July

For the past two months Governor Holcomb’s plan to reopen the state has been implemented under five phases. The final stage should, by Independence Day reach its completion. 

Places of worship have been directed to implement strategies for services held in person with the goal of continuing to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19, while uplifting each other during this difficult time. 

When providing services in person, places of worship are encouraged to follow the minimum health and sanitation protocols while practicing social distancing. To comply with these directives we have offered two services at 9 and 11 am. We continue to broadcast our 9 o’clock service on the radio as well as live stream our service via social media. We have requested members register to attend our services so that in the event that someone tests positive for Covid-19 we can conduct reasonable and responsible contact tracing.

Our driving principle throughout this unprecedented time continues. “We are given to serve both faithfully and responsibly in loving service and care for souls and the health and safety of our members and our neighbors in the world.”

As recently as this past week some of our nursing facilities have allowed clergy to visit members by appointment with precautions in place. Hospital visits are still restricted.

While the medical community searches for a safe and effective vaccine practicing hand and respiratory hygiene is important at all times and is the best way to protect others and yourself. Since some infected persons may not yet be exhibiting symptoms or their symptoms may be mild, maintaining a physical distance with everyone is a good idea. It is also recommended that face masks be worn in public. 

Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources. Local health authorities are best placed to advise on what people in our area should be doing to protect themselves.

We must take into account each person’s family situation differs, especially as it concerns his or her health and safety. Not all may, at this time, be joining us. All are free in Christ to keep to themselves and remain at home without guilt or judgment. If you are in need of pastoral care by all means contact me at your earliest connivance.    

Our school personal has been meeting to determine a reasonable re-entry plan to open our school for the 2020-2021 school year. As with opening our churches we must follow recommendations, best practices, procedures and considerations issued by the county and state health departments, the department of education and other concerned   entities. As the advice from experts in the field changes I would ask for your patience and understanding. Again, we are given to serve both faithfully and responsibly in loving service and care for souls and the health and safety of our members and our neighbors in the world.

This global pandemic which has disrupted every aspect of life has created stress worry and anxiety for many. So much of our lives have been interrupted. Some have been overwhelmed. Perhaps these unprecedented circumstances have at times paralyzed you.   

In unsettling and uncertain times we again look to the Savior. What Jesus offers is peace. It’s more than a feeling. It’s a state of being. A commodity many are willing to pay any price to obtain. 

Where do we find this peace? Christ our Savior has promised to give us His abiding peace. So look to Jesus. And to the places where He can be found. Jesus said, “Peace I give you, My peace I leave you. Not as the world gives it do I give to you.” -  John 14:27  

No wonder we pray in the collect for peace, “Give us that peace which the world simply cannot give.” Jesus says, “Come to Me.” He is gentle and lowly in heart. Gentle does not mean “weak.” He took your cares, concerns, and burdens. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

May the peace of Christ be yours this day.        

July

We are now in the non-festival portion of the Church calendar known as “the time of the Church.”  Especially during this time of the year we will focus on Jesus’ words and Jesus’ actions. Together, the Savior’s testimony and His actions direct us to confess and believe, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus as He continues in His conversation with Peter, reminding us, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.” – Matthew 16:16 -17

It is the Spirit’s work, which calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps us in the faith.  An example from gardening reminds us of the Spirit’s work among us.

He calls you - by the Gospel – planning the seed of faith into your heart. 

He enlightens you - with His gifts – causing growth toward the light of the Gospel.

He sanctifies you – flowers and fruits through good works toward your neighbor.

He keeps you – waters and nurtures the plant of faith so that it remains ever alive and green.

Faith is like a plant

- You can crush it with you heel.

- You cannot make it grow. 

St. Paul would remind us – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. – Galatians 5:22-25

Love is the greatest virtue. (See 1 Corinthians 13:13) Love appears first in this list of the fruit of the Spirit. In the Greek language, there are at least four words for love. All of these are God-given.

Eros - Passionate love. The love expressed between a husband and wife.

Philia - Friendship or affectionate love. (Where we get the word “Philadelphia,” the city of brotherly love) This is the love that you'd find in a family, or between friends. 

Storgē - Natural affection, like that found from a parent to a child.

Agapē - Unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial love. 

Agapē love is the kind of self-giving love shown by the Father when he gave His Son to bear our sin (See John 3:16). God's love doesn't just fix itself on a worthy person, but is love that initiates care and concern whether or not it is reciprocated. Our understanding of love comes from God: "We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19). The greatest commandments - and they sum up the entire law - are: “to love God and love your neighbor.” (See Matthew 22:36-40). 

