EARTHQUAKE!

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Karl Kopperud and I were eating breakfast at The Noisy Goose this Friday morning, preparing for Sunday’s Voters’ meeting, when the earthquake hit.  Coffee spilled all over our table, and all over my phone.  People in the restaurant looked around wondering if they should leave.  Finally that shaking stopped and everyone was ok.  Karl said, “That’s the biggest earthquake I’ve felt since 1964.”  I think I’ve personally counted at least 5 separate aftershocks since then!

 

I spent my day checking on folks.  I checked on our elderly members and home bound people.  Phones weren’t working for a while, but I finally got in touch with pretty much everyone and they were fine, if a little shaken.  Praise the Lord there seem to have been no serious injuries, at least in the folks I checked on.  There will be much cleaning to do.  If you want to help, there might be a few seniors who could use help cleaning up the mess. (Please call me if you need help, or can help someone else.)

 

You should know that the church building is actually in pretty good shape.  Peter Probasco was at St. John when the quake hit.  He and I checked things out.  There were some pieces of paint and plaster on the floor, and some books and other items off shelves.  We did notice a cap from a sprinkler lying on a pew in the sanctuary.  But, other than that things look fine.  The church never lost power. 

 

Koinonia (Seniors’ fellowship group) was cancelled for tonight and postponed to a later date.  But, I see from their Facebook page that our Young Adults’ Group plans to decorate the church tomorrow.  Worship and Sunday School and our Voters’ meeting will be held Sunday.

 

There are two earthquake Bible verses that come to mind as we all pick up after our shaker.

 

First, no one expected the quake, but it came anyway, unexpectedly.  In Matthew 24, when talking of end times, Jesus says, 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. . . 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  (Matthew 24:7-8 a, 44) The unexpected nature of today’s earthquake points to our need to be ready for Jesus’ unexpected coming.

 

Also, the words of one of my favorite Psalms come to mind.  You’ve heard me quote Psalm 46 many times.  Today, did you think of the first 3 verses of Psalm 46?  “1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”  (Psalm 46:1-3).  The earth giving way? (Have you seen pictures of the roads?) Mountains falling and quaking?  I think they were shaking today.  But, even when the foundations of our life are shaken, we don’t HAVE to be afraid, even though we sometimes are.  God’s love and the ever present help that verse 1 mentions is always there.  God has eternal life already won for us through Jesus.  God has a home in heaven for us where . . . nothing has fallen off the shelves.

 

Thank you, Lord, that when our world shakes, your present help is sure!

                                                                                         

A Child of God, Shaken and Thankful,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Instead of me sending you pictures, why don’t YOU send ME pictures from your quake experience.

 

P.P.S.  Here are some pictures I’ve started collecting.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xeHGNZn9dncsBc4U6

 

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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 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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ADVENT - Watching and Waiting for Jesus

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

When traveling recently, a seemingly passing incident struck a nerve.  Kathy and I were eating in a restaurant in an airport as we were waiting for a plane. The restaurant was not busy, but a waitress was seating a new customer and preparing the table with a place setting.  As she walked to the table, the silverware she was carrying fell out of her hand and onto the floor.  Perhaps the waitress had already experienced troubles earlier that day, but she was frustrated, perhaps even more than might be expected. As the silverware dropped the waitress uttered the words so others could hear, “I give up on life!”

 

We’ve all dealt with situations that turn out to be more difficult, or more complicated, than they need to be.  For example, recently one of our blinds in our home was tangled.  I figured I could take a minute to untie the knot that had worked its way into the pull cord.  But, it turns out there was more than just a tangle.  The cord had disconnected from the blind.  Instead of standing on the floor by the window and untying a knot, I needed to get a ladder.  The blind had to come down so I could determine the problem.  Then I required tools to re-connect the cord.  Finally after putting the blinds back up, I had to re-adjust the length of the cords.  What seemingly should have been a 1 – 2 minute job became a half hour – 45 minute adventure in learning the truth of Murphy’s law: “If something can go wrong it will, and at the worst possible time.” 

 

Yet, fixing a blind is a small task compared to the many real life challenges we face daily.  Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings and then tried to make amends, only to have matters go from bad to worse?  Have you gone to the doctor for what seemed like a small issue, and been told there is a major problem?  Have you struggled with a substance issue?  A family issue?  A weight issue?  Have you watched elected officials try to solve the problems of our state or nation to the best of their ability and have you then grown in frustration with them as even the best thought out solutions don’t seem to work?

