"Taken For Granted"

What does it mean to be taken for granted?

 If you plug this into a Google Search this is what you will find. Web definitions- Axiomatic: evident without proof or argument; "an axiomatic truth"; "we hold these truths to be self-evident".wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn 

The Urban dictionary has this listed as a definition; To expect someone or something to be always available to serve in some way without thanks or recognition; to value someone or something too lightly.

It seems as if every day I hear someone say something or do something that communicates that they are or have taken something for granted. We love and enjoy driving or riding on a road that is smooth, but do we recognize how that smooth road came to be?  Do we consider how the road came to be located in that place in the first place? Was it originally a footpath, then a wagon path, then a gravel road, then a paved road? Who worked hard and used "what knowledge" to build this road that you are now enjoying. Who helped to make your trip easy and enjoyable? Most of the time we do not think of these things at all. But when we must traverse a bumpy road, we may scream, "Why don't they (the city, municipality, state or national government) do something about it?"  Often we do not think about these things until something goes wrong and the problem becomes very noticeable. 

When it comes to "growing, strengthening, building our faith and connection to Jesus, fellow believers and the members of our local congregation" what are the aspects of these relationships that can be "taken for granted"?  Maybe a blog of remembrance or what not to take for granted might help. Can you think of other ways to keep from "taking _____ for granted"?  Fill in the blank with whomever or whatever can be taken for granted.  I look forward to your comments.

Read the Book

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." —Theodore Roosevelt

Confirmation Morphs Into Head to Heart

Luther's Small Catechism

Head 2 Heart

The challenge we are seeking meet for the young people of our congregation with Head to Heart is to make a clear distinction from what has historically been called Confirmation Class, what has been used in the past, to a system and a process that will meet the needs and the challenges present for our youth in our culture today. The society and culture in which our children are living today has much different values than the culture of our parents and grand-parents. H2H is “not” class, it is “not” school, it is a ongoing, long-term ministry which helps prepare and teach children about their Savior, but so much more. What we really want and need is to create stronger, more vibrant, tenacious, and steadfast bonds between our youth and their Savior. The struggle we have is in articulating and communicating the process, and the system, and the purpose, and the unique method, and reasons for doing what we are doing to the parents and members of our congregation. Head to Heart is a ministry that is built to bring our youth together, bond them to one another in love for Christ, and cement them into the body of Christ so that they will develop a much closer relationship to their Lord and to His family. Our parents and members need to understand our goals and the path we are taking to insure these stronger relationships. Our knowledge of facts, how they are connected, the languages, and the culture of the Bible, and the truths of who we are and how we are connected to those truths, is vitally important and provides a necessary foundation for building our life in Christ. However, we must never think knowing and information is enough.  Sadly, some have the notion that information, knowing something is all they need. Too often we fail to make the connection between information and behavior, information and the connection we need to our Savior and He people. We fail to see the real need of our soul is to have a "RELATIONSHIP"  to our Savior and the community of believers. We fail to recognize what the family, the community of faith does for us and our children. We think we can live separated from God's Word and His Supper for great parts of our lives without any damaging effects on our "faith in Christ."  It would be like a smoker, thinking that knowing the facts of what this practice does to their body, is enough to protect them from the damage smoking does in their lives. In some ways we fail to meet the real human needs of people for a the deeper connection to God and His people and their absolute need to remain, REMAIN connected to Him.  We do not want Confirmation to equal Graduation.  We would like to see the confirmands honestly live what they believe and remain faithful not because mom and dad “make” them, but because they recognize their own needs, and they are invest in serving and caring for one another, and are motivated from a godly heart to boldly live lives that reflect that understanding, and that deep and abiding commitment.  When truths of God’s Word have migrated from their heads where the know them to be true and significant for their lives here, today and tomorrow, to their hearts where they believe them strongly enough so they motivate them to use to their hands, minds, vocations, marriages and very beings to live their faith in Christ, daily and serve Christ and their neighbor until God takes them home, then we will know God's Word has impacted their lives for eternity.  These are the goals we are working for in Head to Heart.

