Sharing What's Really Important: July 2011

Monday, July 18, 2011

Encouraging One Another, July 14, 2011

Dear Fellow Children of God,

I really enjoyed my day today. I had the joy of doing something I cherish. I made visits. I actually probably visited between 30-40 people. In a way those are not totally accurate numbers. I visited 3 new St. John attendees today in their homes, AND, I am volunteer chaplain at the hospital this week. So I visited 30 or more people there in their hospital rooms today, including one of our own St. John members.

The joy I am sharing is that I simply enjoy visiting with people, especially where there is an opportunity to talk about God’s love in Jesus and our faith in that love. Yes, I also enjoy preaching and teaching. To a certain extent there is even joy in attending meetings and planning God’s work here at St. John. But, there is a special joy in spending time with someone, visiting about life, and being able to also discuss God’s part in our lives.

Hebrews 10:25 says, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The Church is not our idea, it is God’s plan for how we encourage one another. Life is tough. But when we know the love of God and the support of His people even the trials of life have their joy. That’s the way family is supposed to work, we support one another. Even though it is not always like that, that is also the way God’s Church is supposed to work.

Who do you know anyone who could use a hug, or an encouraging word? Why not give them a call, or take them out for a cup of coffee. Children of God are called to encourage one another. After all, we have God’s love in Jesus to share!

A Child of God, Encouraged by the faith of other Christians,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are some pictures of my garden this year. I think we are being overrun by spinach! https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/Garden20117112011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKOe5ZHz_4LLyQE&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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The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

This past week God again put on a show in the heavens, this time around Palmer, Alaska.

Last Thursday my plan was to get up early and finish the job of mowing the grass which I started after Church on Wednesday night. I did awake early Thursday morning. But it was raining, and it rained all day. However, Thursday night the skies cleared some in the late evening and the sun shone brightly from the northwest illuminating Pioneer Peak in the south. In the midst of low light because of clouds, it appeared that God had turned on a light for this mountain. What a scene of beauty!

Then on Saturday evening it rained again. Kathy and I had just returned from work. We had both finally settled down when Kathy called me a little after 9:00 p.m. “Jonathan, Look!” Through the rain the sun broke though. This time there was a rainbow shining over Pioneer Peak. Most Christians know that the first rainbow appeared after the great flood as a sign of God’s promise and covenant for good, not to again destroy the world in that manner. (Genesis 9:12-15) We in Palmer got our own reminder of God’s good promise!

The thing that strikes me is that these two beautiful scenes from God’s creation happened after storms. You see, it is not just that God showed the beauty of creation. But the beauty in the heavens followed the rain.

That is the way that God often works. The victory and joy of Jesus’ resurrection comes after the pain and despair of his death on the cross. The sweetness of God’s forgiveness comes after the guilt and anguish of our sin. Sometimes the realization of how blessed we really are comes after a time of difficulty and trouble.

God inspired David to write in Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Thursday night and Saturday night God declared His glory. After the rain God was reminding us that He is there with us through and after the storms of life.

How has God recently shown His glory and love for you after the storms of life?

A Child of God, Moved by the ways God chooses to Work,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are pictures of the skies ‘declaring the glory of God.’ https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/PioneerPeakJuly14And162011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPb9s7XQp8bQxgE&feat=directlink

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ST. JOHN NEWS

PLEASE PRAY FOR KALEIDOSCOPE AND THE 20 YOUNG PEOPLE ATTENDING (and 6 adults leading) this week, July 17-22. For decades Alaska Lutheran Churches have provided Kaleidoscope as an opportunity for high school students to grow in faith, and grow as Christian leaders. Kaleidoscope is held this coming week, July 17-23 at Meier Lake Camp in Wasilla. St. John DCE, Jamie Walters, is the primary leader for this year’s Kaleidoscope.

Please keep the youth and adults in prayers as they spend time together growing as children of God.

THANKS to all who helped us to bless and send Hunter and Elizabeth Richards as they leave for Concordia Seminary in St. Louis so Hunter can study to be serve as a pastor. It was a time of love and joy.

THE BLESSINGS OF WEDNESDAY WORSHIP –Wednesday worship continues each 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. The services and sermons on Wednesday are different from the Sunday service and sermon. Our attendance has been growing.

Come and join us some Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

HIKE CHANGE This week’s hike will not take place on Thursday, but on Saturday. Meet at St. John at 9:00 a.m. Jamie and Sara will be leading a hike up Pioneer Peak, 6398 feet high.

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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!!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

"My Daughter"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Have you ever thought about the words of God the Father at the baptism of Jesus? As Jesus came out of the water the Father said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Yes, Jesus, God’s Son, was beginning His sacrificial life work of saving the world. But, it was the Father encouraging Him with words of love.

Last week our daughter, Mary, began a college class and everyone in the class was required to write a poem ‘using a repetitive phrase’ (‘I am from”) to help other class members learn to know them. Below is Mary’s poem.

I Am From…

Mary Rockey 6/29/11

I am from Alaska, mountains, fishing, and midnight sun

From mosquito bites, bug “dope”, and bare feet

I am from the brown house with the rickety tree fort in the back yard

From playing outside and getting dirty without worrying about germs

I am from tea parties with Nana’s dishes at the dining room table

From toys that have no buttons, gadgets or noise, and backyard baseball with the trees as the bases

I am from church and Sunday school on Sunday mornings

From dressing in your Sunday best and sitting still through service

I am from showing respect to adults and treating others the way you want to be treated

From Mr. and Mrs. rather than a first name basis

I am from the white blanky with the soft satin that I held when I sucked my thumb

From bedtime prayers and getting tucked in

I am from a pastor father and a nurse mother

From a family with three brothers, always trying to act like “one of the boys”

I am from baking in the kitchen with my mom right beside me

Where it’s okay to make a mess and mistakes are how we learn

I am from fishing and sometimes catching in the rain with my dad

From the white truck that fit everyone when we went on trips together

I am from, “Do what you’re told when you’re told” and “Don’t just say sorry, be sorry”

From “Sit on your hands and bite your lips” because “He poked me!”

I am from weekly chores, cleaning the kitchen, packing my own lunch, and doing my own laundry

Because hard work and responsibility are important, and you have to earn things

I am from family dinners around the table without any distractions

From spending time together because family matters

I am from these fond memories that have shaped who I am

When my parents said, “It’s for your own good” it turns out they were right

Parents pray for their children. Kathy and I have prayed for all our children. It is a blessing to see God working in the life of one of your children. I am glad to be able to say about Mary, "This is my daughter, whom I love; with her I am well pleased."

Pastor Jonathan

A Child of God, Father of another child of God,

P.S. The Father’s words at Jesus’ baptism are also His words to us. "This is my child, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased."Doesn’t the love of God encourage you?

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ST. JOHN NEWS