 

Why is life so hard?  Perhaps at times you understand the frustration and emotions of that waitress who said, “I give up on life!” 

 

God gives us some answers in Scripture to our questions and frustrations that can give us help in dealing with the struggles of life.

 

First, even though we think life should be easy, life became complicated when we human beings rebelled against our Creator.  Do you remember God’s words to Adam following the first sin?  “17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."  (Genesis 3:17-19)  There is no “victimless crime.”  Our transgressions against God’s lordship in our lives have had consequences.  Even the earth is cursed.  In other words, now life is complicated.  This is not what we want to hear, but dealing with the truth is always the best place to start.

 

Second, there is a basic truth we often forget.  Only God is Ruler and Lord of the world.  We may want to be in charge, but we are not God.  God’s words through David in Psalm 46 are deep words, and words worth committing to memory.  10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  In a sinful world we will face frustrations.  Life is broken.  Only the Lord is God.  Only God is in charge.

 

Finally, thankfully, God comes mercifully and graciously to save us.  God constantly stepped into history to save His chosen people in Old Testament times from their missteps and sinfulness.  God lovingly sends His Son to save a fallen world by the unbelievable sacrifice of Jesus’ life to pay for our sin.  Jesus’ gracious presence in our lives gives us strength for today and hope for the future.  No wonder the Psalmist writes, “6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.”  (Psalm 130:6-7)  In the middle of the frustrations of life, God is what we always needed.  In the middle of the frustrations of life, God and His love, and forgiveness, and help, and salvation are worth waiting for.

 

This Sunday we begin the church season of Advent, the time before Christmas.  The word “Advent” means coming.  Advent is a season of hopeful waiting and joyful anticipation because we wait for God to come to us in Jesus.  Often Advent is mis-understood, because we lack patience and because we don’t like to wait.  But, in the middle of the frustrations of life, God is what we always needed.  In the middle of the frustrations of life, God and His love and forgiveness and help and salvation are worth waiting for.

 

Perhaps you understand the frustration of that waitress who uttered, “I give up on life!!!”  Life is bigger than we are.  But God is bigger than life.  God and His love, and forgiveness, and deliverance are worth waiting for today and eternally.  And waiting for God is what Advent is all about!

 

A Child of God, Watching and Waiting for Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures of the St. John outing to the Valley Performing Arts, play, “Miracle on 34^th Street.”  https://photos.app.goo.gl/e4RxBFqQeVVSu1S27

 

 

P.P.S.  I did not go shopping on Black Friday.  I went fishing to see if the ice was safe and check out my equipment.  I thought I might have some grandkids, but ended up going by myself.  Here are pictures from 1 hour of fishing.  (By the way, the ice near my house is 10” thick.)   https://photos.app.goo.gl/ea4L3qcRgvNwCeTM8

 

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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 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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OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE GOD AND HELP OTHERS

 

IMPORTANT! - VOTERS’ MEETING – DECEMBER 2 – Our Annual Voters meeting is held after late worship on Sunday, December 2.  We will vote on a budget and elect officers and board members.  In addition, we will discuss a new vent hood for the kitchen, and possibly take a first look at Bylaws revisions.

            This meeting is the one planned time we meet each year as a congregation to vote on plans for God’s work at St. John.  It is good to have as many of our members present as possible for this meeting.   We will be dealing with MANY IMPORTANT ITEMS OF BUSINESS!

            There is a POT LUCK MEAL before the meeting.  Please bring a main dish and a side dish.

 

 

A SPECIAL OFFERING WILL BE RECEIVED IN WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS DECEMBER 2 AND DECEMBER 9.  For a number of years we have received these offerings and used the funds to help members of our church, or members of our community, in times of need or crisis.  If you want to help others this Christmas, you can donate to these offerings.

 

COMMUNITY ADVENT MEAL – The Fellowship Board needs help preparing the Meal for the Community Advent Service on Wednesday, December 5.  The Fellowship Board has accepted responsibility for this meal, but a number of the board members will be unable to be present.  The meal is planned as a spaghetti meal with salad.  The food will be purchased.  We have people who will help to cook.  Salad will be made.  The help needed is only for the labors and time.  A sign-up sheet will be on the counter in the narthex.  We need help in the following areas

 

TUESDAY, December 4:              

·       Cooking with Karen Gillund and Dorothy Jacobson.

 

WEDNESDAY, December 5:      

·       Warming sauce with Karen Booth-Wood, Ruth Zellar, and Dorothy Jacobson after Lifelight Class at noon.

