What is a Saint’s Day?
Almost everyone knows when Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day is. However, what about St. Matthew’s Day? St. Joseph’s Day? Many notable people in the Bible have dates for their celebration, however, which ones should we as Lutheran celebrate? That’s why we reflect on All Saints’ Day. As the list of saints and martyrs grew larger, Saints’ Days developed in the second century. Some regions are strongly associated with a saint being in their areas, such as St. Patrick in Ireland. All Saints’ Day is on the first Sunday of November.
Since there are too many saints to honor, we don’t want to prioritize All Saints’ Day over Christmas and Resurrection Day (Easter). Martin Luther declared, “But we in Wittenberg intend to observe only the Lord’s days and the festivals of the Lord. We think that all the feasts of the saints should be abrogated (abolished), or if anything in them deserves it, it should be brought into the Sunday sermon.” The LCMS does not have strict rules governing which saints we should celebrate and which ones we ignore. It is under the discretion of the pastor of the congregation. In my sermon planning book, it mentions numerous dates that recognize certain saints. In general, Lutherans don’t want to obscure the work of Christ or detract from the main message of the gospel. We certainly should not spend more time emphasizing the saints than Jesus.
Almost everyone knows when Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day is. However, what about St. Matthew’s Day? St. Joseph’s Day? Many notable people in the Bible have dates for their celebration, however, which ones should we as Lutheran celebrate? That’s why we reflect on All Saints’ Day. As the list of saints and martyrs grew larger, Saints’ Days developed in the second century. Some regions are strongly associated with a saint being in their areas, such as St. Patrick in Ireland. All Saints’ Day is on the first Sunday of November.
Since there are too many saints to honor, we don’t want to prioritize All Saints’ Day over Christmas and Resurrection Day (Easter). Martin Luther declared, “But we in Wittenberg intend to observe only the Lord’s days and the festivals of the Lord. We think that all the feasts of the saints should be abrogated (abolished), or if anything in them deserves it, it should be brought into the Sunday sermon.” The LCMS does not have strict rules governing which saints we should celebrate and which ones we ignore. It is under the discretion of the pastor of the congregation. In my sermon planning book, it mentions numerous dates that recognize certain saints. In general, Lutherans don’t want to obscure the work of Christ or detract from the main message of the gospel. We certainly should not spend more time emphasizing the saints than Jesus.
Rachel Scott, the first victim of theColumbine High School Massacre
Well known martyrs also died for testifying to the Gospel. Rachel Scott courageously shared the Gospel to students at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado. However, a shooter ignited a massacre in 1999. Rachel was the first victim killed. You can learn more about her from the movie I'm Not Ashamed.*
Countless martyrs, who were not well documented, died for sharing the Gospel. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you… If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” — John 15:18 & 20.
Not only the well-known saints died testifying about the Gospel, we also reflect about our loved ones at our Deaf Lutheran community, such as a recent one, Dawn Werth, who was a devoted Lutheran dedicating her time in working with the International Lutheran Deaf Association and as a deaconess of both Deaf Lutheran churches in Wisconsin and Texas. There are more dedicated Deaf Lutherans in our congregation members whom we can list such, as Agnes Sutcliffe, Don Peterson, Ted Hagermayer, and countless other members.
Again, we emphasize the importance of Jesus Christ’s work for our salvation via faith in Him above all other saints. Note that the saints who have died worked for Him.
~~Pastor Andy
Countless martyrs, who were not well documented, died for sharing the Gospel. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you… If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” — John 15:18 & 20.
Not only the well-known saints died testifying about the Gospel, we also reflect about our loved ones at our Deaf Lutheran community, such as a recent one, Dawn Werth, who was a devoted Lutheran dedicating her time in working with the International Lutheran Deaf Association and as a deaconess of both Deaf Lutheran churches in Wisconsin and Texas. There are more dedicated Deaf Lutherans in our congregation members whom we can list such, as Agnes Sutcliffe, Don Peterson, Ted Hagermayer, and countless other members.
