What's Up, Pastor?

Sermon: How Do We Know?

2012-01-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

To view this sermon, click here: How Do We Know?

Preached January 28, 2012 at Living Word Lutheran Church

Rochester, Michigan.

My Baptism Birthday - What’s That?

2012-01-28T12:29:00.001-08:00

Today (January 25) I celebrated my Baptism Birthday. I was born on January 5; and as you might have guessed, I was baptized on January 25 (59 years ago).

Baptism Birthdays tend to go unnoticed. We make the effort to intentionally celebrate (or, sometimes intentionally ignore) birthdays. But, our Baptism Birthday is probably as important, and in some ways more important, than our actual birthday, because on the day of our baptism we were born for the second time. We were born again spiritually (John 3).

I found this post in Gene Veith’s blog about “David Ellefson, bassist for the heavy metal group Megadeth, who is studying to become a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod:

“Ellefson grew up in the church. Each Sunday, his family drove from their farm in southwest Minnesota to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where David attended Sunday school and was confirmed at age 16. His mother sang in the choir. His father was active on the building committee.

“Just a few years after his confirmation at Our Savior’s, in the summer of 1983, Ellefson moved to Los Angeles. Within a week of arriving, he had formed a band and named it Megadeth for the unit of measurement equal to the death of 1 million people by nuclear explosion. Soon, he was playing bass on stage in front of thousands of heavy metal fans in New York with other bands like Metallica and Slayer. In 1985, Megadeth released its first album, ‘Killing Is My Business … And Business Is Good!’

“In the 1980s and 1990s, Megadeth gained a reputation for an intelligent take on heavy metal, earning several Grammy Award nominations, and was known for its album covers, many of which depicted a character named Vic Rattlehead, a skeleton whose eyes, ears and mouth were fused closed with metal.

“But by the time Ellefson was 25, the rock star lifestyle had caught up to him. In a 12-step recovery program, he was reintroduced to his faith and embraced it. He moved to Arizona, married and had children. He also began church shopping, eventually landing at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation in Scottsdale.

“‘I came from a good family, not a broken home,’ said Ellefson, 47. ‘That became a model for me, and I saw church at center of it.’

“The Rev. Jon Bjorgaard , pastor of Shepherd of the Desert, asked Ellefson to start a contemporary worship service. Ellefson began to use lyrics from the Old Testament as a springboard for songwriting, penning praise music — worship songs with a soft-rock hook.

“‘For a Christmas service, I remixed some classics, not quite in a Megadeth fashion, but in a pretty heavy rock fashion,’ Ellefson said.

“Combining his musical abilities and his faith led Ellefson to a deeper exploration of Christianity, he said. And it led him to start a new music ministry within the walls of Shepherd of the Desert.

“He called it MEGA Life, partially a play on Megadeth. But it’s also a reference to a verse from the Gospel of John: ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’

“MEGA Life became so popular in Scottsdale that Shepherd of the Desert bought a new space for the ministry.

“And last year, Bjorgaard asked Ellefson and MEGA Life director Jeremy DaPena to enroll in Concordia’s Specific Ministry Program.

“‘Most people want to become a rock star,’ Bjorgaard said. ‘David’s a rock star who wants to become a pastor.’”

When I read about a life changing experience like David Ellefson’s, I am reminded of the power of a person’s baptism experience. The Holy Spirit, who comes to us in baptism, is reluctant to ever leave. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 Reminds us: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”

Thus, as I reflect today on my baptism experience 59 years ago, I realize that beginning that day, and continuing every day since then, the Holy Spirit has been in my life, guiding and shaping it.

Please join me in prayer: “Holy Spirit hear us, on this sacred day, come to us with blessing, come to us to stay. Amen.” (The Lutheran Hymnal #229)

Reflections on My Many Moves

2012-01-19T04:08:00.001-08:00

eVideo Version

This week I am attending what is called “The Symposia” at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The Symposia offers lectures on biblical and theological topics that are current in Christian circles.

This year as I arrived at the seminary, I couldn’t help but think about the many moves LuJean and I have made since enrolling in the seminary 37 years ago.

Our journey began when the seminary was located in Springfield, Illinois. At the end of my first year, the seminary moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana (where the symposia is being held).

At the end of my second year at the seminary, LuJean and I went to our vicarage assignment in Greenwich, CT.

At the end of vicarage we returned to Ft. Wayne for my final year at the seminary.

Upon graduating from the seminary, we moved to Kenmore, NY for my first call as a pastor. There we rented an apartment for our first year, moving into the new home we had purchased in our second year there.

After living for one year in our new home, I received a call to Lockport, NY where we moved into the church’s parsonage. After about two years in the parsonage, we purchased our own home and moved again.

It wasn’t long after that when I received a call to start a church in Downingtown, PA. So, we moved again. We were in Downingtown for two years when I received the call to start a new church in Rochester, MI. So, we moved again.

We rented a home in Oxford (MI) for one year and then purchased our own home and moved again. When our children went off to college and careers, we moved again – this time to our current home in Oxford.

We have been in this home since 2001. This is the longest we have ever stayed in one place – and there is something nice about it!

Having lived in many houses in many places, I have come to learn that there is something more important than location and structure than make for a comfortable home. A house becomes a home because of the family atmosphere and the blessing of our God.

As I reflect upon the many places we have lived, there has been one constant in all of them. God has been with our family in each and every place where we have lived. I am drawn to the words of 2 Samuel 7:29 which reads: “Now therefore may it please You (God) to bless the house of Your servant.” In the context of this passage the word “house” refers to more than the home, but also to the family who lives there! It is so important to have God in our homes to bring His blessing upon our families.

As the words of an old hymn remind us: “Oh, bless this house whate’er befall, where Jesus Christ is all in all…”

May God bless you and your family in whatever house you choose to make your home.

Reflections on Personal Repentance

2012-01-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

eVideo Version

I remember seeing a T-shirt some years ago where a school of fish were all swimming in one direction - except for one! That one lone fish was swimming in the opposite direction in the midst of the school. That one fish had a cross where its eye would be.

This is a reminder that oftentimes the Christian life involves living life in a direction that goes against popular opinion, popular ideology, popular thinking, or popular behavior.

For example, the Christian is asked to believe in a God who created the world in a mere six days, whereas popular university thinking would have us accept the idea of a world evolved by chance.

For example, the Christian is instructed in the Bible to avoid a whole variety of immoral life-style choices, whereas modern mores have shifted to accept a wide variety of behavioral patterns that a few years ago were considered taboo.

As I was reading Psalm 7:12 this morning I was struck by the fact that it pulls no punches: “If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow.” The Lutheran Study Bible comments on this verse: “God’s Word turns our thoughts back to Him. The first step in repentance is acknowledging the truth of what God has told us about ourselves: we are conceived and born sinful creatures in dire need of God’s mercy.”

It would seem that God takes sin seriously and we are strongly encouraged to live a life of repentance.

Remember, the whole idea behind repentance is to “turn around” and go in a different direction; God’s direction, where forgiveness and mercy can be found.

As a person repents of his or her sin, there is movement in a different direction - like the one fish in a larger school. And the interesting thing about watching a school of fish is that when one fish turns, sometimes they all turn!

In Christ Jesus.

Pastor John Kassen

Christmas Reflections

2011-12-15T04:30:00.000-08:00

(For the Video Version of this Post, Click Here!)

Last night I was with a family from Living Word. As I was talking with the father, their daughter texted him with a question about a physics problem from her high school physics class. The father and I pondered the question together. Since I have a degree in physics dating back to my 1970s college years, I thought about the problem but couldn’t come up with the correct answer.

Her father, who didn’t have a degree in physics, but uses basic physics principles and formulas in his job, came up with the correct answer quickly.

I am reminded of the similarities between this experience and the Christian life. There are some people who were immersed in the Christian faith years ago but haven’t practiced the faith on a regular basis in their adult years – just like my experience with physics. Then there are people who have practiced their Christian faith over the years on a regular basis – they are like the father who had the ready answer for his daughter’s physics question.

Past knowledge of the Bible is a great thing, but ongoing experience with the Scriptures, with prayer, with worship and with the Sacraments is an even more valuable tool. When the challenging questions of life present themselves, the person who has an ongoing relationship with God is in many ways more prepared to answer life’s questions and deal with life’s experiences that the person who has lost touch with his/her faith over the years.

This Christmas we are reminded that Jesus was born for all of us – those who are regular in the practice of their faith as well as those who haven’t been close to God or frequent in worship. The Good News is that Jesus is God in the flesh who died on Calvary for all people regardless of Bible reading habits, worship participation, communion attendance, or prayer activity. We are saved by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, not by anything else.

This Christmas there will be worshipers among us who are regular in worship and there will be worshipers among us who may not have been in church since December 24, 2010! We celebrate together the great gift that God has given us in His Son Jesus Christ. And we pray that the Holy Spirit will touch them in a way that encourages them to be more active in their faith life so that when they face the tough questions in life, they would be prepared to give an appropriate answer.

Remember: Our Christmas Eve worship services are at 4:00, 6:00, and 10:00 pm. Our Christmas Day worship service is at 10:00 am. Sometimes Christmas Day tends to be overlooked as a worship option. I would encourage you to consider it as one of your Christmas options this year. It is a very quiet and reflective service filled with the joy of Jesus Christ!

Mulligans

2011-12-08T05:25:00.001-08:00

Golfers are familiar with the term ‘Mulligan.’ It refers to a shot that is replayed when the original shot was not so good. Though mulligans are not approved for serious golf, such as tournaments and outings, they are quite common among friendly play. I’ve been known to take a mulligan or two from time to time on the golf course.

Last night (Dec 7) I preached a sermon on Simeon’s prayer that I would like to have a mulligan for. The sermon was long on illustration and short on substance. If fact, when LuJean and I were talking about it later that night, we agreed that the children’s message about God keeping his promises had more meaning to it than the sermon.

No doubt there are times when each of us would enjoy having a mulligan in life. There are those moments that we would like to have back. There are those moments when a ‘do over’ would be beneficial.

The good news is that God does something wonderful for us through the cross of Christ: God forgives those regrettable moments.

And sometimes God even gives us a chance for a ‘do over’ in life.

I may re-preach last night’s sermon on a future occasion. There are a number of things I would like to say about God’s love for us in Jesus Christ that didn’t get said. There are a number of points I would like to make about the life of Jesus that Simeon held in his arms – points that didn’t get made. But, whether or not I ever re-preach last night’s sermon, I know that I will preach again. And I will learn from last night and strive to do better next time.

Such is the blessing of forgiveness in Christ - the past is erased as though it never happened!

Such is the blessing of a mulligan – it is an opportunity to do better with the next shot!

Please join me in prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for forgiving the wrong in our lives and for the opportunity to improve upon the past. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Advent Lessons from an Apple Tree and a U2 Singer

2011-12-01T10:38:00.001-08:00

An Apple Tree: Gladys has always had a little apple orchard at her home. But this year there was a huge harvest of apples. The branches hung heavy, and some were cracking with the weight of abundance. Never, in many years, had anyone seen such a harvest.

When asked why, she explained that last year there was a late frost in the spring, and all the buds froze. When that happens, Gladys said, an apple tree does a miraculous thing: It stores up its energy in thousands of small bumps, or nodules, called scions (pronounced "see-ons"). All that energy pulsates through that network of scions until the spring of the following year, and then, BAM! You have an exploding riot of buds, as an apple tree unleashes all that stored up energy.

In a spiritual sense, sometimes the harsh frosts of this life—cancer, divorce, bankruptcy, trauma, grief, depression—cause our hearts to freeze. But at the core of the Christian faith we also live with an incredible promise: in and through Christ, there will be an abundant harvest in our lives. God's power is pulsating under the gnarly bark of this world and even our bodies.

A U2 Singer: After returning home from a long tour, Bono, the lead singer for U2, returned to Dublin and attended a Christmas Eve service. At some point in that service, Bono grasped the truth at the heart of the Christmas story: in Jesus, God became a human being. With tears streaming down his face, Bono realized,

The idea that God, if there is a force of Love and Logic in the universe, that it would seek to explain itself is amazing enough. That it would seek to explain itself by becoming a child born in poverty … and straw, a child, I just thought, "Wow!" Just the poetry … I saw the genius of picking a particular point in time and deciding to turn on this … Love needs to find a form, intimacy needs to be whispered … Love has to become an action or something concrete. It would have to happen. There must be an incarnation. Love must be made flesh.

Both illustrations are adapted from “PreachingToday.com. The first is from Keith Mannes, Highland Church, McBain, Michigan and the second is Quoted in Matt Woodley, The Gospel of Matthew: God With Us (InterVarsity Press, 2011), p. 28-29

Stewardship Update

2011-11-22T06:39:00.001-08:00

During the month of November people have been donating gifts toward a Thank Offering. At the time of this writing Living Word has been blessed with 17 gifts totaling $12,500. The gifts received will be set aside with the goal of maintaining staff salaries and benefits, which are in jeopardy of being reduced.

The offerings over the past weeks have been a real blessing. If you follow the weekly information shared in worship, you will note that the average offering has crept up from about $7,000 per week to $9,000 per week. This has been a real blessing, that I can attribute to nothing less than God’s miraculous power at work in our family of faith. For more information see the video: Witnessing a Miracle at Living Word.

Encouraged for Tomorrow gifts have been on the rise. With about 6 months before this ministry is scheduled to conclude, there is an effort on the part of many families at Living Word to honor the commitment they made. Recently we sent an update to each family who made a commitment to Encouraged for Tomorrow. If you have any questions about your commitment, please contact the church office at 248-651-5316 or livingword@livword.net. The purpose of this ministry was to both replace the roof of our facility and address the mortgage. You can follow the progress of Encouraged for Tomorrow in the weekly worship handout.

A Faith Promise is being encouraged from every family at Living Word; those who are members as well as those who worship with us regularly. This Faith Promise is a way for us to make a commitment to our Lord for the coming year in regards to our stewardship and management of life resources. The amount of such a faith promise is far less important than the trust in God’s promises that it indicates for each of us. The Faith Promise card is available in the weekly worship bulletin or online at www.livword.net.

As a personal note, it has been a struggle over the last several years to truly enjoy all aspects of my pastoral ministry at Living Word. I love what I do; and I enjoy the ministry I share with you at Living Word. But, there has been this shadow of financial difficulty that has hung over our church and school for a long time. Truly our leaders have exhausted every possible means of managing limited resources and honoring commitments to staff and vendors. It wasn’t that many months back that we had reached a point of not knowing where to turn or what to do.

At that point we offered a humble prayer to our Lord. And it seems that when we have exhausted all human resources that the divine resources stand out! Truly the words of the Psalmist ring loud and clear, “Call on me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

I give glory to God for the miracle at work at Living Word. And I give credit to each of you at Living Word for your stewardship response that is making possible many things that I had thought impossible.

My personal prayer: “Lord God, I would ask that You provide continued stewardship blessings at Living Word so that with Your continued blessing we may maintain the quality ministry we do as a church with a school.”

Ouch!

2011-11-17T10:46:00.001-08:00

I write this as I wait in the dentist office for a root canal. Ouch!

I visited my regular dentist this morning with symptoms of sensitivity for the upper tooth, third from the back on the right side. Dr. Ohlsson said that the nerve had died and that I needed a root canal. I asked, "What if I let it go since the pain isn't too bad and comes and goes." He explained that it would be okay for a while but eventually the pain would get worse. And so I took his expert advice and proceeded with the root canal.

There are some things in life that we prefer to avoid. For many people a trip to the dentist is not among their favorite things to do. But, generally speaking, after having done so, the outcome is usually a happier smile.

When we think of sin in our lives - whether it is a particular sin that is troubling us or a general sense of disconnect with God - it can be humbling and painful to confess that sin to God, and even more so to confess that sin to a person who we may have hurt in some way. But, having done so, this results in the refreshing forgiveness of sins that God has gifted us in Jesus Christ. What a joy it is to hear those words from God, "Your sins is forgiven!" What a joy it is to hear someone say, "Apology accepted!" The relief of being forgiven far exceeds the pain in holding onto the sin in our life!

Let us pray: Lord God, I ask that you would this day forgive me for the sin of _________ which is particularly bothering me today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Four Thoughts About Stewardship

2011-11-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

My First Thought:
As a child I remember overhearing a conversation between my mom and dad one night. I was in my bedroom, as were they; but, because our bedroom doors were adjacent, I could overhear their conversation. It had to do with money.

There had been some unexpected expenses that put them short of money. It seems that they were down to their last $10. They were discussing the family needs and what that $10 meant for the coming week. The discussion focused around groceries and church. Should they buy the needed groceries for the week? Or, should they honor their faith promise in the offering on Sunday? (We have to remember that in the late 1950s $10 went a lot further in terms of grocery shopping and offerings!)

My memory fails me at this point so I also cannot tell you whether or not the $10 was put to use at Knowlan’s Grocery Store or placed in the offering for Bethel Lutheran Church. Whatever my parents decided to do at that moment – I didn't starve and the church didn’t close.

Such decisions are faced by all of us. At times it might involve the stewardship of $10. At other times it might involve the stewardship of $100 or $1,000. What I do remember from the above story is that my parents not only discussed it between themselves, but they discussed it with God in prayer.

Stewardship involves the management of life resources. It is appropriate to discuss such management decisions with an appropriate family member as well as one’s Lord!

My Second Thought:
We are participating in a November Thank Offering at Living Word. The gifts received from families will go toward maintaining the salaries and benefits of our workers at Living Word Church and School.

We are encouraging each family to look at the blessings received from God over the past year and respond accordingly. Such gifts to Living Word can be included with one’s regular offering (noting the portion for the Thank Offering), or as a separate donation.

My Third Thought:
Living Word is encouraging each family to make a Faith Promise for 2012. This Faith Promise becomes part of the resource management decisions that a family will make for 2012.

The Faith Promise can be found online at www.livword.net. Simply look for the link on the home page. It can be downloaded for printing or it can be submitted online.

My Fourth Thought:
Encouraged for Tomorrow has been a congregational effort to raise funds to (1) address our mortgage and (2) replace the roof on our facility. To date, we have received a little over 50% of the commitments toward a $600,000 goal. The program is scheduled for completion on June 1, 2012.

We are asking that each family who made a commitment use the 2012 Faith Promise card (see above) to indicate how they would like to fulfill their commitment. There are several options, including the option of changing the commitment based on circumstances.

Please pray with me:
Lord God, heavenly Father, help me more effectively manage the many resources you have given me in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November Thank Offering at Living Word

2011-11-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

The idea behind a thank offering is to celebrate some special moment or event in one’s life.

As Thanksgiving approaches I have been reflecting on some of the things for which I can give thanks. Here are my top 10:

1. I am thankful for my spouse: LuJean.
2. I am thankful for my children: Jason, Erin, Sean, Chris and Sara.
3. I am thankful for my five grandchildren: Sophia, Andrew, Madeline, Lydia, and Neve.
4. I am thankful for the kindness and generosity of people at Living Word.
5. I am thankful for the quality education my grandchildren receive at Living Word School.
6. I am thankful for the courage that God has given me to share Jesus on occasion with others.
7. I am thankful for a maintenance-free home (condominium).
8. I am thankful for my overall health, despite a few age-related aches and pains.
9. I am thankful for my iPhone and the access it gives me to people.
10. Last on the list, but certainly not least in importance, the one thing that encompasses all aspects of my life is my relationship with Jesus that gives me hope for eternal life in the resurrection.

