Worship: Sunday 9:30 AMBible Class and Sunday School to follow
Jesus is my Savior from Fear
December 2016 / Redeemer NewsDecember 2016 / Redeemer News
The angel said to [the shepherds], "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." – Luke 2:10-11
Isn't it interesting that God's angelic announcement of Christmas begins with, "Do not be afraid"? What do fear and Christmas have in common? Based on people's Christmas anxieties, plenty!
December fills many with depression. Some are overwhelmed by what their Christmas celebration should feel like, look like, even sound like. Thoughts of creating the perfect Christmas celebration fill many with stress.
Some dread Christmas due to money issues and the pressure to spend more than they can afford. Other have lost loved ones, making Christmas a painful trigger of past memories and missed loved ones. There is pressure to attend Christmas gatherings. As anxieties grow, so do shame, guilt and the gaping hole of depression.
If you've ever been fearful or anxious at Christmas, you're in good company. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds all felt fears.
No warm, safe, sterile birthing suite or medical team would help Mary give birth to her first child. Instead she faced the stress of childbirth with only Joseph to help her. No room at Bethlehem's inn meant a barn was the best shelter Joseph could find for Jesus' birth. Imagine the anxiety this couple faced when Jesus was born.
The shepherds were filled with fears too. "Terrified" described their reaction to a sky full of angels. They might have wondered, "Did God send the angels to punish us?"
God knows your fears. That's why the announcement of Christmas begins with an amazing command, "Do not be afraid!" This is good news for you! God has come in the flesh to erase all your fears!
Ever fear not measuring up? Jesus came to forgive you from all your past faults or present failures. Anxious over a life situation? God says, "Do not be afraid!" You don't have to do life on your own. God came at Christmas to prove his love and to assure you, "Never will I leave you or forsake you!"
Peace comes from a life free from fears. God's Christmas comfort is, "Do not be afraid!" Rescue has come. A Savior has been born for you!
~ December2016~Sun / Mon / Tue / Wed / Thu / Fri / Sat
1
Ladies Bible Class held at Grace Lutheran at 1:00 / 2 / 3
4
9:30 Worship
11:00 Bible Study
4:00 Christmas Auction / 5 / 6
6:00 Redeemer
Ladies Bible Study / 7
No Evening Study or Devotion (Worship at Grace) / 8
Ladies Bible Class held at Grace Lutheran at 1:00
7:00 Church Council / 9 / 10
7:00am Elders
9:00amTheology of the Cross
11
9:30 Worship
(Communion)
11:00 Bible Study / 12 / 13 / 14
6:30 Bible Study
7:30 Evening Devotion / 15
Ladies Bible Class held at Grace Lutheran at 1:00 / 16 / 17
18
9:30 Worship
11:00 Bible Study / 19 / 20 / 21
6:30 Bible Study
7:30 Evening Devotion / 22
Ladies Bible Class held at Grace Lutheran at 1:00 / 23 / 24
Christmas Eve Service
6:30
25
9:30 Worship
(Communion) / 26 / 27 / 28
6:30 Bible Study
7:30 Evening Devotion / 29
Ladies Bible Class held at Grace Lutheran at 1:00 / 30 / 31
December 2016 / Redeemer News
DATE ATTENDANCE MINISTRATIONS / EVENTS OFFERINGS
Sunday, October 30, 2016 / 68 / 20 Grace / Reformation offerings $680.00 / $1,790.00Sunday, November 6, 2016 / 101 / $5,253.00
Sunday, November 13, 2016 / 88 / 14 Grace / $4,690.00
Sunday, November 20, 2016 / 78 / $2,355.00
Thursday, November 24, 2016 / 56 / $630.00
Sunday, November 27, 2016 / 77 / $2,024.00
A Continued Study of C.F.W. WaltherBy Matt Johnson
Higher Education: Another Look At C.F.W. Walther’s Theses on Law and Gospel in Scripture
Thesis 2
Only he is an orthodox teacher who not only presents all the articles of faith in accordance with Scripture, but also rightly distinguishes from each other the Law and the Gospel.
Thesis 3
Rightly distinguishing the Law and the Gospel is the most difficult and the highest art of Christians in general and of theologians in particular. It is taught only by the Holy Spirit in the school of experience.
