Pastor’s Blog

07/15/2022

“‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”- Leviticus 19:32

Peace and Blessings for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who lives and reigns forever. Here at St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church/Pimlico, our Silent Generation (Born: 1928-1945) and Baby Boomers (Born:1946-1964) and Generation X (Born: 1965-1980) Rock!! Since this pandemic we have carried the blood stained banner and the cross with all that we do and I am so grateful.  Where do we get all of our strength, energy and motivation?  The Lord God almighty who sustains us as we do ‘God’s Work (with) Our hands” and the Word of God especially from Mark 12:31, you know it.  It says: “Love our neighbors as ourselves”.  I have seen some amazing things since becoming pastor here at St. John’s.  Have you seen them as well? Let me tell you about some of the events and those that volunteer.

In the months of May and June, 2022 we needed all hands on deck. And I do mean all hands.  We needed servers, cooks, encouragers, decorators, designers, drivers, event coordinators ticket buyers and money holders.  God answered our prayers and just like that we had 5 opportunities created implemented, etc., within weeks for fundraising. We still have 5 more on the books.  All of our help comes from the Lord. I did not hear one person complain and I am grateful, we all agreed that we needed help and so our Generation Y (Born: 1981-1996) is stepping up to the plate for July 2022 with our Fifty Flea Market on 7/16/2022 (Jalisa Royster) and our Chicken Dinners on 07/29/2022 (Lymaya Ahmed).  But I want to thank all those who supported our efforts from ‘Behind’ the scenes. And those who decorated tables and bought tickets and tables.

Ladies First-  It was my understanding that Mrs. Ella Kain has been in our kitchen for decades.  She is the sweetest and her pound cakes bring life to the table.  She came to all events and had so much energy, I had to stop and praise God.  She even taught those at the fish fry how to wrap up and store the uncooked Lake Trout in the freezer. God has graced her with years and the intelligence to match. Mrs. Jean Jones have been around St John’s for a long time and she loves cooking.  She really has a testimony to share. Just ask her about 2021.  God has been very good to her.  She and her daughter Mrs. Sharon Green went and made all the salads for the Fish Fry and bought dressings and made suggestion on the purchasing of cakes and pies.  These two women of God helped to make a difference.  Mrs. Cynthia Griffin-Hood, cooked and prepared plates and was so encouraging to all the young ladies in the kitchen.  They all commented that they loved her mannerism and style (fashion). Thanks for getting the preparation line going and for the material for the second batch of coleslaw. Her mother was also part of the women’s group that served in the kitchen, amongst other hats she wore. Mrs. Courtney Allen is the cook’s cook and have been doing so for years, just like her grandmother Grace and Mother, Myrtle.  She does enjoys being in the kitchen, but also buying food, giving suggestions and helping in whatever way that she can.  My husband says that he loves her fried chicken and I love her seafood salad.  Mrs. Emily Watson, loves to plan and implemented events and so she stepped in with the Tea Party and coordinated the entire Gospel Concert, which was a grand success.  She also makes a very tasty and creamy potato salad. “More please”, says all of our community residence. Her mother was also in the Woman’s group that cooked and served in the kitchen years ago.  Mrs. Sandra Pretlow is a wonderful decorator, photographer and designer and when those things come to life it is better than what was described.  Although her ministry is dancing, if you put any other task before her and share with her your visions, she can run with it. Because of her, our restrooms downstairs are newly painted and decorated.  It is beautifully done with inspirational message on each wall. No more caution tape in the Ladies restroom. Ms. Marguerite Royster, makes very delicious candied yams and sweet potato pies and even with short notice she came through. We loved all the yumminess and so did the community.  Movement is difficult for her, but because she loves the Lord, she did this for the jazz event and fish fry. Mrs. Teri Purdie enjoys doing whatever her hands can do to make this church and our community a much better place and we say thank you for just being a blessing in so many different ways.  For those that do not know, Sis Teri is a member of our praise team and loves to sing and does a fantastic job. She has been a member here since she was 7 years old and she enjoys all that she does.  Mrs. Lymaya Ahmed have been cooking since she was really 6 years old and who taught her?  Her mother.  Yes, me.  She started on sweets and being a table setter and now her spaghetti sauce, salads, Mexican cuisine and Caribbean flare, beverages and desserts brings much joy to all that taste and are the bomb diggity. She has own online bakery. Ms. Jalisa Royster makes a very tasty Mac and Cheese and is so helpful in preparing, serving, which she does with a smile and respect, cleaning and as a business major planning our Flea Market. Ava, her 7-yr old daughter, and her have a beverage business that is growing and growing. I order from her each week and she walks from across the street and delightfully gives me my order.  Jasmine Washington, loves to serve and help others in the kitchen, food pantry and whatever she can do. For those that didn’t know for all the Ladies at the Jazz concert (6/4) who did not have money or anyone to purchase a rose for them, she went in her own pocket and made a donation. I pray I did not forget anyone.  If I did, I seek forgiveness in advance and God grants it. We are talking about the last 2 months here.

