Dear Fellow Children of God,
Ash Wednesday falls on March 5 this year, the year of 2025
A.D. Ash Wednesday begins a season of
repentance, a season which also prepares God’s people to celebrate the joy of
Easter. Ash Wednesday is an opportunity
for Children of God to reset their priorities.
Ash Wednesday allows us to live in the truth of our sin, and in the greater
truth of God’s grace and love.
But some may ask, “Ashes?
Really? Why put ashes on your
forehead?” A mark of ashes is intended to be an outward sign of inward
repentance for our sin. But this is not
just a modern liturgical symbol of western Christians. The idea of ashes has a long Biblical history
and tradition. If you study your Bible you
will find Abraham (Genesis 18:27), Mordecai (Esther 4:1 and 3), Job (Job 42:4-6),
Isaiah (Isaiah 58:5), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 6:26). Daniel (Daniel 9:3), and even
Jesus (Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13) speak about ashes as a sign of sorrow, and
as an outward sharing of heart-felt repentance for sin.
We have good reason for repentant hearts. Romans 3 reminds us that we have all offended
the Creator and Lord of all with our hard hearts and rebellious actions. “23 for all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a
gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God
put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. . . .” (Romans 3:23-25) So, the mark of ashes shows sorrow that we
have disobeyed the one who created us and loves us. Ashes on our foreheads indicates sorrow that
we are unable to make our lives perfect.
Ashes show the sorrow in our hearts that we face death because of our
sin. A cross of ashes tells the world that we cannot trust our own righteousness,
but that we trust the forgiveness God gives by the substitutionary sacrifice of
Jesus on the cross.
The cross of ashes not only expresses sorrow for our sin,
but also reminds us of our hope in Jesus.
We are told that Jesus began his ministry with such a call to God’s
people. “14 . . . Jesus
came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, ‘The
time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’" (Mark 1:14b-15)
How do God’s children respond to the presence of Jesus and respond to the
kingdom of God? We “repent and
believe.”
Actually, Christians repent, we do admit and turn from
our sins, but WE DO NOT LOSE HOPE! We
turn from our sin and we turn to God in trust and faith, because of Jesus. In 1 Peter 5 we are encouraged, “6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the
proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him,
because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
So, that is the message of Lent.
Sinful, failed people confess our transgressions to God, and we turn to
Him, casting all our cares on Him because He cares for us . . . in Jesus!
I have recently been reading a Christian news source
called “Pour Over.” On Ash Wednesday the
‘Quote of the Day’ was from famed New Testament Scholar N. T. Wright. “Lent is a time for discipline, for
confession, for honesty, not because God is mean or fault-finding or
finger-pointing, but because He wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out,
ready for all the good things He now has in store.”
In other words, Ash Wednesday helps us face our lives and
face our eternity honestly. We admit our
sin and our lost-ness. But, we look
forward to the cleansing from our sin by Jesus.
We admit that we “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We hope because, by faith, we ” 24
. . . are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus,”
How will you observe Ash Wednesday? How will you live your faith this Lent? As I grow as a child of God, I find the cross
of ashes calls me to sorrow for my sin, but also calls me to hope because of
God’s saving love in Jessu!
A Child of God, Seeking to Live Repentance for my Sin,
and to Live Hope Because of Jesus!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. Here are
some Scripture verses referring to Ashes.
Verses including ‘Ashes’:
Genesis. 18:27 Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I
have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.
Numbers 19:1- (Special Treatment of Ashes from the
Sacrifice for sins.)
1 The LORD said to Moses and
Aaron: 2 "This is a requirement of the law that the LORD has commanded:
Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and
that has never been under a yoke. 3 Give it to Eleazar the priest; it is to be
taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence. 4 Then Eleazar the
priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times
toward the front of the Tent of Meeting. 5 While he watches, the heifer is to
be burned-- its hide, flesh, blood and offal. 6 The priest is to take some
cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer. 7
After that, the priest must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water. He
may then come into the camp, but he will be ceremonially unclean till evening.
8 The man who burns it must also wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he
too will be unclean till evening. 9 "A man who is clean shall gather up
the ashes of the heifer and put them in a ceremonially clean place
outside the camp. They shall be kept by the Israelite community for use in the
water of cleansing; it is for purification from sin. 10 The man who gathers up
the ashes of the heifer must also wash his clothes, and he too will be
unclean till evening. This will be a lasting ordinance both for the Israelites
and for the aliens living among them.
Esther 4:1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been
done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into
the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.
Job 42:4-6 4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I
will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' 5 My ears had heard
of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent
in dust and ashes."
Jeremiah 6:26 O my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes;
mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will
come upon us.
Daniel 9: 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with
him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
Matthew 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Luke 10: 13 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the
miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they
would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
P.P.S. I continue
to serve as part-time assistant pastor at First Lutheran Church in
Gainesville, Florida, with Pastor Kollmann until Kathy and I return
home to Alaska in early May.
·
LENTEN SERVICES 2025 – “Conventional Wisdom
vs. God’s Wisdom. This year=s theme for Mid-Week Lenten Worship is AConventional Wisdom vs. God=s Wisdom.@
Lent 2025 will look at what the world believes, with its sinful belief that it
holds the key to wisdom. We will
contrast God=s wisdom,
the alternative better wisdom to the wisdom of the world.
