Dear Members and Friends of St. John,
I have two precious pieces of paper on my desk at this
time. These pieces of paper are
attendance cards from Holy Week worship services at St. John. Both attendance cards have prayer requests on
the back. However, I hope to soon return
these written prayer requests to the families involved.
One of these cards is from Sarah Svedin. The ushers brought this piece of paper to me
at the altar for prayer on Palm Sunday, March 25. Sarah asks, “Can you please prayer for my brother Levi today to heal his heart!” Actually, we have been praying for Levi
Svedin since before he was born. Levi’s
grandparents, Ron and Ann Marie Svedin, have asked prayers for their grandson
when doctors discovered problems before birth.
Levi had one set of major surgeries before he left the hospital. Recently, Levi came home, recovering from
heart surgery. Levi has at least one
major surgery ahead of him. Oh, by the
way, Sarah is 6 years old! (I confess
that I broke up a little as I read Sarah’s request in her 6 year old
hand-writing at the altar on that day.)
The other prayer request card I have is from Tatum
Thomas. I received this card at the
altar in 9:00 a.m. worship on Easter Sunday.
Tatum wrote in her 7 year old hand-writing about her dad, Clint
Thomas. “Pray for my dad because he has a brane tumor.” (Actually, I received 2 cards at the altar
asking prayers for Clint. One prayer
request was from Tatum, and one was from her mom, Carly Thomas.) We have known for a little over a month that
Clint has a small brain tumor. He will
have surgery on April 17. Tatum is
asking for the people of St. John to pray for her dad.
Even as I write today’s devotion,
my heart is full as I consider the faith and the love in these two young
girls. These prayer requests bring to
mind the account of Jesus and the little children. “13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He
said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth,
anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never
enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them
and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16)
I am thankful that these two young girls have such love
for their family that, even at such a young age, they want to do something to
help. I am in awe at the faith of Sarah
and Tatum that they go to Jesus for the help which they need. I am humbled by their request for the people
of God to join them in their prayers.
The words of Jesus speak even more truth to me, “15 I tell you the truth, anyone who
will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter
it."
Would you please join me in praying with these two young
girls for their family members that God would act in love and in mercy and in
power in answer to their prayers? Also,
please pray for these young girls that, as they grow to be teenagers and young
adults, their faith may continue and may grow.
What a great way to celebrate Jesus’ Easter victory, to
go to Him asking His resurrection power and love in this world, and trusting
the risen Jesus to act with power and mercy for those we love!
A Child of God, Thankful and Humbled by the Easter Faith
of Children,
Pastor Jonathan
P.P.S. Last week
was another BUSY Lenten week at St. John.
Here are some more pictures from Holy Week activities.
·
Here are pictures from the 2018 St. John
Passover Meal. https://photos.app.goo.gl/yFfJGGeyxI1oDnDe2
P. P.P.S. Monday’s
fishing? On the day after Easter I had
my bait thawed, my truck loaded, and my dog along as I went to the gas
station. However, the wind was
blowing. When I had to use my full
weight and the strength of my arms to be able to shut the door of my truck in
the wind, I decided, “I’m not sure I want to fish in this wind.” There was no ice fishing on April 2.
******
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 regularly adding new names of friends
and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first
time.) However, if you do not want to receive this e-mail, please let me
know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.
******
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