pastors pen Archives - First Lutheran Church

Christ is Risen Indeed

Posted on Aug 5, 2026 in pastors pen |

“Christ is Risen Indeed” was the LCMS National Convention theme for this

triennium. It was a joy to listen to several essays centered around this theme

presented by great theologians. All of these essays pointed toward the

wonderful comfort of Christ’s resurrection for all of us. Not only that, but

how it is an ever-present reality for us now and something that we look

forward to later. That is important. The resurrection of Christ is for the now

not just for the later. To know that Christ is raised from the dead is the

foundation of our faith and the cornerstone on which we build.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in

vain.” What a terrible thought. Unfortunately, many people live in that hopeless place. They are convinced that

life is either meaningless or so limited that this is all there is. How difficult it is to live this way! For how could

one not center a life around legacy, wealth, or comfort if there is no hope against death?

Thank God He has not left us in such a state. Instead, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead and His life is

your life now and forever. In this truth we stand guarded against despair. In Christ, the yokes of glory and

greatness rest upon the shoulders of Him who can actually carry them and we are given the far better yokes of

grace and peace. In Christ, the small acts of mercy are made to matter because each and every one of us matter to

Him who created all things. In Christ, death holds no dominion over us because it holds no dominion over Him.

Think about the sheep who was brought back to the fold by the shepherd. Jesus says there was more rejoicing in

heaven over that sinner who repented than ninety-nine who never needed to repent. Have we not all wandered?

Heaven knows your name dear Christian and has rejoiced greatly over you. Our Lord, the risen Jesus, has never

left you and will shepherd you to be with Himself in eternity. Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Nothing New Under the Sun

Posted on Aug 5, 2026 in pastors pen |

“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be

done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is

said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is

no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later

things yet to be among those who come after.” Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

We tend to think of history as linear. Which of course we do – how else would we measure time and sequence? Seems pretty obvious to the average person. However, I fear this causes us to also to think of history as always progressing. To put it another way, I fear we think that as time progresses, things get better. More importantly, we get better. Ecclesiastes seems to challenge us on this thought. While we sometimes have this obsession with the “new” or in our modern language “innovative,” the preacher in Ecclesiastes has no room for it. Nothing new under the sun he says to us. Seems bleak if I am being honest. So a question comes to mind.

Why do you preach such things?

It would seem to me that each generation “discovers” something very old and presents it as a sort of “new” idea. Ecclesiastes is right. There is no remembrance of former things. Even the things that are yet to happen will be forgotten by the generation that comes after them. We are locked in this vicious cycle of forgetting and relearning and forgetting again. Unfortunately, that is the course of the human life. But there is one who does not forget. The preacher in Ecclesiastes does not preach for himself. He preaches for the Most High God. And God does not forget nor does anything surprise Him. There is nothing new under the sun for God. While this may be a bleak thought for us initially, I hope you can look at it a different way.

There is nothing new for God. Therefore, He knows how to help, comfort, and save you from trouble. There is nothing “new” that will keep you from Him or distract Him or surprise Him when it comes to you. He knows. He knows you and knows your struggles. Brother and sisters in Christ, all things have been taken to the cross and crucified with Jesus. There is no “innovative” sin that will keep you from God. Only the steadfast and eternal salvation won for us by our savior. Take heart brothers and sisters, there is nothing new under the sun. Praise be to God.

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

New Bulletin Insert!

Posted on Jul 1, 2026 in bible study, pastors pen |

I hope you have noticed a new insert that has been added to the bulletin

recently. If not, I hope you take a look at the “Continuing Catechesis/

Children’s Corner” page here in the next few weeks! It is my prayer that these

pages can be a help to you as you continue to study God’s Word and meditate

upon His council. If you would indulge me for moment, I would love to tell

you the “why” behind the new insert.

There is a great desire within me to share with you everything I have learned

and everything I continue to learn in the study of God’s

Word. However, I try very hard not to be a fool. I know that holding you hostage with an hour-long sermon is

probably not the wisest nor the most prudent of choices. I have no intention of overwhelming people by making

fifteen different points about a particular passage on a given Sunday. Instead, I would rather make one to two

points well and hope those resonate throughout the day giving you something to reflect on and think about. The

point of the “Continuing Catechesis” page is to assist with that endeavor. I want to give you insight into the

language and foundation of the sermon that day and provide you with something you can carry home to reference

in your own studies. You have some specifics on the way a word functions within the context of the lesson. You

have a quote from our church fathers, giving you insight into how they would have understood this passage.

Finally, you have a connection to the Lutheran Study Bible to see how we speak about it today. It is my hope that

this gives you a fuller picture of the richness of God’s Word and a peek into our history.

Not only this but I want to provide families with a way to engage their children concerning our Divine Service.

The “Children’s Corner” page is designed around the children’s message with questions that parents can ask their

kids after service is over. My hope is that it helps kids begin to build good church habits by listening to the lesson

of the day or at least trying to remember the message! I know that teaching the faith can be challenging,

especially when parts of Scripture are difficult (Just think about our recent readings through Matthew 10!). But I

am confident the Lord will bless parents as they teach their children and make it a joyful experience. And if I can

assist in any way with that process, I am more than happy to do so.

