admin, Author at First Lutheran Church

Rest for Your Soul

Posted on Jun 28, 2025 in pastors pen |

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Mattthew 11:28-30

The cycle of summer is once again upon us. A time, hopefully, for rest and relaxation or at the very least a less hectic schedule for some of us. This is even reflected in the church calendar. We have entered what is called the “non -festival” half of the church year where most Sundays will carry the title of “[X] Sunday after Pentecost.” A time of contemplation on Christ’s teachings.

However, the seasons of life hardly follow the calendar year. Troubles come in fall, winter, spring, or summer regardless of our desires. Work increases and decreases in an erratic way for many where “the best laid plans” may not come to fruition as we hope or imagine. While the earth may be on a distinct schedule, we are not. We are beholden to many things outside of our control all demanding our labor. Demanding we carry the heavy burden. Always coming to us with the underpinning threat, “Carry the weight or be crushed by it.” For you are responsible party are you not? You have the power, the strength, required to carry all things without misstep or mistake, right?

If those questions cause trepidation, let the words of Jesus come to you. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We know we cannot do all things perfectly. We know we will make mistakes, fall, and fail even with the best of intentions or efforts. Jesus knows this and comes to us to comfort us in our distress. He tells us to come to him, the one who cannot fail and who is not crushed. He offers us His yoke, the one where He bears the burden of perfection as we are guided along His way. And no matter how many times we stumble, trip, or fall He will remain steadfast on the path and see us through to the end. What end you might ask? Paradise. The yoke is easy and the burden is light because Jesus bears it all.

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

I Will Meditate on Your Law

Posted on Jun 7, 2025 in pastors pen |

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

Delight is probably not the first word that comes to mind when thinking about laws or rules. Perhaps words like obligation or duty are more common. At the very least, laws stand as the line between what you can do and what you cannot do. They are the walls between righteous and unrighteous. Most certainly something worthy of our meditation.

But how can we delight in such a task? For us, there is a unique, nearly crushing, weight to the words, “I must.” Especially when you are not up to the task of fulfilling those duties placed upon you. Fear, doubt, sorrow, anger, resentment, disappointment all rush in to fill the gap between what you should be doing and what you are actually doing. So how Lord? How am I supposed to delight in your law when it kills me every time I take it up?

Brothers and sisters, we ought not look at God’s law as a checklist for our own righteousness. I fear sometimes we do this in an attempt to justify ourselves. Instead, we look at God’s law as the guiding light it is meant to be. Meditating on His law day and night keeps us away from the counsel of the wicked, off the path of sinners, and out of the seat of scoffers. And when we find ourselves in those places, God’s law is the thing guides back to Him. We delight in the law of the Lord because it is good and righteous. Truly good and righteous with no room for doubt or excuse. We can rest in comfort and assurance that God tells us to do the right things. Where men muse, God commands.

There is a comfort in knowing. There is a unique freedom in order. There is an overwhelming delight when things go according to plan. While we may not experience that in full now. We know God’s law will reign forever. There in the heavenly places we will not struggle with God’s law but delight in it fully. We will finally get to enjoy righteousness.

Pastor Tommy

Hero of Heroes

Posted on May 17, 2025 in pastors pen |

“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” – Luke 24:26

He is Risen! Our joyful refrain this Eastertide. This proclamation is our confession of who Jesus is and what he has done. Jesus is the risen one. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is our savior. As I am sure you have heard me say in several sermons, the resurrection proves Jesus has been telling the truth his entire ministry. Every claim, every miracle, every prophecy rests on the cornerstone of our risen Lord.

The cornerstone of truth itself. There is a reason that the truth we confess has been called the “Greatest Story Ever Told.” Every hero’s journey that came before and every hero’s journey to come can only imitate the story of Jesus. Whether that story be grounded in fact or fiction, fantastical or grim, the story of Jesus will always prevail as the standard. For Jesus is the hero of heroes. Jesus is the righteous one who faced down the most unimaginable odds endured the greatest suffering to win the ultimate victory. And He did it all for us. A selfless journey to save the people He loved rescuing them from evil itself so that they too would live with Him forever in paradise. You just can’t write it any better.

However, let me remind you that this is not just a story for us. This is the cornerstone of truth. Jesus is not a fictional hero but a real one. His legacy isn’t just codified in stone or song, brush or book but etched into our very hearts and souls. Our hero didn’t stay dead. Our hero rose to life eternal and took His place in glory at the right hand of the Father. Our hero still comes to us in Word and Sacrament even to this day. Jesus isn’t a dead relic to remember but a living King to exalt. And perhaps, brothers and sisters in Christ, one of greatest things we can hear is that this Hero of Heroes, this King of Kings, knows your name and loves you. Jesus made that hero’s journey for you.

Pastor Tommy

Easter Vigil

Posted on Mar 23, 2025 in pastors pen |

What does it mean to hold a vigil? It means staying awake when we are supposed to be sleeping. To put it another way, we are to keep watch. That is exactly what our great ancestors did when they observed Easter Vigil. Our fathers and mothers of old stayed awake through Holy Saturday to see the break of Easter dawn in the hopeful expectation of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. They took this very seriously, coming together to sing songs, recite psalms and Scripture, meditate with one another, and really try and understand the miracle that is Jesus rising from the dead.

Think about it, Jesus rising from the dead is the greatest miracle. It proved Jesus to be exactly who He said He was. It proved that life eternal was possible and that death was an enemy that could be beaten. It proved that God does, in fact, reign supreme over all things and nothing overcomes Him. It is the foundation of our entire faith. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” Harrowing words from the Apostle. It shows just how important Easter is to us. It is far more than flowers and niceties but the reality of our salvation. Our fathers and mothers understood this very well. So they kept watch, knowing the night would give way to the dawn.

While we may not wait through the night in this age, it is important for us to still show that reverence and honor to our Lord. Serious, excited anticipation of the resurrection that has already happened and looking forward to the one that is to come. For the miracle did not stop with Jesus, but it is given to us as well. Our Lord, in His great mercy, saved us and gifted us with eternal life through His Son. Not just eternal life, but eternal paradise with Himself. St. Paul goes on to say in chapter 15, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” Through Christ, we are alive brothers and sisters.

Alleluia! Christ has risen!

Pastor Tommy

Doubt

Posted on Feb 26, 2025 in pastors pen |

Since Genesis 3, doubt has constantly assailed God’s people whispering to them the same question the serpent asked so long ago. “Did God really say?” This question is the catalyst for unbelief and all the accompanying emotions. Anger and resentment, sorrow and despair, confusion, and rejection all stem from the question the serpent asked Eve. Did God really say that He would protect you? Did God really say that He would provide for you? Did God really say that He saved you from your sins? Did God really say that those things are even sins at all? Even though throughout time the question has been dressed up in different ways by the devil, false prophets, and unbelievers the core premise remains the same. You should question God’s Word.

For the Christian, it is quite taboo to talk about doubt. There seems to be air of great fear and disgust when someone brings up questions of doubt or worry they may have. It is as if someone’s doubt automatically means that they must not be saved or on the brink of betraying their faith in Christ so they must be excised from the Church in order to not pollute the rest. Brothers and sisters, it should not be this way. While, yes, doubt is a problem to be taken seriously, it should not be met with the hammer of the Law or a prideful superiority complex. Instead, listen to the word of St. Jude, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to other show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Since doubt and unbelief have been with us from the beginning, we should not shy away from speaking about it. Questions should not be treated as unmentionable or prohibited but instead addressed and talked through drawing people back to God’s Word. Think about it. How many times does God repeat Himself through the Scriptures? How often does He reassure us, prophecy to us, comfort us, warn us, and guide us? If the Lord must repeat Himself, how much more will we have to do this for one another?

Listen again to the word of St. Jude, “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’” Dear Christian, hear the counsel of St. Jude. Christ and His apostles, the Old Testament Prophets, the martyrs, and saints of our age all remind us of the suffering that we will endure. We live in a fallen world with fallen people. Tragedies both caused by man and caused by nature will befall us and all people. I know it is difficult to look at those and believe in a loving God. However, I implore you to seek counsel where the Lord says it may be found. Namely, His holy Word. He has spoken about these things, the struggles and sufferings of His people, the terrible pain sin causes us, the horrible burden that we must bear sometimes and He does not dismiss those concerns. Instead, Christ points us to the resurrection. Points us to the time where all things will be made right. In mercy, the Lord waits to return so that all may hear the Gospel, and I know the wait is hard. Yet, there is a time that is coming when suffering will cease. Not only that, but God Himself will be the one to wipe away every tear from our eyes and bring us into eternal glory. Cling to this promise. Not only for your sake, but for the sake of your loved ones. For it is not just your tears that will be wiped away, but every tear of your friends and family. As we wait, let us then continue to build one another up and deal with each other in mercy.