As I look over my list I begin to realize that there are many things in my life for which I am thankful – well beyond the short list above! What truly amazes me is that so few of the things on my list have a monetary value; but they each have a tremendous personal value.

Especially am I thankful for something that I took somewhat for granted when I was younger: the relationship I have with God. The older I get (now age 58), the more I find myself trusting God for the outcomes in my life that I realize that I cannot control.

During the month of November, I would encourage each family at Living Word to reflect upon the things we have to be thankful for, and to consider sharing that gratitude with a special November Thank Offering.

The November Thank Offering would go toward maintaining the salaries and benefits of workers at Living Word at their current level.

Should you wish to give a special gift as part of the collective Thank Offering at Living Word, please designate your gift on your regular giving envelope or place it in a separate envelope in the offering boxes during worship.

Please join me in prayer: Gracious God, there are so many things in my life for which I am thankful. Help me to respond appropriately to the blessings You have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The "180" Movie

2011-10-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

If you haven't viewed the "180" Movie I would suggest that it is 33 minutes well spent. You can find it at this link: "180" Movie. It is important to watch the whole video since by the end there has been a 180 degree shift in thinking by the individuals being interviewed on the subject of abortion.

Something to Consider

2011-10-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

When I was in 7th grade confirmation class at Bethel Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, it was required of me to serve as an ‘acolyte,’ which today at Living Word we call a ‘Jr. Usher.’

I still remember vividly the first time I was scheduled to serve. Acolytes served in tandem, one experienced acolyte paired with one novice acolyte (me). My older partner who was supposed to mentor and train me as an acolyte hadn’t shown up. I asked the pastor what I should do?

Pastor Lutz didn’t know what to tell me since it was his first Sunday at Bethel, too. So, with nervous, shaky hands I burnt my fingers trying to light the wick of the candle lighter. I got started late, so the service was delayed by several minutes while the whole congregation watched me light the two 7-candle stands on either side of the altar and the two sacramental candles on the altar. It turns out that I raised quite a stir with a few people since I lighted the candles in the reverse order from what traditionally was done at Bethel.

But since that time I have grown in my service to the church, serving as usher, providing refreshments, organizing libraries, volunteering as coach, teaching children and adults, to name just a few.

I have found such service to be a blessing in my life as well as a blessing to others.

I would encourage you to give thought to how you might serve as a WORSHIP ASSISTANT at Living Word. Please click on the link below to sign up on line for such an area of service. Or, you may fill out the form below and return it to Living Word.

Online Worship Assistant Form

iSad – A Lutheran Perspective on the Death of Steve Jobs – One More Thing

2011-10-07T03:58:00.000-07:00

I was intrigued to read this assessment about Steve Jobs from a Lutheran Perspective. This is reposted from Cyberbrethren.

Steve Jobs was a man God blessed with many gifts. Lutherans have a particularly keen focus on the doctrine of vocation, that is, that no matter who we are, God uses the gifts He gives us to serve our neighbor and the world. God works through what we call “First Article” gifts. What does that mean? Martin Luther in his explanation of the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth” asserts that God has given, each of us, all our abilities and talents, everything we are, and everything we have is a gift from God to be used to serve others. This is true of every human being. Steve Jobs was gifted with many of these “First Article” blessings. And it is through the gifts that God gives to all men, that He blesses the world with tools and technologies that help us. Steve Jobs was a person God chose to use to give us many of us these wonderful tools, tools now being used to communicate the Gospel of Christ worldwide in ways that we could hardly have even dreamed of just thirty or even twenty years ago. How we use those tools is the key.

Unlike some of my fellow Lutherans and other fellow Christians, who felt a need at Jobs’ passing to begin making pronouncements about his eternal destiny, I am not rushing to judgment. I can’t help but recall Abraham Lincoln’s quip, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Can we learn from Steve Jobs’ errors and mistakes in life? Of course, and we should. Every bit as much as we must learn from our own. But must we, on the news of his passing, be so quick to condemn him and focus only on his faults and failings? No.

One more thing . . .

Steve Jobs was baptized and instructed in the Christian faith, so we can do a bit more than talk about “common grace,” we can also hope that God, in His own ways, at times and places of His choosing, may have worked in Steve’s life, at the last, a remembrance of the gifts from Christ He had received in His life. Unless you have been with a person in their last days, you have no idea what goes on in a person’s heart and mind in the closing days and moments of life. Let us hope that God brought back to Steve the remembrance of what he had been taught as a young man in a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod confirmation class, taught by my friend Rev. Dr. Martin Taddey, now deceased.

So, let’s leave the judgement to God, and leave the judgmentalism to those who have no hope. We who have hope in Christ know that for all mankind the One who suffered, died and rose again as the victor over our greatest enemies: sin, death and the devil, has called us to be His very own. We hold out hope that, in His mercy, He once more reached into Steve Jobs’ heart and mind at the end. And that is the “one more thing” that would be better than anything Steve ever announced and told us about.

Praying for Living Word’s Children – An Update with Further Thoughts

2011-10-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

“Praying for Living Word’s Children” is a program initiated this fall at Living Word, inviting members of the church to pray for children attending Living Word School. This program was intended to help families at our church feel more a part of our school ministry.

Based on the popularity of the program, and the good suggestions of several people, we would like to expand this program a little further and include all children at Living Word in such a prayer process, feeling that it would be quite a blessing to have all children in our church and school being lifted up in prayer by members of the congregation.

Participation in this ministry could be one of two ways:
1. Your interest may be that of a parent who would like a child lifted up in prayer.
2. Your interest may be that of a person willing to lift a child up in prayer.

Participants in this ministry would receive one or more names of children from our church and school, depending on their preferences. Since some people missed out on the opportunity to receive a child’s name, this would give every member at Living Word the chance to pray for one of our children.

Appropriate expressions beyond the prayer remembrance for a child are always appropriate. This might include a note, a card, a gift card, a photo exchange, or other thoughtful idea.

If you have an interest in participating in this prayer ministry, whether as a parent with a child to pray for or as a person who would like to pray for a child, please click on the link below to express your family's interest in this ministry.

Praying for Living Word's Children

Miscellaneous Thoughts on a Thursday Morning

2011-09-29T04:23:00.000-07:00

If you are at all interested in what Pope Benedict XVI thinks of Martin Luther, I would suggest that you check out the following: CyberBrethren Blog.

If you would like to know what Living Word’s youth are up to, I would suggest that you check out one of the following:

http://lwlcyouth.blogspot.com
http://church.livword.net/grow/youth (the youth page on Living Word’s website)
lwlcyouth (on Twitter)
Living Word Youth (on Facebook)

One of the blogs that I find very beneficial is: Cranach: Blog of Veith.

One of the blogs that I find especially irritating is: Steadfast Lutherans.

Sometimes I am asked what Bible I prefer to use. My preferences are along these lines:

The Lutheran Study Bible (available at CPH.org or on Kindle)
Olive Tree Bible Reader for the Smart Phone (available at OliveTree.com). My preferred translation is the ESV with the ESV Study Bible option. I also have God’s Word and the Greek New Testament.
Life Application Study Bible (available in a variety of translations)

Whom do I prefer to follow on Twitter?

LivingWordLCMS
BigSkyMaverick (President David Maier)
Michigan Softball
Answers.com
US Capitol History
miLCMS (Michigan District)
A variety of Fantasy Football analysts

Living Word now has a digital suggestion box where you can offer comments or suggestions to the Board of Elders. It is available at www.livword.net under Church/Resources.

Please pray with me: Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we have received from Your bounty through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Bringing Children to Know Jesus

2011-09-22T07:40:00.001-07:00

Human Beings vs Persons: Conflicting Worldviews

2011-09-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

When does a human being become a person? This is a challenging question for many people. Christians believe that a human being is a person from conception. But, there are many people elsewhere who feel that a human being becomes a person long after conception. This affects a person's attitude toward many life issues, including abortion.

I gleaned the following from the Michigan District's weekly newsletter and thought it might be helpful to share with you:

Emmanuel, Dearborn's 5th Annual Apologetics Conference will be held Friday, October 14 from 7-9 p.m. Professor John Pless of Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind. will present the topic " Human Beings vs Persons: Conflicting Worldviews." Cost of the conference is $10/$5 for students. For more information and a downloadable brochure and flier click here.

"People All Over the World Have Been Waiting for This Day!"

2011-09-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here are the stats: Malaria kills more than a million people a year, but it is easily prevented and treated; Malaria is a disease of poverty. It exacerbates the condition by making people too sick to work or tend their fields; a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds; 3 out of 4 of those who die from malaria are pregnant women and children under the age of five in Africa.

As an expression of faith and of God's love for all, the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) launches publically this week with several Lutheran congregations and schools hosting special offerings, awareness events, and other activities. LMI is an unprecedented campaign to mobilize U.S. Lutherans in the global effort to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. LMI goals are to increase awareness of malaria and raise $45 million to help fight the disease.

LMI is made possible through support from the United Nations Foundation. Contributions from Lutheran congregations, schools (including over $37,000 from Michigan District schools), and individuals have reached nearly $2 million to help the people of Africa whose everyday lives are affected.

Churches, schools, and individuals interested in showing their support of LMI during the public launch might choose to pray a special LMI prayer or read the children's book about malaria, "Little Things Make Big Differences ," by LWR President and CEO John Nunes and his wife, Monique.

At a the June press conference in Detroit, Nunes stated, "People all over the world have been waiting for this day."

LCMS President Matthew Harrison also shared, "Why Lutherans? The United Nations Foundation found the LCMS had the ability because we are already 'on the ground' in the remotest places; caring for the least, the lost, and the little."

A mere $10 can provide an insecticide-treated bed net, delivery, and education for a family's protection for 3 years. Churches, schools, and individuals can show their support by joining LMI and receive an "LMI Starter Kit" that gives a step-by-step guide on how to organize and complete a local campaign in congregations, schools, offices, neighborhoods, and communities. More information can be found at www.lutheranmalaria.org.

Suggestion Box

2011-09-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Arriving at church one Sunday with my mom and dad, I noticedthat Pastor Lutz was opening the “Suggestion Box.” This was a box that wasprominently displayed in the church narthex. Pastor Lutz lifted out a foldedpiece of paper and read the suggestion. I watched as his eyes brightened and hesaid to no one in particular: “Now, that’s a great suggestion.”

Although Pastor Lutz did not reveal to us what thesuggestion was, I imagine that it was shared with his church leaders forconsideration at our church, Bethel Lutheran.

This past spring at Living Word, many people participated ina survey about our worship at Living Word and a variety of suggestions wereoffered. The Board of Elders has reviewed these suggestions and has begun theprocess of introducing a number of them.

Here are just a few of them:

Providing three distinctly unique worship stylesat our three worship services each weekend.
Striving for a comfortable balance between thefamiliar and the new in regards to songs and hymns.
Asking worship assistants to dress according to the role they might have in worship.

The Board of Elders and I are always open to kindly andtimely suggestions about the ministry at Living Word. Thus, Living Word now hasa suggestion box. This box is not one that is prominently displayed in thefoyer (see story above). This suggestion box is an electronic one that islocated on our church website. If you go to www.livword.netand click on church and then click on resources, you will find it.

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Visting the Doctor: What's That About?

2011-09-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

When I was a child my grandmother fell and broke her wrist. Even I could see that it was broken and causing her great pain. My comment to her: “Grandma, why don’t you go see a doctor?” Her comment to me: “It will heal just fine by itself.” Eventually her wrist did heal, but she never had full use of it again.

It was later in life that my mother explained to me that Grandma didn’t believe in doctors. She had never been to one, nor would she (in her own words) ever go to see one.

Most of us understand the value of the medical community and the need for those occasional well visits and sick visits.

In the same way, when we participate in a Bible study we are attending not to our physical condition, but rather our spiritual condition. We might be struggling with a spiritual issue and need some assurance from the Scriptures that will help us through this time in life (sort of like a sick visit to a physician). Or, we might be well and fine – spiritually speaking – and looking to keep things smooth and well in life (sort of like a well visit to the doctor).

Bible study is something that I encourage all of us to consider. There are plenty of opportunities at Living Word for such studies. Some are available Sunday mornings during the 10:00 am education hour. Some are available weekdays at various times (morning, afternoon, and evening). Some are for adults and some are for children.

Weekly Education Hour Opportunities – 10:00 AM

Quest for Truth (Pre-school – Third Grade)
Pre-Confirmation (Fourth – Fifth Grades)
Confirmation Classes (Sixth, Seventh, Eighth Grades)
High School Youth (Youth Room)
CSI: Creation Science Investigation (Adult)
A Longer Look at the Weekend Worship Lessons (Adult)
The Life of David (Adult)

Occasional Bible Study Opportunities

Sr. High School Bible Study (Mondays from 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the youth room at Living Word)
Living a Transformed Life (Second and Fourth Tuesday at 2:15 pm at LW)
Readings in the Book of Concord (Monthly at CJs in Lake Orion at 7:00 pm – text Pastor Kassen for specific date: 248-969-0242)
Early Riser Bible study: (Monthly at Tim Horton’s in Lake Orion at 7:00 am – text Pastor Kassen for specific date: 248-969-0242)

Happy Reunions

2011-08-30T10:29:00.001-07:00

Steve Jobs, cofounder of Apple Computer and Pixar Studios, in June 2005 made this comment about death: “Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

I wonder if Steve Jobs, having recently stepped down from his leadership position at Apple because of critical health issues, would make the same comment as death is closer for him than it has ever been.

I have met many people in my ministry who did not so much welcome death and the end of their life on earth, but looked forward in anticipation to that happy reunion with Jesus in heaven.

In recent years, when I have spoken with my mother in her older age, I have discovered that her anticipation of her reunion with Jesus is growing stronger and stronger. It isn’t so much that she wishes to die, but she knows that what waits for her in heaven is far better than what she is leaving behind on earth.

A few months ago I was waiting for a flight in Atlanta and noticed a mother who was waiting for her daughter to deplane on the incoming flight. At first, she was quite happy-go-lucky, chatting with others in the waiting area. But as the flight arrival time came and went she became obviously concerned and worried. She kept checking the flight to see when it would arrive. Finally, when the flight arrived, I could sense her anticipation as she kept looking around people to see her daughter come through the gate. As it turned out her daughter was the last person off the plane, accompanied by a flight attendant because of her age. There was tremendous jubilation as she saw her daughter and ran to greet her with open arms!

Such is the anticipation that I sense in my mother as she looks forward to the time when she will meet Jesus.

The words of Paul to the Christians in Philippi are poignant: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

Please pray with me: Lord Jesus, as we wait for the time when we will meet You face-to-face, help us to enjoy the immediate reunions we have with You as we read the Scriptures and come to Your Holy Supper. Amen.

Jalapenos and Other Thoughts

2011-08-25T03:16:00.000-07:00

FIRST THOUGHT:

Yesterday I was in our kitchen creating potato skins for an appetizer. I had chopped up a variety of vegys including some jalapeno peppers. While the skins were baking I was working on the computer. Without thinking too much about it, I rubbed an itchy eye!

Since I had failed to wash my hands after working with the jalapeno peppers, I was greeted with a stinging surprise! Instead of itching, my eye now burned. I quickly rinsed my eye out with water to alleviate the stinging sensation.

It is so important to wash one’s hands – for this and many other reasons.

In the same way, it is important for the Christian to continually cleanse our lives. We are reminded that on a daily basis we have dirtied our lives with sin (Romans 3:23) and need to be washed with the “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5) in Holy Baptism.

This does not mean that we need to actually be baptized every day! It does mean, however, that as we daily ask God for forgiveness, the power of our first baptismal washing is reapplied in our lives each day.

Certainly washing our hands regularly has value; and, in the same way, applying the baptismal grace through repentance and forgiveness in Jesus Christ on a regular basis has an even greater value, especially to keep the stinging sensation of sin out of our lives.

SECOND THOUGHT:

I teach several Bible studies during the month that I open up for anyone. Starting in September, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month I will lead a study called “Living a Transformed Life: Faith.” We study the lives of various characters in the Bible and use their faith story to help us develop our faith. In September we will meet at 2:15 pm on the 13^th and 27^th to study Joshua and Jacob. Bring a Bible!

Another study that I lead meets monthly at 7:00 am at Tim Horton’s in Lake Orion. This 45 minute discussion group will be delving into the major feasts and festivals of Old Testament Israel to give us as Christians a better understanding of our faith. The next study meets on September 8. Anyone is welcome to attend. Bring a Bible!

A third study that I coordinate is a bit different. We gather once a month at CJ’s restaurant in Lake Orion to read parts of the Book of Concord (which contain the documents which summarize the Lutheran understanding of biblical theology). We are currently reading a document called “The Power and Primacy of the Pope.” Though no book is necessary, it may be helpful to bring a copy of the Book of Concord (available at cph.org). All are welcome to attend. The next gathering is September 27 at 7:00 pm.

There are other studies that I would encourage you to consider. These are each held during the Sunday morning education hour from 10:00 am – 10:50 am, beginning September 11.

Quest for Truth (Pre-school – Third Grade)
Pre-Confirmation (Fourth – Fifth Grades)
Confirmation Classes (Sixth, Seventh, Eighth Grades)
CSI: Creation Science Investigation (Adult / High School)
A Longer Look at the Weekend Worship Lessons (Adult / High School)
The Life of David (Adult / High School)

God Answers Prayer

2011-08-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

A recent email from Pastor Jerry Kieschnick mentioned a country and western song titled “Unanswered Prayers” containing short stories told by the singer about how thankful he was that some of the things he prayed for were not granted by God and how those unanswered prayers resulted in things turning out just fine in his life.

This got me thinking about some unanswered prayers (and prayers that were answered but not in a way that I had expected or desired) in my life where things turned out better than I thought they might. I reflect back upon those times and now understand that God could see into my future better than I could, and that God had something in mind for me that I didn’t understand at the time.

But this also got me thinking about some of the answered prayers in my life. I began to think about how God helped me with depression during my college years. I began to think about how God has blessed my grandson Andrew with treatment options not available a few years ago. I began to think about how God has brought my father through bypass surgery at age 87. (He is returning home today as I write this – one-month following his surgery!) And, as I began to reflect upon them, I began to realize that there have been more answered prayers than seemingly unanswered prayers.

We are always happy to thank God for those prayers He has answered in our lives. Have you ever, though, thanked God for those He hasn’t answered – at least in the way you had in mind? This is a bit more of a challenge! But, we always remember the words of Jesus in prayer prior to the crucifixion: “Not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)

Ministry Update for LWLC (Summer 2011)

2011-08-09T06:28:00.000-07:00

Friends,
I would like to share with you two ministry updates at Living Word. The first is from Moving Forward in Faith Chairman Brian Phillips and the second is from Treasurer Tom Schwark:

From Brian Phillips:

I am writing today to provide you with an update on Living Word’s continuing turnaround, to inform you of some of the successes we have had to date, and to remind you that the process is ongoing.

This summer has seen some tremendous successes in our MFiF implementation. Specifically, we had over 130 participants in our VBS. This was up from the previous year. We were also blessed with dozens of volunteers, both young and old, to help with this tremendous success.

