We Once Were Lost, But Now Are Found

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Sunday I lost my cell phone.  I remember (I think) putting my phone in my suit pocket before I left for church on Sunday morning.  When I returned home Sunday afternoon and reached to put the phone away, it was not in my pocket.  I called the phone hoping to hear the ring, but no luck.  I looked at home and at church, more than once.  My family looked for the phone.  The staff looked for my phone.  I called AT&T multiple times.  After a couple of days I gave up.  So, I bought a new phone on Tuesday and put “find my phone” on the phone as an “app”lication. 

I tell you that story because I want you to think about the parables Jesus told in Luke 15.  In verses 4-7 a Shepherd loses a lamb, and so he goes searching for the lamb until he finds it.  In verses 8-10 a woman loses a coin so she turns her house upside down looking for the coin until she finds it.  Jesus point is that the fervor shown in looking for the lamb and the coin shows how much effort God puts into looking for his children who have strayed.  God went so far as to send His Son!  His Son loves us so much He gave His life!  I was totally focused on looking for my lost phone.  God in heaven has put more effort into finding sinners, into finding us.  WHAT LOVE!

I read those stories to someone in jail last week.  It is not uncommon for people in jail to think their sins are so bad that God has given up on them.  The truth is that God cares so much that He spares no effort in looking for those who have run from him.  He did not even spare His own Son!

I pray that great love  which causes God to search for you causes you to find joy in staying home with Him.

A Child of God, Found by God’s own Son,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.    When I returned home after purchasing the new phone on Tuesday, I put the new phone on the cedar chest in my office where I keep my keys and wallet and charge my phone.  THERE WAS MY OLD PHONE ON THE CEDAR CHEST!  Kathy said, “But I looked there, more than once!”  I did too. 

Judy told me at the office today, “If you want to find your old phone, go buy a new one!”  I guess she was right!

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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 always 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. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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ST. JOHN NEWS

SPECIAL OFFERING – ST. JOHN AMC VBS – A group of 7 St. John members are traveling to Northway, AK, to present VBS to the community June 6-10.  They have asked for our prayers.  In addition, we will have an opportunity after worship on May 22 to help defray the costs of travel and materials for this group which is sharing the Gospel of Jesus on behalf of St. John.

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP –Wednesday worship continues this week at 6:30 p.m.  The goal for Wednesday worship is to provide an alternate opportunity for those who can’t make Sunday worship, and to provide extra opportunities for time with the Lord and His people for people who nevertheless can attend on Sundays. 

            Wednesday worship is focusing on the readings for the coming Sunday, but the theme and sermon are different from Sunday.  Come and join us for “An Evening with the Lord and His People.”

SPECIAL MISSION PRESENTATION – On June 5, Rev. Dr. Jensen Seyenkulo will preach and tell us about mission work among the Kuwaa people of Western Africa.  A special offering will be received.

THE COMMUNITY PICNIC will be held at St. John on Saturday, June 11.  We will host a picnic after the Colony days parade and use this opportunity to invite the community to St. John and to this year’s VBS.

            We need help and sign up sheets are on the counter in the narthex.  We could use help in the following areas.

·         Set up

·         Cooking

·         Clean up

·         Donation of salad, side dishes, and desserts.

Please sign up where you can help.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL volunteers needed.  VBS will be held at St. John June 20-24.  Please sign up in the narthex to help share the Gospel with the children of St. John and our community.

CAR USE REQUESTED FOR VISITING PASTOR  Pastor Denny Neels and his wife Sue are visiting Alaska again June 17-27.  He thought he had the use of a vehicle arranged, but that situation changed.  Pastor Neels was Pastor in Homer for 16 years.  If you can help please call me on my cell phone and let me know.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website?  On our web page you can find sermons, newsletters, and these weekly devotions.  The link is:  http://www.st-john-lutheran.org/ 

In fact, IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR MONTHLY CHURCH NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL please e-mail Judy Stahancyk and let her know.  If you receive the newsletter by e-mail it saves printing, postage, and time compiling the newsletter.  Also, you receive the monthly newsletter more quickly!!

Thoughts from . . . THE PASTOR'S WIFE!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

On mother’s day, instead of asking for a gift, my wife gave a gift to our children in writing.  This week my e-mail is entitled “Thoughts from the Pastors’ Wife – Mothers’ Day.” 

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A note for my kids on Mother's Day

by Kathy Tobin Rockey on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 11:22pm

I drove for 4 hours to Kenai today, watched Tim play baseball for 4 hours, and drove 4 hours back. I loved it. It was a great way to spend the day. I had a lot of time by myself to think about Tim graduating and leaving for college in a few short months, and to miss my own Mother.

