PASTOR’S CORNER

+ “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) +

From the first call that I served in Lutheran ministry, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Milan, Indiana, here is the Statement of Mission that we adopted during those days – our purpose, our reason for being: “God calls us to spread his word, share his love, be a place to celebrate joys as well as sorrows, and not only to look to our own needs, but to those of the community around us.” This month, as we sit in the frosty cold of winter, wishing for it to warm up again, let’s expand on this just a bit.

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) As you know, we have a Bethel Bible Series class underway here at Peace, with three students. We ask that you regularly remember them in prayer as they are now completing their study of the New Testament: Ilene Marquis, Carla Land, and Reid Dalton. We have discovered that one of the important things in the life of every character whom we study is gratitude, thanksgiving to the Lord for mercies received and grace offered. God is the main character in every story. How is God the main character in your story? As you consider your own life situation right now, what are some of the things that you are grateful for? How about electricity and heat? A comfortable bed and a refrigerator full of food? For myself: the neighbor who cleared out my driveway last weekend. How about each of us doing a random act of kindness every once in a while? I am grateful for my family and friends, and for our church family right here at Peace. My mother often told me to count my blessings. Right now is a good time to do just that!

You may have recently seen on the internet the story of a church youth group traveling through the South in a large motor home. All was going smoothly, until they came upon a long string of stopped vehicles. Whatever the trouble was – an accident, road work, a police chase – for a while they could do nothing. As they grew bored and frustrated, some of them came up with a thoughtful plan. They decided to go to as many other vehicles as possible and offer the occupants the use of the bathroom in their motor home. Soon, several people responded to the invitation. What an excellent way to fulfill a definite need! Then, another good idea surfaced. They saw a flatbed truck also in line. They went to the driver and asked him if they might stand on the truck bed and play their musical instruments and sing. He consented, and before long they were “on stage” playing and singing Christian music. Other travelers, hearing the joyful sound, gathered around the truck and participated in the activity.

The youth had found ways to turn a troublesome delay into an opportunity to make a Christian witness.

If you have a Bible close at hand, you might spend a little extra time with it. A biographer of Abraham Lincoln says that Lincoln knew the Bible almost by heart. My guess is that one of the books that he studied by firelight on a chilly winter evening was the Bible. J.G. Randall says, in his book Mr. Lincoln: “There was not a clergyman to be found so familiar with it as he. There is scarcely a speech or paper prepared by him from 1834 to 1865, but contains apt allusions and stirring illustrations from the sacred book.” In fact, it is said that when Lincoln saw a misquotation from the Bible, he would correct it and write down the chapter and verse where the exact words could be found.

And of course, there is always room for laughter and some pithy thoughts to consider: “Laughter is to life what salt is to the egg.” (Helen Valentine) “If it weren’t for the last minute, a lot of things wouldn’t get done.” (Michael S. Traylor) “Doing the tough things today prepares us for the big things tomorrow.” (Zig Ziglar) “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” (Ursula K. LeGuin)

As we journey through these days of winter toward the spring days to come, we enter into the Season of Lent, with its climax in the events remembered during Holy Week and Easter. The chill of death has left us forever, and we bask in the warm glow of Resurrection Light! Jesus the Christ, Messiah, has overcome all for our sake, and for this blessing we offer the greatest thanks and praise!

As has been our custom in recent years, Lent will be remembered during Sunday morning services of worship. May “God bless us, every one!”

Faithfully, Pastor Bartos +

“Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.” (Proverbs 25:13) +