Thursday, December 26, 2019

Announcements

St. John’s Lutheran Church

109 Maple St. Burt, Iowa|Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Cowell                              Secretary: Rosann Shipler

Pastor’s Cell: 319-464-5548                                 Church Office: 515-924-3344  stjohnsburt.org

Pastor’s Email: pastor@stjohnsburt.org          Church Email: churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org               

THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

December 29, 2019

 

O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S

Today, December 29                                                           

   8:00 a.m.         Bible Study (No Sunday School)

   9:00 a.m.         Divine Service (Christmas 1)  ©

 

Tuesday, December 31

   7:00  p.m.         New Year’s Eve - Trinity

   

 Sunday, January 5

   8:00 a.m.          No Sunday School/Adult Class)

   9:00 a.m.          Divine Service (Epiphany)

                                 Guest:  Pastor May

   10:00 a.m.         Presentation by Pastor May

   11:00 a.m.         Soup Luncheon

THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR

  Sunday, December 29 

    Commemoration of David 

 

  Wednesday, January 1

    Feast of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus

 

  Thursday, January 2

    Commemoration of J. K. Wilhelm Loehe, 

     Pastor

 

   

 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today: Marcia Hanna           Ushers for December: Tony Hatten & Joe Heyes

Acolyte: none assigned             Elder for December:    Boyd Shipler

Greeters Today: Roger and Harold Lavrenz            Greeters Next Week:   Donna & Melvin Haase                                  

 

Adult Bible Study - Our Sunday morning adult Bible study class is discussing the benefits of meditating on the six chief parts of the Catechism through Scripture and prayer.  We’ll be using the book The Lord Will Answer: A Daily Prayer Catechism.  A copy of the book will be provided for everyone to use. 

 

Parish Messenger Articles are due in to Linda Kerkove today.  This is for the January/February edition.

 

Annual Report:  The end of the year will be here soon! If you’re responsible for a report for the annual yearbook, it can be emailed to the church office at churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org - or bring it to the church office.

 

Thank You to all for the most generous giving to our 3 adopted families.  We received so many gifts for each family.  Deb Steven

 

Thrivent Shirts are available in the Library for free. 

 

Reminder to all Members - If you are the last one to leave the church at anytime, please be sure that all the lights are off and all doors are locked.   Trustees

 

Usher, Greeter, Acolyte Sign-Ups - On the back table are sign-up sheets for greeters, ushers, and acolytes to give you an opportunity to sign up for a spot that works for you.  Feel free to sign your name on more than one line! 

 

St. John’s Flocknote - As a new Church Year begins now would be a good time to review your St. John’s text message and email options!  See the Flocknote information sheet on the back table for the types of communication you can receive through text or email.  You can sign up or change your options yourself from the instructions provided, or if you fill out the sheet and leave it at the church office we are happy to sign you up or make changes for you. 

- Also note that there is a new Flocknote option this year called “St. John’s Volunteers.               

  Sign up for this option if you would like to receive messages from St. John’s about 

  volunteer opportunities within our congregation, partnership, or community. 

 

James May Visit - Pastor James May, missionary with Lutherans in Africa, will be joining us at St. John’s on Sunday, January 5.  He will preach at our Divine Service and give a presentation on his mission work after the service.

 

Soup Lunch for Lutherans in Africa - Join us in the church basement for a soup lunch after Pastor May’s mission presentation on January 5th after service.  The freewill offering for the lunch will go toward the mission work of Lutherans in Africa. 

 

Soup Luncheon Sign-Up - There are sign up sheets on the back table for buns and bars/cookies that are needed for the Soup Luncheon when Pastor May is here on January 5.  Please have them at the church that morning.  Thank you - Mission Board

 

Installation of Officers - All new and returning council members will be installed during the service on January 12th.

 

Council Meeting - We will have a council meeting after church on January 12. Voter’s Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 19.

 

Cowell Family Epiphany Open House - You are invited to continue your holiday cheer at the Cowell house on January 12 from 2:00-5:00!  Once you’ve finished celebrating Christmas with your family, you’ll have this opportunity to celebrate Epiphany with your church family.  The Cowell’s live at 609 E Kennedy St. in Algona. 

