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Visit our Sunday worship services at 8 or 10:30 am. Sunday school and adult Bible class at 9:15. We are "Making Christ Known" by faith, worship and witness to get the message of Jesus Christ to all people.

September 2016

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“Let your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.” Psalm 119:135

 

It is hard to believe that the summer is winding down. Especially, since it was 96 degrees and humid
yesterday. But we are indeed moving on through the year. I, personally, did not do a number of things that I had planned to do this summer. And I am willing to bet neither did most of the members of the congregation. It seems that the time just flew by. And it did.

 

So, once more we are gearing up for a busier time of year. The beginning of the school year, which is already in session; the beginning of the Sunday School year; the beginning of the choir practices, both vocal and bells; the beginning of Confirmation instruction. All of will be starting up once more in early September. These are all right and proper for us to do. They are part of our tradition. The music is part of our heritage. It was Martin Luther who wrote the first hymns for the congregation to sing. Prior to him, only the choirs sang in service. Luther opened Church music to all laity. So much so, that the Lutheran Church used to be called “The Singing Church.” And, all are welcome to join the choirs to lift voice or hands (holding bells) in music to the Lord; and of course, to join in the fellowship of those activities.

 

Education is also part of our heritage. Luther wanted what he called, “an articulate laity.” He encouraged all members of the church to be well educated in our beliefs. That is why he wrote the “Large Catechism,” and edited the Roman Catholic catechism of his time, resulting in what we now call the “Small Catechism.” He did so that all people might be we versed (that’s a pun) in our faith. We are carrying on a Church tradition which began with him, and now dates back nearly 500 years. By the way, if you have a smartphone, Augsburg Fortress now has a free app of the Small Catechism available for you, so you can always have it with you (I have it on mine).

 

The Gospel lessons for this month are also filled with teachings and stories. The parables will include: The shepherd looks for the sheep, the woman her lost coin. The dishonest steward cuts deals, The rich man pleads with Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers, The widow harangues the unjust judge, The Pharisee congratulates himself for not being like the tax collector. All are stories to teach us in parable form about life, and the life of faith; the way of the world, and the way of God’s kingdom. Jesus puts a heavy emphasis this time of year on teaching. Let us all be disciples who are eager to learn at the foot of the Teacher.

In Christ,
Pastor Rose

August 2016

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“Let your loving kindness be upon us, as we place our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22

 

It is August. It is hot. We are entering the Dog Days of Summer, which since we have had a brutal July; I don’t really want to think about. In fact, I really don’t want to think. So, for this blurb, I have decided to some of your favorites, namely, special Church days during the month. That doesn’t require thinking, just a bit of research.

 

August 10th, is the day on which St. Lawrence was executed in the year 258. Lawrence was one of seven deacons of the congregation at Rome and, like the deacons appointed in Acts, was responsible for financial matters in the church and for the care of the poor. Lawrence lived during a time of persecution under the emperor Valerian. The emperor demanded that Lawrence surrender the treasures of the church. Lawrence gathered lepers, orphans, the blind and lame. He brought them to the emperor and said, “Here is the treasure of the church” (one of my favorite Early Church stories, and I have used it in a sermon before). The emperor was not amused. In fact he was so enraged that Valerian sentenced Lawrence to death. Lawrence’s martyrdom was one of the first to be observed by the Church.

 

August 14th, we commemorate Kaj (pronounced “Kye”) Munk, a Danish Lutheran pastor and playwright. He was an outspoken critic of the Nazis, who occupied Denmark during WWII. His plays frequently highlighted the eventual victory of the Christian faith despite the Church’s weak and ineffective witness. The Nazis feared Munk because his sermons and articles helped to strengthen the Danish resistance movement. He was executed by the Gestapo in 1944. We often remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and his work against the Nazis, and his martyr death at their hands. Bonhoeffer was not the only Lutheran pastor who resisted them.

 

On August 20th, we remember St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, who died in 1153. Bernard was a Cistercian monk who became an abbot of great spiritual depth. He was a mystical writer deeply devoted to the humanity of Christ, who emphasized the inner human experience of prayer and contemplation. He was critical of one of the foremost theologians of the day, Peter Abelard, because he believed Abelard’s approach to faith was too rational and did not provide sufficient room for mystery. Bernard’s devotional writings are still read today. His sermon on the Song of Solomon treats that book as an allegory of Christ’s love for humanity. He wrote several hymns that are still sung today in translation, including “Jesus, the Very Thought of You.” And of course, there is a large breed of dog named after him.

 

Remember, during these Dog Days of Summer, as the weather alone can be oppressive, that these are but a couple of the “great cloud of witnesses” who share our faith and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, examples of Christian faith to inform us.

In Christ,

Pastor Rose