June 24, 2007
vol. 1 no. 1
Beloved Saints of God in Christ Jesus,
I address you in this way because that is what you are. In our world, we do not rightly understand what and who a saint is. Perhaps you are familiar with the Catholic use, that is someone who has performed a certain number of verifiable miracles and other extraordinarily good works and has been declared a saint by the authority of the pope. Or maybe the more secular use of the term is more familiar to you. You know what I mean, you see a mother patiently bearing the tantrum of her child in a dignified way or the husband of a critically ill wife going to any extreme to secure her comfort. These are the kind of people we like to call “saintly.”
But what is a Biblical saint? It is tempting to define a saint strictly on one’s own works and accomplishments: a martyr, a prophet or apostle, or even a pastor! But this is not what the Bible says about saints. In Revelation 7:14, John asks who this great company of white robed saints are and he is told, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” I address you as saints and dearly beloved in the Lord because, in spite of your sins, God has loved you with an everlasting love and you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb who was slain for our transgressions, Jesus Christ.
May we ever wonder and give thanks for our sainthood, which is not about our accomplishments but about Christ’s sacrifice for us and the Spirit’s working through us.
So, beloved saints of God in Christ Jesus, may God continually make you worthy of such a high honor!
A fellow saint in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Pastor Jim
Worship Practices
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. Why do we chant?
A. Though there is great freedom when it comes to whether and when to chant, there are many good reasons for pastors and laypeople to chant parts of the Divine Service. You may also notice that our new hymnal, The Lutheran Service Book, encourages the use of chanting.
It has been said that “song is the language of heaven.” There are hundreds of references to music, song and singing in Scripture, and it's clear that the worship of heaven is conducted in song. (Rev. 5:9) The command "sing unto the Lord" and similar injunctions, are found hundreds of times in the Bible. Yes, song is the language of heaven, and therefore the language of the church. And when we enter God's House for the purpose of receiving Divine Service we are, liturgically speaking, leaving earth and entering heaven. What could be more appropriate?
Another little saying is that, "One who sings prays twice.” In this way, chanting is an elevated form of speech. It is not something we are used to hearing elsewhere in our daily lives, but is a form of speaking that is reserved for sacred occasions and purposes: our Divine services and prayers in the presence of God.
The trademarks of Christian worship are goodness, beauty, truth, dignity and reverence, and chanting is beautiful, reverent and dignified.
Chanting is not only a sacrifice of praise to God, but it also aids us in concentrating on the words which we speak. Especially when listening, chanting texts and hymns allows us to focus more clearly and intently on the text.
Chanting in worship is for both pastor and layperson, adult and child, man and woman. Through chanting in the liturgy God speaks his Word to us. Such sacred melody never leaves us. When the troubles of life make us so distressed that we don't even have the wherewithal to form a prayer, then the songs of faith never leave us nor forsake us. This is why St. Paul advises in Ephesians 5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
Bible Study Opportunities
Beginning today, June 24, and continuing through the next three Sundays, I will be leading a series of Bible studies addressing our life in the church. Today’s study is titled “Addressing the Church” and will be a more complete introduction of me, as your new pastor, and my wife, Lesa. I will be talking about what lead me to pursue training as a pastor, our experience at the Seminary and Vicarage, and other things of note or import.
Next week (July 1) will be your opportunity to share with me your past, present and future hopes and goals for Good Shepherd, as well as any questions you may have about practices, how I may better serve you and to tell me about yourselves.
After that (July 8) we will look at how we “dress” the church with art, paraments, and vestments (and what those things are!) Why is it important to make our place of worship and the house of God a place of beauty? What are the theological and Biblical commands for and against adorning our house of worship? And how can beauty in the church aid your worship?
Finally, (July 15) 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.
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. In the coming weeks, there will be a sign-up sheet in the back of the church. Please take a moment to sign up for a visit! 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 16, I Kings 9b-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-15, Luke 9:51-62
The Lord be with you!
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 908 W. Main Middleville, MI 49333 +269-795-2391+ goodshepherdlcms@gmail.com