Lent 1 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Glory Palm Sunday,
Upper Room
Lent 2 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Prayer Gethsemane (‘Not
my will but your
Will’ B
Does God answer prayer?)
Lent 3 - God=s
Wisdom About Forgiveness Judas B Forgiveness Can=t
be Real . .
. for me
Lent 4 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Selfishness Peter=s Denial B
Take Care of
#
1
Lent 5 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Power Pilate B The Government Has the
Power
Lent 6 - God=s
Wisdom Concerning Death Ladies at the
Tomb B Death is
Final
·
MID WEEK LENTEN MEALS - Each Wednesday
during Lent at 5:00 p.m. First Lutheran families will serve meals before our
mid-week Lenten worship. These meals
provide an opportunity for fellowship and make it easier for people to attend
Wednesday Lenten Worship, since we don=t
have to bring anything after work for a pot luck meal, and there is no cost. Come and enjoy the meals and the time with
God’s people!
·
SPECIAL OFFERING – SPAGHETTI FEED – ON SUNDAY,
MARCH 2 three young men put on a spaghetti feed to help raise funds. The food is purchased through a Thrivent
Action Grant. Kathy Rockey helped them
prepare the meal. This meal was to raise
funds for their trip to the “Vocatio” Retreat at Concordia Seminary in St.
Louis as they consider studying to be pastors.
The spaghetti dinner raised $1196.00 THANK YOU to all who contributed!
·
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.
Also, as our
Sunday School grows, we need more teachers, so students can be separated by
ages in classes. We have 3 new helpers,
but could use a few more. IF YOU ARE
WILLING TO HELP ONCE A MONTH PLEASE SPEAK TO SHERYL SHIVER OR Katherine gross..
THANK YOU
Sunday School Teachers and staff!
·
COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on
Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m. We are studying “The
Case for Christ” and discussing defending our Christian faith. Come and join us!
ALSO,
there will be College Lunch for students in the Fellowship Hall after worship.
·
WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN
2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Wednesday,
February 26, we read through Ezekiel 2.
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!
·
LAST SUNDAY, MARCH 2 We began a New Member
Class at First Lutheran. IN THE LIBRARY AT 8:45 A.M. Five people attended, but others can join
us, if you wish. Our Class is entitled “Basic
Christian Teachings.” If someone
wants to learn more, or to refresh their knowledge, come and join us. There is no commitment to join FLC just
because a person attends the class.
Pastor Chris
will teach the Adult Sunday School class on The Pastoral Epistles, and Pastor
Rockey will teach the new member class.
·
AN ACOLYTE CLASS was held on Saturday, March
1 for children in second grade and older who would like to light the candles
and help in worship in other ways. After
class we will took a trip to McDonalds! 😊We have 7 young people who have indicated
an interest, but others may attend as well.
If you are interested please let Pastor Kollmann or Pastor Rockey know.
·
STEPHEN MINISTRY IS COMING BACK! – First
Lutheran is re-activating the Stephen Ministry program. Stephen Ministry is an organized and
supervised plan for Christian caring.
Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, to bring Jesus to people’s
troubles. They are trained to walk
alongside others as Christian friends, bringing the saving love of God.
Angie Burr,
Jean Halabrin, and Dana Lucas STARTED leadership training on February 10 and
will finish on March 17. In addition,
those who are committed to training as supervised Christian Care Givers
include: Julie Dicks, Tina Gorske, Patti Holloway, Debbie Jones, Marge
Polkowski, Kathy Rockey, Stephanie Smith, and Jon Visscher.
We are still considering
when new Stephen Ministers will be trained and ready to serve at FLC. Stay tuned for more information as the
training process progresses. Please pray
for this caring ministry at First Lutheran.
· CARING
FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN JESUS’ NAME
o
On February 23 First Lutheran had a blood
drive. including blood donated on
Saturday and Monday, a total of 10 units were donated.
o
IN ADDITION this is some of the food which
was donated for those in need through the Gainesville Community Ministries. This picture was taken Tuesday, March 4. https://photos.app.goo.gl/qbCPmuTA9Fo1myFZ7
P.P.P.S. Fishing and Family Fun:
·
On Thursday, February 27, I went fishing
on Orange Lake with brother-in-law, Mark Reaves. As we were leaving the canal we . . . ran out
of gas. Thank you to Ralph and Roberta
Partridge who came to the dock with a 5 gallon can of gas! 😊
Here is a
picture of Brother in law, Mark, with a nice 14" bass. he caught this fish
as we were coming back with the trolling motor because . . . I RAN OUT OF GAS!https://photos.app.goo.gl/neMBpBiRuvsWnEFWA
· On
Sunday afternoon, March 2, brother Steve and I went fishing. We only caught one, but it was a nice
fish. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/j8H5C49WSAZjFERo8
· On
Monday, March 3, I thanked the Partridges for the gift of gas by bringing
fish. Of course, if I go near the lake,
well . . . I SHOULD fish!. I caught a
small one which I released, but did notice a controlled burn on the north side
of the lake. The weather was cool and
windy. The fish did not want to bite
well, but I could still throw my line.Here is a picture. https://photos.app.goo.gl/LHT5ekSVhR4UA2TKA
*******
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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