​    Last week I wrote about Thanksgiving.  And last Sunday's service and sermon was all about giving thanks to God.  So do we have to focus attention on giving thanks...AGAIN?!

    I'm reminded of the elderly couple, and the wife complained to her husband about not ever saying "I love you".  To which the elderly husband replied, "I said 'I love you" at our wedding.  That is enough."
    No it isn't!  (And that's coming from a husband of over 40 years).   Each of us in any committed relationship need and should WANT to say "I love you", over and over again.
  
    LIkewise in our relationship with God.  How many times do we need to ask for forgiveness?  How many times do we need to hear the words of God's forgiveness?  How many times do we need to hear the Scriptures and sermons?  How many times do we need to receive Holy Communion?  How many times do we need to participate in a worship service?  How many times do we need to give thanks to God?

    The answers to those questions are, "These are the wrong questions!"  We should be asking, "How many times can I say 'I love you'?  How many times can I ask for forgiveness, and hear the words of God's grace and forgiveness in Christ?  How many times can I hear the Scriptures, sermons, go to worship services?"  How many times can I give thanks?

     When I met my wife, Sandra, I couldn't see her enough times.  I always want to be with her.  Even if we had nothing to say to one another.  And now after 40+ years, I still can't have enough time with her, and I continue to say 'I love you' as often as I can.  It never seems that I can give enough or do enough for her.  Which means that I always look forward to another day, another moment when I can be with her and do things for her and say to her, "Thank you for being my wife, and for loving me, as I love you."

    God often compares His relationship with us to the relationship of a marriage.  As much as I love Sandra, even more so does God love each and every one of us.  And I am still trying to love Him more and more.

  So in the Scriptures we see repeated words of love, gratitude, worship toward God.  And love for one another.  It is a very frequent phrase used throughout Scripture.

  When I think of thanksgiving in the Scriptures, I am often drawn to Psalm 136, which opens and closes with these words,

"O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."  

   And in between these opening and closing words of the Psalm, we read a list of blessings that God gave His Old Testament people.

   Indeed, God's "steadfast love endures forever".  So we can still and always "give thanks to the Lord for he is good".  Always!  Even in heaven!  As we will worship and praise God for all eternity (and I very sure that we will want to always worship God, even for all eternity!!)

   Maybe you and I can take a few moments (or hours) listing the many, many blessings we each have from God, our Savior and Lord!

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

​Yes, this is over a week before Thanksgiving Day.  But who said that we are to only be happy and have gratitude on one day a year?   

I have a habit every night before bed, writing down three things that I am thankful for in that day.  And you know what?  I don't have any problem coming up with them, every day!

In this Sunday's Gospel reading (Matthew 6:25-33), Jesus tells us to not worry about food or clothing or life.  But rather to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." 

And then Jesus gives us some common sense and wisdom when he says, "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today's trouble is enough for today."  

My fellow redeemed:  we have enough trouble in each day to fill us with worry and anxiety!  And that's without worrying about the things that we most often worry about:  what has already happened in the past (which we cannot change) or what is yet to happen in the future or things that never happened and never will!  In other words, we most often worry and get stressed about things that we either can do nothing about or that will never happen!!

It seems that the best advice here (and that which comes from God and the Scriptures) is to trust in God, be thankful for all He has given, and live each day with that faith and gratitude.

I love the words of this Sunday's Scripture reading in Joel 2: 21,23:  "be glad and rejoice for the Lord has done great things...be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God."

We can do this every day!  We won't have a turkey dinner every day.  But we can be thankful for all God has done.  So "be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God", today, and every day!

God Bless,

Pastor Steve

​   As I consider what has happened in the recent past in the life of Resurrection Lutheran Church, our nation, and in our personal lives, one thing becomes very clear to me:

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO!!!

  Because when we reflect on the significance of recent events in our nation and congregation (such as the election results, and calling of a pastor, and _______________ (you fill in the blank on what else is happening in your life), we then need to do an even more important and necessary thing than the emotional response.  And that is:  A LOT OF WORK TO DO!!

