A Pastoral Concern about going to church

Go To Church Every Week? Why?

The only valid reason for missing church is because of poor health. If you think saying so is provocative and unrealistic, perhaps you fail to see the benefits of the Divine Service.

Go to church every week? Why?
          It is NOT to make God happy. God is happy with you because you belong to Christ and are redeemed by his sacrificial life and death. Your works cannot improve that status at all.
          It is NOT to just obey the Third Commandment. It is true: We should not despise preaching and his word. But if going to church is only about keeping the Third Commandment, your reason for going is to jump through a hoop to appease God. Your motive, then, is corrupt. Your worship will not please God.
          It is NOT so that others will see you and, thus, think well of you. This would make you a hypocrite—looking pious on the outside but being far from God in your heart. While others might be impressed with your attendance, God would know better. He despises hypocrites.

Go to church every week? Why?
          We come as beggars—poor, needy, and destitute. We come with our sins. We come bearing guilt. We come cloaked in shame. We come with struggles, frustrations, angst, unrest, and fears. We come because God offers relief from all of these things. We come as beggars, and God fills us with heavenly riches.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because every week, we suffer trials and temptations.
          Because every week, Satan seeks to deceive and destroy us.
          Because every week, false teachers and false teachings try to seduce us.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because others sin against us.
          Because we sin against others.
          Because we live in a world that is evil.
          Because we face disease and sickness; disappointment and disaster; sorrow and stress; decay and death.
          Because we are weak and frail.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because we are sinners, and we can’t fix it.
          Because we face judgment, and we can’t avoid it.
          Because we are dying, and we can’t stop it.
          Because our only hope to be delivered from our wretched condition comes while we are still alive.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because Jesus forgives sinners.
          Because the Lord’s forgiveness comes through the gospel rightly preached and the sacraments rightly administered.
          Because we desire to be saved, to partake in the resurrection of the dead, and to be judged worthy of eternal life through faith in Jesus. 

             Because faith will only remain alive if it is fed by word and sacrament.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because our Father desires to bless us since we are his dearly loved children.
          Because Jesus Christ delivers pardon for our sins, relief from our guilt, and hope despite our shame.
          Because the Holy Spirit pours upon us encouragement, strength, and peace.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because the sheep listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd.
          Because the Bride of Christ loves to hear her Groom proclaim his constant love and devotion to her.
          Because the children are eager to be heard by their good and merciful Father in heaven.
          Because by their actions, God's people confess what they regard as their comfort, their hope, the foundation and the goal of their life.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because God’s promises are declared in the lessons.
          Because God’s grace is given in the Absolution.
          Because God’s mercy is applied in the preaching of the sermon.
          Because the body and blood of Christ are administered to us in Holy Communion for our salvation.
          Because God puts his name on us and blesses us in the Benediction.

Go to church every week? Why?
          Because God gives his greatest blessings there. What week don’t we want these? What week don’t we need these? Our joy and comfort are this: Every week, without fail, God gives these. Every week, God serves us— for our benefit, for our comfort, and for our salvation.

NOTE: If you work on Sunday mornings and cannot change your schedule, speak to your pastor about alternative dates, times, or ways to be served. If you need a ride, let your pastor know so that he can arrange one for you. If you are not aware of a WELS/ELS church where you are living, contact your previous pastor or go to www.wels.net to use the church locator to find one.

Prayer for the Sanctity of Life and Protection of the Unborn

Sanctity of Life Sunday is January 18.  

Good Shepherd will be offering up this litany.

A Litany for the Sanctity of Life and the Protection of the Unborn

P:         Almighty and eternal God, you have created this world and all of us in it.  We praise you, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Lead all people everywhere to see that you are our Maker and that we are the work of your hands so that all would consider human life to be sacred.  Protect and defend all to whom you give life, whether born or unborn, until that day when you take our life from us again.  Lord, in your mercy,

C:        Hear our prayer.

P:         Heavenly Father, you do not delight in the death of the wicked, but that all would turn from their evil ways and live.  Keep us from evil, and forgive us our sins.  Strengthen us to proclaim your Law and to warn those who would continue in their sins.  At this time, we especially pray that you would help us to warn those who continue in the sin of abortion.  Work mightily through your word to bring to repentance all who seek, provide, or support these willful acts of murder.  Change the hearts of people who see this wrong and dare to call it a right, and who are so blind to call good what is evil.  We ask not only that our nation may be cleansed of this heinous sin, but also that you turn all people from their evil ways so that they would live.  Lord, in your mercy,

C:        Hear our prayer.

P:         Lord of the nations, you have given authority to the governments of this world to bring order and protection and to punish the wrongdoer.  We pray for our rulers that they would act responsibly in their positions over us.  Cause the leaders of our nation to restore justice for the unborn, who are being oppressed and killed.  Grant our President wisdom and courage to speak out against abortion.  Guide our legislators to propose, support, and pass laws that would protect the life of all people, whether unborn, elderly, frail, defenseless, or handicapped.  Move our judges to do your will in all cases which decide life and death.  Teach all rulers to despise what is evil and to cling to what is good.  Lord, in your mercy, 

C:        Hear our prayer.

