Dear Fellow Children of God,
On Sunday, October 26, I had the privilege of preaching
for the 65th anniversary of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in
Jacksonville, FL the congregation which I served from 1983-1991 Actually, later
that afternoon, Our Redeemer hosted the Reformation Celebration for the “First
Coast Circuit” of the Florida-Georgia District, and my brother, President James
Rockey, preached for that event. Both
services were joyful celebrations with special music, the return of many former
members, and a good attendance. I
believe the day was a blessing in many ways.
First, we praised God for His love for all people in Jesus. Second, we recognized what God has done in
the midst of His people in this area.
Kathy and I enjoyed this opportunity and privilege to celebrate with our
brothers and sisters in the faith.
I preached on the assigned Epistle lesson for the day
from 2 Timothy 4. Perhaps as you read
some of these verses you might see a contrast between the joy of celebrating an
anniversary, and the trials of Christian service and ministry. For example, while Paul had served selflessly
around the Mediterranean, bringing the good news of salvation by faith because
of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, and starting many
congregations, he nevertheless writes from prison, near the end of his
life. For example, he tells Timothy in
verse 6, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the
time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:6-7) Celebrations can look at the good
times. Nevertheless, serving Jesus can
be a battle, a struggle, a fight.
Secondly, in spite of his efforts to share Jesus with
others, Paul was often disappointed by fellow believers, even at the end.
Consider verse 16. “At my first
defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged
against them” (2 Timothy 4:16) Disappointment is real in this sinful world,
even when serving the Lord of all.
In truth, part of Paul’s disappointment was in
himself. He had originally persecuted God’s
church, putting people in prison. And
Paul knew the battle with sin and evil. Listen to what he shares with Timothy. “The
saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy
1:15) (See also Romans 7:19) If Christian ministry, if serving Jesus, has this
many challenges and tribulations, we might wonder why anyone tries. If serving our Savior has this many seeming
failures, why would anyone want to follow Jesus?
There is, however, good reason for celebrating. In the midst of our struggles, Jesus is
faithful, and HE accomplishes His saving work in the midst of a sinful world
and a challenged church.
Paul may have been awaiting death in prison, But He knew
the victory of Jesus. “ 8
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also
to all who have loved his appearing.”
(2 Timothy 4, 8)
Paul may have been deserted at times, He may have
struggled during his service, but the Lord never deserted him. “But the Lord stood by me and
strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and
all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his
heavenly kingdom.” 2 Timothy
4:17-18a) God strengthened Paul through
the struggles of ministry. The Lord strengthens
all His children for their walk of faith.
Life as a Christian is not easy.
But the Lord is an “ever-present help!” (Psalm 46:1) God saved Paul, and He saves all believers,
and brings them through the struggle of this life into “His heavenly
kingdom.”
When we celebrate milestones, such as the anniversary of
a congregation, or even the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
which we did observe 8 years ago, we best thank the Lord that HE works His will
in spite of, and in the midst of, our sin and our struggles. That is why Paul writes at the end of 2
Timothy 4:18 “To HIM be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
On October 26, as we celebrated the 65th
anniversary of Our Redeemer we considered the history of this
congregation. It had a great beginning
in 1960, but there have been struggles along the way. Yet, 65 years later, God is still good, and
He is faithful, and Jesus strengthens His people in this world and saves us for
eternal life in heaven. God’s grace and faithfulness
and salvation through the years truly are worth celebrating! Yes, we can say with Paul, “To HIM be the
glory forever and ever. Amen.
When you have struggled and failed in your life, have you
nevertheless seen the love and faithfulness of God?
A Child of God, Celebrating that, in the Midst of Our
Struggles and Failures, God is Faithful!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. Kathy and I
were blessed at the 65th anniversary celebration of Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL, on Sunday, October 26. Here are some pictures! 😊 https://photos.app.goo.gl/wT3VykQVu5aoYAwEA
(Click the pictures to see
explanations.)
P.P.S. I am now
serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
·
The Our Redeemer Call Committee includes
Elder and chairman, Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee,
Jacob Lewis, Scott Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins.
They have met numerous times.
The first step
in the call process has been to complete a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has shared the study
and tools to help in this study. The
committee has asked for and received input from ORLC for this study. Jacob Lewis has compiled these survey to turn
in to District. Nomination forms for
names for a new pastor have also been distributed. We have about 8 names.
