Sharing What's Really Important

Friday, December 9, 2016

Celebrating Christ's Birth Through Christmas Giving

Dear Fellow Children of God,

How do you celebrate Christmas? We all know about the trees and the decorations and the lights and the Santas. There are times that the celebrations of Christmas become so elaborate that those celebrating can forget why they celebrate. But, there are times that the celebration can help point, not so much to Christmas as a holiday, but to Christ, to God’s gift of His Son. Then the celebration can be helpful to a Christian seeking to grow in their faith.

One practice that can help us remember the gift of God’s Son, Jesus our Savior, is the sacrificial giving of gifts to those in need. I expect most people remember the story in Matthew 2 of the visit of the magi, or the wise men. These foreign dignitaries famously brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Some scholars suggest these gifts later helped Mary and Joseph pay for their flight into Egypt, escaping Herod’s efforts to kill Jesus. But, these were no small gifts. It took a sacrifice by the magi to travel to Bethlehem, and it took a sacrifice by the magi to give these expensive expressions of worship to the promised Messiah and King.

There are also other Scriptural examples of gift-giving as part of a celebration of God’s goodness. Do you know the story of Esther, which the Jews celebrate today as the Festival of “Purim?” In this event from History, Haman, the second in command in the Persian kingdom, had set a day to exterminate the Jewish people. But, working through Esther and through her uncle, Mordecai, God turned the tables on this evil man, Haman. This was such a great deliverance from such an imminent danger that Mordecai, now acting in a role of leadership, commanded the people to celebrate. Here is what we read in Esther 9:20-22.

20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

It always strikes me that the celebration which Mordecai called for to remember God’s deliverance in Esther, is similar in many ways to how Christians celebrate Christmas today.

So, do you give gifts to the poor? In all honesty, many who are needy do not want others to think of them in that way. Yet, there are still many opportunities to share with others the blessings God has given us. Maybe you have put money in a Salvation Army bucket over the holidays. Such giving is a gift in the tradition of Esther. Maybe you have sent a check to an organization that helps those with various needs. Kathy and I really enjoyed the “Gift Idea Book” from Compassion International this year and gave a gift to provide training and Bibles to children around the world learning about Jesus.

There truly are many ways to share God’s abundant love with others. For example, this past Wednesday our Confirmation students decorated Christmas stockings. For many years we have given these stockings to agencies that help people during Christmas. By this personal attention to decorating the stockings, these 6^th-8^th grade students are sharing themselves, and sharing Jesus with others.

Also, at St. John we are taking an offering for our “Local Mission Fund”h which funds our efforts to help those in need throughout the year. And, this Sunday, December 11, we will have a group going Christmas caroling. Those singing are not professional singers. But we will be in the homes of people who struggle to get out. Again, we will have the opportunity to share Jesus in song, and to share ourselves with those who have physical struggles.

Christmas is about Christ. When the celebration of “Christmas” is bigger than the Savior then we need to make some changes in the way we celebrate. But, when the celebration points to the greatest gift of all, to the gift of God’s promised Savior for those hopelessly lost in sin, then the celebration can bless us and bless others.

I encourage you to find a way to give to help others this Christmas, and by giving to remember the greatest gift ever given, God’s Son, Jesus!

A Child of God, Finding Joy in Giving to Others,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Here are some pictures from the Confirmation Christmas Stocking efforts this past Wednesday, https://goo.gl/photos/sDKct8urjGjq5fwD9

P.P.S. I did go fishing last Monday, but in spite of standing in the below zero weather in the wind, I did not get a bite.

P.P.P.S. Another way to give this Christmas is to make a special gift to your congregation. Please see below.

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

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Friday, December 2, 2016

Repent?!

Dear Fellow Children of God,

I made a mistake when I wrote last week’s devotion. I always like to base these devotions on Scripture so that it is God speaking through these devotions, more than myself. When writing last week about anticipation and waiting for the Lord I wanted to include verses 5 and 6 of Psalm 130, which speak eloquently of waiting for God with anticipation.

Just for the record, Psalm 130:5-6 says, “5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.”

Truthfully, this is only one of many mistakes I make on a regular basis. Sometimes these mistakes are simply a matter of forgetfulness. But, sometimes our mistakes are not just something we wish we did better. Sometimes our mistakes hurt others. I can think of a number of such mistakes in just the last week.

