Dear Friends,
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus the Christ!
Christmas is a time to tell stories. Let me share with you one of my favorite Christmas Stories by Louis Cassels.
Once upon a time, there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn’t a Scrooge. He was a very kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with others. But he didn’t believe all that stuff about an incarnation which churches proclaim at Christmas. And he was too honest to pretend that he did.
“I am truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. “But I simply cannot understand this claim that God became man. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
On Christmas Eve, his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. He declined to accompany them.
“I’d feel like a hypocrite,” he explained. “I’d much rather stay at home. But I’ll wait up for you.”
Shortly after his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier.
“If we must have Christmas,” he reflected, “it’s nice to have a white one.”
He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later, he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another. He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his living-room window.
When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through the window.
“I can’t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze,” he thought. “But how can I help them?” Then he remembered the barn where the children’s pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter.” He quickly put on his coat and galoshes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn’t come in.
“Food will bring them in,” he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction – except into the warm, lighted barn.
“They find me a stranger and terrifying creature.” He said to himself, “and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. “If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety.”
Just at that moment, the church bells began to ring. He stood silently for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. “Now I do understand,” he whispered. “Now I see why you had to do it.”
“And the WORD became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” John 1: 14
JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME!!
Pastor Jim & Karen Gerth
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Pastor's Blog for November
Dear Friends,
in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ.
“Come and see!’ John 1: 46b Come and see what God in Christ has done for you! Come and see that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Come and see that the Holy Spirit is at work comforting us and giving us a new reason to be a people of hope. Come and see that the promises Jesus had made can be trusted! COME AND SEE!
That is my invitation to you that you COME & SEE what God has been doing, is doing and will be doing in the future at Atonement Lutheran Church. A special CELEBRATION is being planned for Sunday November 7th. COME AND SEE!
The CELEBRATION will be one centered around the Word & the Sacrament as we realize what God in Christ has done for us. It is the Good News of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that compels us to recommit our lives to serve Christ by caring for others.
Be sure to bring with you the completed TIME, TALENT & FINANCIAL COMMITMENT SHHET to worship on the 7th. During worship we will place them on the altar as an expression of gratitude for what Christ has done. It is our hope that each member of Atonement will take on in faith the Growth Giving Challenge. The challenge is that each member will increase their giving by 1%. Be sure to take time in prayer using the resources sent to you to consider how you will use the gifts of time, talent and treasure to the glory of God.
We will also be welcoming new members into the Atonement Lutheran Church family on November 7th. Come and see who they are and reach out with the love and grace of Jesus the Christ!
Yes – COME AND SEE what God in Christ Jesus is doing! Philip could not keep the news about Jesus Christ to himself! We also have GOOD NEWS to share and will be doing just that has each home of members of Atonement are visited by the STEPPING OUT TEAMS. Each team will deliver a plastic bag filled with news about what is going on at Atonement Lutheran Church! If you would like to help deliver these bags of GOOD NEWS talk with Sharon Schneider or Pastor Jim.
So do COME AND SEE and be sure to invite others to also COME AND SEE what God is doing!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)
in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ.
“Come and see!’ John 1: 46b Come and see what God in Christ has done for you! Come and see that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Come and see that the Holy Spirit is at work comforting us and giving us a new reason to be a people of hope. Come and see that the promises Jesus had made can be trusted! COME AND SEE!
That is my invitation to you that you COME & SEE what God has been doing, is doing and will be doing in the future at Atonement Lutheran Church. A special CELEBRATION is being planned for Sunday November 7th. COME AND SEE!
The CELEBRATION will be one centered around the Word & the Sacrament as we realize what God in Christ has done for us. It is the Good News of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that compels us to recommit our lives to serve Christ by caring for others.
Be sure to bring with you the completed TIME, TALENT & FINANCIAL COMMITMENT SHHET to worship on the 7th. During worship we will place them on the altar as an expression of gratitude for what Christ has done. It is our hope that each member of Atonement will take on in faith the Growth Giving Challenge. The challenge is that each member will increase their giving by 1%. Be sure to take time in prayer using the resources sent to you to consider how you will use the gifts of time, talent and treasure to the glory of God.
We will also be welcoming new members into the Atonement Lutheran Church family on November 7th. Come and see who they are and reach out with the love and grace of Jesus the Christ!
Yes – COME AND SEE what God in Christ Jesus is doing! Philip could not keep the news about Jesus Christ to himself! We also have GOOD NEWS to share and will be doing just that has each home of members of Atonement are visited by the STEPPING OUT TEAMS. Each team will deliver a plastic bag filled with news about what is going on at Atonement Lutheran Church! If you would like to help deliver these bags of GOOD NEWS talk with Sharon Schneider or Pastor Jim.
