Redeemer Lutheran Church, DeSoto, MO

“You have turned my wailing into dancing.” Psalm 30:11

Dear Redeemer Family:
We are now in the Season of Easter. And one of the themes of the Season of Easter is upon the
witnesses to Christ’s resurrection. It is important to remember that we are not alone. We are
“surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” This month, there are some important witnesses who
we commemorate, so I share a couple of them with you.

On May 1, we remember Philip and James, Apostles. If you remember the story, Philip was one of
the first disciples of Jesus, after following Jesus for a fairly short time, he invited Nathanael to “come
and see” Jesus, which also makes Philip one of the first evangelists. According to tradition, Philip
preached in Asia Minor and died a martyr’s death in Phrygia. He and his four daughters, who were all
prophets, were buried in Ephesus. James, the son of Alphaeus, is called “the Less” (meaning “short”
or “younger”) to distinguish him from the apostle James “the Great” who is commemorated on July 25.

Philip and James are commemorated together on May 1 because it was on this date in 561 that
their remains were placed in the Church of the Apostles in Rome.
On May 2 we commemorate St. Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, who died on this date in the year 373.

Many of you know his name because of the Creed which bears his name. although he did not
write it, it is believed to describe his beliefs. Athanasius was at the Council of Nicea in 325 as a
deacon and secretary to the then Bishop of Alexandria. At the council, and when he himself served as
Bishop of Alexandria, he defended the full divinity of Christ against the Arian heresy held by the
emperor, magistrates and some of the other theologians. It was because of his defense of the divinity
of Christ that he was considered a troublemaker. And even though he was the Bishop of Alexandria,
he was banished from his post five times. Indeed, he only sat in his post as Bishop there for a couple
of months. But, as bishop, one of his letters to the neighboring bishops gives a list for books which he
believed should be included in the Scriptures. In his letters, he lists all twenty-seven New Testament
books that are in the Bible. Don’t underestimate his enduring influence upon the Church.

These are just a few of the “saints who have gone before us” that we remember this month. But we
should remember them as we too seek to follow our Lord’s footsteps.
He is risen. He is risen, indeed.

Pastor Rose

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.” Psalm 51:1

Dear Redeemer Family:
The above verse from Psalm 51 could well be called “The Gathering Cry for the Season of Lent.” The
psalm was written by King David when he was really out of line, and had been called on the carpet by
Nathan the Prophet. David was in big trouble, and he knew it. His response before God was one of open,
and very extreme, repentance. As we enter into Lent, we too are called to repentance. Repentance is one
of the underlying and consistent themes of the Season of Lent. It always has been. Being at the same
time “saints and sinners,” we know that. We also know our need of repenting. We know that the sinner
part is always standing in our way of being in a better relationship with God.

This month, we begin the Season of Lent once more. It is our annual journey in our own wilderness. We
know that we don’t live perfect lives. And we know that no one does. We know that we live in an
imperfect world. Recent world events remind us of that fact daily. But, that saint part of us drives us to
strive to be better. There is a desire for improvement; for ourselves, for others and for the world.

I believe that that is why Lent is a very important part of the Church Year. In the midst of the glory of
Easter, and the wonder of Christmas, we know that there is a 40-day journey coming every year when we
can try to be better. It is an annual opportunity when we can literally turn our lives around, if not
completely, at least partially. That isn’t surprising. The word “repent” literally means to turn around 180
degrees. It is a word which demands action, personal action.

In that area of personal repentance, Lent gives us some spiritual tools. There are added Lenten Services.
There are added devotions. There is time for circumspection. These are reinforced by times of Bible
study. Times of delving into God’s Word and examining our lives in light of insights. It is a time of
discipline, education and application.

I invite you all to attend our Wednesday evening Lenten services. The emphases for this series are;
Faithfulness, Mercy, Compassion, Forgiveness and Love. All of these are excellent areas of
self-examination for all Christians.
May you have a blessed Lent.
In Christ, Pastor Rose