One of the tasks of ministry I really enjoy is visiting the
people of God. When, as pastor, I have
visited people in their homes, or in the hospital, in a nursing home or an assisted
living facility, I pray that they are blessed as I bring them God’s word and
prayer, and perhaps communion. I know
that sharing God’s grace with others is a blessing to me and to my faith. The people of God always have something
special to offer.
On Friday,
October 15, I visited a number of St. John members, including Marilyn Grasser
in the Palmer Pioneer and Veterans Home.
St. John has two folks who are residents at the Pioneer Home at this
time. The St. John pastors try to visit
our home bound people monthly, but unfortunately, because of COVID
restrictions, we have not always been able to visit in the last year or so.
When I arrived in Marilyn’s room last Friday, she was in
bed asleep, looking like she was failing.
I had seen Marilyn in August, but she looked like she had lost more
weight. I touched Marilyn on her shoulder
and she looked at me and smiled, knowing who I was. I asked her, “Would you like me to give you
communion?” Marilyn has had some hearing
issues and she responded, “You know that I love music.” That was not the response I was expecting,
but I responded to her request and I sang.
First, I sang 2 verses of “Amazing Grace” to Maryilyn.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind but now I see.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we’ve first begun.
Marilyn smiled and thanked me so I sang a verse of “The
Old Rugged Cross” to her.
On
a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And
I love that old cross Where the dearest and best, For a world of lost sinners
was
slain.
So
I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I
will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown.
I saw Marilyn’s response and felt that God was reaching
something inside her, so I sang the next song, “How Great Thou Art.”
O Lord my God,
when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the works Thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I
hear the mighty thunder, Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed;
Then sings my
soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my
soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Marylyn was
enjoying the singing, so I sang one more song with her current health in mind, “Abide
with Me.”
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. The darkness
deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with
me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through
the gloom, and point me to
the skies.
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows
flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide
with me.
On Monday, October 18, I received a phone call from Peggy
Mulligan, who is the daughter of Marilyn.
Peggy lives outside, and the Pioneer home had called Peggy to tell her
that her mom was not doing well. She
asked if I could visit. I was pleased to
be able to share with Peggy about my visit with her mom on Friday. I plan to get by again and visit some more.
There is something heart-moving about the great hymns of
God’s church. The words of these hymns
speak the truth of God’s Scripture to our lives. The tunes touch not only our heads, but also
our heart and soul. No wonder there is
an apocryphal saying from Martin Luther, “He who sings, prays twice.”
When a child of God hears the great and familiar hymns of
faith, and when their faith is strengthened, and that faith gives them comfort
as they face eternity, such faith and comfort is a blessing for these children
of God. Such faith and comfort is also a
blessing to those around them.
A Child of God, Thankful
for Hymns of Faith that Touch My Heart, Soul, and Mind, And Those of God’s
People!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. “Choose
to Be Different” Banquet – Sunday, October 24 at 5:00 p.m. – A
celebration Banquet will be held as part of our “Choose to Be Different”
campaign. The meal will be held at the
Palmer Senior Center and catered by St. John member, Rebecca Kopperud.
ALL St. John members and Friends are invited
and encouraged to attend this celebration.
PLEASE
CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 907-745-3338 TO MAKE A RESERVATION FOR THE BANQUET IF
YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO!!
P.P.S.
Kathy and I hosted friends, Rev. Rick and Kristi Armstrong for the last couple
of weeks. Pastor Armstrong presented at
the Fall LCMS Pastors’ Conference, October 4-6.
On Wednesday, Pastor Tony Schultz, Pastor Armstrong, and I golfed at
Palmer Golf Course, in the cool
weather. Here are some pictures of our
journeys and travels.
·
Here are two golf pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/RR3t5ACNuXqj5KTeA
·
Here is an album of our visit from the
Armstrongs. Some of these pictures you
may have seen before. https://photos.app.goo.gl/aHrrdyo6JF2Z7sDk6
·
Here are some more Alaskan Fall Pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JW1hVWVKkdWow1xy5
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at
the end of August 2019 from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church
in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts
from the Pastor." When I retired many asked me to continue
writing these devotions. So I have continued writing. However, with
life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life
as a Child of God." Since I am no longer senior pastor at
St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to
receive it. (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John as assistant
to the pastor.)
So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you
understand. And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish
to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my
distribution list. My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our
Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father,
Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus,
St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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