   Here's a list of some work that comes to mind.  And I'm sure you can add to this list:

• Prepare for our new pastor
• Continue the work of this congregation
• We need more servants in various roles of ministry at RLC.  If able, ask Tom and the Council, to see where you may have the skills and ability  to help.
• Support and even increase support for the work of RLC and our partners (this Sunday is one opportunity to do so as we will be encouraged to bring our pledges and commitment of time and talents that we can give; and support to our partners)
• When the opportunity arises, communicate to neighbors and community about the ministry and upcoming changes happening at RLC

And let's look beyond RLC.  As it appears that our nation is pulling back from support for marginalized people, it seems that the ELCA and RLC has a calling and opportunity to reach out and help the many people needing our love and care, such as:

• The LGBTQ+ community
• Those without homes and income
• Those fearing deportation
• People struggling with mental illness
• Those with health concerns not covered by insurance, or not allowed by our govt.
• Others seeking justice and equity

I am sure that many of you have more to add to these lists.  

Now before any of us faints from all the work that is needed, let us remember that we are not alone, both in facing the problems, and in working to solve them.  For not only do we have one another, but we also have God at work in and through each of us.  

Let's be clear:  God has accomplished the most important work of all:  our salvation, through Jesus Christ.  And He now sends the Holy Spirit to work the faith and life in Christ in all of us, which includes justice and peace for all people.

God also doesn't work in a vacuum, without our participation.  He promises to work in all of the above areas in and through us.  

Last Sunday, I emphasized the need to pray for our church, nation, and all of creation.  That is our first job.  But keep in mind:  most of the time, the answers to our prayers includes all the things we can do.  

As the Scriptures say in Philippians 2:13, "It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure" .  And God's will is that all people are loved and cared for, as He is Savior and Lord of all!  

I look forward to joining all you in working together as God's people, living in a world that needs our love!

God Bless us all,

Pastor Steve

​      This passage of Scripture from Isaiah 11 was chosen by the worship team for this upcoming Sunday of the Blessing of Pets.  It is one verse of a prophecy of the Messianic Kingdom, Isaiah 11:1-9.  We will be reading verses 6 - 9 this Sunday, as it includes a list of animals that are living in a peaceful and non-violent environment, "and a little child shall lead them".  
     As one commentary summarized, "Isaiah 11:1-9 describes a future kingdom where a new leader will bring justice, peace and harmony to the world."
 
     As I looked at this passage of Scripture today (Monday, 11/4), it struck me how fitting these words are for us at RLC, in three ways:
 
1)  As we bless our pets this Sunday, so God has created all animals and placed humanity to take care of them, and to be blessed by them.
 
2) As RLC looks forward to a new pastor and the ministry they will do together.  And as we pray for a peaceful ministry together that will lead toward God's kingdom of justice and harmony in the world.
 
3) As we seek a peaceful transition in the leadership of our nation, leading to justice, peace and harmony for all the world.
 
      Let me say again, this passage of Isaiah 11 was chosen for the Pet Blessing.  I was NOT thinking of it being the Sunday after the congregational meeting to call Pastor Matt.  Nor was I thinking about it being after the national elections.  But God is blessing us with this wonderful picture of a peaceful kingdom, even as we look toward a peaceful and healthy transition of ministry at RLC, and for our government and nation.  
 
    By this Sunday, we will have our pets (or maybe a few of you will be planning to adopt one soon).  We will have heard the news of Pastor Matt's acceptance of the call to be our new pastor.  And we will have finished the elections for our government and nation.  
 
    So now what can we do?   And of course the answer includes many things, from taking good care of our pets and all of God's creation, to working together at RLC with Pastor Matt, to serving as good citizens of our nation.  
   But before and throughout all of the above, God calls on each and every one of us to pray:
 
"First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity."  (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
 
So I join you in praying for this world, for all of God's creation (including my Daisy and your....), for our nation and leaders, and for our pastors and congregations!
 
God is with us,
 
Pastor Steve,