Romans 8:13
First Sunday in Lent
25 February 2007
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
What do you most value in life? That might be a tough question because maybe you’ve never thought about that before. What do you most value in life?
In answer to that question, some of us perhaps pointed in our minds to some “thing,” some possession – maybe a house or a vehicle or a special collection. In answer to that question, some of us perhaps pointed in our minds to some “one,” some person – a spouse or a best friend or a child or a grandchild. In answer to that question, some of us perhaps pointed in our minds to some quality – happiness or health or contentment or freedom.
Now, let’s take that question one step further. What do you most value – not in your own life – but in the life of the person sitting next to you? With very few exceptions, the person who is sitting next to you is sitting next to you because you wanted them to sit next to you or you wanted to sit next to them, so there is something about them that you value. What is it?
I can tell you in my own life, the thing that I value the most is my relationship with Jesus Christ. As your pastor, you would expect me to say that – in fact you should expect me to say that – but it is also very true. Next to my relationship with Jesus Christ, even though I also value things like possessions and people and qualities, the thing that I value the most is my reputation, the truth about me.
A couple of months ago, a seminary classmate of mine who is now serving as a pastor in Texas brought my attention to a blog – an online article that is posted on the internet for just about everyone to see – that had been written about me and about our bishop, Dr. Stoterau, and about this congregation. The blog had been authored by a member of a neighboring congregation – a man who truly believes he is always doing the right thing, a man who aligns himself with the ultra, ultra, ultra conservative faction of our church body, a man who truly believes he stands on the side of truth and who believes he has the duty to enforce the truth. Anyway, this blog contained some hurtful, blatantly untrue things about me and about Dr. Stoterau and about this congregation, all of it based upon shadings of the truth, but all of it spun in such a way that the truth could no longer be seen and all of it posted without the courtesy of following Matthew chapter 18 and asking me or Dr. Stoterau if any of it was true before airing it before the world.
Few things have hurt me as much as that blog. Few things have angered me as much as that blog because we live in a day and age where things found on the internet are often regarded as true. Fewer people today use dictionaries or encyclopedias or newspapers or news magazines or the television news for the source of their information. More people today will “ask” or “google” or “yahoo” a subject on the computer as will take as true what they there discover.
Jesus didn’t have that luxury two thousand years ago. When, after His baptism, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert [Luke 4:1-13] for a time of prayer and fasting before starting His ministry of calling disciples and healing the sick and speaking in parables, Jesus carried no computer with Him. There were no “hot spots” there in the desert. Jesus also carried with Him no dictionaries, no encyclopedias, no reference tools. All He carried with Him was what had been put into His mind from the time He was a child – the living and active and powerful and truthful Word of God. Some would say that Jesus was under-prepared for what lay ahead. However – this has been mentioned in many sermons through the years – every time Jesus was tempted by the devil, He successfully and victoriously countered the temptation by simply and solely using the Word of God. Go back through our Gospel today and you will see exactly how Jesus did it and how effective it was. To every temptation the devil threw at Him, Jesus walked the road of truth and calmly stated Scripture and the truthfulness of Scripture won out hands down every time over the tempting lies of the devil.
I say all this to us this morning because I know many people wish they could do what Jesus did. I know many people wish they had an intimate knowledge of Scripture, where the Word of God just bubbles up from deep inside them and comes out naturally in conversations. I know I wish that for myself.
Our Second Reading today [Romans 10:8-13] tells us that we can do what Jesus did. Our Second Reading today tells us that we can have an intimate knowledge of Scripture because “The Word is near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart.”
God has planted that knowledge, that truth, within us and we need to just walk that road of truth. Let’s test that out for a second. If I say “John 3:16," what just popped into your mind? Probably for most of us came the words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The Word is near you! It is in your heart!
Instead of using dictionaries or encyclopedias or computer search engines to gain our information, we should be asking ourselves in every situation, “What does God’s Word say about this?” We will at first have to use some tools – the little dictionary or concordance in the back of our Bibles, but let me tell you, when we start doing that and when that becomes an automatic response to every question we have in life and every challenge we face in life, suddenly some of that information will start sticking to our gray matter and we will begin to allow God’s Word to interpret the way we see life and the way we walk the road of life.