P:         Heavenly Father, you have commanded us to live chaste and decent lives.  Bring all people to recognize the virtue of chastity, to exercise self-control over their sexual impulses, to honor marriage, and to keep the marriage bed pure so that every pregnancy is a cause for joy rather than regret.  Teach husbands and wives to regard children as a reward to be cherished and not a burden to be avoided.  Grant to all pregnant women, according to your mercy, a happy result in their childbearing.  Lord, in your mercy,

C:        Hear our prayer.

P:         Merciful Father, we thank you for the mercies you have bestowed upon us through your Son, Jesus Christ.  Many still bear the guilt, the shame, and the scars from sins they have committed against you.  Reveal to fearful sinners your mercies through the sufferings and death of your Son, Jesus Christ – whose body was cut, abused, and pierced to pay for sin, whose life was given up for the benefit of all, and whose blood was shed to cover over our guilt and shame.  Lord, in your mercy,

C:        Hear our prayer.

P:         Gracious Redeemer, you have called us to be the salt of the earth that this world might be preserved from greater wickedness.  Grant that more people will take your word to heart so that they will not sin by killing their children.  Bless those who work at the Redford Pregnancy Care Center and all pregnancy centers so that they may faithfully speak your word to those who come to them.  Let the fear of your wrath crush those who plot wickedness, and let your forgiveness deliver the penitent from damnation and despair.  Lord, in your mercy,

C:        Hear our prayer.

P:         Gracious Redeemer, you have called us to be lights to the world.  Embolden us to bring your word to those around us.  Strengthen each of us so that, by our words, deeds, and prayers, we may truly be little christs to this world – doing your will, defending the helpless, aiding the needy, standing by the lonely, comforting the fearful, holding on to your truth, upholding your glory, and demonstrating your love.  Lord, in your mercy,

C:        Hear our prayer.

Other intercessions may be offered.

P:         Heavenly Father, we bring all of our petitions and intercessions to you, trusting that you will hear and act for our good, according to the promises of your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray.

C:        Amen.

Bible Bits -- Genesis 24:59-60

From my Bible reading a few days ago, I encountered the arrangement of the marriage between Isaac (secured by Abraham's servant, Eliezer) and Rebekah.  To American sensibilities, this arrangement is insane.  She goes with a man she has barely met to marry a man she has never met.  She is aware of some family ties, and she can see that her husband is a pretty rich man.  But that seems to be too little information to agree to a life-long union.  Nevertheless, she goes.

Perhaps even more grating on the ears of Americans is the blessing she receives from her family.  They do not say, "May you prosper greatly in your career.  May you be recognized with promotions and awards.  May you do great things and advance far in the company you work for."  They do not say, "You have won the lottery!  You are going to the house of wealth and luxury.  May you be pampered and increase in vast wealth!"

Here is the blessing they give: So they sent all of them on their way—their sister Rebekah with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. They blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring take possession of the gates of those who hate them" (Genesis 24:59-60).

This goes far beyond, "I hope you have a nice family."  They bless her to be "the mother of thousands of ten thousands."  It would be Rebekah's greatest blessing to be a mother of many children.  (As it turns out, she struggled with infertility for twenty years and was blessed only with a set of twins.)

Americans have forsaken the idea that children are a blessing from the Lord--certainly many children.  We focus on ourselves, our careers, our goals, and our pleasures.  We have been trained to believe that children stand in the way of fulfilling these things.  They demand time.  They are expensive.  They are a source of stress.

While some of that is true, it presents children as a curse to be endured instead of a blessing to be celebrated.  If something is worthwhile, don't we invest time and money and energy into it?  Even if something produces stress, isn't it because we actually care about what we are doing?

A career demands time.  A career saps your energy.  A career is a source of stress.  And yet, it is deemed a higher good and of greater value than having a large family.

This is demonic.  The devil hates marriage, family, and babies.  He has taught our society to adopt his ideas.  Even if we have not swallowed the devil's lies whole, we are influenced by them to some degree.  How many parents would bless their children as Rebekah was blessed?  If you did, how would that be received by your son or daughter?  And if other people saw a family which God blessed so richly, you can be sure that someone would make snide remarks about the large family, rebuking the parents for being irresponsible.  (True stories from the past.)

While there are many great things that can be achieved in a career, no man or woman will ever do anything more important than to raise their children in the love and discipline of the Lord.  And if you can love one or two, you will find that loving five or six is a wonderful blessing for you and for the children God gives you.

Bible Matters -- Your Life Has Meaning

At times, it can all feel empty and meaningless.

Is everything fleeting or is there something more with lasting meaning we can be a part of?