Following on the heels of the VBS success, our summer camps were back this year after being cancelled for lack of participation in 2010. Not only were they back, but we ended up with 70 participants. That’s about a 300% increase over where we were when we had to cancel the camps last year! The rise in summer camp and VBS participants bodes very well for our early childhood center and we will keep you informed as final enrollment numbers come in this fall.

It is through the ECC that we expect to fill our school again. And, although we continue to look at every opportunity to fill our church and school, these two specific opportunities and successes will undoubtedly be the backbone of our future success.

Despite our recent successes, however, please remember that the turnaround is an ongoing process and that, although we may have begun to turn a corner in certain areas, your continued participation and support is absolutely imperative to keep us on track. Summer is naturally a very slow time in the annual life of a church. Vacation time, lack of school, and other factors tend to lead to reduced financial support.

Some of the changes we made to school tuition, etc. in the MFiF program were designed to minimize the impact of summer months. The changes we can make institutionally, however, are simply not enough to fully eliminate the issue.

Please take a moment to review your support of our congregation and ministries. If you have the ability to increase that support in the coming weeks, please consider doing so as we continue our turnaround together.

Best regards,

Brian

From Tom Schwark:

Our backlog of unpaid bills was about $65,000 at the end of 2010. Currently, our backlog of unpaid bills, after this week's checks are sent out is about $12,000 through the end of July. About $5500 of that amount are unpaid July bills. We have paid LHSA over $40,000 that we owed them and we have paid the Lutheran Special Education Ministry $3750 of what we owe, and we are current on our mortgage. Please see our list of Accounts Payable attached.

Tom

From Pastor Kassen:

Living Word is blessed in many, many ways. We have outstanding members who love their Lord and wish to see their church remain active in ministry and strong in stewardship. The summer always poses a challenge for the leaders of the church to meet all of our financial obligations as people vacation and travel. As you enjoy these summer days, please keep Living Word and her staff and leaders in your prayers.

Living a Transformed Life

2011-08-04T05:45:00.001-07:00

Over my ministry as pastor I have seen people transformed in one way or another.

One person stands out in particular. When starting a new church in southeastern Pennsylvania in 1989, I was looking for someone to play the piano for our services. We had rented one of the public elementary schools in the area for Sunday worship. I spoke with the principal and he put me in touch with the music teacher at the school. The music teacher was happy to help us out. He played for us each week and then began bringing his wife and toddler to services as time went on. Eventually the Holy Spirit worked quite a transformation in his life. His “job” playing for us turned into a “ministry” in the church.

This fall I will be leading a Bible Study called “Living a Transformed Life.” It is a series that looks at various characters from the Bible and lets us see the faith transformation that took place in their lives to coach us in our lives.

This study meets on Tuesday afternoons at 2:15 pm, twice each month. September’s meetings will be on the 13th and the 27th. I invite you to be part of this small discussion and fellowship group.

Let us pray: Help us Holy Spirit to experience Your transforming power in our lives. Amen.

Compromise!

2011-07-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

Guest Blog by Jimmy Veith
(From: Cranach: Blog of Veith)

For many, the word “compromise” has negative connotations. People who “compromise” are viewed as people who lack moral courage to live up to high ethical standards. We admire most those individuals who stand up against the system and do the right thing regardless of what others think. When “Mr. Smith” went toWashington, his filibuster in the Senate was not obstructionism. It was a heroic act.      John Wayne never compromised.   Our aversion to compromise, is probably a reflection of our individualism, which is a dominate personality trait of Americans.

There are cultures, primarily in the East, that seem to place a greater emphasis on getting along with others. The middle way or the “golden mean” is a dominant theme in their religions and philosophies, which place a greater emphasis on living in harmony with others.   We are more defined by our Judeo-Christian heritage which places a greater emphasis on absolute truths.

The Bible is full of warning and admonitions against compromise. Yet, there are passages in the Bible that describe circumstances in which compromise is considered to be a good thing. Consider Acts 15, which describes what is know as the Jerusalem conference, where Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and the other Apostles to discus whether or not Gentiles who converted to Christianity had to become Jews first, and thus be circumcised according to the Law of Moses. The view of Paul and Barnabas prevailed and the conference concluded that converts did not have to be circumcised. (Yea!) But even then, the Gentiles were instructed to comply with Jewish dietary laws. (See Acts15: 20)   Was this an example of a compromise?    Are there other or better examples in the Bible where compromise is considered to be a good thing?

The United States Constitution is full of compromises. The greatest conflict among the delegates to the Constitutional Convention was between the big states and the little states. The big states wanted proportional representation based on population. The little states wanted equal representation so they would not be dominated by the big states. This conflict threatened to tear the convention apart, until they decided on the so-called “Connecticut Compromise” which gave proportional representation to the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.

Today, we are engaged in a national debate over what should be done to address our national debt crises. The far right refuses to raise taxes. The far left refuses to reduce Social Security and Medicare benefits.   Isn’t this a situation where a compromise which does some of both, is the moral and ethical thing to do?

What are the moral and ethical dimensions of compromise?   Isn’t the attitude of “My way or the Highway!” repugnant in a Democracy?     Is it possible that in some circumstances, our willingness to compromise is an expression of Christian humility?

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/geneveith/~3/YOiYwwDwGHE/

Is an Early Morning Bible Study for You?

2011-07-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Are you a morning person?

I am a morning person for the most part. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t up and about after 7:00 am.

One of the Bible discussion groups at Living Word I really enjoy meets Thursday mornings at 7:00 am at Tim Horton’s in Lake Orion. The next gathering is on August 11.

This group is guided by me and will begin a new discussion topic called “Bible Feasts.”

We will begin each session with prayer, do some light Bible calisthenics (study), and share some good Christian friendship.

If you are an early morning person and would like to participate, you are welcome to just show up. If you would like to be added to the email reminder list, please send me an email request at pastorkassen@livword.net.

Please join me in prayer: Almighty God, grant to us a strong desire to study Your Word so that we may become better informed Christians and grow closer in faith to You. In Jesus’ name we ask this. Amen

Living Christian Values-Stewardship

2011-07-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I come across an article that is especially meaningful to me. I share the following thoughts from Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, former president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod:

Living Christian Values—Stewardship

As a young boy at home I learned the art of financial stewardship from my father. Martin was a humble man whose intelligence and common sense took him way beyond what his high school education was designed to do. He supported our family as a meat cutter and eventually vice-president of a chain of food stores in Houston. Every Saturday night at home after work he opened the pay envelope containing the cash he had earned that week. He took a cigar box from his sock drawer and carefully placed exactly 10% of his pay into that box. That became the family offering the next day at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Houston. He also added another amount that stayed in the box until the fall of each year. At that time the accumulated amount became our family's special mission festival offering for mission work in the nation and around the world.

Dad never instructed or scolded or warned or commanded. He simply taught me the art of stewardship by his godly and joyful example. I’ve been blessed to share that joy with others throughout my ministry. In the mid-1970s as a young parish pastor I recall a visitor to our congregation who happened to come to church one Sunday when I was preaching on the topic of stewardship. On the way out of church after the service, this visitor, looking perplexed, asked if he could take me to lunch the next week. During our meal Bob pumped me about what I had said in the Sunday sermon about stewardship, a concept with which he was unfamiliar. Since that day he and his wife have become committed, faithful, joyful and generous stewards of the significant blessings God has entrusted to their care. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7).

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick

My Weekly Spiritual Tuneup

2011-06-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

I have this program on my computer from AVG called “PC-Tuneup.” I use it once a week to recondition my computer. I double click the icon for the program and it scans my computer’s internal systems for “registry” errors and all sorts of other computer ailments that I am not even aware of. Today when I ran the program it uncovered 437 problems of one sort or another. And … what is even better … with one click of the mouse the program repaired each and every one of them in less than 10 minutes.

When we gather for worship each weekend at Living Word we engage in a kind of spiritual tuneup. There are several programs that we run in worship. One we call the “Word.” The lessons and sermon cause us to reflect on our lives and help us uncover problems in our lives that we may not consciously be aware of. Then the “Word” helps solve those problems by (first) reminding us of the forgiveness of sins that we have in Jesus Christ and (second) pointing us to the Holy Spirit's power to help us change.

Another program is called the “Lord’s Supper.” The Lord’s Supper applies the gracious forgiveness of sins that Christ won for us by His death on the cross. In the bread and wine we connect with the body and blood of Jesus in a way that we cannot logically understand or explain. (If I were to have to explain how the AVG program solves all my computer issues on a weekly basis, I would be at a loss to know where to begin!) Though I cannot explain how the body and blood of Christ comes to me in bread and wine, I am pleased to enjoy its wonderful benefits!

We can utilize some of these programs even on a daily basis at home. We can delve into the “Word” and we can individually remember our “Baptism” and “Confess our Sins.” We are blessed to have a vast array of spiritual programs that God has provided so that we can live our lives in a peaceful and harmonious way.

Every time I run the AVG program, my computer runs faster, responds quicker, and behaves better. This keeps me coming back to run the program every week.

Every time I come to worship and hear the “Word” and receive the “Sacrament” my life seems to be on a better plane. Thus, I look forward to coming back to worship each and every week.

Preaching is All About "You"

2011-06-09T07:44:00.001-07:00

From LCMS President Matthew Harrison:

We need to preach more about the Gospel!" a well meaning pastor admonished his brothers at a pastoral conference. As he continued his speech, a little old man shuffled up to the microphone. It's hard to believe that this old pastor, barely over five feet tall, had been among the very first in all the German churches to reject publicly the Nazi Party platform and then struggled against Hitler for the rest of the war. He declared to his brother pastors: "For more than 50 years I have never preached about the Gospel. I have only preached the Gospel!" Hermann Sasse put his finger on a perennial weakness in our preaching. The sermon is not mere information. The preacher must dare to speak the biblical "you!" in both Law and Gospel. "You killed the Lord of glory!" "Your righteous deeds are as filthy rags." "You are the man!" (Nathan to David).

And the Gospel is proclaimed the same way: "Today is born for you a Savior." "Your sins are forgiven." "You are raised with Him in Baptism." "The blood of

Christ, shed for you."

Preaching is a finger-pointing business. It takes courage to stand in the pulpit and let fly, accusing full-on with all the force of the damning Law. ''The Law is to be preached in its full severity" (Walther). It takes even more skill to preach the full and sweet Gospel to sinners accused. Yet the Bible is packed to the brim with Christ's full and free forgiveness, ready to be dished up and delivered by the lips of the preacher. "By killing he makes alive," Luther emphasized again and again. And so our preaching must kill the old man, damn him thoroughly to hell and raise him up again with Christ and His free forgiveness.

Preachers, let's sit at the feet of the apostles. Notice how many times "you" appears in Peter's sermon: (Acts 3.:12a, 13-15, 17-26 ESV).

I love a bit of humor in a sermon, a rhetorical surprise. A story is great, even the occasional personal story. I'm a fan of all sorts of styles, of changing things up and "finding a new string to thump" on occasion (Luther). But through it all, let's stop preaching limply and merely only about the Law and the Gospel. Let's preach the Law in all its condemnation and the Gospel in all its sweetness.

-Pastor Matthew Harrison

President of the LCMS

Lutheran Witness June/July 2011

Vol. 130, No. 06/07

What is Your Biggest Regret?

2011-06-02T04:52:00.000-07:00

I asked the following question of the eighth grade students at Living Word Lutheran School: “What is your biggest regret?”

Some of the student answers were:

· I regret quitting band.

· I regret that I hadn’t come to Living Word School sooner.

· I regret wasting my time on video games.

· I regret those times I didn’t do my homework.

· I regret getting a Wii and not an Xbox.

· I regret not saying, “I’m sorry,” as I know I should.

· I regret not being a good sport.

· I regret not listening to my parents.

· I regret spending too much time on extra-curricular things and not enough time reading the Bible every day.

· I regret that we didn’t get to read Romeo and Juliet.

In a recent survey of people the most common regrets involved (in the following order) romantic relationships (including marriages), career choices, education, money, and parenting. Not surprisingly, more women cited relational regrets and more men cited career-related regrets. The researchers also found that many people have intense regrets around "lost opportunities."

All of us have things that we regret in life. Some of those things make us sad. Some of those things cause us to grieve as we reflect on things we didn’t do that we might have really wanted to do. Or, on the other hand, there might be things we did that we regret having done.

But we should remember that not all regrets are bad. At the end of every day we should have regrets! We should regret certain thoughts, certain words, and certain actions associated with sin. The Bible reminds us that regret over sin (repentance) is a good thing. This regret leads us to ask God for forgiveness and at the same time remember that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven of our sins!

Here are a few good biblical thoughts about regret:

· Jesus said: “Repent and believe the Gospel.” Mark 1:15

· Peter said: “Repent and be baptized.” Acts 2:38

· John said: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” 1 John 1:9

What is your biggest regret? It may be something that you can bring to God in prayer and ask for His forgiveness and healing!

Intrepid Hearts Indeed!

2011-05-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

"What could possibly be so important that you would stake eternity on it? What gives a person such courage and conviction? Only one thing - the truth." This is what the Lutheran Confessions are all about, the truth of God's Word.

The Lutheran Confessions are contained in a book that is often referred to as The Book of Concord. This book also has other titles such as: Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions - from which the above quote was taken (page 9).

Every month a small group of us at Living Word gather to read and reflect on the Lutheran Confessions and what they have to say about the Bible and the teachings that are important to know for one's salvation.

We meet at CJs restaurant in Lake Orion. Our next gathering is Tuesday, May 31, at 7:00 pm.

Consider this email an open invitation to join us!

What you may wish to bring with you (though not mandatory) is a copy of Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions which is available online at cph.org.

We come together as brothers and sisters in Christ to read and ask questions and prayerfully reflect on the various teachings of the Lutheran Church (about the Bible) which are contained in the Lutheran Confessions.

We are also known to sip an age appropriate beverage! It is good fellowship and good spiritual growth!

If you wish further information, please speak with Pastor Kassen (pastorkassen@livword.net).

Living Word Annual Meeting Update

2011-05-17T09:06:00.001-07:00

Pastor Kassen opened the meeting with a devotion based on 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 and addressed the congregation with a discussion about good stewardship and fiscal responsibility for Living Word Lutheran Church and School. Copies of his presentation are available in his church mailbox.

Stacy Hoeft spoke about the state of the School:

· Enrollment has increased in the ECC, which enabled us to open an afternoon session of four-year-olds.

· Enrollment has decreased in the School, which requires us to keep a combined class for the 2011-12 school year.

· We have, once again, earned "Emerald" status as a Michigan Green School.

· Our newly formed PTO has raised over $10,000 per year for our school and ECC two years in a row!

· The School Musical will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, May 25th and 26th. Please join us!

· Our Iowa Test results are just in and, as usual, our students did very well, most often scoring two or more grade levels above average!

The financial plan for 2011-12 was presented, discussed, and approved. The budget plan did not include the full time position of music director at Living Word because of fiscal considerations. The congregation unanimously granted Terry Baughman a peaceful release from his call effective July 31, 2011.

David Abbott was thanked for his service as recording secretary to Living Word and Dr. Jay Eastman was elected to this position.

The elders shared an update from the congregation’s recent survey of worship preferences. If you would like a copy, please email Ron Secord.

Jim Janetzke gave an update for Encouraged for Tomorrow and Brian Phillips an update for Moving Forward in Faith.

In his update about Epic Lutheran Church, Pastor Kassen mentioned that it is the goal of Epic to relocate this summer to a site in either Washington Twp or along Rochester Road near M59. These are the areas from which Epic draws many of its members. The goal of Epic and Living Word is to work together in several areas of ministry.

As Michele Dober steps down from her youth ministry position at Living Word this summer, the board of elders will be developing a position description and looking for a possible replacement for Michele. Michele has served in this capacity for 9 years.

A Team Effort

2011-05-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

I enjoy coaching! It is an opportunity to give back to kids.

This past week my devotional thought prior to our game was based on 1 Corinthians 12:12 where Paul says, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

My point was about what makes a good team. A good team is organized around a common goal with players of varying gifts and abilities. A coach strives to get the various players to work together as a team. The coach understands that even the most talented player cannot play softball alone! The player can’t be the only one on the field, nor can the player be the only one at bat. It takes a team to produce good results.

So, too, in the Church, it takes a team focused on a common goal to find success.

I was pleased that my players that day enjoyed a 14-0 victory over the opposing team. They did play as a team! Every player had a role and responsibility, but it was the team’s coordinated efforts that produced the good outcome.

So, too, in the Church, it takes the organization of God the Father, the coaching of the Holy Spirit, and the common purpose of sharing Jesus Christ with people that gives inspiration to the team of believers to work together in a coordinated effort that produces the good outcome we call salvation!

A Christian Response to the Death of Osama bin Laden

2011-05-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

What should the Christian's response be to the death of Osama bin Laden?

I woke up Monday morning (May 2) to the news that Navy Seals, under the direction of the president of the United States, lead a well coordinated attack against Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan. My first reaction, I must admit, was elation! I could empathize with the thousands in New York City and Washington D.C. who were chanting "USA! USA!"

Then I began to wonder whether or not such a response was the kind of response that God would consider appropriate.

So, I turned to the Scriptures to see what it said:

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, "I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:1-2 (ESV)

I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me. Deuteronomy 32:41 (ESV)

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. Psalm 5:4-5 (ESV)

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Ezekiel 18:23 (ESV)

Jesus answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:1-5 (ESV)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18 (ESV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)

First, God is a God of justice and cannot tolerate injustice and evil. God uses his power to influence humans and angels toward the common good of all (Deuteronomy 32:41; Psalm 54:4-5; Romans 1:18).

Second, we see in the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt great rejoicing over the defeat of Pharaoh and his army in the collapsing waters of the Red Sea (Exodus 15).

Third, the Scriptures would remind us that God does not rejoice over the death of anyone: Righteous or Wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). Death is punishment from God upon the sin of human beings (Romans 6:23).

Fourth, God has the heartfelt desire for all people to be saved and spend eternity in heaven. Such salvation is available to all people through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23; 1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Fifth, there is a time of judgment and accountability that awaits all people. We should remember that we are not blameless either! If God were to hold us accountable for our sins we would deserve the same judgment that Osama bin Laden and many others deserve! But, we have received the undeserved grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sin and rose to conquer death. It is appropriate that we have repentant hearts, turning our faith to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Luke 13:1-5; Romans 6:23).

What should the Christian's response be to the death of Osama bin Laden?

Are we sad that this terrorist is no longer in the world? Perhaps not!

Are we sad that God has brought a measure of justice to the world this day? Certainly not!

Can we rejoice, like Moses and the Israelites, when a great evil has been removed from our world? I believe we can!

Ten Reflections Toward the End of Lent

2011-04-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

I can truly say that I love the end of Lent! Here are ten personal reflections as the conclusion to the Lenten season draws near:

Reflection 1: I enjoy the longer daylight hours! I am energized by the earlier rising sun and the ability to enjoy outdoor activities in the evening.

Reflection 2: I enjoy the blooming flowers, greening grass, and budding trees.

Reflection 3: I enjoy the lower utility bills that warmer weather and increased sunlight brings.

Reflection 4: I enjoy the prospect of playing golf, which I put off until after Easter.

Reflection 5: I enjoy the daily walks with our dogs now that the sidewalks are cleared of snow.

