Christ Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church has served folks in the Gillette area since the early 1980's. This community of God’s people relishes the privilege to proclaim the Christian gospel of Jesus Christ. Our congregation’s name helps explain what we’re all about.
“Christ”–We believe Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah. Both words mean the same thing: “anointed.” Jesus is the one spec
ially designated to do what had to be done in order to restore us to a right relationship with God. He, himself, is true God and true man in one person. He has a large heart for unlovable types such as ourselves. He rejoiced in the opportunity to take our humanness upon himself. By doing so, he has elevated you and me to a new life with a glorious future.
“Our”– God’s people are found in different social, ethnic, and racial groups. We are men, women, boys and girls, young and old, rich and poor. We differ from each other in many ways; but, through our mutual relationship with Jesus, we are truly one with each other. Currently, we are traveling through life. Along the way–especially when it is hard and sad– we need each other’s love and companionship. This is a great blessing we receive from our Lord Jesus.
“Redeemer”– This isn’t a common word, but it’s a very meaningful one. It has to do with the idea of re-purchasing, buying something back. The Bible speaks of us as all having fallen away from the kind of person God originally created us to be. Bad news was: we were hopelessly irretrievable and broken. Not only that, but we were stubbornly entrenched in our hostility to God. But Jesus redeemed us, that is, he offered his own body and soul as a satisfactory payment of holiness to liberate us from our indebtedness to God. Jesus’ life was an expensive payment offered to secure our freedom. What boggles our mind is Jesus never hesitated to make it.
“Evangelical”– The word “evangelical” is a synonym for the word “gospel.” And the word “gospel” means “good news.” The good news is simple, yet profound: Jesus the Christ lived and died in your place thereby releasing you from an empty way of life, rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, is ruling with God the Father over everything now for your benefit, and will one day—soon— return to take you to be with him forever. That’s the Gospel message. We can’t ever hear it enough. It permeates our congregation’s worship, preaching, and teaching.
“Lutheran”– Martin Luther lived in the 1500's–a time of religious and social ferment. After years of yearning for peace with God, Martin Luther was lead to discover such peace was where God had always put it–in the Bible and the sacraments of holy Baptism and Communion. That is where Jesus Christ locates himsef and wants us to meet him. The preaching of God’s Word and the use of Baptism and Communion are big with us just as with Christians throughout the centuries.
“Church”–Wow, that’s a word with a history! For some, it brings to mind less than happy memories. We don’t pretend to be perfect people. We recognize we are sinful. Sadly, all too often that shows. We prefer to think of ourselves as patients in a hospital. We are sick with sin; but, our Lord Jesus is a good physician. He heals our diseases and is treating our infirmities. In addition, He has called us out of spiritual darkness into his illuminating, enlightening truth. We assemble (that’s what “church” means: assembly) around his truth as a healed people thankful for his gentle, therapeutic care.