 

Come join Us!  The LWML would like to invite all ladies of the church to consider joining the LWML Group.  We are in need of more people who can help to carry out our projects for the coming year.  Our meetings ar usually held on the 1st Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. (Winter months sometimes we don’t meet). It is a good time to share our faith with our sisters in Christ. Please consider joining us in the new year.   Contact: Bev Skadburg

 

SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

New Year’s Eve Service - Trinity, Algona invites you to their New Year’s Eve Divine Service (with Communion) on January 31 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Strengthening Marriage Workshop - The Iowa District West Education and Family Life Committee is hosting a marriage strengthening workshop for all married couples on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00-2:00 at Trinity, Algona. This workshop will benefit both those who are recently married to those who have been married for many years. Toni Larson, Licensed Counselor from Lutheran Family Service will lead us through a time to grow in communication skills, understand how God has uniquely designed man and woman, and lead you in focusing on your relationship. Morning refreshments and lunch are provided, as well as childcare if needed.  The cost is $40 per couple (paid the morning of the workshop). Register by Feb. 3rd at:

www.surveymonkey.com/r/Strengthening_Marriages_Workshop.   

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Christmas 1)

 

Isaiah 63:7–14; Galatians 4:4–7; Matthew 2:13–23

 

The Lord Jesus Undergoes a New Exodus in order to Save His People from Their Sins

Herod’s efforts to destroy the little Lord Jesus anticipate the cross for which He was born. In response to Herod’s edict, Joseph must “take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt” (Matt. 2:13). But the Lord does not abandon the holy family there. He brings about salvation for all people, just as He “had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son’” (Matt. 2:15). With might and strength, God accompanies His people causing “His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses” (Is. 63:12). Now through Jesus, even our afflictions are borne by Christ on the cross, “He redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them” (Is. 63:9). All of this is accomplished by God’s might so that we too are claimed as members of His family. For we “receive adoption as sons” in the only-begotten Son, Christ Jesus, even as He became like us by His conception and birth of the woman. Thus redeemed by Christ, no longer slaves of sin and death but beloved children and heirs of God, we pray in Jesus’ name: “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:4–6).

    

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

 

Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, Article VIII: The Person of Christ, para. 6, 11

We believe, teach, and confess that God's Son from eternity has been a particular, distinct, entire, divine person. Yet He is true, essential, perfect God with the Father and the Holy Sprit. In the fullness of time He received also the human nature into the unity of His person. He did not do this in such a way that there are now two persons or two Christs. Christ Jesus is now in one person at the same time true, eternal God, born of the Father from eternity, and a true man, born of the most blessed Virgin Mary. This is written in Romans 9:5, "from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever."

 

[...] since the incarnation, each nature in Christ does not exist by itself so that each is a separate person. These two natures are so united that they make up one single person, in which the divine and the received human nature are and exist at the same time. So now, since the incarnation, there belongs to the entire person of Christ personally not only His divine nature, but also His received human nature. So without His divinity, and also without His humanity, the person of Christ or the incarnate Son of God is not complete. We mean the Son of God who has received flesh and become man [John 1:14]. Christ is not two distinct persons, but one single person, even though two distinct natures are found in Him, unconfused in their natural essence and properties. 

 

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Announcements

St. John’s Lutheran Church

109 Maple St. Burt, Iowa|Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Cowell             Secretary: Rosann Shipler

Pastor’s Cell: 319-464-5548                 Church Office: 515-924-3344  stjohnsburt.org               

Pastor’s Email: pastor@stjohnsburt.org          Church Email: churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org               


THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

December 22, 2019

 

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S

Today, December 22                                                                       

   8:00 a.m.           Bible Study/Sunday School

   9:00 a.m.           Divine Service (Advent 3)  (C)

  10:00 a.m.          Children’s Dress Rehearsal                       

 

Tuesday, December 24

  4:30 p.m.           Christmas Eve Children’s  

                                  Service

 

Wednesday, December 25  

   9:00 a.m.          Christmas Day  Service (C)

  

Sunday, December 29         

   8:00 a.m.         Adult Class (No Sunday School)

   9:00 a.m.         Lessons and Carols Service  

                                  (Christmas 1)  (C)   

    

THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR

  Wednesday, December 25

    Feast of the Nativity 

 

  Thursday, December 26

    Feast of St. Stephen, Martyr

 

   Friday, December 27

     Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

 

   Saturday, December 28

    Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs 

 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today: Marcia Hanna       Ushers for December: Tony Hatten & Joe Heyes

Acolyte Christmas Day: Tysen Wickman   Elder for December:    Boyd Shipler

Greeters Today: John & Karla Schutter      Greeters Next Week:   Roger and Harold Lavrenz                                              

 

Services this Week - Christmas Eve Children’s Program: Tuesday, December 24 at 4:30 p.m. Christmas Day Divine  Service: Wednesday, December 25 at 9:00 a.m. with Communion.