So do COME AND SEE and be sure to invite others to also COME AND SEE what God is doing!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)
Friday, October 1, 2010
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!
Why am I alive? Why was I born? As Christians, we believe wholeheartedly that we are here for a reason, and that our existence is not a random act of biology or circumstance. But where do we turn to really and truly discover the answer to such questions? The only satisfying answers are found in God. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.” We were created: to be loved by God and to find my purpose by getting to know God, who created me. “It’s not about me…it’s all about God.”
The Bible is clear that God considers 40 days a spiritually significant time period. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days:
*Noah’s life was transformed by 40 days of rain.
*Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai.
*The spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land.
*David was transformed by Goliath’s 40-day challenge.
*Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal.
*The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave the people 40 days to change.
*Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.
THE NEXT 40 DAYS WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE.
During September & October the Sunday Celebration will guide you into that week’s conversation and study in one of the many small groups.
Week One “What On Earth Am I Here For?” Colossians 1: 16
Week Two PURPOSE #1 “You Were Planned For God’s Pleasure” Isaiah 61: 3
Week Three PURPOSE #2 “You Were Formed For God’s Family” John !5: 5
Week Four PURPOSE #3 “You Were Created To Become Like Christ” Colossians 2: 7
Week Five PURPOSE #4 “You Were Shaped For Serving God I Corinthians 3: 5 – 6
Week Six PURPOSE #5 “You Were Made For A Mission Proverbs 11:30
Be sure to join us on Sunday – October 24th for the MISSION & MINISTRY FAIR at Atonement. This will be held in the fellowship hall during the Sunday School hour. Come and see what is going on at Atonement and the ELCA as the Good News of Jesus Christ is proclaimed! Come and see how you can be a part of what is going on in ministry and how you can be a part of these many ministries. COME & SEE!!
CELEBRATION SUNDAY will be on November 7th. You are asked to bring to worship your completed Time & Talent Sheets and your financial pledges for 2011. We will place them on the altar as our gift to God in response to what God has done for us.
Please contact me by phone 920-468-0713 or by e-mail james.gerth@yahoo.com so I know how you would like to help!
Join us as we explore the question: What on earth am I here for?
In Christ,
Pastor Jim (P.J.)
Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!
Why am I alive? Why was I born? As Christians, we believe wholeheartedly that we are here for a reason, and that our existence is not a random act of biology or circumstance. But where do we turn to really and truly discover the answer to such questions? The only satisfying answers are found in God. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.” We were created: to be loved by God and to find my purpose by getting to know God, who created me. “It’s not about me…it’s all about God.”
The Bible is clear that God considers 40 days a spiritually significant time period. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days:
*Noah’s life was transformed by 40 days of rain.
*Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai.
*The spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land.
*David was transformed by Goliath’s 40-day challenge.
*Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal.
*The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave the people 40 days to change.
*Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.
THE NEXT 40 DAYS WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE.
During September & October the Sunday Celebration will guide you into that week’s conversation and study in one of the many small groups.
Week One “What On Earth Am I Here For?” Colossians 1: 16
Week Two PURPOSE #1 “You Were Planned For God’s Pleasure” Isaiah 61: 3
Week Three PURPOSE #2 “You Were Formed For God’s Family” John !5: 5
Week Four PURPOSE #3 “You Were Created To Become Like Christ” Colossians 2: 7
Week Five PURPOSE #4 “You Were Shaped For Serving God I Corinthians 3: 5 – 6
Week Six PURPOSE #5 “You Were Made For A Mission Proverbs 11:30
Be sure to join us on Sunday – October 24th for the MISSION & MINISTRY FAIR at Atonement. This will be held in the fellowship hall during the Sunday School hour. Come and see what is going on at Atonement and the ELCA as the Good News of Jesus Christ is proclaimed! Come and see how you can be a part of what is going on in ministry and how you can be a part of these many ministries. COME & SEE!!
CELEBRATION SUNDAY will be on November 7th. You are asked to bring to worship your completed Time & Talent Sheets and your financial pledges for 2011. We will place them on the altar as our gift to God in response to what God has done for us.
Please contact me by phone 920-468-0713 or by e-mail james.gerth@yahoo.com so I know how you would like to help!
Join us as we explore the question: What on earth am I here for?
In Christ,
Pastor Jim (P.J.)
Monday, June 28, 2010
July Pastor's Letter
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you in the Name of Jesus Christ!