 And Now, our men folk.  Mr. Welton McCready, Sr., is a joyful and prayerful Chef.  His Mac and Cheese is one of his signature dishes and let me tell you, it is good.  He shared what he puts in it at the fish fry, and this pastor knows how to keep a secret and so I will not tell. But all I can say is try it, you will like it.  Mr. McCready energy is so positive and he volunteered for hours at the Fish Fry. We really appreciated all that he does.  He sees and understands more than one would think.  Most people see Mr. Marshall Magwood, Jr. as just the council president, but, he actually is a pretty good cook as well.  He made baked chicken for the Jazz Event and for the Fish Fry he made the coleslaw and it was so delicious. This should not surprise anyone that knows him, since his father had a restaurant that started his love with cooking. He also was cleaning, decorating, wiring the string lights and whatever else he could find to do for weeks before the Jazz event, he never complained, just got busy.  Up until his retirement. Mr. Ronald Thurman, Sr., really didn’t enjoy the cooking part of the kitchen.  He would make me, his wife, the best sandwiches and he really never paid no mind to the compliments.  After his retirement, we decided to cook together and all I can say is he surprised me.  Now for those that do not know, Ron made his mother’s signature spaghetti recipe when he proposed to me, so I knew he could if he tried.  With all this said, he made the salad for the spaghetti dinner (6/17) and it was perfect.  He cut everything for scratch and took his time washing and dicing. He also helped to season a few pans of fish for the Fish Fry. All the napkins and forks for the food events in June he did all by himself. With his Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis his faith outweighs his constant pain and so he took his time and was happy to do so.

I mention all these individuals because they understand that only what you do for Christ will last. They also understand that in order to repair, redo, remodel, reconstruct, etc., task time and we have to roll up ourselves and get busy.  In years, and decades before they have been just as busy, and this time I got to be with the best of the best for these past 2 months.  I learned so much about them and the history of St John’s.  It was all smiles and joy in the kitchen.  No arguing whatsoever. The problem is this, we really need more willing workers, volunteers, more cooks, more planners and more coordinators and I beckon you to help in these areas when you can and as often as you can for as long as God enables you to do so.  We need to raise at least another $50K. Our building looks much better than it did in 2019, and we are not finished yet.  We need Y-O-U, with no excuses and no complaints, just cheerful and joyful givers of your time. What can you do to ease the burden, if we can label it as such, of a few? You can do as little or as much as you can. Bring your children so that they can learn to why’s, when and what of what makes planning vital and necessary. Volunteer for an hour or two.  Our Silent Generation group has lead the way for decades and many of them have entered the Church Triumphant. Their efforts are not in vain. We are here to testify. Now all of us Baby Boomers are doing many wonderful things and we enjoy do so. The Generations X and Y and the Millennials want to join in the efforts of fundraising. They have the energy, skills and motivation to do so. To God Be The Glory. Encourage them.

As the scripture says, I stand and thank God for each of you and as I mature in age and wisdom, I pray that I will be like many of you in years and decades to come.  God is not finish with us yet. When you see any of these individuals say from the heart, “God Bless You! 

