First Lutheran Church

Valentine’s Day is, for most, a holiday centered around romantic love and seductive lust coupled with a bit of gift giving. However, it was not always this way. For about 900 years (400AD-1300AD) Valentine’s Day was centered around the man Saint Valentine. Who is St. Valentine? Good question. According to the sources we have Saint Valentine was one of our Church Fathers who was martyred in Rome around 269AD. While accounts and myths surrounding St. Valentine differ, there is consistency of the accounts surrounding his death. He was arrested by the Romans, surprisingly found favor with his own jailers (much like Paul), became acquaintances with the emperor Claudius Gothicus, then was executed for trying to convert the emperor to Christianity. Several other myths surround St. Valentine. One being the reason he was arrested was marrying Roman couples in secret so the men could avoid military service and stay home with their families, although he easily could have been arrested for just preaching the Gospel. Another myth is that St. Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer and cured her of her blindness, falling in love with her over time, and on the eve of his execution he wrote a letter to her and signed it “from your valentine,” which is said to be the origin of the written valentines we have today. Regardless of embellishment, the fact stands that a Christian clergyman by the name of Valentine died for the faith in Rome around 269AD on February 14th. When he was canonized into sainthood in the 400s the church observed his feast day for the next 900 years celebrating his sacrifice for the Gospel.

 

It wasn’t until the 1300s that romantic love started being connected with Saint Valentine and February 14th. Perhaps, this wasn’t the best decision given was the holiday has become now. We have forgotten so much of the origins of the holiday that people don’t seem to realize this used be a martyr’s feast day and instead make it solely about “love.” Is there anything wrong with romance? Of course not. However, the Church’s memory should be long and unwavering. We should not forget our fathers and mothers who have come before us, especially those who gave their life for the faith and the Gospel. So, as you celebrate this Valentine’s Day, I hope you take a moment to reflect on its true origins. I’ll leave you with this from John, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Perhaps you have heard this phrase before. It is quite popular around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. A sort of promise made to oneself at the beginning of a new year to be better or at least different in one or more aspects. However, as we all have experienced at one time or another, new year’s resolutions sometimes don’t take or last very long. Why am I talking about this at the beginning of December? Good question. For the church, Advent marks the beginning of a new church year as we move into the festival half of our worship together. But as you can see, no ball drops to mark this change. No resolutions are made. In fact, few people realize that there is structure to the church year all its own aside from the secular calendar that we all follow.

 

For the church, the change in our seasons, the change in our worship marks something very different from the new year of the rest of world. It isn’t focused on us. Our year is entirely structured around the life of Christ. Take the season of Advent and Christmas and begin to think about their significance. We celebrate that Christ has come to be with His people becoming incarnate to save us from our sins. While at the same time we look to the second coming of Christ in which we He will establish His kingdom for all eternity, righting every wrong and wiping away every tear from our eyes. Every year we begin with this hope remember what God as already done for us and looking to what He will do in the future. Advent takes this hope and grounds us in it. Christmas celebrates the fullness of the incarnation and speaks to us about what that means for all believers. So even before the world celebrates a “new year” we are already grounding ourselves in something far greater than personal improvement.

 

So dear Christian, this new year, this advent season I ask you meditate on the great way in which Christ made you His own. Reflect on the cosmic events that took place in order for the gift of our salvation to take place. Reflect on that hope given to us.

 

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Amid all the trials and tribulations of our world it can be easy for the Christian to forget the great gift of eternal life given to them by Christ. We as Christians may talk about it, preach about it, and it even study it often enough but the hustle and bustle of the day to day distracts us from this message. Eternity seems so far away compared to the next daily task we have on our calendars. We reside in the “now” and the “now” demands our attention.

 

However, sooner or later, our attention is forced to confront eternity. When death comes in all its terror, the Christian is face to face with their own mortality. This thought alone is overwhelming to us. Death lies to us. Grief clouds our hearts to see death as a finality. We are tempted to sink into despair and hopelessness. But take heart dear Christian because Christ has overcome the world! Think of the holy festival of All Saints. We remember those who were called into glory and now rest from their labors with Christ. They are not dead, but alive. They live now with Christ. Just as we will live with Christ. This is where the Christian’s vision should be oriented. Always looking to the eternity that we will share with our Lord and Savior. For in doing this, this world’s struggles and toils become bearable in so far as we know there will be end to all this suffering. Christ’s kingdom, the one filled with all the saints we love, has no end.

 

Now, I am not saying that we ignore the present. There are plenty of worthy things to care about in our lives. Whether that is in your personal life, the life of your neighbor, or the life of our nation and the world, it is necessary that we care about the present. We struggle, persevere, and pray through the trials of this life knowing that it is pleasing to the Lord that we work in our vocations. However, at the same time, we understand that whatever happens in this life is not as final as it seems. Our home is elsewhere. It is in the eternal, heavenly realms of the Father where there will be no pain or suffering and God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes. We may not always feel like we have a blessed life. But we will most assuredly have a blessed eternity.

