THE LAST NOTES
1,840. That’s the number. You are probably thinking, “This is odd. Why would Pastor begin with a number?” Since I first began in parish ministry, in August of 1985, I have written “notes” in every monthly newsletter in the congregations I have served. I did some math – 1,840. That’s how many “notes” I have written over the course of my ministry. These “notes” are the last.

To be sure, I was told a long time ago that “the ministry is a writing profession.” I concur. It is. These “notes” have not always been easy. It has been a challenge, at times, to come up with something to write about. Over the years, I have had very little feedback on this endeavor. I do know some of us have read my “notes” faithfully, monthly. The issues have varied from politics to faith; from devotional thoughts to personal; from “questions from the pew” (That was fun! It gave me some direction.) to a year of writing monthly thoughts on twelve significant Psalms (not that any of them are insignificant. They are all part of the inspired Word of God.).

What to say in these last notes? Simple. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

In the rough and tumble of 34 years of being your Pastor the blessings have flowed from God.

When I accepted this call, I saw the potential to build a new church. That was always my dream. Faith
worshipped in, what is now, Grace Fellowship Hall from 1964 to 2002. Forty-two years. The original intent, when this congregation began, was to build a sanctuary. It took a long time. It happened in 2002. We have one of the most beautiful church buildings I have ever been in!

We broke ground on Sunday, September 9th , 2001. I will never forget that date. It was two days before 9/11. In the Spring of 2002 we dedicated the building. Our stain-glass windows have their own stories. The Risen Christ behind the altar was paid for by a few members who “chipped-in.” That is putting it mildly. As I recall, the cost of this initial stain-glass was around ten grand (don’t quote me on that.)

We wanted the three significant events in the life of Jesus. His birth. His crucifixion. His resurrection. His crucifixion was entirely paid for by one of my/our shut-ins who had the financial resources. His birth scene was paid for through fund-raising. Combined, I believe, our stain-glass windows cost north of $40,000. We can only imagine what their value is now. Beyond their monetary value, these windows are priceless! Every time we worship, the life of our dear Savior is visibly seen by us and all who enter into the house of the Lord. I will miss this beautiful church. But more than that I will miss this beautiful “church.” You! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Thank you for inviting me into your lives. You have entrusted to me your sorrows and joy, fears and doubts, dreams and hopes. As my pastorate has been long, our relationships have run deep. I love you. You will remain in my prayers. I will think about you often. Saying “good-by” will not be easy.
Keep the faith. Remain committed to Faith. Pray for your leaders. Pray for your new Pastor. God already knows who that is. Together -even though soon apart – we will “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Love,
Pastor

Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ ~ John 18:36

Early next month we will elect a new president. I don’t know about you, but to say that I have grown weary of the endless commercials, direct mailings, radio ads and everything in between, regarding the candidates, would be a gross understatement.  As my brother-in-law shared on Instagram, regarding the debate (if that’s what you want to call it), “you can figure out for yourself who might have won the debate.  However, there is no doubt that the biggest losers were the American people.” I could not agree more. How about you? As is always the case every four years, I/we will be glad when it is over.

There can be no doubt that it is a great privilege and responsibility to vote, and so we will.

It is a sad and tragic reality that we can no longer have a civil discourse, with respect for the “other side’s” opinion, regarding politics, in the American Market Place.” The discourse is inflamed, provocative, caustic and mean- spirited on both sides, in many instances. Much of this is promoted by the main-stream media, social media and any other media you want to name. Families and friends can be – have been torn asunder because of political disagreements. This is sad and very foolish.

It is easy to get drawn into this vortex. We have our personal opinions and posturing. As Christians, to be sure, we are to vote based upon our Christian values. However, it is important to remember that the government is not a Christian entity. It is at the “top of the food chain” in the Kingdom of the Left. That is to say, the Kingdoms of the world.

