Dear Fellow Children of God,
Kathy and I are now home from 3
weeks of traveling in Germany and Europe.
Though we did visit various places we had not previously been, our main
reason for travel was so that I could serve with Wittenberg English
Ministry. This pan-Lutheran ministry
primarily offers worship services in the English language for those traveling
to this historic Lutheran city. I led 7
worship services in churches where Martin Luther himself preached. And, I was available for pastoral care if
needed.
However, what I did not expect as I
served with WEM, were the opportunities for personal witness concerning Jesus, opportunities
above and beyond the public proclamation in worship. Time and again Kathy and I encountered people
who willingly shared with us their struggle with the Christian faith. Also surprising to us, almost all these
people were willing to discuss matters of the Lordship of God and of
salvation. They were willing to engage
in conversation without being defensive, or rude. We tried to listen and to talk from our heart
about the faith God has created in us.
But, unlike such opportunities in America, people who shared their
doubts with us were also willing to listen to our thoughts. We were continually surprised.
On Wednesday morning, November 6,
at breakfast in Munich, a middle-aged woman saw me reading my devotional
bible. This lady walked over to my table
and asked me about the Bible. She shared
that she was interested as a retired middle school history teacher. (Grades levels
are different in Germany.) We talked about teaching. Our daughter, Mary, a teacher herself, was
traveling with us. This woman talked
history. She specialized in studies of the holocaust. I shared my bottom line. “God has created all of us. But, we humans have rebelled and sinned in
horrible ways. We need a Savior. I believe God sent Jesus!” We parted as she went about her morning
chores.
Two German men spoke with us on
separate occasions about their personal doubts concerning God and Christian
faith. One man had a sincere
conversation with Kathy. Another spoke
with me. What these two men had in
common is that they spent much of their lives in communist East Germany. One told me, “I was a member of the Socialist
Party.” Both had learned to doubt the
church and trust the state. Both also
saw the travesties human beings commit against one another, and the failings of
Christ’s Church. Responding to the man with
whom I talked, I simply said, “Yes, this world is a mess. That is why God sent Jesus.”
Another delightful encounter
happened at an evening meal on October 30.
We had been told of one restaurant, “The food is good, but the people
are weird!” Well we went, and the food was good. There were also a lot of people, primarily
men, drinking beer and talking loudly.
One of those men saw Kathy and Mary and me at our table finishing our
meal. He walked over to visit with us. I know only a little German. This man
knew less English. (There is a wonderful “Google Translate” app
which I often used.) However, as I tried
to explain in my less than stellar German why we were in Wittenberg, we somehow
mentioned fishing. Well, I got out my
phone and started showing pictures of salmon, and pictures of halibut, and
pictures of trout, and pictures of bass.
You get the idea. This man had a
phone too, and he also had fish pictures.
Many of my pictures include Mary, who often fishes with me. We talked for about a half hour sharing fish
pictures, even though our language skills were wanting. But, I was able to share that I was in
Wittenberg to serve with Wittenberg English Ministry, to lead worship and
provide pastoral care. He was not
offended, but seemed impressed that a fisherman would be serving the Lord. I believe there was a witness in this
exchange, and I really enjoyed our conversation, or lack of it.
A Scripture verse which often
directs my witnessing to Jesus is 1 Peter 3:15. “ . . . but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to
make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
yet do it with gentleness and respect.” In other words,
witnessing is often a personal sharing of God’s love in our lives, love which
gives hope. My reason for hope is
Jesus. His death on the cross for my
sins, and His resurrection defeating death and winning eternal life for his
disciples, forgive me and save me. Jesus
is the one who strengthens me in life’s trials and delivers me to eternal life
in heaven. I believe I am prepared to
share this hope, because I have experienced God’s love and forgiveness in my
life.
However, this Sunday, the Second Last
Sunday of the Church year, we will read in in worship from Mark 13, “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do
not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in
that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11). This verse says to me
that witnessing concerning Jesus is not just my preparation. The Holy Spirit lives in me. God’s Spirit
prepares me. The Spirit leads me into
situations where people may ask, and I can hare Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy sharing good news
with others. The best Good News I know is that Jesus, the Son of God, died and rose
to save me. Do you enjoy sharing Jesus
with others?
A Child of God, Finding Joy in Unexpected Opportunities
to Share God’s Love in Jesus!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. We flew back to the US on Thursday, November
7, and we arrived in Gainesville on Friday, November 8. We are thankful for a wonderful trip. Here is a shirt I bought. J https://photos.app.goo.gl/a4D4VudRS HPKBVXR7
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!
·
On
Sunday, November 24, after worship, We will have an OKTOBERFEST MEAL, and a
Wills / Estate planning seminar. Diana
Raasch from LCEF will be working with local First Lutheran people to teach
opportunities of faithful Christian Stewardship in our wills and estates. There will be opportunities to talk with
Diana privately, if a person wishes to do so.
PLAN
NOW to attend this festive meal and informative seminar!
·
FIRST LUTHERAN IS BACK IN THE CALL PROCESS. We
have sought nominations and names of pastors who would serve the Lord and His
people well at First Lutheran in Gainesville. The Florida-Georgia
District has sent information on the candidates. We received 21 names. The First
Lutheran Call Committee conducted Zoom interviews of 5 of these pastors, and
will soon have at least one of those pastors visit. 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. 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. 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.”
·
WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN
2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible. On Wednesday,
November 13, we read through Psalms 60.
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!
·
FIRST LUTHERAN HAS BEGUN A “RAISE THE ROOF
FUND,” for roof replacement and air-conditioning repairs. The roofs are
still in relatively good shape. But we have had leaks, and it has been
about 20 years since the roof was last replaced. First Lutheran leaders
want to act before the roofs fail. In addition, our Air Conditioners are
old and need replacing. So the Congregation has begun a “Raise the Roof”
campaign. Our goal to accomplish these combined repairs is $500,000!
Please
consider how God may lead you toward these needs in the future. (While serving
in Gainesville, I will be donating from each of my checks.)
P.P.S. I did
go fishing once since I have been home.
On Sunday, afternoon, November 10, after worship, I tried things
out. With early darkness I only fished
for about 2 hours, starting in the rain.
I only had one bite, but did catch a nice fish. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9bSAjfWKCffhHZdH6
*******
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)