·       Decorating tables with John and Cathy Glaser

·       Serving Food NO ONE SIGNED UP YET

·       Hosting and greeting with Mary Colberg and John and Cathy Glaser

·       Cleaning up after the meal and preparing for the Dessert Reception with Glasers and Rod and Temple Christiansen.

 

IF YOU CAN HELP with this meal please sign up on the sign-up sheet on the counter.  The Fellowship Board THANKS YOU!

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – The Sunday School Christmas Program will be presented on Sunday, December 9 in late worship.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING – We plan to visit the homes of some of our shut in folks on Sunday afternoon, December 9 to sing carols.  I usually organize this and the Fellowship Board helps.

 

 

THANK YOU!!!

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – St. John members donated a number shoe boxes to bring Christmas to children around the world. 

 

THANKSGIVING BLESSING – We had received donations of over 1000 cans of corn and beans to help the needy this Thanksgiving.

 

VPA PLAY OUTING – “Miracle on 34^th Street” – THANK YOU to The St. John Fellowship Board.  We had 30 people attend the VPA play together, and we met others there.  The Taco Bar Meal and the enjoyment of the play were a real blessing.

 

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

 

• MID WEEK ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES will be held in December on Wednesdays December 12 and 19.  These services help us to prepare our hearts for the coming of God’s Christmas gift of His Son, our Savior, Jesus.  These services will be held at 6:30 p.m. following the Advent Meal.  This year in Advent we will be looking at the prophecies of Isaiah and how they help us to live in God’s promise of love in Jesus.  There is a rumor that Isaiah himself might even show up in our evening worship.

 

·       ADVENT MEALS. We hope to also have Advent meals at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, and Wednesday, December 19 before our 6:30 p.m. Advent Worship Services.  There are sign up sheets on the counter in the narthex.  These meals become a real time of fellowship for our congregation.  Please sign up to serve in this way.

 

·       CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLE-LIGHT WORSHIP will be held again at St. John on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24.  A Children’s Christmas Eve Service will be held at 6:00 p.m.  A Traditional Christmas Carol Candle-light worship will be held at 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.  Plan on attending and inviting your friends!

 

·       CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP – Christmas Day worship will be held on Christmas morning, Tuesday, December 25, at 11:00 a.m.  Our worship is a quieter opportunity to share with one the good news of God’s Christmas love.  Often, after the large Christmas Eve services, the quiet meditation of Christmas Day provides a time of peace and quiet joy.  Plan now to attend.

 

·       NEW YEAR’S EVE WORSHIP will be held at St. John on Monday night, December 31, at 7:00 p.m.  This is a good way to end one year and begin another, with the Lord and His blessings.  This also will be a communion service. 

 

OTHER OPPORTUNIES FOR CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

 

• Christmas Baskets – St. John has encouraged members to make donations to the Palmer Food Bank to help provide holiday food baskets to the needy. 

 

• A SPECIAL MANGER SCENE IS AGAIN DISPLAYED THIS YEAR IN THE ENTRY WAY.  A stained glass manger scene was donated to St. John by long-time Palmer resident, June Tull, when she was helping an elderly friend break up his home. Thanks, June!

 

 

 

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AT ST. JOHN

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR IS OFFERED EACH SUNDAY MORNING FROM 9:45-10:45 a.m. – COME AND GROW!

 

·       CLASSES ARE OFFERED FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES from birth through High School.

·       ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

 

o   Dave Nufer is teaching a class in the South Fellowship Hall, December 2 and 9.

 

o   Christmas – Jim Summers will teach a class that helps us grow in understanding Christmas on Sundays, December 16 and 23.

 

o   Christian Stewardship – is offered by the Stewardship Board.  This class, taught by Eric Wyatt and Pastor Rockey will look at all areas of Christian faith and service as part of our stewardship / management of God’s gifts to us.  This class from Synod will be taught in the library or Pastor Rockey’s office .

 

PRAYER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY!! – There are Elders in Pastor Allen’s former office between worship who are available for prayer each Sunday between services.  Prayer is one of the greatest gifts God gives His people.  Come bring your prayer requests.  Come join in praying for God’s work, and for others.

 

 

PERSONAL DEVOTIONS FOR 2019-2020?  Will you to join me in studying God’s Word together? I plan to use the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible” from Concordia Publishing House in 2019 and 2020.  .  If you want to buy one of these Bibles and study with me starting in January here are links for the Bible.

o   From CPH (Our Church’s publishing house) for $26.39 + $7.00 shipping - https://www.cph.org/p-22950-todays-light-devotional-bible.aspx

o   From Amazon for $32.99 + free shipping - https://www.amazon.com/Todays-Light-Devotional-Bible-Fryar/dp/0758643519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540403689&sr=8-1&keywords=Today%27s+Light+Devotional+Bible

 

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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.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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Thankful for the Blessings of God's Love, Praying to BE a Blessing!