This is what you will see when you log into our updated and improved website.  Keeping people informed and welcoming new members are two of the things a website can do.  Those of you who use the World Wide Web to locate information, to share news and pictures with others or even to watch movies, learn new things and converse with people on the other side of the globe, if you would comment on what we might consider adding to our web page and web presents please let me know.  I would love to hear from you.
Blessings & Peace,
Pastor John

Using Bible 101

When I come across good information and interesting resources that would help people know and understand the Word of God better, I like to share this information.  It seems to me that God has given us an opportunity to open His Word up to more and more people to help them understand God's mission and purpose. The Apostle Paul and the other Disciples could write letters and share those letters, but we have the internet.  How can we use this to increase our understanding of God's gracious gift of salvation?  How can we use it to connect with our young people and teach God's Word to them so they will have it on their hearts for life? Can the internet help us be more effective?  I've created a Screen Cast to tell and show you a little bit about BIBLE 101.  You can see it here:  Please let me know what you think? Send me an e-mail or tell me after worship, or give me a call.

The Right Side Chancel Window

To the right of the altar is the picture of Christ standing at the door and knocking, We read in Revelations these words of Christ,” Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” In worship Christ comes to us. His work for all mankind is the focus of the church’s life these windows teach great lessons about our Savior and bring a great comfort to us.

The Chancel Windows

On either side of the altar are long lancet windows which throw light into the Sanctuary and onto the altar.  These windows do not glare into the eyes of the worshippers but can be viewed as they approach the altar to receive the Lord’s Supper.  To the left of the altar is a life size figure of Christ the Good Shepherd holding a lamb in his arms. Jesus tells us, “I am the Good Shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 Since Christ and His work for all mankind is the focus of the church’s life these windows bring a great comfort to us.

The Choir Window

THE CHOIR WINDOW

"The Lutheran Church"-(a) A Missionary Church, (b) A Confessional Church, (c) A Singing Church.

The central panel shows Christ sending out disciples: "Preach the Gospel to every Creature."

The left panel brings the outstanding scene of the quadricentennial of the Augsburg Confession: Chancellor Bayer reading the Augsburg Confession to Emperor Charles V on June 25, 1530. King Ferdinand of Austria stands at the side of the Emperor.

The other panel shows three great musicians of the Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Church is known as the singing Church, and it has reason to be proud of its musical heritage. Luther, the father of the choral, is the central figure of this group. Before Luther's day the congregation remained silent during the service. Through his endeavor the congregation again received the right to "come into His presence with singing and into His courts with praise". Not only did Luther write many chorals himself, but he also urged his friends who were musically inclined to do the same. We have thirty-seven of his hymns in our hymnal. His" A Mighty Fortress is our God", of which he composed both the words and the mu­sic has been translated into many languages. Luther is pictured with a lute in his hand, the instrument of which he was so fond. At Luther's left stands Paul Gerhardt, the Asaph of the Lutheran Church, 1607-1676, whose hymns, though composed in days of storm and distress and persecution, nevertheless breathe the wonderful comfort and courage of a trusting child of God. We have hymns by him for almost every occasion of the Church year, forty-two in all. The best known of his hymns are, "0 Bleeding Head and Wounded"  (0 Haupt voll Blut und Wunden) and "Commit Whatever Grieves Thee" (Befiehl Du Deine Wege). At Luther's right, nearest to the organ console, stands John Sebastian Bach (1685­1750), the great Lutheran organist, whose masterpieces excell in more than one respect anything that has been written for the organ since he composed those grand religious oratorios, like the Matthews Passion or the Christmas Oratorio. most of Bach's compositions were written for his own use in the St. Thomas Church and School at Leipsig, where he was organist and choir director" None of his music was given into print during his lifetime, Land only in recent years is his music being appreciated, as it deserves to be appreciated. The Lutheran Church has received a rich heritage of organ and choral music this genius of the organ. This legacy continues at Zion Lutheran Church in her various choirs and instrumental music groups that use their gifts to celebrate God's love in worship.

What Can You Learn From Windows?

I have added several new pictures of our windows at church. As one considers these windows and the story they tell, we see the central figure is Christ. Christ is the focus of our worship. His death on the cross has redeemed us from the curse which keeps us separated from God.  We have now been reconciled or brought back into a "saved" relationship with our God because of what Christ has done for us.  Now we join in this place of worship to thank and praise Him so that we might also serve and obey Him.  May God Bless your day!

