Bethlehem Lutheran Church River Grove, IL

In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world. 

Thanks – Thanks for all who participated in making our observance of Holy week and celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord a meaningful and joyful observance. A lot of people put in many hours to prepare the church, the breakfast and the worship.  Thanks again.

Mothers Day Garden  - May 11 is Mothers Day only two weeks away and as we traditionally do we will give you the opportunity to honor your mother by donating flowers to be planted outside.   We suggest for a minimum donation of $5 for each name listed. The mothers names will be in the bulletin and the flowers will be in church on Mother’s Day and later planted outside.  There are envelopes in the rear of church or you can email Elizabeth Gallup at egallup29@gmail.com. Please give your name and your mother’s name to be printed in the bulletin.

This Sunday - SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 5:12–20

Revelation 1:4–18

John 20:19–31

That You May Believe and Have Life in His Name

On the Lord’s Day, St. John the apostle was given a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He is the Living One, “the firstborn of the dead” (Rev. 1:5). He died for all people, and behold, He is alive forevermore! Therefore, He has “the keys of Death and Hades” (Rev. 1:18). For His death atoned for sin and conquered death, and in His resurrection He opened the kingdom of heaven to us. The “sharp two-edged sword” of His mouth (Rev. 1:16) calls you to “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,” that by such faith “you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). To that end, He sends His ministers of the Word, as the Father sent Him, “to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31).

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and opened the gates of heaven to all who trust in him.

God accepts all who believe in Jesus even though there is no merit or worthiness in us.

So that we might believe in Jesus, God has given us the ministry, which is the preaching of Christ and the

Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Through these, God also gives us the forgiveness of sins.

When God brings people to faith, He also produces many good works in our lives. These are done, not to earn

grace, but to do God’s will and please him. We love him because he first loved us.

God has given every man, woman and child a calling in life. Within that calling He directs us, and through

His Word, strengthens us to live for Him.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is free from all error and contradiction in all that it says.

The Word of God brings us to Jesus our Lord.