Messages from Pastor Bob

Summer 2025 – The Light of the World
Dear Friends of Zion,

Summer has just begun and this week looks like it will be very hot. Just recently some were complaining about how cold it has been. How quickly things can change. All of a sudden it has become very hot and uncomfortable, and even dangerous for some. At least the weather gives us something to talk about rather than the things that divide us.

Sometimes I wish that people could talk more about what our Lord has done for us. When Jesus cast out the demons from the man from the country of the Gerasenes and made him well (Luke 8), he wanted to follow Jesus. But Jesus told him to go home and to tell how much God had done for him. He was a walking testimony to the power and authority of Jesus. And so are we.

We are so blessed to know Jesus. St. Paul wrote, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Colossians 3:8). He knew that knowing Jesus Christ and the power of His death and resurrection were more important to him than anything else in his life. How blessed we are to know Jesus Christ, and to grow in our faith and knowledge.

Sometimes I pray that we would all consider our relationship with the Lord as important in our lives. We have been so blessed by our Lord who suffered and died to pay for our sins and has blessed us with eternal life. We should want to follow Him and tell others what He has done. To follow Jesus is to be with Him where He makes Himself known to us, namely His Word and Sacraments. Although He is present with us everywhere, He comes to us more personally through His Word, and Baptism, and His Holy Supper.

Our Lord has blessed us with gifts that are eternal. May God’s presence and grace fill you with joy and peace.

Pastor


June 2025 – Equipping Us to Face the Future

Dear Friends of Zion,

When I was a child, Sunday afternoons were spent usually with family. My grandparents lived a few miles away in New London. So it was common for our family to go there, or they would drive to our home. We spent time together. This was quality time…time to talk with each other about the things that mattered to us. We would talk and listen, enjoy food together. We knew each other well. We understood the care and love that we had for each other as family. Sometimes we would sit outside with a grill cooking hamburgers and hotdogs. Although I don’t recall everything we talked about, nor everything we ate, it was good to be with each other.

It is good to take time each week to be with the Lord. We know that Jesus is with us when we gather in His name. He is present in His Word and Sacraments. We need to say, “Lord, teach us what You want us to hear. Read the Scriptures on the back of the bulletin. Take time to hear them and apply them to your own life. Use them to grow in your faith and relationship to the Lord.

Every time we gather together for worship is time well spent. We need the Lord in our lives to give us hope, faith, and His love. We live in difficult times. All of us can benefit from what God offers to us in the short time of worship. These moments can equip you to face the future. It help you to have a good relationship with the Lord based upon where He makes Himself known to us – through His Word and Sacraments.

Treasure His presence among us always.

Pastor Bob


May 2025 – Life Everlasting

Dear Friends of Zion,

Life is not always what we expect, nor is it easy. Had someone told me that I would be spending time in Physical Therapy, I would not have believed it. I am still trying, by the grace of God, to get my abilities back following the minor stroke that I experienced. I thank God for the progress that I have seen in the past few weeks.

No matter what it is that we are facing, we never face it alone. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, faced a lot worse than we will ever face. He faced extreme suffering and pain, and even death, and then His body was raised to live again. Our own bodies may experience suffering, and even death. But one day even our bodies shall be raised as glorified bodies. Far better than what we now have. This is God’s promise attached to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19).

Over the years I have officiated at many funerals of dear church members of faith. I look forward to seeing them again and being with them in the presence of our Lord, who has made it possible for us to enjoy life everlasting.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Pastor Bob