April 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: April (May) 2020
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.' And they remembered His words..." Luke 24:1-8
My dear Christian friends,
Palm Sunday is nearly upon us. Good Friday follows rapidly. And then—Easter! A time for great celebration and joy! Of course, it won't be exactly the way we expect and wish it to be because of the Coronavirus. Most churches everywhere will NOT be full of people celebrating the resurrection victory of God’s Son. That is NOT as it should be. But, even so, you will be able to hear the wonderful news proclaimed again on our church's website (or by listening to Worship Anew on TV or the Internet) – the joyous news that Christ rose from the grave and still lives today.
But then come the days following Easter Sunday...more services having been canceled and more that may be cancelled. Which leads to questions that need to be asked: “Did you have the ‘Easter glow’ this year?” “Even though we didn't get to worship together, He is risen...do you believe that?” “Is your Savior who died on Good Friday still alive in your life in these days following Easter as you wait for the opportunity to worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ?”
There’s an interesting thing that happened in the life of Martin Luther that speaks to the struggles we're facing. Luther preached again and again that Christ is alive and at our side every day. But Martin was also subject to periods of depression and discouragement.
On one such time of discouragement, Luther’s wife, Katie, came to his rescue in an unusual way. Katie dressed herself in black mourning clothes and fixed a sorrowful expression on her face. When Luther came back from a walk and saw Katie seemingly overwhelmed with sorrow, he asked her, “What’s happened?” Katie answered him, “Alas, the dear Lord is dead.” Martin replied, “What nonsense! You know that God lives and cannot die.” To which Katie answered, “Is that possible? I thought surely He must be dead since you seem so distressed.” Then Luther smiled and said, “You’re right. I should not be so sad, because God—who has been, is, and will be—is always the same loving God.”
Okay then, what about you and me? Do we need the reminder Katie gave Martin? We may believe that Jesus Christ rose from the grave, but often we don’t act that way. For all practical purposes, He’s dead in our life. We mope around, moaning about all the evils, troubles, and problems in our world - how things are so different from how we expected them to be. We develop ulcers and take tranquilizers. Selfishness dominates our thoughts and actions. So, how can we be a witness to others about the truth of Christ’s resurrection when we act as though He were dead?
Katie Luther gave us an example. In her own way she reminded her husband that Christ is alive, no matter how sad we may feel or what our circumstances are. He did rise from the grave...just as surely as He mounted that ugly cross to take away our sins.
This will be the second last "pastoral letter" I will write to you as I will be retiring the day after our May 31st Pentecost Sunday service. (And LORD willing, we WILL be meeting in public worship by then!) But whether we are or not - those aren’t just empty words we hear spoken (and speak ourselves) on Easter Sunday. Those words are true – and they bring life and salvation to all who believe in Him.
“Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!”
In Him,
Pastor Blakey
(Adapted from My Daily Devotions)
A Burma Shave jingle from 1950:
HIS CHEEK
WAS ROUGH
HIS CHICK VAMOOSED
AND NOW SHE WON'T
COME HOME TO ROOST
BURMA-SHAVE
CHURCH WEBSITE
As many already know, St. James now has a website at st-james-lutheran.org. It was with the help and ongoing assistance of Pastor's son, John, that the website is and continues to be operational. Pastor started recording and posting the audio of the readings and sermon for all cancelled services, starting with the March 18th midweek service. In this way, people can continue worshiping at their homes until we can resume meeting together again. (To which I am GREATLY looking forward!!) In the meantime, Pastor is willing to visit in people's homes and bring communion to them there.
CANCELLATIONS
SPECIAL APRIL SERVICES: In view of the suggested precautions in regard to the Coronavirus, the 2020 special "end-of-Lent" communion services: Palm Sunday (April 5); Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (April 9 & 10); and the two for Easter Sunday (April 12) have been cancelled.
As noted elsewhere, in the newsletter, all Midweek meetings and Bible studies will not be meeting either through April 18. On the weekend of April 18, Pastor and the Church Council will discuss and make a decision regarding future cancellations. For those with Internet access, please check the church's website (st-james-lutheran.org) for any continuing cancellations. So, please note that the activities listed for the last two weeks of April on the newsletter calendar you receive may still be cancelled.
NEW Church Directory
Thank you again to everyone who came for photos and all those who submitted photos for the 2020 Church Directory. We anticipate receiving it before the end of April.
W H A T ' S O N T H E O T H E R S I D E ?
A doctor had heard one of his patients was near death. As he was out driving with his dog, he decided to stop by for a last visit with the sick man. The doctor left his dog on the porch and went inside for his visit.
As the doctor was about to leave, the sick man turned to him and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You of all people, a good Christian man and a doctor, do not know what is on the other side?”
The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to his patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice that dog? He had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but gladness."
“ 'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.' Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me' " (John 14:1-6).
BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP
When it comes to God's giving to us, He sets no boundaries. In the words of Martin Luther, “He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.” It is In response to God’s great love for us and His bountiful gifts to us, that we, in faith, share with others the wealth that we've been given. God uses us as conduits of His love and His goodness so that no one has to be in need.
Firstfruits Giving means that we give to God first rather than giving God the leftovers after our own needs are met. When we give our firstfruits, no matter what the gift - whether it is of our time, talents, or treasure - we acknowledge that God is first in our lives and that He is the giver of all that we have. Firstfruits Giving is a tangible, visible expression of the special relationship that we have with God in Jesus Christ.
(from Excel in the Grace of Giving – Bible Study)
With our stewardship in mind, please remember that while we've not been gathering for worship, bills continue to be received and still need to be paid. Accordingly, Pastor and the Church Council asks that, as you are able, you continue making your offering contributions to St. James by mail or by setting up St. James as a payee in your online banking website or mobile app to do so electronically (as some of you have already been doing - and for which we say, "Thank you!").
AN IMPORTANT ONGOING REMINDER FROM OUR ST. JAMES LUTHERAN DAYCARE DIRECTOR: The daycare has participated in the Kroger Community Reward program for many years. It's been a great way for us to fundraise without having to sell anything. All you need do is register your Kroger Plus card with our non-profit organization number (NPO), which is TK945. If you don't have a Kroger Plus card, they're available at customer service or you can register for a digital card on the Kroger website: kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/
Once you've registered your Kroger Plus card, all you need do is swipe your card (or enter your alternate ID) each time you shop. Kroger's system will automatically direct the credits to the daycare. (As a registered member, you must swipe your registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number related to your card when shopping, or your purchases will not count.) This does not interfere with your fuel rewards. Nothing changes with your Kroger Plus benefits.
**IMPORTANT**: This process needs to be repeated every year in DECEMBER. If you haven't already done so, please do. You can check the bottom of your Kroger receipt...it will tell you whether the credits for your recent purchase was sent to St. James. If you don't see that, please check online to make sure you are registered with our NPO. Thanks!
LWML NEWS
Bible Study - We normally meet for Bible Study at 1:30 p.m. on the last two Tuesdays of each month - except in December. We use the Bible Studies from the LWML Quarterly magazine. Please check the church website or with Pastor to see if we will meet on April 21st & 28th.
Get-togethers:
Nationally: LWML Convention-2021 Lexington, Kentucky hosted by Indiana, Michigan and Ohio districts.
In Indiana:
If held, the Indiana District Convention in 2020 will be at the Mirro Conference Center in Fort Wayne.
Again, thank you to everyone who continues supporting the LWML ladies monetarily with their "mite" offerings on the first Sunday of each month. Our congregation's LWML funds several ministry "projects" including supporting our adopted seminarian: Grant Sorenson, who is now finishing his fourth year at Concordia Theological Seminary.
This is just a portion of the entire newsletter. To read the full newsletter that others receive via e-mail or “snail-mail”, please give the church office your mailing or e-mail address so we can send it to you. You can reach us at stjamesreynolds@yahoo.com - thanks!