Dear Fellow Children of God,
Do you know who St. Adalbert is? He was a Roman Catholic priest and
missionary. He worked to bring Jesus to
Hungary, Poland, and Prussia. He was
martyred while bringing the gospel to the people of Prussia in April 997. Why do I know this about a somewhat obscure
priest from over 1000 years ago? I read
about St. Adalbert while studying about missions about 10 years ago.
But, the thing that caught my attention as
I was reading is that I had first heard Adalbert’s name about 35 years ago. When I was first a pastor one of my members
got me to play golf with him in the St. Adalbert golf league. My member was a meat cutter and the members
of this league were mainly railroad men and meat cutters, except for me. You see, the league was started at St. Adalbert
Roman Catholic Church in East St. Louis, Illinois. However, East St. Louis was a tough city in
which to do ministry. The church had actually
been out of existence for over 10 years.
But, even though the church was gone, the golf league kept going. The bonds of friendship and fellowship
continued through the golf league even when the church was no longer doing ministry.
Last Saturday 25 members of St. John
attended the Valley Performing Arts production of “See How they Run.” Fourteen of us went out to eat before the
play. Most of the rest of us sat together
in the theater. We laughed and shared
and had a good time together. We built
relationships with one another. We weren’t
attending worship at the time, but we were gathered because of our shared
faith, and we showed care for one another.
That care is remembered even when not in worship.
You see, Christian love for one another
is a powerful thing. God begins faith in
Jesus when He works in our lives through His Word and the Sacraments. But, Christian love and fellowship help faith
to grow and continue. The friendship and
encouragement we have from one another gives a sense of belonging and a joy in
living.
St. Paul wrote about Christian love, 4 Love is patient, love is
kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always
protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 a)
What amazing love
God has for us! God gives of Himself to
us, especially through Jesus, in acts that show patience and kindness and perseverance. God also calls us to a similar love for
others. Churches may fail, but God’s love
doesn’t fail. God’s love grows as
Christians spend time with and care for each other.
St. Adelbert Church
was no longer in existence, but their golf league was. It gave people a chance to talk and play and
care for one another. I’m glad we went
to the theater last week. The play was
great. And we got to spend time with one
another eating, laughing, and caring for one another. “Love
never fails.”
A Child of God, Thankful for the love of other
Christians,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. I will plant
my garden tomorrow!
****
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.
******
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.stjohnpalmer.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 judy@stjohnpalmer.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!!
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