Friday, December 30, 2011

New Life - Every Day!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Recently I barely escaped a serious auto accident and possibly even being killed.  On December 20 I was returning from a home visit to one of our homebound members who lives off Pittman Road.  Around 5:00 p.m. in the dark I was driving south on the Parks Highway.  There are no street lights on that stretch of road and a long line of lights came at me from the vehicles driving north out of Wasilla.  Suddenly, out of the glare of lights, I realized one of those vehicles was in my lane driving full speed straight at me.  I hit the brakes and swerved onto the shoulder.  The vehicle that was driving at me did not swerve, it did not blink its lights, it did not slow down.  But at 50-60 miles an hour that vehicle drove right through the area where I and the car behind me had been driving.  For about a mile, with my heart in my throat, I drove slowly along the shoulder glad I had missed a possibly fatal accident.

The blessing, however, of a close call like this is that the escape from harm and death gives a person the opportunity to be thankful to be alive.  Such an escape is an opportunity to count our blessings and to commit again to living each day as a child of God.

As we approach and begin a new year people often use the date on the calendar as an opportunity for a new beginning.  But such new beginnings don’t require a near death experience nor a change of years on a calendar.  For those who are in Christ every day, in fact many times each day, we have the blessing of new beginnings.  One place that Scripture tells us of such a new beginning is in Romans 6.  3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6;3-4)

Paul says that we die with Christ and rise with him to “live a new life.”  One way God gives this new beginning is in our baptism.  Every time we sin and repent of that sin, remembering our baptism, we have a new beginning as God forgives us.  God puts the past behind us through His forgiveness won through Jesus’ death on the cross. As a person faces the hurts and disappointments of life trusting in Jesus we can continue through the pain knowing that God is with us in the love that caused Him to send Jesus.  By faith in Jesus we have the promise of eternal life in heaven which gives us strength to face the challenges of each day. 

It is always a blessing to put the past behind us and begin new again.  For the Christian we have the blessing of those new beginnings every day through God’s love and forgiveness for us in Jesus.

A Child of God, thankful again for gift of new life found in Jesus,
Pastor Jonathan


P.S.  Last week I mentioned the blessing of family.  Here is a picture of of our “Grandchild Christmas” celebration on December 23.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/Christmas2011#5691837564137885058


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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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Home for Christmas?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Last week my two youngest children came home for Christmas.  My daughter, Mary, came home from teaching in Chevak, AK.  My son, Tim, returned home from his first semester of college at the University of Montana.  It can be a real joy for families to spend Christmas together.  In fact, we have so romanticized the original Christmas story of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus that we can come to believe that for a Christmas to be all that it should be a family must be together.

However, you and I know that families do not always get to spend Christmas together.  Some have no other family members with which to spend Christmas.  It is a fact of life today that many live in different states and simply cannot be in the same town at Christmas.  For some, a loved one may have passed away and there will never be Christmas together again.  In some families there are divisions so that even though the family could spend Christmas together they miss that opportunity.  Just because we like to think of Christmas as a time that everyone spends with family that is not always the case. In fact for those of us in Alaska the majority of people are probably separated from some family member at Christmas time.  So, if we think that Christmas is a family time, but we can’t spend it together, how do we celebrate Christmas?

But, did you ever think that the first Christmas was really an occasion where family was apart?  In order for our Heavenly Father to begin the work of saving a rebellious world from their own selfishness, hatred, rebellion, and sin, the Father sent His only Son away from home.  Jesus did not get to spend that first Christmas in heaven with His Father.  He spent it on a cold, painful, death-filled world beginning His saving work. 

So the Christmas message to us is that, even though we live in a world where things are not always perfect, even though we live in a world where we don’t always get to spend time with loved ones, even though we live in a world of sin and division, God has broken into our imperfect lives in love.  God loved us enough that first Christmas to send His Son away from home so that He might begin the work of overcoming our pain and sin with his love.

This Christmas may God’s Christmas love break into any of your trials and troubles and sin so that you may know the joy and peace of God’s gift of His Son.