We have a dual citizenship as Christians. We are citizens of the Kingdom of the Left (the world) and the Kingdom of the Right (Christ’s Kingdom). So, where do you think your most important citizenship is? The answer is obvious, isn’t it? We need to temper things that go on in the Kingdom of Left through the prism of the fact that we are primarily citizens of the Kingdom of the Right. Why? Because one of them is eternal and the other isn’t.

Before Pilate Jesus says, My kingdom is not of this world. Jesus came to save all who are part of the Kingdom of the Left so that they could made a part of The Kingdom of the Right. Such is the blessing that Jesus has given you. Jesus’ primary concern is people not politics. Ours should be the same as His disciples. His Church on earth is a mediating place – a place for all who love and believe in Him, regardless of their politics. In this Kingdom our focus is on higher things, more important things, eternal things.

As we/you move through this month – as you watch the polls, listen to the candidates, talking-heads, pundits and anyone else, move along the middle path. Remember the greater citizenship. Jesus shed His blood, gave His life on the cross, defeated death that you can made a part of this Kingdom. He said it all to Pilate: My Kingdom is not of this world.

Until next time (the last time),
PTK

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer. ~Second chapter of Acts

I have written hundreds of these “notes.” My notes will soon be coming to an end.  In these September “notes” I have chosen a significant text from the book of Acts.  This is what happened after Peter’s first sermon. It follows the Pentecost event.  Three thousand souls were converted through the proclamation the Gospel. They were baptized. They were added to the Church and then they did this: They devoted themselves to the study of God’s Word (the apostles’ teaching), to the fellowship (church), to the breaking of bread (this included the celebration The Lord’s Supper), and to prayer (the fruit of faith).

What are you devoted to? What does your church membership and participation look like? In my 34 years as Pastor here, many of our adults have never attended a Bible class. Way too many of our “members” have taken a capricious, indifferent posture regarding their connection to our church. Some are never in worship more than one- time in a row. The Elders lament monthly over how to reach them – how to reach out to them – how to move them to a greater devotion to Jesus and His Church – our church. I often wonder what it means to be a member of a church -our church.

To be sure, the other side of that is that God has raised up leaders and the faithful among us. They bear the burden and carry the weight of ministry here at Faith.

This is an example of what devotion to the apostles’ teaching looks like. We have an elderly member who worships on Monday nights. Do you know how she gets to church? She takes the Germantown elderly trans-portation bus – just about every Monday. What does your commitment and devotion look like? The baseline is worship. It is foundational. Everything else that happens begins here. Here is the fellowship. Here are The Sacraments. Here is where the Word is taught and preached.

As your Pastor, in the remains of the days I am with you, I encourage you to move from one-time in -a-row to four-in-row. In worship our faith is enriched and enflamed. The beautiful message of God’s favor and absolu-tion is pronounced. When we worship the third commandment is kept. God has created us to worship Him. This is what we will be doing for all- of eternity.

As is typical during a vacancy, some members tend to look elsewhere for a different church. I strongly en-courage you not to do that. This congregation needs your presence. Stay committed, connected, engaged. Continue to faithfully worship, give, participate.

They gave themselves to prayer. Pray for our leaders, The Call Committee, our vacancy Pastor, me and my family as I transition to a new season. Demonstrate to the Lord what you are made of – for He has never, nor ever will walk away from you.

May a new zeal rise-up at Faith Lutheran!

Until next time,
PTK

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their
hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. ~ Psalm 91:12
In these notes, I want to write about something that we, perhaps, give little thought: Angels
.
In the verse above God gives us the great promise that “he commands his angels concerning
you.” Angelic activity is God’s answer to the petition in The Lord’s Prayer: Deliver us from evil. One of the foremost ways in which He answers this petition is that He sends angels to guard and protect us. They are sent to keep us out of harm. Who is the foremost individual that wants to inflict harm upon us – especially those of us who are Christians? The devil. The one who is the author of evil. To be sure, such was the case for David, who wrote this Psalm, as his enemies want to destroy him.

