Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Wartburg, Illinois

Dear Friends,

Christians are urged to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3). The faith that the apostles delivered to the Church to believe and teach is what is still proclaimed here at Holy Cross. In fact, the words actually used in worship at Holy Cross since before the Civil War have been heard weekly in the Christian Church for centuries and many can be traced all the way back into the Old Testament. You see, these words testify of God’s continuing faithfulness to an undeserving people that He loves. They are the very words that tell us that God Himself is with us in Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh, who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). They tell us that this same Jesus Christ died once for all upon the cross to free us from all sin, death, and from the power of the devil in our lives even here and now and His victory is delivered for all to hear in the Words of Holy Scripture and preaching. For “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

We are here so that you, too, might hear and believe what the Lord has done for you. So come and listen, learn, and take to heart God’s Word so that we may together embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life – the life that Jesus freely gives to all who believe. We wish to see you soon, gathered with us, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in worship.

--Pastor Rethwisch