Our Midweek Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, July 2nd beginning at 9:30 AM in the church office conference room. Our topic for study will be Recognizing Jesus in the Old Testament. This seven week study is for anyone who desires to learn more of how the Son of God is revealed to us through the books of the Old Testament. There are no special materials required. Just bring along your Bible and a desire to have a healthy and faithful conversation centered on the revelation of Jesus through the writings of Moses, the Psalms and prophets.
Pastor Archive
Midweek Bible Study Returns
Posted July 1, 2025 By adminFrom Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted June 5, 2025 By adminFor this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15
In 1990, country music singer/songwriter Garth Brooks scored a big hit with a song titled “Friends in Low Places.” While his song was just a bit on the unsavory side, Brooks did manage to address how he felt about those who may be seen by others as living on the wrong side of life. Truly, no one can count themselves as being better than their neighbor. In fact, the Bible is filled with examples of people who had friends in low places, whose desire it was to live in a much higher place.
As students of God’s Word, we understand that our God dwells in the highest most holy place, the kingdom of Heaven. Such goes without saying, but even still, God himself reminds us of his majesty and the truth of his sovereignty when he says, “I dwell in the high and holy place” (Isaiah 57:15).
Of course, the Most High God dwells in a high place. He is the Holy One, so naturally he dwells in the Holy Place. But what follows comes as good news. Not only does the Lord say he dwells in the highest place, but God follows that with these words; “But also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” And just in case you’re not sure who God is speaking of, he means sinners.
The Most High God, the almighty and glorious One chooses, out of divine love, to dwell with those who are among the most low. As Martin Luther once said, “The farther one is beneath God, the better does God see him.” How low will God go to have compassion upon sinners? Well, remember Jesus touched lepers, he counseled and restored prostitutes, he cast demons out of the possessed, he welcomed the poor and neglected. Our Lord Jesus even promised paradise to a thief who was crucified next to him. No place and no one is too low for God.
And not only does our Lord see us clearly the lower we are, but he comes alongside us when we are at the lowest points in life. God is always with us when we find ourselves in the pit of wilderness. He is with us in the cemetery and in the hospital room. God is with us when we are lonely, heartbroken, or simply broken by our own fault. God is with the contrite adulterer, the sorrowful alcoholic, the shameful addict. Our Loving God sees us clearly and is willing to dwell with us even in our most shameful times. Why, because Jesus has overcome all of these and promises mercy to those who are repentant.
For those who call upon the Lord for help, there is the One who is Most High. In our loneliness and especially in our lowliness, Jesus comes with arms open wide to show his compassion and love. Christ reminds us that through his life, death and resurrection, his love endures forever. The love God pours out upon sinners through his Son Jesus of Nazareth proclaims that God is for us and with us, in good times as well as bad. His is the love that we are to share with others when they are in need of hearing the good news of the Gospel.
No, Garth Brooks was not speaking prophetically, but what he said of himself and his friends is most certainly true of God and sinners. Through the saving work of Christ Jesus, God surely has friends in low places.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David
Adult Confirmation
Posted June 1, 2025 By adminOur Adult Confirmation study meets in the church office conference room on selected Tuesdays beginning at 6:30 PM. All who are interested in learning more about Lutheran theology, teaching, and worship are welcome to attend, regardless of if you grew up in the Lutheran Church or another denomination. We will examine elements of Luther’s Large Catechism, the Book of Concord and the traditions of Lutheran preaching and worship. No special materials are needed. Many life-long Lutherans wonder why we do certain liturgies or traditions or have questions regarding the liturgies or traditions. Participants will enjoy learning more and having their questions answered. Please let Pastor David know if you would like to participate.
Midweek Bible Study
Posted May 29, 2025 By adminOur Midweek Bible study will be on a break until mid-July.
Pastor Out of Office
Posted May 29, 2025 By adminPastor David will be on vacation from Thursday, June 5th through Saturday, June 14th as he and Angela celebrate the wedding of their daughter Rachel to Navy Chief Petty Officer Kory Danielson. We give thanks to God for the blessing of marriage as we keep Rachel and Kory in our prayers.
While on vacation, Pastor David and Angela will entertain family members from Yorkshire, England. Anyone who has need for pastoral assistance during this time should call the church office during regular church office hours or contact Council President A.J. Peeples after hours and arrangements will be made. Our congregation elders will lead worship and distribute Holy Communion on Sunday, June 8th.
Filed in Other Happenings, Pastor
Pastoral Devotion for June – “Come Holy Spirit”
Posted May 29, 2025 By adminRead Acts 2:1-21
“Come Holy Spirit.” It’s only three words but as the believers of Christ were gathered together in an upper room on that day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon them in mighty fashion. Their prayer was answered in a dramatic way. The Spirit compelled them to take to the streets of Jerusalem and share the Word of God concerning Jesus Christ. To be filled with the Spirit of God means being open to the direction of the Holy Spirit as he drives us into action.
As we live out each new day, are we really sure we want to follow the direction the Holy Spirit will lead us? Remember, following his Baptism, Jesus was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. In the wilderness he faced forty days of temptation and anguish. Do we really want to receive that Spirit? As it was with the disciples, the Holy Spirit compels us to leave the safety of our closed doors and comfortable homes.
The wilderness is filled with uncertainty. It is filled with doubt, challenges, problems and difficulties. Sometimes it is hard to find our way through the wilderness. But that’s where the church is needed most. The question remains, “Are we sure we want to go?”