Again, we emphasize the importance of Jesus Christ’s work for our salvation via faith in Him above all other saints. Note that the saints who have died worked for Him.
~~Pastor Andy
Facts about Andrew
1. Name the town where Andrew came from. What is its name?
Hint: John 1:44
1. Name the town where Andrew came from. What is its name?
Hint: John 1:44
- Bethlehem
- Jericho
- Bethsaida
2. What was Andrew’s occupation?
Hint: Matthew 4:18
Hint: Matthew 4:18
- Architect
- Lawyer
- Fisherman
3. Andrew, along with Philip, introduced some Gentiles to Jesus. What nationality were these Gentiles?
Hint: John 12:20-22
Hint: John 12:20-22
- Romans
- Greeks
- Hebrews
4. Which quote did Andrew say?
Hint: Mark 13:3-4
Hint: Mark 13:3-4
- “People will hate you, shut you out, insult you, and say you are evil because you follow the Son of Man. But when they do, you will be blessed.”
- “Everyone else may stumble in their faith, but I will not.”
- “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are going to happen?”
5. Before becoming a disciple of Jesus, Andrew was a disciple of a man who is known by some Christians as the “last of the Old Testament prophets.” Can you name him?
Hint: John 1:40
Hint: John 1:40
- Peter
- Paul
- John the Baptist
Our prison is closing!
A few weeks ago the Governor of Maryland announced that the Maryland Correctional Institution – Jessup (MCI-J) is scheduled to be closed in June 2026. This is the prison that provides ADA compliant support services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing incarcerated men in the Maryland prison system. This is the prison where we serve every week.
The reason for closing the prison is because of the never-ending expense of repairing infrastructure problems. The Governor and his advisors have decided that the time has come to stop wasting money and to shut it down.
The current 700 residents of MCI-J will be moved to other Maryland prisons. The State is preparing to relocate the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population to MCI-H in Hagerstown, along with their ADA equipment and services. We plan to continue our ministry with them there.
Other inmate cohorts (the printshop, the college) will be allowed to relocate as a group to other prisons where they can continue their work and education. Deaf and Hard of Hearing men who are in those programs have a hard choice to make.
Prison administrators are moving inmates around in other institutions in order to make room for the sudden influx coming their way. Many details are still being worked out.
The initial announcement came as a shock to most folks at MCI-J, and it caused a bit of sadness among the inmates. What will their new setting be like? Will any of their friends from MCI-J also be there to give them support? How will inmates at their new facility treat them? Will they be able to continue to have worship and Bible study as they enjoy now?
Christian inmate leaders are encouraging their brothers in Christ to remember that God is going with them; they will not be alone. And God can use them in their new home to share the love of Jesus.
The reason for closing the prison is because of the never-ending expense of repairing infrastructure problems. The Governor and his advisors have decided that the time has come to stop wasting money and to shut it down.
The current 700 residents of MCI-J will be moved to other Maryland prisons. The State is preparing to relocate the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population to MCI-H in Hagerstown, along with their ADA equipment and services. We plan to continue our ministry with them there.
Other inmate cohorts (the printshop, the college) will be allowed to relocate as a group to other prisons where they can continue their work and education. Deaf and Hard of Hearing men who are in those programs have a hard choice to make.
Prison administrators are moving inmates around in other institutions in order to make room for the sudden influx coming their way. Many details are still being worked out.
The initial announcement came as a shock to most folks at MCI-J, and it caused a bit of sadness among the inmates. What will their new setting be like? Will any of their friends from MCI-J also be there to give them support? How will inmates at their new facility treat them? Will they be able to continue to have worship and Bible study as they enjoy now?
Christian inmate leaders are encouraging their brothers in Christ to remember that God is going with them; they will not be alone. And God can use them in their new home to share the love of Jesus.
