One Christ, One Holy Christian Church
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Monday, September 6, 2021
Sunday, August 29, 2021
Pastor's September Article
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS FOREVER
When I was a child, school always started up again in September after Labor Day. Times have changed and now most have already returned to classes –actual or virtual. In the church, we want to continue to study God’s Word so we can remain firm in our faith and grow in the knowledge of our Lord.
As Lutherans we have long been known as “a Church of Word and Sacrament.” This means that we take seriously the hearing and studying of God’s Word and understand how the Holy Spirit works through the
Sacrament of Baptism and Holy Communion.
As babies we are brought to faith by the Holy Spirit creating faith in us through Baptism. Adults learn that we receive the blessings of Baptism when we believe, then we want to be baptized as it says in John 3:16, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.” We believe that we have participated in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Holy Communion, the effect is similar.
In the Old Testament God introduced the Passover so His people would remember their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. Each year, yet today, they celebrate the Passover with the attitude that they, too, participated in that deliverance. It was at the Passover meal that Jesus instituted Holy Communion. He broke the bread to signal deliverance from sin and proclaimed “This is My body” and had them drink the wine that signified the blood that was on the doorposts so the angel of death would “pass-over” the Israelites. He said, “…this is My blood” of the New Covenant.” He told His disciples (and us) to do this often. Through Holy Communion we are to remember that we, too, participated in His death and resurrection and are assured of eternal life through His action.
Out of love for God’s Grace through Word and Sacrament, we want to take the opportunities to praise Him often and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so He can continue to strengthen our faith unto life eternal. Christian education is forever.
Rev. James W. Rhiver, Pastor
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Saturday, July 24, 2021
Pastor's August Article
WHY WORSHIP?
Following the resurrection, the early Christians were very anxious to be with fellow believers. They had a faith and hope they never realized previously. No longer did they feel the oppressive nature of the Law. Saved by grace they looked forward to the day when Jesus would return or at least at their death, they knew the promise of eternal life with Him. Later, during the periods of persecution they would even meet in secret, hiding and worshipping in the catacombs (burial places for the dead) so the Romans would not disrupt their worship and put them to death.
Moving much later to the period following the Reformation (1500’s) our early Lutheran ancestors took seriously salvation by grace alone and faced persecution again, but the church grew stronger. Later in the 1800’s when rationalism became prevalent in the European countries our Missouri Synod founders fled Germany and came to America to be able to establish communities centered on worship of pure Scriptural principles. Worship was strong as each community sacrificed to see that churches were built to come together and praise and receive strength in Word and Sacrament. Schools were built also so that the next generation would learn what God’s Word said.
Our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, of which Faith is a member, remained very active in maintaining strong worship practices into the 50’s and 60’s. As a child I can remember large attendance at worship, even Advent, Lenten and Easter Sunrise Services. Special services outside the local church such as Mission Festivals and Reformation services and special Circuit and District services were fostered and well-attended.
But much of that has severely dwindled. Affluence, outside activities, and pleasures of this world have had a crucial effect on worship. God’s Word says: “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” I believe we need to pray fervently that God’s grace will help our society and our personal attitudes to realize the need to continue to worship our Creator and Redeemer. That His Holy Spirit draws us to realize His steadfast love that we need not know adversity to return to seek His preservation and care. Help us personally to remember His words: “And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds, not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Rev. James W. Rhiver, Pastor
Sunday, July 4, 2021
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