December 2016 / Redeemer NewsWe have a well-trained pastor. However great he may be, he pales in comparison to the teacher we all have as believers. The revered Lutheran pastor C.F.W. Walther, in the 2nd thesis of his work The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, tells us that to be an orthodox teacher one must present the articles of faith in accordance with the Scriptures and rightly distinguish the law and gospel. He also tells us that rightly distinguishing the Law and Gospel is the most difficult and highest art of Christians, and it is only taught by the Holy Spirit. But even my six year old can pick Law and Gospel out of Scripture. Our sin means that we deserve hell (Law), while Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has given us life and heaven (Gospel). How can this be the most difficult art?
In his fourth lecture Walther tells his seminary audience that, “You may correctly state what the Law says and what the Gospel says. But when you frame your statement so as to commingle both, you produce poison for souls.” Paul states to his own “seminary class” (young pastor Timothy), “Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
We can see why it is important for a pastor to get things right… but isn’t that why they go to seminary? They get taught how to distinguish this, right? That is not the whole truth. True, our WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) pastors take many classes on the Bible and theology, but in the end it is the Holy Spirit that teaches how to properly distinguish Law and Gospel in the school of experience. Scripture supports this view, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). What great news! While it is very helpful to go to seminary, this knowledge and training is for every believer who comes to terms with Law and Gospel in Scripture.
As such learners we are all empowered to help those around us learn. As Walther says, “A hedge must be made around Mount Sinai, but not around Golgotha" (page 39). Pointing out Law and Gospel in the Scripture is a first step: “Thou shalt…” is God’s Law, “For God so loved…” the promise of his Gospel. Yet the work of this art is never fully down. Paul points out: “Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2). Walther uses highly-trained seminary students as an example: "When they arrive at the university, they know everything. In their second year of study they become aware of some things they do not know. At the close of their last year of study
they are convinced that they know nothing at all" (page 41).
My studies at MLC have shown me new ways of seeing the Scripture that I have been reading for the past 20 years. Through it all the Holy Spirit has given me many experiences to be able to apply this knowledge. I am extremely grateful for that, and am continually amazed by what I did not know only six short months ago. We all can sit at the feet of the master teacher, the Holy Spirit, when we read God’s Word and prayerfully ask our Lord for wisdom.
So where do we go from here? We know that we need more knowledge. Let us ask God for wisdom and watch the Holy Spirit work. John reminds us, “This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20). So when you read a newsletter article, hear a pastor preach, or examine God’s Word for yourself, look for the Law and the Gospel. And if you do not see it, ask another Christian for help. We are all learning from the Holy Spirit to carry out this task together. When you read your Bible ask, “Is this Law or Gospel?” and “What does it mean for me and for those around me?” Let the Holy Spirit teach you. God is greater than our hearts. Listen to Him.
Above we read that a teacher must be able to present the Law and Gospel effectively without mixing them, and that this is a high art, taught only by the Holy Spirit through the school of experience. Rejoice you are enrolled in the greatest school in the world and have the very best teacher. Go now and share your knowledge to those around you, law to those who need the law and gospel to those who are looking for a savior.
December 2016 / Redeemer NewsThe Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel by C.F.W. Walther (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 1986) is available to borrow from the church library.
An Advent Gift from Our College
The following devotion comes from a special publication by our college in New Ulm, Minnesota, Martin Luther College. The devotion is part of a series exploring the prophecies of Isaiah and their fulfillments through the month of December and the season of Advent. These devotions are available in booklet form at the entrance to our sanctuary. They have been donated by our college as a resource for spiritual encouragement and outreach (grab one for a friend!) in this Advent season. Stop by and grab your copy today!
A Sign of Our Savior
By Pastor Matthew Rothe of Fredericksburg, Virginia
“There fore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
December 2016 / Redeemer NewsWhat do you want for Christmas? I’m never quite sure how to answer that question. On one hand, I usually have no idea what to ask for. On the other hand, I don’t want to know what I’m getting. If I did, the anticipation of opening Christmas gifts might be lost.
In Isaiah 7, wicked King Ahaz of Judah was being attacked by foreign armies. To demonstrate that he was with Judah, the Lord spoke to Ahaz. “As the Lord your God for a sign,” he said (Isaiah 7:10-11). Astonishingly, Ahaz refused God’s generous offer. Instead of trusting in God to save him, Ahaz arrogantly tried his own way to rescue himself. I doing so, he rejected God as his Savior.
While it’s easy for us to scoff at Ahaz throwing away this opportunity, first let’s take a look at the person in the mirror. You and I have rejected God by trying our own ideas to save ourselves from the devil’s evil armies. Arrogantly we imagine that heaven can be ours because we’ve behaved well enough. We place our love and trust in a multitude of things besides God. Because of our sins, we deserve eternal death.
Not wanting anyone to perish our gracious God said, “I’ll give you a sign and tell you what you need.”