Let me get us started this morning with the last verse of our Second Reading today – “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.” Say that verse along with me: “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”
That’s a powerful verse! It’s an easy verse to remember. It’s a verse that is easy to repeat. Beyond that, it is true! It’s God’s Truth! “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”
We live in a world where the world likes to divide us. We are divided by age, by color, by economics. We are divided by country of origin, by native language, and by political affiliation. We are divided by education, by collar-color of employment and by what figure goes on lines 7 and 37 of our federal tax forms which we are just 6 weeks away from filing. We are divided by address and zip code. We are divided by what church denomination we attend and sometimes even by what branch of what denomination we attend. With all that division in our world, look at what God’s Word does. God’s Word unites us with His Truth that “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”
I want you this week to walk that road of truth. I want you to allow God to plant that verse in your mind. I want you to look at the person sitting in the pew next to you and think that verse. I want you to look at the cashier at the grocery store and think that verse. I want you to look at the person driving the car next to yours at a red light and think that verse. I want that verse to pop into your mind when someone makes you mad this week. If we walk that road of truth – God’s Truth – and allow that verse to permeate our thoughts and our actions, we will begin to live the way Jesus lived. We will begin to do what Jesus did. We will begin to have an intimate knowledge of God’s Word and God’s way of acting.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Pastor Christopher Schaar
Historic First Lutheran Church of Pasadena
February 25 – Psalm 36
February 26 – Psalm 37
February 27 – Psalm 38
February 28 – Psalm 39
March 1 – Psalm 40
March 2 – Psalm 41
March 3 – Psalm 42
Sunday 25 February – “Lord, I praise Your Name for Who You are and how You rule this world.”
Monday 26 February – Celebrate the birthdays of friends by praying for them today: Margaret Goeppinger (2/26); Jeania Schilling (2/27); Charles Fenske (3/3).
Tuesday 27 February – Praise God for the school nurses in Asia who have the chance to share the Gospel with children and families as they do their daily work. These women are having a deep impact on school children and families in Asia. Pray that God would continue to provide them opportunities to share His Word.
Wednesday 28 February – God gives us daily opportunities to go forth with His Gospel message to our unbelieving friends or as a missionary. On your doorstep or to the ends of the earth, you carry with you the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pray that God will heighten your senses to daily opportunities to witness.
Thursday 1 March – Ask God to grant this world His peace.
Friday 2 March – Pray for God’s strength to stand up to a problem or temptation and emerge victorious.
Saturday 3 March – Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and ask Him to prepare you to worship Him tomorrow.
ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Nathaniel Jones, son of Alan and Liz (Fackler) Jones.
DID YOU KNOW? There’s probably much about Historic First Lutheran that many of us do not know. Watch weekly bulletins for “I DIDN’T KNOW,” a weekly historical or interesting tidbit of information about Historic First Lutheran.
I DIDN’T KNOW! A furnishing from our second (1914) church building is represented in our present (1937) church building. That’s right! The beautiful marble baptismal font was a furnishing in our second church building. It was incorporated into our third and present building, with the present altar specifically designed of matching white marble to give the appearance of a unified whole. That means that our baptismal font is 93 years old and has been used to baptize more than 1,000 people.
A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! Forty years ago, in time to celebrate Historic First Lutheran’s 75th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of the present church building, our Reuter pipe organ was constructed and installed. Word came that the 40-year-old electronic tracking system is starting to fail and needs to be upgraded. Cost for this project is estimated to be $20,000.00! A special gift from the Hilgendorf family has already provided us a $1,500.00 start to this project. Is there a special donor willing to complete funding this project? Speak to Pastor.
115th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE All people interested in helping plan our 115th Anniversary Celebration in June are encouraged to express their willingness to serve to Pastor Schaar.
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP Don’t forget about our next women’s gathering on Saturday 3 March. Our special presenter is Conni Schramm, a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange and a recognized speaker on how to study your Bible. Reservations to Carol Numrich are necessary by 28 February.
MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES This year’s midweek Lenten services will feature the classic book by C.S. Lewis called The Screwtape Letters, a series of letters from devil Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood. This comical, yet serious, thought-provoking look at the reality of evil in our world will serve as the focus of our weekly services, every Wednesday at 12 noon and 7:00 p.m. Please plan to attend!
CORRECTING A MISTAKE In last Sunday’s bulletin, in the “I Didn’t Know” section, it should have stated that the iconic mosaic on the altar was installed in 1988, not 1998. Thanks to Lillian Greenlee for catching this error.
A MUSICAL CHALLENGE Again this year, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has graciously consented to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,300.00, any special gifts to our Music Endowment to offset additional salary and benefit costs for Karen Murphy, Mark McCormick and Patsy Acheson. You are encouraged to make special gifts to this appeal, clearly marking your gifts “Music Endowment.”
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #6 – Rogelio Douglas, Henry Hubert, Rudy Melinat and Marlene Ochetti.