 

Adult Bible Study - Our Sunday morning adult Bible study class is discussing the benefits of meditating on the six chief parts of the Catechism through Scripture and prayer.  We’ll be using the book The Lord Will Answer: A Daily Prayer Catechism.  A copy of the book will be provided for everyone to use. 

 

Parish Messenger Articles are due in to Linda Kerkove by Sunday, December 29th. This is for the January/February edition.

 

Annual Report:  The end of the year will be here soon! If you’re responsible for a report for the annual yearbook, it can be emailed to the church office at churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org - or bring it to the church office.

 

Reminder to all Members - If you are the last one to leave the church at anytime, please be sure that all the lights are off and all doors are locked.   Trustees

 

Usher, Greeter, Acolyte Sign-Ups - On the back table are sign-up sheets for greeters, ushers, and acolytes to give you an opportunity to sign up for a spot that works for you.  Feel free to sign your name on more than one line! 

 

St. John’s Flocknote - As a new Church Year begins now would be a good time to review your St. John’s text message and email options!  See the Flocknote information sheet on the back table for the types of communication you can receive through text or email.  You can sign up or change your options yourself from the instructions provided, or if you fill out the sheet and leave it at the church office we are happy to sign you up or make changes for you. 

- Also note that there is a new Flocknote option this year called “St. John’s Volunteers.               

  Sign up for this option if you would like to receive messages from St. John’s about 

  volunteer opportunities within our congregation, partnership, or community. 

 

Christmas Lessons and Carols - Our Divine Service on Sunday, December 29, will include a selection of lessons and carols from the Christmas season.  You will get to sing some of your favorite Christmas hymns and learn a couple new ones too!  

 

James May Visit - Pastor James May, missionary with Lutherans in Africa, will be joining us at St. John’s on Sunday, January 5.  He will preach at our Divine Service and give a presentation on his mission work after the service.

Soup Lunch for Lutherans in Africa - Join us in the church basement for a soup lunch after Pastor May’s mission presentation on January 5th after service.  The freewill offering for the lunch will go toward the mission work of Lutherans in Africa. 

 

Soup Luncheon Sign-Up - There are sign up sheets on the back table for buns and bars/cookies that are needed for the Soup Luncheon when Pastor May is here on January 5.  Please have them at the church that morning.  Thank you - Mission Board

 

Cowell Family Epiphany Open House - You are invited to continue your holiday cheer at the Cowell house on January 12 from 2:00-5:00!  Once you’ve finished celebrating Christmas with your family, you’ll have this opportunity to celebrate Epiphany with your church family.  The Cowell’s live at 609 E Kennedy St. in Algona. 



SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

New Year’s Eve Service - Trinity, Algona invites you to their New Year’s Eve Divine Service (with Communion) on January 31 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Strengthening Marriage Workshop - The Iowa District West Education and Family Life Committee is hosting a marriage strengthening workshop for all married couples on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00-2:00 at Trinity, Algona. This workshop will benefit both those who are recently married to those who have been married for many years. Toni Larson, Licensed Counselor from Lutheran Family Service will lead us through a time to grow in communication skills, understand how God has uniquely designed man and woman, and lead you in focusing on your relationship. Morning refreshments and lunch are provided, as well as childcare if needed.  The cost is $40 per couple (paid the morning of the workshop). Register by Feb. 3rd at:

www.surveymonkey.com/r/Strengthening_Marriages_Workshop.   


Building Healthy Families - How has Christ’s birth changed your life? How would your life be different if Jesus hadn’t come? As a family, take time to read aloud the Christmas story found in Luke 2, and engage in a discussion around these questions. From the silly answer of a preschooler, to the shoulder shrug of a teenager, to the wise words shared by an older person, it will be interesting to see how each individual family member answers. Remember, even those who don’t answer are still listening, and will remember this conversation for years to come! “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 Lutheran Family Service is Iowa’s only Recognized Service Organization (RSO) by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) for Pregnancy Support, Adoption Services, Family Wellness, Mental Health & Marriage Counseling. Find help at LutheranFamilyService.org

 

 

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Advent 4)

 

Isaiah 7:10–17; Romans 1:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25

 

God’s Word Is Fulfilled for Us in the Flesh and Blood of Christ Jesus, the Son of Mary

The Fourth Sunday in Advent turns our attention toward the Nativity of Our Lord. With the Blessed Virgin Mary we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Word and Spirit of God. This fulfillment of the sign once given to the House of David, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Is. 7:14), is now given to us in the Gospel. It declares that salvation is by His grace alone, entirely His work and a free gift. It is also the way and means by which the Lord our God is “Immanuel,” God-with-us. The almighty and eternal Son of God is conceived and born of St. Mary, and is thus “descended from David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3–4).  He comes in this way to save us with His own flesh and blood; wherefore He is called “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). As St. Joseph received this sign in faith and immediately “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Matt. 1:24), we also live by faith in this Holy Gospel.