Unfortunately, our struggle as children of God is much deeper than just making mistakes. We have a basic struggle with evil going on inside us at all times. If you read Romans 8, or Galatians 5:16-26, you can find a description of the struggle inside us between the Spirit and the flesh. With His Spirit God calls us to live in obedience, in love, in faith, goodness, peace, and joy. God calls us to be the people He created us to be.

But, Scripture also tells us that God’s righteous plan for our lives is opposed inside us by the will and deeds and desires of our flesh. This force of evil calls us to attitudes and deeds of “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21) You may see some behaviors in this list from Scripture you don’t think apply to you. But, have you ever been hateful? Have you been involved in discord, or encouraging division among people? Have you ever been jealous, or thrown a fit of anger? Has your personal ambition led you to selfish actions? We could go on with these uncomfortable questions. But you see there is a battle going on inside each one of us. There are forces of evil fighting the Spirit of God in each of our lives. Unfortunately, there are occasions for each of us in which evil wins and God’s will for our lives is not accomplished!

So, let’s think again about waiting in anticipation for the coming of Jesus, not only with His Christmas coming, but with His daily coming, and His final coming. How do we “wait for the Lord?” How do we prepare for Him in our lives? This coming Sunday many churches will be reading God’s answer to that question as they hear about John the Baptist. John’s answer to our question, “How do we prepare for the Lord’s coming?” is found in Matthew 3:2. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Repentance is not just feeling badly about something we did that hurt another or that hurt us. Repentance is intentionally turning from the self-serving deeds of the flesh toward God, and toward his will, His power, and His grace.

Repentance is not easy. This means admitting there is something in my life that opposes God’s will and should not be there. We don’t like admitting our problems, our weaknesses, and failures. But, our sin is real! Repentance means actually doing something to turn from these acts of evil, turning toward God and His will. Or, as one of the devotions I recently read bluntly asked me, ‘What sin in your life will you work to eliminate?”

Thankfully, even though this repentance takes life-long effort on our part, we are not alone. God melts our hearts with His love when He cleanses us through the sacrifice of Jesus. God does send his Holy Spirit by His Word and through His Sacraments to live in us and to fight the desires of our sinful flesh. God is with us in the battle.

So, this Advent and Christmas season, as we prepare for the coming of God in our lives with eager anticipation, let’s remember God’s plan for that preparation. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

A Child of God, Having LOTS to Change in My Life,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Last Sunday after worship we got to take a picture of our family to share with family and friends. Here is that picture, if you want to look . . . https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMSvxSOztvNbEZwjFF0fpxWlEtRgVJaC-ZAkdb7

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Friday, November 25, 2016

WAITING in Hope and Anticipation for Jesus

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Do you remember the excitement of Christmas as a child? That excitement did not just come from receiving presents on Christmas day. Waiting also caused its own excitement. There was an anticipation, a sense of expectation, a sense of hope, that came from waiting for that special day and for its wonderful celebration. People used to talk about having “the Christmas spirit.” I believe the excitement of the preparation for the Christmas celebration and all that means was part of that “Christmas spirit”.

Traditional Christians don’t just go from Thanksgiving (or Halloween like in the stores) to Christmas. We celebrate a season of Advent for four Sundays before Christmas. Advent comes from Latin words meaning “he comes to us.” Advent is that time of anticipation, of excitement even, that Jesus is coming.

In worship we reflect that waiting for Jesus and that excited anticipation with the advent wreath. Each week of the four Sundays in Advent we light one more candle on the wreath. On the first week of Advent we light the candle of hope. Then on the second Sunday we light the candle of faith, then the candle of joy on the third week, and the candle of love on the fourth week. Finally, on Christmas we light that white CHRISTmas candle in the middle of the wreath celebrating that Jesus has at last come. Advent is the time we wait with hope and anticipation for Jesus.

Sometimes waiting can be difficult. We all know what it means to be impatient. But, there is good reason to celebrate Advent and to wait on celebrating Christmas. For one thing, historically God’s people waited a really long time for the Messiah to finally come. God promised Adam and Eve that He would send someone to defeat their enemy, the devil. They hoped the Savior would come in their lifetime. But Adam and Eve, and all the Old Testament people of faith, waited hundreds and thousands of years trusting in God, for the Messiah to come.

We also celebrate Advent because, in a sense, we are still waiting. We are waiting for Jesus to come again. While Jesus did come that first Christmas, while He did die and rise to defeat sin and Satan and death, we have not yet fully received God’s kingdom of heaven. Look at the pain and troubles and death in the world around us today. So, we are still waiting for Jesus to come again and we are waiting for all the victory and joy He will bring.