Have a bless week see you in church on Sunday, July 17 @ 11 AM

Pastor Lynell’s Weekly Blog

Friday, Jun 17, 2022

 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”- Matthew 5:44

Peace and Blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Today we commemorate The Emanuel Nine Martyrs who were gathered together for a Wednesday Bible-Study on June 17, 2015 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Charleston, SC.  The murderer argued during the Bible study about scripture and the understanding of it. As they were saying the ending prayer, they were senselessly murdered by a 21 year old, whom I would rather not mention his name. Why? I have seen time and time again that those who murder are always remembered and far more so than the victims who are killed. Each of them taught others not to hate.  Their gift to a mourning community, Emanuel AME Church and to all of us left was that of love and forgiveness.

The hardest thing for one to do is to love your enemies and forgive them, especially after they have taken something you love and treasure.  Theses nine baptized and beloved children of God were the pride and joy of their communities. They welcomed a stranger in their midst, unbeknownst to them, he hated and despised Blacks. He was a Lutheran and a white supremist who was bent on starting a race war and was not remorseful over his actions; as if to make matters worse, he was treated to Burger King, in route to jail! Eventually he was charged with 39 Counts of a Federal Hate Crime and murder. He is awaiting his execution date. Although he thought that just one survived, there were 5 survivors. Polly Sheppard ,whom he left alive to tell the story. Felicia Sanders and Ka’mya who played dead and the other two were in the Pastor’s Office behind locked doors. and The wife and daughter of The Rev. Clementa Pinckney; Mrs. Jennifer Pickney and Malana Pickney.

We should all Say their names, know something about them, and remember them on this day.

Say Their  Names:                                                                                           

 The Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney (41) ;  Mrs. Cynthia Marie Hurd (54) ;   Mrs. Susie Jackson (87) ;   Mrs. Ethel Lee Lance (70) ;  The Rev. DePayne V. Middleton-Doctor (49)                                            

   Mr. Tywanza Sanders (27) ; The Rev. Daniel Lee Simmons (74) ; Mrs. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton(45) ;  Pastor Myra Singleton Q. Thompson (59)

Know Them:

The Pastor of this congregation since 2010, The Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, was also a South Carolina Senator from 2000-2015, was a beloved Son, Husband, Father, Friend, who loved God and his family. This beloved pastor oversaw 17 churches. He loved Football and the Pittsburgh Steelers was his favorite NFL team. Pastor Pinckney was also a graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary Southern in Atlanta, GA   and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Mrs. Cynthia  Marie Hurd was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a librarian and a community activist. Mrs. Hurd worked to educate generations of Charleston’s children and youth helped brought their own children back to the library.

Mrs. Susie Jackson was a member of the Board of Trustees, Women’s Missionary Society, church choir and Usher’s Board.  She was a wife, mother of 2, Grandmother of 8 and a mother figure to over 50 other children.  She was also the cousin to Ethel Lance. Before she retired she was a beautician and home health aide.  She lived a block from the church and when the church doors opened, she was there.

Mrs. Ethel Lee Lance was the church’s sexton/janitor who made everything she did glow and sparkle.  She was a wife, a mother of 5, grandmother of 6 and great grandmother of 4.  Her favorite song was ‘One Day At A Time’.

The Rev. DePayne V. Middleton-Doctor was a mother of 4 girls. When she sung it would move and bring people into praising God with tears of joy and shouting. At one time she was a grant writer who received her Bachelor from Columbia College and Masters at Wesleyan University. She was accepted at Penn State to pursue her Doctorate Degree.  As manager for the U.S. Department of commerce and Charleston County Community Development Director, she enjoyed working for the people.

Mr. Tywanza Sanders was enrolled in Allen University.  He died protecting his mother and Ka’mya both of whom survived. He even tried to reach Susie Jackson who was shot 11 times. He was a businessman who loved youth and his last words were, “We are no harm to you. You do not have to do this.” All who knew him said he loved the Lord and his family. He was the youngest victim.

The Rev. Daniel Lee Simmons was a retired pastor, husband and father of 2 and grandfather of 4.  He graduated from Allen University and of Lutheran Theological Seminary Southern, Atlanta GA.  He was a 4th Generation preacher. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma, who served in the US ARMY during the Vietnam war and received a Purple Heart.