We might be tempted to think that there’s no way to answer this question, that people have been asking and not finding answers to this question for millennia and will continue to do so for many more millennia.

But what if three thousand years ago the question was already answered and it was answered in a way that continues to flip our world upside down today, that continues to charge our lives with epic purpose and beauty, that continues to give meaning and purpose—transcending culture, trends, and current philosophies?

In January, we will discuss these issues and learn that life has a beautiful purpose and a wonderful destination.  We will read a chapter each week of the book in the image and discuss it. 

There is a sign-up sheet at church to purchase a copy ($20, payable to Good Shepherd).  A bulk order will be placed on Monday, December 15 to ensure that orders will be received before Christmas, allowing all participants to read chapter 1 before Wednesday, January 7.  If you have discovered this on this blog and would like to join us, you can RSVP via email to welsnovi@aol.com.

January 7                   Everything is Meaningless.

January 14                 Wisdom is Meaningless.

January 21                 Pleasures are Meaningless.

January 28                Work is Meaningless.

February 4                 Human Life is Meaningless.

February 11               Everything is Meaningful.

February 18               Ash Wednesday

This is a great opportunity to invite friends to discuss these topics.

People are yearning for certainty, meaning, and purpose in life. 

Jesus delivers it!

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  All are welcome.

Something from ... Christian Life Resources about cohabitation before marriage

It has become commonplace for couples to move in together before they even consider marriage.  It is so common that even Christians have adopted this as a normal order of a relationship.  This is NOT what God has designed.  

In the letter to the Hebrews, the inspired writer states God's will: "Marriage is to be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed is to be kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers" *(Hebrews 13:4).  Jesus repeated God's design which was established back in the Garden of Eden: “Haven’t you read that from the beginning their Maker ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).  We note that Jesus does not promote a move-in-and-try-it stage, but a union, that is, marriage.  Since this is God's design, it is good.  And within the union of marriage, sex is good.  Some translations even use the expression "pure" (e.g., NIV).  Any deviation from God's design is sin.

Cohabitation does not honor marriage or the marriage bed.  This deviation from God's word is not only sinful, it is also destructive.  God blesses those who honor his word.  People bring grief and a curse upon themselves for rebelling against God's word.  It does not matter how well-intentioned people are or how nice they are.  Cohabiting couples are sinning against God and his design for marriage.  And before anyone pleads about how committed they are in their live-in situation, I would ask, "If you are so committed, then why haven't you gotten married?"  That would proclaim before God and all the world how committed you are to each other.

The destructive nature of cohabitation was recently documented in an email from Christian Life Resources.  The statistics do not make any moral judgments about cohabitation (God's word does that); but they do show that cohabitation results in far more damage to families and children than most people would realize.  As a rule, it does not produce strong families.  

These statistics can be ignored to the detriment of children.  God's word can be ignored to the detriment of one's eternal well-being.  Take heed to the stats and to God's word.  Repent if it is necessary.  Reserve yourself for marriage if you are single.  Do not adopt worldly attitudes and behavior.  Jesus lived and died to pay for our sins and to set us apart from wickedness.  We rejoice in his gracious forgiveness, and we devote ourselves to his designs because they are good.

Here is something from Christian Life Resources:

The Plight of Harmed Children

Over the years, it seems that stories of neglected and abused children have increased. Some have suggested that the increasing numbers indicate better reporting. Others have argued that it represents a decline in the societal value of human life, particularly the value of children. Regardless of where you stand on that debate, the numbers are significantly alarming and provide valuable insight.

• About 1 in 4 American children today are born to cohabiting parents. The number of cohabiting couples with children under 18 nearly tripled from 1.2 million (1996) to 3.1 million (2014). 
• Children of cohabiting parents are three times more likely to experience the breakup of their family during their parents’ twenties than children born to married parents. Nearly half (about 50%) of parents cohabiting at the child’s birth break up within five years, compared to only 20% of married parents.
• Children living with married parents are less likely to be abused/neglected. A CDC study found single-parent children had more than double the risk of being physically abused or neglected.
• Children of single parents are twice as likely to have emotional and behavioral problems (8%) as those from two-parent households (4%).
• Children in divorced homes were twice as likely to be absent from school for 11+ days in a year because of illness or injury, compared to children in two-parent homes (6% vs. 3%).
• In Sweden, children raised by single parents were twice as likely to experience severe psychiatric disorders, suicide attempts, or alcohol addiction.
• Children in married-couple households: 11% poverty rate. Children in cohabiting opposite-sex couple households: 47% poverty rate. Children in single-mother households: 48% poverty rate
• Data from the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect indicate that children living with biological cohabiting parents are over four times more likely to be physically, sexually, or emotionally abused than those living with married biological parents.
• Children living with cohabiting biological parents show worse social, psychological, and educational results compared to those with married parents, even after controlling for race, income, and parental education. Outcomes include higher rates of drug use, depression, and school dropout.[1] 

Takeaway: While cohabitation may superficially resemble marriage, it does not provide the same level of safety, stability, or well-being for children as married-parent families. To put it another way, based solely on statistics and the understanding that children are needed to perpetuate the human race, it is in the best interest of children to be born into a traditional two-parent marriage rather than the alternatives.