We may not like to wait, but ultimately there are some things worth waiting for. Sometimes the waiting, though it may seem difficult, or even painful, points us to how precious and important the object of our waiting is. Advent points us to God’s promise that He gives Himself, His help and strength, His righteousness, love, and grace. God gives Himself and life with Him forever for all who accept Jesus in faith.

Christmas is right around the corner. But, FIRST, we celebrate Advent. We wait for, we anticipate, and we are even excited that Jesus has not only come once, but that He will come again. The season of Advent reminds us that Jesus is worth waiting for.

A Child of God, Waiting in Hope and Anticipation for Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. My second day of ice fishing this year, this past Monday, was a good day on the ice. https://goo.gl/photos/yRYLWft4YgdirWo59

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Friday, November 18, 2016

Thanksgiving

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Which is your favorite holiday? Christmas? Easter? Thanksgiving? Perhaps you know, that Thanksgiving is different from these other holidays. Christmas and Easter celebrate events of importance in Scripture. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and Easter His rising from the dead. But Thanksgiving does not celebrate a specific scriptural event. Thanksgiving is a national holiday and was established by decree of our country’s leaders, by decree of congress and various presidents.

Have you ever read the decree of George Washington which established the first Thanksgiving celebration for our country?

"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." - George Washington, 1789

So, the Thanksgiving holiday is an opportunity to remember all the grace and goodness of God, especially His eternal grace and love in Jesus. As we are told in the Psalms, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1 and other psalms). God is so good, and we have so many reasons for thanks!

But, Thanksgiving is also perhaps especially an opportunity to give thanks for the temporal blessings God has given us in our country. The Thanksgiving holiday is also an opportunity to pray for God’s continued grace and direction and blessings on our country.

God has blessed people of all times in the countries where they live. Governments are established to provide law and order so that God’s people can live as His children. And, every land has good things to provide to its inhabitants, as God Himself provides daily bread.

But, living in our country, in the United States of America, and celebrating a holiday established by our own government, what blessings cause you to give thanks for this land and for this country? Giving thanks for our own country can be dangerous, because we could end up patting ourselves on the back in pride, rather than giving humble thankfulness to God for His goodness.

But, there ARE obvious blessings we have received in America. So, for which blessings through our country are you thankful? For the wealth of the land? For the opportunity for prosperity?

The words of the Declaration of Independence point me to the greatest reason I praise God in our nation. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Personally, I am thankful for freedom, for the freedom of speech, for the freedom of the press, for the freedom to assemble. I am especially thankful for the freedom to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth, as Jesus calls us to do in John 4.

Here is why that is so important to me. In 2 Timothy 2:2 God calls us to pray for our leaders “so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” God intends for government to provide citizens the opportunity for peaceful and quiet lives so that we can then worship and serve our Lord in godliness and holiness. The freedom to worship accomplishes God’s intent for government, so that we Americans then have the opportunity to do what God intends for us to do, to worship and serve Him. Thank you, Lord, for these freedoms!

Thanksgiving Day is not so much a religious holiday as a National Holiday. Nevertheless, it is good to give thanks to God for His blessings in our country. And, it is good to pray for God’s direction, His grace, and His continued blessings for our country.

A Child of God, Thankful for the blessings of God in America,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. An opportunity for Thanksgiving worship will be offered at St. John on Wednesday evening, November 23, at 7:00 p.m.

P. P.S. Here is a picture from the baptism last Sunday of Jessica Schoener and her son Bridger Schoener. https://goo.gl/photos/Zoajq4fzq2HMd48B8

P. P.P.S. I did go ice fishing last Monday for the first time this fall, but only caught one small fish, and threw it back.

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Friday, November 11, 2016

Thankful the Lord is God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

This past week I visited the homes of a number of people who were seriously ill, or home bound for some reason. In order to bring strength in the midst of trials I read Psalm 46, one of my favorite Psalms. When we look at verses 1-3 of Psalm 46, I think a person can see why these words of God are appropriate in times of personal crisis.

“1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

In other words, when I am in trouble God has not left me. In fact, God is “an ever-present help in trouble.” When I really need Him, He doesn’t just help. He is an ever-present help. When my world is falling apart and it seems “the earth gives way”, God has not forgotten me. His love in this life and His gift of eternal life in Jesus can be, and should be, my “refuge and strength!” Ultimately, when trouble comes I can face those trials because God loves and strengthens and helps me.