 I hope my kids don’t think I need candy, or flowers, or a gift, or anything special tomorrow. For me, the gift is getting to be their Mother. I wasn’t very confident about my skills at the beginning, and I have sure made a lot of mistakes along the way. Jonathan had confidence in me , even though I wasn't so sure about it. Without his support and God's help, I hate to think how it might have turned out.

I did manage to teach 4 rowdy kids how to go to the potty (one of my favorite cards from Andy says thank you for all the things you taught me, especially that potty thing, it comes in handy every day!) and ride bicycles, and chew with their mouths closed (mostly) say prayers, do laundry, vacuum, drive, and make chocolate chip cookies. They learned about country music and barbecue and sweet tea. The boys know white socks do not go with dress clothes. We ate supper together most nights, had family devotions fairly often, went to church on Sunday, and read bedtime stories.

I fell short in the math department, and I am afraid I taught them to take on too many projects, not finish them, procrastinate, stay up late, and stash chocolate for emergencies.  And I am still struggling with that clean your room thing, myself. . I have prayed this prayer for them, nearly  every night...”For my children to have their gifts and talents revealed, to know the calling of God in their lives, to have doors opened to them, and to become all they were created to be. “ Amen!  

Somehow, probably mostly in spite of my parenting, they grew up to be much better than anything I could have ever imagined for them.  I like that they think I can make just about anything with my sewing machine, and they consult me with medical questions.  I like when they end phone conversations with “love you”. I like watching them do what they do well, and I am honored to be able to support them when things fall apart. My absolute favorite thing is hearing them laugh together.

I have been privileged to give some mothering to a number of kids who are not my own, too, and other folks have done that for mine. One of my favorite phone calls was a couple of years ago on Mothers’ Day from a young man who said “it took a lot of Mothers to raise me, and you were one of them” still makes me cry when I think about it.   

So, I have the gift already. It is four grown and nearly grown kids who know more than I could have possibly taught them, and who will be more than I ever dreamed for them. If they want to do anything for Mother’s Day, I hope it is not to praise me, I will just be embarrassed. Instead, they could keep on showing up on time, working hard, being honest, saying their prayers and  making me laugh.  OK, I wouldn’t mind if the dishwasher was emptied. And I hope they always remember, that no matter what happens, their Mother will still love them. 

My favorite bible verse is 3 John v 4. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  I am joyful, and blessed, and proud to be their Mother. Every day.

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A Child of God, Blessed by God with my Christian wife

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.    Kathy posted this for all on “Facebook.”  If you want, you may “ask to be our friends” on Facebook.

P.P.S.  Thank you, Kathy, for being my wife and mother to my children.  I love you.

P.P.P.S (whew)           After working in the yard, here is what Jake and I did Monday afternoon.

https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/FirstDayOnTheWater2011JakeAndPoppy?authkey=Gv1sRgCLeQ0Kz_zemx5AE&feat=directlink

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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 always 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. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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Living in the HOPE of Jesus' Easter Victory

Dear Fellow Children of God,

In the last week two events reminded us we live in a world ravaged by sin.  First, a large series of deadly storms tore through the southeast region of our country, tragically leaving 337 people dead.  Then less than a week later the world’s most wanted terrorist was brought to justice, reawakening memories of the thousands of people he had killed and of the millions more who were affected by his violence.

Yet, it is May in Alaska.  The snow has left the floor of our valley.  Tulips are poking through the cold soil, braving the still frosty nights and bringing a promise of summer.  Buds are popping on the trees.  Lakes are no longer safe for ice fishing as the ice slowly melts.  Spring has arrived and summer approaches.  In spite of the real tragedy and sorrow of our world, the new life of spring gives hope.

This hope is not a mirage, but reflects the greater hope and joy that breaks into the midst of life’s real pain and struggle.  Easter Day has passed, but the victory of Easter continues.  Jesus has risen!  Jesus took the full penalty of our sin in His death on the cross, but He was stronger.  Jesus has risen!  While we continue to struggle with our sin and the pain in the world around us, Jesus has defeated our enemy and calls us to His victory.  So, we have real hope.

Paul tells us triumphantly, 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The storms of life are real.  But we can face life’s storms in sure hope.  Jesus is risen! 

A Child of God, living in the hope of Jesus’ Easter victory,

Pastor Jonathan

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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 always 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. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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