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

The leaders of our nation have set aside a day for national Thanksgiving since the beginning of our country.  Yet, often when we think of our country we see the problems, the evil, the situations that need to change.  We can wonder why God allows such troubles to exist and even doubt His goodness. 

 

But, if you travel to a foreign land, which many in my family have done, we can then compare our homeland with other places.  In 1993 our son, Joshua, traveled to Far East Russia on a mission trip.  He came home thankful for his own bedroom, and thankful for a hot shower.  As we see the problems others face, we learn thankfulness for our own land, even with all it’s problems.

 

If you ask people to list blessings for which they are thankful, if you ask me, usually at the top of the list is family.  This past year I have been amazed at how my adult children have reached out and supported one another.  This past year I have watched my siblings and extended family work together at the death of my father, and watched as we grew in thanks for the life, faith, and heritage of my dad.  But, still, sometimes we take the blessings of our family for granted.

 

I read many devotions throughout the week, in addition to my daily reading of Scripture.  One of the devotions I read in the past week makes me realize even more the blessings God has given me in my family, the blessings God has given me in my friends, in His Church.  The devotion below comes from Rev. Dr. Jerry Kieschnick, former president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  Maybe these words can help you in your thankfulness to God.

 

Usually at this time of year our thoughts are focused on people or things for whom or which we are thankful. Today I’m sharing with you what a foster child in Oklahoma listed when asked what she wanted in a family. Here are her answers:

Things I want in my family:

·       A clean safe house with running water and lights.

·       Mom and Dad who don’t fight or hit on me.

·       I want no drugs.

·       Don’t kill my pets.

·       Nice clean clothes and a coat.

·       No lice or bugs in the house.

·       A bed with covers.

·       Don’t sell my toys.

·       Treat me fair.

·       Don’t get drunk.

·       My own comb and soap and toothbrush.

·       I want love.

This little girl’s list touches my heart with the reminder that not everyone in our country and world experiences the blessings of God in the same measure with which my family, and most likely yours as well, have been blessed.

The mental picture of this little girl also moves me to reach out in love, care, and concern to folks who can only dream of having the necessities of life, not to mention the luxuries many of us often take for granted.

As you prepare to observe Thanksgiving Day, remember what I strive to recall every day: We have been abundantly blessed by our gracious God … for a reason … to be a blessing! That’s why when someone asks me how I’m doing, my reply is almost always: “Super blessed!”

 

Thank you, Jerry.  I am not sure of the source of this girl’s list.  However, our church tries to help people in need.  I have seen homes where all of these trials exist.  It’s sort of like visiting a foreign country.  When we see the problems in other places, we can be even more thankful

 

In the face of the selfishness, the violence, the downright evil we can see in the world around us, we can be thankful that God’s children have love that is not taken away in Jesus.

“38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 8:38-39)

 

I agree with Jerry.  Because we have been blessed, we have the opportunity, and we have the responsibility, to share with others the love God gives us in Jesus.  May your home be full of the love of Jesus, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but throughout the year.  May your “cup overflow” with the love of Jesus and touch others who may be going through a rough time, or may not be as fortunate as you are.  We ARE blessed to be blessings!

 

A Child of God, THANKFUL for the Blessings of God’s Love, Praying to be a Blessing,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection, aid and favors. . .Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and various favors which H has been pleased to confer upon us." - George Washington, 1789

 

P.P.S.  Here is a picture of how St. John members reached out to help others.  Just looking at this picture, I think I count more than 1000 cans of food.  Thank YOU for your thankfulness, and for helping others!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/7Rx7HKrhKGTDiMV98

 

P.P.P.S.  THANK YOU to St. John members who recognized our workers and our staff this past Sunday, November 18.  Words of thanks were spoken, and gifts were given for

·       Administrative Assistant, Judy Stahancy

·       Assistant to the Pastor, Hunter Richards

·       Custodians, John and Cathy Glaser

·       Director of Christian Education Intern, Ethan Mirly

·       Music Coordinator, Marilee Nufer

·       Pianist, Organist, co-Music Coordinator, Sara Guhl

·       Nursery Attendant, Kristine Neslund

·       Senior Pastor, Jonathan Rockey, and

·       WIFE of Senior Pastor, Kathy Rockey.