Perhaps the best way to understand agapē love is to read and meditate on 1 Corinthians 13, the famous "love chapter" from the Bible. This kind of love is beyond us. But when the Holy Spirit comes, He changes us: "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:5)

We are now half way through the calendar year of 2019. The Lord has promise to guide lead and sustain us as He orders each of our lives by His Spirit. The Lord has promised, “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: 'Streams of living water will flow from within him.'" (John 7:38)  “And the LORD will guide you continually.” (Isaiah 58:11) In every episode of your life look to Jesus. He has promise to give guidance in every circumstance. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure. “ (Philippians 2:13)    

Image: Luther’s Seas © Higher Things

July

Heavenly Father, during His earthly ministry Your Son Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead… O God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy… Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul… Almighty and most merciful God, You are the protector of all who trust in You…

During the non-festival half of the church year we focus on the ministry of Jesus. Through His words and actions. The prayer of the Day; throughout this month of July, address those qualities which are unique only to Jesus.  He alone heads the sick and raised the dead. He also made his power known by showing acts of care and mercy. He alone provides for all of our needs both physical and spiritual despite our flaws and failures. He alone is able to guard and keep us.  He alone is the one to protect us.

As we transition through life we can soon discover how vulnerable we are. We need Christ’s presence “every passing hour.” We plea for mercy. Based on God’s constant mercy of the past. There are times when we ask God to abide with us. When we need help. When the way is dark. We pray: “Abide with me; fast falls the eventide.” When joy is gone. We pray: “Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day.” When we seek comfort and forgiveness we pray: “Come not in terrors, as the King of kings”. When we were young and foolish we confess: “Thou on my head in early youth didst smile.” When we are tempted we pray: “I need thy presence every passing hour.”

Remind yourself and others that your God has never left you in life and He will not leave you in death. “In life. In death. O Lord. Abide with me!” That is our petition. And that is His promise.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;

 Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Pr. Dahling will be out of town visiting his daughter in New York City from June 28 to July 3. He will be attending the wedding of his nephew July 26-31 In the event you are in need of pastoral care kindly contact Pr. Peter Brock, or Pr. Russell Fuhrmann or any of the other pastors of our Decatur Circuit.

Brian Horning after six years as Youth Director of the Oasis Youth Fellowship has accepted a call to a congregation in Michigan. His last day of service will be June 30.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Brege has been elected to a three year term as President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. His responsibilities at St Paul Preble after thirty-six years of service will conclude the end of this month. He will assume His office on September 9, 2018.

On Sunday, July 1, 2018 Rev. Martin Moehring will preach his farewell sermon as he will be retiring from full time Kingdom work after twenty-five years of service at St. Peter congregation. 

On Sunday, July 8 Pastor-elect Leonard Tanksley will be ordained and installed as St. Peter’s new pastor.

July

Romans and the Reformation

A Series of Sermons Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation 

July 2 Pentecost 4 - Proper 8 - Divine Service Setting 1
Romans 7:1-13 “Released from the law and sin”

July 9 Pentecost 5 - Proper 9 - Prayer & Preaching
Romans 7:14-25a - “Paul finds peace of mind through Christ’s deliverance”

July 16 Pentecost 6 - Proper 10 - Divine Service Setting 2
Romans 8:12-17 -"Heirs with Christ"

July 23 Pentecost 7 – Proper 11 - Divine Service Setting 3 without Communion
Romans 8:18-27 - “The Purpose of God’s Word is Redemption”

July 30 Pentecost 8 – Proper 12 - Divine Service Setting 3
Romans 8:28-39 - “God’s continual goodness”

We continue to review the book of Romans in our Sunday morning worship gatherings in anticipation for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. 

This month Paul begins a discussion of the nature of the power of the Gospel and its righteousness which leads to assertions of the reality of the reconciliation (and its peace) even in the midst of affliction. These assertions are made under the recognition that the daily experience of the Christian is a daily struggle against indwelling sin. This struggle is carried out in repentant reliance on God’s grace and in hope we live each day confidently. 

Christ is always there for you. Even in your darkest hours. Even when you feel like there is no help left. Put your trust in Him. And he will lift you in His arms.  As the hymn reminds us, “In God my faithful God, I trust when dark my road.” (LSB #745) Christ remains present.  You can even glory in your weakness. For when you are weak you are made strong by the power of Christ.  This change happens. Because of the sacramental effected change of lordship, this has taken place in your baptism. You are not your own. You now belong to Christ.  

Delivered from sin and death, you now live before God in the righteousness of Christ. And where does this freedom come from? It comes in your baptism. The place where the Father names you as His own dear child.  Not because of what you have attained, accomplished, or achieved. This freedom comes to you simply because Christ has chosen to love you and adopt you as His own. 

You abide in the care of Christ.  Fear not. Your Father will not let anything happen to you apart from His gracious will. You are of more value than many sparrows. Not one of them will fall without your Father's will. No harm will befall you but what your Father Wills. If God has work for you to do you cannot die until it is accomplished. Enter summer in the strength and the hope of Christ.