Sometimes we are all surprised by the trials of life. But, the Lord has not promised us a world with no troubles. The world God originally created was good. But God’s children, through the deceit and encouragement of our enemy, the devil, rebelled and acted in pride. Through this rebellion and pride, our world was afflicted and cursed with selfishness, disobedience, pain, trouble, and death.

God knows we face suffering, pain, and trouble because we live in a sinful and rebellious world. (For example read Psalm 50:15, John 14:1-2, John 16:33, Romans 8:35-39, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.) So, knowing we live in a world of trouble, true wisdom is not found in trying to escape reality. True wisdom is finding how we can live with integrity, with faithfulness, and with character in those times of trouble. Again, God says we can face life’s troubles because HE is our refuge and strength.

As I was reading through Psalm 46 with our people this week, in the background to their trials was the whole drama of the national election. I was struck with how this Psalm also spoke to the election surprise many experienced this week.

“6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.”

In other words, kingdoms rise and fall. Leaders come and go. Political turmoil and surprises are nothing new.

In the midst of this turmoil, however, God acts. Our Heavenly Father sent His Son to save the world from its selfishness and sin. When we rebelled, God fought that rebellion in love. As kings and nations move to exert power in acts of war, God acts in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to defeat the forces of sin and death. In fact, the ultimate reality for life is the love of God. So, we can face the trials of life in the strength of His love. We can face illness, we can face life or death, we can face political turmoil and nations rising and falling, because God is “an ever-present help.”

That is why God tells us, 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Life can overwhelm us. Many can and do claim power. But, only the Lord is God. So we can be still in the noise of this world. 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

A Child of God, Thankful The Lord is GOD!

Pastor Jonathan

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Friday, November 4, 2016

Praying for My Leaders and Praying for My Country

Dear Fellow Children of God,

November is the month of our national Thanksgiving celebration. Often I will write in November about all the reasons we have for giving thanks to our gracious Lord. But this year, November is also the month of a national presidential election.

And this year we have an election that seems to defy previous American history. I have heard complaints from many about this presidential race. But, the detailed negative descriptions of the candidates I recently read from the previous president of our denomination, President Jerry Kieschnick, cemented in my mind how different this election is. Many are worried for our country because of those who are running for office. I confess that my desire to exercise my Christian faith through voting in this election is seriously challenged as well.

However, God gives us His wisdom and advice when facing political concerns. “1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) God’s plain and simple wisdom for His children is that we pray for our leaders.

Actually, praying for our leaders makes sense no matter who the leader is. When we have leaders we respect we need to pray for them. Being a leader is always difficult. Leadership requires making decisions for people, often making decisions for people who have different opinions or who disagree. Even a person of character and integrity needs the help and wisdom of God to lead a city, or a state, or a nation. No wonder, when God asked young King Solomon what he desired as Solomon began serving as king, Solomon asked God for wisdom to rule. (1 Kings 3:4-15)

Therefore, how much more do leaders whom we don’t totally trust need our prayers! Leaders whose wisdom and integrity are in question can really use the help and direction of God. Paul actually wrote these words about praying for leaders when Nero was emperor of the Roman Empire. If you know anything about Nero, you know he seriously needed the guidance of God. I can only imagine how bad life would have been for God’s people in Nero’s time if they had not been praying for him.

As an American, and as a Christian, I intend to exercise my right and responsibility to vote. (Please remember, there are more races and issues on this ballot than just the presidential election.) But, I will continue to spend much more time praying to the Lord, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, that He will guide our leaders and give them wisdom to follow His guidance.

Did you know Jesus shared how He exercised His leadership as God’s promised Messiah? After some foolishness by His disciples, Jesus teaches them, saying, “. . . You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28) Jesus’ leadership style was not one of authoritative, forced compliance. The leadership of Jesus was sacrificial servanthood, even to the point of giving His life on the cross.

My prayer this November is that our gracious God makes servants out of our leaders.

A Child of God, Praying for my Leaders, and for my Country,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. Maybe we do have a reason for thanks this election month. We can be thankful we’ve never had a Presidential election like this before.

P. P.S. Don’t forget that Daylight Savings time ends this Saturday evening. We “fall back” one hour for Sunday, November 6.

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Friday, October 28, 2016

Thankful for my Lutheran Heritage

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Do you know what day we celebrate on Monday, October 31? That’s an easy question for most. October 31^st is Halloween*. Right? Yes, but more importantly, October 31 the anniversary of the day that Martin Luther nailed The 95 Theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany, where Luther was a professor at the University. These theses, or statements, were simply meant to debate the practice of that time of selling indulgences. These theses or statements were also meant to look at the larger issue of how God works to save the world. But, in Luther’s time as the printing press was just coming into use, these 95 statements, written in a backwater town in Germany, spread quickly. It has been estimated that most literate people in Europe had read these theses within 30 days of their posting!