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Stand Firm

Posted on Feb 8, 2025 in pastors pen |

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:15

These words of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy have stood as a bulwark against many heresies throughout the ages, and we would do well to take heed of them now. Why? Because in each and every age there are those who claim to find something “new” or “unique” in Scripture that had been hidden until this point in time, when they discovered it. These false prophets parade their “new” discovery through the streets proclaiming the Lord has given them supernatural insight into the Scriptures fundamentally changing the message of the Gospel and glorifying themselves in the process. Every single age, without fail, the same heresies present themselves with a new coat of paint pretending to be something “new.”

Imagination, invention, and novelty are nothing new to the Christian faith at this point. The naming and exploration of these heresies would be a worthy endeavor and indeed necessary for us to cover in a bible study or special class. But to try and give an exhaustive list here would exceed the limits of a simple newsletter article. That is why I have highlighted the words from 2 Thessalonians. This one sentence is a shield and defense against all heresy and falsehood. We are instructed to cling to the Apostolic teachings of the church and stand firm upon them. Which means that we do not give up ground, entertain false prophets, or compromise on the doctrines of faith that have been handed down to us.

So what must we do? A good question. We pray for those who have been lured away from the true faith and stand firm on the doctrine handed down to us. Firm, not hateful. Knowledgeable, not conceited. Reasonable, not rude. Kind, not boorish. Loving, not compromising. I will leave you with words from our Church Father Cyril of Jerusalem concerning the Creed, “For the articles of faith have not been composed to please human desire, but the most important points collected from the Scriptures make up one complete teaching of the faith. And just as the mustard seed in a small grain contains in embryo many future branches, so also the creed embraces in a few words all the religious knowledge in both the Old and New Testament. Pay attention, therefore, brothers, and cling to the teaching which are now delivered to you, and ‘write them on the tablet of your heart.’”

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Holy Words and Sacred Spaces

Posted on Dec 31, 2024 in pastors pen |

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18: 20 What happens on Sunday mornings? I am quite confident that if I asked any of you this question you would be able to respond in detail describing our liturgy, hymns, rituals, and traditions. Some may have even memorized our liturgy and hymns knowing these traditions like the back of their hand. So why would this question be important? Perhaps it even sounds a little silly given everything you know.

Well, unfortunately, in these recent times there seems to be a misunderstanding on the purpose of worship. What do I mean by this? More often than not I hear people describing worship as something that we do for God. We sing, we pray, we read, we listen, we stand, we sit, and all of those things are true! These actions are good, right, and proper for us to do. However, it is important to remember that we are not the main focus of the Divine Service. Let me explain.

Sunday mornings are not about what we can offer God, but what God gives us. The Divine Service is God’s service to us in which he blesses us beyond compare and continues to tell the story of how He has rescued us from sin, death, and the devil. That is the point of the Divine Service. Jesus forgives us, guides us, teaches us, and reminds us of His love constantly. Our response to these great gifts the Lord gives us is praise and adoration. Arthur A. Just Jr. in his book Heaven On Earth sums it up nicely, “In our worship, Christ, the author of life, is present, telling that story through the words of the prophets and apostles and serving as host of a heavenly feast where the world’s story is given its heavenly reality.” The only thing that makes the service divine is the presence of Jesus. He alone is the one who hallows our ground and purifies our words.

For the next few months, I plan on writing about several different parts of the Divine Service and show how the heavenly reality of our Lord is made manifest here with us on earth. How wonderful it is that we can shout with confidence, “Our God is with us!” and it be true.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

In the Name of God

Posted on Dec 31, 2024 in pastors pen |

What does it mean to invoke the name of God? Perhaps Luther’s explanation of the second commandment can give us some insight, “We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.” The name of God, the name above all names, isn’t meant to be used in nefarious ways or in some flippant manner. Instead, it is to be used in a reverent and holy manner befitting of who God is. Of course, I am sure you know this. But how often do we really consider the Lord’s name and greatness that it bears? For to call on the Lord’s name is to call upon the Lord Himself. Names do not exist in a vacuum but are attached to someone. Typically, when you call someone’s name, they give you their attention. It is no different for the Lord.

That is why we start our service with the Invocation. We call upon the name of the Lord so that He comes to us and blesses us. We do not call upon God to simply be a spectator to what is happening Sunday morning but instead to be the one acting for us, forgiving our sins, teaching us His word, and strengthening us with His grace. The Lord promises us that when we call, He will answer. Praise be to God that He does! Brothers and sisters, we need not fear the presence of God because of His Son Jesus. Jesus has brought us from sinner to saint so that the Father make look upon us and bless us according to His grace. So, when we call upon the Lord, we are not visited by a wrathful judge but a wise and loving father. One who continues to uphold us to this day. So next time you hear the invocation know the Lord is with you and has come to bring blessings untold.

