Celebrating New Life, EVEN in the New Year!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

I expect that everyone knows that Wednesday, January 1, is New Year’s Day.  Yes, this is a national holiday and a day off work.  Yes, New Year’s Day is a day of football, and a day of some special foods.  But, the reason people celebrate is that the calendar has advanced another year.  The year 2024, with all of its trials and tribulations, is gone . . . hopefully.  The year 2025 brings hope and dreams of a new start, of a new beginning, hope for a new life. 

 

But. are those hopes reality, or just wishful thinking?  I asked in my New Year’s Eve sermon, “Are all our financial debts satisfied and gone simply because the year changed?”  “Are the illnesses and injuries which plague our daily lives totally in the past?”  “Have broken relationships been healed, just because the year 2024 is complete, and we are now in 2025?” 

 

You know, and I know, that just because the calendar turns, this does not mean that our troubles have ended.  Life’s pain and suffering are the result of our sin and our rebellion against the Creator and Lord of all.  We should not be surprised by our trials and our troubles.  Nevertheless, the whole world does still celebrate the New Year, because we do hope for a new future.

 

However, we DID witness new life at First Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 29.  Paisley Mae Lunt (my second cousin, 3 times removed ) was baptized.  In John 3, Jesus surprises Nicodemus.  "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." . . . ⁵ "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, 5).  Jesus says a person is born again, they have new life, by water and by the Spirit, through baptism.

 

On Pentecost Day Peter teaches the crowd in Jerusalem. “³⁸  . . . "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."  (Acts 2:38-39)  When Paisley was baptized she was forgiven.  She received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  She was called as a child of God. She was given new life.

 

In his Small Catechism Dr. Martin Luther quotes Romans 6:4 in regard to baptism.  Please read with me verses 3 and 4 of Romans 6. “³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”  Through baptism, through dying with Jesus to sin and rising with Him through faith, we walk in newness of life.

 

Then Luther applies Romans 6 to the daily life of a child of God.  ”What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” In other words, God’s gift of new life in baptism is not a one-time gift.  New life in Jesus is lasting.  And, the new life which God works in us, by Jesus’ dying and rising, by the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, this new life shows in how we live.  Every day we live in repentance.  The old sinful person in us dies.  The new person who trusts Jesus’ forgiveness arrives.  Every day we live in repentance.  We turn from sin and we turn to God in faith and in love.

 

What did you do on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?  Many were in Times Square. BUT many were also in worship, receiving God’s grace and being strengthened for the new lives which God gives us.  If you really want to celebrate something new, live in the grace God gives you in your baptism! You don not have to wait for the calendar to change.  Because God loves us, we arise as new people every morning, through repentance, through faith, through the grace of God in Jesus.

 

A Child of God, Celebrating New Life, EVEN in the New Year!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.   I continue to serve as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, until First Lutheran receives a permanent full-time pastor.   

NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

 

 

·       In worship on December 26 First Lutheran received a letter from Pastor Chris Kollman.  He said YES to the call to be pastor.  Praise the Lord! 

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack. 

Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School.  THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

·       Here are some pictures from the baptism of Paisley at First Lutheran on Sunday, December 29.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/GDjL8v3ZeKE84AK87

 

·       We have another baptism this coming Sunday, January 5.  Claire Denson will be received as a child of God and given new life.

 

·       In Sunday Bible Class we finished studying the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah. On January 5 we begin a study of “The Pastoral Epistles,” 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon .  Come and Join Us in the Besalski Fellowship Hall at 8:45 a.m.!!!!!

 

·       COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  Come and join us! They are studying “The Case for Christianity.”  (THERE IS A BREAK DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION.)

 

·       WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.”  On Tuesday, December 31, we finished Song of Solomon.

Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have recently received questions and comments.  It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!

 

P.P.S. Family Fun:

 

·       I went fishing twice since my last devotion.  

o   On Thursday, December 26, I fished by myself for the first time in the St. John’s River, out of Palatka, Florida.  I had a big fish on, but . . . he jumped and spit the hook.  It was nice to try a new place.  Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/a2nk1V7YEC799NC6A

 

o   On Friday, December 27, I fished with Mark Hoyer for Crappie, or “specs.”  We caught 6, and kept 5.  Here are a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/qFgTqBVnxfkpW7Dh9

 

·       I also played golf on Monday, December 30 . . . 2 TIMES! I played 18 holes in the morning with John Holloway from First Lutheran Church.  I played 18 holes in the afternoon with Jeff Thinschmidt from First Lutheran Church. J

 

 

 

 

*******

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Vacancy Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK

 

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)

 

 

 

