(to be featured in our October Newsletter)
Is anyone happy right now?
You wouldn’t know it from any of the major news sites, no matter which way they lean. Try turning them off; at least for a moment.
It seems we’ve known softer and easier times as a nation and as a planet. But every generation has had its challenges. Grab any book with history, and recall the various challenges and stress mankind has dealt with since the beginning.
This is a downright discouraging world we live in. More money won’t fix the problems. Nor will more education. That’s not to say we don’t care about injustice or problems. Of course we do. We condemn hate and prejudice. We cannot neglect those around us in need (James 2:16). We should care for the planet and environment as stewards of God’s creation.
But we also know this: we can cure one issue, but another will rise up. Satan is a master of sowing torment and division into our lives. He knows exactly how to appeal to our sinful nature, tricking even devout Christians into acting in their own, selfish interest — at the expense of others.
Make no mistake about it; the devil has his paws all over God’s creation. Satan has turned it into a Discouraging World. It’s near impossible to believe that a good god could exist when this world is such a mess. That’s exactly what the devil wants us to believe.
But God teaches us differently. He promised never to just wipe out this sinful world again (remember the rainbow), at least not until the last day. Instead, God desires to redeem this world, purchase it back, and restore it to goodness. That’s what our Lord Jesus did, redeem the faithful by his death, and promise us a resurrection by his own.
And now he uses us, his faithful people. In the midst of this Discouraging World, God plants his Encouraging Church. Not a building; but a living body of people, whom St. Paul says they are the Body of Christ. A people with genuine faith and hope in things that the eyes of the world cannot see.
We know that we have been made members of God’s family. We have an inheritance in our Lord’s Kingdom. There is more for us than this mere discouraging world.
Christ’s Encouraging Church is alive here at Concordia Greenwood! Since it’s been a challenge to keep everyone in the loop, I want to share some of the Encouraging goodness that God has blessed us with here.
First, we’ve had a lot of new faces lately! God doesn’t stop bringing in new sheep to his flocks. We’ve had enough that it’s hard for your pastor to remember all their names and list them off the top of my head. I hope in the future to get a picture of them all.
We’ve had Lutherans move in from other areas and are in need of a new congregation to connect with. Some are retirement age, some are families with children.
God has also led Christians from other denominations to our doors, either because their congregations haven’t been able to meet, or because they desire faithful teaching that we hope to always provide here.
It’s been a logistical challenge to be open for services. Not everyone may be happy, whether they think we are too open, or not open enough when it comes to Covid. Regardless, the Church is being fed here, whether it’s at our larger 9:00 AM service, our smaller 11:00 AM service where many are masked the entire time, or even at our alternate Monday Evening service (we’ve had 5-10, an excellent number!). There’s even still our livestream, thanks to our tech guys, that gives those not able to gather a chance to listen, watch, and pray.
Second, we’ve had our people step up and help those in need! Our LWML organized for our church to be a drop-off point for items to go to Lutheran World Relief (LWR). We’ll have loads of boxes brought here from fellow congregations, loaded on a semi, and then sent off to those in need.
We’re also working with our Lutheran High School to load a pallet of Hurricane Relief items to be sent to Louisiana. Then there’s the more local needs; helping members move, collecting items for pantries, gathering diapers for local mothers.
Bottom Line: God’s Encouraging Church is still at work. God is using Concordia as refuge for those desiring his Word and Sacrament. Come, receive the encouragement Jesus offers us, in person if possible, or even if it’s just online for now. We as the Body of Christ have more than just the discouraging news stories of this world.
We are God’s Encouraging Church. Receive the hope God grants us here, and take it with you everywhere you go. Let others see this hope and encouragement you have.
In Christ,
Pastor Gaschler