Ash Wednesday
21 February 2007
12:00 Noon – Confessional Service with the Imposition of Ashes and The Lord’s Supper
12:30 p.m. – Soup / Salad / Chili Luncheon
Church Open all Afternoon for Private Prayer
5:30 p.m. – Soup / Salad / Chili Supper
7:00 p.m. – Confessional Service with the Imposition of Ashes and The Lord’s Supper
John 12:21
The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus
Mardi Gras Sunday
18 February 2007
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Oh, what a day that must have been! A private outing with Jesus. Peter, James and John were invited to hike up a mountain, just the three of them alone with Jesus. Who knows what they had in mind for that outing. But we do know that whatever they had in mind for that outing paled in comparison with what God had in mind for that outing.
Up the hill they went for a little private prayer session. Suddenly, something about Jesus changed. His face looked different. His clothing sparkled like a flash of lightning. And it was no longer just Jesus with them. Alongside Jesus was Moses and Elijah, Moses representing the Old Testament law and Elijah representing the prophets of old. Peter, James and John had to rouse themselves to make sure they weren’t just seeing things, to make sure they weren’t just sleeping and dreaming. No, this was real. But no sooner had they come to that realization than a cloud covered the mountain where they were. Then they heard a booming voice, “This is My Son, Whom I have chosen. Listen to Him.” When they dared to look at Jesus again, there He was, once again alone with the three of them.
What does all that mean? What did it mean to Peter, James and John? What does it mean for us today? Those are our questions this morning.
Let me begin by answering those questions by taking you off that Mount of Transfiguration to another location on another day [John 12:20-22]. This other place and other time was in Jerusalem the same day as or within a couple days after the joyous Palm Sunday procession – you know, that festive celebration when Jesus was hailed with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.” Later that day or within a couple days, some God-fearing Greek Gentiles – non-Jewish outsiders who were attracted by the monotheism and morality of Judaism but likely repelled by the strict laws and ceremonial requirements like circumcision – approached Philip. Maybe they singled him out to approach because he had a Greek name and they felt comfortable and safe with him.
“Sir,” they said, “We would like to see Jesus” [John 12:21].
Remember previously that Jesus had called His disciples by promising them that “From now on, you will catch men” [Luke 5:10]. Those may have been Jesus’ words, but this sure seemed way too easy. Philip didn’t know what to do. In a comedic-type progression, Philip ran to Andrew, “Hey! There’s some Greeks here who want to see Jesus. What should we do?” That puzzled Andrew also, so Andrew and Philip together went and told Jesus, “Hey! There’s some Greeks here who want to see You.” What do you think Jesus said?
Jesus said, “Let them see Me. My hour has now come.” [John 12:23-28]
That’s what the Transfiguration of Jesus was really all about. After the splendor of Jesus shining like lightning and Moses and Elijah appearing alongside Him, soon was left only Jesus. That’s also what the voice from the cloud proclaimed, “This is My Son, Whom I have chosen. Listen to Him.”
As good a guy as Moses was, as good a servant of God as he was, as good a leader of God’s people as he was, Moses was human [Deut. 34:1-12] and he, like all humans from the time of Adam and Eve, came under God’s judgment and punishment. The same can be said about Elijah. Both these guys – and others like them who were used mightily by the Lord to convey His law and His prophecies to His people – were not to be the object of worship themselves. They never were. They were not to be the magnet that would draw people unto the Lord.
Rather, as the author of the Book of Hebrews so rightly encouraged [Hebrews 3:1-6] , “Fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and the high priest we confess. He is the builder of the house and is worthy of greater honor than the house itself.”
Peter’s comment on the Mount of Transfiguration always cracks me up. “Lord, let us build three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah.” Peter missed the point. It wasn’t about Moses and Elijah. It was no longer about the law or the prophets. It was now all about Jesus.
And that gets us to that personal question. What does the Transfiguration of Jesus mean for us today?
To answer that question, I ask you another question: “What has brought you here today?” Through my 13 years here now, these are some of the answers I have heard to that question: I like the preaching; I like the preacher; I like the friendly people; I like the music; I like the worship format; I like the building; I was raised Lutheran; I like the choir; I like the handbell; I like the fellowship hours; I like that Historic First Lutheran is close to home and convenient; I like the community outreach programs; I like that I can find a place to get involved.