Both the Philistines and King Saul (King of Israel) want David’s head on a platter. Saul is profoundly jealous of David. Remember now, David has just dumped the Philistine nuclear warhead known as Goliath. Because the Philistines had this warhead, they were perpetually “putting a stick” in the eye of Israel. The Philistines weren't bully’s on the block because they had the biggest bully on the block, quite literally. Goliath stood nine feet tall. But, as we know, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Nothing could be more true of the story of Goliath. Little David, with nothing more than a sling shot and deadly aim, fells the mighty Goliath. Let’s just say the Philistines were not happy! They want David dead.

We’re familiar with the expression, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Welcome to the world of David.  Because he kills Goliath, the Israelites make him a “rock star.” Pardon the pun. Rock star – one rock kills Goliath – ok – you get it! This turns King Saul into a lunatic. The popularity shifts from him to David. He too wants David dead.

David finds refuge in the caves of Philistia. “In the shadow of thy wings I will shelter until these calamities have passed,” David writes in that cave. He also writes the verse above. The angels would be sent, David would be spared. He would ascend to the throne of Israel.

I remember one of our former members – he now lives in Tennessee – sharing in a Bible class about how one time he was in Miami on business. He told the class he remembers crossing this busy street. He didn’t look both ways. As he was about to cross- the- street he felt something keep him on the curb. If he had stepped out into the street, he would have been hit by an oncoming car. He was convinced – as am I – that an angel saved him.

“For he will command his angels concerning you.” We don’t see them, although sometimes we do. I have heard personal stories about this. But they surround us, protect us, present to rescue us in service to their creator. Today, give God thanks for the foremost of His invisible creatures – angels!

Until September,
PTK

The Olympics. The Summer Games will be upon us in Paris this month. One of the most interesting events is The Marathon. This event takes us deep into the history of the Olympics. 

The idea of the modern marathon was inspired by the legend of an ancient Greek messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 40 kilometers, or nearly 25 miles, with the news of an important Greek victory over an invading army of Persians in 490 B.C. After making his announcement, the exhausted messenger collapsed and died, as the legend goes.

The ancient marathon may have these ancient roots, but the foot race’s official length of 26.2 miles wasn’t established until the 20th century. The first organized marathon was run in Athens at the 1896 Olympics, the start of the Games modern era. The ancient games, which took place in Greece from around 776B.C. to A.D. 393, never included such long distance races.

 
In the modern era, for the next few Olympics, the length of the marathon remained close to 25 miles. But at the 1908 Games in London, the course was extended, allegedly to accommodate the British Royal family. Reportedly, Queen Alexandria requested that the race start on the lawn of Windsor Castle (so the littlest royals could watch from the window of their nursery, according to some accounts) and finish in front of the royal box at the Olympic stadium – a distance that happened to be 26.2 miles (26 miles and 385 yards). The random boost in mileage ended up sticking, and in 1921 the length of a marathon was formally standardized at 26.2 miles.

The New Testament writers, and especially The Apostle Paul, were more than familiar with the Olympics, competition, running. Paul uses this image as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life. He writes in I Corinthians: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Paul again: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Let me share with you one more. We read in Hebrew: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

There is another Marathon Man among us. His run took Him to a cross. He ran for you. He runs for you. He did not quit. He ran for the joy that was set before Him. He endured the cross.  He despised its shame. The joy? You! Seeing sinners like you and me forgiven!

I have a simple imperative for you. Actually, it isn’t mine, it is His. Keep running! The eternal wreath awaits!

Until next month,
PTK

Recently I was sifting through “stuff” in my office – in the process of scaling in down, as it will no longer be my office at the end of November – when I stumbled upon the following. It says it all. It was/is titled: WHAT SHALL WE CALL HIM?

What shall we call the man whom God has chosen to be the shepherd of our souls in the church?

