52

Merry Christmas, dear Christians, and Blessed New Year!

With prayers for you,

Pastor Matt

51

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son..." (Luke 2:7).

Mary CHRISTmas!

With love,

Pastor Matt

50

In the children's book, Pastor Nicholas says,

"Whenever you are sad, whenever you are afraid, remember: God will help you."

He always will!

Pastor Matt

49

Will send you a photo taken tonight.  The altar is decorated with red, white, and blue!  Then notice the flag!  Then notice the Lord Jesus!

And let us pray for our country!

Psalm 33:12-22

48

Feeling blue?  Together, let us feel the beautiful blue of Advent and the countdown to Christmas!

47

A Thanksgiving Thought:

"We cannot give God anything; for everything is already His, and all we have comes from Him.  We can only give Him praise, THANKS, and honor" (Luther).

46

Now, at the end of the Church Year, let us pray:

Abide with us, Lord Jesus, at the end of the day, at the end of our life, and at the end of the world. Abide with us and with all the faithful, now and forever. Amen.

The Judge Will Be Jesus

"For God has not destined us for wrath" (1 Thess. 5:9).

To the dear people of Faith:

Today (Nov. 15) is the second-last Sunday of the Church Year.  These last days of the Church Year remind us that we are living in the last days.  And as Christians, we are looking forward to the Last Day - yes, longing for it to come!  Longing for Him to come: our dear Lord Jesus Christ!

We express this longing when we say in the Creed, "From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead."  And when we exclaim in the Communion liturgy, "Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!"

But because we are sinful and weak and have only a little faith, thoughts of the Last Day, or Judgment Day, can easily frighten us.  When that happens, remember that the Judge on that Day will be Jesus, in whose righteousness you are dressed!

Luther preached it this way: "None other will hold court on the Day of Judgment than He who gave Himself for us.  He will certainly not deny Himself but will declare that He gave Himself for your sins, as you believe.  What, then, will sin do when the Judge declares that He Himself has taken it away?  Who will accuse you?  Who will judge the Judge?  Who will overcome Him?  He avails more than innumerable worlds with all their sins.  Had He not given Himself, but something else, for you, one would still expect much of Him.  But now, since He has given Himself for you, what can terrify you?  He Himself would have to be condemned before sin could condemn you for whom He gave Himself.  Oh, here is great, sure security!"

I would put it this way: On the Last Day He will say to you one last time what He says to you every day and every hour, "Take heart, child, your sins are forgiven!"

God bless you today, tonight, and this week!  I can't wait to be back with you this Wednesday and then Sunday!  I can't wait to say, "As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes."

And I can't wait to hear you say, "Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!"

With love and prayers,

Pastor Matt

45

Did you know that Martin Luther and the U.S. Marines share the same birthday?  It's today!

Happy Birthdays

Question: What do the U.S. Marines and Martin Luther have in common?  Answer: For one thing, they share the same birthday - November 10.  In the case of the Marines the year was 1775.  In Luther's case, 1483.

For another thing, the Marine Corps has a "warrior ethos" and is the "first to fight" to protect our freedom.  Luther was a spiritual warrior who fought to defend the greatest of all freedoms: the freedom of the Gospel, the Gospel of Christ and the forgiveness of sins.

And for a third thing, each may be summed up in two words of Latin.  For the Marines the two words are semper fidelis.  It means "always faithful."  General Berger wrote in this year's birthday message to his Marines, "While this year's many challenges are significant and unique, they are not unprecedented, and it is important to remember that our Nation and Corps have endured difficult times in our past."  And, "There is no challenge we cannot overcome, together, by holding fast to our core values."  He then signed the letter under the words "Semper Fidelis."

