Tag: Eclipse

September 2017

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

 

Dear Redeemer Family:

The verse from the prophet Micah above is considered to be the sum total of the message of the prophets. What does God want from us? Justice, kindness and to walk humbly with Him. I chose that verse with a sense of pride today. We just had the eclipse two days ago. Although we did not receive the overwhelming numbers of people that were predicted, and I am glad for that, we did have roughly 50 families who came and viewed the eclipse from our property. Those of us that were preparing for this event (and I am glad that it is over!) decided that we were just going to enjoy the event, show hospitality, and not try to gouge our visitors. Here at Redeemer, I think that everyone who came here thanked us for our hospitality. One person even thanked me for the eclipse. I told him that I wasn’t responsible for that. My boss is. We offered free parking. I was told today that someone up Highway 21 was charging people $35 to park in his yard. We sold food, but at very reasonable rates. And for those who came, they were appreciative. We had the building open and cool for those who came to view the eclipse in the 88 degree weather. People were very appreciative for that, especially the families from Wisconsin and Michigan. We tried to live out those words from Micah. And, I commend all of those who helped out on the 21st of August. You all did well. I believe that is what God wanted us to do. And as I wrote last month, it was really God’s eclipse. That is one big event completed.

 

The next event where we are also trying to live up to this injunction for hospitality is our 500th Anniversary of the Reformation celebration at the end of October. For that, we will be hosting the De Soto Ministerial Alliance’s Singspiration. That is very appropriate. It was Martin Luther who invented congregational singing. Prior to him, only the choir sang during service. The congregation just stood silently (yes, I said stood. Someone later invented the pews.) Indeed, he wrote the first hymn book for individuals (it contained 8 hymns which he wrote). But we are also putting a spin on it. And we will do it in classic Lutheran fashion: Food. We will be serving everyone who comes a free meal, with a total German cuisine slant. We will start that event at 4pm with the meal. Then, at 6pm we will hold the musical service. And following the service, we will be serving them dessert, again with a German slant (all of those pastries that I am no longer able to eat). We have a committee who has been working on items in preparation for this event for several months. And hopefully, we have most of our ducks in a row. But the day of the celebration, we will undoubtedly need more volunteers. If you would like to help out on this one, please let me know. We will need help especially in the meal department. We will be celebrating the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation. We will be doing it for the glory of God. And we will be reaching out in hospitality to all of those in the community who wish to join us. I think that the prophet Micah would agree with us!

 

In Christ,

Pastor Rose

August 2017

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.” Acts 2:20

 
Dear Redeemer Family:
I thought that the above text from Acts, where Peter is actually quoting the Prophet Joel’s prophecy in his Pentecost Day sermon, was appropriate for this month.
On the 21st of this month we will be having what the news is calling, “The Great American Eclipse.” I find that a little odd. Eclipses happen all of the time, although most of them occur over the oceans. So, most people don’t get to view them. And although this one is covering virtually the length of our nation, from Oregon to the Carolinas, it is hard to call it the “American Eclipse” because we didn’t do anything to cause it. It is just taking place over our territory. Do we not hold biblically that it is “God who put the heavenly bodies in the sky, and set them in their courses.” Maybe we should call it “God’s Great Eclipse,” or “The Divine Eclipse;” just pondering on this one a bit.

 

The eclipse is anticipated to be a huge event. Estimates, as of this writing, are that there may be over one million extra people coming to the State of Missouri to visit it, with an estimated 379,000 (as of last week) in Jefferson County, and up to 50,000 extra viewers in De Soto alone. This, of course, presents a number of logistical problems for we who are residents. I am telling people to buy all of their groceries and other supplies (this is now including gasoline) about four or five days ahead of the eclipse. I anticipate lots of shortages locally with all of these people here.

 

On the other hand, this should be a magnificent occurrence. I have never seen a total solar eclipse. I have seen partials. And I have seen total lunar eclipses (“the moon turning to blood” in the above text is true). I have been told by some that if you don’t believe in God, witnessing a solar eclipse changes your mind. It is a display full of grandeur. Let us hope that it is a clear day.
But St. Peter, and the Prophet Joel before him, is speaking of “The Lord’s great and glorious day.” This can be interpreted several ways; the birth of Christ, or the Resurrection of Christ, or the Crucifixion is another possible. If we go with the birth of Christ, the only witnesses to the Incarnation, besides Jesus’ parents, were some shepherds; and some wise men who got there much later. The Resurrection is another possible “great and glorious day” of the Lord. But, there weren’t many witnesses of that day either; Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the other disciples. However, when we look at the texts for the Crucifixion, we are told, “It was about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed” (Luke’s account). Doesn’t that describe a solar eclipse? It was there, on the cross, that “The Lord’s great and glorious day” took place. Surrounded by two outlaws, some Roman soldiers, his mother, Mary Magdalene, St. John, and some other lookers on, Jesus died for the sins of the world. Let us also remember that on August 21st at about 1pm.
In Christ, Pastor Rose