A Child of God, thankful for the Love of God that came down at Christmas,
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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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

"Give My Heart"

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Last Sunday a group of St. John members went Christmas caroling.  We visited the homes of folks who are mostly homebound and have trouble getting out.  We wanted to let them know they are not forgotten and still cared for.  We wanted to share with them the love that is bigger than our love, the love of God shown so wonderfully at Christmas in the birth of Jesus.

But, this year’s group of carolers was small.  Did you see the weather?  Instead of an idyllic winter scene the singers braved sheets of rain on a cold, dark day in which clouds shut out almost any light.  But, maybe that was an even more appropriate day to share the Christmas message.  No one knows the exact date that Jesus was born.  But, Jesus is the light of the world come into a dark world of sin.  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”  (John 1:1, 4-5) On that dark, bleak, and rainy day we were able to share with people the light of God’s love that is not shut out by the weather, nor the pain and trials around us.

Do you know the words of the Christmas Carol, “In the Bleak Mid-Winter?”  This poem was written by Christina Rosetti in the 1800’s.  The words capture the depth of the troubles of our world, troubles which God overcomes by His love in Jesus.  However, the verse of this poem that strikes me most forcefully is the last verse which asks the question, “What shall I give Him?”  Rosetti’s answer, “Give my heart.”

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heav’n cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him:  give my heart.

Into our lives full of sin and pain God Himself has come in love.  In the beauty of Jesus’ Christmas birth, and in the victory of Jesus’ death and rising, He has overcome the bleak places in our lives.  How will you respond?  Will you give your heart?

A Child of God, Overwhelmed by the love of God,
Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  If you want to see a performance of this Christmas carol this You Tube video is a good one.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobryliBLQ


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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

ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES – Mid week Advent Worship Services are held on Wednesday evenings, December 14 and 21 at 6:30 p.m.  This year’s services look at “The Surprises of Christmas.”  We will use short videos from Lutheran Hour Ministries to consider the surprise of God’s Son to the Shepherds, and the surprise of God’s Son to the Wise Men.  Come and use these short services to prepare for your Christmas celebration.
            Advent Fellowship Meals are provided at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall before the worship services.

Special Christmas Opportunity – We recently found we were behind in finances for the year.  Congregational President, Dave Nufer, has written a letter about finances and put it on the back table.  In this time that we receive God’s greatest gift please consider how you might join others in responding to God’s love for God’s work here at St. John.


Offering for the Needy WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEK  This offering is used to help people in our congregation and in our community during life’s difficult times.


NEW CHURCH DIRECTORIES are available on the counter in the narthex. Those who had their pictures taken receive a free directory.  The names are written on the directories.  Please pick up your directories. 
(Unfortunately, we have found that some families who had their pictures taken did not get into the directory.  If you had your picture taken but are not in the directory you still get a directory.  In addition, please let the church office know.  We will be printing off a page with the missing pictures, and we will get extra directories for those who are not in the directory.



“LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS” The parish nurses of St. John are offering a class to St. John members and the Mat-Su Community, “Living a Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions.”  This 6-part class is scheduled for Tuesday evenings beginning on January 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
            Three people have signed up for the class already.  However, we need at least 3 more to insure that the class meets.  There is a sign-up sheet on the wall in the narthex above the counter top.  Or you can call Judy in the church office at 745-3338 and let her know you would like to attend.

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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.  You can call at 745-3338, or e-mail Judy at jstahancyk@st-john-lutheran.org. 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!!


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Preparing for . . . the Lord

THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR
“Preparing for . . . Christ”

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Last Thursday I was sitting in the dentist chair getting my teeth cleaned and my hygienist asked me, “Are you ready for Christmas yet?”  Well, I hadn’t done any shopping.  Our cards are not written, addressed, nor sent.  We have done no decorating yet.  I know of no special baking that has happened in our home.  But rather than saying we are not ready for Christmas I told my hygienist, “I think the best way to get ready for Christmas is to prepare our hearts.”  We talked about that idea for a moment.

Are you ready for Christmas?  How are you doing in your preparations?  Do you have your gifts purchased; your cards addressed and sent; your home decorated?  Do you have a tree yet?  Those are just some of the preparations that can make the holiday season seem overwhelming in lives that are already overly busy.  And don’t forget the parties, the trips, and the baking.  The busy-ness of traditional Christmas preparations can bring weariness rather than peace and joy to this time of year.

But Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  Christmas is the celebration that the God of love and the God of life has broken into a world of sin and death.  For Christians preparing for Christmas is not so much preparing for an event or preparing for a celebration.  For Christians, preparing for Christmas is preparing for a person, preparing for Christ. 

The people of Jesus day were directed to prepare for His coming.  John the Baptist was God’s messenger to prepare people for the coming of Jesus.  Do you remember how John called people to prepare?  In Mark 1:3-4 we are told of John;

3 “a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”  4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

John called people of his day to prepare for Jesus’ coming in their lives through baptism and repentance that led to forgiveness in Jesus.  What does this mean as we prepare for Christmas?  Since Christmas is the celebration of Jesus coming, here are some suggestions to prepare for Jesus in your life.  Preparation for Jesus’ coming might include
·         Worship – If you haven’t been worshiping do so.  If you have been worshiping use this as a special opportunity to let God come to you with His Christmas love.
·         Meditations and Devotions – Before decorating your home, why not decorate your heart with the Word of God?
·         Prayer time – Christmas is about God coming to us.  Amazingly, God lets us go to Him in prayer.  What is on your heart?  Let God know, and ‘listen’ to His response.
·         Christmas Music – There is much ‘holiday’ music.  But some of my favorite music of all time are the songs and carols that sing of Jesus’ birth.
Perhaps, focusing on preparing for Jesus rather than a holiday might bring peace and joy to your holiday.

A Child of God, seeking to focus on the Jesus this Christmas,
Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  With our wind, warm temperatures, and rain, the attendance was low last Sunday.  Please pardon me for sharing again some of the thoughts I shared in worship last Sunday.

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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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White As Snow

“White As Snow”

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Many of us host out of town family and visitors in the summer as they visit Alaska, but how many visitors do you have during the Alaskan winter?  (I do have one friend who especially likes to visit during Fur Rendezvous.)  Maybe even you make sure to travel outside during the winter yourself.  Winter is not as popular as summer is for many.  Yet, my experiences of the last week remind me that God can speak to us clearly and even more uniquely through the beauty seen in our Alaskan winter. 

Most of you know I like to fish and enjoy ice-fishing. But, because I had fished a number of times recently, this last Monday I drove to Alyeska Resort to ski.  With the temperature between 15-20 degrees and the skies above mostly clear, I stood on top of the mountain around 3:15 in the afternoon and watched the sun set over Turnagain Arm behind the Chugach Mountains to the south.   The snow was powdery.  Clouds drifted below those of us who were skiing.  Just being outdoors in this beauty fed my soul.

However, my favorite recent winter experience happened the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I went ice-fishing with my son Josh and his two oldest children, Jake and Emmalee.  I also invited 4 other families from church, but only Grace Miller was able to join us that day.  As we began our fishing outing walking across the Kepler – Bradley Lakes, snow fell gently on us from the clouds above.  My grandchildren, Jake and Emmalee, giggled as they threw snow on each other while we pulled them in a sled across the lake.  But, the clouds quickly cleared, the temperature dropped some, and the sun shone brightly out of the clear blue skies.  All around us new fallen snow hung on the trees.  Eagles watched us from the far edges of the lake.  Then, as the sun skirted the top of Twin Peaks, crystals of ice drifted out of the sky like diamonds falling through the rays of the sun.  The gently falling snow at the beginning of the day had changed into the sparkling frost falling out of the clear blue sky at the end of the day.  All the noise of the world seemed to hush as God covered the world in a white blanket . . . and we caught fish!  It was easy to remember the verse from Isaiah 1:18, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

God speaks to us most clearly from His Word found in the Scriptures.  But even Scripture tells us that God also speaks in other ways, such as through the beauty of His Creation.  On these two days God reminded me that, in spite of the noise of the world around us and the failure of my sin, God covers my sin with His love in Jesus.  "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

The Alaskan winters can be tough, but I pray you can also hear the voice of God’s love from the beauty of the Alaska winter.

A Child of God, reminded that my sins of scarlet have been made white as snow in Jesus,
Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Here are a couple of pictures from Thanksgiving week. https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/ThanksgivingWeekWinterFun?authuser=0&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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