Mrs. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton- She was a speech and language pathologist, a track coach and graduate of SC State University Ministry was her true calling. She was a wife and mother of 3.  Coleman-Singleton was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Pastor Myra Singleton Q. Thompson- was license to preach earlier that day and was so excited about teaching those that gathered the “Parable of the Sower.” She was a wife and a mother of 3.  She received a Bachelor degree from Benedict College, Colombia, SC and 2 Masters in Education from The Citadel. She loved to tell Stories and was happy and excited to serve the Lord as one of the many people who served on the Church’s Property Committee.

Remember Them:

Here is what the ELCA did at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly-

“As part of the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.

The resources referenced below are provided to help synods and congregations mark this commemoration. These resources can be adapted for virtual worship, online conversation, or individual reflection and devotion. You are invited to use them in whatever ways are most helpful for your local context.

Our relationship to the shooter, as well as two of the slain, reminds us of both our complicity and our calling. Together we confess that we are in bondage to the sins of racism and white supremacy and, at the same time, we rejoice in the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus who “has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Ephesians 2:14). May God continue to guide us as we seek repentance and renewal, and racial justice and reconciliation among God’s precious children.”

Intercessions to Mark the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine.

Let us Pray-

“For the church”

God, our truth, through the ages you have spoken through prophets. Stir up in your church a passion for your word revealed in Jesus, that following the witness of the Emanuel Nine, your church studies the scriptures, shows hospitality, prays without ceasing, and embodies prophetic justice in community. Embolden church leaders and all the baptized to remember the lives of the Nine, repent of racism and white supremacy, and renew our commitment to your word revealed most fully in Jesus, our way, truth, and life. In your great mercy, receive our prayer.

“For the nations”

Mighty and loving God, we pray for our nation and the plague of racism that threatens, destroys, and kills. Root out white supremacy wherever it takes hold. Release its grip on those lured by its false promises. Bring to repentance all who continue to benefit from prejudice and hatred, both hidden and revealed. Plant in our hearts and nation a willing spirit open to truth-telling and healing. In your great mercy, receive our prayer.

“For those who are oppressed and victimized”

Immanuel, God with us, you embrace in love those who cry out to you. Lift up all whom hatred has cast down (especially … ); embolden those who need courage to speak and act against oppression (especially … ); sustain those who are weary from efforts that bring no end to injustice (especially … ). Comfort parents weeping for children, children who have been separated from parents, and families in crises of any kind. Restore hope where it has been lost, so that all may trust your love that reaches to the depths of pain and suffering. In your great mercy, receive our prayer.

“Thanksgiving for the saints”

We give you thanks, Holy God, for the faithful life and witness of Clementa, Cynthia, Daniel, DePayne, Ethel, Myra, Sharonda, Susie, and Tywanza, the Emanuel Nine. May their faith and witness to your forgiving love in Jesus Christ inspire all people to pursue paths of justice, courage, and self-giving love. In your great mercy, receive our prayer.”

Amen.

Keep watchful and remember to love and forgive your enemies. I know that this is a challenge, but pray and do it anyway. We will still see hatred, murders, mass shootings and hate crimes and God will remain with us and will never abandon us as we continue to journey towards the promise land, our eternal home. Have a bless week. 

See you in church on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 11 AM

 Pastor Lynell Blog

Friday, June 3, 2022

“And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”- Matthew 10:28

Peace and Blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. In just two more days we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. We all traditionally wear red.  This year we will have a wonderful guest preach, Yvonne Jones-Lembo, who is the Regional Gift Planner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Regional Gift Planner is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing new and ongoing gifts from individuals in support of church-wide ministries, congregations, synods and related ELCA ministries. This woman of God is a gifted speaker.

