A church home for God's people.

Grace is undeserved mercy.

Hello, and Welcome

As you can see from exploring this web site, we are providing information to the Grace Lutheran community as well as a welcome and introduction of our church to other Christians who may be seeking a church home. We are mindful that people are at various places in their faith walk. Second, we would be helpful in providing support and guidance.

Pastor Tietjen’s Message JULY/AUGUST 2010

ATONEMENT

The proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which this congregation is centrally committed is a proclamation of ATONEMENT. In the first letter of the apostle John we read: Jesus Christ, the righteous, ..is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. (2:2). In this is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (4:10).

So also the Apostle Paul in a somewhat longer statement affirms similarly:
... all (who) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... are now justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. (Romans 3:23-25a).

The prior love of God sends Jesus, his righteous and sinless Son, to take on the punishment for our sins and for the sins of all. In an act of unqualified grace God loves and forgives us first. This atoning work of Jesus we often call VICARious Atonement. That is, the sin for which we deserved to die is the sin that Jesus—for us— took to his cross of suffering and death. Furthermore, the life we now live in Christ is the extension of the righteousness of Christ—God's gift of grace we receive and use in faith.

Victim Divine, your grace we claim, as here your precious death we show; Once offered up, a spotless lamb, in your great temple here below, You did for humankind atone; and now you stand before the throne. (LBW # 202, st. 1)

Now you know a little bit about the origin of the word VICAR. In its basic meaning it suggests a substitute...a stand in. Jesus stood in for us in suffering the penalty for our sins. We are graced now to stand in for Christ as a community of believers on earth who are the very Body of Christ. The word VICAR suggests one who fills in for another. In church usage the term VICAR has different applications to suggest one who functions or fills in on behalf of another. VICAR MATTHEWS accordingly will assist, fill in for, and be accountable to the PASTOR of Grace.

Lutheran Cyclopedia (1954), In the Lutheran Church the word VICAR is often applied to an unordained student of theology who serves as an assistant in the church.

Vicar Matthews comes to this congregation of Grace to complete his fourth year of seminary training in what more customarily might be called an internship. Grace congregation is blessed for his presence and with one voice says:

WELCOME, VICAR MATTHEWS!

 

If you would like additional information, we’d enjoy talking with you either by phone at
253-472-7105, or you can e-mail us at: info@gracelutherantacoma.org.
We hope to hear from you!
May God bless you this day and every day!
Pastor Richard H. Tietjen
tietjen_richard@yahoo.com