Now, don’t get me wrong. All those are great reasons to be here today, but none of them should be THE REASON you’re here today because as many of you can testify: as good as a preacher can preach a sermon, he will indeed hit a few clunkers; preachers come and preachers go; as friendly as preachers and people can be, you will eventually cross their paths on a bad day; as we personally feared a few years ago, buildings can come and go; as much as music and worship and choirs can inspire, they also will fail at times; fellowship hours? well...food can run short at times and someone can forget to plug in the coffee pot; people move; programs change; you can no longer feel needed or wanted. But through it all, Jesus is here. That is His promise and that is the reality. He is here week after week, good sermon or bad sermon, friendly people or not, great music or music that hurts your ears; beautiful, historic building or store-front supermarket. Jesus is here week after with His good, life-giving, life-strengthening gifts of His Word and His Sacraments.
Every Sunday as we walk into this place, we shouldn’t be walking in to build shelters for the pastor or the organist or the members of the choir. We should be walking into this place with the same request of those Greeks of long ago, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”
It was Jesus and Jesus alone who fulfilled the law, replacing the need for Moses. It was Jesus and Jesus alone who fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy, replacing the need for Elijah and the other prophets. It was Jesus and Jesus alone who received the divine imprimatur: “This is My Son, Whom I have chosen. Listen to Him.” It was Jesus and Jesus alone Who went faithfully to the Cross, carrying our sins, experiencing the wrath of His Father, dying our death, and becoming the firstfruits of all of us who will also rise unto eternal life [1 Cor. 15:23].
It’s all about Jesus! Transfiguration Sunday prepares us for the journey ahead, for the journey with Jesus into the depths of His suffering for us. Transfiguration Sunday confirms for us the identity and the power of Jesus.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Pastor Christopher Schaar
Historic First Lutheran Church of Pasadena
February 18 – Psalm 29
February 19 – Psalm 30
February 20 – Psalm 31
February 21 – Psalm 32
February 22 – Psalm 33
February 23 – Psalm 34
February 24 – Psalm 35
ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Marilyn Plummer in thanksgiving to God for the safe arrival of her Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Bob Bixler from Texas and cousins Linda and Mark Fitzpatrick from Virginia, along with all family members coming together this afternoon. Praise to our Heavenly Father as He joins as an honored guest, always providing His love, guidance and protection.
DID YOU KNOW? There’s probably much about Historic First Lutheran that many of us do not know. Watch weekly bulletins for “I DIDN’T KNOW,” a weekly historical or interesting tidbit of information about Historic First Lutheran.
I DIDN’T KNOW! The mosaic on the altar is not original to the church building. Instead, the iconic mosaic was commissioned in 1998 to replace a piece of fabric which would be changed frequently to reflect the color of the season. The mosaic was designed by Judson Studios, the company that originally made our stained glass windows. It was made in Italy and shipped to us in a sand-filled crate. The mosaic was a gift from Hilda Opel Lemke Nichols, to honor her parents, Otto Adam and Caroline Schmutzler Opel, her brothers Walter Andrew, Herbert Alfred and Arthur William Opel and celebrating 40 years of marriage to Edwin Henry Lemke.
A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! Forty years ago, in time to celebrate Historic First Lutheran’s 75th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of the present Church building, our Rueter pipe organ was constructed and installed. Word came that the 40-year-old electronic tracking system is starting to fail and needs to be upgraded. Cost for this project is estimated to be $20,000.00! A special gift from the Hilgendorf family has already provided us a $1,500.00 start to this project.
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP Don’t forget about our next women’s gathering on Saturday 3 March. Our special presenter is Conni Schramm, a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange and a recognized speaker on how to study your Bible. Reservations to Carol Numrich are necessary by 28 February.
115TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE All people interested in helping plan our 115th Anniversary Celebration in June are encouraged to express their willingness to serve to Pastor Schaar.
AN OMISSION ON OUR CALENDAR Our February newsletter calendar did not include midweek Lenten services on Wednesday 28 February at 12 noon and 7:00 p.m.
BLACK MINISTRY In honor of Black History Month, here is a look at an important area of ministry within The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod - Black Ministry. Black Ministry is a programmatic board of The LCMS that develops policies to assist congregations in reaching out more effectively with the Gospel of Jesus Christ among African Americans. It evaluates the effectiveness and administration of plans and programs designed to coordinate and expand Black Ministry in the Synod and functions in cooperation with the convocation of Black Lutheran congregations, appropriate boards, and the President of the Synod. It represents the interest of Black Ministry throughout the Synod. Black Ministry in particular has 300 congregations, 104 African American pastors active and retired, 100 white pastors serving in predominately African American congregations, 25 involved districts, an estimated 70,000 African American Lutherans (not including 2nd generation African Immigrants), and a 133-year history with The LCMS. In 2007, LCMS will be 160 years old. Dr. Jeff Johnson's book, Black Christians, the Untold Lutheran Story, depicts the history of the 300-year development of Black Lutherans. Black Ministry is within The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, not outside. Congregations in Black Ministry are scattered over the nation and in 25 of the 35 Districts of the Synod. Members serve in many ways: as Circuit Counselors, Vice Presidents, members of boards of directors, on boards, committees, task forces, and on faculties at our colleges and universities. The Board for Black Ministry Services in no way supplants this service. On the contrary, it enhances, strengthens, and empowers every dimension of it.
IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING Around the entire perimeter of our property, and in some places dissecting our property, are a whole series of spray paint marks. These markings have been placed by public utility companies to show the location of underground utilities that need to be avoided during our recently started electrical upgrades project. The project, at a cost of $235,000.00, will upgrade and replace the majority of our electrical service on campus, some of which dates back to 1913. Keep watching for additional updates on our electrical upgrades project.
A MUSICAL CHALLENGE Again this year, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has graciously consented to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,300.00, any special gifts to our Music Endowment to offset additional salary and benefit costs for Karen Murphy, Mark McCormick and Patsy Acheson. You are encouraged to make special gifts to this appeal, clearly marking your gifts “Music Endowment.”
GET FED THIS SATURDAY! Our monthly “Bible/Prayer Breakfast” is scheduled for this Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in the Green Room. Our study is about repentance and the season of Lent. A suggested $5.00 free-will donation covers food cost. The Bible Study is free.
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #5 – Ocilda Files, Rudy Melinat, Lisa Morita and Scott Vila.
Sunday 18 February – Thank God for His glory and splendor! Pray to be a reflector of that glory to the world around you.
Monday 19 February – Celebrate the birthdays of friends by praying for them today: Rev. Bill Fackler (20); Claudia Proctor (20).
Tuesday 20 February – Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Wednesday 21 February – As we today begin the penitential season of Lent, confess your sins to God, then attend one of our two services today and receive the sign of His Cross.
Thursday 22 February – “It’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” Bare your soul before the Lord.
Friday 23 February – Pray for peace in our world and for all who are suffering due to the effects of war.
Saturday 24 February – “Lord, let Your light shine through me.”
Harold Ballinger, former member of Historic First Lutheran, passed away peacefully at his home in Costa Mesa on February 14, 2007. A lifetime resident of the Pasadena area, he moved to Costa Mesa two years ago upon the passing of his wife of 62 years, Marian. He is survived by his two daughters; Kathy and Chris, his four grandchildren; Shannon, Ryan, Griffin, and Darren; and his son-in-law, John. Services will be held Monday, February 19th at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar. Donations please in lieu of flowers to the American Heart Association or the National Parkinson Foundation.
Historic First Lutheran Church will celebrate "Mardi Gras Sunday" this Sunday, 18 February at 10:00 a.m. with a jazzy communion service, featuring lots of great Southern Gospel songs under the leadership of Music Director Karen Murphy and Pianist Mark McCormick. Pastor Christopher Schaar will preach. A doughnut reception, a European tradition to celebrate "Mardi Gras" will follow the service. A service in Spanish follows at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Marcello Gomez will preach.
Ash Wednesday will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 21 with confessional services at 12:00 Noon and 7:00 p.m. The services will feature the Imposition of Ashes and The Lord's Supper. The church will be open all afternoon for private prayer. A soup / salad / chili luncheon follows the Noontime service at 12:30 p.m. and a soup / salad / chili supper precedes the 7:00 p.m. service at 5:30 p.m. Both meals are by free-will offering. All are invited! For more information, contact 626.793.1139 or Firstpasa@aol.com
Jeremiah 17:5-8
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
11 February 2007
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
This past Thursday, about noontime, came the shocking news out of Hollywood, Florida: Anna Nicole Smith, famed Playboy bunny, Hollywood actress, widow of an 89-year-old Texas oil tycoon-billionaire, was dead at age 39. If you were like me, you probably responded to that news first by asking, “What?” Then, again if you were like me, you responded to the news by asking, “Really?” Even if you, like me, didn’t really care about her personally; if you, like me, weren’t a fan of hers; if you, like me, were actually somewhat annoyed and irritated by her and her voice and her antics, yet in that news that came out of Hollywood, Florida there were the elements of a truly great tragedy, something truly macabre, a life that should have been a life full of blessings and happiness and contentment that was instead a life that truly seemed plagued by scandal and heartache and problems, one right after the other.
That news that came out of Hollywood, Florida, this past Thursday sadly provides a great illustration of what the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “This is what the Lord says, ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands. He will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives’” [Jeremiah 17:5-6].
