I learned again this week that travel, and life, are full
of surprises. Some of those surprises
are disappointing, like the lost luggage I mentioned in last week’s
devotion. But, some of the adventures
and surprises of life are pleasant, delightful even.
I am serving for 10 days in Martin Luther’s home town for
Wittenberg English Ministry. This is a
non-profit Lutheran Ministry which provides worship, and possibly pastoral
care, specifically for English speaking tourists. After all, much of the worship in Wittenberg
is conducted, as expected, in the native German language. But, if a Christian undertakes a faith
pilgrimage or trip to this important historic site of the Christian faith, it
can be a blessing to worship in that special place. Yet, worship in a foreign language can be
confusing. So, Wittenberg English
Ministry offers worship opportunities for English speaking tourists in Martin
Luther’s home town.
My surprise has been how many different nations have been
present for our English speaking worship services. On October 23, an American couple was present
in our service. But, on October 24, we
had worshipers from Germany and South Africa.
Our Saturday worship included many from various spots in America, but
many German speaking people from Wittenberg itself also worshiped with us.
However, the worship service which has so far surprised
me the most was held on Friday, October 25, in The Castle Church, the church
where Luther posted his 95 theses on October 31, 1517. In this October 25 worship service, I counted
people from 5 different countries in addition to the U.S. We had worshipers from Japan, Korea, Germany,
and England. But, the largest group was
from Brazil. Pastor Rayfran Batista da
Silva from an Assemblies of God church in Santa Ines, brought a group of 34
with him on a tour. According to one of
the young men with Pastor da Silva, the congregation has approximately 12,000
members. So, as I led this worship
service about 50 people, from 6 countries, praised God in 5 different languages! This unexpected crowd was truly a pleasant
and delightful surprise, for me at least.
I told Kathy and our team, “I think that was a picture of heaven.”
Do you remember the surprise the Apostle John had in his
vision of heaven? In Revelation 7, John
describes those worshiping God. 9 After
this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from
every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the
throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their
hands, 10 and crying out with
a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to
the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10) As I read this verse I hear awe in the words
of the Apostle John at what God has revealed to him.
Think about those words from God, “a great multitude . . . from every
nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” That gives new meaning for me to John 3:16, "For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his only Son, Or, perhaps that helps us understand Jesus’
mission call to His Church, “Go
therefore and make disciples of ALL NATIONS . . .” (Matthew 28:19).
I am impressed that
people from all over the world travel to Wittenberg because of the work and
ministry of Martin Luther, who shared God’s love and grace, through faith in
Jesus. But, through my experience in these
worship services, I am reinforced and strengthened to know that God loves
everyone; that our Lord calls people from every nation, from all tribes and
people and languages” to eternal life in heaven through faith in Jesus. What a beautiful thought!
I am thankful that I
had the privilege of experiencing part of this reality concerning heaven while worshiping
my Lord in Wittenberg!
A Child of God, Pleasantly Surprised to Worship With
People of Many Nations, Tribes, Peoples, and Languages!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. We are in Wittenberg from October 22-31, to
serve with Wittenberg English Ministry.
But we traveled to Germany early to enjoy some new (to us) places. From October 23 to 31 I am leading worship 7
times and preaching on 3 different texts, all pointing to the Reformation theme
of God’s grace in Jesus. Here are some
pictures of our daily travels so far. J
·
Wednesday, October 23, was our first worship
service for Wittenberg English Ministry, a service which was held in the
“Corpus Christi Chapel” beside the town Church.
Here are pictures of that day. https://photos.app.goo.gl/rgT3fQpSghAemsym8
·
Here are some pictures from Thursday, October
24, worship again in the Corpus Christi Chapel and other activities. We also participated in “Stammtisch,” an
evening time of visiting and speaking with town folk. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mig3mBFKicsL8UbZ8
·
On Friday, October 25, our worship was held in
the historic Castle Church where Luther nailed the 95 theses. This is also the day we had worshipers from 6
different countries in 5 different languages.
Then we traveled to Leipzig to pick up Mary. Here are pictures from that day. https://photos.app.goo.gl/x533iiSKF8hawixP9
·
Saturday, October 26, we held a full-length
worship service in the town church where Luther most often preached. All worship has pointed to the Reformation,
but this was our “Reformation Sunday Worship.” It was a full day, here are pictures
from that day. https://photos.app.goo.gl/2YJpHQw9jQ7UPUZi7
·
On Sunday, October 27, Reformation Sunday in
America, we worshiped with German speaking Evangelicals / Lutherans, and then
went exploring. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/UU18iocwsEmNiMQ99
·
Monday, October 28 we visited museums.
o We
visited the Assisi Panorama, a round
depiction of Wittenberg in Luther’s time which can be experienced with
multi-media tools. https://photos.app.goo.gl/95VvqnfkiZsP9NTG9
o We
visited the Luther Museum. The “Luther House” is under renovation, to be
finished some time after 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/WnCHtyX1VUtWNPmAA
o We
visited the Melanthon Museum. https://photos.app.goo.gl/LY1jU9QmYU8sUy566
·
On Tuesday, October 29, we led worship for a
group of 21 from a Lutheran Church in Silverdale, WA, near Bremerton. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/m3TBXoxw4eoKRy9SA
P.P.S. I also continue
serving 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!
o
While I am in Germany, October 20, 27, and
November 3, Pastor Stephen Lane will be leading worship and teaching Bible
Class.
o
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!
o
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 and have made contact with 20 of those pastors. The Call Committee met again Tuesday, October
15. We are scheduling zoom interviews
with 6 of these pastors the last week of October and the first week of
November. The first interviews were held on Monday night, October 28.
PLEASE
CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS.
o
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!
o
WE CONTINUE TO STUDY THE BOOK OF ACTS on
Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.
Our next study will be the Messianic prophecies of
Isaiah.
o
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.”
o
WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN
2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible. On Wednesday,
October 22, we read Job 18-19.
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!
o
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.)
*******
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)
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