Enjoying the Quiet Peace of Christmas DAY Worship

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Perhaps like me, Christmas Eve candlelight worship is one of your favorite services each year.  Christmas decorations make the sanctuary festive.  We sing favorite, well-known Christmas carols and we hear readings from the Christmas story in scripture, readings which are the best news ever.  The choirs sing, and ring.  Instruments play.  The lights in the church go out, and worship glows with the light of candles.  Often attendance at Christmas Eve worship is one of the largest crowds of the year.  On Christmas Eve I feel anticipation in the air.  People are excited to again hear the good news of the Savior’s birth and to respond with songs of joy.  We might call this service our “Christmas Spectacular.”  Congregations “pull out all the stops” to celebrate the good news that “Christ, the Savior is born.”

 

However, in recent decades worship services on Christmas Day are a sharp contrast to those held just 12 or 15 hours earlier.  The decorations are still up, and choirs often still sing, though the number of anthems is usually fewer.  That’s because we expect fewer people to attend.  I guess that folks figure that attending worship twice in 24 hours is unnecessary, especially if there might be gifts to unwrap on Christmas morning.  Especially if there might a Christmas meal to prepare and to eat.  As a result, Christmas Day worship services tend to be quieter, more contemplative, perhaps even more peaceful.

 

Yet, I wonder if this rhythm of worship for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day does not reflect the first Christmas.  On Christmas night, after the “baby was laid in the manger”, we are told about the shepherds and the angels, “⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” Angels appearing! Bright light shining! Good News spoken! A choir of angels singing! After all, that IS pretty spectacular stuff!

 

But the next day as the shepherds sought out Mary, and Joseph, and baby Jesus, Mary’s response to their account was that she, " . . . treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)  “Pondering” might also be called thinking, or meditating. Those are quieter activities.  As the truth of the saving birth of Jesus sinks in, perhaps those are also deeper activities. It seems to me that “pondering,” “thinking,” and “meditating” are not only more peaceful, they sink the peace of the love of God deep into our hearts, because of the Christmas miracle.

 

I did tell you that Christmas Eve Candlelight worship is one of my favorite services each year.  Nevertheless, the quiet, contemplative, pondering worship of Christmas Day does not take a back seat in my heart to the spectacular worship of Christmas Eve.  I do appreciate when people gather, not so much for the glitz and glamor of the service, but for the sure, strong message of peace because of the love of God shown in the birth of our Savior.

 

Do you like Christmas decorations?  I do.  For over 30 years we decorated Christmas trees which were 15 feet tall, or higher in our Alaska home!  I love to see colored lights displayed in yards during the winter darkness.  But, last year because of work we spent Christmas in Florida.  I wrote to you about the decoration we have in our yard in Florida.  Most of our “stuff” is in Alaska.  But, we found a wood cut-out of the manger scene which we hang in our front flower bed from a shepherd’s crook.  When we shine a light on that manger scene, it gives the opportunity for those who see it to focus attention on the wonderful Christmas truth of Jesus’ birth, truth which is the reason for the season.  This simple ornament is not the spectacular light show which I see in many other yards.  This manger cut-out simply points to Jesus’ birth, the wonderful news which Mary pondered, the grace and truth and love which bring peace. 

 

I pray that the wonderful, spectacular worship of Christmas Eve brings the excitement of God’s Christmas miracle to your heart.  However, perhaps on Christmas Day you might find time to do what Mary did.  After hearing the report of the shepherds, she “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

 

A Child of God, Enjoying the Quiet Peace of Christmas DAY Worship,

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.   I continue to serve as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, until First Lutheran receives a permanent full-time pastor.   

NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

 

·       EXTRA HOLIDAY SERVICES  In addition to Sunday Worship, we now have mid-week worship for the Advent and Christmas season.

o   December 24, 5 and 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Candlelight

o   December 25, 10 a.m. – Christmas Day

o   December 31, 6:30 p.m. – New Year’s Eve.

 

·       In a Voters’ Meeting on December 1 First Lutheran voted to extend the call as full-time pastor to Rev. Chris Kollman.  PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS. 

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack. 

During this Advent and Christmas Season Children’s messages in worship are learning and singing some favorite Christmas carols.  This week we will sing “Go Tel it on the Mountain!” 

Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School.  THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

·       In Sunday Bible Class we are now studying the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.   The last two weeks we pondered the truth of Isaiah 53.  On December 29 we will look at Isaiah 60, consider the magi, and perhaps hear some Christmas humor and pondering from Garrison Keillor. 

On January 5 we begin a study of “The Pastoral Epistles,” 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon .  Come and Join Us!!!!!