I use the sad news of this past to ask you, “How is your life today?” On whom do you depend? To whom do you turn? Do you feel beat up? Do you feel dried up, parched? Are the trials and stresses of life piling up in your life and getting heavier and heavier? Do you feel alone? If you do, don’t despair. Hang in there with me for a few minutes.
Fifteen years ago this summer, when this big city boy arrived in Gillette, Wyoming to spend his year of vicarage or ministry internship, the locals had a fascination about me. First of all, I wore a tie to the office my first day. I may have been the only person in the entire town wearing a tie that day – bolo ties excluded. Secondly I did certain things that the locals didn’t do – things like taking my keys out of my car when I left it; things like rolling up my windows and locking my car doors; things like having not one but two alarms on my car.
As fascinated as they were with my alien actions, there were also many who were honestly a little concerned about me and who kindly went out of their way to teach me some lessons about life on the high plains that I needed to know before I needed to know them – lessons like not slamming on your car brakes when you saw a deer or an antelope alongside the road (the change in the sound of your car approaching is what actually could cause them to jump in front of your car); lessons like how much you could drive over the speed limit before getting ticketed (that lesson came from one of my elders who was also a state highway patrol officer); lessons like, in the days before cell phones, when your car broke down on a desolate road where it could easily be a couple of hours before another vehicle would pass by, look for any tree on the horizon, even if you had to walk some distance, because, in Wyoming especially, where there was a tree, there was water, something nourishing that tree and causing it to grow in an otherwise unforgiving landscape.
That wise piece of advice actually well illustrates what else the prophet Isaiah wrote: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” [Jeremiah 7-8].
That’s quite a contrast, isn’t it? That’s quite the contrast between those who trust in human beings and those who trust in God Almighty!
Honestly I know nothing about her personal life, but I would guess, simply looking at her actions and at her lifestyle, that Anna Nicole Smith was not a woman of faith, not someone who trusted in God Almighty, but someone who “bet the bank” on human beings and unfortunately found the utter poverty of that decision.
Again I ask you, “How is your life today?” On whom do you depend? To whom do you turn? Do you feel beat up? Do you feel dried up, parched? Are the trials and stresses of life piling up in your life and getting heavier and heavier? Do you feel alone? If you do, don’t despair. You’re actually in good company.
Remember the Old Testament character by the name of Job. There’s actually an entire book of the Bible written about him and about his trials and tribulations. Juts in case you think you gave it bad, here’s just a short list of Job’s trials: his oxen and donkeys were stolen [Job 1:14-15], his servants were killed [Job 1:15]; his sheep were burned to death after being struck by lightning [Job 1:16]; his camels were stolen [Job 1:17]; a horrific tornado struck a house and killed all his children [Job 1:19]; he was afflicted by painful sores from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, sores so painful that he could only find relief by scraping and scratching them with broken pieces of pottery [Job 2:7]; his wife turned on him, advising him to “Curse God and die” [Job 2:9]; because of his sores his best friends didn’t recognize him at first, then they absolutely didn’t know what to say, sitting with him in silence for seven days [Job 2:11-13], then finally spouting off such bad advice to him [Job 4-5, 8, 11] that Job basically found himself totally alone and abandoned by everyone and everything. In that moment of total abandonment, yet Job did not transfer his trust from God Almighty to human beings and human solutions. Instead, despite all the afflictions thrown him by the devil, Job proclaimed his unshakeable faith in God: “I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth and, after my skin has been destroyed, yet, in my flesh, I will see God” [Job 19:25-26].
That’s exactly what St. Paul wrote about [ 1 Cor. 15:1-20]. It’s the pure, basic, elemental foundation of our Christian faith, the one thing upon which our entire faith stands or falls: the message of the Gospel; the message of the love of God for us expressed in Jesus Christ; the message about Christ crucified and Christ risen from the dead. St. Paul summarized that simple foundation of our faith by writing that, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in Him” [1 Cor 15:19-20].
If, some 2,000 years before Jesus Christ, Job could find such comfort and strength and confidence in knowing the promise of the eternal love of God despite facing such complete and total devastation in his life, how much more should we not, living 2,000 years after Jesus Christ, find comfort and strength and confidence in knowing the fulfillment of the eternal love of God?
For the twenty years of their marriage, a husband was awakened almost nightly by his wife who often couldn’t sleep because she worried that their home would be burglarized. Then one night, the husband himself heard the tell-tale sound of breaking glass and softened footsteps in the middle of the night. Going downstairs, he found a burglar in their house and he said to him, “Please come upstairs and meet my wife. She’s been waiting 20 years to meet you.” And when they got upstairs, they found the wife soundly asleep, probably the best sleep she had experienced in 20 years. Ironic, isn’t it? All those years of worry and fear and anxiety yielded nothing but worry and fear and anxiety, then led to an unexplainable peace when there should have been worry and fear and anxiety. How much of our lives do we spend being worried without need?
