We had a great
Holy Week and Easter celebration where I am currently serving as part-time
assistant pastor. Among the things for
which I am thankful: The final Lenten Service was extremely well attended. Worship attendance was up for all Holy Week
Services. The Easter Breakfast was
bursting at the seams. The Easter Egg
hunt was the largest in years, and I did not see any tears. The music was spectacular. God’s word spoke effectively for many to whom
I talked. There is a LOT for which I am grateful
as God’s people remembered Jesus’s death and resurrection for our salvation.
So . . . does
that mean that Easter is over for another year?
If you and your congregation follow the lectionary cycle, you know that
there are 7 Sundays in the Easter season. So, no, in that way Easter is not over. However, that is actually a small thing.
More
importantly, the truth is that the victory Jesus won that first Easter
continues to bless our lives even after the celebration of the day is
complete. Jesus’ death has accomplished
full payment and forgiveness for our sins!
Jesus’ resurrection has defeated sin, and Satan, and death, and has won
eternal life for us, and for all who believe in Him. What we celebrate during Holy Week makes a
difference for good throughout our lives, and into eternity! Listen to 1 Corinthians 15. “55
‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ 56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But
thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
So . . . I lost
two friends whom I have known for over 50 years to death during Holy Week. But Jesus died for our sins and He rose to
win eternal life. “55 ‘O death, where is your victory? O death,
where is your sting?’ . . . 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
My friends celebrated Easter in heaven, with Jesus!
Every time I
seem to get one medical issue under control, a new concern arises. I guess I am almost 73. Sigh! “55 ‘O death, where is your
victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . 57 But thanks be to
God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, I continue to face life and deal
with the opportunities to serve my Lord as one of His redeemed children.
I have concerns
about the salmon counts in Alaska, about a drought in Florida, about the
unusually cold weather in Alaska which has frozen the pipes from our house to
our septic tank, and about the early heat in Arizona which some friends have
left quickly. “55 ‘O
death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . 57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I am not in charge, but I know the One who
is. He loved me enough to send His Son
for me.
I have prayed
for people whom I care about concerning their faith, knowing that Jesus has
saved them, and hoping they know Jesus’ love and salvation too. Their salvation is accomplished because of
what Jesus did on Good Friday and on Easter, if they receive it. “55 ‘O death, where is your
victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . 57 But thanks be to
God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I could talk
about the wars in the world around us, about the troubles faced by families in
our world, about the growing divisions in our country and around the
world. These concerns have not gone
away. But, Jesus has won victory over
Satan, and sin, and death! “55
‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ . . . 57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Today I pray for
all who read this devotion that, as you face the concerns and troubles and
losses of life, that you know Jesus’ Easter victory, and that you bring that
victory to the world around you, spreading the peace and joy of His
resurrection! “55 ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where
is your sting?’ . . . 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
A Child of God, Living
in the Peace and Joy and Victory of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection!
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am now in Gainesville, FL, serving as assistant to
Pastor Chris Kollmann at First Lutheran.
First Lutheran Activities
HOLY WEEK : THANK YOU, LORD for all the blessings of our
Holy Week Celebration. (Here are some
pictures.)
·
Wednesday preparations for the Thursday Passover
Meal at First Lutheran Church. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cZj8UmYQUFHk8eLe6
·
Passover Meal at First Lutheran on Thursday,
April 2, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8ifsczGozdaUC93h7
·
Bell Choir playing the prelude for Good Friday
Evening worship. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DJXvwfSnLywLq5G67
·
Here are some pictures from the Easter Breakfast
at First Lutheran on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FmGjko8eUATzqNVR6
·
Here are some pictures from the First Lutheran
Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 5, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/v6qH7FGGccUA1Rxf7
Do
you think it was a FULL week???
·
STEPHEN MINISTRY - We started Stephen
Ministry classes at First Lutheran on Thursday, February 12. Stephen
Ministers are trained Christian care-givers. A Stephen Minister is not
a pastor, and not a counselor. But they are Christians who are
trained to bring Jesus and His love to another Christian person facing a
difficult time.
Open Arms Director, Angie Burr, is a trained
Stephen Leader. Susan Lucas will also begin training to serve as a
Stephen Leader for FLC.
We have 7 people who have committed to train
and serve as Stephen Ministers, as Christian care-givers. Training
happens on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and will end in April.
Please pray for our Lord to use these
Stephen Ministers to serve His people.
·
SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES - Pastor Kollman and I are
teaching separate Sunday Bible classes on Sundays at 8:45 a.m.
o
On Sunday, March 22, Pastor Kollmann began teaching
an Adult Member Class in the library.
o
I began teaching a separate class in the
Besalski Fellowship Hall.
§
We started with a study of Galatians. We are through Chapter 3
§
We will conclude with a Lutheran Hour Ministries
study of Christian citizenship, “We the People.”
·
Young People Activities at FLC
o
YOUTH ACTIVITIES - Our first youth
activity was held at the Kollmann residence on Sunday afternoon, February 22.
o
On SUNDAY, March 29, we took a trip to
Devil’s Millhopper state Geological site.
Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/PLfYALXRCwjuTcSo7
o
Families should meet at First Lutheran on
Saturday morning, April 11, no later than 11:30 a.m. to attend the Orange and
Blue Game on April 11. 😊 If your children are going into 3rd
grade, or older, please consider participating in these fun activities of
growth.
Other
Activities of Faith:
·
I have again started my two-year journey with my
Lord. On Wednesday, April 8, I read Deuteronomy 4. Feel free to join me again if you
wish. You may also contact me at 907-841-4066 if you have any
questions about these readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net
I have received questions and comments about the readings. 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 and Fishing! - In addition to Holy Week, LAST WEEK WAS FULL
WEEK for the Rockey family!
·
Florida Rockey Easter Meal. 4-4-2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jyRfd3iZQM97VFXC6
·
Jonathan and Kathy at First Lutheran Church in
Gainesville on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wGMVZsiSopophEDs6
·
This Amaryllis was blooming in our front yard on
Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. https://photos.app.goo.gl/wS8XtnB1ZuZzvapz7
·
On Easter Sunday afternoon, following our
celebrations at church, I went fishing on the St. John’s River south of Palatka. Last Easter I caught a lot of bass on the Rodman
Reservoir. But, Rodman and many lakes
are dry in the current drought. This year I had 2 bites and caught no
fish. ☹Here are a couple
of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xBFPQCUVSs5ZbRm4A
·
On Tuesday, April 7, John Dudeck and I went
fishing on the Lower Suwannee River.
Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TT1AV4Airq45shW76
·
I also golfed on Monday and Wednesday! 😊
*******
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 currently serve as Assistant to the 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
Assistant to the
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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