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Thanksgiving Prayer
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As a boy growing up in the Friedrich home, we always began our meals with a prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest,
and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen
Then, after the meal, before we left the table, we prayed together a familiar Scripture verse:
O Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,
and His mercy endureth forever. Amen
This verse appears several times in the Bible. This sentence appears exactly in this form five times in the Psalms (106, 107, 118 [twice], and 136). Each one of those psalms opens with this prayer, and then the psalm continues by telling about
Every verse of Psalm 136 is a statement of God's character or God's action, telling us who God is and what God does. Then, in response to each of these statements of praise, every verse ends with “Because His love continues forever!”
The people of Israel were very familiar with these thanksgiving psalms. They often sang them for memory in their worship assemblies.
On two occasions when the people together praised God with these psalms of thanksgiving, strange and wonderful things happened. The first was at the dedication of the new temple in Jerusalem.
- God's wonderful work in creation,
- His great acts of salvation for Israel,
- His protection for His people,
- and His blessing for all of His creatures.
Every verse of Psalm 136 is a statement of God's character or God's action, telling us who God is and what God does. Then, in response to each of these statements of praise, every verse ends with “Because His love continues forever!”
The people of Israel were very familiar with these thanksgiving psalms. They often sang them for memory in their worship assemblies.
On two occasions when the people together praised God with these psalms of thanksgiving, strange and wonderful things happened. The first was at the dedication of the new temple in Jerusalem.
The priests brought the ark of the Lord's covenant to its place in the Most Holy Room of the temple... They sang, “He is good. His faithful love continues forever.” Then a cloud filled the temple of the Lord. The priests couldn’t do their work because of it. The glory of the Lord filled God's temple. (2 Chronicles 5:7-14 NIrV)
Think about our Sunday morning worship. Has it ever happened that God has responded to our praise to Him by filling the room with His glory so that we must stop the service?
About 370 years after that dedication service, the army of Babylon destroyed the temple. Then 130 years later, Jews who were able to return home to Jerusalem started rebuilding the temple. As they did, the people worshiped God with the same thanksgiving prayer: “O give thanks to the Lord, because He is good; His faithful love continues forever!” (Ezra 3:10-11)
The second strange event related to this thanksgiving prayer is the story of King Jehoshaphat.
Three enemy kings made a pact to combine their armies to attack Jerusalem. Three against one! In response, Jehoshaphat asked all the people to pray and beg God for His help. God sent a prophet to tell the people: “The Lord says to you, Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is Mine.” The next morning the people of Jerusalem marched out to the battle field. They stood, watch, and prayed: “O give thanks to the Lord, because He is good; His faithful love continues forever!”
While they sang this thanksgiving prayer, they watched all three enemy armies marching toward them. Then something very strange happened. Two armies joined together and started fighting against the third army. After the two armies destroyed the third army, those two armies turned to fight against each other, while Israel still watched and sang, “O give thanks to the Lord!” When the battle was over, all three enemy armies had destroyed each other, and the only thing left for Israel to do was to pick up the loot and bury the dead. (2 Chronicles 20)
In the New Testament we see Jesus pause to give thanks in prayer to His Father – before feeding the 5,000 and at the Last Supper.
The Apostle Paul frequently reminds us to give thanks to God: Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. (Colossians 4:2 NCV)
Whenever you feel sad, depressed, or afraid, think of things that you are thankful for, and then tell God, “Thank you!” Your sadness will turn to peace and joy.
~~ Pastor Ron
About 370 years after that dedication service, the army of Babylon destroyed the temple. Then 130 years later, Jews who were able to return home to Jerusalem started rebuilding the temple. As they did, the people worshiped God with the same thanksgiving prayer: “O give thanks to the Lord, because He is good; His faithful love continues forever!” (Ezra 3:10-11)
The second strange event related to this thanksgiving prayer is the story of King Jehoshaphat.
Three enemy kings made a pact to combine their armies to attack Jerusalem. Three against one! In response, Jehoshaphat asked all the people to pray and beg God for His help. God sent a prophet to tell the people: “The Lord says to you, Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is Mine.” The next morning the people of Jerusalem marched out to the battle field. They stood, watch, and prayed: “O give thanks to the Lord, because He is good; His faithful love continues forever!”
