Pastor David Nehrenz
tlcnormanpastor@gmail.com
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Fellow Redeemed,
Greetings in our Lord Jesus Christ!
What is the purpose of Sunday morning in the church? We know that in the New Testament it is called “The Lord’s Day,” because on that day He rose from the dead. We know that the 3rd Commandment says, “Remember the Sabbath (rest) day to keep it holy,” which means that once per week we are called to “rest” in the Lord’s gifts of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.
The Lord’s Day is a time to gather around the Divine Service that the Lord Jesus brings to us in baptism, absolution, preaching, and Holy Communion. It is also a time to gather around teaching. You and your children have souls that need to be continually taught by the Word of God.
You have nothing more important on Sunday morning than coming to the Divine Service and Bible Study. Be sure your children are in Sunday School. Parents: Do not neglect your spiritual responsibilities to train them in the Word of God!
We go through a lot of effort to put into place the staffing of teachers for children in pre-school, grade school, high school, and also college age and adult studies of God’s Word. We want you to attend and be there! What good does it do for us to offer these classes, if you are not there?
Some people complain about how the world is rapidly going downhill, and it is. The apostle Paul said that the form of this world is passing away. What can you do about it? Be regular at worship, Sunday School and Bible class. This is something you can actually do! You are arming your family with the light of the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit. Then you and your children can stand up against the assaults of this dark world.
I look forward to a greater participation on your part to the Divine Service and Bible Study.
May God the Holy Spirit move you to see Sunday as a TWO HOUR COMMITMENT to Word and Prayer!
In our Lord Jesus,
Pastor Nehrenz
NOTES for this month:
In September there are three special days in the church year:
HOLY CROSS DAY is Sept. 14th and the lessons are: Ps. 99:1-5; Lam. 3:25-33; 1 Cor. 1:18-24; Luke 20:9-18. On that day we pray that, “…O God, you did not spare your only Son but delivered him up for us all that he might bear our sins on the cross…”
MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST day is Sept. 21st and the lessons are Ps. 119:33-40; Prov. 3:1-6; Eph. 4:7-16; Matt. 9:9-13. On that day we pray that, “…even as God called St. Matthew the tax collector, grant that we also may forsake all sin, all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches and cast every care upon Him…”
MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS day is Sept. 29th and the lessons are Ps. 103:19-22; Josh. 5:13-15; Rev. 12:7-12; Matt. 18:1-11. On that day we pray that, “…O God, grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so by your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth…”
Vicar Jonathan Anderson
tlcnormanvicar@gmail.com
“…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”
(Matt. 28:20)
Have you ever stopped to consider how much of your life involves teaching? It might be teaching your kids how to tie their shoes, how to ride a bike, how to get ready for school so they can be taught. Maybe you’ve spent many years of your life being taught a particular discipline so you can now teach others. Teaching, or being taught, is something we invest a lot of time in throughout our daily lives.
It’s the same in the Church when it comes to God’s word. Teaching, and being taught, takes time. Parents spend time teaching their children at home. Sunday School teachers teach kids at Church. Pastors spend time teaching both parents and children. And eventually, children grow up and go on to teach others.
The words of Jesus quoted above are part of what is sometimes referred to as The Great Commission. The words about going, making disciples, and baptizing in the triune name of God might be the most quoted on t-shirts but teaching is also an important part of making disciples. Teaching and catechesis are meant to be a generational cycle. Each generation in the Church is taught by the one before. Each generation teaches those new to the Church.
In the book of Acts Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31) So Philip took the time to sit with him and tell him the good news about Jesus. Us older ones need someone to teach and guide us in God’s word. Children do too. May God give us the ability to invest our time in teaching the young disciples so they can teach generations to follow the good news about Jesus.