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

I Confess to You, O Lord

Posted on Dec 31, 2024 in pastors pen |

After the Invocation, after we call upon the Lord to be in the midst of us, we immediately move to Confession and Absolution. Which, of course, makes sense. If we call the Lord to be with us, we must then ask for His forgiveness so that we stand in His holy presence with joy and not trembling. However, most people don’t enjoy doing this. I don’t say this as an insult but more of a fact. The act of confessing something that you did wrong is widely regarded as difficult. I don’t have to tell you that. You know this to be true. Look at how we act toward one another in regard to saying sorry. Generally, we have to work up the courage to say that we are sorry and more often than not we just say, “I am sorry.” The response being, “It’s ok,” or “It’s fine.” But is that really the proper way to do these things? Think about how much more impactful, meaningful, and genuine an apology (confession) sounds when you actually name the thing that you do wrong. Instead of the “I’m sorry” that just assumes we all know what is going on the Lord teaches us to be specific. “I’m sorry that I sinned against you in this way by doing or saying this thing.”

The response to such a confession is also important. In the pre-marital counseling sessions I’ve been blessed to do, I have often reminded couples that the right response to a confession is to say, “I forgive you.” The Lord doesn’t teach us that we are tell people that their sins against us or sins against others is “ok” or “fine” or that we “shouldn’t worry about it.” Instead, we say “I forgive you” as if to say “I know that you have wronged me and I will not hold this against you. Christ has covered this sin as well as my sins. I love you.” If this is the way the Lord has taught us to confess to one another, how much more so should we also confess to God in such a way. That is why there is more than a moment of silence before we recite our corporate confession together on Sunday mornings. It is not silence for silence’s sake. Instead, we take that time to actually confess before God the sins that burden us. More importantly we hear His comforting words of the Absolution. The Lord comes to us willingly and joyfully full of grace and mercy for His people. So next time we confess together, remember how much God loves you. His responses are not flippant but full of wonder and love. God says, “I forgive you and I love you.”

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Work & Weariness

Posted on Dec 31, 2024 in pastors pen, Uncategorized |

School is in full swing and with it comes the dreaded busyness of the year. Children are now back in the swing of mimicking the adult life, eight hours of work, then come home and work more, then find time to fit in extra curriculars, and also maintain some level of family and social life. For the parents, you do the same thing with even less time. For grandparents, you try and take care of your kids and grandkids, assuring them that they are not going insane and they can accomplish the tasks set before them. If I could sum this part of year up in a word it would be: chaos. Now, I know what you are thinking. Pastor is going to tell me go to church, and how important it is, and why I should be doing it. Yes. I am. But give me a few moments of your precious time to explain why and maybe convince you to move church things out of the “to do” column into the “get to” column.

Chaos is a breeding ground for sin. When you are overworked, stressed, and busy, sin has ample opportunities to take hold and make life worse so that you become even more overworked, stressed, and busy. Our temperaments are terrible, our minds are rushed, our emotions are out of our control and this leads to us sinning against our God and hurting others. Sometimes in the chaos, others sin against us. Just as we are prone to much sin when we are drowning, others are prone to it as well. As sins begin to pile up, the weight we feel starts to crush us and lock us into a cycle of sins upon sins. You may suffer in silence, but I know you suffer. You know you suffer. You know others suffer. The question becomes what do we do about it? Who will save us from these unspoken, often ignored wounds? Where do we go?

Church. We go to church.

Our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We go to where Christ says to go. We go to Him. There in His holy house, He offers us His Word and His Sacraments for our rest and benefit. He says to us, “Come, hear that you are forgiven, hear that your neighbor is forgiven, taste and see that this forgiveness is for you in My body and My blood. Come, be strengthened by your brothers and sisters in the congregation. Come, learn from Me and take My yoke upon you, see I am gentle and lowly in heart. My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” In the Divine Service we witness holy things. Those holy things are given to you for your benefit so that the chaos of the world does not drown you. Again, listen to the words of our Lord from Mark 2:27, “And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’” We go to church not because of some pharisaical law to do so, but because the Lord has promised His rest and His gifts there. So if you find yourself overwhelmed, if your children are overwhelmed, come and see Jesus. His yoke is easy, His burden light, His gifts free.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tommy