The gifts are appreciated.  Even more, the words of thanks are priceless.  Here are some pictures put into a collage: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AneEQr7ceKuiLigR8

 

P.P.P.P.S.  GROWING IN FAITH SO WE CAN BEAR FRUIT - As pastor I am serious about helping our folks grow in their faith in God’s love for them in Jesus.  I strongly believe that personal devotions make a difference.  Here are some devotional resources you may want to use in your home.

 

·       Little Visits with God is the book we used most often.  Here are copies of that book, and OTHER home devotional materials for families.  (There are also some copies in the church library. -  https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=little+visits+with+god&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Alittle+visits+with+god

 

·       Advent devotions – I recently bought 4 copies of these Advent devotions, 1 for each home where I have grandchildren, one for my own home, and one for the church.  You may want to purchase one of these Advent devotions for your family.  https://www.cph.org/c-2703-children-and-youth-books.aspx?pagenum=1&sortby=Rank%20Desc&rename=Sales%20%26%20Seasonal&Lk=0&rlk=0&plk=2700

 

·       PERSONAL DEVOTIONS FOR 2019-2020?  Will you to join me in studying God’s Word together? I plan to use the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible” from Concordia Publishing House in 2019 and 2020.  .  If you want to buy one of these Bibles and study with me starting in January here are links for the Bible.

o   From CPH (Our Church’s publishing house) for $26.39 + $7.00 shipping - https://www.cph.org/p-22950-todays-light-devotional-bible.aspx

o   From Amazon for $32.99 + free shipping - https://www.amazon.com/Todays-Light-Devotional-Bible-Fryar/dp/0758643519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540403689&sr=8-1&keywords=Today%27s+Light+Devotional+Bible

 

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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 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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Are YOU Bearing Fruit That Lasts?

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

On Sunday, November 11, I worshiped with Kathy at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.  I grew up and was nurtured in my faith in this congregation in my youth.  It is always a blessing to worship with folks I’ve known for over 50 years.  It is a blessing of joy to go “home” and see familiar faces who ask how I am doing.  (On this Veterans’ Day Sunday we were also treated with some beautiful patriotic music in worship.  And, an old seminary classmate of mine, Pastor Dennis Bartels, was guest preacher.)  Worship with God’s people was a blessing on this day.

 

After worship I took Kathy to eat at a favorite restaurant of hers.  Since Kathy grew up in Memphis, TN, she still has a place in her heart for “southern home cooking.”  We ate at Cracker Barrel.  It seems, even though our worship was finished around 11:15, we were not the only ones who had that idea.  When arriving around 11:45 a.m., many groups of people were waiting outside the restaurant talking with one another.  We were told there would be a 30 minute wait.  Yet, even with 3 or 4 groups of families or friends being called for a table every minute or two, with some groups as big as 11 people, our wait may have been 40 minutes.  A lot of people must like southern cooking!  When we were seated I watched as people were greeted and served, as tables were cleared, as families and friends enjoyed their time at the restaurant.  They were not rushed, but there was a constant stream of customers.

 

I asked our waitress how many cooks they had working that day.  She said, “Six cooks, I think.  Maybe one other cook, too.  And, there are managers all over the place, and probably in the kitchen as well.”  I was impressed.  To prepare and serve that many people and that much food in a comfortable atmosphere with just 6 or 7 cooks speaks well of the teamwork at this restaurant.

 

Then I got to thinking.  Since we were on vacation in FL in November for maybe the first or second time in almost 30 years, my sister, Martha, hosted a “Rockey Family Thanksgiving” at her house on Saturday, November 10, two weeks early.  Our meal included 8 households, over 20 people, and at least 8 cooks.  We had much for which to be thankful, and the abundant food helped us celebrate.  I think our meal may have gone even smoother, and the wait for food was less than it was on Sunday at the Cracker Barrel.  We had pretty good teamwork too.

 

I also began thinking how I might have been part of the teamwork for that meal, how I might helped.  Kathy made the food we brought to the Rockey Family Thanksgiving.  She made cornbread dressing, cranberry and orange relish – ground by hand, 2 pumpkin pies, 1 pecan pie, and pumpkin cupcakes and fixings for the younger children to decorate.  What did I do?  Hmmm.  I helped shop.  I helped pick out cornmeal.  I found the cranberries and paid for them.  I bought a bottle of white wine.  I didn’t really do that much, but I guess I did do something.