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

 

Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VIII: The Person of Christ, paragraphs 34-37

What kind of communion of the divine nature must that be of which the apostle says, "in [Christ] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" so that God and man are one person? It is important that this doctrine about the communion of the properties of both natures be treated and explained with proper discrimination. There are many ways of speaking about the person of Christ and of its natures and properties. When these are used without proper distinction, the doctrine becomes confused and the simple reader is easily led astray. The following explanation should be carefully noted:

 

In Christ two distinct natures exist and remain unchanged and unconfused in their natural essence and properties. Yet there is only one person consisting of both natures. Therefore, that which is an attribute of only one nature is attributed not to that nature alone, as separate. It is attributed to the entire person, who is at the same time God and man (whether the person is called God or man).

 

In this way of speaking, it does not make sense that what is attributed to the person is at the same time a property of both natures. But its nature is distinctively explained by what is ascribed to the person. So "His Son … was descended from David according to the flesh" (Romans 1:3). Also: Christ was "put to death in the flesh" (1 Peter 3:18) and "suffered in the flesh" (1 Peter 4:1). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Announcements

 

 

 

St. John’s Lutheran Church

109 Maple St. Burt, Iowa|Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

 

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Cowell

Secretary: Rosann Shipler

Pastor’s Cell: 319-464-5548                

Church Office: 515-924-3344  stjohnsburt.org               

Pastor’s Email: pastor@stjohnsburt.org         

Church Email: churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org               


THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

December 15, 2019

 

Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

 

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S

Today, December 15                                                                       

   8:00 a.m.           Bible Study/Sunday School

   9:00 a.m.           Divine Service (Advent 3)  (C)

  10:00 a.m.          Children’s Program Practice                       

 

Monday, December  16                   

   7 & 9:30 a.m.   Women’s Bible Study at Trinity

 

Wednesday, December 18  

   6:00 p.m.          Advent Midweek Service 

   6:30 p.m.          S.S./LYF Advent Party

 

Sunday, December 22         

   8:00 a.m.          Bible Study/Sunday School 

   9:00 a.m.          Divine Service (Advent 4)  (C)   

  10:00 a.m.         Children’s Program Practice   

THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH YEAR

  Tuesday, December 17

    Commemoration of Daniel and the Three  

      Young Men

 

  Thursday, December 19

    Commemoration of Adam and Eve

 

  Friday, December 20

    Commemoration of Katharina von Bora  

      Luther

 

  Saturday, December 21

    Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle 

 

ST. JOHN’S NEWS

 

Organist Today: Marcia Hanna       Ushers for December: Tony Hatten & Joe Heyes

Acolytes Today: none-assigned        Elder for December:    Boyd Shipler

Greeters Today: Duane & Linda Peter        Greeters Next Week:   Karla & John Schutter                                              

 

Adult Bible Study - Our Sunday morning adult Bible study class is discussing the benefits of meditating on the six chief parts of the Catechism through Scripture and prayer.  We’ll be using the book The Lord Will Answer: A Daily Prayer Catechism.  A copy of the book will be provided for everyone to use.

 

Parish Messenger Articles are due in to Linda Kerkove by Sunday, December 29th. This is for the January/February edition.

 

Advent Services are Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. on December 18, 2019. The Sunday School and LYF Advent party will follow at 6:30 p.m.

 

Annual Report:  The end of the year will be here soon! If you’re responsible for a report for the annual yearbook, it can be emailed to the church office at churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org - or bring it to the church office.

 

Reminder to all Members - If you are the last one to leave the church at anytime, please be sure that all the lights are off and all doors are locked.   Trustees

 

St. John’s Flocknote - As a new Church Year begins now would be a good time to review your St. John’s text message and email options!  See the Flocknote information sheet on the back table for the types of communication you can receive through text or email.  You can sign up or change your options yourself from the instructions provided, or if you fill out the sheet and leave it at the church office we are happy to sign you up or make changes for you. 

