From the Pastor's Desk
Reverend David Kaul
“ When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they (Mary and Joseph) brought him (Jesus) up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ”
- Luke 2:22
Who am I?
Dear friends in Christ,
My sisters and I grew up washing and drying a lot of dishes. When the family meal concluded, there were assorted dishes, pots and pans that needed cleaning. We would trade off. One day I was the washer, on the next the dryer. To make this time move quickly, we would play 20 questions. The object was to guess the identity of the person or place seeking clues by asking 20 questions. As we begin the new year...
I am thinking of a person.
I am male or female.
I live in this century.
I live very close to you.
I want to know more about Jesus Christ.
I want to attend Sunday School, and learn more about God, faith, the Bible and make fun Christian friends.
I want to know my sins are forgiven.
I like to sing and laugh and help others.
I want to be loved and give love to others.
I like Our Savior's.
I have a problem.
I can't drive.
I see you every day.
Who am I?
By now you guessed it, I am your child or grandchild.
Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to worship. He was too young to come on his own. God and church were important. They had to travel a significant distance. As Jesus' parents, they desired to do the right thing. They wanted Jesus to know God and live in His grace and develop a Godly world view. They desired that he learn the commandments and how to pray and where to find Psalm 23 and Isaiah 40:30,31 in the Scriptures. They wanted Jesus to meet the One who sent an angel to announce his birth. They wanted Jesus to find strength in the Lord when life threw in a curve. They wanted him to know the joy and peace that comes from trusting in God even though times might be tough.
Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to church. You and I must follow their example. Our children will not know God if we don't make the effort to bring them to Sunday School and worship. They don't have a driver's license. They can't get here by themselves. I wonder if Jesus ever needed encouragement. I wonder if Mary and Joseph had to say, "Jesus, that can wait. It will be here for you after worship. Right now there are most important matters." And if Mary and Joseph were concerned that Jesus, God's Son, should know God and walked in the ways of the Lord, shouldn't we be even more concerned about our children and the challenges they will face in 2009! These vital years spent in Sunday School will help our child build a solid Christian faith foundation. They can draw on it for a life time! Perhaps they'll meet an angel!
Who drove you to worship and Sunday School? Someone cared! Someone wanted you to know Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection. Now you be that person for your child. In 2009, ask the Lord's Holy Spirit to help you bring the next generation, your child/ grandchild to worship and Sunday School each week.
God's blessings on your new year.
P. Dave