Private confession

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God freely gives out His grace, so we also serve Him freely.  In other words, the Lord's mercy received is mercy lived.  The Lutheran Church confesses what God's Word speaks in the Gospel according to Saint John, which records Jesus' words:  "If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld." (John 20:23)  As a confessional congregation of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod we agree with Luther's words in the Smalcald Articles (III:VIII), "Since private Absolution originates in the Office of the Keys, it should not be despised, but greatly and highly esteemed, along with all the other offices of the Christian Church."  There is incredible power in hearing the Office of the Keys exercised, hearing the Words that convey real forgiveness, when you hear the Pastor state to you personally, "In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and on His behalf, Pastor Becker makes time available to all for private confession, Monday mornings between 9am and Noon, in his office.  You may also call the church office and make an appointment for other times, as they fit your schedule.  


Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore,
That they may trouble us no more;
We, too, will gladly those forgive
Who hurt us by the way they live.
Help us in our community
To serve each other willingly.
(Lutheran Service Book 766:6)