Hebrews 13:20-25 Equipped for God's Glory

Pr. Mark Westie's Installation at Wainola Lutheran, 2013
Front: Mark Westie (Wainola Lutheran); Carole Neitzel (Our Redeemer, Champion),
Mark Vander Tuig (LCMC Service Coordinator), Len Gilley (NALC retired),
Back: Les Niemi (ELCA retired), Peter Suomela (Bethany Lutheran, Covington),
Judy Mattson (Zion Lutheran, Skanee
and Aura Lutheran)
 

Hebrews 13:20-25 NIV
If God equips you with a gift; He will also call you to use that gift in service to Him and His children. If He calls you into service; He will equip you for that service.

Last night I met with twenty brothers and sisters from four LCMC congregations in the U.P.. We are all small, very rural (more like remote) congregations. We gathered over dinner and to share the stories of what God has done and is doing in our communities. I heard how God has called and is calling each one to do His will according to the gifts He has given us. I heard with joy the love these children of God have for the Lord and for one another.

I listened with humility (and pride if that is possible or permissible) to the youngest pastor present, Mark Westie, who was called by Wainola Lutheran, from among them, to be their shepherd. Wainola Lutheran is way out in the woods even further than my own congregation. Their pastor is also a full-time truck driver. He could not shepherd these sheep without a lot of help and support from members of his flock; without each of them using the gifts that God has given them to do His will; sharing their faith in Christ Jesus with others.

Also present were brothers and sisters in Christ, from Our Redeemer Lutheran, Champion. They are confidently entering into the process of discerning who shall be their next shepherd as their pastor, Carole Neitzel, has received another call. She will be missed; but, they and I are confident that they have been equipped to meet this challenge and they will continue to grow in Christ.

Brothers and sisters from Bethany Lutheran, Covington, were also with us. They will be planning our next gathering in Covington for this fall. They are a very unique congregation, which I had the privilege of serving as an interim a few years ago, until they called their present pastor, Peter Suomela. I have had the privilege of watching him (and them) grow in service to the Lord over many years. They use their gifts that they have been equipped with to serve God and the whole community as they grow in Christ.

And, then there was Zion Lutheran, Skanee, my own congregation. I have been serving here for almost seventeen years and the faithfulness and love of God of the people has never ceased to amaze me. Prior to attending seminary and being ordained, I served here as a Lay Pastor for about ten years. I cannot thank God enough for the patient and loving members of this congregation who have taught me much. They are eager to share their love of God with others. God, through all of them, helped to equip me to do His will.

There were two things that I heard last night that I will remember always. First, how much everyone present loves the Lord. Second, how much love they have for one another.

We are all small congregations in very rural and small communities. Our numbers grow slowly simply because of lack of population. But, that does not mean that we cannot grow. We grow in Christ because of the gifts that God has given each of us for doing his will. May He continue to work in all of us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (vs 20-21)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 36 - For His Holy Name

“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes." (Ezekiel 36:22-23 NIV)

I just returned from the LCMC Conference in Dearborn, MI. I am worn out and frankly quite ill. I was not feeling well when I left and was feeling worse upon my return. Still debating whether to see a doctor or just get some rest.

I do not particularly enjoy large crowds nor have I ever enjoyed conferences or meetings of any kind. They wear me out, rather than refresh me. I was uncomfortable being there and I could not figure out exactly why. But, when Pr. Enrique Estrada spoke the answer came to me. It's about family. It's about caring for the children of God and while I am far away at conferences, I am not with the children of God that I have been called to live among and to care for. I feel like a ship out of water; stranded, when I am not within the community I have been called to serve. Now, this community is actually quite a large community. It covers a few counties so it's not like I'm a recluse. I am most comfortable when I am doing what I have been called to do; when I am out amongst the people, sharing God's love, His message with them. I am more refreshed when I am giving. All this is done not to glorify myself or anyone else. It is done to glorify, for the sake, of His Holy Name.

Many parents have a difficult time leaving their children behind when they have to go out of town. They feel a bit empty - like a part of them is missing. That is how I feel when I have to leave the area for any reason. I worry about the children of God. I wonder if this one or that one is feeling better or worse; if one has received employment or how they might still be struggling to put food on the table. When I am away from the community that I have been called to serve, I feel like a mother who has left her children behind at home or a Shepherd who has left their flock in the field to fend for themselves.

The message I heard from Pr. Estrada was about caring for all of God's children - genuinely putting others before ourselves. All this so that all people might hear and receive and be reconciled to the family of God in Christ Jesus and this for the glory of God's Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 34 - Lost Sheep, Lost Shepherds?

We often hear how various congregations/denominations are in decline. Many of them are; but, not all! There are many excuses used. We can blame the demographics. We've all heard that our people are aging, we have no children in the community, or even that all of our young people have moved out of the area for more and better opportunities. Some try to blame the economy. But, if we take a look back in history, we will mostly find that when people hit hard times they were more apt to repent and turn to the LORD than to turn away from him. I don't care where you are, there are people who do not know Jesus, share the story...!

I'm thinking that Ezekiel 34 hits the nail on the head:

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not the shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they become food for all the wild animals." (Ezekiel 34:2-5 NIV)

I am at the LCMC Convocation in Dearborn, Michigan. Yesterday, we were asked to consider what we had given up, what we had lost, to follow Jesus; to be his disciples, going forth to share the good news of the Kingdom. What indeed? All around the world people are risking their lives to proclaim the Gospel. But, here in the United States, what are we willing to sacrifice so that our brother or sister might be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 149 - Sing and Dance to the LORD

"Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people." (Psalm 149:1 NIV)

I spent the week-end at an LCMC Youth Retreat at a waterpark at Three Bears Lodge in Warrens, WI. What joy! I hate the drive, but it is so good to see the young people have fun.  Some of them played in the waterpark; most of them were in the arcade; they made dresses out of pillowcases to send to children in need; they filled packs with goodies for military personnel overseas. They sang and they danced during Worship.  There was even a dance for them. A few of them went, but only a couple stayed as the rest could not tolerate the music or the crowd. It is very hard to actually be present with someone when it is so loud. Rather than go to the dance, they did what I really enjoy most seeing them do. They hung around in our rooms fellowshipping together. What I really rejoice in seeing most is our young people spending time together. They seemed to be enjoying that time with one another.

Yes, there was "horsing around." It was all in good fun. But, the respect and the caring they have for one another was also obvious. I rejoice in the LORD, this morning, for He has given us some really awesome young people to share our lives with, to share our stories with, to walk beside, and to lead in the way that they should go.

And... I hope they keep singing and dancing, rejoicing in the LORD, all the days of their lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 149:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9

Cross references:

1. Psalm 149:1 : Ps 33:2; 103:1
2. Psalm 149:1 : S Ps 28:7; S 96:1; Rev 5:9
3. Psalm 149:1 : S Ps 1:5
4. Psalm 149:2 : Isa 13:3; Jer 51:48
5. Psalm 149:2 : S Job 10:3; Ps 95:6; Isa 44:2; 45:11; 54:5
6. Psalm 149:2 : Ps 10:16; 47:6; Isa 32:1; Zec 9:9
7. Psalm 149:3 : S Ex 15:20
8. Psalm 149:3 : S Ps 57:8
9. Psalm 149:4 : Ps 35:27; 147:11
10. Psalm 149:4 : Ps 132:16
11. Psalm 149:5 : S Ps 132:16
12. Psalm 149:5 : Job 35:10; Ps 42:8
13. Psalm 149:6 : Ps 66:17
14. Psalm 149:6 : Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16
15. Psalm 149:6 : Ne 4:17
16. Psalm 149:7 : S Nu 31:3; S Dt 32:41
17. Psalm 149:7 : Ps 81:15
18. Psalm 149:8 : S 2Sa 3:34; S Isa 14:1-2
19. Psalm 149:8 : 2Ch 33:11
20. Psalm 149:9 : Dt 7:1; Eze 28:26
21. Psalm 149:9 : S Ps 145:10

 

Nehemiah 2 - Building and Rebuilding

The city had been burned.  The people exiled from Jerusalem, the temple, their place of worship.  Years later, they return.  Nehemiah returns, with King Artaxerxes' blessing, they will rebuild.

I have just read the obituary of Rev. Antti Lepisto.  He lovingly and faithfully served as President of Suomi Conference, USA since 1993 (after retirement).  Our primary (but, not only) mission was/is, with the help of God, to help rebuild and grow the Ingrian Lutheran Church in Russia.  He had a deep love for the people and a great desire to see the Gospel proclaimed throughout the region, as well as here.  At least once a year he would include in his travels, a visit with me (and other members of the Sumi Conference board) for purposes of soul care.  He was about building and rebuilding the Body of Christ by sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.   

As a young Pastor, Antti, served at Wainola Lutheran Church, MI.  Very many things have changed over the years.  Attendance dwindled down to about a dozen or so as the population of the whole area declined.  The congregation felt that they needed to do something different in order to more fully proclaim the Gospel - to more fully do God's will.  They are now an Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ (LCMC) congregation.  I have volunteered as their interim.  At least that is what they call me.  I am more like a mentor as I am working with three lay men (Joe, Mike and Mark) from Wainola to train them to lead worship, preside at Communion, visit shut-ins, bury the dead....  The congregation is growing once again.  The building is there.  It is intact.  The rebuilding of the Church that is needed there includes much soul care.  Our goal is, with the help of God, to build up the Body of Christ in Wainola.

Please keep Antti's family in your prayers and say an extra prayer or two for one of his first congregation's, Wainola Lutheran Church, as they rebuild their church, their congregation, with the help of God.