March 2025

This is Most Certainly True

During Martin Luther’s ministry he came to be very concerned about the lack of understanding of the Scriptures and Sacraments, not only among the people in the Church but also among the clergy. In the 1520s he asked a few of his students and colleagues to write a handbook that could be used for teaching the faith to parents. His student, John Agricola, wrote one such catechism but it was too long for Luther’s taste, and there were some antinomian leanings within the text that Luther disapproved of theologically. So, in 1529, after spending many hours visiting the parishes in Saxony, Luther decided to pen his own handbook. This is how the Church ended up with the gem we call “The Small Catechism.”

In that document, Luther re-ordered the Catholic Catechism, putting the Ten Commandments first, followed by the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. This was a purposeful rearrangement as Luther sought to help Christians understand the movement from law to gospel to instruction on living the Christian life.

Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis, or arguments, against the Roman Catholic Church on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, which resulted in a spark that fired off the Protestant Reformation. Luther had not intended to spark a schism in the Christian Church; Luther only wanted to see reforms in the practices that made believers doubt their salvation. He wanted both pastors and laity alike to be well educated in the faith and to understand the meaning of the Sacraments and the Holy Scriptures so they would be comforted in life.

Each week during Lent we will hear a monologue by Martin Luther and a sermon on the following topics: The Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, The Office of the Keys and the Sacrament of the Altar.

May God richly bless your worship of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave everything so that we might be saved from sin, death, and the devil.

God’s Richest Blessings,

Pastor Doug

February 2025

Those who are Faithful in little things

Luke 16:10-13: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust you in the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s. who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Many time in my life I have been the recipient of this advice, “Don’t sweat the ‘small stuff!’” This advise usually comes when someone is facing a task or challenge in life. While the advise is well-meant and may hold great wisdom at certain times, it may miss the mark entirely. There are times when is is extremely important to ‘sweat the small stuff.”

Think about it. Here are a few examples I have seen.

A) A group of people work long, hard hours planning a huge event. They sacrifice a great deal to make sure the event will be wonderful for all. WHOOPS! They forgot to check to see if the sound system was adequate for their needs. The event is spoiled at the last minute.

B) Volunteers at church have lovingly come forward to raise money for the new building project. It is exciting and energizing. Many people are filled with joy! WHOOPS! Several people carry anger away instead, because two little words were never spoken to them: “Thank you”

C) A marriage of twenty years hits the skids suddenly. Divorce seems to be a very realistic end to what was once a promise for life. WHY? “You have not told me ‘I love you’ in over a year!”

Jesus’ wisdom is simply this, “Whoever is faithful in very little is faithful also in much.” Little things do mean a lot. There are times when we must ‘sweat the small stuff’ as the examples above surely indicate. ‘Small stuff’ is the most natural way to change the world anyway.

We cannot solve world hunger, but we CAN feed a hungry neighbor. We cannot bring peace to the Middle East, but we CAN bring peace between ourselves and another person who has wronged us. We cannot show appreciation to every person who helps at church, but we CAN thank those we see in action. We cannot expect the change in lives of hundreds, but we CAN affect the lives of one or two. We CAN listen. We CAN pray. We CAN trust. We CAN be loyal. We CAN be truthful. We CAN hope. We CAN share. We CAN love.

So, ‘Sweat The Small Stuff’ is my plea. Especially when the ‘small stuff’ leads to care, concern, and compassion for others in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Pray every morning to find one small way to bring brightness into the lives of others.

Pastor Doug