A Thought From Your Pastor – Page 2 – St. Petrie Lutheran Church AFLC

A Thought From Your Pastor May/3/2020

May 3, 2020Margret AbbottLeave a Comment

A Thought From Your Pastor! Psalm 95:1-7 (NIV) ¹Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. ²Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. ³For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. ⁴In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. ⁵The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
⁶ Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
⁷ for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,

Bummer—–Do you realize this coming Sunday is Communion Sunday. With this pandemic we will not be able to come to the Lord’s Supper together. As Psalms 95 tells us to sing and shout aloud to the King of our Salvation. I could probably do that by myself at home but how much better with my friends and family of St. Petrie.

Now let’s just perk up and realize how much Jesus loves each of us whether we are in the church building or sitting at home. Augustine was accredited to saying “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” Just think of the blessings God has given each of us. Just think of the celebration we will have once we can worship together again. Take some time to call some people and tell them that God loves them and you think there’re pretty great too.

I’m blessed because I have Carolyn with me and I hear from the girls at least once a day. Some people are not that blessed soooooooo bless them and get blessed yourself. Give someone that might be home alone a call and just talk—or—listen for a while.

We will be getting back together one day and I am truly looking forward to it. This is a time to rejoice and be a blessing to people in telephone reach. The Bible tells us in

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

On a lighter side look how Charlie’s gang is trying to encourage us— “May your day be filled with blessings of love, peace, and joy!”

Charlie Brown Pumpkin

I agree with Charlie and the gang, but I would add hope. Whatever the world brings upon us, we have hope in God’s Word. Scripture tells us: Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
⁵Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ⁶So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

In other words don’t worry about what is going on around you, but keep your eyes focused on Jesus. He will bring us through with a smile on our faces.

Of course as always: Keep praying but also keep rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Hopefully we will be meeting together again in the near future.

God’s Blessing, Pastor Gerry and Carolyn

Tigger and Pooh

A Thought From Your Pastor 4/26/2020

April 26, 2020Margret AbbottLeave a Comment

pastor image

A Thought From Your Pastor!

What makes you happy? It is probably not this lock down we have been in. Watching the news sure doesn’t make you smile. Carolyn is a great cook and I have been eating better than I ever have but I miss going out to eat. It is such a fun social time and a chance to spend time with people. I even miss going to the Chicago Outlet Mall and walking around watching people. I am going to miss a concert that we were going to go to April 4^th, it is rescheduled. I have had to cancel some coffee meeting with friends too, I miss that uplift.

I’ll tell you what does make me happy; I know my name is written in the Book of Life. No matter what happens, I will spend eternity with not only Jesus but also my family and friends that have received Him as their Lord and Savior.

Listen to what scripture tells us: Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV) ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

We can’t let this world depress us because our God is in control. Jesus never wants us to go around depressed without hope. We don’t want to act stupid and not follow the government guidelines, but we are not to live in fear either.

Scripture tells me (which is the true Word of God) in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) ⁷For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

There has been some good things happen because of the lock-down. Carolyn and I have been taking walks, working together around the house and enjoying things we never had time for before. We even listen to a couple of old cassettes with messages on them.

Once again, I think Charlie Brown has some good insights. Take an accounting of your life and make a list of all things you are blessed with. Take time to thank God and rejoice in His blessing.

4 26 2020 Charlie Brown

I agree with Charlie that our lives are not perfect, but without Jesus it would be so much worst. So remember one thing: Matthew 6:21 (NIV) ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Think about it this week: “Where is your treasure—Where is your heart?”

Hang in there just like a statement I heard long ago “This too shall pass.” Keep a smile on your face and appreciate what you have.

As always: Keep praying but also keep rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Hopefully we will be meeting together again in the near future.

God’s Blessing, Pastor Gerry and Carolyn

4 19 2020 hugs

A Thought From Your Pastor 4/19/2020

April 19, 2020Margret AbbottLeave a Comment

A Thought From Your Pastor

Every time I turn on TV or my computer, people want to talk about COVID-19. I am concerned about the devastating results of it on the physical body. I see another problem also. This stay at home order is necessary and I fully agree with it. With that in mind we have to be careful we don’t turn into hermits, self centered people or just plain loners that are depressed.

