A few years ago a small group of Christians in south Snohomish County wanted to create something they did not feel they were finding elsewhere.
In an age of anxiety, they wanted a church committed to the message that the only way to have true and lasting peace is to first find peace through Jesus Christ.
In an age of confusion, they wanted a church that confessed unapologetically that the Bible is the very Word of God himself and that it is the source of absolute truth.
In an age of skepticism, where more and more people doubt the miraculous is possible, they wanted a church that taught that Jesus was indeed conceived by the Holy Spirit, was indeed born of the virgin Mary, did indeed walk on water, did indeed heal the sick, did indeed rise from the dead.
In an age of guilt, they wanted a church that had the cross of Christ – the Good News of the Gospel – as its foundational message. For on that cross, the Son of God himself died to remove all guilt and shame. No matter how great or grotesque our sins might be, in Christ and through Christ, we are washed clean and made holy in God’s sight.
In an age of slick marketing, where some churches proclaim “Just do this and your life will be happy, healthy and wealthy.” they wanted a church that was honest… that taught what Jesus himself promised: “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) They wanted a church that demonstrated that we do not face the challenges of life alone. For Christ has also promised, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20) And he’s given us an extended family – brothers and sisters in Christ – who are there to help us, encourage us, comfort us, and stand with us.
Beautiful Savior was founded by those Christians and the Lord has blessed their efforts. Today we have a thriving ministry for worship, discipleship, outreach, fellowship and service. And the best part is that it is the people’s ministry and not just the professional staff’s.
I sincerely feel that wherever you are at this point in your life, there is a place for you at Beautiful Savior. And if you say, “But I’m not Lutheran.” So what? Many of our members didn’t grow up Lutheran either. And ultimately, historic Lutheranism stands only for this: We teach what the Word of God says – nothing more and nothing less. Give us a try and you will find that neither I nor any of my co-ministers will overstate the Bible. If we proclaim “This is what God says” you do not need to take our word for it! (In fact, I would be so bold as to say that is not spiritually healthy – to blindly take what any religious leader says as truth!) Instead, we will open up our Bible and show you where the Bible says that. Conversely, you also have my word that we will never understate the Bible. We will never shy from any teaching of God’s Word just because it seems to be less than politically correct or doesn’t fit some people’s modern sensibilities. (That isn’t spiritually healthy either.)
I am convinced that apart from Jesus and his Word, life is empty and meaningless. But by holding fast to Jesus and his Word, anything and everything is possible – including an eternal life so wonderful, it makes all trouble here in this world small by comparison.
Therefore, I would like to invite you to join us at Beautiful Savior sometime soon. The members of Beautiful Savior and I look forward to meeting you and possibly celebrating the life and love of God together! Please, come and be our guest.