The self-study,
and nominations for pastor, were indeed sent to the Northwest District by
October 1, 2025.
The last meeting
was Friday evening, October 24. The
committee discussed questions to ask candidates when the congregation receives
names from the Northwest District.
OTHER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT OUR REDEEMER:
·
There are two opportunities a week for exercise
and wellness.
o Matt
Keith leads Chayon Ryu Martial Arts Beginner Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
9:00 a.m. in the Our Redeemer Fellowship Hall
o Matt
then teaches a Fall Prevention Class, attended mostly by seniors, at 10:00 a.m.
in the fellowship hall.
·
A “Mom’s Group” meets on the first and
third Mondays at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer.
·
An Adult Fellowship Potluck is held the
first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
In November this takes place on the 4th in the library.
·
Ladies Bunco is held on the third Monday
evening of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Our Redeemer.
·
Men’s Night was held on Friday, October
24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Birchwood Saloon!
·
Youth Group met after worship on Sunday,
October 26.
·
There are other events planned as
well. Watch the Our Redeemer calendar
and newsletter for information.
Regular Bible Studies and Sunday School
·
Adult Bible Study continues on Sunday
mornings at 9:00 a.m. The class is
studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” We are now studying about the
church. On October 12 and 19 we studied about
“Lutheran Distinctives.” We will
continue this study on November 2 and study, “What God Expects of
Disciples/Members. Come and join us!
· Sunday
School is held each Sunday beginning at 9:00 a.m.! This is a blessing for ALL children and
adults.
·
“Deeply Rooted Small Group” Is held at
Our Redeemer on the first and third Sunday evenings at 5:45 p.m.
·
Confirmation classes began on Sunday,
October 12, after worship services. Subsequent
classes will be held on October 19 and November 2. Watch for more information.
Other Activities of Faith:
· MANY
CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using
the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Tuesday, October 28 we read
Titus 1.
Feel free to
contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these
readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have
recently received questions and comments. It is always good to consider
our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God
knows!
P.P.P.S. Family Fun
and Fishing! - Kathy and I flew out of
Anchorage in the early evening on Monday, October 20, so I could preach at the
65th anniversary of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jacksonville,
FL, where I served as pastor from 1983 to 1991.
While in Gainesville, however, we
relaxed.
·
We spent time with family and friends.
o On
Tuesday, October 21, Kathy and I visited my brother, David, in his new
apartment and ate lunch together. Here
are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/zEQ8XrbNt4rW54bv8
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
o On
Thursday, October 23, after fishing with brother-in-law, Mark Reaves, Kathy and
I went out to eat with Mark and my sister, Martha. Here are pictures near our Florida place. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DtVoaaFGdLQvcqHS8
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
o On
Sunday, October 26, Kathy and I were able to share the day with my brother,
District President, James Rockey, and his wife Martha. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9YXFWtA1LzT5z4TF8
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
o On
Monday night, October 27, most of my siblings, my cousin Nancy, and spouses
gathered at a local Mexican restaurant to get together. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/nVaWxakMxD1fNMu78
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
·
I
golfed with friends.
o On
Wednesday, October 22, I golfed with friends at Hawkstone Golf and Country Club
in Gainesville. Here are a couple of
pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3iWcLA5sLBNdEzaX6
(Click the pictures to see
explanations.)
o On
Friday, October 24, I golfed with friends at Turkey Creek Golf Course. On my second hole I saw this guy sunning
himself. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rRk5WUpYA4FD3pXv7
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
o On
Monday, October 27, I golfed at Hawkstone again. Here are just a few more pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kLzR1jbeVhJrAHvL8
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
o The
only problem is that I, surprisingly, golfed relatively well – for me. My handicap went DOWN a stroke after these 3
games. ☹
·
I got to do some fishing. 😊
o On
Thursday, October 23, I went fishing with my brother-in-law, Mark Reaves, at
Georges Lake. We had a number of bites
and caught a few small ones. Here are
some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vbjge6Pv9PNYFMDk7
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
o On
Saturday, October 25, I fished in Grandin Lake.
I had quite a few bites and caught 6 bass. As on Wednesday, since we were only here a
short time, I released all the fish for another day. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/eJYoLNhbj94D2H88A
(Click the pictures to see explanations.)
*******
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of
August 2019 from serving as full-time 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. (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Chugiak, AK.)
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
Vacancy Pastor, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chugiak, AK
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
“How
great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)
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