To the Glory of God and the Salvation of Man

My Lovely Wife, Lesa, and me at the Gulf Coast in Galveston

My lovely wife and I had the opportunity to take a little vacation to Houston and the Gulf Coast before we leave this great state of Texas. We enjoyed a great baseball game (GO CARDS!), wonderful restaurants, the Gulf of Mexico, the cities of Houston and Galveston, and a general sense of relaxation and together time. It was one of the best vacations I have ever had.

At this point, you may be wondering, what on earth do the wanderings of a simple Vicar and his extraordinary wife have to do with the glory of God and the salvation of man?

Well, we had an extra special treat on this vacation. While we were in Houston, we had the great opportunity of visiting one of the most beautiful sanctuaries of a Lutheran church I have ever seen. Our Savior Lutheran Church, which was completed in AD 2000, is truly a gem in Christendom and a jewel of the Lutheran Church.

When most contemporary churches are building pole-barn structures, and following the “mega-church” template of big screens, stages instead of altars, and coffee bars for the sacraments, it is truly a wonder and a blessing to see such a beautiful piece of art built to the glory of God and the salvation of man!

Lesa and I had the blessing of being able to tour the sanctuary by ourselves. It was amazing how the space created a sense of awe and reverence. Unfortunately, we did not have the pleasure of meeting the pastor, Rev. Dr. Laurence White, but I thank him for the vision and leadership to build such a glorious place of worship, centered around Word and Sacrament and built to the glory of God and the salvation of man.

Enjoy the pictures!

Luther's Rose on the front gate of the church.

The steeple lifting high the cross over Houston.

Bronze statue of Jesus and the Children

Breathtaking baptismal font with statue of John the Baptist and carved reliefs of the Apostle's and baptism.

Pulpit altar with archangels Michael and Gabriel and pipe organ.

One of two beautiful Trisagion banners on either side of the pulpit altar, the picture doesn't do it justice.

Statue of the Risen Christ

Christ the Good Shepherd statue

Jesus holding a baby-a beautiful testament to pro-life

Agnus Dei Stained glass window

Lion of the Tribe of Judah Stained glass

Even Martin Luther goes here!! We don't need no stinking pope!

Luther defending the faith.

A relief carving on the side of the pulpit, Our Savior's seal