The West Transept Window

The west transept windows show three panels which illustrate, The Word and Sacraments”. These are the means which God uses to continue to deliver His grace to people today, Just as water mains below the road delivers water to each household, so God’s promise made to us in Baptism brings the reality of Jesus’s cleansing to our fallen souls. In Baptism , we are born into God family and made heirs of our heavenly Father’s gifts and treasures, of which forgiveness and eternal life are a part. 

The West Transept Window

The west transept windows show three panels which illustrate, The Word and Sacraments”. These are the means which God uses to continue to deliver His grace to people today, Just as water mains below the road delivers water to each household, so God’s spoken, read, and proclaimed word continues to deliver the Good News of sin forgive to the individual hearts of people. The Word is illustrated as Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha. While Martha prepares to serve Jesus, Mary sits and listens to His Word, the “One Thing Needful”. 

The East Clerestory Window

The east clerestory window above Christ, the Victor, shows the shows a cross, a crown and palm branches. Through the cross we reach the crown.” Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 . The palm branch denotes triumph and victory. 

The East Clerestory Window

The east clerestory window above Christ, the Victor, shows the shows an anchor. “If Christ be not raised your faith is in vain; you are yet in your sin,” Paul writes to the Corinthians. However, because He was raised we have confidence in His salvation. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” Hebrews 6:19  

Christ, the Victor; The East Aisle Window #3

The east aisle window #3, shows the resurrection of our Lord.  This window is treated symbolically showing the risen Savior with the banner of victory.  Mary and a Roman Centurion are worshipping Him. As our victorious Savior we too gather to worship Him.  He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving because of the price He willingly paid for our forgiveness and freedom. 

The Clerestory Window Above Elijah

The west clerestory above aisle window #3, shows a Hebrew Scroll. As Elijah was a prophet and used scrolls as a record for their words, these scrolls give witness to the courage, fear and trials experienced by the prophets as they called God’s children to trust in the God who had brought them out of Egypt and lead them into the Promised Land. Today, we have these words in a book. If you see a symbol in the sanctuary you’d like to know more about e-mail Pastor John or drop him a note.

The West Aisle Window #3

The west aisle window #3, shows the prophet Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind. His ascension is symbolic of our Lord’s Ascension when His task on earth was finished. Read about all the ministry of Elijah as he spoke the Word of God to wicked King Ahab in 1 Kings 17:1-1 Kings 2:11. Witness the courage and the fear in the heart of a man who speaks the truth under some very challenging days in the lives of God’s children.. If you see a symbol in the sanctuary you’d like to know more about e-mail Pastor John or drop him a note.

The East Side Windows

The windows on the east side of the Sanctuary are now more subdued due to our new addition but if you look closely you can see the Crucifixion of our Lord. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” The sacrifice that has overcome sin and death is Christ alone. If you see a symbol in the sanctuary you’d like to know more about e-mail Pastor John or drop him a note.

The East Side Clerestory Windows

The clerestory windows on the east side of the sanctuary above the crucifixion show symbols of the passion. The first is the “cup of suffering”. Jesus said, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39. The sacrifice that has overcome sin and death is was the cup of suffering Jesus drank for us.. If you see a symbol in the sanctuary you’d like to know more about e-mail Pastor John or drop him a note.

The East Side Clerestory Windows

The clerestory windows, those highest in the sanctuary, on the east side of the sanctuary above the crucifixion window show symbols of our Lord’s passion. The second panel shows the crown of thorns and four spikes which were the instruments of His torture and suffering. Jesus suffered more than just the physical pain of a man, He also suffered separation from His Father in heaven because of our sin. If you see a symbol in the sanctuary you’d like to know more about e-mail Pastor John or drop him a note.

The West Side Clerestory Window

The West side Clerestory windows above the window showing the sacrifice of Isaac we see the symbols of Old Testament worship. The first window shows an altar with a burning sacrifice. The offering of an unblemished male lamb cost the giver some of his or her livelihood. It was a statement of trust in God who would ultimately send the true Lamb who would take away the sin of the world. If you see a symbol in the sanctuary you’d like to know more about e-mail Pastor John or drop him a note.