 

·       COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  Come and join us! They are studying “The Case for Christianity.”  On Tuesday, December 3, they finished chapter 4 of this book. (THERE IS A BREAK DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION.)

 

·       WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the "Today’s Light Devotional Bible."  On Tuesday, December 24, we read Ecclesiastes 5 and 6.

Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have recently received questions and comments.  It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!

 

P.P.S. Family Fun:

·       Here is a link to the Manger scene which hangs in our front yard in Florida.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZfqvvGXWmv3EbzDKA

 

·       The FLORIDA Rockey family gathered for Christmas at a time most of us could make it.  On Saturday, December 21, we gathered at the home of my brother, Stephen, and his wife, Lori.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/MXB48JDHgo9CmMaM9

 

·       I only went fishing once since my last devotion.  On Sunday, December 22, I fished by myself in a local lake.  It was windy and the fish weren’t biting much.  The air temperature was 54 on my vehicle as I drove away, and water temperature 61 according to the electronics in my boat.  I quit fishing after a couple of hours and 2 “insincere” bites. Nevertheless, I was still thankful for time on the water in God’s beautiful creation.. 😊  I did golf a couple of times.  

 

 

 

 

*******

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Vacancy Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK

 

 

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)

 

 

 

Finding Christmas by Finding Christ,

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

I was scrolling through movie options recently and one of the movies which was available was entitled, “Finding Mr. Christmas.”  Other similar movies I also found included “Finding John Christmas,” “Finding Father Christmas,” and also, “Finding Christmas.”  We might ask, “Is Christmas lost?”  I guess the answer to that question depends on what someone means by ‘Christmas.’

 

I will speak plainly.  The holiday, the season, is called “CHRISTmas.”  Christmas centers around Christ, around the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the son of Mary.  However, sometimes people have had trouble finding Jesus.  Sometimes people have had trouble finding the Christ. 

 

Consider the Gospel lesson for last Sunday, Luke 7:18-36.  John the Baptist was in prison.  Luke tells us John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Luke 7:19)  Perhaps John himself wondered if Jesus was the promised One.  After all, if Jesus was the Christ, so why was John in prison?  Or, perhaps John simply wanted his disciples to learn of Jesus.  Perhaps John wanted the disciples to turn from him to the one who really was and is the promised Savior.  Scripture does not say why John sent these 2 men.  But John’s disciples did go to Jesus and ask the question.

 

Jesus had an answer for John and his disciples. "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. ²³ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." (Luke 7:22-23)  Jesus was healing, and preaching, and bringing good news.  Jesus was fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.  The answer to John’s question should have been obvious.

 

Yet, please think of the irony, the contradiction in John’s question.  John and his disciples were looking for the Messiah.  Luke 3:5 tells us all the people were in expectation for the coming of the Messiah.  However, Jesus was already right there in front of them, doing God’s work, proclaiming God’s word, and they were missing Him.  Was that spiritual blindness, or simply distraction? 

 

But we shouldn’t be surprised.  Remember those movies.  “Finding Mr. Christmas,” “Finding Christmas,” and the others.  People are looking for the love and peace and joy of Christmas, and not finding it.  That is sort of like John looking for “the One who was to come” when Jesus was already there.  People forget, at times we forget, that Jesus has come.  Christmas is about His birth.  Remember what the angel told Joseph.  “²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³ ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”  (Matt. 1:22-23)  People may be looking for Christmas.  But Christ has been born and God is with us.   

 

In His birth Jesus brings the love of our Heavenly Father for a lost world.  In His suffering and death, Jesus brings peace which only comes through His forgiveness.  In Jesus’ resurrection, He brings joy which the trials of life cannot steal.  If people are looking for the love, the peace, and the joy of Christmas, well Jesus is already right here.  He was born.  He is God with us.

 

Are you missing the Christmas Spirit?  Are you like people in those movies, looking for Christmas this year?  The wonderful message of Christmas is that “Christ is Here.”  When we find Jesus, we have Christmas.  We don’t need to look any further.

 

A Child of God, Finding Christmas by Finding Christ,

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.   I continue to serve as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, until First Lutheran receives a permanent full-time pastor.   

NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

 

·       OUR THIRD MID-WEEK ADVENT SERVICE OF 2024 IS HELD THIS, Wednesday, December 18, AT 6:30 P.M.  A Fellowship Meal is offered at 5:30 p.m.  We will be considering the messages of Gabriel in Luke 1.  Angie Burr and Kina Ruttman will help bring the Message, Based on the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1.  THANK YOU to the Spillanes and their helpers for preparing the fellowship meal!

