Do
you know who Tychicus was in Biblical times? On March 15 I finished teaching a
course on the book of Ephesians. In the
last few verses of Ephesians, our Lord inspired Paul to write, “21
So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the
beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and
that he may encourage your hearts. 23 Peace be to the
brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”
(Ephesians 6:21-24) The Ephesians were
concerned about the Apostle Paul who was in prison. Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus to assure them
that he was fine and that, in fact, God was even working through Paul’s
imprisonment. Paul sent Tychichus to encourage
the church. Tychicus was an
“encourager” who assured the Ephesian church of Paul’s well-being, and of God’s
goodness.
Who
encourages you? Or, whom do you encourage?
It is a TWO-WAY street!
I received a text the evening of Monday, March 16, from friend,
Carolyn Purser. Carolyn informed me about our mutual friend, Ted Bell.
Ted is a long-time Palmer resident, who nevertheless carries a deep southern
drawl when he speaks. Many know Ted as a local photographer and community
supporter. My children remember Ted as the man who tried to get people to
smile for a picture by requesting, “Everyone say Iguigig.” (Iguigig is the town
in Western Alaska.) I have known Ted since 1991. Over the years Ted has
become a friend, someone with whom I have somewhat regular conversations about
our Lord.
Carolyn let me know that Ted was ill, and that Ted was hoping
for a visit. It is hard to visit someone in Alaska when I am in Florida
for a few months. Nevertheless, I called Ted. He had injured his
shoulder and went in for surgery. Unfortunately, the doctors found cancer
everywhere. Kathy and I talked with Ted. He told us he had lung
cancer which had spread to his bones. He shared that a hospice nurse was
at his home as we spoke with him. Even in his time of illness, Ted also greeted
Kathy and wished her well.
After talking a little, Ted asked me to pray for him. I
told Ted I would put him on my prayer list. However, I also prayed with
Ted over the phone, with Kathy listening and praying as well. We prayed
for God’s grace. We prayed that Ted would know peace, and even joy,
because of the presence of Jesus during His illness. We thanked God for
Jesus’ victory over sin and death through Jesus’ dying on the cross and through
His empty tomb. We thanked God that those victories were in Ted’s life.
Later I put Ted on prayer lists at St. John Lutheran in Palmer, at Our Redeemer
Lutheran in Chugiak, and at First Lutheran in Gainesville, FL. I also
prayed for Ted on Tuesday morning.
However, at 10:46 a.m. AK time on Tuesday, March 17, I received
a text informing me that Ted had passed away. The timing of my conversation
with Ted the previous evening, and the timing of his passing, makes those
prayers seem even more important in the light of how soon he died after we
spoke.
I thought of Tychicus, the encourager. Perhaps the Lord had used Kathy and me to
encourage Ted in the love of Jesus during Ted’s last hours. In truth, even in the time of his terminal
illness, our Lord did have Ted in His loving hands. Because of Jesus’ death for our sins, and because
of Jesus’ resurrection for our salvation, Jesus does provide peace and joy even
in our trials.
On the other hand, Ted also encouraged me, many times, and even on
Monday. Ted, was very positive about the Lord’s work at St. John in
Palmer. Ted asked to receive my weekly devotion. He often took
pictures of church events and sent them to the congregation. Ted and his
late wife, Pam, sometimes attended worship. He greeted me in the post
office and grocery store, and was thankful for the reminders of our Lord’s
love. I am not a perfect person, nor am I a perfect pastor. Yet Ted
let me know that God was getting through to Him with our Lord’s love, sometimes
through my efforts. Sometimes a pastor wonders if he is effective. Ted
encouraged me. You see, encouragement works both ways!
Who encourages you? Whom can you encourage? Can you
be like Tychicus? Can you, along with Paul, encourage another because of Jesus?
“Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 6:23)
A Child of God, Thankful for Those Who Encourage Me, Thankful
For Those I can Encourage in Faith-Through JESUS!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to
Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran.
First Lutheran Activities
·
WHAT ARE YOUR SUPERPOWERS? Starting in worship on Sunday, March 8,
members and friends of First Lutheran will be asked to fill out a survey as we
seek to learn of the abilities and interest of those at FLC. Here is the QR code for the survey if you have
not yet participated. 😊
·
MID-WEEK LENTEN WORSHIP – In the time
before Jesus’ Easter victory, we focus on our need for His forgiveness and resurrection. Lent is a season of repentance for our
sin. Lent is a season when we watch
Jesus suffer and die for us.
During
our 2026 Mid-Week Lenten Worship at First Lutheran we will focus on
The
Sins of the Disciples. Here is our
schedule for the sermons.
February
18 - Judas Betrayal
February
25 - James and John Who
is the Greatest
March
4 Andrew Pride
March
11 Peter, James, and
John Laziness/Falling Asleep
March
18 Peter Denial
March
25 Thomas Doubt
·
SUNDAY SERMON SERIES – During the Sunday
Worship Services we will consider Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, looking
at different parts of the parable for 6 weeks.
