A Message from Pastor Maschke | 3.12.2026

A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Paul Gerhardt (b. 1607), a very gifted hymn writer and pastor, was born on this date. Among his hymns are "O Lord, How Shall I Meet you," "A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth," "Now Rest Beneath Nights Shadow," and "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded." It is this last one that I want to feature today: "O sacred Head, now wounded withgrief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thine only crown. O sacred Head, what glory what bliss, till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call The mine." "Be Thou my consolation, my shield, when I must die, remind me of Thy passion when my last hour drawsnigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, my heart by faith enfold Thee. Who dieth thus dies well."