A Place to Worship, to learn and to serve
Christ Our Savior Lutheran
Church is a warm caring fellowship of Faith. Our congregation, which has grown
to over 300, strives to communicate God's awesome gift of love to our ever
changing world. We are a collection of natives of East Tennessee and
transplants from other parts of the country who now call
Our Beginnings:
• 1996 A group of people, led by the Holy Spirit sought to plant a new Lutheran Church in East Tennessee.
• 1997 We worshipped in a store front while purchasing 7 acres on Highway 72 and Wade Road.
• 1998 A building committee was established as Rev. Bob Torgler served as worship leader.
• 1999 Dedicated members paid for the property
• 2000 In May the construction of the new worship facility was begun.
• 2001 The first worship Service in the new church was held on January 7th. On August 26th our first permanent pastor, Rev. Jim Kirk, was installed.
• 2009 The church membership has now grown to over 300. We have added a Christian Ministry Center that will expand our worship and fellowship facilities.
Who we are:
• We are a people who share a common faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
• We are natives of East Tennessee and transplants from other parts of the country.
• We live in Blount, Loudon, Knox, Monroe, and Roane counties.
• We worship with different styles in order to meet people's needs
• We are a growing church with over 200 in worship on a regular basis
FINISH WELL
Things that don’t finish well: Diets …Giving things up for Lent …New Year’s resolutions …NCAA March Madness Basketball brackets… (social distancing plans???). So often we start strong but do not finish well.
We can burn out in our enthusiasm for the Lord and the mission He has given us, too. (Let the younger folks take care of that … I’ve done my share) Most of the time we are not even thinking about it (which is part of the problem … Satan distracts us with so many other things …)
But when we realize we are nearing death, and we begin to wonder …“I want to depart and to be with Christ, which is better by far … but have I been good enough? Have I finished well enough??”
Satan likes to plant the seeds of doubt in our mind and chip away at the confidence and hope that we have in Jesus. He takes our focus off of what Jesus did for us and tries to get us to focus on what we have done … or failed to do.
I’ve had many discussions about this at people’s death bed. Sometimes I have to lead them to the answer, but, often, they head there on their own. The answer to Satan’s accusations is this: I have not finished well enough, but JESUS DID! And how He finished things on the cross is what determines what my final destination/result will be.
Jesus FINISHED WELL by hanging on the cross and dying. This doesn’t look like a Grand Finale! But on this cross, Jesus is finishing the job … completing the plan … defeating the Enemy... so that we can depart in peace at the end of our journey.
In Jesus’ life, death and resurrection we have an answer for the Devil’s accusations about our failures to finish well, and we have motivation to turn to our Savior in order to finish our race the way He wants us to.
Focus on HIS sacrifice, HIS endurance, HIS victory, and the miracle of faith and grace which makes HIS sacrifice, endurance and victory OURS, and you will be able to finish the race He has marked out for us … and FINISH WELL!!
Pastor Brian Truog
Pastor's Message
Let Freedom Fly!
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1
As citizens of this country, we enjoy great freedom. The American flag is given greater prominence this month as we celebrate our freedom as a country. We put flags in front of our homes, businesses, light poles and celebrations as a way of letting freedom fly.
We know the stars in the flag represent the fifty states of our nation. The thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen colonies. But what is behind the colors red, white and blue? No specific reason was given in the early days, but over time, the colors symbolized American values. Red is the color of strength, the courage of those who sacrificed for our country. White represents the pure intentions and high ideals of our government. Blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice. As citizens of this country we proudly display our flag, at the same time proclaiming a commitment to maintain these values in our daily life.
As Christians, we also enjoy great spiritual freedom. Jesus Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin, death and the power of the devil. We let our freedom fly as we post the Christian flag.
This flag shares the same colors as our American flag with very similar meanings behind them. The red cross in the upper left hand corner reminds us of the strength, courage and sacrifice Jesus made for us. The large field of white represents the result of that sacrifice, the innocence and purity we have through the forgiveness Jesus brings. Though our sins be as scarlet, we are white as snow. The blue field behind the cross encourages us to persevere through all hardships as we are reminded of our home in heaven. As citizens of the kingdom of God, we proudly display this flag, at the same time proclaiming a commitment to live according to the Word and Will of our God.
Many people see the month of July as a time to relax, take a break from everyday life. I would like to encourage you to continue to show strength, high intentions and perseverance in letting your freedom in Christ fly in every area of your life. Join your brothers and sisters in Christ in worship. Spend time each day reading God’s Word. Find ways to share your faith with others in acts of service. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Let your freedom fly!
In His service and yours,
Pastor Mark R. Rhoads
What Does a Pastor Do?
Here’s an interesting comparison by Rev. Dr. James Baneck of the LCMS that might answer that question. The lambs and sheep our Savior sent Peter to feed and tend were not the wooly kind residing on a beautiful hillside. There are, however, rich parallels between shepherding sheep and shepherding God's people.
James Rebanks watches over real four-legged sheep in the United Kingdom. He writes about the parallels in his article, “Are You Hard Enough to Survive as a Shepherd?”
"The romance wears off after a few weeks, believe me, and you will be left standing cold and lonely on a mountain. It is all about endurance. Digging in. Holding on. You will also need to be emotionally. tough … Carrion crows hang over our lambing fields waiting to steal the eyes out of anything sick or dead that cannot resist … You’ll need the patience of a saint, too, because sheep test you to the limit with a million ways to escape, ail, or die … It requires a body of knowledge and skills that shepherds devote decades to learning."
How this applies to our pastors! There is nothing romantic about being a pastor; it is hard work and often lonely. It demands an endurance that comes only from God. Like carrion crows, Satan seeks to devour God’s people. The pastor stands guard. protecting and feeding God’s sheep with Christ in the preached Word and blessed Sacraments. The formation of men for the Holy Ministry begins at Baptism. And while pastoral formation is intensified during seminary, “it requires a body of knowledge and skills that [pastors] devote decades to learning."
Pastors are to be clothed with the humility of Christ, “who humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). Pastors must be equipped to lead Gods people to the waters of Holy Baptism, where God gives new birth to sinners and opens the kingdom of heaven for them. Pastors are formed to be stewards of the mysteries of God. Pastors feed God’s sheep the Word of God in preaching and teaching and with the body and blood of our Lord at His table. Pastors listen, love and seek the lost.
Looking at all that a Pastor does, how is he prepared for this role at the Seminars’? Can you help with this preparation? Could you sponsor a seminarian? Could you help COS in their sponsoring of eight seminary students? Please help with your gift! ‘For more information, contact John W. Smith. God bless your help.