Not only the words of Luke 15 help us understand, but also Timothy Keller’s
book, “The Prodigal God.” Here are our
topics for the year’s Sunday Lenten Sermons.
o
Week 1 - Feb 15 - I
want your life - Luke 15:11-16, Ephesians 4:17-24
o
Week 2 - Feb 22nd -
The Younger Brother's Plan - Luke 15:11-24
o
Week 3 - March 1 -
Redefining Sin and Lostness - Luke 15: 11-16, 25-32,
o
Week 4 - March 8th -
He Ran to Me - Luke 15:11-24, Philippians 2:1-11
o
Week 5 - March 15th -
The True Elder Brother - Luke 15:25-32, Matthew 28-34-40
o
Week 6 - March 22nd -
How does it End? - Luke 15:25-32, Mark 8:31-33
·
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Palm
Sunday – March 29th 10:00
Worship
Maundy
Thursday – April 2nd 5:30
p.m. Seder meal in the Fellowship Hall
Noon
and 7:00 p.m. Worship
Good
Friday – April 3rd Noon
and 6:00 p.m Worship
Easter
morning – April 5th
8:30
and 11:00 a.m. Worship
9:30-10:30
Easter Breakfast
10:30
a.m. Easter Egg Hunt
·
STEPHEN MINISTRY - We started Stephen
Ministry classes at First Lutheran on Thursday, February 12. Stephen
Ministers are trained Christian care-givers. A Stephen Minister is not
a pastor, and not a counselor. But they are Christians who are
trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a
difficult time.
Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained
Stephen Leader. Susan Lucas is also beginning training to serve as a
Stephen Leader for FLC.
We have 8 people who have committed to train
and serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers. Training
happens on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and will end in April.
Please pray for our Lord to use these
Stephen Ministers to serve His people.
·
Pastor Kollman and I are teaching separate
Sunday Bible classes on Sundays at 8:45 a.m. We begin NEW
classes on Sunday, March 22.
o
On Sunday, March 22, Pastor Kollmann will begin
teaching an Adult Member Class in the library.
o
I will teach a separate class in the Besalski
Fellowship Hall. We hope to begin with a study of Galatians, and conclude with
a Lutheran Hour Ministries study of Christian citizenship.
·
Young People Activities at FLC
o
YOUTH ACTIVITIES - Our first youth
activity was held at the Kollmann residence on Sunday afternoon, February 22.
o
We are also discussing other monthly
activities.
§
On Sunday, March 29 after worship, we will take a trip to Devil’s Millhopper.
§
We plan to attend the Orange and Blue Game on
April 11. 😊 If your children are going into 3rd
grade, or older, please consider participating in these fun activities of
growth.
Other
Activities of Faith:
·
I have again started my two year journey with my
Lord. On Tuesday, March 18, I finished reading Leviticus.
Feel free to join me again if you
wish. You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any
questions about these readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net
I have received questions and comments about the readings. 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.S. Family
Fun and Fishing! - LAST WEEK WAS A TIME OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
·
On Monday, March 9, Kathy and I and Mary and
Brandon drove to Helen, Georgia, for an annual (sort of) Spring Break family
trip. Sister, Martha, and her husband,
Mark Reaves, and brother, Stephen with wife, Lori, planned this almost annual
trip.
·
On Wednesday, March 11, there were various
activities.
o
Brother, Stephen, and his wife, Lori, and I
hiked the highest mountain in Georgia, Brasstown Bald. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/RyCxjHA3UB2NgM2Q6
o
We visited “Nora Mills” and “Mark of the Potter”
local businesses. https://photos.app.goo.gl/mouRBnf9gFUzHwGi8
o
We ate at the Hofbrau Haus Restaurant in Helen,
Georgia, for dinner.
·
On Thursday, March 12,
o
We took a train ride from Blue Ridge, GA, to the
Tennessee border. We walked through the
towns of McCaysville, GA, and Copperville, TN.
Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ARahZ438j2ojDmW59
o
We watched the sun set from the back porch of
our rental. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MwY7Zqhbe3y82d6v6
·
On Friday
o
We watched the sun rise one last time. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cjz23sCfDKqj1Um67
o
We took pictures of our whole family group. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/oNuf3anvJ5MYe5H88
o
As we drove home Kathy got to enjoy some more
daffodils. Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bqnjp5EYeywfwkCv8
·
On Saturday, March 14
o
I led worship
at Oaks Hammock retirement center where First Lutheran members, Lee and
Barbara Dockery, Will Droege, and Irene Goebel reside.
o
We drove to Inverness to see Palmer friends
Herman and Linda Griese. Herman and I
went fishing before dinner. Here are
some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8QDRraXrvVXvWDEr8
·
On Sunday WE RESTED! It was another week FULL of activity
and family blessings!!!! THANK YOU,
LORD!
*******
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 currently serve as Assistant to the Pastor for First Lutheran
Church in Gainesville, FL.)
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
Assistant to the
Pastor , First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL
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)
