lyrics are profound: “Christ the Savior is born.” The eternal Son of God would become truly human. Today we explore how profound the incarnation actually is. St. John describes it this way: “The Word became flesh” (John 1:14).

When Scripture refers to Jesus Christ as “the Word” it is teaching that he is how you come to know God. Just by looking at a stranger, you can tell some things about him: his build, age, style, etc. But you would not say you really know that person, just by looking at him. To really know him, you would need to converse with him. You would need to use words. Likewise, to really know God, we need to listen to the Word made flesh—the perfect expression of our Heavenly Father’s mind and heart.

A Service of Lessons and Carols Inspired by “Silent Night”

It is, by far, the most popular Christmas carol, and it has a fascinating history. Silent Night was first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818 at St. Nicholas Church in the small Austrian village of Oberndorf. It was composed when a broken church organ forced Father Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber to create a simple carol for voice and guitar. Its quiet melody has echoed through the centuries. The tune is simple, but the text is profound. Consider the lyric, “Christ the Savior is born!” The prophets had foretold that the Christ would be true God, who is omnipresent, eternal, and almighty. Yet, the Christ would be born. He would be confined to his mother’s womb, have a birthday, and enter our world as a weak and helpless baby.

This Christmas Eve, let us walk through the phrases of this beloved hymn and ponder that mystery—Christ the Savior is born! How is this possible? And what does it mean for our lives, both now and in eternity?

Calling all crafters!

Looking for some company and inspiration for your current crafting projects? Look no further! Join us for a fun evening of crafting and fellowship with other creative souls.

Bring along your crafting supplies and get ready to share a laugh or two as we work on our projects together. Crafting alone is nowhere near as fun as crafting with others!

We begin at 6:30 pm and will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall. We can't wait to see you there!

Calling all crafters!

Looking for some company and inspiration for your current crafting projects? Look no further! Join us for a fun evening of crafting and fellowship with other creative souls.

Bring along your crafting supplies and get ready to share a laugh or two as we work on our projects together. Crafting alone is nowhere near as fun as crafting with others!

We begin at 6:30 pm and will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall. We can't wait to see you there!

Trinity's Annual Picnic is Coming!

Trinity members and school families are invited to this beloved annual event! With great food and games for all and exciting new activities (cookie contest anyone?!), this year's picnic is one you won’t want to miss. Fresh fun for singles & seniors, couples & crowds, toddlers & teens!

 Let’s celebrate faith, fellowship, and summer together!