Hi Brothers and Sisters,
This weekend we will celebrate The Reformation. This is when Dr. Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to St. Anne's church door in Wittenburg, Germany on October 31, 1517 - that was 493 years ago. Martin Luther lived in a time of uncertainty in the Christian Church, just as we are living in a time of uncertainty in the Christian Church today. It seems like all the information we receive is telling us that the time of the Christian Church has past and the time of science has arrived. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus Christ sits on the throne. "All authoriity in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matthew 28:18) Jesus tells us, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) We have nothing to fear. Jesus is in control and he has asked us to be faithful to Him. We are to love others as Jesus loves us. The rest of Matthew 28:18-20 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
This week I had to be reminded of our task to go out into all the world and makes disciples. It is not an easy task and at times makes us very uncomfortable. We sometimes have to do things that we would not ordinarily do to bring people to Jesus. But Jesus promised to be with us to accomplish His mission of seeking and saving lost people. Thank you Lord for this reminder through your people.
I am excited about Thursday night, October 28, 2010. We will embark on a journey together that will make a difference for God's kingdom. I pray that I will see all of you there at 7:00 pm, as we will meet with Rev. Michael Mast and Rev. Keith Haney from the Northern Illinois District-LCMS. Come at 6:00 pm and enjoy fellowship and food with our Friends In Christ at a potluck. Bring a dish to share. It's going to be great!!
In Jesus Care,
Pastor Randy
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
As we go throughout life it is my experience that we have to adjust what normal is for us. Our experiences - illnesses, accidents, relationships (long-standing or broken), growth in Jesus, etc. - all contribute to bring change into our lives. The pains that we suffer and the joys that we celebrate all make us what we are and adjust what normal is for our lives. I am doing fine according to the latest adjustment for what normal is in my life. I thank God that I am constantly reminded that I need Him in my life. I pray that you are thankful for what normal is in your life, as well.
When Jesus appeared on the scene all of the religious leaders of his time thought they were normal, but Jesus came to show them a new normal - that it is by faith in the Messiah, not sacrifice, that we are saved. They struggled with this concept in a pre-Christian age. Well, guess what? We are in a new age in the Christian Church. It has been labled by many theologians as The New Pre-Christian Age. The post-Christian age was from 1970-2000 AD. where many people who were unchurched at least had attended a church or Sunday school when they we children. Now we have the second generation of people who have never set foot in a Christian church. Parents and children alike do not know who Jesus Christ even is.
This is the new normal. We have to adjust where we are to this new normal. This is very important! It will be a struggle for all of us. It will test our openness to be led by God's Holy Spirit to walk behind Jesus wherever it takes us. Rev. Michael Mast and Rev. Keith Haney from the Northern Illinois District - LCMS are going to help us as we take this journey. We need everyone to come on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm to meet with them as we begin this journey, together. We are also kicking off the evening with a potluck dinner at 6:00 pm, please bring a dish to share. I am praying for all of you as you have been for me. Thanks.
With Jesus as Guide,
Pastor Randy
As we go throughout life it is my experience that we have to adjust what normal is for us. Our experiences - illnesses, accidents, relationships (long-standing or broken), growth in Jesus, etc. - all contribute to bring change into our lives. The pains that we suffer and the joys that we celebrate all make us what we are and adjust what normal is for our lives. I am doing fine according to the latest adjustment for what normal is in my life. I thank God that I am constantly reminded that I need Him in my life. I pray that you are thankful for what normal is in your life, as well.
When Jesus appeared on the scene all of the religious leaders of his time thought they were normal, but Jesus came to show them a new normal - that it is by faith in the Messiah, not sacrifice, that we are saved. They struggled with this concept in a pre-Christian age. Well, guess what? We are in a new age in the Christian Church. It has been labled by many theologians as The New Pre-Christian Age. The post-Christian age was from 1970-2000 AD. where many people who were unchurched at least had attended a church or Sunday school when they we children. Now we have the second generation of people who have never set foot in a Christian church. Parents and children alike do not know who Jesus Christ even is.
This is the new normal. We have to adjust where we are to this new normal. This is very important! It will be a struggle for all of us. It will test our openness to be led by God's Holy Spirit to walk behind Jesus wherever it takes us. Rev. Michael Mast and Rev. Keith Haney from the Northern Illinois District - LCMS are going to help us as we take this journey. We need everyone to come on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm to meet with them as we begin this journey, together. We are also kicking off the evening with a potluck dinner at 6:00 pm, please bring a dish to share. I am praying for all of you as you have been for me. Thanks.
With Jesus as Guide,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hi my Sisters and Brothers in Jesus,
I pray that your past week was blessed. The weather has been great for me. These warm non-humid days help me to feel the best that I can. I thank God for them! It reminds me of Psalm 118:24, "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." It is a wonder how warm sunny days effect our disposition in a positive way. Everyone has brighter smiles; a skip to their step; an energy to do things; everything just seems better all because of the sun.