All in all, I hope that these resources provide some benefit to you. Give it a look some Sunday and share your

thoughts with me. I would love to hear your feedback!

In Christ,

Pastor Tommy

The Sabbath

Posted on Jun 8, 2026 in pastors pen |

And he (Jesus) said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the

Sabbath.” Mark 2:27

Why do we go to church? Why do we encourage other people to go to

church? What’s the point? Most certainly there are multiple correct answers

to these questions but I would like to highlight one aspect that may be

overlooked sometimes. Rest. From the beginning, God set forth a template for

us when He rested on the seventh day from all that He had done. Take note,

this was before the fall into sin, before man knew death and decay, before it

all went sideways, God taught his beloved creations rest.

And He saw that it was good.

After the fall, God saw fit to reiterate His point on Mt. Sinai. He wrote in stone (literally), “Remember the

Sabbath day and keep it holy.” Like all commandments given by God it was meant for our benefit. How much

more do we need rest now that life is hard and filled with trouble? With all the work and responsibilities that are

demanded of us it is very easy to fall into a never-ending cycle of stress and burnout. So, our Lord in His mercy

commands us to stop. Take a breather. Refocus.

For the rest of the Sabbath is not just a ceasing of job or task or movement. That is how the pharisees understood

it. In those times, the number of steps you could take on the Sabbath were even limited to a certain number. But

that wasn’t the point. The Sabbath, being made for man, is meant for us to rest in the Lord. We go to church to

receive the gifts the Lord promises us and to find rest in Him. Most certainly, we should relax once a week and

recharge from all the hard work we have done. However, physical rest ought to be paired with rest for your soul

that is only found in Christ. Think about it. At church, the Lord forgives your sins, teaches you by His word, feeds

you with His very body and blood, and surrounds you with a community of believers that care for you. It is a rest

and peace the world cannot possibly give. So come to church. Encourage others to come to church. The Lord

gives His gifts freely. The Sabbath was made for you.

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Absolute Authority

Posted on May 3, 2026 in pastors pen |

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has

been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing

them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and

teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with

you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18 – 20

Jesus’ parting words to his disciples, referred to as the great commission, is

more often than not the foundation for many of the evangelical efforts

throughout all of Christendom. Which, of course, makes sense given that

Jesus is literally telling his disciples to go out and make disciples. Praise be to

God that this was a great success! The church has since

carried on this command from our Lord throughout the generations seeking to continue to make disciples and

spread the Gospels to all people, lands, and nations. However, if this is our bedrock for evangelism and outreach,

we should take the time to really reflect on Jesus’ words and sit with them for a time in order that the Spirit teach

us to be wise.

For example, let us consider the very beginning of Jesus’ statement. “All authority in heaven and on earth has

been given to Me.” Jesus is telling us exactly why we should concern ourselves with going out and evangelizing

to people. All people, places, and things are under the authority of Jesus and to put it simply, they should know

that. But this is different from our normal understanding of spreading the news of someone’s reign or claim of

authority. There is no armed vanguard commanded to march across the land, there is no immediate death or

subjugation threat that follows, there is no demand of lavish offerings to appease the conquering host. Look at the

words of Jesus. It is a far cry from our understanding of what it means to conquer.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the authority Jesus has is absolute but merciful. He has commanded us to make

disciples by Baptism and teaching. These things take time, patience, diligence, and grace. Praise be to God Jesus

uses His authority in this way! As we set ourselves to the task let us then remember what Jesus has decided to do

with the authority given to Him and follow Him in the way He has set out for us.

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Easter Vigil

Posted on Mar 27, 2026 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!

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Doubt

Posted on Feb 28, 2026 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 others 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.

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

Saint Valentine

Posted on Feb 10, 2026 in pastors pen |

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.”

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

A Year of Old Wisdom

Posted on Jan 11, 2026 in bible study, pastors pen |

In this age, there seems to be an obsession with “new” things. The latest and greatest trends marketed to us as better than the things that came before it. Our reach is ever extending toward the world of tomorrow where everything is wonderful and all our problems have been sorted out. Just maybe, this “new” idea, possession, trend will be the catalyst to that tomorrow if we just grasp it. However, as you well know, these things come and go. New turns to old very quickly. Thrill turns to mundane. So, the hunt begins again all for the “new.”

Brothers and sisters, I humbly challenge you to not do something new, but something very old. Below you will find a reading guide for the year for the book of Psalms. I know, I know. Pastors always seem to be saying something to the effect of read your Bibles, but I also recognize that often that phrase doesn’t come with instructions, just exhortations. I hope to change that. The Psalms are rich with wisdom, comfort, teaching, and guidance from our Lord that can greatly benefit you. It is my hope this guide helps you meditate upon those gifts, seize them and make them yours.

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Tommy

For the chart, please reference our January ’26 newsletter.

New Year, New Me

Posted on Dec 3, 2025 in pastors pen |

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