Reflection 6: I anticipate the powerful symbolism associated with stripping the altar of its furnishings on Holy Thursday, reminding me that Christ was stripped of his life on Calvary.

Reflection 7: I anticipate the powerful symbolism associated with the darkening church on Good Friday, reminding me of how Jesus hung alone on the cross for my sins.

Reflection 8: I anticipate the powerful symbolism associated with the emerging light at Easter sunrise worship (though I am not enamored with the 6:37 am time of sunrise this year), reminding me of the victory over sin and death that Christ accomplished for me in his resurrection.

Reflection 9: I anticipate the joy-filled worship experience on Easter as many, many people gather for worship, celebrating with me our common faith in Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

Reflection 10: I anticipate a little bit of personal time with my family in the afterglow of Easter.

Living Word Worship Survey Update

2011-04-08T03:41:00.000-07:00

Worship Survey Update

During the month of March Living Word conducted a worship survey. 139 people took time to fill out the short survey about worship and music preferences at the three worship services at Living Word.

The board of elders is currently in the process of sifting through the data and will be able to share a more comprehensive report with the congregation at Living Word’s annual meeting on Monday, May 16, at 7:00 pm.

I am, however, able to share a few observations from some of the input into the survey. It seems that 66% of people attend one of Living Word’s three worship services based on its time and convenience. About 34% percent of people prefer the style of the worship service they attend over the styles of the other services.

It is also evident that a majority of people seem to enjoy a variety of worship songs, with a newer contemporary song preference coming second. And a majority of people seem to prefer a blended style of worship that offers elements of the traditional and contemporary. These observations seem to be fairly consistent through the various age groups of the congregation.

It seems that people were fairly evenly split between enjoying worship as it currently is offered at Living Word and having certain elements of our worship feel a bit more contemporary.

There were many positive suggestions about things that could be done to improve worship at Living Word. The board of elders will evaluate these suggestions and give prayerful consideration to them.

Top 25 Contemporary Worship Songs AND Japan Lutheran Church Update

2011-03-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

We all enjoy music of one variety or another. At Living Word we are conducting a brief worship survey and we invite any worshiper (10 years of age or older) to participate. You can find the survey at www.livword.net by clicking the church / worship tab.

In the first of this two part article, I listed the top 25 “Hymns That Last” as they appear in the most recent hymnals of a variety of Christian denominations in America. In this article I will list the top 25 Contemporary Christian worship songs used in America.

1. Mighty to Save

2. How Great is Our God

3. Blessed Be Your Name

4. Here I Am to Worship

5. Everlasting God

6. Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

7. Open the Eyes of My Heart

8. Your Grace is Enough

9. Jesus Messiah

10. Holy is the Lord

11. Shout to the Lord

12. Forever

13. You are My King

14. Come Now is the Time to Worship

15. Revelation Song

16. In Christ Alone

17. Lord I Lift Your Name on High

18. Hosanna (Praise is Rising)

19. God of Wonders

20. We Fall Down

21. Beautiful One

22. From the Inside Out

23. The Heart of Worship

24. You Are My All in All

25. Days of Elijah

If you missed the first part of the article which listed the top 25 Hymns in America, you may access it on my blog at pastorjek.blogspot.com.

AND...Here is an update on the status of the Lutheran Church in Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami:

Top 25 Hymns in American Worship

2011-03-17T05:30:00.001-07:00

In this two part article, I am going to list the top 25 “Hymns That Last” as they appear in the most recent hymnals of a variety of Christian denominations in America. The list comes courtesy of Christianity Today (March 2011).

1. Abide With Me

2. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

3. Come, Ye Thankful People Come

4. Crown Him with Many Crowns

5. Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken

6. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

7. Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

8. How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints

9. In the Cross of Christ I Glory

10. Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun

11. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

12. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

13. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

14. A Mighty Fortress is our God

15. All Glory, Laud, and Honor

16. Come, Thou Almighty King

17. Just As I Am

18. Now Thank We All Our God

19. O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

20. O God Our Help in Ages Past

21. O, Worship the King All Glorious Above

22. The Church’s One Foundation

23. Christ the Lord is Risen Today

24. Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

25. Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

In my next posting, we will look at the top 25 Contemporary Christian worship songs.

Your Input is Needed: Worship Preference Survey

2011-03-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Striving to make our worship liturgy, songs, and music as meaningful as possible to worshipers and visitors, the Board of Elders at Living Word and I would like your input regarding our worship formats and styles.

The Board of Elders shares responsibility with the pastor and music director for the worship ministry at Living Word. It is the desire of the board to receive feedback about Living Word’s worship ministry from any member at Living Word who is ten or more years of age.

The survey is posted on Living Word’s website: www.livword.net. Please click on the link for Church and then Worship and then you will see the Worship Survey.

Surveys need to be filled out by March 27. The Board of Elders will review the submitted information and share its findings with the congregation at the Annual Meeting this spring.

Board of Elders

(Ron Secord, Jeremy Barge, Michelle Swigart, Ray Church, Dennis Schmidt)

Living Word Lutheran Church

3838 North Rochester Road

Rochester, MI 48306

Tidbits

2011-03-03T10:18:00.000-08:00

Brian Phillips at Living Word (who spearheads the Moving Forward in Faith initiative) asked me to do an update on one of the initiatives for Moving Forward: Student Participation as Worship Assistants. It turns out that we have significantly increased the number of high school students involved as worship assistants at Living Word. There are some 25 students who serve as readers, ushers, greeters, power point people, and communion assistants. 18 of these students attended Living Word School and 7 of them attended a public school. 15 of them are currently enrolled in one of the Lutheran high schools and 10 of them attend public high school.

We have reached the 40% mark for our Encouraged for Tomorrow program that is designed to help pay down debt at Living Word. We have topped $240,000 in gifts received toward a goal of $600,000.

March 5-11 is Lutheran Schools Week across the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Living Word will be highlighting the ministry of our school with special music, student readers, and other reflections on the weekends of March 5-6 and March 12-13. Students and faculty will be dressing in distinctive colors during the week: Monday (black will remind students of the problem of sin), Tuesday (red will remind us of the blood of Jesus), Wednesday (white will remind students of the forgiveness of sins), Thursday (green will remind students of growing faith), and Friday (blue will remind students of the joy of heaven).

Are you contemplating Living Word School as a place for your child? Note these two upcoming events:

1. A Fine Arts Fair will be held on Monday, March 7, beginning at 6:30 pm. You are invited to come and see what the students at our school are learning!

2. An Open House will be held on Tuesday, March 8, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Come and visit and learn about the ministry of Living Word.

Chairman Jim Janetzke and I met recently with the chairman and pastor of EPIC Lutheran Church. The discussions centered around things that we could do together as congregations. There was a realization that both congregations (Living Word and Epic) have unique ways of sharing the Gospel in our worship services. We have agreed to continue talking about things that we can do together, such as the Voice of Truth Mission in Pontiac, with the possibility of doing educational and social activities together. The idea of worshiping together was put on hold to allow us to get to know each other in other ways first.

Remember! Ash Wednesday is March 9 and we worship at 7:00 pm with dinner "Souper Supper" available at 5:45 pm. Please consider bringing something to share with others!

How to Defend Your Faith

2011-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

(Seven Topics to Consider)

Have you ever wondered what to say to someone who was questioning the Bible or your beliefs? Pastor Kassen will look at 7 topics that people sometimes question about the Bible. Note that the Wednesday evening times are 7:00 pm and the Holy Thursday and Good Friday times are 7:30 pm. There is no worship on Saturday, April 23. Easter Worship will be at 6:37 am and 10:00 am.

Ash Wednesday (March 9 – 7:00 pm): Isn't the God of the Old Testament Harsh, Brutal, and Downright Evil?

Wednesday (March 16 – 7:00 pm): Was There Really a Noah's Ark and Flood? What really happened to the Dinosaurs?

Wednesday (March 23 – 7:00 pm): Does the Big Bang fit with the Bible?

Wednesday (March 30 – 7:00 pm): When Does Life Begin?

Wednesday (April 6 – 7:00 pm): Genesis: Today's Answer to Racism.

Wednesday (April 13 – 7:00 pm): Was There Death Before Adam Sinned?

Wednesday Evening Bible Study (March 23 – 7:45 pm): How to survive a secular college

Holy Thursday (April 21 – 7:30 pm): What You Might Want to Know About Heaven and Hell.

Good Friday (April 22 – 7:30 pm): Service of Readings, Songs, Prayers in the Darkening Sanctuary.

Saturday April 23: No Worship!

Easter Sunday (April 24): Sunrise Worship 6:37 am / Festival Worship 10:00 am.

Spilled Paint

2011-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

When our condominium was built, our final inspection revealed that there was some touch up work that needed to be done before we moved in. We listed all the areas where attention to dry wall or paint was needed. We were assured that the work would be done before we moved in – and it was.

As we were moving our furniture into the living area I noticed that the carpet in the far corner looked a little different than the rest of the carpet. Stepping closer, I discovered that the carpet fibers were stiff. Upon closer examination I surmised that the painter had spilled paint, did his best to clean it up, and didn’t tell anyone.

After a phone call to the builder, he sent out a carpet crew to replace that section of the carpet where the paint was spilled. The area of spilled paint was removed and fresh carpet was put in its place.

Sometimes we try to cover up our sin the way the painter tried to cover up his spill on the carpet.

But our God has eyes that see all! He can tell from a distance when we have sinned, what we have done, and what the consequences may be!

Is it not better to be proactive in regards to sin? Is it not better to own up to our guilt and come to God, seeking His forgiveness through Jesus Christ?

The words of 1 John 1:8-9 are good words to hear: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This works not only in our relationship with God, but in our relationships with others as well! It is good to be proactive in those situations where we may have caused offense to another person.

Let us pray: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Have Your Heard About Chrislam?

2011-02-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

I came upon the concept of Chrislam in an email sent to me last week from a brother pastor in Rochester. I had never heard of Chrislam before, so I read the article he had attached, but then, as I did a bit more research, I came up with this summary of Chrislam from GotQuestions?org.

“Chrislam is an attempt to syncretize Christianity with Islam. While it began in Nigeria in the 1980s, Chrislamic ideas have spread throughout much of the world. The essential concept of Chrislam is that Christianity and Islam are compatible, that one can be a Christian and a Muslim at the same time. Chrislam is not an actual religion of its own, but rather is a blurring of the differences and distinctions between Christianity and Islam.

“Advocates of Chrislam point to facts such as Jesus being mentioned 25 times in the Qur’an, or Christianity and Islam having similar teachings on morals and ethics, or the need for the two largest monotheistic religions to unite to fight against the rise of atheism and alternative spirituality. Chrislam is viewed by some as the solution for the ongoing conflict between the Western world, which is predominantly Christian, and the Middle East, which is predominantly Muslim.

“While it is undeniable that there are many similarities between Christianity and Islam (and Judaism for that matter), Chrislam ultimately fails because Christianity and Islam are diametrically opposed on the most important of issues – the identity of Jesus Christ. True Christianity declares Jesus to be God incarnated in human form. For Christians, the deity of Christ is a non-negotiable, for without His deity, Jesus’ death on the cross would not have been sufficient to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2).

“Islam adamantly rejects the deity of Christ. The Qur’an declares the idea that Jesus is God to be blasphemy (5:17). Belief in the deity of Christ is considered shirk “filth” to Muslims. Further, Islam denies the death of Christ on the cross (4:157-158). The most crucial doctrine of the Christian faith is rejected in Islam. As a result, the two religions are absolutely not compatible, making Chrislam a concept both Christians and Muslims should reject.”

But when we begin to look closely at both Christianity and Islam we discover quickly that they (as the information above suggests) have fundamentally different beliefs. Christianity is Trinitarian and Islam is not. Christianity acclaims as Savior the crucified and risen Son of God, while Islam condemns this teaching. Though Christianity and Islam and many other world religions share similar teachings about morality and life-style choices, such teachings do not mean that we are in any way compatible.

And though we are sensitive always to people who share beliefs different from our faith as Christians, our commission from Jesus Himself is to reach out and try to share with all people the Good News that God loves us, Jesus died for us, our sins are forgiven, and with faith in Jesus we will be going to heaven some day.

What will you be doing on May 21?

2011-02-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

“What will you be doing on May 21, 2011?” This is the title of my sermon for the weekend of February 5 & 6. The sermon is based on the Nicene Creed (and related Bible passages) which says, “And He shall come with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.”

The sermon, as you may surmise, addresses the topic of Jesus’ return. One thing that I wish to make clear in the upcoming sermon is that, whereas many end of time predictors try to scare people into believing, the Bible and the Creed share with us that the coming of Jesus is something to be anticipated with joyful anticipation. The Bible wants us to find comfort in knowing that Christ will return and take "the living and the dead" to eternal life. God wants to win people into the Kingdom not just by scaring them with His law, but by comforting them with His love and grace. Especially does God want the believer to anticipate the coming of Jesus and not be frightened of it.

I follow a blog called Witness, Mercy, Life Together (http://www.wmltblog.org/) by Herbert Mueller and a recent post shared the following:

Surfing the cable channels somewhere, I came across a strange prediction. (Maybe you’ve heard this, maybe not.) It seems that there are those who interpret writings of the great physicist, Sir Isaac Newton, to predict that the world will somehow come to an end in 2012.

I had never heard this before, but it reminded me of the group that was predicting the end of the world in 1988. When that didn’t happen, they came back with a tract listing “89 Reasons Christ Will Return in 1989.” Of course, that didn’t happen either.

But will the world come to an end in 2012? Only God knows – and it could be sooner, too – like tomorrow, or 2020, or 2250, or whenever. We believers are called to be ready at any time and, in the meantime, we are called to proclaim the Word of God.

In fact, whatever the situation we face, our primary calling is to bring the saving Word of God to people. Even if the world is about to end, what people need most is God’s Word of Law and Gospel. There is no other way of salvation.

So… even if they are right about Isaac Newton, preach the Word! Whether people are ready to hear it or not, we have one thing to give: salvation in Christ through His Word. But this thought applies in all kinds of other situations as well.

See you this weekend!

Lent is Late

2011-01-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

I’ve begun my planning for Lent. I like to set the theme for the Wednesdays in Lent and begin planning the messages and services around that theme as early as possible. (See below for how the dates for Ash Wednesday and Easter are calculated.)

Last year, in 2010, Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent on February 17. It was quite early and I had to begin thinking and planning for Lent in December while Christmas was still on my mind. This actually wasn’t too bad since it connected the purpose of Jesus birth with his death to save a fallen humanity.

This year, in 2011, Ash Wednesday falls on March 9. This is a blessing in terms of a pastor’s planning for Lent, but it does present some problems (for me) in terms of coaching Living Word’s girls softball team which I really enjoy doing. I will begin my coaching responsibilities around April 1, which will be in the middle of Lent!

The theme that I would like to work with for the Wednesday evenings in Lent is: “How to Defend Your Faith.” I will be picking seven topics that sometimes come to the forefront in a Christian’s dialogue with a non-Christian. These seven topics certainly do not constitute a comprehensive list of all issues that could possibly be discussed. In one sense, these seven topics are like the proverbial “tip of the iceberg.”

The seven topics I have selected are:

March 9 (Ash Wednesday): Isn’t the God of the Old Testament Harsh, Brutal, and Downright Evil?

March 16: Was There Really a Noah’s Ark and Flood? (and) What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?

March 23: Does the Big Bang Fit With the Bible?

March 30: When Does Life Begin?

April 6: Genesis: Today’s Answer to Racism.

April 13: Was There Death Before Adam Sinned?

April 21 (Holy Thursday): What You Might Want to Know About Heaven and Hell.

March 23: I will also offer a Bible Study on March 23 at 7:45 pm following worship on the topic: “How to Survive a Secular College.”

Oh, by the way … in case you are wondering how the dates for Lent and Easter are set: Easter is always the Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox on March 21. This full moon may happen on any date between March 21 and April 18 inclusive. If the full moon falls on a Sunday, Easter Day is the Sunday following. Easter Day cannot be earlier than March 22 or later than April 25. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls in the seventh week before Easter. The Ascension of our Lord occurs on a Thursday, forty days after Easter Day. The Day of Pentecost is seven weeks, or the fiftieth day, after Easter. (Lutheran Service Book, p. xxiii)

Easter in 2010 fell on April 4.

Easter in 2011 falls on April 24.

Going Into the Ministry!

2011-01-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

This past week I was at the Theological Symposium at Concordia Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. I was able to stay with Living Word’s Jim Rolf who is attending the seminary, studying to be a pastor. Jim and I attended a couple of the symposium lectures together; and I attended his Thursday morning class on Hebrews which was taught by Dr. Art Just, a seminary classmate of mine. It has been a long time since I sat through a seminary class, and it was comforting to know that I could follow the discussion, read the Greek, and discover some new insights about the New Testament. In the evenings, Jim and I shared many theological and pastoral reflections about a variety of topics.

One of the great joys of being the pastor at Living Word has been to encourage several people in their journey to become professional church workers. Thus far in my ministry I have been able to walk with two individuals who have become Lutheran School teachers, two individuals who are studying to be Lutheran School teachers, three individuals who have become deacons, and one individual who is studying to be a pastor.

I am always elated when someone speaks to me seriously about professional church work because I know that this is a calling from God that the person will not regret.

I remember fondly those individuals who offered their wise guidance in my journey to become a pastor. Though it was the Holy Spirit who touched my heart and “called” me into this ministry, it was the people He used who had a significant impact on my career aspirations. I only hope that the Holy Spirit continues to use me in some way to influence the career aspirations of people at Living Word.

Please pray with me: Holy Spirit, I ask that You continue to raise up individuals from Living Word who have an aptitude for ministry and a desire to serve the Church in a professional capacity. Amen.

“What On Earth Is God Up To?”

2011-01-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

(LCMS Pastor Herb Mueller asks this question in a recent article on the Witness, mercy and life together blog sponsored by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.)

Has that question ever crossed your mind listening to the news? We know that Jesus is Lord of all for the sake of His Church and that nothing will happen outside of what He allows. Evil cannot have free reign, no matter what things look like. God is in control. The problem is, it doesn’t always look that way.

Perhaps more to the point, what is God up to in your life? Your congregation or school? What does the new year of 2011 look like for you? What will it bring? What’s going on in your personal life and family? Is there a plan? Does God know what He’s doing? We are tempted to ask, especially when everything is cloudy for us.

To find out God’s ultimate plan, of course, we have to turn to His Word. That’s the place where He lets us in on what He is really “up to.” Just after Christmas, in my church we read from Ephesians 1. Here are verses 9-10 (my translation, with comments):

“(He has) made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose which He put forward in Him (Christ), as a plan (an economy, a way of working things out) for the fullness of times, (a plan) to re-head all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth, in Him.”

What impresses us here? Three times in these two verses Paul uses his favorite phrase in Ephesians 1 – “in Him” or “in Christ.” God’s plans are always centered in Christ. His purpose is “put forward” only in Christ. Without Christ crucified and raised from the dead we cannot see or understand what God is up to.

Secondly, in Christ God reveals to us His ultimate goal, what He is really after, no matter what else we talk about. God is in the process of re-heading all things in Christ. If you say, “Wow, that’s cosmic!” You’re right. The NIV translates this verse, “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one Head, even Christ.” (1:10b). All things means the whole cosmos, everything that exists. “To bring together under one Head” literally means, “to put the head on again.”