Let’s not call him “Preacher.” That makes it sound like he works only on Sunday’s, at Weddings or at funerals. He doesn’t talk down to people, but up to Heaven by preaching the Gospel. Preaching is one of the primary ingredients of his job description.

Let’s not call him “Reverend.” Sure it’s meant as a title of respect, but the word “Reverend” is an adjective and must be preceded by “the” in formal usage. It also has a “holier than thou” ring to it. Our (the) pastor is a sinner just like the rest of us. So let us not call him “Reverend.”

Let’s not call him “Minister.” Minister is a word applied in various government capacities, like “Foreign Min-ister,” “Minister of Finance,” “Minister of Agriculture,” etc. It is popular today to list all members of the con-gregation in our bulletins as ministers of this and that. The Pastor becomes the director of ministries. This can be confusing, especially when one adds in the other ministries, Music ministry, Youth ministry, Adult ministry, and so on. The pure and simple, straightforward definition of “Minister” is to serve. He is the servant of the church. He serves by preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments. But let’s not add to the confusion and debate over the difference between “commissioned ministers,” or “ordained ministers” and
what have you. So let’s not call him “Minister.”

Call him/me “Pastor.” It’s not a perfect title, but then he/me is/am not a perfect person. “Pastor” is the Latin word meaning “Shepherd (In Spanish the word for “shepherd” is “Pastor.” My add.) This is what he is and does. It ‘s a fair approximation of the Biblical word “Overseer.” A shepherd feeds and oversees the flock of God. He tries to follow the instruction Jesus gave to Peter after His resurrection. “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15).

Should we call our Pastor by his first name? Some feel that shows lack of respect. If you are a good friend of his, and you are on the golf course or at a private gathering, and he allows it, you can call him by his first name. Should we call him by his first name in public meetings, in the work place, or at church gatherings? These are times it is appropriate that we call him by his family name preceded by “Pastor.” This shows respect for the man who holds the highest office in the church under our Lord Jesus Christ. He is Christ’s representative to us members of the church. So let’s show respect and thank God for our shepherd.

There can be no doubt that I’ve never taken this title or my calling lightly. I have been your Pastor for many, many years. The end of my serving you, in this corner of God’s kingdom, is drawing closer to the end. At the right time, and in the right way, God will bless Faith with a new Pastor! He will be your Shepherd. And as you have honored me by calling me “Pastor,” so also you will honor him. What a great privilege! What a great honor! What a most humbling calling!

As I have said so man times: “You don’t find the ministry. The ministry finds you.” What a most humbling title! Pastor! Your Pastor – for a few months more!

Until next time,
Pastor TK

THERE IS ONLY ONE YOU!
Think about that. Your face and features, your voice, your style, the way you walk, your background, your characteristics and peculiarities, your abilities, your smile, your handshake, your manner of expression, your view-point – everything about you is found in only one individual since people first began – YOU!

How does that make you feel? It should make you feel elated! God did not make you from an assembly line. How creative is God? Just think! Out of all the millions and gazillions of people that have populated that planet, over the course of history, not one is identical to another. When you look up the word, “creativity,” how could there not be a portrait of God?

Listen to David’s perspective on the subject:
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb,
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one them came to be.
~Psalm 139

Listen, again, to David about mankind in general.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and
honor. ~Psalm 8

If I read these astounding statements correctly, you were prescribed and then presented to this world exactly as God arranged it. Reflect on that truth. You/we/I were not a mere blip on the cosmic screen. We are at the center of the cosmos. We are the reason God fashioned the cosmos. We are the foremost of His visible creatures, for nothing else – no other kind of living creature – was fashioned in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).

Dig as deeply as you please in the ancient, dusty archives of Homo sapiens, and you’ll not find another you in the whole lot. In your case, as is the case for each of us, the mold was broken, never to be used again, once you entered the flow of humankind! Wow!

You are you. There is only one you. And you are important. Thus, with David, we sing and say and shout: Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

Until June,
PTK