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” John 20:21
I am not sure what this next week will be like. I have never gone on a trip like this one. I am not certain what I will find as I join a group of four other men to go fishing in Canada
Looking to the future can be difficult to do. The followers of Jesus who were gathered in that room with the doors and windows all closed were not too sure about anything – and that includes the future. They had just gone through the most difficult week in their lives – Jesus being arrested, Judas betraying Jesus, Jesus sharing the last meal with them calling them to be servants, and then seeing Jesus die on the cross. What were they to make of all that they had seen and heard with Jesus over the last year and certainly over the last week.
But did you notice what happened? “Peace be with you.” What? How can that be? Their world had been turned upside down – peace. Yet that is just what Jesus brought them and brings us. “Peace be with you.” It was about a year ago that we gathered in a room (parish hall) wondering about the future and what God was calling us to do at Atonement. But even though we had our questions, look how God has blessed us with peace as we have moved forward into mission together. Remember what Jesus said to his followers, “As the Father has sent me so I send you”. Yes we are sent! Sent into the neighborhoods around Atonement to BE THE PEOPLE OF GOD who are not afraid but rather filled with the PEACE OF CHRIST!
I remember that worship services used to end with these words – “Now the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS”. The followers of Jesus did not stay in that room and we at Atonement have not stayed in the parish hall. We have been sent to BE THE CHURCH – TO BRING THIS REMARKABLE GIFT OF PEACE TO THE WORLD. I am not sure how it will all work out but I do know that the Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ) is leading the way! Praise God!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim (P.J.)
(P.S. .Ask me about my fishing trip!)
Friday, May 7, 2010
“And Who is My Neighbor?”
Luke 10: 25-37
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Although it is easy to see the moral of this parable as simply “the one who does the good deed is my neighbor,” it is important to note that, historically, Samaritans and Jews did not get along at all. Jesus did not just choose a random class people to use in His parable, He specifically chose the priest – one of the holiest of peoples – and the Samaritan – one of the most looked down upon of peoples by the Jews at the time. But when the priest passed up the wounded man on the road and the Samaritan was the one who showed compassion, Jesus was indeed saying to this ‘expert of the law’ that even the Samaritans are neighbors to the Jews! Not just the people of our church, the people in our suburb, the people that we are comfortable being around.
In my experience living abroad in Jerusalem/Palestine for a year, I could very well insert [Arab] where Jesus used Samaritan. At first, I was very uncomfortable – after all, the U.S. was at war with several of their sister countries and I clearly stuck out as a white American/European. But guess what, Jesus does not always call us to be comfortable in our ministries. On the contrary, He says the gate to life is small and the path is narrow and arduous. So with this in mind as I ventured out into the streets of Palestine, I had a very skeptical idea of ‘who my neighbor is’ but God granted me the strength and courage I needed to do his work and I was willing to keep an open mind. I soon found to my surprise that, like the wounded man on the street, I was shown more hospitality by these complete strangers than I ever received here in the United States. I was taken in and given three course meals fit for a king that I knew they could not afford, but it was of the utmost importance that their guest, even an American, be honored in this way. I was deeply humbled by their kindness and generosity.
Probably the most important thing I learned by living abroad is that the most rewarding ministry is oftentimes the most challenging. It is true that God calls me to go to Rollercoaster parks for a day with Atonement’s youth, and I gratefully accept this as an important part of God’s work. However, as I look around myself to all of the “narrow and arduous” roads of ministry, I realize that God may have more challenges set out before me than I’d like to admit. As it is a difficult working progress in my life, I would like to encourage everyone to be willing to step out of your comfort zone when the opportunity to perform God’s more challenging ministry arises. Be willing to ask yourself “who is your neighbor?” because someday you may find yourself wounded in the streets and your Samaritan may be the one who comes and feeds you, bandages your wounds, and brings you to the hospital.
Paul Kacynski
Interim Youth Director
Luke 10: 25-37
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Although it is easy to see the moral of this parable as simply “the one who does the good deed is my neighbor,” it is important to note that, historically, Samaritans and Jews did not get along at all. Jesus did not just choose a random class people to use in His parable, He specifically chose the priest – one of the holiest of peoples – and the Samaritan – one of the most looked down upon of peoples by the Jews at the time. But when the priest passed up the wounded man on the road and the Samaritan was the one who showed compassion, Jesus was indeed saying to this ‘expert of the law’ that even the Samaritans are neighbors to the Jews! Not just the people of our church, the people in our suburb, the people that we are comfortable being around.