And for Luther the two words are sola fide.  It means "by faith alone."  It has been called Luther's refrain.  It is shorthand for, among other verses, Galatians 2:16: "...a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ."  In other words, you are counted righteous before God not because of the things you have done, or tried to do, but because of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ!  The following hymn lines put it perfectly:

Salvation unto us has come by God's free grace and favor;
Good works cannot avert our doom, they help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, who did for all the world atone;
He is our one Redeemer.

Happy birthday, dear Marines, and dear Martin!  Where would we be without you?

This Will Pass, Too

"It came to pass" (Matt. 11:1).

By Richard Wurmbrand

It is said that King David once called a jeweler and said, "Make me a ring whose appearance will gladden my heart when I am sad, and make me sad when I am joyful.  You have two days for this.  If you bring the ring, you will be richly rewarded.  If not...."

The jeweler left in despair.  He knew his life would be forfeited.  Who could make such a ring?

When he crossed the palace yard, little Solomon, who was playing, observed his grief and asked him what it was about.  The jeweler told him of the foolish demand the king had made.

The child laughed and said, "Make him a simple ring of tin and write on it the words "This will pass, too."  Nothing more is needed.  In moments of darkness, the king will read that this will pass and find comfort.  In revelings, the ring will remind him that joys in this world are transitory."

The jeweler made the ring and received a rich reward.

One of the beauties of the King James Version of the Bible is that the expression "It came to pass" occurs so often.  What burdens you have today will pass.  Don't be so occupied with your present griefs.  What were you sad about five years ago, on November 8?  You don't even remember anymore.  So today's sorrows soon will be forgotten.  And when you are joyful, don't forget that you have not attained heaven yet.  All joys in this world are temporary.

Christians seek the eternal abode in which all tears will be wiped away.

44

God bless FLC as we serve as a polling place tomorrow.  And God bless YOU with a special peace and strength right now.

Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father...

43

Hello from Frankenmuth, Michigan!  I drove here alone, but Mary, Joseph, and Christ will join me for the trip home tomorrow!

Thinking of all of you,

Pastor

42

Here it is - a denarius - just like the one in Matthew 22:19.

41

Verse of the Week:

"The God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:9

40

This is the weekend that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it...

and in Him!

39

How good to know that no matter the circumstances, God's faithfulness remains the same!

Take heart today!

PM

38

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Amen.

37

On vacation.

36

On vacation.

35

Reminder: NO SERVICES this coming Sun. and Wed. (Sep. 6 and 9).

I'll be on vacation, and you'll be...

in my prayers.

Pastor

34

September is shaping up to be a special month at FLC.  We'll talk about it on Sun. and Wed.  Plus, I heard the most beautiful thing about Communion this week - can't wait to tell you!

With joy, love, and prayers,

Pastor

33

Dear Christians,

Tomorrow is the day of the week that Jesus rose.  So let us rise tomorrow morning with faith, hope, and love in our hearts!

Pastor

32

The picture-taking went well.  Services are going very well.  Offerings have been ample.  The Elders meet tonight.  Christ is risen.  And another good Sunday and Wednesday to begin looking forward to!

Pastor

31

Know that the Lord is with you today, that your pastor is praying for you, and that you are loved by your brothers and sisters in the congregation!

30

"May the Lord give strength to His people!  May the Lord bless His people with peace!"

Psalm 29:11

29

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore."

Psalm 125:2

28

Last month we talked about how John the Baptist is the best man in the wedding of Christ and the Church (John 3:29).

Well, this Sunday and Wednesday I'll tell you who I think is the maid of honor!

27

Jesus says:

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

26

God bless our native land; Firm may she ever stand Through storm and night.  When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do Thou our country save By Thy great might.

Amen.

25

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8).

24

Feeling fatigued?  With everything going on, it's no wonder.  What is a Wonder is that, in the middle of it all, the Risen Christ is with us with His peace and strength.  Peace for tonight, and strength that will be yours tomorrow morning!

Pastor

23

I wrote this in honor of Trinity Sunday, June 7.

All glory to the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Who made, redeemed, and comforts me -
All glory to the Trinity!