There was a time, you see, when the whole creation knew and lived under its Head. All things were perfect and the whole universe showed Christ as Head. “He is before all things and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

Then sin entered in and the world lost its Head and began running around like the proverbial “chicken with its head cut off.” There’s a graphic picture for the world without Christ: running franticly perhaps, but having no real direction (no head) and as good as dead (the life-blood spurting from the headless neck while the unfortunate creature runs aimlessly for a minute or so – excuse me for indulging you in my adolescent memory of butchering chickens with my brother).

Running aimlessly, as good as dead – what’s God’s plan to deal with this? What is God up to now? God aims to put the head on again! To re-head all things in Christ. How?

He gave Christ into death for us, gave Him up for us on the cross where He took all our sin and evil. He raised Him to life, and with Him raised also us. He now gives us His Word to bring life and to reunite us with Christ, our Head.

And THAT is what God is up to in your life, your school, your church, when you hear, read, ponder, study, pray and teach His Word. Cosmic? Yes, beyond your imagination. When a child grows in faith, when anyone is baptized, when people hear the Word of God and take it to heart, when they receive His Body and Blood – it’s a cosmic event! God is re-heading all things in Christ! God is giving Christ as Head for YOU.

Fantasy Football and the Christian Life

2011-01-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

I am among the 27 million men and women across America who enjoy playing fantasy football! It is said that the average fantasy football player spends 9 hours a week on fantasy football. (I don’t spend nearly that amount of time on it – unless you were to ask my spouse!)

This year I was in three fantasy football leagues and came in 1^st place in one league, second place in another league, and 8^th place in the third league.

Fantasy football is fun to play whether one wins or loses. But there is a special joy in winning against one’s weekly opponent. And there is a very special joy in winning the league championship by coming in first place!

In the Christian life there is a certain joy in living out our lives as Christians. There is joy in the weekly gathering with other Christians to worship. There is joy in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. There is joy in discovering an insight from God’s Word. There is joy in having a prayer answered. There is joy in knowing that our sins are forgiven. There is joy in giving.

There are many special joys to be found in Christ Jesus, our Lord. But the ultimate joy that we have in Christ will be found in eternal life!

Our lives here and now are filled with moments of joy. When we come into God’s eternal presence in heaven there will be an unspeakable joy that never ends! This is hard for us to imagine since our moments of joy in this world are interspersed with the mundane, the difficult, and sometimes the tragic.

In heaven, there will be no interruption to the joy of being with Christ and with those who have gone before us in the faith!

I love these other words from the apostle John: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:1-4

Please pray with me: Almighty and most merciful God, You bring us through suffering and death with our Lord Jesus Christ to enter with Him into glory. Grant us grace at all times to acknowledge and accept Your holy and gracious will, to remain in true faith, and to find peace and joy in the resurrection of the dead and the glory of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christmas Reflections

2010-12-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

As a child visiting my grandmother’s farm house, I was always curious about the lack of indoor plumbing. There was a kitchen pump that drew water from a well. There was no other running water. And the bathroom was obviously outside the house. Not that many years ago, when my grandmother sold the farm land, the new owner renovated the house, upgrading the plumbing and many other things. What a difference this made to an elegant old home! It was both beautiful and comfortable!

One of my favorite Christmas readings is Isaiah 62:10-12.

Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples. Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: “Behold, your salvation comes.”

In these words, Isaiah shares the image of the Jewish people returning to their homes after a very destructive war. A time of peace has come and people can now begin renovating houses, cities, roads, and lives.

When Jesus was born those many years ago in Bethlehem, God began a renovation of human lives. From the manger in a stable comes our Savior who gives us the power to rebuild homes, families, marriages, commitments, and many other aspects of our lives. The renovation of humanity began in Bethlehem and continues today in Rochester, Lake Orion, Oxford, Sterling Heights, and wherever we might live!

Changing Traditions

2010-12-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

Traditions are sometimes hard to change.

I was reminded of this fact last week when a 30 year-old tradition in the Kassen household came to an end. Here’s how it happened.

One of our dogs took a liking to one of the first Christmas ornaments that has decorated our tree and began chewing on it. The ornament was not expensive, by any means. It actually was a hollow ball that pulled apart so that something could be placed inside. Over the years, as we put this ornament away in January, we would put some money in the ornament. The child (or adult) who came upon the ornament first as the tree was being decorated the following Christmas was the happy recipient of the money hidden in the ornament. The plan was to continue this tradition with the grandchildren now that they were of an age to appreciate the gesture.

Unfortunately, our beloved pet got hold of the ornament and chewed it to bits.

I suppose that we could get another ornament to replace it. Or, maybe we could develop a new tradition altogether.

I am very much looking forward to Christmas Eve this year at Living Word. We will be adopting what may become a new tradition at Living Word. We will be inviting the people of Epic Lutheran Church in Rochester to join us at each of our Christmas Eve services at 4 pm, 6 pm, and 10 pm. Pastor Tim Kade and I have met and created services that will incorporate the best of each of our traditions. Both of us will welcome worshipers and both of us will share a message about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and both of us will lead the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

We will be inviting members of both Living Word and Epic to serve as greeters, ushers, communion assistants, and musicians. This will be a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with some people who are our neighbors as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This Christmas Eve we celebrate the changeless message of Jesus’ birth in a renewed way!

Please pray with me: Lord, Jesus Christ, You came into this world to change the hearts of people. I ask that You change me in a way that allows me to change the world. Amen.

How do we arrive at Bethlehem?

2010-11-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday evening (December 1, 7:00 pm) at Living Word, I plan to take worshipers on an Advent journey to Bethlehem.

Please join us for the first of three Advent Worship services which help us prepare for the celebration of our Savior’s birth!

Please note also our schedule of special worship events this December at Living Word!

-Pastor Kassen

Special Worship at Living Word

First Wednesday in Advent

How do we arrive at Bethlehem?

December 1 + 7:00 PM

Second Wednesday in Advent

No Room In…

December 8 + 7:00 PM

Third Wednesday Worship in Advent

Early Childhood and Kindergarten Kids Present the Story of Christmas

December 15 + 7:00 PM

Christmas Concert Worship

Concordia Ann Arbor Choir & Living Word Church Choir

Sunday, December 12 + 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

All Children’s Christmas Presentation

All Children from Living Word Church and School may participate!

(Watch for practice/rehearsal information!)

Sunday, December 19 + 11:00 AM

Christmas Eve Worship

We will be joined by the people of Epic Lutheran Church in Rochester!

Friday, December 24

4:00 PM / 6:00 PM / 10:00 PM

No Saturday Worship on December 25 & January 1

Sunday Worship December 26 & January 2

9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

A Personal Message

2010-11-18T07:57:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

To date 56 families have returned a “yellow” card, indicating a faith promise for the 2011 calendar year.

To date 58 people have returned the “blue” card, indicating a desire to participate in one of the Moving Forward in Faith initiatives.

To date 91 people have returned the “green” card, offering to help out in some aspect our Living Word’s worship ministry.

I am encouraged with the number of people who have indicated a desire to participate in one or more aspects of Living Word’s ministry. God be praised!

If you haven’t yet had a chance to return one of the cards, I would encourage you to take a moment and share these back with Living Word. I would love to see you involved in some aspect of our ministry as we move forward in faith.

Your Servant in Christ,

Pastor John Kassen

DST Time Change v. Time for a Change!

2010-11-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Kim Painter, in USA TODAY, comments: “This weekend most of the country will ‘fall back’ to standard time and get an extra hour when clocks reset. You could sleep in Sunday morning ... or you could put those 60 glorious reclaimed minutes to good use. Here are five ways how:

1. Do something — anything — you've been putting off.

2. Take a long walk and reflect on some of the important things going on in your life.

3. Get prepared for an emergency, such as changing batteries in the smoke alarm or preparing for the upcoming winter blizzard.

4. Clean out your junk drawer and organize it so that you can find items when needed.

5. Or, yes, sleep. But don't sleep away the morning. Instead, go to bed when you reset your bedroom clock to the new time and enjoy the extra rest.

Now, Jesus didn't have to deal with Daylight Savings Time in his day! But, Jesus does offer us some pertinent thoughts about the use of our time!

In Matthew 6:27, Jesus speaks: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” We are reminded that we are stewards of a limited amount of time that God has given to each of us.

In Mark 1:14, Jesus made the statement: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Perhaps more important than cleaning out a junk drawer is cleaning out the junk in our lives – a process of repentance that includes confessing our sins and knowing that we are forgiven in Christ.

Then, we have other good thoughts that the Holy Spirit shares with us in the Bible. For instance, Proverbs 6:6-11 tells us: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”

In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul reminds us not to put off the important spiritual matters regarding faith in Jesus: “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

The five points of advice by Kim Painter is USA TODAY have merit. However, the Bible’s advice is also not without merit! God would have us consider His timeless suggestions as we anticipate an extra hour this coming weekend!

Please join me in prayer: Lord God, time is a precious gift that comes in a limited quantity to each of us. Help us maximize our time in ways to honor you and benefit those near and dear to us. In Jesus’ name we offer this prayer to You. Amen.

Moving Forward in Faith - Ruth 1.

Moving Forward in Faith Story

2010-10-28T04:32:00.000-07:00

The following is a story of what one Lutheran church did to turn itself around, find a renewed vision, and move forward in faith. As you read it, think about how God might use you at Living Word.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB.com by Don Postils) - Years of hard work have turned a dilapidated former east side drug house into a new house of worship.

It was once home to one of the biggest drug operations in the city. Now it's home to an east side church that's turning the community around.

Members of the Hananiah Lutheran Church held a ceremonial mortgage burning on Friday. The church took over the building at 900 Genesee Street after federal agents made a major drug bust there back in 2002. The DEA seized over 1,000 marijuana plants back then in what they call a sophisticated drug operation.

The church now officially owns the building after paying all the back taxes, renovating it and keeping up on the repairs for five years, which was the condition of the U.S. Attorney's office. Church leaders burned the mortgage to mark being debt-free.

U.S. Attorney William Hochul said, "We could have left this property and left it vacant, but there's plenty of those as you drive along through the streets of Buffalo. We could have torn it down, but there's plenty of that going on on the streets of Buffalo. And today you see this beautiful building with all it represents for the future of the east side of Buffalo."

Hananiah Ministries uses the building to provide food for the hungry, help those out of work to find jobs and provide other services beneficial to the community.

Moving Forward in Faith - Ruth 1.

Lutheranism 101

2010-10-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

I recently bought a copy of Lutheranism 101 – just released this month by Concordia Publishing House. This “quick, usable, comprehensive, concise” book covers a range of topics from “Who is God” to “The Conundrum of Faith” to “It’s the End of the World as We Know It.”

This book is a great way to learn about your faith!

From CPH.org: “I find your lack of faith disturbing,” says Darth Vader after Admiral Motti criticizes him for his devotion to the mysterious Star Wars “Force.” Darth Vader is right–not about the “Force,” but about a lack of faith. A lack of faith is disturbing. For instance, when a student’s faith is attacked by a cynical college professor, she is inevitably disturbed. Or when a child’s faith in a friend’s loyalty is betrayed, he is inexorably troubled.

We all encounter moments that fracture our faith and shake up our souls. It is in these moments that we find ourselves groping for something sure—something solid that will not shudder. Scripture tells us that we have something sure, or rather someone sure, and that someone is Jesus Christ. The person, word, and work of Jesus cannot be shaken. Therefore, we gladly build our faith upon the rock. (Excerpt from Lutheranism 101)

You can download a sampler to take a closer look at Lutheranism 101. The WEB ONLY price of $14.99 lasts until Reformation day (Oct 31).

Answers in Genesis

2010-10-14T11:36:00.001-07:00

I attended a conference this past Monday and Tuesday that featured Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis. Ken is a strong advocate for taking the first eleven chapters of Genesis literally – as God intended (www.answersingenesis.org). He believes in a six day creation (as do I), and he has both the biblical as well as the scientific information to support his belief.

Ken tackles some of the most challenging questions that, children, teenagers and adults face in our secular society. Questions like: Cain’s Wife-Who Was She? Or, Is Natural Selection the Same Thing as Evolution? Or, Doesn’t’ Caron-14 Dating Disprove the Bible? Or, Was There Really a Noah’s Ark & Flood? Or, What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs? Or, How to Survive a Secular College!

Rather than tell us to simply have faith and trust the Bible, Ken offers both biblical and scientific answers to these questions; answers that people can understand.

For instance: In his book “The Answers Book for Kids – Vol. 1,” he provides an answer to a question from Lee R. age 9. Lee asks: “Does Genesis 1:1-2 refer to the first day?” And Ken answers the question this way: “So evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:5). Yes, Lee, the first two verses of Genesis 1 describe events on the very same day. I presume you ask the question because you have heard that supposedly millions of years passed between verses 1 and 2. You can find the answer to this question if you read closely what Genesis, God’s Holy Word, says.

“When God first began to create, He created the heavens and the earth. That’s verse 1. They weren’t completed yet. Verse 2 describes what they looked like so far. The earth was ‘without form and void’ (without life and incomplete). Each day God completed a bit more until, after six days, it was all finished. He called His finished work ‘very good.’

“And Lee, you need to know there are many qualified creation scientists who do not believe in millions of years and who have done much scientific research that confirms the universe is only thousands of years old. When you read the Bible carefully, there is no doubt that verses 1 and 2 describe part of the first day.”

In volume 2 of the same book, Joy B. asks the question: “Did Noah take dinosaurs on the ark?” Ken’s answer is insightful: “All of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female (Genesis 6:19). Can you even imagine it? Dinosaurs on the ark? It is so very cool to think about. And we can be sure they were there because the Bible tells us that every kind of air-breathing, land-dwelling animal went aboard. Now, Noah did not know of the word dinosaur back then. In fact, that word was made up in 1841 to describe land animals found that had very unique bone structures, uncommon to other animals. Dinosaur literally means ‘Terrible Lizard.’

“But we do know what God tells us – that all the kinds of land animals were on the ark. Well, that just had to include the dinosaur kinds, too!”

Then, the next question he answers is related to how all the dinosaurs fit on the ark. But, you’ll have to read the book (or see me) for the answer to that one!

Power for Daily Living

2010-10-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I asked a golf instructor how I could hit the ball farther. He told me that there were any number of things I could do to develop more power in my swing so that I could hit the ball farther. I could buy a new driver with advanced technology. I could make changes to my golf swing that would increase power. I could work out at the gym to develop more strength in my arms and legs. I could alter my diet to improve my nutrition.

The key part of the comment was, “things I could do.” There really wasn’t anything he could do that would help me hit the ball farther; they were all things I would have to do.

Sometimes as Christians we fall into the trap of believing that it is up to us to be a better Christian, to stand up against temptation, to handle emotional upheaval, and to face the various challenges of life. We try to do this or that in terms of prayer and faith. But, we need to recognize what prayer and faith really are – they are things that we do.

Is there something that God can do for us?

One thing that God the Holy Spirit has given us is power for life. We find this power in the Word. We find this power at the Lord’s Supper. We find this power in baptism. What does this mean?

For me this means starting my day in the word. I read one of the Psalms and one chapter in the Bible. Today I read Psalm 76 and Joshua 7. There is power from the Holy Spirit for me in these readings.

Sometime during the day I will ask God to forgive my sins. As I do so I am reminded of God’s promise to me in baptism that all my sins are forgiven by Jesus who died and rose again. There is power from the Holy Spirit in this reminder.

This weekend I will gather with others at the Lord’s Table and receive the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. There is power in Jesus who is really present in the bread and wine.

God promises that there is power in the three things I have mentioned above. If you don’t believe me, check out Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-3, also Romans 1:16 and Hebrews 4:12.

This is a real power that isn’t based on things I have to do. This is a real power that God the Holy Spirit shares with us through the Bible and the Table and the Font.

Good News!

2010-09-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

All of us enjoy receiving Good News!

I was thinking recently about the best Good News that I have ever received. Many things came to mind that had to do with my marriage, my family, my role as pastor, and my life. But, the one thing that I kept coming back to was the Gospel. The best Good News that I have ever received was the Gospel. Let me explain…

When we talk about the Gospel we are talking about Good News. Recently I read this story on PreachingToday.com which explains what the Gospel is all about:

In August 1957 four climbers—two Italians and two Germans—were climbing the 6,000 foot near-vertical North Face in the Swiss Alps. The two German climbers disappeared and were never heard from again. The two Italian climbers, exhausted and dying, were stuck on two narrow ledges a thousand feet below the summit. The Swiss Alpine Club forbade rescue attempts in this area (it was just too dangerous), but a small group of Swiss climbers decided to launch a private rescue effort to save the Italians. So they carefully lowered a climber named Alfred Hellepart down the 6,000 foot North Face. They suspended Hellepart on a cable a fraction of an inch thick as they lowered him into the abyss.

Here's how Hellepart described the rescue in his own words: “As I was lowered down the summit … my comrades on top grew further and further distant, until they disappeared from sight. At this moment I felt an indescribable aloneness. Then for the first time I peered down the abyss of the North Face of the Eiger. The terror of the sight robbed me of breath. …The brooding blackness of the Face, falling away in almost endless expanse beneath me, made me look with awful longing to the thin cable disappearing about me in the mist. I was a tiny human being dangling in space between heaven and hell. The sole relief from terror was …my mission to save the climber below.”

The Gospel is about God sending His Son Jesus into the “brooding blackness” of sin in this world to rescue you and me from eternal death. This certainly is Good News. It is among the best Good News that I have ever heard!

Paul summarizes the Gospel in a few short sentences in 1 Corinthians 15:1, 4, 5 when he writes: "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel … that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”

The best 78 second description (by John Piper) of the Gospel that I have ever seen can be found on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMdX5IO5Eqc. Enjoy!

Please sing with me: “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away our fear. It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the heart’s unrest; ‘tis manna to the hungry soul and to the weary, rest. Amen.” (John Newton 1725-1807)

Two Stories and a Prayer

2010-09-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

In this post I wish to share two stories and a prayer:

The First Story: While waiting at a traffic light with her parents in Atlanta, Georgia, Kevin and Joan Salwen's 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, saw a black Mercedes coupe on one side and a homeless man begging for food on the other. Hannah turned to her father and said, "Dad, if that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal."

Even as they pulled away, Hannah insisted she wanted to do something about the inequity. "What do you want to do?" her mother asked.

"Sell our house," Hannah replied.

Eventually, that's what the Salwen's did. They sold their luxurious home, donated half the proceeds to charity, and bought a modest replacement home. Though the sacrifice was great, the benefits have been greater still. A smaller house has meant a more family-friendly house. "We essentially traded stuff for togetherness and connectedness," Kevin says. "I can't figure out why everybody wouldn't want that deal."

The entire project is chronicled in an upcoming book by Kevin and his daughter, entitled The Power of Half. The aim of the book isn't to get people to sell their houses, but simply to encourage them to step off the "treadmill of accumulation"—to define themselves by what they give, and not just by what they possess. Hannah says, "For us, the house was just something we could live without. It was too big for us. Everyone has too much of something, whether it's time, talent, or treasure. Everyone does have their own half; you just have to find it." (Preaching Today.com)

The Second Story: Author Henri Nouwen tells the story of a family he knew in Paraguay. The father, a doctor, spoke out against the military regime there and its human rights abuses. Local police took their revenge on him by arresting his teenage son and torturing him to death. Enraged townsfolk wanted to turn the boy's funeral into a huge protest march, but the doctor chose another means of protest. At the funeral, the father displayed his son's body as he had found it in the jail—naked, scarred from electric shocks and cigarette burns, and beatings. All the villagers filed past the corpse, which lay not in a coffin but on the blood-soaked mattress from the prison. It was the strongest protest imaginable, for it put injustice on grotesque display.