[1] Source: https://tinyurl.com/yskupu92; https://tinyurl.com/yvxl2qdj

Adult Bible Class -- Families of the Bible

A new series begins in February!

The Lord knows all about families.  He lays out his plans for godly families.  But sin leaves its mark on families, producing families that are strained, fractured, dysfunctional, and blended.  The Lord knows this, too. 

We will consider various families who are mentioned in the Bible.  First, we will see that there is nothing new under the sun.  Then, we will see God’s blessings for families—strength, encouragement, and healing.

Who will benefit from this series?  Husbands and wives, parents and children, singles, divorced, and widowed … anyone who was born into a family, brought into a family, or has been ostracized from a family.  I think that should cover all of us.

Adult Bible Class beings promptly at 9:00 AM.  All are welcome.

February 4           Made for Each Other: The Story of the First Family (Adam & Eve)

February 11          Alone Against the World: Noah and His Family

February 18         Blessed Is the Family That Puts God First: Abraham, Sarah, & Isaac

February 25         Salt That Lost Its Saltiness: Lot and His Family

March 3                Rivalry and Reconciliation: Jacob and His Family

March 10              Train a Child: The Families of Hannah and Eli

March 17              Fallen, Yet Forgiven: David’s Sin and Its Consequence for His Family

March 24              Holding on While Letting Go: Mary’s Relationship with Her Son, Jesus

Private Confession & Absolution -- Saturday, January 6 (10:00 AM - Noon)

When Lutherans hear someone speak of Private Confession and Absolution, the response is usually a knee-jerk, "That's Roman Catholic!" Though that may be a common perception, the perception is because either it was taught wrongly or understood wrongly. Consider what the Lutheran Confessions teach about Private Confession and Absolution.

Our churches teach that private Absolution should be retained in the churches, although listing all sins is not necessary for Confession. For, according to the Psalm, it is impossible. "Who can discern his errors?" (Psalm 19:12) -- Augsburg Confession, Article XI

What is Confession?
Answer: Confession has two parts: the one is that we confess our sins; the other is that we receive Absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are forgiven before God in heaven by this.

What sins should we confess?
Answer: Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even of those that we do not know, as we do in the Lord's Prayer. But before the confessor we should confess only those sins that we know and feel in our hearts. -- Luther's Small Catechism, Part V

These are basic confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They are catholic, insofar as they are Christian. But they are not Roman, insofar as the penitent is not obligated to orally confess every sin in order to be forgiven of it and insofar as one's forgiveness is not dependent upon some action on the part of the penitent. The forgiveness is based on Jesus' sufferings and death for the penitent who has been baptized into his name.

Since the practice of Private Confession and Absolution is a Lutheran practice, it would be good for Lutherans to practice it. It is good for the penitent who is grieved by a particular sin to confess it so that he can hear Christ say through the mouth of his minister: "I forgive you." It would be good for the one who is burdened to be relieved of his burden by Holy Absolution. It would be good for this practice, though foreign to many in my corner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to be restored. 

In order for this practice to be restored and perhaps put to better use, there will be dates on the calendar set aside for anyone who would like to drop in and make use of this means of grace. These will be set up about 4 times per year. Private Confession and Absolution is always available by appointment in addition to these scheduled times.

                    A day around Epiphany (Epiphany is always January 6)
                    A day during Holy Week
                    A day around Labor Day weekend
                    A day after Thanksgiving weekend

The next scheduled date and time for Private Confession and Absolution will be Saturday, January 6, 10:00 AM - Noon.  All participation is voluntary, as Absolution cannot be forced upon anyone.

Of course, this will be new to most members who decide to make use of it. If you come in, the pastor will walk through the rite with you and explain the various parts of it, especially including the "private" part, namely, that this confession is to Christ and, therefore, remains his business alone. The pastor will not report the confession or the names of those who come for confession.  No confession will get used as a sermon illustration, either.  The point is not for a pastor to learn everyone's dirty, little secrets.  The point is for the guilty and the grieved to find relief and receive forgiveness, or absolution. 

Something from ... Gottesdienst re: The Vice of Pornography

Rev. Fritz Eckardt wrote an important article about the vice of pornography and how it is a vise on the heart.  This is a deadly sin which can be committed so conveniently, so secretly, and so easily.  However, it is a sin which ruins minds, hearts, and relationships.  I could go on, but why?  Pastor Eckardt says what I want to.  He addresses this Pastoral Concern well.