Therefore, the posting of these theses began what is known as “The Reformation”, which still affects and influences our world today. In fact, in 1999 when lists were being published, Life Magazine named Martin Luther as the 3^rd most important person of the millennium. Time Magazine named him number 4. And, worth noting is that Luther posted these theses on October 31, 1517. This year, 2016, is 499 years since this important event. Next year we celebrate 500 years since the beginning of the Reformation!

This may all be good information about history, but you may wonder what this has to do with our own lives, and our own faith. The Reformation was an outward expression of Luther’s inner spiritual struggle about sin and salvation. Ultimately, the principle issues of the Reformation were described in the phrases, “Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura.” Or, translated from Latin, the motto of the Reformation was, “By Grace Alone, By Faith Alone, By Scripture Alone.”

So, I will share with you how this affects me personally. These statements continue to be my understanding of what God’s word says about His work in Jesus, and how He saves and guides us today. These principles of “By Grace Alone, By Faith Alone, and By Scripture Alone” continue to guide me as a Christian and as a pastor. Or put in another way, when life gets complicated I find that it is important to go back to the basics, back to the foundation. So when church, or politics, or personal life is difficult, these principles are basics that guide me.

These principles guide me because I believe they actually state what God’s word says. There is an inner voice in all of us that constantly asks, “What must I do to please my Creator?” That was the struggle Luther had. The church of Luther’s time taught the salvation was gained as people kept various laws and ceremonies of faith. But, in Ephesians 2 we have God’s answer to this inner question and struggle. “4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved. . . 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Luther learned that Scripture teaches that all are sinful and have rebelled against God. No one deserves or can earn salvation by their own good work. It is only by God’s grace, His undeserved love and mercy in Jesus, that people are forgiven and saved. It is only by faith that people receive this gift, not by works.

So, when I wallow in guilt, or when I swell in pride, it is humbling, freeing, and empowering to know that my eternal life in heaven is not something I earn. O, what a fix I would be in if my eternal life depended on my own good works! Forgiveness and salvation have been won for me by Jesus’ death and rising. I can’t trust myself, but I can trust God! My eternal life is a gift I receive as I believe or as I trust in Jesus as my Savior from sin! What a gift!!

Part of Luther’s struggle was also where to find believable truth in the midst of many competing claims in the church of his day. Does that sound familiar? Luther saw that Scripture, in many places, claims to be the very word of God Himself given to His people. His experience proved this claim to be true. Luther found that when other teachings or claims are confusing, or can’t be trusted, Scripture alone is from God alone. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

So, when there are questions or disagreements today, my practice is to go to the word of God. I don’t just look for one verse, but for what all of Scripture says. Even if I don’t totally understand in my human mind, I trust God to guide me by His word!

All of this may seem to make Martin Luther some kind of super hero. But, like all the other characters in Scripture, Luther was a man who struggled with temptation and failures. So, another “sola” came to be stated. “By Christ Alone.” It is Jesus who is the center of Scripture and the center of history. It is by Jesus that God has saved me, and the whole world. And, when we are struggling and the world is going crazy, it is in Christ alone we find hope and strength and life.

So, now how do you answer? Do you know what day we celebrate on October 31?

A Child of God, Thankful for Luther’s Contribution to Biblical Christian Faith,

Pastor Jonathan

* Halloween by the way is derived from the title for this day as “All Hallows’ Eve.” The church celebrates November 1 as “All Saints Day”, a day to remember those the Lord has called home. The night before All Saints’ Day is “All Hallows (saints) Eve.” How different is our cultural celebration of Halloween compared to this religious observance!

P.S. Here are some pictures from last Sunday’s “Alaska Potluck” on Discipleship / Stewardship Sunday. (I should have taken pictures of the food too.) https://goo.gl/photos/hUefn7SvoYKbFEDS6

P.P.S. Martin Luther did not, by the way, want the church that followed his return to Scripture to be named after him. He wanted it to be called, “The Evangelishe (or Gospel) Church.” However, after Luther’s death his followers called it the “Lutheran” Church.

P.P.P.S Twice in the last 15 years Kathy and I have toured Germany and sites of the Reformation. Here are some pictures of important places. https://goo.gl/photos/GqESkRtsgR9Qs6PR9

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