May Pastor's Article

THREE DAYS IN MAY 

 

There are three important days for Christians to take note of in May.  The first is May 9th – Mother’s day.  On this day we give thanks for mothers (or others) that loved and nurtured us as we grew up.  Perhaps we still remember and hold fast to lessons learned and fond memories.   

 

A second day of significance is May 3oth, Memorial Day, when we pay homage to all those men and women, who served in the military, especially those who suffered or gave their lives to serve our  country.  We give thanks to God for their dedication and service to  keep our nation free, especially our freedom to proclaim God’s message of salvation.  We pray that this right will never be hindered. 

 

The third day, even Christians often neglect or overlook, falls on May 13th this year, Ascension Day.  On this day, forty days after the Resurrection (Easter), Christ ascended into heaven to sit on the right hand of His Father, for us.  

 

Those forty days must have been awesome for His followers – seeing, hearing, even touching and eating with the risen Christ.  Then He and His disciples went up on the Mount of Olives and He ascended back to heaven. 

 

The words He said were for all Christians - -Go, baptize, preach.  “I will send the Holy Spirit to strengthen you” “I will also be with you always.”  These words give us both power and comfort plus the commission to share His salvation with the world. 

 

Added to the above is the promise that He will come again to judge the world and the assurance that we will be with Him in heaven.  What a joyful event to look forward to. 

 

Although we will celebrate His Ascension on Sunday, the 16th, you may also enjoy the special Ascension Service for the Washington Circuit on May 13th at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. (See note below.)  

 

I encourage you to attend our services here at Faith as we are weekly strengthened through Word and Sacrament. 

 

I also want to extend my thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers during my recent surgery and follow-up procedure.  I am recovering very well. 

 

Rev. James W. Rhiver, Pastor 

OUR INVITATION TO WORSHIP AT EBENEZER, THURSDAY, MAY 13, 7:00 PM 

”All members of the Washington Circuit congregations are invited to a very special Ascension Service—with Holy Communion—at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (Port Hudson, Highway YY, Leslie, 63056) on Thursday May 13th at 7:00 pm-DOWN BY THE LAKE-weather-permitting,   Ebenezer is celebrating its anniversary this year, and this service is a special part of that celebration.  All choir members of the circuit congregations are invited to come early to practice at about 6:30 pm and then to join in singing in four parts “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” LSB 686.  Here is a line from stanza two: “Here I raise my Ebenezer. . . .” And here we will raise our voices in a song of thanks-giving for that which the Lord has so richly blessed us for so many years.  This evening  promises to be a wonderful time.”