Sunday, October 13, 2024 - PASTOR AND PEOPLE

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Sunday, October 13, 2024 - Day 287 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 50-52; 1 Thessalonians 1)

PASTOR AND PEOPLE

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV)

Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica is very much a love letter, a love letter from a pastor to his people. He commends them for their faithfulness to the Lord, warns them about danger, and again celebrates their faithfulness. 

This sounds very much like what God does through His faithful pastors today. What a special bond exists between the one who brings the good news of Christ and those who receive it!

Of course, what is at the heart of the relationship between God’s people and their pastor is the One he points them to, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

May we continue to celebrate our oneness and closeness in Christ!

1. Blest be the tie that binds

    Our hearts in Christian love;

    The fellowship of kindred minds

    Is like to that above.

2. Before our Father’s throne

    We pour our ardent prayers;

    Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

    Our comforts and our cares.

3. We share our mutual woes,

    Our mutual burdens bear,

    And often for each other flows

    The sympathizing tear.

4. When here our pathways part,

    We suffer bitter pain;

    Yet, one in Christ and one in heart,

    We hope to meet again.

5. From sorrow, toil, and pain,

    And sin we shall be free

    And perfect love and friendship reign

    Through all eternity.

    (Lutheran Service Book 649)

“Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to him, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (Thessalonians 3:11-12 ESV) Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape