Pastor Letter - January 2012

Dear Friends in Christ,

What will the year of our Lord 2012 bring?  Of course the federal elections will be in November, but It may be that this year our Lord will return and deliver us all into everlasting joy.   Perhaps there will be no elections because the elect in Christ will be given everlasting resurrected life. Such things are for our Father in heaven to decide.  We are to watchful and waiting, seeking what our Lord has promised to bring; gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation.  If our Lord does not return in this month of January, 2012, we will celebrate the great festival of the Epiphany of our Lord on January 6^th.  Led by a star and then by the Word of God the Magi from the East saw the child in the house with His mother and fell down and worshipped Him.  They brought their gifts, but what need does He have of such things?  He would have no need, but Mary and Joseph certainly could put them to good use.

So it is with us, we come to worship the child in His House here in Brookfield.  The chief worship of Him is to receive gifts from Him, that is what 2012 will bring for sure.  His continued giving to us.  We bring gifts that He Himself has no use for.  All things already are His, but like back then with the Magi presenting gifts to Jesus, other people can make good use of them.  That’s the way it is with your gift giving in the House of the Lord, you give what you have been given already so that your gifts may be put to good use in the preaching of forgiveness of sins, in the instruction of young and old in Church and School, for the teaching and administration of the Gospel and the Holy Sacraments, for the care of your brothers and sisters in Christ here and where there is need.     We do not know all that 2012 will bring except those things that have been promised by our Lord in His Word.  His Word is what brings the “exceedingly great joy” (Matthew 2:10 ) that the Magi had.  Do you need exceedingly great joy in 2012?  Of course, and you find it in the House of the Lord where Jesus Christ comes with promises and gifts for you.

In Christ,

Pastor Ball

Epiphany Divine Services will be held on January 6^th at 9:00am and 7:30am.  Don’t miss this great Festival.   What better place to be on a Friday night than in the House of the Lord to hear the Good News that Jesus is your King and to receive His Body and Blood?

A Congregational Game Night will be held on Friday, January 13^th.  Watch the Sunday Bulletin for more details.

In Faith Toward God and in Fervent Love Toward One Another second offering of the All Congregational Bible Study will be held on Sunday, January 15^th between services.  If you missed it the first time around, make sure to be there.  If you were there the first time, make sure to come again!

Men’s Bible Breakfast will be Saturday, January 28^th at 7:00am.  Men come along and bring your friends, grandfathers, dads, sons, nephews for a bite to eat and study of God’s Word.