Church “Membership”

How do people see their church membership? Is my church membership critical to my life? In order words, is it a priority or just a preference? I would like to take some time to think about my relationship to "the church". Does the pattern of my worship mean anything? Does it say anything? If I worship only sporadically, even thought I have no legitimate reason for not joining with my brothers and sisters in worship, does this conflict with my words about loving Jesus? If I truly love Jesus, than isn't taking time to worship an indication of that love? If I love Jesus than isn't taking time to study His word an indication of that love and commitment? Are others watching what I do? What happens when what I say is in conflict with what I do? Will they believe what I say or what I do? The other side of this coin is that attending worship does not necessarily equate with a deep and abiding faith in Jesus. I could attend, and sometimes I even do, when I'd rather be somewhere else. If I am not engaged with what is happening on Sunday morning, things like singing the hymns, praying, reading along, listening carefulling and meditating on what is being said and done, than am I truly worshipping? Am I showing my love for Jesus?

What did Jesus mean when He said, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words." John 14:23-24 Or as John writes in His first letter,"If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20 What would happen if every person who said they loved Christ and were thankful for what He did personally for them were motivated and committed to show that love by growing in their understanding of His Word, worshipping as regularly as then attend to their occupation and showed a loving attitude toward their brothers and sisters starting with their own spouses and children and parents? Like you I need to examine the ways in which I am putting my faith into action. If I am truly a member of the body of Christ then what should my participation in "church" look like? If the U and R are missing than is it really a church any longer?

Thanks for listening.

Blessings & Peace,

Pastor John

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

I received the following letter in an e-mail from a member. I thought it said some good things that will make us think about how we respond to all the politically correct folks. I hope you enjoy it.
Blessings & Peace,
Pastor John
Hebrews 13:20-21

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9.. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:

I LOVE YOU,

The Lutheran Study Bible

I just finished reading page 12 in the new "The Lutheran Study Bible" from Concordia Publishing House. I am impressed. In just one page the gems which I have learned or reviewed and the insights recorded in these few word of Genesis just astound me. Such things as the power of God’s Word; The note says, “God’s Word is “performative — it does not merely state something, but it accomplishes, or brings about, that which it declares.” The clarity of this note is saying that when God speaks it happens. When God calls me just, because of Christ, I can have faith that I am then just.

Another gem is, "The persistence of goodness (in our world) reminds us about what we've lost." The fact that there is goodness in the world speaks about God's goodness to humankind. He does not just leave us in hostile environment caused by sin, but gives us hope.

If the rest of this Study Bible is as good as this first page, it is a study Bible worth having to use as you study God's Word. I would encourage our members to buy and use this Bible.