Isn't that what God did at Calvary? … The cross that held Jesus' body, naked and marked with scars, exposed all the violence and injustice of this world. At once, the cross revealed what kind of world we have and what kind of God we have: a world of gross unfairness, a God of sacrificial love. (PreachingToday.com)

A Prayer: O Jesus … grant that, even if you are hidden under the unattractive disguise of anger, of crime, or of madness, I may recognize you and say, "Jesus, you who suffer, how sweet it is to serve you." —Mother Teresa

Moving Forward in Faith - What Is It?

2010-09-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

Moving Forward in Faith – What is it?

You may be wondering what Moving Forward in Faith is about!

I would like to provide for you a brief overview of Moving Forward in Faith, which sets forth a renewed vision and direction for Living Word.

Your pastor and leaders have been listening to the many thoughts, comments, and suggestions people have offered in the last few months. We share a strong love for Living Word and its church and school ministries.

Living Word is a great church. It is a great place to worship. It is a great place to grow in God’s Word. It is a great place to send one’s children. It is a great place to share one’s time, talents, and treasures.

Here are some of the facts:

· DECREASED ENROLLMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER – ECC enrollment is down 65% since 2004/05.

· DECREASED ENROLLMENT IN DAY SCHOOL – K-8 enrollment is down 27% since 2004/05.

· DECREASED OFFERINGS PER CONFIRMED MEMBER – There has been a 26% drop in real offerings per confirmed member since 2004/05.

· DECREASED PARTICIPATION FROM MEMBER FAMILIES IN THE SCHOOL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER – Do families at Living Word believe that the day school is, in fact, one of our main missions as a congregation?

· LOSS OF MISSION FOCUS; CHANGE IN DECISION MAKING METHODOLOGY – During the early years of the Church, the focus of decisions were made nearly solely based on mission. Financial consequences of such decisions were not the main focus. The Church has evolved recently to the point where decisions have been made based solely on financial consequences, with mission taking a back seat. While understandable, given the financial circumstances, when focus on product suffers, product quality suffers, causing drops in involvement (offerings / enrollment). A balance between mission and financial responsibility needs to be returned to the decision making processes within the Church in order for it to successfully turn around.

Here are some of the goals:

· To increase school enrollment by 40%.

· To increase worship attendance by 30%.

· To increase mission opportunities by 100%.

· To increase off-hours facility usage to 10%.

Here is a glimpse at the plan:

· Pastor Kassen and Brian Phillips will share the details of Moving Forward in Faith at 9 different “Hours with the Pastor” during September and October. You may sign up for one of these “hours” at church or go to the web site at: https://sites.google.com/a/livword.net/moving-forward-in-faith/ (Brian Phillips is a professional turnaround specialist, whose services are being generously donated to Living Word.)

· There will be 60 different initiatives championed by various members of the congregation. We are asking every person to consider participating in at least one of these initiatives – based on time available and interest.

· Both church and school families will be invited to participate. Every family will be contacted and invited to participate in one of the “Hours with the Pastor.”

· Moving Forward in Faith will take place over the next 12 months. During that time we will each see a significant change in attitude and some wonderful new ministries develop.

· At the “Hours with the Pastor” each person will receive a Moving Forward in Faith booklet which provides details for the program. Each person will also receive (1) a response card to indicate a personal level of participation in Moving Forward in Faith, (2) a Worship Assistant card that gives opportunity to become more involved in our worship services, and (3) a Faith Promise card for 2011 offerings.

Please join us as we Move Forward in Faith at Living Word Lutheran Church and School!

Social Networking for the Christian

2010-09-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

If I were to ask you, "Do you post?" or "Do you tweet?" you might know or not what I mean depending on whether or not you have an account with Facebook or Twitter.

There are an increasing number of social networks available to people. Google has its Buzz and Yahoo has it's Pulse. Wikipedia lists nearly 200 such sites. There are social networks for swimmers and runners (Athlinks), for moms (CafeMom), for people with critical health issues (CaringBridge), and for book lovers (Goodreads).

I have three Twitter accounts (LivingWordLCMS, Pastorjek, and PerryCoSaxons). The first one has some 91 followers and I use it to share a Today's Walk thought about the Bible as well as information about Living Word.

The second account (Pastorjek) I use as a personal account and I might share personal information and fun stuff - I also use it to follow a variety of news sources like NPR and How Stuff Works.

The third account (PerryCoSaxons) needs a bit of explanation! Perry County was the location near St. Louis, MO to which Lutherans from Saxony, Germany, came. I use this account to follow (believe it or not) fantasy football information from a variety of sources. I also follow tweets and thoughts from sports Christian sports figures like Larry Fitzgerald and Drew Brees.

I use Facebook to stay in touch with friends, family, and church members. It is actually a lot of fun. To find me on Facebook you can use either Pastorjek or my real name, John Kassen.

Social networking can be a great way of staying in contact with people and in touch with what's happening in the world.

Even more so, social networking can be a great way to let people know of the values you have as a Christian. Much faith sharing can take place through your favorite social network!

I am reminded of something Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22 – “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

Do you have to use Facebook or Twitter to share your faith? No more so than you have to use personal face to face situations to share your faith. But if we take seriously our Lord's encouragement to be witnesses in our world (Acts 1), we can use every interpersonal contact we have to let people know what God means to us and the difference Jesus can make in our lives.

What Do You Mean: Take 5?

2010-08-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when you hear someone say “Take 5”? If you’re into Jazz you might think of the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s hit by the same name from 1959. If you are hungry it might make you crave the Hershey’s candy bar. At work it means that it’s time to take a break. But I would like it to mean something different for regular worshipers at Living Word.

Brother Steve Smith reminded me that “Take 5” was an acronym used by another Lutheran Church to remind it’s members to take 5 minutes after the worship service was over and talk with someone they didn’t know or recognize; someone they may have seen before but never exchanged anything beyond a handshake, wave, or simple hello. The idea is to take the first 5 minutes and give them to the Lord by spending time with another person who was drawn here to worship and fellowship just as He drew you here.

As a congregation, we are pretty good at welcoming first time visitors. But as people acclimate into Living Word, it is a good thing to make them feel as though they are part of our family of faith.

Summer is coming to an end and our friends who have been away are back again, and we all have a lot of catching up to do. But before we do that; let’s all “Take 5” and introduce ourselves to someone new. I’m a member here today because two people were willing to “Take 5” with me when I first visited. Who knows; you may be the difference between someone being welcomed to their new church home instead leaving with the feeling that they don’t belong.

Deacon Mark Pretznow

Are Faith-based Schools Worth It?

2010-08-12T05:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered if sending your child to a faith-based school like Living Word was worth it? Read the following:

The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS) congratulates students in faith-based schools for performing exceedingly well in the recent Michigan Merit Exams (MME). Over 5,000 MANS students took the test in spring 2010 and the scores reflect the schools' continued commitment to academic excellence. State-wide proficiency (levels 1 and 2) is high across the entire range of subject areas tested by the Michigan Merit Exam. In reading and social studies, 90% of MANS member school students performed at a proficient and advanced level. High proficiency levels were achieved in math, science, and writing as well. MANS represents 500 faith-based pre-K -12 schools and 5,800 educators serving more than 90,000 students in the state of Michigan. Its membership consists of the schools in Michigan's seven Catholic dioceses, Missouri Synod Lutheran Schools, Christian Schools International, and the Association of Christian Schools International. Click here for details on all MME scores in the state of Michigan. (http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-22709_35150_47475---,00.html)

Besides the high level of academic excellence that a faith-based school like Living Word provides, the daily contact of the student with the Word can never be underestimated.

Please pray with me: Lord Jesus Christ, instill in our hearts a love for the Word, that Your Spirit may influence us and our children in all areas of life. Amen.

Change is Coming!

2010-08-05T10:15:00.001-07:00

Change is coming to Living Word.

After reading that first sentence you might experience a sense of joy J or a sense of dread L - depending on what the changes might be.

Though I could spend this article talking about some of the little changes that we could be facing at Living Word, I would rather talk about a big change coming our way: a change in perspective.

Among the more important changes coming to Living Word is a change in attitude and perspective. We as a congregation have spent much time during the last two years talking as people and leaders about financial challenges, facility problems, and budget cuts. It is now time to put those items behind us and begin talking about the exciting prospects we have for growth at Living Word.

Living Word’s leaders are in agreement with me that it is time to refocus our attention on (1) growth in worship (2) growth in school enrollment (3) growth in mission and (4) ministry possibilities with other congregations.

It is time to reacquire the sense of excitement for ministry that we have always had at Living Word. Having been faced with some difficult challenges we have let some of that excitement slip away from us. Though it is necessary to talk from time to time about the maintenance aspects of our congregation (budgets, buildings and such), it is much more exciting to members, visitors, and school families to be talking about goals, vision, the possibilities for ministry, and the prospects for growth.

Please join me in prayer: Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Pornography and Women

2010-07-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

I have had both men and women confess to me, in the confidence of the pastoral office, an addiction to pornography. The following article, written by Marcia Segelstein of OneNewsNow, reveals that pornography is not just a “men only” problem and that women struggle with it, too.

"Pornography is the drug of the millennium and more addictive than crack cocaine." So says Donna Rice Hughes, president of Enough is Enough, a nonprofit organization working to keep the Internet safe for children and families.

And while most people may think of men when they picture purveyors of pornography, women are joining their ranks in droves. A big part of the problem – for both men and women – is the easy accessibility of porn. Thanks to the Internet, it's not even necessary to leave your house. Anonymity feeds temptation.

A survey conducted in 2003 by Today's Christian Woman found that one out of every six women, including Christians, admits struggling with an addiction to pornography.

According to a 2006 poll by Internet Filter Review, every month 9.4 million women access adult websites, many of them doing so while at work.

Douglas Weiss is the executive director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, and works with people addicted to pornography. One of the dangers of viewing such material on a regular basis is that people, according to Weiss, "will actually attach to sex as object relationships as opposed to intimate relationships. So they will actually hunger for object relationships, creating over time what we call intimacy anorexia." Object sex replaces relational sex. And when people become no more than objects, relationships naturally suffer. Healthy marriages are put at risk.

For resources, including faith-based ministries, on overcoming pornography addiction, check out the website for Enough is Enough.

Writing for Salvo magazine, Alexander Jech, a lecturer at the University of Virginia, discusses another way pornography impacts women and girls. "It is common for Christians to say that pornography is a form of idolatry. What is less well appreciated is how pornography, as a form of idolatry, affects the dignity that women hold in society." Instead of seeing themselves in the image of God, women begin to emulate the female images that saturate the culture.

Those images – seen in actresses, TV news anchors, pop stars, models – are often highly sexualized creatures. Whether it's Miley Cyrus's transformation from wholesome girl to Lady Gaga imitator, or the cleavage and short skirts exhibited by cable TV anchors, or everyday TV commercials, females flaunting their sexuality are hard to miss. By today's standards, Marilyn Monroe posing in her two-piece bathing suit seems almost prudish. Jech cites the book Female Chauvinist Pigs, by Ariel Levy, regarding how what Levy calls our "raunch culture" affects women and teenage girls. Levy believes that girls – in their dress and demeanor – have begun to emulate porn stars. They present to the world a "hyper-sexed image of themselves." They make sex objects of themselves.

By doing so, from a Christian perspective, women grow further and further away from the image of God. Jech writes: "Even as she gains power, she resembles God less and less, while this resemblance is the very basis of her dignity. She wills to become something she would never desire to be except under our present conditions of degradation."

I believe Jech is absolutely right. Dignity is not a quality most girls value. It's not a quality they see held in high regard, or modeled by our female cultural icons. To quote child expert and author Penelope Leach: children are apprentice people. Children and adolescents learn how to be adults by imitating them. A look at the role models most teenage girls come across on a regular basis is sobering. Jech writes that communities of faith must "provide a counter-cultural image of what it is to be a woman."

Looking at the website of the church friends of mine have recently started attending, I noticed a club for girls there called Handmaids of the Altar. They meet on a regular basis and, among other things, learn flower arranging and sewing for the church altar. The club's stated goal is to "try to develop an authentic femininity based on the special gifts that God has entrusted women. The stories of women in the Bible show how woman, in her deepest and original being, exists 'for the other.'"

Now that's counter-cultural! And it sounds like a good place to start.

-by Marcia Segelstein of OneNewsNow

Joy in Gathering!

2010-07-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from the New Orleans where I attended the LCMS National Youth Gathering with Michele Dober and 14 students from Living Word. Words cannot fully describe the power of the Spirit at work in the Word of God at this 5 day event! 25,000 students attended the event from all across the United States. Students even came from as far away as Russia, Ecuador and Guam.

Each day began with a 60 minute Bible study lead by Rev. Scott Giger who is the pastor at University Lutheran Chapel in Ann Arbor.

Each day was filled with spiritually motivating sessions and topics aimed at helping both teen and adult grow in his or her faith.

Each day ended with 90 minutes of praise and worship in the Louisiana Super Dome. You haven’t really lived until you have been surrounded by 25,000 teens and adults singing praise to God!

I was privileged to attend a three day Bible Study on the Gospel of John that was taught by Rev. Dr. Mike Middendorf. Though I had never met Mike before, I had met his father, Dr. Marvin Middendorf, who taught me Greek at Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota – lots of years ago! It was nice to make the connection.

Among the speakers at the evening worship events were Rev. Matt Popovits, who is Living Word member Ruthanne Abbott’s nephew! His was a meaningful message about sharing not just our story, but THE STORY (of Jesus).

Living Word students participated in a servant event to work on cleanup efforts in the 9th Ward of New Orleans, devastated by the Katrina hurricane some years ago.

For our group it was a chance to grow, a chance to serve, and a chance to celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior!

Spiritual Recession

2010-07-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

July 12, 2010
Spiritual Recession
The news about the economy seems to be mixed. Job numbers, unemployment claims, the stock market, the price of homes, housing starts, auto sales, and numerous other factors seem to send mixed messages about the state of our economy and whether or not the recession is over. Some economists are more upbeat than others. The major news networks seem to point out every indicator for the sake of an attention-getting headline.
My brother Dennis told me recently that he is content with his investments as long as the market is above 10,000. He starts to worry when it falls below that mark. Some of the small business owners I talk to focus attention on orders and sales. For me personally, I thought it was good news to see a construction delivery truck laden with lumber drive through our neighborhood toward a vacant lot that is now becoming a home site. This is something I hadn't seen in over 18 months.
What are the signs of economic recovery?
As your pastor, I am not sure that I am in the best position to answer that question. The question that I am better able to answer has to do with spiritual recession and spiritual recovery.
There are many factors in our lives that can lead to spiritual recession. News about the economy or terrorist attacks or wars or budget deficits or layoffs or personal victimization can affect us spiritually. Sometimes these things affect us personally and sometimes not.
We need to remember that it is not governments that can save us. Nor is it a strong military that can always protect us. Nor is it Wall Street that can provide for us. Nor is it political rhetoric that can solve our most pressing problems.
Our God speaks directly to us in His Word. The Psalms especially are filled with encouragement and hope. My pastor's prescription is to read "one-a-day" and summarize the psalmist's thoughts with a brief prayer.
The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, CNBC, and others can only report what is happening. Our God has the ability to change, create, and influence the world that affects our lives with the possibility of lifting us out of spiritual recession. Time spent in His Word is far more beneficial to our personal well being than an equal amount of time spent with some of the sources (though they have their place in our lives) mentioned above.
When you find yourself in spiritual recession, realize that the Word "of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7
Please pray with me: Lord, we find ourselves at times spiritually depressed by the circumstances of our lives and the events of the world. Lift us up to a spiritual recovery that can affect all the areas of our lives in positive and meaningful ways. Allow us peace of mind today and peaceful rest tonight. Amen.

Endurance and Determination

2010-06-24T12:25:00.001-07:00

The battle was pretty intense! With a 70-68 victory in the fifth set over Nicolas Mahut of France, John Isner has won the longest tennis match on record. The first-round match began Tuesday and lasted more than 11 hours -- with the fifth set alone taking more than eight hours to complete.

A tennis match of this length takes endurance and determination.

As Christians it is sometimes easy to become weary. We pray and pray and wonder if the answer will ever come. We work hard to overcome certain sins in our lives but they keep reasserting themselves. We try to improve our stewardship and be more generous, but it is immensely difficult to see the benefit. We share our faith with someone and are rebuffed.

The Christian life takes endurance and determination.

There is a good word for us from James: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

There is another good word for us from Paul: More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

We also see in the cross of Christ endurance and determination to deal with human sin. Jesus did not give up when the pain started. He did not quit when the suffering began. He did not call it quits when it became more than he could bear. He went the distance and found the victory in the resurrection.

It is hard to imagine the level of endurance and determination that John Isner displayed in his tennis match to finally receive the win.

It is even harder to imagine the level of endurance and determination that Jesus displayed in his victory over the cross and the grave!

The Christian life certainly is not always the easiest life to live. But it is one that is filled with a final victory and trophy beyond anything we can ever imagine!

Sharing Good News Regarding Andrew Miller

2010-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

An Update on the June 13 Blood and Bone Marrow Drive

The results of the blood drive at Living Word Lutheran, Sunday, June 13, 2010 are as follows: The goal was 31 whole blood units. 65 whole blood units of lifesaving blood were collected, giving as many as 195 hospital patients a chance to once again enjoy good health!!! This is 209% of the goal. There were also 21 first time donors.

Fund Raising Donations toward Andrew Miller’s Medical Expenses

To date, Living Word has received a little over $4,500 in donations and gifts that will go toward Andrew Miller’s medical expenses not covered by insurance. A portion of this money will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, potentially adding another $1,600 to the fund.

Thank You from Chris and Erin Miller and Andrew

Dear Living Word Church and School Families,

We would like to express our appreciation for your generosity and support during this difficult time in our lives. We have recently received the donations from the musical and would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude. The donations will make an immediate difference in our lives and will help with many of Andrew’s medical expenses.

Our family has felt so much love and kindness from the people at Living Word. We thank God for you every day! We have managed the unmanageable with your help and encouragement. You assisted with meals, kind words, prayers, warm hugs, listening ears, and now this wonderful gift. We are forever grateful and thankful for our family at Living Word Church and School. Without your support, we would be lost!

We are still traveling to Ann Arbor twice a week with Andrew. We received some encouraging news when we found out Andrew’s counts are not dropping as fast and he has gone ten days without the need for a transfusion. However, Andrew’s counts are still lower than normal and we do have a long way to go. We thank God that Andrew does not feel sick and tries to be active; however, we must be careful to protect him from injuries and illnesses. Hopefully, Andrew will continue going longer between transfusions and that he would be able to attend school in the fall. He definitely misses his friends and teachers at Living Word. Our prayer is that, someday soon, we will be able to report that Andrew is a happy and healthy four-year-old boy, healed from this disease and moving forward in his life. Thank you for taking a vested interest in our Andrew and being there for our family.

