August 16, 2020 – Building/Church Anniversary                         Text:  Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

Dear Friends in Christ,

            It was the summer of 1993 and a young LCMS Pastor from Texas brought his relatively new wife to Normal IL to show her where he went to college.  One of their stops was his college church – Wittenberg Lutheran Center.  They were informed a new mission congregation was forming in the Twin Cities with offices at Wittenberg.

            By 1994 this mission had 15 original members, one of which is still a member.  In 1995 a large influx of souls joined what was called Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  Many were as Isaiah says in our text “outcasts” from another congregation, even to the point of being asked to leave.  This mission was made an official member church of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on February 19, 1995 under the leadership of mission developer Rev. Clarence Mankin.

            This small band of believers would wander, like the Israelites in the Exodus, from Wittenberg to Holiday Inn to Eastland Conference Center to McLean County Farm Bureau where offices were procured.  Would they find a permanent home?  Would this mission last?  Many of us have lived the story.  But it is not about us.  It’s about Him – our Lord Jesus Christ.  This anniversary day . . .

“PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW”

            Many of the verses in our text from Isaiah have been marks of this congregation.  “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come . . . keep the Sabbath.”  The Lord’s people here have always known the importance of Sunday Worship – keeping the Sabbath.  Where the Synodical average in worship is around 35%, Good Shepherd has always been in that 60% range.  Even now in this “blip in our lives” the importance of coming together as God’s people in this place is reflected in those coming to the Lord’s House.

            God blessed that as well.  He gathered us together and when you called a Pastor from Shawnee Kansas with 7-½ years experience, the thought had to be where are we going from here?  He looks so young and he told us he likes to sleep in.  Is this going to work?

            Pastor and people prayed.  Another mark of these sheep of the Shepherd.  Isaiah says, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.”  They had a voter’s meeting and were presented three plans for a church home.  They met in the middle and voted to ask the Church Extension Fund of their district for a $1.8 million dollar loan to build their place of worship and Bible study and fellowship.

            A group of them went to Springfield and presented a plan that most bankers and financial advisors would laugh at.  We are 150 little church mice and we prayerfully ask for almost 2 million dollars.  There are some concerns but they vote unanimously to grant the funds.  Huh?  What?  The Lord must know what He is doing.

            And of course He does.  As He promised the Israelites, “soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.”  The Lord’ righteousness is victorious over wickedness.  His salvation comes to His people solely because of Him.  Jesus would procure our salvation.  The Good Shepherd would lay down his life for the sheep.  This is our temporary home but while here on earth we are blessed by our Lord to be part of this congregation.

            Ground was broken in 1999 and the Lord blessed us with mild winter weather – construction would continue.  On June 11, 2000 a cornerstone was put in place.  Later that summer this church would find it’s promised land in southeast Bloomington and begin worshipping in this sanctuary.  Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.

            There is no doubt this is where we are suppose to be.  The unexpected blessings are too numerous to list but just a few:  church pews we didn’t expect to have, construction overruns of $200,000 we paid off, a pipe organ refurbished and paid for, putting the short pews in the middle of the sanctuary, instead of the back, and having a family from our neighborhood canvas come to worship that first Sunday with a wheelchair-bound family member.  Wow!  If you have been in this church for any length of time, you see the gracious hand of our Lord.

            He has allowed us to touch 535 members in 25 years plus visitors and family members.  We have been blessed with twice as many baptisms as funerals.  We have had adult confirmations almost every year of our existence.  We’ve maintained stability in spite of all those who have moved from our area because of our state economy and job opportunities elsewhere.  Even now, the Lord’s Church is resilient.

            Praise God From All Blessings Flow.  He has hold of us now and into the future.  It is a great time to be the church.  We are always a mission church.  Who needs the stability and rock solid foundation that only our Good Shepherd can provide?  Pray for that person.  Look to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

            We look forward to burning our mortgage and other blessings in the coming years.  That young Pastor in 1993 had no idea he would be called to lead this group.  What a joy it has been for our family.  Lord Jesus continue to grant us your grace, mercy and love as we await your return.  Until then . . . Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!          Amen.            