Today, June 3, 2022, on our Liturgical calendar we commemorate the Martyrs of Uganda.  This martyrdom took place between January 31 1885- January 27,1887 in the kingdom of Buganda, which is now part of Uganda. Twenty-three Anglican, which is basically the church of England who disassociated themselves with Rome and Catholic Church and in 1534 declared King Henry VIII Supreme Head of the church and this act has been passed down to future monarchies.  Twenty-two catholic converts were also martyred. To break it down further under Pope Benedict XV beatified these twenty- two converts on June 6, 1920.  Beatified simply means, to be blessed by and have the authority to be call blessed and have been recognized and declared, by the church, that a deceased has entered heaven; having attained this step in the process of canonization.  After 44 years this group of saints were canonized on October 18, 1964. According to a friend and former seminary student of LTSP, Patrick, Canonization just means, that a person or persons in this case, the church declares them to be a saint and to go on a list called “Canon” that is a book that recognized sainthood.   With all this said, why were they killed?

According to Male Marvin, “In his efforts to curb Christian influence and try to regain the traditional, customary powers and authorities over his subjects, the then King of Buganda, Kabaka Mwanga II ordered for the killing of Anglican and Catholic converts to Christianity between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887. Mwanga precipitated a showdown, ordering the converts to choose between their new faith, and complete obedience to his orders. Those unwilling to renounce their new faith would be subject to death. Rather than deter the growth of Christianity, the martyrdom of these early believers seems to have sparked its growth instead. As has been observed in many other instances, the determination of the martyrs proved to be the seed of faith. Every year, June 3rd, when most of the martyrs were killed, is marked as a national holiday in Uganda. It is also marked worldwide on the church calendar as a day to honor the Martyrs.”  Mr. Marvin goes on to give us a complete list of those martyred with birthdates, clan/tribe, religion, date martyred and manner of which they were killed. It should be mentioned that many more were killed but were never mentioned.  And so we recognize and honor them as well.

In today times, we in, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America do Commemorated these groups of saints. Another meaning for commemorating would be to remember, to acknowledge, to show respect to celebrate. This does not mean that we all who gather and are baptized are not saints it just means that we must respect and honor those who have been martyred for the sake of Christ. Within our liturgical calendar we have several people that we commemorate. Some we are familiar with and some we have never heard of.  Like Jehu Jones (11/24), Francis Xavier (12/3), Katharine Von Bora Luther (12/20), Martin Luther King Jr. (2/15) John and Charles Wesley (3/2), Harriet Tubman (3/10), Oscar Arnulfo Romero (3/24), Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4/9), Chief Seattle of the Dumanish Tribe (6/7) The Emanuel Nine (6/17) and many, many others. As my Mother always said, “We can learn something new every day of our lives.”  This is the truth! We certainly can learn and pass of knowledge on to the next generation.  All of these were murdered for doing what is right in the eyes of God.  Those of us who remain must acknowledge them and also add other names to our families Canons.  Even so come our Lord Jesus, Amen.

See you in church on Sunday, June 5 @ 11 AM.  Please wear something red. Have a bless week.

 Pastor Lynell’s Weekly Blog

Friday, May 19, 2022

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”- Colossians 3:14

Peace and Blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Love is vital.  In a world filled with hate, hate crimes, murder, malice and vengeance, it is wonderful for God’s Children to come together in love, joy and peace.  This happened at the “Spring Bling and Fling Tea” here at St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church/Pimlico on May 14, 2022. 

The vendors were all women and each of them felt empowered as Ms. Nicole Elmore responded that women ” roar and not purr” and that we, as women sometimes cannot depend on anyone but God and self.  This is the truth. Women need to be reminded that God is the one who will never ever abandon us. We need to shout this on the roof tops and down in the basements.

 Thanks to all those who supported and provided feedback for this first time event and we will build upon this, one cell, one block and one suggestion at a time. When you remember that what you do, what we do in love, God’s perfect love then all events and occasions are a way to build unity and harmony you can plan successfully.  There may be snags in life, but even so, scripture says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) and God, our God was” In The House”.  It was one of the most perfect ways to dedicate our new and remodeled Grand Hall and to help with the cost of this worthy project. Our Kitchen looks so beautiful and our new appliances looks wonderful and the whole congregation, and associates and friends were part of this. With fellowship and love we did what some thought of as impossible, but we all know that as scripture says in Mark 10:27 – “And Jesus looking upon them said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” And yes we have to raise another $40,000 to repair and restore.  We are willing to roll up our sleeves and get busy for the Lord and our church and I know that it will be done.