Amen.

22

The seven words of Pentecost:

"Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts!"

The Perfect Pentecost Prayer!

21

Hymn 528, stanza 7:

To God all glory, praise, and love
Be now and ever given
By saints below and saints above,
The Church in earth and heaven.

So simple, yet so rich!

With love and prayers for all of you,

Pastor Matt

20

JOY has been defined as "Jesus, Others, Yourself."  Look first to your Savior.  Then to the needs of your neighbor.  And then you will find yourself - and the great joy of the Gospel!

19

What a beautiful church!

Of course, I could be talking about the building.  But what I'm really talking about is the congregation!

1 Peter 2:4-5

Pastor Matt

18

Risen Lord, as the moon reflects the light of the sun, may we reflect the light of Your love.  Amen.

17

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me" (Psalm 138:8).

The Lord Jesus loves you and is at work IN your life to benefit you, and is at work THROUGH your life to benefit others.

Amen.

16

Here's a fun thought:

It's Friday the 13th!

Because today is the 13th day of Easter!

Do something special to celebrate!

And read 1 Cor. 13:13.

Pastor

15

During this Easter Season, be sure to say at least ONCE A DAY:

"Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!"

It's guaranteed to encourage you!

Pastor Matt

14

"This Easter"

Though the pews are all empty,
It bothers me none.
For the tomb, too, is empty
And the vict'ry is won!

Amen.

Two Weeks' Notice

Two times in the Bible, and no more, we are given the account of a week.  The first is found in Genesis and presents the six days of creation and the seventh day on which God rested.  The second is found in the Holy Gospel and records the events of the first Holy Week.  God means for us to consider these two weeks together.

As God made the world in six days and then rested, so on Palm Sunday He entered Jerusalem to redeem the world.  He "finished" (John 19:30) that work by day's end Friday and then used Saturday to rest.

We know from Genesis that man was created on the sixth day (Gen. 1:26-31), that is, Friday.  No coincidence then that Jesus died for man also on a Friday.

The Bible's two weeks and the parallels between them must not go unnoticed.  The One who made the world without sin in the course of a week, in the course of a week saved it from sin.  More personally, He who made you head to toe has redeemed you body and soul to be, again, His own.

To you and yours a very blessed Holy Week!

13

Wash your hands.

Fold your hands.

And, as Holy Week approaches, remember HIS hands, His feet, His side, and His love for you!

Amen.

12

Jesus says to you:

"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:27

Amen.

11

A prayer before bed:

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Ps. 4:8).

Amen.

10

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7).

Amen.

9

If you give up something for Lent, use it to remember the Father who gave up His Son, the Son who gave up His life, and the Holy Spirit who gives up on no one.

8

Trouble getting up in the morning?  Put these words of Jesus near your bed:

"Rise, and have no fear" (Matt. 17:7).

Amen.

7

Phone Blessing

Father in heaven, bless this phone.  Help me to use it in a way that pleases You, benefits me, and encourages others.  In Jesus' name, amen.

6

If we think about it, Jesus preached a second "Sermon on the Mount."  The first, of course, is found in Matthew 5, 6, and 7.  And the second?

Mount Calvary.

5

You receive the body and blood of Christ.

Then, using the words of Simeon, the pastor says, "Depart in peace."  This means: Have no fear of death!

Amen.

4

Happiness eventually runs out.

Joy in the risen Christ lasts forever!

Amen.

3

John sees Jesus coming toward him and says, "Behold, the Lamb of God...!"

Which is why we sing "Lamb of God" when we see Jesus coming toward us in Communion.

2

Faith sees the cross of Christ.

Hope sees His resurrection.

And love sees one another, our neighbors, and even our enemies.

Amen.

1

The wise men gave three precious gifts to Christ at His birth.

And God gave three priceless gifts to you at your Baptism: faith, hope, and love.

Amen.