What does scripture tell us? Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) ²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I miss you people but the stay at home order is so necessary. We all need to be careful about spreading the Virus.

I friend of mine has a mother in the rest home which he cannot visit. He set her up with a phone that they can see each other as they talk. I saw on TV a family standing in a rest home yard singing Happy Birthday to a relative in the home.

4 19 2020 snoopy

Snoopy has an idea; let’s do a little more praying for those loved ones we can’t get with. I got a crazy idea how about calling a loved one or even just a friend and talk to them on the phone and pray with them. My daughter Chris and Carolyn are getting together first thing in the morning on the phone and having a devotional together.

Sometimes people alone at home get tired of cooking. Could you possibly drop a meal off or even a fresh dessert? There are so many ways to stay in touch and show that you care for someone.

Jesus is our example: John 3:16 (NIV) ¹⁶“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

There are so many ways to reach out, stay in touch, show your love and still stay 8 feet apart. You have the time so sit down and ask God to show you what you can do.

As I said before: Keep praying but also keep rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Hopefully we will be meeting together again in the near future.

God’s Blessing, Pastor Gerry and Carolyn

4 19 2020 hugs

An Easter Thought From Your Pastor

April 11, 2020Margret AbbottLeave a Comment

Easter Cross

A thought from your Pastor!

Happy Easter and May God Bless You!

Can you believe? It’s one of the church’s most well attended Sundays and churches all over the United States will be closed. Does that mean Christ is not raised? Does that mean our Salvation is unstable? Does that mean anything changes in our celebration of the risen Christ?

Not at all—Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday. He is in my heart and directs my life whether we are in church or in our own homes. Jesus is a personal Savior and when we receive Him, He is with us 24-7 whether we are in church or not.

Remember the Old Sunday school song: “God said it–I believe it–that settles it.”

Jesus keeps His promises and some of them are:

He tells us—“He will never leave us or forsake us” That is a special promise.

He tells us —We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us—- You can move forward in His Name.

He tells us —He is a friend that will stick closer than a brother— You can count on Him when you’re in need.

He tells us —Come unto me if you’re heavy laden and I will give you rest—- You can relax in Him.

He tells you —In my Father’s house are many Mansions—I go to prepare a place for you— You have a home when you leave this earth.

And best of all—–He promises us: Romans 10:13 (ESV) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

He can only make and fulfill these promises if He walks with us day by day. Jesus is with us in the church and He is just as much with us in our home.

We’re all going through tough times but Christ is with us through it all. Always remember one of our favorite verses: Philippians 4:19 (NIV) My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Even if we can’t make a regular church service on Easter, take some extra time and celebrate the wonderful gift of Salvation that He has given us. Encourage one another and lift Jesus up for the fabulous gift of Salvation.

Just like Snoopy, we may want to have some Easter Eggs, some chocolate and even some “Peeps.” Easter is a time to have fun, but remember the real reason why it is so special.

Snoopy and eggs

And as always: Keep praying but also keep rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Save me an extra chocolate egg. Hopefully we will be meeting together again in the near future.

God’s Blessing,

Pastor Gerry and Carolyn

For God So Loved The World

A Thought From Your Pastor for Sunday April 5th

April 5, 2020Margret AbbottLeave a Comment

A thought from your Pastor!

Psalm 33:3-11 (NIV) ³Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. ⁴For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. ⁵The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. ⁶By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. ⁷He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. ⁸Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. ⁹For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. ¹⁰The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. ¹¹But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Charlie Brown

Did you ever think that you would be worrying about not having enough toilet paper? What about when can we go out to eat rather than where are we going to go eat?

This world is pretty mixed up right now, but look at today’s scripture. Of course, we need to realize that scripture is something we can count on and we can trust what is says.

We are to rejoice because no matter what—-God has it under control. We should be praising Him (as Charlie would say) not for the bad stuff happening around us but for the good stuff.

“⁵The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. ⁶By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. ⁷He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. ⁸Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.”

How does that compare to the virus? I’ll take God’s care over worry about the virus any day.

That does not mean we get silly and do dumb stuff, but we follow the rules and trust God to take care of everything in the long run.

Keep praying but also keep rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Hopefully we will be meeting together again in the near future.

God’s Blessing, Pastor Gerry and Carolyn