May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 
2 Thessalonians 3:5 

The verse above appears to be a blessing bestowed upon the church of Thessalonica by Saint Paul.

I need both of those blessings. First to be guided into God’s love and then to persevere like Jesus, especially in 2022.

Like you, I was hoping we were done with COVID after the vaccines became available. Not that it would prevent COVID entirely, but that it would minimize another massive wave of infections.  Unfortunately, the new variant meant new infections. Yes, I naively thought this would mostly go away in the new year. I am weary from all the illness and COVID related death we have experienced in our church family.

Sidenote: I am so thankful for the vaccine and the countless scientists and researchers who helped make this a reality. I understand this would be a lot worse without vaccinations. 

I need the same spirit of perseverance that Jesus employed to finish his mission to forgive and reconcile humanity. It certainly took a great deal of persistence and determination to die prematurely for our benefit. Jesus followed through so that we might gain the Kingdom and be claimed as forgiven children of God.

I need that same perseverance to move forward and not retreat to my bed and pull the comforter over my head and say to Rachel, “Let me know when it is all over.” 

Yet, I know there is work to be done. Important work. Work that has eternal significance. Last week, I told everyone who worshiped with us, “You will encounter someone this week who needs this church.” Not just this week, but every week. That thought gets me out of bed in the morning, in spite of the struggles we are facing. 

Paul also wrote that he hoped our hearts would be directed “into God’s love.” It is easy to become cynical which leads to a lack of perseverance. Love makes all things possible including how we live in society. If we cease to care, everything falls apart. 

No matter what the year brings, I am not giving up…with God’s love, we will persevere and share the love of Jesus to this city and beyond.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:4 

God bless,
Pr. Ben

Well, we step into a new year on Saturday. I know, I know, dates are a human creation, but this is the way we mark time, and a new year is upon us. 

I don’t know what the new year holds for us as individuals or as a church, but I am sure of one thing. I am sure of the promises of God.

Isaiah the prophet spoke the words of God during a time of great conflict and even unfaithfulness. God’s grace didn’t depend upon how good the people were back then, and it doesn’t now. 

This is what God said to the people of Israel back then and to us today…

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19

Whatever the new year holds, I will look to God who is the giver of all good things, and I will do my best to cling to Jesus in all situations. 

God will make a way in the most desperate of situations and will present new opportunities as we step into 2022. 

Let us not dwell on the past as God reminds us in Isaiah. Instead, let us learn from the past so that it informs our decisions as we step into our future. 

I pray the struggles we have faced in the past two years will subside but even if they don’t, we trust God will watch over us and make a way.

May we all have a blessed New Year as we draw closer to Jesus.

Pr. Ben

A week from today (Friday) it will be Christmas Eve. What will you be doing that day?

All the planning of the worship staff and pastors will be complete and we will be ready to celebrate Christmas together as a church family.

For some, there is a danger of being too busy. Rushing to finish this and that in order to achieve the perfect Christmas. 

For others, it will be quiet. Too quiet. The loneliness is deafening and a pining for Christmases past. 

Or maybe you are somewhere in between?

Whatever you may or may not be doing, remember “the reason for the season.” Take some time to connect with God. 

Make time for Jesus. Whether you come to church or worship online, carve out a moment for God.

I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth…

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 

For Isaiah says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” 

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2Corinthians 6:1-2

Let’s not take God’s love for granted. Christmas is the reminder that salvation has arrived in the person of Jesus.

God’s favor rests upon his children. We should celebrate that.

Make the time.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8a

Merry Christmas!

Pr. Ben

Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting for Christmas and waiting for Christ’s return.

I am really good at waiting… because I have no choice in the matter! Honestly, I am not a patient wait-er. 

Over the past two years, I’ve ordered a lot more stuff online than I ever did in the past. I find it easier to have stuff delivered to the front door than going out and hunting it down in a store. 

Once the order is complete, I often get a shopping confirmation with a tracking number. I proceed to track that order several times a day until the package ends up on my welcome mat. Like I said, I am not patient when waiting- but I am good at it! 

Life doesn’t stop when we wait for stuff, nor should we sit around waiting for Jesus to return. There is too much that needs fixing or help! The best way to wait is to show our love for God by loving our neighbor.

The love and kindness we receive from Jesus should overflow to the community around us.

Remember what King David wrote in the 23^rd Psalm, “You prepare a table before me 
in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

King David reminds us that there will be times in our lives that will be less than ideal, if not unpleasant. (Who wants to eat at a table full of your enemies?!?) Even when bad things happen, we are reminded in Psalm 23:5 that we are still chosen children of God (you anoint my head with oil) AND we have more than enough (my cup overflows). 

Let us not waste that which overflows our cup! Love is not a finite quantity! There is always enough love to go around.

While we wait for Christmas and Christ’s return… let’s not wait impatiently, we have too much loving to do.

Love often looks like:

• Peanut Butter for Lutheran Social Services
• Turkey or mashed potatoes for our senior food program
• Wrapped children’s gifts for Angel Tree
• Free quilts given to veterans at the VA hospital
• A Christmas Card to someone who lives alone.

God bless you,
Pr. Ben