Again I ask you, “How is your life today?” On whom do you truly depend? To whom do you truly turn? Do you feel beat up? Do you feel dried up, parched? Are the trials and stresses of life piling up in your life and getting heavier and heavier? Do you feel alone? If you do, don’t despair. Instead, look up. Know that your Redeemer lives. Know without any doubt that Jesus Christ lived and suffered and died and rose again for you and that the confidence of knowing that love of God feeds you and nourishes you and blesses you and insulates you against the storms of life.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Pastor Christopher Schaar
Historic First Lutheran Church of Pasadena
ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Phyllis Price in celebration of the birthday of her son, James, on 2/16 and in celebration of the birthday of her good friend, Doris Barnes, on 2/16.
DID YOU KNOW? There’s probably much about Historic First Lutheran that many of us do not know. Watch weekly bulletins for “I DIDN’T KNOW,” a weekly historical or interesting tidbit of information about Historic First Lutheran.
NEXT SUNDAY IS MARDI GRAS SUNDAY! Plan now to attend this jazzy service which will include some of Historic First Lutheran’s own talented musicians. A doughnut reception (a European tradition for Mardi Gras) will follow the service.
I DIDN’T KNOW! Perhaps you didn’t know that member Ruth Richards is our only living member who has been inside all three of our church buildings.
THANK YOU! Dear Friends: Thank you so much for your concern, well-wishes and prayers for my health. I appreciate it very much and I am anxiously looking forward to joining you again soon. – Helga Muder
115TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE All people interested in helping plan our 115th Anniversary Celebration in June are encouraged to express their willingness to serve to Pastor Schaar.
A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! Forty years ago, in time to celebrate Historic First Lutheran’s 75th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of the present Church building, our Rueter pipe organ was constructed and installed. Word came two weeks ago that the 40-year-old electronic tracking system is starting to fail and needs to be upgraded. Cost for this project is estimated to be $20,000.00! Is there a special donor willing to fund this project? Please speak to Pastor Schaar.
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP Don’t forget about our next women’s gathering on Saturday 3 March. Our special presenter is Conni Schramm, a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange and a recognized speaker on how to study your Bible. Reservations to Carol Numrich are necessary by 28 February.
NEXT WEEK IS MITE BOX SUNDAY Please remember to bring your mission mite boxes.
AN OMISSION ON OUR CALENDAR Our February newsletter calendar did not include midweek Lenten services on Wednesday 28 February at 12 noon and 7:00 p.m.
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #4 – Doris Barnes, Taina Feher, Rudy Melinat and Paul Nagle.
February 11 – Psalm 22
February 12 – Psalm 23
February 13 – Psalm 24
February 14 – Psalm 25
February 15 – Psalm 26
February 16 – Psalm 27
February 17 – Psalm 28
Sunday 11 February – Thank God for family and friends, for life and love.
Monday 12 February – Celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries of friends by praying for them today: Dr. Greg Sanchez (12); Vesta Jamerson (13); Donna & Michael Chan (14); Doris Barnes (16); James Price (16).
Tuesday 13 February – Ask God’s protection for all the workmen on our campus who will be working on our electrical upgrade project.
Wednesday 14 February – The mission of the Asia Lutheran Education Association (ALEA) is networking, equipping and nurturing leaders, educators and schools to advance the Christ-centered ministries of Asia Lutheran churches. Pray that ALEA can be used by the Lord to accomplish His vision for Lutheran schools and ministry in Asia.
Thursday 15 February – Pray for peace in our world.
Friday 16 February – Ask God to bless the weekly mission of our “Good Friday” Youth Outreach.
Saturday 17 February – Pray by name for our shut-in members: Cleora Bryan, Jill Fenske, Laura McCluskey, Gloria Melinat, Charles Newhouse, Clara Newhouse, Arline Pace, Claudia Proctor, Dorothy Reich, Ruth Richards, Estelle Thaxton and Ethel Watkins.
Available March 1, 2007!
Huge (appx. 1600 sq feet) 3 bedroom duplex apartment. 2 full baths. Additional office. Double living room. Dining area. Kitchen. Refrigerator & Stove provided, if desired. Installed Washer & Dryer available for purchase. Newer central heat and air. Newer carpets and linoleum. Mini blinds throughout. Fresh paint and cleaned carpets. Located within the fenced property of Historic First Lutheran Church. Located at 829 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena. $1650 per month. $1650 security deposit. $25. non-refundable application fee. 626.793.1139
Unit will be open for viewing on Saturday 10 February from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Applications will be available.
