Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers. It may not be the greatest of holidays for some. Some of you were raised by mothers who were not so good. Some of you struggled so hard and were not able to raise children of your own. We could put Father’s Day right next to Mother’s Day and say the same thing. We worship a God who has both maternal and paternal characteristics. God loves you. I really do believe that only because of God’s great love for us, we are capable of loving others. I think of all the women in our congregation, and yes, I don’t know all your stories, but you have shown great love to the church, to the people in the church, and to your pastor. Happy Mother’s Day to you.
Next weekend is my last weekend as your pastor. Saturday will be a normal service. Sunday will be quite different. A couple of months ago, I approached Barb Kromphardt, our choir director, to put together a musical worship service. With everything going on with the church, including the children’s musical program, Barb and the Music and Worship committee have put together a musical worship service for next Sunday. A lot of work has been done to put this worship service together, and I look forward to being part of it.
I had the chance to officiate two funerals this past week. One person I didn’t really know, and the other our church knew as one of our pillars. Very different. But here is the thing. My pastor back home always said to preach the Gospel. You never know who is present at a funeral service. Some people present have great faith. However, you may have some people who have never heard about God’s love. Romans 10:14 is a great passage to remember during these times. Basically, it says, How can I call on the name of the Lord, if I have never heard. Funerals are a good place to hear the Good News.
Maybe this is how we should live our lives? Think about all the people you come across in a day. Do they know you love the Lord? If so, how do they know? If not, why? The passage I preached on this past weekend relates to all of us. Jesus says, “If you love me, you will follow my commandments” (John 14:15). The commandment that Jesus gave us in John 13:34 was to love one another as I have loved you. So, if we say we love Jesus, we would love as Jesus loved. I challenged you to prove it. We have countless ways to prove our love of Jesus by loving others. It doesn’t have to be a big display. Most of the time, it is the opposite. Mother Theresa said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” Maybe we need to concentrate on doing small things with great love.
In these weeks of Easter, we also celebrate Jesus’ Ascension to heaven. So many things would not have occurred biblically without the Ascension. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father. But as the Gospel reading last weekend reminded us, Jesus will not leave us “orphaned.” The second Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is now abiding in us. Every day, we should recognize the Holy Spirit in our lives and thank God for sending the Spirit of truth.
Do you know that someone who I don’t know too well fasted for me one day? Wow, great love.
I had a great and terrible visit with one of our homebound friends last week. This is not one of my strengths. It was the last time I was going to visit her as her pastor. It was tough for both of us because I was not only her pastor but her friend. I feel I have become friends with many of you. This is not going to be an easy week for me. Just wanted to let you know.
We are living in the Easter Season and are always Easter people. Christ has Risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the Ascension of Our Lord, May 14
Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47 Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 24:44-53
Readings for the seventh Weekend of Easter, May 16 & 17
Acts 1:6-14 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 John 17:1-11