 

·       In a Voters’ Meeting on December 1 First Lutheran voted to extend the call as full-time pastor to Rev. Chris Kollman.  PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS. 

 

·       GOD WINK, AMONG OTHER PROJECTS FOR OTHERS, provided Christmas trees for the homebound and shut in members of First Lutheran.  Here are a few pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/2fiis15LBMMfdgAR6

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack. 

During this Advent and Christmas Season Children’s messages in worship are learning and singing some favorite Christmas carols.  This week we will sing “Silent Night” 

Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School.  THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

·       In Sunday Bible Class we are now studying the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.   On December 15 we studied Isaiah 53.  We will continue this study on December 22.  Come and Join Us!!!!!

 

·       COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  Come and join us! They are studying “The Case for Christianity.”  On Tuesday, December 3, they finished chapter 4 of this book. (THERE IS A BREAK DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION.)

 

·       WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible.  On Wednesday, December 11, we read Proverbs 21 and 22.

Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have recently received questions and comments.  It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!

 

·       EXTRA HOLIDAY SERVICES  In addition to Sunday Worship, we now have mid-week worship for the Advent and Christmas season.

o   December 18, 6:30 p.m. – Advent 3

o   December 24, 5 and 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Candlelight

o   December 25, 10 a.m. – Christmas Day

o   December 31, 6:30 p.m. – New Year’s Eve.

P.P.S. Family Fun:

·       Thursday evening, December 12 through Saturday morning, December 14, Kathy and I spent time with long-time friends, Rick and Kris Armstrong.  We went out to eat at the Columbia Restaurant, saw the St. Augustine Christmas light show, and reminisced.  Afterwards Kathy and I went home by way of Crescent Beach, and stopped for lunch at Corky Bells in Palatka.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/66TtXgbDzm2WsK64A

 

·       I only went fishing once since my last devotion.  On Sunday, December 14, I fished by myself in a local lake.  It was windy and the fish weren’t biting much.  I did catch one bass.  But, for now, I lost my picture.

 

 

*******

 

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Vacancy Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK

 

 

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)

 

 

 

Meditating on the MYSTERY of Jesus' Birth, on the Incarnation of God's Son!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

On Tuesday, December 10, I confined myself to my office at church to work on worship services and bulletins – lots of them.  In addition to regular Sunday worship, and in addition to Advent Mid-Week Wednesday worship, I sought to plan worship in a way to reach people’s hearts with the love of Jesus for four other services.  I worked on bulletins for the funeral service of Linde Katritizky on Friday, December 20 at 1:30 p.m..  I also prepared for a special 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service for young children, and for a special 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - with LOTS of special music - for adults, and for a peaceful, quiet Christmas Day communion service.  That is quite a number of worship services and sermons.  (Please also remember, When the pastor has these extra tasks, so do the office staff, volunteers, and music ministry!)

 

Through the years, I have learned to try and not be overwhelmed by the busy-ness of this season of faith.  I try not to resent this holy celebration.  I have heard people, I have even some church workers say, “I can’t wait for Christmas to be over!”  The lesson I have learned is to try to be in the moment to enjoy the mystery of Jesus’ birth.  I have come to believe that this mystery of our Lord’s incarnation is so deep, that it takes a LOT of thought, and consideration, and meditation.

 

Please meditate with me for a moment on the words of Ephesians 3.  These inspired words are not usually considered Christmas verses, but please meditate on them with me again.  God inspired St. Paul to pray and to write to the Christians in Ephesus,

“¹⁴  . . . I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,  ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—"

“that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

“²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever.”  (Ephesians 3:13-21)

 

Have you ever considered how great a mystery it is that our holy Lord, THE Son of God, took on human form?  (If you desire to delve more into this mystery consider some other verses of Scripture: Psalm 110:1 and Matthew 22:41-46, also Galatians 4:4-7 and Hebrews 2:14-18.)  The birth of God’s Son Himself as a man is truly beyond our ability to comprehend.  Yet, God’s love for us led our Heavenly Father to send Jesus.  That love is, as Paul says in Ephesians 3, “broad and long and high and deep!” (v. 18) That love does “surpass knowledge.” (v. 19)  The fact that, through the angel, God named His Son “Jesus”, or “SAVIOR” (Matthew 1:21), is amazing!  (You might also meditate upon 2 Corinthians 5:21 Philippians 2:5-11, and Titus 3:3-7.)  This infant, born of Mary in a manger, is THE Son of God who came to bear the sin of the world and to offer forgiveness and salvation to ALL people! 

