Pastor David Nehrenz
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, fulfill 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!
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 your participation in 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 Seth Horn
FROM THE VICAR
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach… – 1 Timothy 3:1-2
After much deliberation what best to focus on in these articles for the year that I am here, I have concluded that there is no better subject to study than the pastoral office and what it asks of those that wish to pursue it. There are numerous passages in the Bible where the office of overseer or one who wishes to exercise preaching, teaching and authority in the church is outlined. Specifically, St. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are where you can find these summaries.
For today, we will spend time looking at 1 Timothy 3:1-2. In the Early Church, there must have been an adage or saying that went around regarding one who wishes to go into the ministry: he desires a noble task. Noble indeed it is, for a minister handles the divine gifts of God and the care of souls. Already here we can see that there is a willingness or desire on the pastoral candidate’s part for this office. There needs to be this willingness, or else he may come to despise the office that he has entered into. That’s why we don’t force anyone in our churches to become a pastor or send them off to seminary by force, bribery, or coercion. We may encourage them to go, but never do we do something to their detriment to make them go.
And since there is a desire on the candidate’s part, we can say that the desire to go could be considered the “internal call”. The feeling that this is what God has called you to do and serve in His kingdom is what defines the internal call. Now is that internal call from God? That is, as far as I have learned thus far, is something one cannot know until his “internal call” is affirmed or backed up by an “external call” which is getting called to a specific parish. Was the internal call truly God laying it upon the heart of the candidate or was it nothing more than their desires and feeling for the office? That is why seminary is 4 years; to determine if that is the case.
But desire is not the only thing required of candidate but also being “above reproach”. To be above reproach means that a pastor should be of such character and action that someone cannot charge him with being unfit for the office. What qualifies as being unfit? We will discuss that next time as we look at marriage, being of a clear mind, and self-control.
In Christ,
Vicar Horn
