Friday, July 1, 2016

Praying for God's Church







Dear Fellow Children of God,

In the devotions I am currently using, the opening prayer for Thursday was written by Lancelot Andrewes.  Andrewes was a bishop of the Church of England in the late 1500’s and early 1600’s under Queen Elizabeth I and James I.  He oversaw the translation of the King James Bible.
 

Andrewes prays,

            “Let us pray for the Churches throughout the world for their truth, unity, and stability; that charity may flourish and truth may abound in them all; and for our own Church, that what is unsound in it may be corrected, and what is lacking may be supplied.  Amen.”

 

As a pastor of Christian congregations for the last 37 + years, and pastor of St. John for the last 25 years, this prayer hit home.  God’s church on earth always needs God’s help for truth, unity, and charity, or love. 

 

This past Wednesday evening our worship focused on the assigned Epistle lesson from Galatians 6.  The first two verses of this reading call God’s people to behavior of love and unity.  1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

 

God calls his people to faith and love, but this verse points to the sad truth that we can expect our fellow Christians at time to fall in sin.  And, we also need to keep a watch on ourselves because we too are tempted and prone to behavior that is not faith, and is not love. 

 

For example, like many Christian groups and denominations, our church body will have a convention this summer.  There are a number of hotly debated issues that will be discussed and acted upon.  I am sad to say that the behavior I see in these meetings is often self-righteous and selfish, rather than behavior that trusts God in faith, and rather than behavior that reaches out to others in love.  Paul wrote about the struggles of the early Christians in the region of Galatia, what is now south-central Turkey.  The same struggles continue today.

 

But, in spite of the fact that people of God have struggled for thousands of years, there is hope.  In this Galatians reading Paul points the Galatians to our only source of hope.  May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”  (Galatians 6:14) The cross of Jesus shows God’s love for His weak and flawed people.  The cross of Jesus brings forgiveness and new life to people who are not always faithful or loving.  We can’t trust in our own righteousness.  But, we can trust the saving, sacrificial love of God for us in Jesus’ dying and His rising.

 

So, there is practical hope for our Lord’s church in this world.  Because God forgives us in the cross, there is restoration for fallen people.  1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

 

Restoration does not come when I try harder.  Restoration comes when I am honest with myself about my failures and when I trust the forgiveness of God in Jesus.  Then, in humble faith and living in God’s love, I can point to the truth – Jesus!

 

The word “pastor” means, “shepherd.”  A pastor is called to shepherd the flock of our Lord Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.  (John 10:11)  So, the prayer of Andrewes touches my heart.  Yes Lord,  [We] “pray for the Churches throughout the world for their truth, unity, and stability; that charity may flourish and truth may abound in them all; and for our own Church, that what is unsound in it may be corrected, and what is lacking may be supplied.  Amen.”

 

A Child of God, Praying for God’s Church,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  I have added some more pictures from this year’s VBS.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/6298887896733577281

 

P.P.S.  Here is a picture of last week’s baptism of Jocelyn Ruth Bower.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/Baptisms2016#6301962136351497778

 

P.P.P.S.  Here are pictures of the baptism of Alana Whitehead on Fathers’ Day. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/Baptisms2016#6301961750499191682

 

P. P.P.P.S.  Here are baptism pictures of Taylor Manelick, Elena and Everly Seibel on June 15.  These are children of August Manelick and Autumn Manelick Seibel. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/Baptisms2016#6301960405902961586

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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