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Martin Rinkart (1586-1649) was a Lutheran pastor in the village of Eilenberg, Saxony, Germany. Shortly after he had begun his pastoral work he faced a challenge of a life time. The Thirty Years' War was raging through Germany. The situation is described in the book (page 17) Then Sings My Soul 150 of the Word's Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert Morgan: "Floods of refugees streamed into the walled city of Eilenberg. It was the most desperate of times. The Swedish army encompassed the city gates, and inside the wall there was nothing but plague, famine, and fear. Eight hundred homes were destroyed and people began dying in increasing numbers. There was a tremendous strain on the pastors, who expended all their strength in preaching the gospel, caring for the sick and dying, and burying the dead. One after another, the pastors themselves took ill and perished until at last only Martin Rinkart was left. Some days he conducted as many as fifty funerals." As the story continues it was Martin Rinckart who negotiated with the Swedes and the hostilities came to an end. It was in the midst of all of this that Martin Rinckart wrote the hymn, Now Thank We All Our God.


Our situation may not be that desperate, however it goes without saying that in 2020 we have faced many challenges. It also holds true that God has not left us. God did not leave us even when we by our sin and rebellion turned away from Him. It was during those dark times that God sent His Son, Jesus, to seek us out and do more than negotiate a temporary peace. Jesus brings to us an unending peace with God. He died upon the cross for our sins. He conquered this world and even death as His resurrection bears witness. Furthermore, our Lord continues to bless us with His Word and His Sacraments. He has not left us or forsaken us. In Romans 8:37-39God promises us that nothing "in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

With such great promises and such a loving Lord, it is only right and proper that we give God thanks. Thanksgiving is not just about eating Turkey or gathering with family, but it is about thanking God. Such thanksgiving is good for the soul. Instead of focusing on all the bad news like the world and our sinful self often leads us to do, giving thanks enables us to look at what is good and how God is blessing us.

This year we are not canceling our giving thanks to God. In fact, this year it is all God the more essential that we give thanks to the Lord for the many blessings He has given to us. Such a thanksgiving toward God is not limited to just one day or one service. Rather every Sunday is a day of Thanksgiving, especially as it remembers the Resurrection of our Lord, as His risen body proclaims the atoning sacrifice that redeems our life. Every time we gather together is a Thanksgiving as the Lord blesses us with His Word and His Sacraments. Really every day is a Thanksgiving as God continues to provide for us, be with us, and care for us even as our sinful nature and this broken world rages against us.

Therefore, just as Martin Rinckart did when he wrote the hymn, Now Thank We All Our God, let us consider Thanksgiving in the midst of a pandemic. Our Thanksgiving service this year will take place on Tuesday, November 24, at 7:00 pm. It is also my intention to record this service and post it the next day on our YouTube channel. In the midst of our trials and tribulations by God's grace may we all now thank our God.

Pastor Schoenfeld

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23

Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3) every human being has come into this world as a sinful being.  Our sin separates us from God.  Left to ourselves we would perish for eternity in hell (John 3:36 & Hebrews 10:26-27).

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

God loves you so much that He came into this world as a human being (Luke 2:1-20).   Jesus, the Son of God, lived a perfect life for you (Hebrews 4:14-16), suffered and died upon a cross for you (John 19), and rose from the dead for you (Luke 24).   Now our risen Lord will forgive your sin (1 John 1:8-9) and grant eternal salvation to you if you believe in Him.  

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved…”  Acts 16:31

When God blesses you with a living faith in Jesus you will have a place in heaven.  Such salvation comes not by our works but by grace through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-10).  

“And He died for all, that those who live, should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”  2 Corinthians 5:15

Now as those who have been given the gift of heaven we live no longer just for ourselves but to serve God and our fellow human beings.  (Ephesians 2:10)

 

We Have  Saturday Worship at 4:00 PM

When life gets busy and you are unable  to make it to our regular Sunday worship service, join us Saturday at 4:00 PM.

This service will be more informal than Sunday morning while including the essential aspects of Christian worship.  Everyone is welcome to attend.