With grateful hearts,

Chris and Erin Miller (“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3)

For further information and updates on Andrew you may follow his blog at: http://andrew-t-miller.blogspot.com/

Questions and Answers: Women's Ordination & Close/Open Communion

2010-06-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Questions and Answers from LCMS President Jerry Kieschnick

(From “President’s Leadership News” June 2010.)

What is our Synod’s position on women’s ordination and service in the church?

The Synod has resolved that “those statements of Scripture which direct women to keep silent in the church and which prohibit them to teach and to exercise authority over men, we understand to mean that women ought not to hold the pastoral office or serve in any other capacity involving the distinctive functions of this office” (1969 [Synodical Convention] Resolution 2-17). With at that exception, the Synod also has resolved to “encourage districts and congregations to make full appropriate use of the ministry and service of women” (1989 [Synodical Convention] Resolution 3-04A).

What is our Synod’s position on close/open communion?

The Synod has resolved that “pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those synods which are in fellowship with us” (1967 [Synodical Convention] Resolution 2-19) and that “the pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod continue to abide by the practice of close communion, which includes the necessity of exercising responsible pastoral care in extraordinary situations and circumstances” (1986 [Synodical Convention] Resolution 3-08). A responsible practice of admission to the Sacrament avoids two errors: 1. Opening LCMS altars to anyone who wants to commune, regardless of what an individual personally believes, teaches, or confesses; or, 2. Closing LCMS altars to anyone (including an LCMS member) who is not a member of one’s congregation or to an individual, who may be a non-LCMS Christian, in an “extraordinary or emergency” situation requiring the exercise of “responsible pastoral care.” In 1981 [Synodical Convention] Resolution 3-01 “To Declare LCMS Not in Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with ALC, the Synod reminded its members: “The LCMS has long encouraged its congregations and pastors in extraordinary circumstances to provide responsible pastoral care, including the administration of Holy Communion to Christians who are members of denominations not in fellowship with the LCMS.”

Practical application of these basic principles must be done with great care in order to avoid giving offense to LCMS members or to those in extraordinary situations who are motivated by the Gospel to hunger and thirst for the sacrament.

So … what do you think?

Encouraged for Tomorrow

2010-06-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

Encouraged for Tomorrow is one of the key ministries in sustaining Living Word’s future.

To date we have been blessed with $150,533 in sacrificial gifts to special ministries at Living Word. This represents about 24% of the $633,448 people promised and pledged one year ago at the beginning of June 2009.

Thus far, we have utilized these funds according to the parameters established by the congregation: First, we paid program expenses ($25,000). Second, we caught up on past due bills ($75,000). Third, we are paying back CEF a short term loan ($46,000 to date).

Beginning in June, as approved by the congregation, we will begin making our weekly mortgage payments of $1,700. These payments will be made from Encouraged for Tomorrow gifts until August 1 when they are scheduled to be paid from the congregation’s offerings and tuition receipts.

After the short term loan is paid back to CEF, needed work on the roof will commence using Encouraged for Tomorrow offerings. Once the work on the roof is completed, the balance of the funds received from for Encouraged for Tomorrow will be set aside to reduce the sizeable balance on the church’s mortgage. The Encouraged for Tomorrow ministry is being used by God to provide for a strong and stable future for Living Word.

Managing the church’s financial plan is good stewardship. God calls Living Word to responsible stewardship just as He calls each one of us individually to do the same. As God asks us to make responsible use of all that He has given us, God asks the same of His Church. Living Word will begin its fiscal year on August 1 with a balance financial plan that has a 4% surplus cushion to help us catch up on past due obligations.

I give high praise to Living Word’s leaders who have had to make difficult decisions and who have been working hard to make Living Word a good steward of the many blessings God has shared with us.

Please pray with me: Lord God Almighty, even as You bless Your servants with various and unique gifts of the Holy Spirit, continue to grant us the grace to use them always to Your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I Have Two Favors to Ask

2010-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have two favors to ask!

1. First: Would you be willing to identify a few people you know who have children between the age of 3 and 5^th grade?

2. Second: Would you be willing to share the attached / enclosed information with the people you have identified?

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is offered June 21-25 from 9:00 am – noon at Living Word. The focus is a “High Seas Adventure” and shares Jesus in simple and fun ways with kids.

I am NOT suggesting that you forward this email to everyone you know! I would much prefer that you give prayer and thought to a few people whom you might know who have age-eligible children who could benefit from VBS this year, then … download the appropriate attachment to include with a personal email. Personal contact is much more effective than simply forwarding messages we like!

With the advent of social media, we as Christians have many new ways of sharing Jesus with people. Among the ways you could share this information are through:

· email (http://www.livword.net/church_vacation_bible_school.php)

· face-to-face (by downloading one of the attachments)

· facebook (http://www.livword.net/church_vacation_bible_school.php)

· twitter (http://www.livword.net/church_vacation_bible_school.php)

· myspace (http://www.livword.net/church_vacation_bible_school.php)

As with everything that you may share with friends and acquaintances, please read it thoroughly so that you are familiar with and approve of the contents.

I have attached two possible documents to share with people. And I have indicated the link to Living Word’s website: www.livword.net. Click on “Church” and then “VBS.”

I appreciate your willingness to consider these two favors and in this way share the Good News about Jesus.

If you have a moment, please join me in prayer: Gracious Lord, we ask You to bless this year’s Vacation Bible School at Living Word. Watch over the children; empower the teachers; encourage the helpers; and use this ministry to share Jesus with children we know. Amen.

What is a Geo Missionary?

2010-05-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

What is a GEO missionary?

A) A missionary who majored in geography for their undergraduate degree

B) A missionary who specializes in outreach to geologists

C) A missionary who lives in a geodesic dome

D) A missionary who is globally engaged in outreach and serves for approximately 1-2 years

If you guessed D, then you’re correct!

Formerly known as long-term volunteers or long-term missionaries, GEO missionaries serve on a mission field for terms that are longer than short-term missionaries, but shorter than career missionaries. They fill many roles, such as English teacher, development worker, HIV/AIDS education specialist, music teacher, communications specialist, and more! GEO missionaries focus on serving people in the name of Jesus and building relationships through their service that provide opportunities to share the Gospel.

This information was gleaned from the Michigan District (LCMS) eNewsletter.

Every year Living Word sponsors a number of people who wish to go on a short term or long term mission trip. We have supported people from the mission fund to go to Haiti and Guatemala as well as locally to Pontiac and New Orleans. If you feel God's calling to participate in a mission trip of some kind, let me know and we will do our best to assist you in some way.

From the District eNewsletter: "If you know someone who you think might be gifted to serve in one of these roles in a cross-cultural setting, please contact Erin Alter, director of the GEO missionary program for more information. You can reach Erin at erin.alter@lcms.org or 800.433.3954 ext 1746. You can also browse current GEO service opportunities online at www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps. Listen to an audio interview with Erin on the LCMS World Mission blog."

Please pray with me: Lord Jesus, You have reminded us that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Call us each to some opportunity to share the Good News to people around our world. Amen.

Living Word’s Annual Meeting: Looking Forward

2010-05-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, congregants and guests of Living Word gathered to evaluate our ministry and look forward to the future. Though such meetings can sometimes be stressful, they can also be a good venue for synthesizing important information and sharing good ideas.

Last Sunday the following information was shared:

· Confirmation Day is set for Sunday, June 6, when 16 students will be blessed with a fuller measure of the Holy Spirit through Word, Sacrament, and Worship.

· The Voice of Truth mission trip to Pontiac, June 26-July 1, will involve 35 students from Living Word, Calvary, and Grace Lutheran Churches. This will be a Thrivent sponsored Habitat for Humanity Project where adults and students will build a playground structure on a vacant lot.

· The National Lutheran Youth Gathering, July 16^– 21, will involve 16 students from Living Word and Cedar Crest Lutheran Churches. Plus 5 LW adults (Pastor Kassen, Michele Dober, Terry Baughman, Jim Janetzke, Cindy Macks) will be attending.

· Living Word plans to continue its support for students attending one of the area Lutheran High Schools. This coming year 28 students from Living Word will attend either Lutheran High North or Lutheran High Northwest. Though Living Word is no longer able to offset tuition for all students, she will be able to provide some modest assistance for students with a definite need.

· We are blessed to have three people studying to be Professional Church Workers through one of the colleges of the Concordia University System: Katie Rolf (Concordia Chicago), Sarah Coleman (Concordia Ann Arbor), and Jim Rolf (Concordia Theological Seminary Ft. Wayne).

· The Deacon Ministry at Living Word has been a valuable blessing to both the congregation and the pastor. We are now privileged to have three deacons serving at Living Word. Mark Pretznow and Steve Smith have served faithfully for several years now, and Ron Nieman, who is new to Living Word (with his wife Lenore) has completed his deacon training and will begin serving at Living Word sometime in 2011.

· The congregation’s mandate to the board of directors was to present a balanced budget with a 5% surplus which includes regular payments on the mortgage. To accomplish this goal, numerous reductions in compensation at the direction of the congregation and board of directors have affected the following: Lutheran Special Education Ministries Contract (100%), Media Staff (100%), First of Two Youth Workers (100%), Second of Two Youth Workers (50%), One Full-time Teaching Position (50%), Pastor (40%), Custodian (25%), Music Director (25%), Two Full-time Office Workers (25% each), All Staff Health Care (30%).

· SCHOOL NOTES: Special education services (in the absence of Lutheran Special Education Ministries) in the school will be effectively handled by current staff with abilities in this area. Every child needing special education will receive exactly what he or she needs to succeed educationally. Though no classes are planned to be combined at this time, first and second grades have been sharing and will continue to share teachers to maximize the student’s learning experience. The school was visited by the accreditation team who reviewed every aspect of the school’s educational ministry and they will be recommending Living Word School for accreditation, which is something to celebrate! It is a joy to know that our educational plan meets national standards. In fact, standardized testing of Living Word students reveals that by the time 80% of the students reach 8^th grade at Living Word, they score at a 12^th grade level.

· The Elder’s Welcoming Ministry has raised awareness of visitors in our midst. We see a higher incidence of people returning and becoming more active in worship, Bible study, and other areas.

· The next Discovery Class begins September 14 and people are already beginning to register to learn more about Living Word and perhaps become members of the congregation.

· Jonah’s Journey is the Spring Musical presented by students at Living Word school: May 26 & 27 (7:00 pm) – benefitting Andrew Miller with a free will offering.

· High Seas Expedition is this year’s Vacation Bible School outreach into our community: June 21-25. Further information can be found on Living Word’s website: www.livword.net. I am inviting people to share this information with friends and contacts who have age eligible children. Such sharing can be done through email, facebook, myspace, twitter, and even in person!

Finally, during my report to the congregation I spoke about the future of youth ministry in particular and church ministry in general. Youth ministry in particular will find its success not in large numbers, but in building lasting relationships with students. All church ministry in general will find greater success through interpersonal contact using social media as well as person-to-person interaction. Churches that can utilize current technologies and social media in worship and outside of worship will be poised to better share the Good News about Jesus as risen Lord and Savior. I will share more about this at another time.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like to share a thought, please contact me at pastorkassen@livword.net. You may also follow me on Twitter @pastorjek or @LivingWordLCMS or on Facebook as pastorjek or John Kassen.

Please pray with me: Lord Jesus Christ, You withdrew Yourself for times of prayer and brought Your disciples with You that they might learn from You. Be present with us today, knowing that we may share with You the many thoughts on our minds and that You will provide encouragement and direction according to Your will; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Is Honesty Among Your Values?

2010-05-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

While driving to UM Hospital this morning to see my grandson Andrew and his mother Erin and father Chris, I was listening to Prairie Home Companion’s “News from Lake Wobegon.” Garrison Keeler was narrating the current news from his fictional home town of Lake Wobegon. He was giving an update about the search for a new pastor at Lake Wobegon Lutheran Church.

The church’s pastor of many years had taken a call and moved on to another ministry. The members of Lake Wobegon Lutheran were saddled with an interim pastor whom they didn’t like. And they were interviewing candidates for the permanent position. It seems that each candidate lacked something very important that the committee members were looking for: honesty.

As the candidates were trying to sell themselves to the call committee, each spoke highly of small town values and the perceived joy of what it might be like to live in a rural community. As the call committee listened to the answers each candidate had given, they detected a lack of sincerity and honesty. They could see through the superficial comments that the candidates were making.

Honesty is of great value in all our relationships. The Bible acclaims honesty in places like Proverbs 12:17, Proverbs 24:26, and Ephesians 4:28.

Honesty does not have to be callous, though. Honesty can be very caring. Years ago I had an employer give me an honest evaluation of my work performance. Even though it was hard for me to sit and hear some of the things he was saying to me, he did it in a caring way, wanting to see me improve as a worker. I took to heart his evaluation and gave great effort to improving my performance. This lesson has stayed with me my entire life.

Garrison Keeler, in his narration, also said the call committee was looking for compassion. They connected honesty and compassion together. They did not sense that insincerity and dishonesty were in any way compassionate. They were looking for candidates that exhibited both of these important qualities.

Paul reminded his readers (Ephesians 4:15): “Speak the truth in love.”

God calls each of us to be honest in our dealings with other people, but never in a way that hurts other people; always in a way that shows how much we care for them.

What Can I Expect From God?

2010-05-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

What can I expect from God? This is the title of the 9^th chapter of Creath Davis’ book, Lord, If I Ever Needed You, It’s Now!

In this chapter Davis makes the statement, “God is not as interested in our having an easy life as in our having a great one. This means that we can truly trust Him, for He is not a sadist enjoying our suffering but a Father who longs to give His children what is real and eternal.”

The author speaks of three levels of God’s intervention in our lives. The first level is that of RESCUE. We may look to God to rescue us from that difficult situation. God often does the miraculous. God often does rescue His people from the difficult and the dangerous. We see His rescuing miracles all through the Bible. The example of Israel’s crossing the Red Sea comes to mind. God was the one who parted the waters and rescued the people. And if we are paying attention, we see them in our lives, too. I have more than once seen a person’s life changed for the better when doctors, loved ones, and others had given up hope.

The second level is COLLABORATION. At this level of intervention in our lives, God includes us in the process. He doesn’t just rescue us from something but works with us to help us resolve the issue. He doesn’t work the miraculous for us but with us. This can be a great faith building experience. We see many biblical examples of collaboration. The example of David fighting Goliath comes to mind. God worked the miraculous, but David had to confront the giant.

The third level is ENDURANCE. Sometimes God doesn’t work the miracle for us or with us. Sometimes God works the miracle through us. There are times when our prayers may be answered in ways different from what we’ve asked for purposes beyond the horizon of our sight. The example of Jesus comes to mind. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that the Father would remove His “cup of suffering.” The Father didn’t rescue Jesus from the cross. Nor did He collaborate with Jesus; in fact, Jesus wondered why God had forsaken Him. But the Father worked the greater miracle of salvation for all people through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Balancing Our Commitments

2010-04-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

I am working on an assignment for Concordia Publishing House. I've been asked to write three worship services for their publication: Creative Worship.

The assignment is due May 16 and I almost turned it down because of commitments I have at this time of year that keep me very occupied.

Being that I really enjoy these writing assignments, I said, "Yes" and accepted the challenge. Each service takes about four hours to write, rewrite, and review. Three services taking four hours each adds up to a lot of time snatched here and there from my schedule.

But, like most of us, I don't mind spending time doing things that are a blessing to others and provide personal and professional fulfillment to me.

We each have many commitments in life. We have a commitment to God, a commitment to marriage, to family, to friendships, to employer, and to community - just to name a few. There are, of course, many other commitments that we may have. We may have made a commitment to coach a child's team. We may have made a commitment to stain the deck. We may have made a commitment to pick up items at the grocery store. We may have made a commitment to pray for someone or to read a library book before it is due back or to look something up online.

Each commitment we make in life takes time. Given that we have a limited number of hours in the day, it means that a commitment to one thing is sometimes made at the expense of another thing.

How does the Christian achieve balance in handling life's commitments? One way is to assess how much time we spend on various commitments. That is a pretty good indicator of the value we place on that commitment. How much time do we spend on our commitment to God? Or, on our commitment to our marriage? Or, on our commitment to our family? Or, on our cutting the grass before the neighbor's complain about it?

It is easy to try to look at the time allocated to our various commitments and quickly become overwhelmed or, at the very least, guilty.

God has a good word for us in Ecclesiastes 3: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Solomon (who presumably was a very busy man as King of Israel, found time to write poetry, read books, study nature, and offer sage advice to many people) is the author of Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, much of Proverbs, and a few Psalms.

The Word of God reminds us that when we make a commitment to do something good we may have to take a leave of absence from a commitment to something else. For me, I found the twelve hours for the Creative Worship writing assignment in giving up time reading on the weekends. Because the writing assignment is short term, I know that I will get back to the books I like to read on the weekend; I'm not giving them up forever.

What God encourages us to do in our commitments is to be selective in making them and selective in what they will replace. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Would you pray with me? In His time, in His time. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day as You're teaching me Your way, that You do just what You say in Your time - Diane Ball (©1978).

The Power of Prayer

2010-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

We have been praying for a five year-old girl named Isabella whose family is acquainted with one of Living Word's members. This member writes: "I know the Father of Isabella thru common hobby interests. Their family lives in Minnesota and are third generation farmers still working the same farm. We correspond thru email and I had not heard from him in a while and so wrote and asked if all was well. That is when he told me of his daughter, who is 5 years old, and her bout with Meningitis. He at that time told me that she was home from the hospital but had lost use of her left side and her speech was impaired. He seemed upbeat and positive about her chance for recovery. I wrote back that I was very sorry to hear and tried to imagine myself in his shoes. I asked him for her name and that if it was Ok, I would add her to our prayer chain and prayer book at Church. I subtly mentioned that I believe that prayer is a powerful thing. He wrote me back saying her name was Isabella and called Bella for short and thanked me for offering prayer and that they too believe in the power of prayer."

And so we prayed in worship and in personal devotional settings. And a miracle is happening! Isabella is getting better! She has recovered her ability to speak as well as 60% of the use of her one arm and 90% of the use of her one leg.

When the Living Word member communicated via email recently with Isabella's family, they were overwhelmed by both the caring people who prayed for their daughter and by a God who cared enough to bring health and healing to their child.

Praise be to God who answers prayer!

Please pray with me: Gracious God, You invited little children like Isabella to come to You for blessing. We thank and praise You for the healing miracle that You are working in her life. Use this miracle to inspire faith in each of us so that we might enjoy the eternal healing that comes by the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lutheran High School Education

2010-04-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

Living Word will have 26 students attending one of the area Lutheran High Schools during the 2010-11 school year (up by 4 students from the current school year). This ministry is one that Living Word has been proud to support since our inception in 1991.

Each year more and more families from Living Word choose to make the commitment to send a child to either Lutheran High School Northwest in Rochester Hills or Lutheran High School North in Macomb. It is quite a commitment for families to support the $7,550 annual tuition. These families not only commit to the tuition for their children but also commit themselves to a strong stewardship at Living Word.

Because of fiscal constraints Living Word has had to downsize the financial support provided to families in recent years. Living Word at one time supported all students at a “level 1” commitment which involved the maximum support of $2,100 per student. This significantly reduced the tuition obligation for each family. A few years ago Living Word reduced its student support to “level 2” which involved a $1,600 offset for each student’s tuition. Last year Living Word’s support was reduced to “level 3” which involved an $1,100 per student offset.