August 9, 2020                                                                      Text:  Matthew 14:22-33

Dear Friends in Christ,

            How do you talk about others?  Positive?  Negative?  We all make first impressions.  How do you share those?  “She was nice.”  “He was pleasant.”  “He is funny.”  “She is a great worker.”  We also can catch people in challenging moments.  “They were rude.”  “Why did she bite my head off?”  “He’s got a temper.”  Yes, how do you talk about others?

            If you have a longer-term relationship with this person you see they are more than just one characteristic.  You see this pleasant, friendly Pastor and then learn wow, is he competitive.  Someone you thought lazy might confirm your impression or they may surprise you and really give effort.  And every once in a while we may get a glimpse of a person’s dark side that we never saw coming.  It is not easy to define any one of us.

            Human beings are complicated.  We are chameleons depending on the situation.  We define people by what we observe. 

            We do the same with Jesus.  We make judgments that aren’t in Holy Scripture.  We define who He is in our speech.  What are we saying?

“HOW DO YOU TALK ABOUT JESUS?”

            Jesus is not a poorly written character with no depth, no complication.  Matthew’s Gospel these last few weeks shows that.  We have seen Jesus in many different situations.

            Thousands were following Jesus around and he regularly defied expectations.  Some walked away not satisfied by what they saw.  This one called “the Messiah” confuses some.  His hometown doesn’t give him a key to the city or even a free drink at the local watering hole.  They mock him and send him away.  He has compassion on the diseased and heals them.  He touches the untouchable and hears the voice of the voiceless.  He needs time away from all these people but still feeds a throng with very little supply.  Unexpected.

            Now in our text for today He does something we might not see coming.  He again leaves everybody.  What is going on here?  Why is this guy so standoffish?  Didn’t He come for us?  He leaves so He can pray for you and the others.  He needs time alone with the Father.  See how you have misread Him again?

            Prayer time is over.  No Coast Guard signal comes but Jesus notices the boat of the disciples is far away from land with wind and waves crashing against it.  He walks on water.  Is it a ghost?  What is this ragtag group expecting?  We know our leader is different but walking on water?  He brings words of comfort.

            Now the drama shifts from 12 to one and his name is Peter.  “Come on out Peter.”  Should I guys?  Sure, you can trust Jesus?  His faith keeps him above water, but as soon as the wind comes he needs a life jacket.  It’s Jesus.  He rescues the helpless disciple.  He saves a tragedy from occurring.  “Peter, Peter, Peter, why the doubt?”

            How are the disciples going to talk about Jesus after this?  He is no longer just the guy who attends parties or the one not accepted in his hometown or the buffet chairman at a large meal.  He commands creation.  The wind ceases.  The waves calm.  What does this mean?  What can we say about Jesus?  They are not exactly sure but they confess, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

            How do you see it?  Is Jesus hard to label and categorize?  He is unique and special but isn’t there more?  Though you can’t completely grasp Him and I can’t completely understand Him, He’s got a hold of us.  Lifting children to His lap.  Dragging disciples into boats.  How many times has He held on to you in pain, in death, in things that don’t make sense?  How often has He calmed your boat ride with His presence?  He holds you all the way to the cross.  His death and resurrection assures you that He holds you into eternity.  In your doubts and struggles He is there.  His Holy Spirit creates in you a clean heart that can confess today:  Jesus is the Son of God.  Follow His path.  The Savior reaches out to you, “Come, trust and walk toward me.  I have your hand.”

            With all of this in your life, how do you tell others about Jesus?  What words do you use?  Do you describe the peace and comfort He brings to your daily life?  Do you talk about the “blessings” he has showered upon you?  Do you share the hope and future that awaits a child of God?  Do your words have the affect that when others describe you a prime characteristic is that you are a Christian?  Do they see His presence in you?

            Yes, there are times we take our eyes away from Jesus and our faith.  Drowning is not pleasant, is it?  But remember this – He’s there.  The Lord Jesus grasps you.  His touch is gentle and strong.  In His grip you’ll know the price that He paid to have you forever.  His hands bear the scars of His love, the price of forgiveness.  He’s crucified and living.  Now that is something to talk about!

                                                                                                                                    Amen.