Through Isaiah, he gives the sign: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” These words of God draw an arrow connecting the Old Testament to the New and highlight God’s eternal plan to save us from our sin and death. The promise was made that the offspring of a woman would crush the devil’s power (Genesis 3:15): however, no ordinary birth would suffice. The son must be conceived and born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), and so the arrow points directly to Mary as the virgin mother (Matthew 1:23-24). This unlikely sign points unmistakably to our greatest gift from God, our Savior from sin.
As miraculous as this sign is, the greater miracle is God giving us what we needed. The name Immanuel means “God with us.” God, whom the heavens cannot contain, wrapped himself in human flesh. Not just touching mankind, but actually becoming a man in order to suffer, die, and rise for us, to save us from our sins. The fullness of the deity lives in bodily form so that, in Christ, we are made alive with Christ (Colossians 2:9, 13).
What do you want for Christmas? Thanks be to God that we don’t have to answer that question alone. In mercy, God decided what we need. Then he gave it to us. This eternal gift is already ours, but the anticipation of our heavenly celebration will not fade.
December 2016 / Redeemer NewsPrayer: God of our salvation, we praise you for keeping your ancient promises and sending your Son, Immanuel, to free us from sin, death, and the devil. As we celebrate your first coming at your birth, keep us ever mindful and filled with anticipation for your second coming, when you will return to take us to be with you in heaven. Amen.
More Christmas Joy… Closer to Home An Article by John Hardison
The Gift
From “Put Baby Jesus in Your Wagon: A Collection of Warm Christmas Memories”
December 2016 / Redeemer NewsFor many of us, buying Christmas gifts is a very special part of a special season. We enjoy the challenge of finding just the right gift for each individual on our list – the thrill of finding something that fits each recipient’s personality. Like the hunter who has just bagged a trophy buck, we bask in the sense of accomplishment when we finally hunt down the items our loved ones really want. We imagine how their eyes will light up with joy and happiness as they open the gifts.
It reminds me of something that happened at a Church Christmas party several years ago. Each person brought some goodies to share and a gift to put under the tree. For the gift exchange, we all drew numbers. Whoever drew the number 1 got first choice of all the gifts under the tree. However, if the person who held number 2 liked the gift the first person had opened, he or she could exchange an unopened gift for that one. The obvious catch was that someone down the line might take the same gift away. This process would continue until all the gifts were claimed.
The evening unfolded into a pleasing display of good fellowship and fun. When it came time for the gift exchange, we were curious not only to see what we would get but to see who would get the gifts we had put under the tree. I think my contribution was a Gene Autry Christmas tape I knew someone would be sure to enjoy. Ruth gave a little handmade angel ornament that would be a beautiful addition to someone’s Christmas tree. The exchange was punctuated by peals of laughter and howls of consternation whenever someone would help themselves toa gift someone else had already picked.
Ruth and I were both pleased when our pastor’s wife picked up Ruth’s brightly wrapped contribution. This pastor’s wife was a very gracious person. A little shy, she was an extremely sensitive individual who always put the best construction on everything. After she carefully unwrapped the box, she looked inside. A hush settled over the group as everyone waited to see what the box contained. However, instead of immediately producing the gift and thus getting out of the limelight, she hesitated. We could all see by the look on her face that she was puzzled and a bit embarrassed. Then she held the box upside down and shook it. Nothing came out. Nothing at all. Searching for the person who gave the box, her eyes scanned the faces around the room.
About then, my mouth dropped open. I was truly speechless! I thought of taking an extended bathroom break. Ruth turned bright red. She took the box from the pastor’s wife and looked inside and shook it herself. Talk about a pregnant pause. Ruth finally recovered her senses enough and explained that she must have wrapped the wrong box because there was supposed to be a gift inside. “It was an angel,” she stammered, “a sugar-starched, white crocheted angel. Really!”
Absolute silence gave way to uproarious laughter. The expression of the pastor’s wife had been priceless, as had mine and especially Ruth’s. For the rest of the evening the whole group got a lot of mileage out of this mistake.
But something striking – odd, yet profound – resulted from all this. As the exchanged continued, the most popular gift, among a lot of very nice ones, was the empty box. Though the box had been there all along, no one had paid much attention to it until they knew it was empty. Then everyone took notice. Everyone wanted it. One after another, people traded for this gift. The most humble gift in the room, an empty box, became the most valued gift because people believed they would ultimately receive something wonderful. Though they didn’t really know what that gift would look like, only that it was a crocheted angel, they wanted it because they believed it was worth having!