In my experience living abroad in Jerusalem/Palestine for a year, I could very well insert [Arab] where Jesus used Samaritan. At first, I was very uncomfortable – after all, the U.S. was at war with several of their sister countries and I clearly stuck out as a white American/European. But guess what, Jesus does not always call us to be comfortable in our ministries. On the contrary, He says the gate to life is small and the path is narrow and arduous. So with this in mind as I ventured out into the streets of Palestine, I had a very skeptical idea of ‘who my neighbor is’ but God granted me the strength and courage I needed to do his work and I was willing to keep an open mind. I soon found to my surprise that, like the wounded man on the street, I was shown more hospitality by these complete strangers than I ever received here in the United States. I was taken in and given three course meals fit for a king that I knew they could not afford, but it was of the utmost importance that their guest, even an American, be honored in this way. I was deeply humbled by their kindness and generosity.
Probably the most important thing I learned by living abroad is that the most rewarding ministry is oftentimes the most challenging. It is true that God calls me to go to Rollercoaster parks for a day with Atonement’s youth, and I gratefully accept this as an important part of God’s work. However, as I look around myself to all of the “narrow and arduous” roads of ministry, I realize that God may have more challenges set out before me than I’d like to admit. As it is a difficult working progress in my life, I would like to encourage everyone to be willing to step out of your comfort zone when the opportunity to perform God’s more challenging ministry arises. Be willing to ask yourself “who is your neighbor?” because someday you may find yourself wounded in the streets and your Samaritan may be the one who comes and feeds you, bandages your wounds, and brings you to the hospital.
Paul Kacynski
Interim Youth Director
Thursday, April 15, 2010
April Letter from PJ
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!
There seemed little reason for celebration and joy that Sunday morning after Good Friday. The women who went to the tomb early in the morning were still finding it hard to believe that their son, their friend, their Jesus was dead. No doubt they were recalling the many times they had spent together. Times like when Jesus changed the water into wine or when he was also overcome with grief at the death of his friend Lazarus, or when he calmed the storm or…. So many memories and so many hopes of what could have been had Jesus not died. But was God done? Was death to have the final word?
God was not done! God acted on that Sunday morning and brought life where there was death. God acted and brought joy and wonderment where there was grief and dispair. God acted and now we have a reason to CELEBRATE!! God acted and has touched our hearts in such a way that we can not be silent! Friends it is time to CELEBRATE and it is time to invite others to the CELEBRATION! This is what the women did that first Easter.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but he has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this…” Luke 24:5-9
They could not keep it to themselves! They had to share what it was that they had seen and heard! What have you seen? What is your story of how God is still at work in your life and in the lives of all people? “I love to tell the story of Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.” Let’s be like those women on that first Easter morning and invite people to come and see. Come and see that the tomb is empty – Christ lives! Come and see that death does not have the final word! Come and see that Jesus is ALIVE! Come and join the CELEBRATION!!!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim (P.J.)
P.S. Starting in April I will be visiting members of Atonement in your homes, at your places of work, at the church or some other location. I will start with those who noted they would like a visit on the United 2 Serve question sheet and then work through the membership list starting with the A’s. These visits are for several reasons: to get to know you better, hear from you about your hopes for Atonement’s future and talk with you about our 50th Anniversary Celebration. See you soon!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim (P.J.)
Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!
There seemed little reason for celebration and joy that Sunday morning after Good Friday. The women who went to the tomb early in the morning were still finding it hard to believe that their son, their friend, their Jesus was dead. No doubt they were recalling the many times they had spent together. Times like when Jesus changed the water into wine or when he was also overcome with grief at the death of his friend Lazarus, or when he calmed the storm or…. So many memories and so many hopes of what could have been had Jesus not died. But was God done? Was death to have the final word?
God was not done! God acted on that Sunday morning and brought life where there was death. God acted and brought joy and wonderment where there was grief and dispair. God acted and now we have a reason to CELEBRATE!! God acted and has touched our hearts in such a way that we can not be silent! Friends it is time to CELEBRATE and it is time to invite others to the CELEBRATION! This is what the women did that first Easter.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but he has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this…” Luke 24:5-9
They could not keep it to themselves! They had to share what it was that they had seen and heard! What have you seen? What is your story of how God is still at work in your life and in the lives of all people? “I love to tell the story of Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.” Let’s be like those women on that first Easter morning and invite people to come and see. Come and see that the tomb is empty – Christ lives! Come and see that death does not have the final word! Come and see that Jesus is ALIVE! Come and join the CELEBRATION!!!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim (P.J.)
P.S. Starting in April I will be visiting members of Atonement in your homes, at your places of work, at the church or some other location. I will start with those who noted they would like a visit on the United 2 Serve question sheet and then work through the membership list starting with the A’s. These visits are for several reasons: to get to know you better, hear from you about your hopes for Atonement’s future and talk with you about our 50th Anniversary Celebration. See you soon!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim (P.J.)
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