You can read his article here: The Vice—the Vise—of Pornography — Gottesdienst

If this is something you struggle with, you can come to Private Confession and Absolution, available on appointment.  Please note three things about Private Confession and Absolution.  The first word is Private.  It remains confidential.  The second word is Confession.  This is not a counseling session.  If you need professional help, see the link below.  Finally, the third word is Absolution.  No one should have to live with concealed guilt or secret shame.  Jesus has taken up your sins and suffered for them.  He supplies forgiveness and proclaims it through the mouth of his minister.

For professional counseling, I recommend to you Conquerors Through Christ.  It was established because this vice is so prevalent.  They can help you to cast off this sin and fight against further temptations (which will not go away easily).

Seminar on Anxiety: The video

We hosted a virtual seminar on a Christian view of anxiety on Sunday, November 5.  Mr. William Woodington from Coon Rapids, MN visited us via Zoom to discuss his own struggles with anxiety and spoke about the comfort he found in God's word.  While he still considers himself an anxious person, he knows and trusts the promises of God which help him cope with his anxiety.  The video recording is here:

If you want to order a copy of Mr. Woodington's book, Whatever Is True, you can find a link to his book here.

Dealing with Anxiety -- A Christian Perspective

DEALING WITH ANXIETY

– A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 at 6:30 PM

          Mental health has become a common issue among people of all ages.  It seems to be affecting young people particularly hard.  There are many problems in this world and in our lives that can foster anxiety.  What comfort do we have?  What relief can we find?

          William Woodington is a member at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, MN.  He published a book entitled, Whatever Is True: A Christian View of Anxiety. 

          On Sunday, November 5 at 6:30 PM, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi will be hosting a virtual presentation by Mr. Woodington.  He will discuss about his own struggles with anxiety and the relief he found in God’s word and prayer.  Following his presentation, he will facilitate a question and answer session for all attendees.

          Snacks will be available.  All are welcome. 

          Please register at welsnovi@aol.com.  Let us know your name and how many may be attending with you.   Attendees who register will receive a copy of Mr. Woodington’s book.  Your registration will also help us set up the appropriate meeting room.

Read more about Woodington’s journey in his book Whatever Is True: A Christian View of Anxiety, available from Northwestern Publishing House, https://online.nph.net/whatever-is-true.html.

Our Good Shepherd gives peace

Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi.  Feel free to share it as much as you can.  

Shout out to Kaitlyn Cole for her work on its production!

Something from ... Gottesdienst and the dangers of social media

Rev. David Petersen wrote an interesting article regarding sins common to man, although I think most people will do all they can to hide these sins or to deny their existence.  His article focuses on a link between internet porn and suicide ... among clergy!  It is a reminder that pastors and their families are human and may struggle with sins that are prevalent among others.  I suppose everyone wants to believe that pastors are above this, but the (staggering!) statistics mentioned in the article state that it is not the case.  I never would have guessed it, either.

Confronting the Epidemic of Pornography in the Church — Gottesdienst

The point of my linking to this article is not to make any confession, but to expand on his thoughts.  Internet porn (or any porn for that matter) is a snare that destroys.  Solomon warns against the adulteress who seduces a young man, stating that he goes off to his death unaware as he goes with her.  From Proverbs: 

At a window of my house, I looked out through the lattice. I was watching the gullible people. Among the young men I noticed a youth without sense. He was crossing the street near her corner, strolling along the road to her house, in the twilight, in the evening of the day, when the darkness of the night was coming. Suddenly a woman meets him. She is dressed like a prostitute with a scheming heart! ... She deceives him with enticing words. With smooth lips she seduces him. He follows right after her, like a steer going to slaughter, like a deer prancing into a noose, until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a trap. He does not realize this will cost him his life. Now, you sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words from my mouth. Do not let your heart turn in her direction. Do not wander on her pathways, because she has brought down many victims. Those she has killed are countless. Her house is on the road to the grave. It goes down to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7:6-10,21-27)

Solomon portrays an in-person encounter, but I think it extends to social media as well.  People become infatuated and inflamed with images on a screen.  They lust over people whom they will never meet and become disappointed in the spouse with whom they have been united in marriage and with whom they have become one flesh.  People learn to despise what is real for fantasies that will never be fulfilled.  At the least, this puts a strain on a marriage.  Often, it destroys a marriage.  Apparently, it also results in people taking their own lives.

But I think this goes beyond internet porn.  I think people are disillusioned by social media in general.  People cherry pick the moments that they post on Facebook (yeah, I'm old), Instagram, Snapchat, and whatever other platforms are out there.  (I'm not familiar with other platforms.  Yeah, I'm old.)  We look at the cherry picked images and assume that their lives are phenomenal.  We wonder why our life is boring.  We see one person's vacation photos, assume that everyone is going there, and are upset that we are not basking in tropical sun like everyone else.  We become so frustrated with our life, as if we have been cheated or as if we are the only ones with struggles.  

