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Eastern Mission
Apostolic Lutheran Church of AmericaApril 2025
God’s Peace to you all:
We have now passed that calendar day into Spring. We know that as we come into this season, there will be newness in nature blossoming all around us. Now as we have been studying and sharing during this Lenten season, we can as well, rejoice in a newness Jesus Christ brought to us in his resurrection. In His resurrection Jesus brought us from a place of sin and death in our old life, into a new Way and a promise of Life eternal. A hope within us that give us a better way.
2 Corinthians 5/17:
There is so much to be shared as we move closer to the Holy week. It is for us, as we journey together to the resurrection weekend, to search our hearts and souls, to examine our lives and come to a place of repentance. We have been running from our sin all year and it is for us to realize Jesus has washed it away, by his shed blood. Jesus has brought our sin to death. We can bring our sin daily to the cross, look up to Christ, his blood dripping upon our sin stained souls, and by his Blessed Assurance we can be washed clean. This is our promise, our new way, God’s Way. Jesus in his final breath, said it is finished and this new Way was opened for each of us.
Holy week began with Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, riding a donkey, in which the people were rejoicing and praising him, for they thought their physical king has arrived. Jesus wept that day for he knew that people would turn from him and know the destruction that would come. These people only a few day later will be calling out to crucify him.
Luke 19/38 :
We look to that day in which Jesus instituted the Holy supper. The meal that we serve today in remembrance of him. Matthew 26/20-29. Judas was served this meal by Jesus who humbled himself to wash the feet of those disciples. This before the betrayal which happened a short time later in the Garden where Jesus had gone to pray. Luke 22/39-46. Jesus had his moments of weakness and The Father sent an angel to strengthen him. We know that the disciples had fallen asleep. How easy is it for us, to become complacent and fall asleep in our way, feeling the temptations of this world will not pull us off that path of holiness and overcome us. We are weak and often do not continue in earnest prayer seeking that faith and strength, to endure on that path of life unto the end. Many feel God’s Grace will rescue us if we step away off that path for a while. Let us not grow weary in serving but stay vigilante for the wickedness of the world can attack us at any time and bring our hearts to betray the Lord and lead us to destruction.
Luke 22/48:
48But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Jesus was betrayed that night by a kiss from one that he had earlier humbled himself to wash his feet, to serve him the first communion, the Lord’s Holy Supper. We know the incredible and immense suffering Jesus went through, yet he endured. He was asked to carry his cross to the hill. He was nailed to the cross and raised on that middle Cross of Calvary. Yet, in this he continued to show Love and Compassion, He showed forgiveness. He had two thief’s on crosses one each side of him. One recognized who he was, this man that most likely never attended a reading of the scrolls, no rituals done, or synagogue praying. He asked Jesus to remember him, and in his repentance Jesus told him “today you will be with me in paradise.” In his last breath this man was saved and forgiven, compassion given to him. We have not sinned to much, it is not too late to seek the assurance of Jesus forgiving us and washing our souls clean through his shed blood. Jesus showed love on the cross and he looked down upon those men that put him on the cross and asked that they be forgiven. In his last breath, he said it is finished and a New and Holy Way was made for all to access the Way to the Father through Jesus. All are invited to his Way.
Luke 23/ 34:
Jesus became sin for us, died for us. He took our sin to death, broke the chains of bondage and made us free. Our sin debt paid, by his shed blood. Our old put away and now we are resurrected with Christ into oneness. By this glorious resurrection our victory has come in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice, let us praise God. Let us be thankful every day, that the Holy Way has brought us to a place that we can now go, in our last breath, cross the river of Life into the promised land. This is a gift of God, by his Love for each of us. Freely given by his Grace.
John 3/16:
Let us as we come to resurrection Sunday, not put Easter away on Monday. Easter is every day. We reflect every day on what he did for us, this the beginning of our new life, our faith and salvation. Our life now as a new creature in Christ is one of Holiness, One of Righteousness, through Jesus. The Hope lives within us, that Hope that guides us to our eternal home. Jesus said just believe, your faith has saved you. Jesus still lives today, the Holy Spirit, dwells within us. The tomb is still empty. Let us look up to the Lord and feel his Peace, as he told the Disciples.
John 20/21:
21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Rejoice in his Amazing Grace, his Love and gifts, for Jesus says the Kingdom of God is at hand.
A reminder that the Eastern Mission sponsors a podcast called “God’s Peace”. It is a discussion on different Biblical and church topics. Another podcast sponsored by Apostolic Lutheran church of America is called “God’s Word for Today”. It is a daily reading of the weekly texts and prayers. You can find them on any podcast app, the ALC community page and Eastern Mission Facebook page. Both are wonderful to listen to; it is an opportunity to be in the Word.
God’s Grace, Mercy and Peace be with you all:
Jon Salo
Pike, MN
NEWSLETTER 2025 SCHEDULE
March - Ivan Niemela
April - Jon Salo
May - Bob Tumberg
June - Nick Kandoll
July - Mark Traffie
August - Chuck Bylkas
September - Mark Seppanen
October - TBD
November - Tyson Mattila
December - Ivan Niemela2026 SCHEDULE
January - Jon Salo
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Contact us at:Eastern Missionary Association
PO Box 69
Hancock, MI 49930
Chairman: Mark Traffie
Phone: (701) 580-0894
email: mtraffie@artekenterprise.com
Secretary: William Seppala
Phone: (603) 801-5103
Email: wmseppala@gmail.com
Treasurer: Pastor Ernest (Chuck) Bylkas III
Phone: (906) 281-4983
Email: cbylkas@pasty.com