Pastor's Corner
PASTOR'S MESSAGE
Dear Fellow Redeemed in Christ,
The "lazy days of summer" are rapidly drawing to a close. Students have returned to school, and the time for most vacations is past. In many ways we are all preparing to "dive back in" to a busier and more serious routine of activities. This is a time when many of us are planning just what our routine will be once the summer is over, and our regular fall schedule begins.
The people of God, collectively and individually, are also preparing for a busier fall and winter with Sunday school, adult bible class, confirmation classes etc. Now is the time for all of us to review and re-evaluate our lives in relationship to the Savior and His Church. As you prepare for increased activity this fall, don't neglect your activities as an active member of the Body of Christ in this place. Consider increasing what you do for the Savior who has done so much for you.
In that light, take advantage of the opportunities the Lord has given each of you to keep your faith strong and growing by faithfully attending one of the worship services each week and by increased activity in the Word through adult bible study on Sunday evenings. And bring a friend! Jesus Himself put it this way in Ephesians 6:10ff through His servant Paul, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes ... Stand firm then, with the belt of truth ... with the breastplate of righteousness ... with the readiness of the Gospel ... the shield of faith ... the helmet of salvation ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
Indeed, what marvelous gifts we have each been given to sustain us both in our faith, and as our activities increase. I pray your summer was an enjoyable one, and that you enjoy what's left of it. May our Lord bless your leisure and your work, especially your work done for Him, as we each seek to use our gifts to further the Gospel in this place and at this time.
In the love of Jesus,
Pastor Nowak
JESUS LIVES
John 20: 11-18WHOSE BROTHERS AND SISTER ARE WE?
Dear friends in Jesus Christ. Whatever else the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus teaches us, it most clearly shows us the measure of love that He has for people like us. We can be told over and over again that God is love, that He is moved by nothing but love in all He does for us and to us and in all the ways that He guides and directs us. But is all sounds so theoretical and abstract. We are convinced that we have more reasons to question God's love for us than to see everything that comes into our lives as somehow resulting from His love.
God clearly realizes that. He knows our fragile and fallen condition and how hard it is for us to think His thoughts, which are higher than our thoughts, and to understand His ways, which are higher than our ways. So God went as far as He could go. He loved us so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. Surely, we would receive God's Son!
But we didn't receive God's only Son as the full and final manifestation of God's love. He came to His own people, and they did not receive him. He had to sneak into His own world by the back door of a stable, and He was finally put out of the way on the cross. Even His disciples, those who learned from Him and followed Him, were so offended by Him as the expression of God's love that they all forsook Him and fled. Over and over again, we so prove ourselves to be unworthy disciples, followers on whom Jesus cannot count, people who think of their Lord only when it seems to be to their advantage, pupils who never seem to learn what their teacher wants them to know for their life and salvation.
But what do we find, despite all our unworthiness and disloyalty? The Lord who died for us and rose again still calls us His brothers and sisters. He knows how we betray Him and deny Him and forsake Him. But He refuses to let us go. The Word is always "Go tell my brothers." Sinners like us are His brothers and sisters, because He is the Savior of sinners, the Lord of all, and all would be lost without Him.
In Christ, the Gift to be shared,
Pastor Nowak
WORSHIP AT CALVARY
Dear Fellow Redeemed of Calvary,
What is Worship? What it is important? Why should Divine worship be such a vital part of who I am as a Child of God?
Although much about worship seems similar throughout Christianity, Lutherans have a unique perspective on the questions above. The Lutheran understanding of worship is expressed in the Divine Service.
The Lutheran Confessions teach us about the "service" of Divine Service: "So the worship and divine service of the Gospel is to receive gifts from God" (Apology of the Augsburg Confessions, Article V, paragraph 189). In the Divine Service, God, who calls, gathers, and enlightens the whole Christian Church on earth, comes to serve us with His gracious gifts of Word and Sacrament.
People often think that worship is about what we do for or toward God. The reality is quite different. In the Divine Service, God is providing His service for us. In the readings, the preaching, the proclamation of His Word and in His Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, God comes to us. In worship, God gives His grace and then we respond with thanks and praise. So, Christians at any age are privileged to participate in the Divine Services.
Beginning in May 2009, we will be introducing some of the other Divine Services beginning with Divine Service Five. You know, all of the Divine Services in the Lutheran Service Book are not new for us, but rather a compilation of Lutheran Worship (our blue hymnal) and The Lutheran Hymnal (our old red hymnal). As we use these Divine Services, God the Holy Spirit enables Christians to love God more and to enrich and develop a firmer faith in Him. Indeed, to learn more about worship, to experience the variety of our Divine Services will enrich your life both now rich and throughout your journey to the eternal home above.
How exciting and transforming our Divine Services can be. They (through the Holy Spirit) will affect your heart and mind, helping you to think more like Jesus and more about Him. It will also help you to lead a life of worship ... a life that will, in turn, help you to understand and appreciate your neighbor better.
Working the harvest with you,
Pastor Nowak
View pictures from Pastor Nowak's Installation
on February 8, 2009 on our Facebook page