July 15, 2007

Vol. 1, no.4

Voice Home

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From Your Pastor

Grace and Peace to you this Lord’s Day!

Our lives in Christ are wrapped up in constant tension. We are both at the same time sinner and saint. Our flesh clings tenaciously to our inborn sinfulness, while that new creation born in baptism is constantly being pulled upward to where Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father. It is a struggle for all Christians.

In any struggle it is important to have the right weapons and tools to defeat the enemy. Lutheranism is so wonderful because it has such a huge arsenal with which to beat back all attacks. One weapon in the arsenal of Lutherans that is woefully underused is that of private confession and holy absolution. The reason it is so neglected may be because we perceive it as being too “Catholic,” but more likely we neglect private confession because it is truly terrifying.

I know just how scary this can be. A couple of weeks ago I bit the bullet and went to my first private confession. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my Christian life. As I went to the pastor to make my confession my heart was pounding, my voice was shaky and my knees were a little weak. This is the most exposed I have ever felt before the Lord, and it was terrifying! But, as I shakily made my confession and heard the comforting words of the absolution, all the fear and trepidation left. It was a beautiful thing!

As your pastor, I encourage you to make use of this most powerful tool against the attacks of our enemy. I am always available for private confession, just give me a call. I will also be setting up regular times for private confession and holy absolution in the fall.

Prayerfully consider taking advantage of this great gift of personal forgiveness in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord be with you!

Pastor Jim

Worship Practices

Q. Why does the pastor wear the clerical or clergy shirt?

A. The pastor is a servant of Christ, and as such, dresses in a modest way. The clerical collar is a reminder, not only to the pastor, but to Christ’s people whom he serves, that as a man he is just as sinful as anyone (that is the reason traditional clerical collars are black, a color traditional representative of dirt or stain). It is an important reminder to a pastor that he is also in dire need of that forgiveness of Christ. The only part of a clerical shirt that is not black is around the neck. There are two styles of clerical collars. The one I always wear is called the “Roman” style. This clerical shirt has a small while tab in the front. The other style typically worn by Lutheran pastors is called the “Anglican” style and is a complete white band that goes all the way around the neck. The significance in the actual collar is two-fold. One, as the rest of the shirt is black to remind us of the pastor’s own sinfulness and need for Christ, the white tab covers the voice box. As the pastor faithfully preaches and teaches and in general speaks as a representative of Christ to the church, his voice is holy. White is traditionally a color of purity and holiness. It is only by speaking God’s Word faithfully that a pastor is holy. The other significance, especially in the Anglican collar, is that of Christ’s warning to teachers in Matthew 18:6:

“…but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

In short, I wear a clergy shirt everyday to remind myself of my obligation to God’s Word and my calling to serve you, His people, with that holy Word.

Bible Study Opportunities

This Sunday will conclude our 4 week introductory series. We will look at how we are dressed by the church. We have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and clothed with righteousness through Christ. It is the church’s purpose to clothe you in that righteousness. How does the Church do this?

Also, men, remember we meet every Thursday morning at 6 am for Bible study. We are currently finishing up a topical study on 9-11 and war in general. I appreciate any input you may have about what to study next.

Keep on the look-out for announcements about mid-week worship/Bible study coming this Fall!

Vacation Bible School

VBS will be July 15-19 (6:00-8:30) in the evening. This is a great time to reach out to the community and share with the children the love of Christ given freely for them.

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 19:14

Pastoral Visitation

In an effort to better know the flock to which God has called me, it is my goal to visit with each of you personally, either in your homes or in my study. I do not want this to be a stressful or anxiety-filled thing, but rather a time of joy in our fellowship together under the cross. There is, finally, a sign-up sheet in the basement. Please limit visits to one per day. Give me an idea as to when would be a good time as well, on the days available I am free to come in the morning or evening. Lesa will be attending with me as she feels up to it. This is not a Leviticus 26:16 kind of visit! (Look it up to see what I mean!) If you have any questions about this, please call me at the church: 269-795-2391, at home: 269-509-0293 or my temporary cell number: 314-703-7774.

Next week`s readings

Psalm 27:7-14

Genesis 18:1-10a

Colossians 1:21-29

Luke 10:38-42

Bible Trivia

In Lutheran Churches we have altars. They are places of highest reverence and where the Lord’s Holy Supper is served from. In John’s apocalyptic vision in Revelation, there is no mention of an altar in the New Jerusalem. Why is this?

(Hint: Check out Revelation 21:22)

Just for Fun!

From The Lutheran Handbook* there is some great “tongue-in-cheek” advice about what to do if someone sits in your pew.

1.) Smile and greet the “intruders.” Oftentimes they are visitors to your congregation—new blood. Avoid creating bad blood you might regret later on. Make solid eye contact so they know you mean it, shake hands with them, and leave no impression that they’ve done something wrong.

2.) View the “intrusion” as an opportunity. Remember, you don’t own the pew; you just borrow it once a week. Take the opportunity to get out of your rut and sit someplace new. This will physically emphasize a change in your perspective and may yield new spiritual discoveries.

3.) If you can tell that your new friends feel uncomfortable at having displaced you, despite your efforts to the contrary, make an extra effort to welcome them. Consider taking them to brunch after church to become acquainted. If there are too many for you to foot the bill, consider inviting them to accompany you on a “go Dutch” basis. This will eliminate any hierarchy and place you on equal footing.

*The Lutheran Handbook, copyright 2005, Augsburg Fortress, pg 20

The Lord be with you!

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 908 W. Main Middleville, MI 49333 +269-795-2391+ goodshepherdlcms@gmail.com