 

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” – Ephesians 6:12-13

 

Something is different. The assassination of Charlie Kirk brought with it a soul-shaking chill that rippled throughout the whole globe. We saw this chill in the utter shock and confusion of people being forced to come to terms with the reality of political violence perpetrated against an unexpected recipient. We saw it in the grief people shared at the loss of a son, husband, father, mentor, and inspiration. We see it still in the despair people carry, heavy in their souls, when they saw it was their neighbors, family, or friends that cheered such an act with malicious fervor. For those who didn’t cheer, those who may not have agreed with Charlie Kirk or even liked him still felt the chill extended to them, bringing with it doubt and uncertainty. Overall, it would seem to me there was a time, a way things worked, before the assassination of Charlie and now there is a time, a way things work, after his assassination. Something is different.

 

For some, the chill faded and was quickly replaced by the heat of anger. Cries of justice, demands of accountability, and the steady refrain of, “No more,” ring across the air. Rightfully so. For others, the chilled settled into a cold dread. A fear now resides with them whispering dangers for the future or even dangers for themselves. Who could blame those who feel this way? For others still, including myself, there is a torrent of the two fighting for supremacy. Some days bring with it the fires of wrath and a great desire to see the wicked crushed by the righteousness of God. I want to see an end to all this wanton evil and have the foolish preaching of “wise men” silenced under the truth of the Lord. Then tomorrow comes, and dread sits with me. A cold fear that questions, “How can we move forward with one another? How can forgiveness reign with those who do not value it but abuse it? How can I walk this uncertain path, especially with little footfalls that follow behind me?” Perhaps you share these questions or feelings. Perhaps you struggle with me. Perhaps you ask the same question I do:

 

Who will save us from this body of death?

 

The answer has always been and will always be the same. Jesus. Jesus is the only way forward through this and every tragedy. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the door and the vine. Jesus is the great I AM. Hear the words of our Lord, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” I encourage you, answer the question asked to Martha. For if you do believe this, then Charlie, who presently is away from his flesh, has not died eternally but lives with Christ even now. As do all who believe who were victims of perverse, brutal violence and death. Our Savior, who looks at death as if it was sleep, holds them. Life itself cares for them and comforts them.

 

But what of us who remain? What shall we do? Hear the Apostle Paul, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

 

Stand. Firm.

 

Hold the line, brothers and sisters in Christ. Now, more than ever in our lifetime, we must preach Christ crucified and hold to the truths and tenets given to us in His Holy Word. No more do we entertain false doctrine or give ear to false council. No more do we pervert or make excuses for God’s Holy Word but instead proclaim it boldly and courageously. We are not ashamed of the hope that is within us for it is our foundation to endure all that evil has to throw at us.

 

You do not fight against flesh and blood but against the evil one and all principalities that come with it. Remember all heresy, perversion, and evil begins with the departure from God’s Word founded on that age old question that started all this mess, “Did God really say?”

 

Just as Egypt refused to free Israel, the one we call the devil refuses to release those under his capture. So we continue to preach, pray, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of our neighbor. It is only Jesus who sets the captives free and heals the brokenhearted. Our faithfulness is not just for our own benefit but for the love we share for our friends, family, and neighbors across the whole globe. Let not the devil twist us into instruments of wrath but instead let us become as steel fortified against all lies and falsehood. We must be bastions of truth in an untruthful age, havens for the faithful, arks for those who travel in this flood.

 

It is not wrong to seek justice, brothers and sisters. In fact, it is necessary so that great wickedness in all its forms is restrained to protect each other. Just remember who we ultimately struggle against. “Jesus defeated death so that you can live.” – Charlie Kirk [September 10, 2025]

 

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

If you have heard me preach before, you will notice that I often talk about trying when it comes to the law. As in, we should try to follow the law of the Lord and do our best to live perfectly. An unobtainable goal but one we should strive for nonetheless. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” That may sound like works righteousness, but that isn’t the point St. Paul is making. He is encouraging the people of Corinth to take their faith seriously. Just as seriously as those who train to win the prize. Run the race. Why? Because God knows how difficult it is to be faithful.

 

With any task in life there is a certain level of discipline that we must have to see it through. There will be days when we don’t want to do things we are supposed to do, where we are burnt out, where we are resentful or selfish, where the suffering becomes too much to bear. You know this. That is why we strive in faith to obtain the prize. I was often told in my youth that, “Champions are made in the off season.” I come to know this to be true. Whatever you do while training translates to the game. Likewise, our spiritual discipline helps us when the worst of life comes. We don’t run to obtain salvation; Jesus has already given this to us as a free gift. We run to guard it and keep it close. Just as St. Paul says in the final verse of 1 Corinthians chapter 9, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Guard the gift given to you brothers and sisters.

Run the race.

 

In Christ,

“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

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?

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

“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

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