 

In my devotional readings for today I read a verse from Proverbs 14 which has never struck me before.  Proverbs 14:4 reads, “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.”  In other words, when there is no work to do, when no ox is needed, even the manger in a stable is clean.  BUT, there was a lot of work to do in saving the world.  Jesus came to a dirty manger and took on the mess of this world for us!  What a mystery! 

 

Paul prays that we may have strength to comprehend this mystery of God’s love, a mystery which does surpass understanding.  I personally need a lot of time to meditate on the broad and long and high and deep love of God found in the unfathomable incarnation of His Son.  Maybe that’s why I get to prepare so many worship services!  Maybe that is why we get so many opportunities to worship, and pray, and meditate, and thank, and praise during this holy season!!!

 

My bulletin work is done – for the most part.  I have started work on all my sermons through Christmas Day.  I will focus and meditate upon the broad and long and high and deep mystery of Jesus, which is surely beyond my understanding!

 

A Child of God,  Focusing on The Broad and Long and High and Deep Mystery of Jesus’ Birth!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.   I have copied below the other verses I referenced.

 

P.P.S.  I continue to serve as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, until First Lutheran receives a permanent full-time pastor.   

NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

 

·       OUR SECOND MID-WEEK ADVENT SERVICE OF 2024 IS HELD THIS, Wednesday, December 11, AT 6:30 P.M.  A Fellowship Meal is offered at 5:30 p.m.  We will be considering the messages of Gabriel in Luke 1.  Angie Burr and Naomi Glover will help bring the Message, Based on the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Zechariah in Luke 1.  THANK YOU to the Spillanes and their helpers for preparing the fellowship meal!

 

·       The First Lutheran Open Arms Preschool presented their Christmas program on Wednesday, December 4.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/93hMWG4D5FiUsSHd8

 

·       First Lutheran Sunday School presented a one night mini-VBS, “Scuba Christmas” on Friday, December 6.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/XP4sEdDHeXVr36cp9

 

·       Here is a picture from the last College Lunch of December (with the semester concluding at UF).  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z75pamPRGo5UEiJi9

 

·       In a Voters’ Meeting on December 1 First Lutheran voted to extend the call as full-time pastor to Rev. Chris Kollman.  PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS. 

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack. 

During this Advent and Christmas Season Children’s messages in worship are learning and singing some favorite Christmas carols.  This week we will sing “Go Tell I on the Mountain!”  Also, we expect a ‘visit’ from St. Nicolas!

Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School.  THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

·       In Sunday Bible Class we are now studying the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.   On December 8 we started studying Isaiah 53.  We will continue this study on December 15.  Come and Join Us!!!!!

 

·       COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  Come and join us! They are studying “The Case for Christianity.”  On Tuesday, December 3, they finished chapter 4 of this book. (THERE IS A BREAK DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION.)

 

·       WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible.  On Wednesday, December 11, we read Proverbs 14 and 15.

Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have recently received questions and comments.  It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!

 

·       EXTRA HOLIDA SERVICES  In addition to Sunday Worship, we now have mid-week worship for the Advent and Christmas season.

o   December 11, 6:30 p.m. – Advent 2

o   December 18, 6:30 p.m. – Advent 3

o   December 24, 5 and 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Candlelight

December 25, 10 a.m. – Christmas Day

o   December 31, 6:30 p.m. – New Year’s Eve.

P. P.P.S. I went fishing twice since my last devotion.  

·       On Saturday, December 7, I fished by myself in a local lake.  Here aer a couple of pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/aL4wySZv7bxc58Ff7

 

·       After worship on Sunday, December 8, First Lutheran member, Alex Walenjus, and I went fishing.  We caught quite a few fish.  Here are some pictures.   https://photos.app.goo.gl/gvc5JxdiK4w9VjiH9

 

P.P.P.P.S.  Here are the Bible Verses which I referenced above that also speak of the mystery of Jesus incarnation.  This mystery of God’s love . . . “blows my mind!”

·       Psalm 110:1 - The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. (Ps. 110:1 ESV)

 

·       Matthew 22:41-46 - ⁴¹ Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,  ⁴² saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." ⁴³ He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, ⁴⁴ "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'? ⁴⁵ If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" ⁴⁶ And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. (Matt. 22:41-46 ESV)

 

·       Galatians 4:4-7 - ⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Gal. 4:4-7 ESV)

 

·       Hebrews 2:14-18 - ¹⁴ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb. 2:14-3:1 ESV)

 

·       2 Corinthians 5:21 - ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21-6:1 ESV)

 

·       Philippians 2:5-11 - ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:5-11 ESV)

 

·       Titus 3:3-7 ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Tit. 3:3-7 ESV)

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Vacancy Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK

 

 

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)