Saint John's Lutheran Church

We often find ourselves in “waiting rooms”, whether real or of our own making. When we are in a“waiting room” ours lives seem like they are put on hold. So, “waiting” can be pretty boring.

July 4, 1776, was a memorable day in the history of the United States of America. On that day, the founding fathers of our nation declared their independence from England and English rule. Each year we pause to remember the freedoms we enjoy and give thanks for all those brave men and women who, since 1776, have risked their lives for the sake of freedom and independence. We enjoy the freedom of religion, of gathering in public, of oppression from the government or any other agency. We have the freedom of electing our national, state, and local leaders into office as our leaders. In November, we will have the opportunity to exercise that freedom one more time. It is our privilege and duty to vote whenever we have the opportunity. History teaches us that national apathy has destroyed numerous empires and America can also flounder and fail if we citizens do not exercise our freedoms in a responsible way.

In the month of May in many parts of our country the fields, gardens and orchards are green and growing, giving us the promise that seedtime and harvest will again prevail, and, with God’s blessing, the earth will yield its increase and provide food for all God’s creatures. According to God’s design the sun will warm the fertile soil and the rains will cause the seeds to sprout and grow into healthy, productive plants, vines, trees and bushes. Last month’s newsletter article had the title, “April showers bring May flowers.” We are now seeing evidence that this old saying is true!

In May we will also be celebrating two special church year events: Ascension Day on May 14 and Pentecost Day on May 23. These two very important holy days help to encourage and empower us as God’s stewards. On Ascension Day our Lord returned to the right hand of the Father, not to escape from the world, but to serve as our Advocate to the Father. It is so encouraging for us to know that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father pleading for the forgiveness of our sins which results in fresh starts for us as God’s stewards. At the price of His own life, Jesus earned for us the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. His resurrection was proof positive that the Father accepted His suffering and death on the cross as the perfect and complete sacrifice, and His ascension provided proof positive that just as He came from heaven to be our Savior so He returned to heaven to rule all things for the sake of His church—that is, the sake of us—His stewards.

Pentecost Day reminds us of when the Holy Spirit descended upon the first apostles and empowered them to be renewed servants of Jesus who became bold and effective witnesses of the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus. Pentecost Day also reminds us of the new birth of faith in us through the marvelous, yet mysterious, working of the Holy Spirit. For most of us, that started with our baptisms. That new life continues as the Holy Spirit works through His Word and the sacrament of Holy Communion to strengthen and equip us to be effective stewards. As God’s stewards, we have the promise that the Holy Spirit empowers us to do what we otherwise could not do.

The seventh Biblical Stewardship Principle states that “God’s stewards are served and serving.” This means that “God’s stewards recognize that their stewardship involves a Gospel-powered style of life which is demonstrated in servanthood within all the arenas of life.” By the grace of God we are reminded that we are to serve our Lord with personal acts of compassion and service as well as financial gifts. Some people seem inclined to think that stewardship is just about money. Yes, it is about money and how we manage it, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Stewardship involves our wise management and use of all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.

What a blessing and encouragement it is to know and believe that Christ died for us, rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven as the divine conqueror of sin, death and the devil, and now sends His Holy Spirit to be the Lord and Giver of life. May the Holy Spirit enable us to use our time, talents, relationships, treasure and all the other special gifts and blessings in a way that honors our God and blesses our neighbors.

“April showers bring May flowers” is an old saying that is fairly well known to adults and children as well. It is very true that God blesses His creation with rain which causes seeds to sprout and grow upon the earth. This blessing of rain is something good that God lavishes upon all people, regardless of whether or not they are believers in Jesus as their Savior. And, because of the blessing of rain, seedtime and harvest will prevail and the earth will yield its increase and provide food for all God’s creatures. Not only does rain bring forth flowers but also the fruits and grains from gardens, vineyards, orchards and fields. God is good and His mercy endures forever. His rain will come not only in April but throughout the growing season.