God calls all Christians to be his witnesses so that others may be refreshed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be strengthened through the fellowship of believers. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that the church is able to accomplish the work God would have us do. The blessing is, that no matter where the Spirit leads us, Christ promises to be there.
As we pray, “Come Holy Spirit” we pray that we would be filled with the Spirit that makes things happen, the Spirit that leads us away from the safety of our own four walls in order to make Jesus known to a world lost in sin. Do we really want to be filled with that Holy Spirit? I pray it is so.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle within us the fire of your love. Amen.
Adult Confirmation
Posted May 10, 2025 By adminThe next meeting of our Adult Confirmation study will be on Monday, May 19th beginning at 6:30 PM in the church office for all who are interested in learning more about Lutheran theology, teaching, and worship. We will study elements of Luther’s Large Catechism, the Book of Concord and the traditions of Lutheran preaching and worship. No special materials are needed. This is not a study only for people who were not raised in the Lutheran Church. Many life-long Lutherans wonder why we do some things or have questions regarding liturgies or traditions. Participants will enjoy learning more and having their questions answered. Please let Pastor David know if you would like to participate.
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted May 1, 2025 By admin“…We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.” Luke 24:21
So, Easter Sunday has come…and gone. Like so many others, our congregation had an absolutely wonderful Easter celebration. The choirs, musicians, flowers, banners and pews filled with God’s people made the day truly memorable. Several of our young ladies came adorned in their new easter dresses. Young men were looking mighty dapper, wearing jackets, ties and bright clothing. And many of our older men and women came sporting their “Sunday Best” as we gathered for worship on this day of all days. Yes, Easter Sunday is a day to celebrate, especially as we gather with friends and some who are new to our community. We worship together as one and give thanks to God for the gift of salvation through His Son Jesus. The Easter celebration is always beautiful and spiritually invigorating. But the question remains, “So now what?”
The day after Easter Sunday signals a return to normal. For many, the Easter dresses have been put in the closet. Men have returned their Sunday best to the hanger. The flower cross where families gather for Easter photos has wilted and must be put away for another year. Still, even as we find ourselves in the midst of the fifty-day Easter festival, the trumpets are packed in their cases, hand bells packed away and the special music has been concluded. It’s now a little over a week following the big celebration and even clergy members who have taken time off have returned to work and resumed their daily struggle against the world. Naturally, the question begs to be asked; “Has Easter made a difference?” Does Jesus’s resurrection still impact you in your daily struggle against the world?
It happened just as Jesus said it would. God kept his promise to redeem his people, in fact, God is still keeping it. Every day, God acts to save those who have wandered from his grace. Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus brings forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life to all who believe. Even as the troubles and worries of earthly life weigh on the hearts of people, God’s promise of salvation and life in his kingdom is true and eternal.
Today, God’s people find themselves once again walking along the Emmaus road. Like those two disciples who encountered the risen Christ, we are still imperfect people with minds filled with doubts and hearts burdened with fear. We still live in a fallen and broken world where bad things happen to good people. Yet, in our conversations concerning Christ Jesus, our life together as God’s people, we are reminded through Holy Scripture that Jesus is indeed alive. As we walk the Emmaus road, living and learning the way of salvation, Christ walks with us. The good news of Jesus’s resurrection and victory over the grave gives hope to a world hungering and thirsting for God’s redemption.
Jesus makes himself known in so many ways; through the loving hands of someone providing food to the hungry, in the comfort of shelter provided to a homeless person, and through the presence of a loved one who consoles those who mourn. Jesus makes his presence known to the Church and to the world in his teaching, through his example of servitude, and most especially through the breaking of bread and pouring of wine at God’s table of grace.
Yes, the annual Easter events in our churches and families are concluded for another year. Yet, the hope and joy of Easter lives on in the hearts and minds of God’s people. Because Christ lives, every day is an Easter day for God’s people. Every day is filled with the promises of God’s mercy and grace. As we continue in our struggle against a fallen world, I pray the hearts of God’s people are burning with the hope and joy of Easter. May we all live in God’s grace and continue to proclaim the good news. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottil
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus
Posted April 30, 2025 By adminFor those who are working through the year long Bible study, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus” we will have a time for conversation and encouragement to review what has been learned this far. We will meet in the church office on Tuesday, May 13th beginning at 6:30 PM. Do not worry if you have fallen behind. Everyone does at one time or another. Everyone is pretty much on their own schedule and the discussions will focus on personal reflections.
Pastoral Devotion for May – Jesus Said “Go”
Posted April 30, 2025 By adminRead Matthew 28:16-20
When we hear our Lord give the Great Commission, we understand finally that our response to Christ’s resurrection is to go into the world and tell others the good news of God’s salvation. Most Christians can quote this passage from memory; those who cannot certainly know where to find it in the Bible. But when congregations hear Christ’s command, the reaction can be varied.
As the remaining disciples gathered on the mountain with Jesus, Matthew tells us they worshiped him, but some doubted. Rest assured, the same condition exists within the Church today. Jesus says, “Go.” Yet, some doubt they are strong enough in their faith.
Others doubt they have the necessary knowledge of the scriptures. Still others feel they lack the training and skill needed to make disciples. All this said, the command given by Jesus stands. Our Lord says, “Go.”
As followers of Christ, it is incumbent upon Christians to learn. As the body of Christ on earth, it is incumbent upon the Church to teach and equip. As those called, gathered and sent by our Lord, it is incumbent upon us all to encourage one another, remembering Christ is with us even to the end of the age.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we go in your name, overcome our doubts with your peace and presence. Amen.