 

God’s plan is that His church works like a team.  In 1 Corinthians 12 (and Romans 12) God inspired St. Paul to instruct the church, “4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”  (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)  In other words, God created each of us differently.  We have different abilities, talents, and gifts.  But God expects us to use these gifts as part of all God’s people, “for the common good.”  Later on in this chapter the family of God’s church is also described as a body.  “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”  (1 Corinthians 12:27)  Each believer in Jesus is part of Christ’s body, part of the Church.  And, God expects us to do the part we are gifted to do.

 

In fact, when Jesus was teaching His disciples on the night before His crucifixion, He instructed His disciples, 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. . . 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last.” (John 15:1-2,16)  God expects disciples of Jesus to bear fruit.  We are not just spectators in a worship service.  We are part of the body, part of the vine, growing disciples and spreading the good news of Jesus’ love so that there is eternal fruit.  We bear eternal fruit when people learn of Jesus, when people believe in Jesus, and when by God’s grace people are saved to go to heaven.  That is eternal fruit.

 

Ultimately Jesus, the true vine, is the source of all fruit.  Jesus is the Son of God who left heaven to endure the poverty and suffering of this world.  Jesus is the sinless Savior who nevertheless died for the sins of all people.  Jesus is the one and only who overcame sin and death and Satan when He rose from death and from the grave.  All eternal fruit comes from the true vine, from Jesus.  But we are branches.  We have received gifts.  We are part of the body.  And God expects us to bear fruit.

 

After eating at Cracker Barrel, but even more after being part of the “Rockey Family Thanksgiving” feast, I asked myself how I might have been part of the teamwork of the meal, and how I might helped.  The answer is that I probably could have done more.  I could have used my gifts to serve others in my family a little better (even though I did keep giving updates to everyone about the FL Gator football game.)

 

How about you?  Do you know how God has gifted you in Jesus with love, with forgiveness, with eternal life, and with His Spirit?  Do you know that God has blessed you with knowledge and faith, with gifts and abilities?  How are you part of the teamwork of Christ’s Church?  How are you helping spread the love of Jesus?

 

A Child of God, Thankful to be Part of Christ’s Church, Seeking to Bear Fruit that Lasts,

Pastor Jonathan   

 

P.S.  I didn’t take many pictures, but here are a couple of pictures from our Florida Rockey Thanksgiving on November 10.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/CXm4EkXSZNd4Hdp28

 

P.P.S.  I bought my plane tickets to FL in July when my dad was still alive, but failing some.  I would be in Portland for a November District Board of Directors’ meeting and thought that, since I was halfway to FL, I should go to see my dad.  I didn’t know my dad would pass away in August.  I ALSO didn’t know my brother, David, would have a heart attack when I was in Portland, and bypass surgery when I was in FL.  Being in FL allowed me to visit David in the hospital 3 times.  I see God’s hand in this trip in a way I didn’t know about ahead of time.  Thank you for your prayers, David had 4 bypasses, and a valve replacement.  He went home on Tuesday!

 

P.P.P.S.  GROWING IN FAITH SO WE CAN BEAR FRUIT - As pastor I am serious about helping our folks grow in their faith in God’s love for them in Jesus.  I strongly believe that personal devotions make a difference.  Here are some devotional resources you may want to use in your home.

 

·       Little Visits with God is the book we used most often.  Here are copies of that book, and OTHER home devotional materials for families.  (There are also some copies in the church library. -  https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=little+visits+with+god&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Alittle+visits+with+god

 

·       Advent devotions – I recently bought 4 copies of these Advent devotions, 1 for each home where I have grandchildren, one for my own home, and one for the church.  You may want to purchase one of these Advent devotions for your family.  https://www.cph.org/c-2703-children-and-youth-books.aspx?pagenum=1&sortby=Rank%20Desc&rename=Sales%20%26%20Seasonal&Lk=0&rlk=0&plk=2700

 

·       PERSONAL DEVOTIONS FOR 2019-2020?  Will you to join me in studying God’s Word together? I plan to use the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible” from Concordia Publishing House in 2019 and 2020.  .  If you want to buy one of these Bibles and study with me starting in January here are links for the Bible.

o   From CPH (Our Church’s publishing house) for $26.39 + $7.00 shipping - https://www.cph.org/p-22950-todays-light-devotional-bible.aspx

o   From Amazon for $32.99 + free shipping - https://www.amazon.com/Todays-Light-Devotional-Bible-Fryar/dp/0758643519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540403689&sr=8-1&keywords=Today%27s+Light+Devotional+Bible

 

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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 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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