Dear Fellow Children of God,
As we again approach and celebrate our National Day of
Thanksgiving, one of my favorite, often repeated Old Testament verses about
thankfulness is Psalm 136:1, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for
his steadfast love endures forever.”
Please notice what this verse does NOT say. We are not called to give thanks because life
is good, or because we are happy, or because all our troubles are over. God calls us to thankful hearts because of HIS
goodness. God calls us to attitudes of
thankfulness because HIS steadfast love endures forever.”
Children of God face trials in this world, just as
everyone else does. We too face disappointments, loss, illness, injustice. After all, we live in a sinful world, and we ourselves
are sinful people. To be honest, we don’t
always feel thankful when facing life’s challenges. Nevertheless, “the LORD, . . . is
good, . . . his steadfast love endures forever.”
I have recently read discussions concerning the fact that
our National Day of Thanksgiving is not based on a specific Biblical event,
such as Jesus’ birth at Christmas, or Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
Thanksgiving Day issues from a Presidential Proclamation. George Washington made the first Presidential
decree concerning this day. President
Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving Day to be a national holiday. Yet, our country faces many troubling issues
at this time. Is there really reason for
thanks today? Yes, there is reason for
thankful hearts. You see, “The LORD, .
. . is good, . . . his steadfast love endures forever.”
The Holy Christian Church is a gift of the Lord to His
children who live in a troubled world.
Christians experience this gift in local congregations where God’s word
from Scripture is preached and studied, where His word creates faith and comforts. Christians experience this gift from our Lord
in local congregations where His sacraments bring His presence, His
forgiveness, and salvation. One would
think that in Christ’s church there would always be peace and love and joy. Right?
Yet, in the New Testament we see God’s Church facing many internal
as well as external troubles. God’s
children still struggle with a multitude of church issues today. Is there really reason for thanks in
the church? Yes, even in spite of church
issues, “the LORD, . . . is good, . . . his steadfast love endures forever.”
Giving thanks is ultimately a matter of faith. Christian faith trusts that, in spite of our sin
- like that of Adam and Eve, God is good and righteous. Christian faith believes that through
troubles such as those faced by the Israelites in Egypt, God is present and He
is good. Christians possess faith that
even in times of persecution, such as was endured by Jeremiah, or Daniel, or even
the first apostles, our Lord is Good.
And we believe that in a world of sin and evil and suffering, God’s love
endures. We can count on this enduring
love. In addition, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection His love does not
just endure, His steadfast love endures forever.
For years I have included in my Thanksgiving worship bulletins
the Thanksgiving proclamation of President George Washington. "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." Even this president of the United States is
asserting that the reason for thanks is the goodness and the “benefits” of God.
I pray for you, wherever you are, whatever your
circumstances, that this National Day of Thanksgiving you can say with the
Psalmist, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love
endures forever.” I pray that with
this thankfulness you find joy and peace through the trials of life because of
the love of God.
A Child of God, Thanking My Lord Through the Trials of
Life!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now
serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
· SPECIAL
HOLIDAY WORSHIP SERVICES: In addition
to regular Sunday worship at 10:00 each week, Our Redeemer has planned special
worship services through the Holidays.
There are services every Wednesday, AND Christmas Day. You might note these on your calendar
o
Thanksgiving Worship – Wednesday,
November 26, at 6:30 p.m.
o
Mid-Week Advent 1 Worship - Wednesday, December
3, at 6:30 p.m.
o
Mid-Week Advent 2 Worship - Wednesday, December
10, at 6:30 p.m.
o
Mid-Week Advent 3 Worship - Wednesday, December
17, at 6:30 p.m.
o
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
§
Focus on Children – Wednesday, December
24, 5:00 p.m.
§
Christmas Eve for all – Wednesday,
December 24, 7:00 p.m.
o
Christmas Day Worship – Thursday,
December 25, 10:00 a.m.
o
New Year’s Eve Worship – Wednesday,
December 31, at 6:30 p.m.
·
The Our Redeemer Call Committee includes
Elder and chairman, Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Theo Lee, Jacob Lewis,
Scott Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins. They
have met numerous times.
The first step
in the call process has been to complete a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has shared the study
and tools to help in this study. The
committee has asked for and received input from ORLC for this study. Jacob Lewis has compiled these survey to turn
in to District. Nomination forms for
names for a new pastor have also been distributed. We have about 8 names.
The self-study,
and nominations for pastor, were indeed sent to the Northwest District by
October 1, 2025.
The last meeting
was Friday evening, October 24. The
committee discussed questions to ask candidates when the congregation receives
names from the Northwest District.
We are now
waiting for the Northwest District to return names for possible future pastors
for Our Redeemer.
OTHER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT OUR REDEEMER:
·
There are two opportunities a week for exercise
and wellness.
o Matt
Keith leads Chayon Ryu Martial Arts Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30
a.m. in the Our Redeemer Fellowship Hall
o Matt
then teaches an Elder Momentum Class, attended mostly by seniors, at 10:00 a.m.
in the fellowship hall.
·
A “Mom’s Group” meets on the first and
third Mondays at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer.
·
An Adult Fellowship Potluck is held the
first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
In December this takes place at Bobby’s Café..
- Youth Group
meets after worship on one Sunday each month. On November 30 Youth Group will be a
cooking class.
·
A Memory Café for families dealing
with the issues of dementia was held at Our Redeemer on Friday November 14. There was good attendance, including some
families from the community. The next
Memory Café is scheduled for Friday, December 12 at 11:00 a.m..
·
There are other events planned as
well. Watch the Our Redeemer calendar
and newsletter for information.
Regular Bible Studies and Sunday School
·
Adult Bible Study continues on Sunday
mornings at 9:00 a.m. The class FINISHED
studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” We are now be enjoying Bible Study’s
based on Garrison Keillor monologues, specifically for holiday issues. Come and join us!
· Sunday
School is held each Sunday beginning at 9:00 a.m.! This is a blessing for ALL children and
adults.
·
“Deeply Rooted Small Group” Is held at
Our Redeemer on the first and third Sunday evenings at 5:45 p.m.
·
Confirmation classes began on Sunday,
October 12, after worship services. We
have 1 more class left this Fall on December 7.
Watch for more information.
Other Activities of Faith:
· MANY
CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using
the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.” On Tuesday, November 125, we read
1 Peter 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!
P.P.P.S. Family Fun
and Fishing!
·
This was my view as I drove home to Our Redeemer
on Tuesday, November 25. The sun had not
yet risen above Pioneer Peak in the south.
However, the Talkeetna Mountains were lit up with early morning
light. God is good! https://photos.app.goo.gl/mYz3RKUK9oLVRt1Q8
·
Kathy and Mary were cleaning at our home on
Monday, November 24, and found this hand-written document. On this day in July 2005 I was transporting
fish for family and friends. Good
memories! https://photos.app.goo.gl/3xnTCNFfbhsyPdb9A
These are the fish that 5 dip net permits and 3 fishermen took at China Poot
Bay across from Homer on this day in July 2005.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/s44T4HhQM41HUbeA7
·
I DID go fishing twice
o On
Saturday, November 22, I took my daughter, Mary, and her boyfriend, Brandon,
fishing. We caught LOTS of fish, and a
number over 16”. Here are some pictures.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wgSnt24mbnVUJNjg8
o On
Monday, November 24, Pastor Craig Schultz and I fished on Irene Lake. The ice is not 9-10” thick. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/r8XGNMpkLhMfzMsm6
*******
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
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chugiak, AK.)
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, Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church, Chugiak, AK
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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