Suicide has become way too prevalent among young people.  I wonder if social media and the fabricated lifestyles depicted there influence it.  In fact, I am pretty convinced they do.  I know I can get mopey about seeing someone's Florida pictures in February.  

Social media deceives us.  It is all a production.  Its purpose is to sell something.  That doesn't mean just the ads, but the idea that someone's life is fabulous.  It convinces you that a day-to-day life in which you take care of the tedious tasks that need to be done to care for your family are evil.  But what God gives you to do to love and serve your family is not evil.  It is the way God makes you active, productive, and beneficial to others.  That may make for a boring social media post, but it is what life has always been about.  

It is not beneficial or even possible to be constantly entertained.  Social media sells you a lifestyle that is unrealistic.  Of course, images on a screen are not real things.  Do not be deceived by them, and certainly do not kill yourself over them.

Your remedy and repentance includes ditching social media--if not completely, then limit yourself a lot.  Go spend time with your family.  Meet up with friends and talk with them.  Chastise each other when someone checks their phone.  Go to church.  (You had to see that one coming.)  Talk with the people there.  Pray for one another.  Partake in the body and blood of Christ.  Hold a hymnal in your hands, turn the pages, read the hymns, and sing with the congregation.  Participate!  

God designed us to be social with real people and to engage in real activities in life that benefit our fellow man.  This is not done by flipping through images.  It is done with your loved ones.  So, click off this post and talk to someone.  It may not live up to your fantasies, but it won't be fake.

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of Easter (April 30, 2023)

ACTS 2:42-47

RECOGNIZE WHAT YOU NEED AND BE DEVOTED TO IT.

In the name + of Jesus.

M:      Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C:      He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

     In the days when families traveled on the Oregon Trail to begin a new life out west, some tough choices were made when they loaded up their wagons.  Not everything was going to make that trip.  Families could take only what they needed.  As they journeyed, they often discovered that they still carried too much.  They deposited unnecessary items along the path for other families to claim when they passed by later. 

     What do you need?  Chances are, you have made a mental list about the things you would take from your house if you ever had to flee because of some emergency.  How many items on your list are sentimental rather than life-sustaining?  If you had to flee without a moment’s notice, your list would not matter.  You would discover that you actually need precious little if it was a life and death situation.  Our ideas about what we need are skewed.

     Our needs are basic: food, water, clothing, shelter, and air.  You won’t need these forever.  That is why Jesus taught his disciples, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need (clothing and food).  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:32-33).  When you die, even basic needs become useless.  But Jesus’ righteousness will still benefit you.  It has eternal value.

     Recognize what you need and be devoted to it.  St. Luke details the life of the early Church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).  Recognize that you need these things.  You need the apostles’ teaching.  The early Church had the luxury of the actual apostles teaching them.  We have their words recorded for our continual devotion.  They give us the words of Jesus, which are the words of eternal life.  These words reveal the Savior who lived the perfect life which provides the righteousness you need to please God.  They show you the sacrificial death which has paid for all your sins.  They proclaim Jesus’ resurrection from the grave which assures you that your body will be raised from the grave to live in glory forever.  These words warn against sin and temptation.  They protect you from the devil’s lies and all false doctrine.  They comfort you in days of pain and sorrow.  They encourage you to remain godly in a godless world.  Recognize what you need and be devoted to it.

     Jesus not only left his words, he gave to his church his body and blood in the Lord’s Supper.  Jesus gives us that which has paid for sins and overcome death.  We feast on the living body and blood of our Savior and receive life from the living Savior.  In this sacrament, he connects us to himself intimately.  By this sacrament, he strengthens and keeps us in the one true faith into life everlasting. 

     Recognize what you need and be devoted to it.  “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).  What the early Church did is what the Christian Church still does.  St. Luke describes the essence of our Divine Services.  We do not need to seek or invent anything better.  We have an invaluable gift from the Church of the past.  Of course, we are the same Church with the same mission.  Our Lord grants the same blessing through the same means.  This is how he supplies all we need.  Recognize what you need and be devoted to it. 

     St. Luke described the second thing the early Church was devoted to.  “All who believed were together and had all things in common.  …And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people” (Acts 2:44,46-47).  They were devoted to each other.  We need this, too.

     I suppose it is possible to go it alone as a Christian, but I would not recommend it.  Scripture does not, either.  When the devil wants to snatch someone away from the Church, he usually does it by drawing him away from the body of Christ.  He is like a lion who cannot possibly capture a whole herd of zebras.  But if he can get one zebra to abandon the herd, he will devour it.  The devil wants to separate you from the body of Christ so that he can devour you.  If the devil can draw you away from the body of Christ, he will rub your sins in your face.  He will try to convince you that you are worse than everyone else.  He may get you to believe that your shame is unique and that you are too worthless or too wicked for Christ and his Church.  The devil wants you to wallow silently and alone in self-pity so you abandon all hope.  We separate ourselves from the body of Christ to our own detriment, perhaps even to our own damnation.  Beware!