But these are not the only blessings we received last week. We continue to receive the grace of God, the gift of His Holy Spirit, growth through His Word, and faith in Jesus Christ, the Son, as our Savior from sin and death. I pray that this "Son" gives everyone brighter smiles; a skip to their step; an energy to do things; and that everything will be better all because of the "Son".
As we move into the holiday season I pray that the Light of Jesus will shine through all of us, so that many can see Jesus for who he is - the Savior of the world - and be saved by him. Do not forget to fill shoebox gifts for our Operation Christmas Child collection and do not forget our all congregational meeting with representatives from the Northern Illinois District on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00pm. We will start the evening with a potluck at 6:00pm, so bring a dish to share with our friends in Christ. Thank you for your continued prayers - God is good all the time.
Thankful for Jesus,
Pastor Randy
I pray that your past week was blessed. The weather has been great for me. These warm non-humid days help me to feel the best that I can. I thank God for them! It reminds me of Psalm 118:24, "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." It is a wonder how warm sunny days effect our disposition in a positive way. Everyone has brighter smiles; a skip to their step; an energy to do things; everything just seems better all because of the sun.
But these are not the only blessings we received last week. We continue to receive the grace of God, the gift of His Holy Spirit, growth through His Word, and faith in Jesus Christ, the Son, as our Savior from sin and death. I pray that this "Son" gives everyone brighter smiles; a skip to their step; an energy to do things; and that everything will be better all because of the "Son".
As we move into the holiday season I pray that the Light of Jesus will shine through all of us, so that many can see Jesus for who he is - the Savior of the world - and be saved by him. Do not forget to fill shoebox gifts for our Operation Christmas Child collection and do not forget our all congregational meeting with representatives from the Northern Illinois District on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00pm. We will start the evening with a potluck at 6:00pm, so bring a dish to share with our friends in Christ. Thank you for your continued prayers - God is good all the time.
Thankful for Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!
It has been enlightening to go through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Learning just how marriage, family, congregation, community and nation are all linked together has been great. We found out that it starts with our faithfulness to God, then faithfulness to our spouses and faithfulness to our children. Our faithfulness affects our congregation, community and even our nation. This is how we show love to God and love to our neighbor. Remember that our following of the commandments of God is out of our gratefulness for Him sending His One and Only Son to die for our sins and raising Jesus from the dead in power over death and the grave. The Holy Spirit gives the faith to believe in Jesus as Savior and the power to follow the commandments.
In our Luke class we are studying about Jesus' miracles - how he has the power of the Lord to heal. Right from the beginning of Jesus' ministry he proclaims by word and deed that he has the power to forgive sins, which only God can do. Jesus is therefore proclaiming that he is God in the flesh. He does not become unclean by touching those declared unclean, but he makes the unclean whole. This is good news as we struggle through this sinful world unclean because of sin where Jesus touches us with his body and blood and makes us whole.
Just to let everyone know: representatives from the Northern Illinois District (NID) are going to be meeting with all of us on Thursday evening, October 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm to begin guiding us through a restart process. A potluck is planned for earlier that evening at 6:00 pm - bring a dish to share. I am very excited about working with the NID on Friends In Christ starting anew in our community. See all of you there!
Jesus Our Leader,
Pastor Randy
It has been enlightening to go through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Learning just how marriage, family, congregation, community and nation are all linked together has been great. We found out that it starts with our faithfulness to God, then faithfulness to our spouses and faithfulness to our children. Our faithfulness affects our congregation, community and even our nation. This is how we show love to God and love to our neighbor. Remember that our following of the commandments of God is out of our gratefulness for Him sending His One and Only Son to die for our sins and raising Jesus from the dead in power over death and the grave. The Holy Spirit gives the faith to believe in Jesus as Savior and the power to follow the commandments.
In our Luke class we are studying about Jesus' miracles - how he has the power of the Lord to heal. Right from the beginning of Jesus' ministry he proclaims by word and deed that he has the power to forgive sins, which only God can do. Jesus is therefore proclaiming that he is God in the flesh. He does not become unclean by touching those declared unclean, but he makes the unclean whole. This is good news as we struggle through this sinful world unclean because of sin where Jesus touches us with his body and blood and makes us whole.
Just to let everyone know: representatives from the Northern Illinois District (NID) are going to be meeting with all of us on Thursday evening, October 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm to begin guiding us through a restart process. A potluck is planned for earlier that evening at 6:00 pm - bring a dish to share. I am very excited about working with the NID on Friends In Christ starting anew in our community. See all of you there!
Jesus Our Leader,
Pastor Randy
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