ALTAR FLOWERS are given to the glory of God by Ann Price in loving memory of the birthday of her mother and in celebration of the birthday of her very good friend, Doris Barnes, on the 16th of February.
ALTAR GUILD MEETING TODAY President Shelly Daniels has announced a luncheon meeting of the Altar Guild today after worship. All current members and any prospective members are encouraged to attend!
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS Annual contribution summary statements for 2006 have been mailed. Please retain these statements for your tax preparation. Please report any potential errors to Carol Numrich at 626-356-3904 or Cnumrich@aol.com by 10 February 2007.
DID YOU KNOW? There’s probably much about Historic First Lutheran that many of us do not know. Watch weekly bulletins for “I DIDN’T KNOW,” a weekly historical or interesting tidbit of information about Historic First Lutheran.
TWO WEEKS FROM NOW IS MARDI GRAS SUNDAY! Plan now to attend this jazzy service which will include some of Historic First Lutheran’s own talented musicians. A doughnut reception (a European tradition for Mardi Gras) will follow the service.
I DIDN’T KNOW! Perhaps you didn’t know that for nearly three-quarters of its 115-year history, Historic First Lutheran has been pastored by only four pastors: Rev. George Theiss (30 years); Rev. August Hansen (25 years); Rev. Christopher Schaar (13 years) and Rev. Robert Faga (10 years).
TERRY KIESCHNICK TO SPEAK AT 7TH WOMEN’’S COMMISSION CONFERENCE Are you a “SHOE LOVER?” Are shoes your passion? What do you know about your shoes? Join the District President’s Commission on Women for its 7th conference on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at Christ Lutheran Church in Costa Mesa, CA. We invite you to share a day of fun and fellowship as our featured speaker Terry Kieschnick, the First Lady of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, discusses the topic “Love Your Shoes,” based on Isaiah 52:7. Cost is $25 per person or $20 per person if four or more registrations are sent together. A continental breakfast and lunch are included in the cost. If you are interested in attending, please call Carol Numrich at 626-356-3904. We already have four signed up and this should be an interesting program!
MILESTONE CELEBRATIONS This year, according to Church records, we will be celebrating the 90th birthdays of Lee Klima and Dorothy Reich, as well as the 95th birthday of Laura McCluskey. If we have overlooked anyone’s 90th or 95th birthday or anyone’s 50th/ 55th/ 60th/ 65th/ 70th anniversary, please report that omission immediately to Pastor Schaar.
115TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE All people interested in helping plan our 115th Anniversary Celebration in June are encouraged to express their willingness to serve to Pastor Schaar.
A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! Forty years ago, in time to celebrate Historic First Lutheran’s 75th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of the present Church building, our Rueter pipe organ was constructed and installed. Word came two weeks ago that the 40-year-old electronic tracking system is starting to fail and needs to be upgraded. Cost for this project is estimated to be $20,000.00! Is there a special donor willing to fund this project? Please speak to Pastor Schaar.
USHERS: TAKE NOTE Next week’s service will involve Usher Team #3 – Chris Baker, Asunta Barnes, Michael Dickens and Rudy Melinat.
Sunday 4 February – Thank God for our Altar Guild which attends weekly to the care of our altar – the placement of flowers, the care of the candles and the changing of paraments. Thank God for their silent and often unappreciated ministry which adds much to weekly worship.
Monday 5 February – Celebrate the birthdays of friends by praying for them today: Lynne Carter (4); Kathryn Novak (4); Virginia Martens (6); Lois Humbert (8); Chris Baker (9).
Tuesday 6 February – Like Peter and the other disciples needed to be directed to the great catch of fish, pray also that we would follow the Lord’s direction to the great catch of humans who need to be “caught” by the Lord.
Wednesday 7 February – Pray by name for family and friends who need special care from the Lord.
Thursday 8 February – Thank God for the remarkable recovery God has granted to Steve Klafehn, who fell from the Lutheran Hour float six weeks ago today. Pray for progress in his continuing therapy and rehabilitation as he and his parents have returned home to New York.
Friday 9 February – In partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries, the Lutheran Church in Panama is focusing on radio and television ministry over six stations, receiving as many as 5,000 listener responses annually. Ask God to continue to use this media ministry to reach Panamanians with the Good News about Jesus Christ.
February 4 – Psalm 15
February 5 – Psalm 16
February 6 – Psalm 17
February 7 – Psalm 18
February 8 – Psalm 19
February 9 – Psalm 20
February 10 – Psalm 21