Pastor David Nehrenz
tlcnormanpastor@gmail.com
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Saints Walking in the Light of Jesus Christ,
The season of Epiphany is a marvelous time to rejoice that the Gospel Light of Jesus Christ is going into all the nations. Missionary work abroad and at home can highlight how the Great Commission is being carried out.
This month we will consider the world-wide work of Lutheran Hour Ministries in “bringing the Gospel to the nations, and the nations to the church.”
Our own ISM-(International Student Ministry) and ESL work at OU is bringing the Gospel to international students on campus here in Norman, so they can also learn about the true Light of Jesus Christ. Our church and school ministries are shining the light of Jesus on our street corner. Over 200 people heard the Christmas story told by the children of our Early Learning Center. Another 100 people heard our Sunday School children do the same. We also continue to teach college students the Word of God through the campus LCMS U ministry.
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Sunday, February 19
The Shining of Jesus in bright Light on the mountain. God’s Beloved Son who shines and is transfigured in glory on the high mountain, is also true Man.
The Epiphany hymn “O Wondrous Type, O Vision Fair” LSB 413 summarizes how both the Old and New Testament Church (Moses and Elijah; Peter, James and John) were present with Jesus on the high mountain as his glory was revealed:
O wondrous type! O vision fair
Of glory that the Church may share.
Which Christ upon the mountain shows,
Where brighter than the sun He glows!
Then the 40 Days of Lent begins! Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. The First Sunday in Lent is February 26.
The first verse of LSB 421 sets the tone for the season of Lent:
Jesus, grant that balm and healing
In Your holy wounds I find,
Ev’ry hour that I am feeling
Pains of body and of mind.
Should some evil thought within
Tempt my treach’rous heart to sin,
Show the peril, and from sinning
Keep me from its first beginning
During this Epiphany and Lenten season, may the Light of Jesus Christ shine brightly into our lives as we reflect His glory into a dark world, so others also may walk in the light of the Lord! It is as if Jesus is the sun and we are the moon reflecting his light! May He use us this way through all of 2023!
In our King and our Suffering Servant Jesus,
Pastor Nehrenz
Vicar Jonathan Anderson
tlcnormanvicar@gmail.com
What Is Love?
February brings with it celebration of Valentine’s Day. The cards, chocolates, roses, and romantic dinners are all very nice but it’s not quite what Saint Valentine had in mind. St. Valentine died a martyr’s death in Rome at the hand of Emperor Claudius II around 270 AD. While imprisoned, his jailer’s daughter came to admire him and was disturbed at the thought of his death. On the day he died, it is said St. Valentine wrote her a note of encouragement to comfort her since he died sacrificing his life for his confession of Christ. The custom of St. Valentine’s Day notes was born.
Scripture itself is a note about sacrifice and confession. It is the narrative of the promise, life, death, and resurrection of Christ confessed by the Church. It truly is a love letter, not of romantic love, but rather sacrificial love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16) This is true love, the Father sacrificing His own Son to give you life and the Son exhibiting the greatest love of all by laying down His life for you, His friend. (Jn. 15:13)
Secular expectations for love on Valentine’s Day focus on materialism and the erotic. However, love isn’t being hit by cupid’s arrow, but rather being pierced by a spear so blood and water, life, flows out to you in Baptism and Holy Communion. (Jn. 19:34) Love, for the saints, is sacrificial, the never-ending love of Christ for you, His Church. This is why Apostle Paul’s charge, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25) is an exhortation with far greater responsibility than planning the perfect Valentine’s Day date night. Sacrificial love, spiritual headship, patient and kind love, without expectation, binds husbands and wives together in the holy estate of marriage just as Christ the Head is bound to the Church by His sacrificial love, and she responds in love toward Him and one another; Sacrificial love does not go unrequited.
So, what is love? Love is defined in Christ, His life for your life, sacrificial love, which abides forever.
Vicar Anderson