This year, because of further fiscal constraints upon the congregation, Living Word is again reducing its financial support to students from the congregation who attend one of the Lutheran High Schools. We will be able to support only those students whose families have a defined need.

The Detroit area Lutheran High Schools provide an excellent Christ-focused education. Two of my children attended Lutheran High Northwest in the 1990s, and both have been academically successful while continuing to live out their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Realizing that not every family needs assistance to provide a Christian education opportunity for their child, Living Word’s goal is to support those students who need some financial assistance to continue to attend a Lutheran High School. This is similar to our commitment to support students who attend our elementary school or early childhood center. If there is a family need, we do our best to assist in some way to make Christian education possible. Living Word was founded with Christian education as a critical value, and we will do our best to continue to keep that value front and center.

Please pray with me: Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and finally by Your mercy obtain eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor John Kassen
Living Word Lutheran Church
Rochester, MI 48306
pastorkassen@livword.net

My Goal for Living Word School

2010-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

To help you understand my goal for Living Word School, I need to tell my story:

I am a product of Lutheran education. I attended Central Lutheran School in St. Paul, Minnesota, from Kindergarten through 8th grade. My parents did not have the resources to send me to the Lutheran High School which was less than 1 mile from our home, so I attended the local public high school. During those four years I stayed very close to my friends in the youth group at Bethel Lutheran Church but made a number of new friends at the high school.

After a brief stint in the educational forum to be an architect, I switched career paths and schools to enter Concordia (Lutheran) College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Upon graduation LuJean and I were married and we moved to Springfield, Illinois, so I could attend Concordia Theological Seminary which moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the next year.

I have been blessed by both my Lutheran school and my public school education. Each provided me a different set of experiences and opportunities that have formed me into the person God has created me to be.

What I especially value about the education we provide at Living Word is that it opens to students a career path that they might not have considered had they not attended a Lutheran School.

My elementary education planted a seed in me that took root after I had graduated from high school and began my higher education. The Holy Spirit nurtured that seed and gave me the desire to be a pastor and professional church worker.

At Living Word we certainly provide a quality education equal to any other educational opportunity available to students. But the one thing that we can do for a child that no other school can do is plant a seed that might be nurtured by the Holy Spirit into a career path that involves serving the Lord as a pastor, teacher, musician, youth worker, or deacon.

At present we have three students from Living Word School who have become or are planning to become Lutheran teachers. There is another young man who has mentioned his desire to me to become a pastor. This makes my heart sing! There are few better sources of joy to a pastor than to see a student of the congregation enter professional church work to help insure the ongoing ministry of the Kingdom of God.

What is my goal for Living Word School? Just this: to continue to educate students who retain a love for Christ throughout their lives and by the power of the Holy Spirit raise up some who wish to serve professionally in His Church as a pastor, teacher, or other profession.

Would you pray with me? O God, source of all abiding knowledge, through Word and Spirit You both enlighten the minds and sanctify the lives of those whom You draw to Your service. Look with favor on Living Word and her school, blessing those who teach and those who learn, that all the baptized may apply themselves with ready diligence to their tasks and faithfully fulfill their service according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Reflecting on the Past and the Future

2010-03-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

As I reflect on last Sunday's meeting about the future direction of Living Word, I am concerned and I am hope-filled.

I am concerned because I dislike "voting." Voting tends to divide the congregation. Though I respect and support the majority opinion about Sunday's decision, I also feel for the minority and their opinion. We together are the body of Christ and it is important that we honor each other's feelings and respect each other's opinions during and after such meetings.

I am also hope-filled after the March 21 meeting because it provides a positive direction for our church to take. As I said during the meeting, I had not seen this coming. I had not seen coming some of the difficult financial and staffing decisions we would be faced with. I had not seen coming the challenges we have faced with paying our mortgage short and long term. But, the Lord did see this coming. And the Lord has put us in a position to handle the challenge that is before us.

The plan adopted by the congregation enables the board of directors to implement a reduction in force policy and bring our fiscal situation in line with anticipated enrollment and anticipated offerings. The plan is to begin paying the monthly interest on our mortgage on or before June 1, 2010. We will continue these payments without fail for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Beginning August 2011, we will start remitting principal and interest payments. Each subsequent year Living Word will add over-and-above principle payments to the monthly mortgage to begin whittling down the mortgage balance. The church will also apply Encouraged for Tomorrow funds to the mortgage balance.

Not every question about our future could be answered by our leaders at last Sunday's meeting. Some of the answers are known only to God. We, however, do trust that He is leading us in the right direction down a path that has at its end a bright future.

When we arrive at August 2012, the congregation will have the opportunity to evaluate its position at that time. We will have seen the direction enrollment is going in the school and the direction membership is going in the church. We will also have a commitment from Church Extension Fund about the future of our mortgage relationship with them.

During the next two years we will trust that the Lord will provide for us and that the Lord will guide us to the place where He feels we need to be. We may not have all questions answered, but we do have His powerful presence with us.

Would you pray with me? Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing perfectly where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

2010-03-18T05:41:00.001-07:00

A Special Gift, a Special Meeting, and a Special Blessing

A Special Gift: Living Word has received a $10,169 gift from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Through special donations given by families at Living Word Church and School totaling $20,000 we were able to receive this matching gift. The funds from Thrivent will be applied to several critically past due bills. We will be able to pay the September and October payments to the Lutheran High School Association, the October payment due to Lutheran Special Education Ministries, and a September bill to our heating contractor. Such special gifts are a real blessing to your church and school.

A Special Meeting: I would also like to remind you of the Special Meeting of the congregation this coming Sunday, March 21, at 12:15 pm. Many people have asked for more information about the meeting. Unfortunately, there isn’t much information to share until we receive word from Church Extension Fund about our proposal to restructure Living Word’s mortgage. At the March 21 meeting we will be able to share specific information about our mortgage relationship with CEF and what this will mean for Living Word Church and School moving forward.

A Special Blessing: Living Word has been very blessed in recent months with visiting families who worship with us and return again. The Holy Spirit is powerfully at work to touch people’s hearts in worship in ways that brings them to Living Word and back again. I am especially pleased with the Board of Elders’ new welcoming ministry. An elder is present at the end of each of our Sunday worship services to greet and welcome visitors with a gift from the congregation and information about Living Word. Each visitor is then contacted during the week, expressing our thanks for their presence at worship.

Is There Such a Thing as a Just War?

2010-03-11T05:38:00.000-08:00

I preached this sermon Wednesday evening March 10 as part of the series of messages about "Things That Make Me Nervous to Preach About."

I was organizing the confirmation class pictures just before Christmas. I was digitizing them for safe storage. As I was looking at the class of 1996, there was a student who died in Iraq about 2 years ago. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, fighting for values that are sometimes difficult to understand and explain.

War is costly in terms of human lives and material resources. It is costly to both the conquered and the conquerors; the losers and the winners.

A long time ago Thomas Aquinas asked the question: Is it always sinful to wage war? And he responded that in order for war to be just, three things are necessary. (Suma Theologia: http://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/summa/SS/SS040.html)

1. First, [there must be proper] authority of the sovereign by whose command the war is to be waged. For it is not the business of a private individual to declare war [and] it is not the business of a private individual to summon together the people, which has to be done in wartime.

2. Secondly, a just cause is required, namely that those who are attacked, should be attacked because they deserve it on account of some fault.

3. Thirdly, it is necessary that the belligerents should have a rightful intention, so that they intend the advancement of good, or the avoidance of evil.

The current theological position of the Lutheran Church regarding just war is outlined in simple terms in Article 16 of the Augsburg Confession: "Christians may without sin ... engage in just wars, serve as soldiers. ... ."

Luther himself put it this way: "No Christian," Luther wrote, "shall wield or invoke the sword for himself and his cause. On behalf of another, however, he may and should wield it and invoke it to restrain wickedness. ..."

This position is akin to that held by the majority of Protestant churches. The classical just-war doctrine involves seven points which can be grouped into two categories - one governing the choice to go to war and the other governing proper actions during war.

1. The criteria relating to the justification for going to war are:

Just cause. The right to self-defense against an aggressor has consistently been regarded as fundamental. Only defensive war is legitimate.

Last resort. War may be waged only when all negotiations and compromise have been attempted and have failed. In his "Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount," Luther remarks that "anyone who claims to be a Christian and a child of God, not only does not start war or unrest; also he gives help and counsel on the side of peace wherever he can, even though there be a just and adequate cause for going to war."

Formal declaration. Since the use of military force is the prerogative of government and not of private individuals, properly constituted procedure for declaring and waging war must be followed. As Thomas Aquinas commented, it is not the business of a private individual to declare war ... as the care of the common weal is committed to those who are in authority."

Just Intention. War must be carried out to secure a just peace, not for territorial conquest, economic gain, or ideological supremacy. The only legitimate intention of war is to secure peace.

2. The criteria relating to just conduct in the midst of war are:

The principle of proportionality. The weaponry and force used should be limited to what is needed to secure a just peace and attain better conditions after the conflict than existed prior to it. (The Lutheran theologian Johann Gerhard took up the question of the use of cannon balls and said that they should not be approved because of the extensive damage they cause.)

The principle of discrimination. Since war is an official act of government, noncombatants and civilians should be immune from attack.

The principle of limited objectives. Since the purpose of a just war must ultimately be peace, unconditional surrender or the complete obliteration of the social or political institutions of a nation is unwarranted.

Is there such a thing as a just war? We are reminded by a disciple of Jesus:

1 Peter 2:13 - 14 - Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Is there such a thing as a just war? Perhaps! But, there is no harm in pursuing every effort at peace, including prayer.

In his "Instructions of the Visitors" in 1528, Martin Luther called for the twice-ringing of the church bells to be retained. The people are to be instructed that it is not done to tell the time of the morning or the time when workers in the fields are to go home at night. Rather, said Luther, "the ringing of the bells is done as an exhortation to intercession, particularly for peace." The people are to be instructed in what a wonderful and precious thing peace is. "The orderly process of the law, all discipline, and the service of God perish in time of war. For that reason we should plead with God daily not to punish us with the scourge of war."

As Paul put it to young Pastor Timothy: 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Tim 2:1-6 (ESV)

It is always good to remember that Jesus died to save both the victor and the vanquished in war. He died to bring peace between God and men and between men and men.

Family Resemblances

2010-03-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

I was listening to "Early Light Devotional" this morning - a daily podcast that shares a Bible based devotional thought. Today's thought brought to mind the idea of family resemblances.

When I was a child I was told that I resembled my father at that age. In fact, one day my grandmother showed me a picture (of what I thought was me wearing clothes I didn't recognize) of my father. We looked identical.

Children will resemble their parents in some way. Children will sometimes resemble their parents in certain features that one or the other parent may have. It may be the color of the eyes, the texture of the hair, the shape of the face. But, children will also resemble their parents in their behavior, too. A kind and gentle child may have picked up that quality from a parent. A loving and generous child may have picked up that quality from a parent.

The devotion brought to mind in what ways we might resemble God. As children of God, redeemed by Christ at the cross and washed in the waters of holy baptism, there are certain qualities of God that we carry into our lives.

We are told in Galatians 3:27 (ESV) "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

As Christians we may not have an actual physical resemblance to God, but we are reminded in Galatians 5:22-23 that we may resemble God in the way we behave and act. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

This devotional thought gave me an opportunity to reflect in what ways I may have a resemblance to God.

Teen Sexting and Cell Phone Usage

2010-03-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

The following is an excerpt from LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick’s February Pastoral Letter which is provided here as a valuable resource for parents regarding the issue of Sex and Cell Phones.
He writes: “In last April's pastoral letter, I wrote to you about an activity that had become popular especially among teens and young adults -"sexting," that is, using cell phones and computers to share sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves with others. Internet access through "smart phones" has added online pornography to the threats facing young people today. The Religious Alliance Against Pornography (RAAP) is a coalition of religious leaders who are concerned about the deleterious effects of pornography on the young, the not so young, and our society. As a member of the executive committee of RAAP, I meet monthly via telephone with other members to discuss ways to work together and with people in corporate America to engage in battle against pornography. Allow me, then, to call attention to a booklet co-sponsored by RAAP that may be helpful to your families. "Sex and Cell Phones," is a booklet meant to help parents protect their children from pornography and to help young people use cell phones and other technology responsibly.” This booklet can be downloaded at http://ilivevalues.com/cellphones/.

People Are So Very Generous

2010-03-04T12:01:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about Living Word is that people are so very generous. There has not been a time in recent memory when a need has been put forward that wasn’t met.

In early January I mentioned that we as a church had been falling behind in our mission giving. Within 2 month people had responded and we are now current with our mission offerings. Our mission goal for this year (August 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010) is $20,000. Thus far we have given:

• $6,167 to the Michigan District of the LCMS and their important mission work
• $2,085 to various local missions including Love INC, St. Paul Lutheran Mission and Rochester Neighborhood House
• $1,130 to various family needs at Living Word
• $654 to support individual mission trips
• We have also committed $17,500 to the Michigan District’s “The Future Is Now” campaign to support mission work in the state of Michigan and provide funding resources for seminary students. We have given $1,677 to date.

I can’t tell you what a joy it is to serve Living Word as her pastor. There have been many, many times when we faced what seemed to be insurmountable challenges and the Holy Spirit has influenced people to respond in significant ways.

During this current challenge that we face with our mortgage, God will show us the way through. And once we have a plan in place, I know that the people of Living Word will coalesce to meet the challenge.

God be praised!

Why God Permits Evil in Your Life (Lent Sermon #2)

2010-02-25T06:14:00.000-08:00

The Six Things I Am Most Nervous to Preach About
Sermon 2: “Why God Permits Evil in Your Life”

There are things that are easy for me to preach about. And there are things that are not so easy for me to preach about. Last week I talked about “Why God Permits Good in Your Life.” I find it hard to talk about certain things because it means “meddling” in your lives and “confronting” you with things like how to live your life and how to spend your money. But, I also have to look into my own life and honestly evaluate how I am living my life and how I am spending my money. It’s often easier to preach on something else!

One of the things that make me nervous to preach about has to do with a question that was asked of me recently. He is an old friend who seldom hesitates to ask the hard questions. His question was: “Why does God permit the devil to exist?”

I told him, “I would think about it and the next time we get together we could talk more about it.”

How’s that for evading the issue?

But it is a pretty good question. And it’s a question that I’ve thought a lot about. And … it is a question that really makes me nervous to talk about. I still remember what my vicarage supervisor told me one day: “Don’t give the devil too much credit – he loves it!” In other words, don’t spend too much time talking about him, because he might just be listening in and relishing the attention!

So, devil, if you happen to be close at hand and listening in to what I am about to say, these words are for the sake of God’s people and not yours!

So, why does God permit the devil to continue to exist? I’m going to give you the technical theological answer first and the practical personal answer second.

Technically speaking, the devil is an angel. Angels are created beings that have no end of life termination. In other words, they cannot die. When God created angels they were all created good. There were a few, including the devil we call Satan, which turned bad. But their life spirits cannot be killed, ended, or destroyed.

Really, it is the same for human beings. Our bodies may die, but the essence of our being, our souls, our spirits, can never die (“…where their worm does not die…” and “…the spirit returns to God who gave it…”). Once created, we have life forever. God had intended that that life would be in this world forever.

Once, Satan had been a good angel on the par with Michael and Gabriel. But, when he turned bad, God couldn’t go back and uncreate him. God couldn’t destroy his soul, because once created the soul of an angel or a human being lives forever.

What God could do, though, was set about a plan of redemption. What God could do was restore creation to its former perfection. That is a plan that is in process. It is in the works. The plan is started but it is not complete. When God created the world He had in mind a certain number of human souls that would be brought into existence. That number of souls is not yet complete. If God had called it quits after Adam and Eve had been brought into existence, you and I would never have existed – not to mention the billions of souls that have walked this planet in the past, are walking this planet today, and will yet walk this planet.

God had my life and soul in mind before He even created the world – and come what may – God desired to give me life and being. His desire was for my life and being to be in a perfect world. Not in this sin-corrupted world. But, so important was it for God to give me life that He allowed me to be born into this fallen world demented and deformed by sin. Because God knew that He could redeem my life from this world. He had the power. He had the will. He had the commitment to give up His Son for my soul. He had the will to give up His Son for my life. He had the desire to give up His Son for the essence of my being.

God’s plan to save my life was set in motion at the cross of Calvary. It was furthered at the resurrection from the tomb. It was continued in the ascension into heaven. It will be complete and finished one day when Christ returns. God doesn’t bring about the end of time yet, because He has in mind that number of souls He planned to bring into existence even before the world was created. He will not cut that short. He will not circumvent anyone’s life and existence: yours, mine, or anyone’s! So, until all the souls He has in mind come into existence, this world will continue. Satan will be allowed to have his presence and influence.

So, why does God permit the devil to continue to exist?

The truth is that you can trace all evil in your life back to sin. It might be your sin. It might be your spouse’s sin. It might be your parent’s sin. It might be your neighbor’s sin. It might be your child’s sin. If there were no sin, there would be no evil. You tell me: how many days of your life have you lived without sin? Now, also tell me, why should there not be evil in your life?

Here’s a couple of points to ponder:
1. God does not use evil to punish you. All sin has been punished in Christ on the cross. Your personal and individual sins have all been forgiven by the death of Jesus. So, if something evil comes your way, God is not using that evil thing to punish you and drive you down. God is not sitting up in heaven saying, “Gotcha! Thought you could get away with that – did you?” God is not like the teacher I had in 4th grade who used a ruler to rap the knuckles of any child who slipped up in any way.
2. But God does allow (1) consequences to sin and (2) evil to guide and direct you. God can and does allow evil to happen in this world and in your life for a purpose. If you are looking for an example, you can look at the life of Joseph in the Bible. He was unjustly imprisoned, but it made all the difference in his life. It actually saved his soul! You can look at the life of Paul in the Bible. He lost his eyesight, but it made all the difference in his life. It actually saved his soul. God sometimes allows evil in your life – never as a punishment – but often as a way to get your attention and bring you maybe to a place better than the one you are in. God often allows evil in your life to draw you closer to him. He allows evil in your life like a slap across the head – so to speak – to get you refocused on what is important in your life. God may allow evil in your life to save your soul.

Ex/ (trust) Professional baseball player John Olerud's daughter has a rare genetic disease. During one of her medical treatments, when he played for the Boston Red Sox in 2005 as first baseman, he held his infant daughter while doctors attempted to insert an IV. Olerud described the look in her eyes this way: What's going on? I thought you were my dad, protecting me, and you're holding me down and allowing them to poke me? How can you say you love me and let somebody do this? Knowing that even if he could tell her why all this was happening, she wouldn't understand, Olerud could only say, "You've just got to trust me."

Olerud saw an important faith lesson in that experience. "Sometimes with our suffering, we look to God and say, 'God, this does not make any sense. [Why is this happening to me?] I'm getting hammered here, and you could change it.' I'm sure he's looking at us saying, 'I can't tell you why I'm doing this. It is in your best interest. You just have to trust me.'"

Why God allows evil in our lives? Even though it is hard for me to look you in the eye and say this to you, but God may just be trying to get your attention. He may just be trying to get you to change your life in some significant and meaningful way. He may just be trying to save your soul.