     The Lord brings us together as the body of Christ because the Lord knows that we need each other.  Recognize what you need and be devoted to it.  When we meet together, you learn that you are not unique at all.  St. Paul wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Perhaps it would surprise you to learn just how common your sins and temptations are when you spend time with your fellow Christians and discuss these things.  Are you discontent?  Do you think you are better off dead?  Are you impatient?  Are you easily angered?  Do you have impure thoughts?  Do you argue with your family over money or to pin blame on someone?  Guess what: you are just like everyone else here.  We all fight temptations.  We all struggle.  We all fail.  We sin against God and each other.  We all need the Savior whose mercy endures forever.  Recognize what you need and be devoted to it.

     Our Savior has been pleased to join us together for our mutual encouragement.  We comfort one another as we suffer hardships.  We remind each other of God’s mercy and grace.  We encourage one another to remain godly in a world that urges us to ditch God.  We pray for one another and carry each other’s burdens so that no one should have to suffer silently or alone.  We watch over one another so that, if we see someone straying from the faith, we can restore them to the path of righteousness.  We study the Scriptures, ponder the mysteries of the faith, and grow in faith together.  We rejoice together.  We mourn together.  We remain devoted to each other. 

     St. Luke noted of the early Church, “All who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44).  There will be diversity in our interests, our hobbies, and our stages of life.  Our different circumstances mean we will give our attention to different things.  There is nothing wrong with that.  But our commonality and unity are based on the only thing that really matters: We have a single confession.  We have been redeemed by a divine Savior.  We are saints in his kingdom, covered in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Recognize what you need and be devoted to it.

     The third attribute of the early Church mentioned by St. Luke is actually what they did not need.  He wrote: “They were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:45).  Their devotion to Jesus Christ resulted in them being less and less devoted to material goods.  They recognized that their belongings and wealth would do more good for the needy in this world than for themselves.

     Many things that we have in homes are there because they are pretty or entertaining.  Other items are there because they make our lives convenient.  I, for the life of me, can’t imagine going back to the days of washboards and clotheslines.  But if almost everyone in the history of the world survived without a washer and drier, we could too.  I bet our closets would be a lot emptier if we had to wash that many clothes.  Maybe they should be, anyway.  If the Lord has blessed us richly, we do not need to feel guilty about it.  But we must be careful lest we are devoted to our material goods.  Recognize what you don’t need so that you are not devoted to it.

     Everything we do need God promises to provide.  Everything that sustains body and soul, God will provide.  “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  If hearing about the generosity of the early disciples makes us a little uncomfortable, it is probably because we are devoted too much to our wealth and do not want to give it up.  Our Lord does not command us to sell everything and give it to the poor.  Jesus only said that once, and he said it to a rich man who loved his wealth more than he wanted to admit.  We don’t know what became of that rich man, except that he eventually died.  His wealth does no good for him now.  The only way your wealth can do any good now is to put it to work for the glory of God and for the good of your fellow man.  In the end, it is nothing you need, so do not be devoted to it.

     Recognize what you need and be devoted to that.  This is what the Church does.  “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).  Be devoted to these things.  These supply all that you need in good times and bad, in life and through death, for comfort and encouragement.  Be devoted to one another.  Speak to one another.  Pray for one another.  Study the Scriptures together.  Watch over each other like brothers and sisters; for that is what you are.  Our goal is to spend eternity together.  It is right to enjoy that now already.  Recognize that all your goods are only tools—either to aid you through your life or to aid someone else through his.  The day will come when you will lay those tools aside.  When you do, you will still have the Lord’s kingdom and his righteousness.  These will endure beyond death and usher you into eternal glory.

     Recognize what you need and be devoted to it.  But especially recognize that you have a loving and faithful Savior who is devoted to you.  All his gifts he gives for your good—both what you need in this life and what you need for the next.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Private Confession & Absolution -- Tuesday, April 4 (6:30 - 8:30 PM)

            Private confession and absolution will be available at church from 6:30 - 8:30 PM on Tuesday, April 4. No appointment is necessary. Just stop in. If this rite is new to you (and it is for many who attend here), the pastor will walk you through the rite so that you understand and appreciate it more. Private confession and absolution is always available by appointment throughout the year.

Why Private Confession & Absolution?
The answer follows:

          When Lutherans hear someone speak of Private Confession and Absolution, the response is usually a knee-jerk, "That's Roman Catholic!" Though that may be a common perception, the perception is because either it was taught wrongly or understood wrongly. Consider what the Lutheran Confessions teach about Private Confession and Absolution.

Our churches teach that private Absolution should be retained in the churches, although listing all sins is not necessary for Confession. For, according to the Psalm, it is impossible. "Who can discern his errors?" (Psalm 19:12) -- Augsburg Confession, Article XI

What is Confession?
Answer: Confession has two parts: the one is that we confess our sins; the other is that we receive Absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are forgiven before God in heaven by this.