While they sang this thanksgiving prayer, they watched all three enemy armies marching toward them. Then something very strange happened. Two armies joined together and started fighting against the third army. After the two armies destroyed the third army, those two armies turned to fight against each other, while Israel still watched and sang, “O give thanks to the Lord!” When the battle was over, all three enemy armies had destroyed each other, and the only thing left for Israel to do was to pick up the loot and bury the dead. (2 Chronicles 20)
In the New Testament we see Jesus pause to give thanks in prayer to His Father – before feeding the 5,000 and at the Last Supper.
The Apostle Paul frequently reminds us to give thanks to God: Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. (Colossians 4:2 NCV)
Whenever you feel sad, depressed, or afraid, think of things that you are thankful for, and then tell God, “Thank you!” Your sadness will turn to peace and joy.
~~ Pastor Ron
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“How?”
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During the month of December we will be in the season of Advent, looking at stories that lead us to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In two of those stories, we see the angel Gabriel appearing to the priest Zachariah, and also to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Gabriel gave Zechariah and Mary very similar messages, and Zechariah and Mary gave the angel very similar responses ...or were they?
Zechariah’s story
Zechariah was a Jewish priest. He and his wife Elizabeth were old and they had no children. When Zechariah was in the temple in Jerusalem, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and said, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John... He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah... to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord.”
Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is old, too.”
The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand before God, who sent me to talk to you and to tell you this good news. Now, listen! You will not be able to speak until the day these things happen, because you did not believe what I told you. But they will really happen.” (Luke 1:5-20 NCV)
Mary’s story
Six months later Gabriel appeared to Mary, and said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I am a virgin?”
The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. For this reason the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:26-35)
“How...?”
When Zechariah asked “How...” it seems that the angel became angry with him. But when Mary asked “How...” Gabriel joyfully answered her question, and he explained more about who her baby will be.
So what’s the difference?
Notice that Mary and Zechariah asked two very different questions. Zechariah asked, “How can I know what you say is true?” In other words, “I don’t believe you!”
But Mary’s question did not express unbelief. She didn’t doubt that God could do what Gabriel said would happen. She was just confused. She was not married and never had sex, so how would God make her pregnant? She simply asked for clarification.
Mary had great trust in God. Her last words to Gabriel were, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” (Luke 1:38)
When God the Father chose the young woman to be the mother of Messiah, He chose well. As for Zechariah, nine months later he had a whole new attitude.
Gabriel gave Zechariah and Mary very similar messages, and Zechariah and Mary gave the angel very similar responses ...or were they?
Zechariah’s story
Zechariah was a Jewish priest. He and his wife Elizabeth were old and they had no children. When Zechariah was in the temple in Jerusalem, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and said, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John... He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah... to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord.”
Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is old, too.”
The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand before God, who sent me to talk to you and to tell you this good news. Now, listen! You will not be able to speak until the day these things happen, because you did not believe what I told you. But they will really happen.” (Luke 1:5-20 NCV)
Mary’s story
Six months later Gabriel appeared to Mary, and said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I am a virgin?”
The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. For this reason the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:26-35)
“How...?”
When Zechariah asked “How...” it seems that the angel became angry with him. But when Mary asked “How...” Gabriel joyfully answered her question, and he explained more about who her baby will be.
So what’s the difference?
Notice that Mary and Zechariah asked two very different questions. Zechariah asked, “How can I know what you say is true?” In other words, “I don’t believe you!”
But Mary’s question did not express unbelief. She didn’t doubt that God could do what Gabriel said would happen. She was just confused. She was not married and never had sex, so how would God make her pregnant? She simply asked for clarification.
Mary had great trust in God. Her last words to Gabriel were, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” (Luke 1:38)
When God the Father chose the young woman to be the mother of Messiah, He chose well. As for Zechariah, nine months later he had a whole new attitude.