- Also note that there is a new Flocknote option this year called “St. John’s Volunteers.               

  Sign up for this option if you would like to receive messages from St. John’s about 

  volunteer opportunities within our congregation, partnership, or community. 

 

Christmas Eve Children’s Service Practice will immediately follow the church service on the Sundays of December 15 and 22.  The program is Christmas Eve at 4:30 p.m.

 

Pray the O Antiphons - On December 17-23 the Church begins praying the “O” Antiphons of Advent.  Pick up a sheet on the back table which has the prayers printed as well as some history on them, and join Christians from across many nations and centuries in praying these ancient prayers. 

 

Christmas Lessons and Carols - Our Divine Service on Sunday, December 29, will include a selection of lessons and carols from the Christmas season.  You will get to sing some of your favorite Christmas hymns and learn a couple new ones too!  

 

James May Visit - Pastor James May, missionary with Lutherans in Africa, will be joining us at St. John’s on Sunday, January 5.  He will preach at our Divine Service and give a presentation on his mission work after the service.

 

Soup Lunch for Lutherans in Africa - Join us in the church basement for a soup lunch after Pastor May’s mission presentation on January 5th after service.  The freewill offering for the lunch will go toward the mission work of Lutherans in Africa. 

 

Cowell Family Epiphany Open House - You are invited to continue your holiday cheer at the Cowell house on January 12 from 2:00-5:00!  Once you’ve finished celebrating Christmas with your family, you’ll have this opportunity to celebrate Epiphany with your church family.  The Cowell’s live at 609 E Kennedy St. in Algona. 

 

SYNOD, DISTRICT, & PARTNERSHIP NEWS

 

Strengthening Marriage Workshop - The Iowa District West Education and Family Life Committee is hosting a marriage strengthening workshop for all married couples on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00-2:00 at Trinity, Algona. This workshop will benefit both those who are recently married to those who have been married for many years. Toni Larson, Licensed Counselor from Lutheran Family Service will lead us through a time to grow in communication skills, understand how God has uniquely designed man and woman, and lead you in focusing on your relationship. Morning refreshments and lunch are provided, as well as childcare if needed.  The cost is $40 per couple (paid the morning of the workshop). Register by Feb. 3rd at:

www.surveymonkey.com/r/Strengthening_Marriages_Workshop.   

 

Building Healthy Families:  Is there an “invisible” elderly person living in your neighborhood? Look around with new eyes to see someone who is lonely, unable to do for themselves or has a need. This person might live down the road, across the street or maybe in a care center in your town, just out of your eyesight. Ask God to give you not only eyes to see them, but also courage to step out of your comfort zone to help. He will give you both! Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Lutheran Family Service is Iowa’s only Recognized Service Organization (RSO) by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) for Pregnancy Support, Adoption Services, Family Wellness, Mental Health & Marriage Counseling. Find help at LutheranFamilyService.org

LECTIONARY SUMMARY (Advent 3)

 

Isaiah 35:1–10; James 5:7–11; Matthew 11:2–15

 

The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Brings True Rejoicing, Even under the Cross

Sometimes life requires the astonishing patience of Job. Like him, we are to rejoice in the midst of affliction, be grounded in repentance under the cross of Christ, hope relentlessly in His resurrection, that we might see “the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). In the promise of the Gospel, therefore, “be patient” and “establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7, 8). Like St. John, the Baptist, whatever your own kind of prison or suffering may be, call upon Jesus and receive the strength of His Word from those He sends to you. For as “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up,” so is the good news of Jesus preached to you, also (Matt. 11:5). He comes and restores the fortunes of Zion, His holy Church, so that “sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Is. 35:10).  

 

FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD

 

Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article IV: Good Works, paragraphs 9-12

Faith must be the mother and source of works that are truly good and well pleasing to God. St. Paul calls them true fruit of faith, also fruit of the Spirit. For, as Dr. Luther writes in the Preface to St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans:

Faith, however, is a divine work in us that changes us and makes us to be born anew of God, John 1. It kills the old Adam and makes us altogether different men, in heart and spirit and mind and powers; it brings with it the Holy Spirit. O, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this faith. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly. It does not ask whether good works are to be done, but before the question is asked, it has already done them, and is constantly doing them. Whoever does not do such works, however, is an unbeliever.

 

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it. This knowledge of and confidence in God's grace makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and all creatures. And this is the work that the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God, who has shown him this grace. Thus it is impossible to separate works from faith.