What sins should we confess?
Answer: Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even of those that we do not know, as we do in the Lord's Prayer. But before the confessor we should confess only those sins that we know and feel in our hearts. -- Luther's Small Catechism, Part V

          These are basic confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They are catholic, insofar as they are Christian. But they are not Roman, insofar as the penitent is not obligated to orally confess every sin in order to be forgiven of it and insofar as one's forgiveness is not dependent upon some action on the part of the penitent. The forgiveness is based on Jesus' sufferings and death for the penitent who has been baptized into his name.

          Since the practice of Private Confession and Absolution is a Lutheran practice, it would be good for Lutherans to practice it. It is good for the penitent who is grieved by a particular sin to confess it so that he can hear Christ say through the mouth of his minister: "I forgive you." It would be good for the one who is burdened to be relieved of his burden by Holy Absolution. It would be good for this practice, though foreign to many in my corner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to be restored. 

          Private Confession and Absolution has always been available to all members by appointment. In order for this practice to be restored and perhaps put to better use, there will be dates on the calendar set aside for anyone who would like to drop in and make use of this means of grace. These will be set up about 4 times per year. Private Confession and Absolution will still be available by appointment in addition to these scheduled times.

          It is anticipated that Private Confession and Absolution will roughly follow this regular schedule.
                    A day around Epiphany (Epiphany is always January 6)
                    A day during Holy Week
                    A day around Labor Day weekend
                    A day after Thanksgiving weekend

          The next scheduled date and time for Private Confession and Absolution will be Tuesday, April 4, 6:30-8:30 PM. Appointments are not necessary. You need only drop in. All participation is voluntary, as Absolution cannot be forced upon anyone.

          Of course, this will be new to pretty much any member who decides to make use of it. If you happen to come in, the pastor will walk through the rite with you and explain the various parts of it, especially including the "private" part, namely, that this confession is to Christ and, therefore, remains his business alone. The pastor will not report any confession or even the names of those who come for confession. Finally, the point of this is not for a pastor to learn everyone's dirty, little secrets. (His life is easier if he remains ignorant. But God's people do not call a pastor to be ignorant; they call him to absolve in the name of Jesus.) The point is for the guilty and the grieved to find relief and receive forgiveness, or absolution.

BIBLE BITS: Luke 18

In the Gospel according to St. Luke, he records an incident in which mothers bring their babies to Jesus so that he would bless them.  Luke, however, does not actually use the word "bless" in his account.  The blessing is implied.  St. Luke wrote: "Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them" (Luke 18:15).

The touch of Jesus is significant.  Jesus could certainly have spoken a word of blessing upon the children.  Or the mothers could have sung a psalm for their children which proclaims God's blessings upon his people.  But the touch of Jesus was important to them.  They made the effort to go to Jesus and to deliver their children to him.

This is significant for us today, too.  While we can take comfort in the word of God which delivers God's blessings to us (i.e., forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation), the Lord knows that we need his touch.  God did not merely declare from heaven that he loves us and forgives us.  He became a man to connect himself to us, in fact, to unite himself to us.  In doing so, he exalts our humanity and, by his death and resurrection, will restore us to what God had created us to be.  He does not merely save our souls.  He saves us completely--body and soul, which is what God has created us to be.

When Jesus wants to connect with us today, he goes beyond his bare word to do so.  He could have issued Bibles to everyone and told us to read his word and said, "That is sufficient.  You need nothing more."  Instead, he chooses to touch us in physical ways.

He established the office of the holy ministry and sends out pastors who proclaim God's blessings, preach God's word, absolve God's people, and touch their lives.  When he brings us into his kingdom, he tells us to use water in connection with God's word to cleanse us of all sin.  Through the waters of holy baptism, he gives us his Holy Spirit.  When he strengthens and keeps us in the one, true faith, he gives us his body and blood in, with, and under the bread and the wine in holy communion.  

And even more, he connects us with each other.  We are all flesh-and-blood, body-and-soul people who get to support one another.  We do so not only with prayers, but also with human touch.  God designed us to have fellowship with one another.  We greet one another with handshakes and hugs.  In the early church where the culture called for it, they greeted one another with a holy kiss.  

Like those mothers who loved their babies and wanted Jesus to touch them and bless them, we also want to make the effort to come where Jesus touches us with his blessing.  In this way, we don't have to rely on how well we hear and understand God's word for our comfort.  We can have Jesus apply his blessings to us through things we can touch, taste, see, and smell.  

The blessings of Jesus came through his touch.  They still do.  

NOTE: The picture above is a painting by Lucas Cranach, the elder (1472 - 1553), on display in Frankfurt, Germany. (Source: Christ Blessing the Children by CRANACH, Lucas the Elder (wga.hu))