I want to personally thank Mrs. Courtney Allen and Mrs. Emily Watson, Mrs. Terrie Purdie, Mrs. Gloria Ray, Mrs. Jean Jones, Mrs. Cynthia Griffin-Hood, Mrs. Lymaya Ahmed, Ms. Jalisa Royster, Ms. Jasmine Washington, Ms. Tanaya Brown for going over and beyond what was expected. Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Watson spent endless hours in consultation as they prepared with joy and love for this wonder occasion and it was not in vain. The women in the kitchen, worked in perfect peace and enjoyed each other’s company.  Again, the women that gathered were empowered by the Holy Spirit to do more for the Glory and honor of God.

What can you do to promote peace and harmony in your events and special occasions?  Do you pray before you plan?  Do you promise to put God first? Do you see the clear picture and planned purpose?  Allow God to use you and things will work out according to divine plans.  God is love and when you walk in the light, you will walk in love and harmony, first with God and then with others.

Have a bless week and see you in church Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 11 AM.  Be safe!

Pastor Lynell’s Blog

Friday, April 29, 2022

 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. 8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance[e] from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

Peace and Blessings from our Lord and Risen Savior Jesus Christ!

I truly love the Easter Liturgical Season, which is from Resurrection Sunday 4/17/22 to the Saturday June 4, 2022.  The following Sunday, June 5th, is Pentecost Sunday. It is tradition that we all wear red on this Sunday. And we will have red ribbons and flowers to celebrate the birth of the Christian Church.  More about this in June 3, 2022 Pastor’s Blog.

I chose this passage today because it is the story of David volunteering to fight that giant of a Philistine Goliath. What an amazing action story. He was just a young shepherd. David was not as strong or as skilled as the men in Saul’s army. He was however wise for his age. David’s powerful weapon was that he trusted God and had a slingshot as a weapon. This was the same slingshot that he used to fight lions and bears when they would attack his sheep. Saul was very unsure and did not trust God, because he always disobeyed God.  He showed even greater amounts of fear based on the reports he heard from the leaders within his Army.  David, on the other hand showed no fear in fact he told Saul to take heart he would go out to fight Goliath. Everyone laughed at David and told him to return to his duties and leave the fighting to the soldiers, who were trained for battle.  That young Shepherd had more heart than all of King Saul’s mighty Army put together and what you can read is the ending of that story in 1st Samuel 17:33-58. David slew the giant.

In a sense, we the members, community, family and friends of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church are just like David.  We are small, but fearless and together when we allow God to use us, we become mighty.  We have been laughed at, picked on and scorned. Our faith remains strong. When the Pandemic hit and all the churches around us were no where in sight to help members of our community of Park Heights and Pimlico, we were there to feed cloth and provide spiritual leadership. Our Food Pantry Ministry have remained the talk of this community and also of our Delaware Maryland Synod. As of this date we have fed 13,740 families and individuals since April 2022. We might be few in numbers, but with God by our side, we know that all things are possible.  God’s work is being completed with our hands. Praise God!

We are in the process of having our basement and other areas in the church uplifted from its former visible decaying conditions.  Everyone is pitching in to do what they can do to get this mighty work done.  Boiler needed to be replaced and so God allowed us to start our fundraising efforts.  The Fish Fry by Jean Jones and Sharon Green will take place on Friday, May 6, 2022 (orders are due by May 1st.)  We have our first Tea and Luncheon called ‘Spring Fling, Bling and Tea on May 14, 2022. For more information contact Ms. Courtney Allen.  Jazz is in the air and so we will have our Spring Evening in Jazz on Saturday, June 4, 2022 4-8 PM featuring Ralph Magwood and the Interfuzion Band. For more information contact Marshall Magwood, Jr. Other things on this fundraising schedule will be a Gospel concert in June and the flea market and summer fashion show, and Bus trip to see the Sight and Sound production of DAVID and a Crab Feast all this Summer. All of these things will defray the cost of the numerous and necessary repairs that is certainly overdue. Yes, as I have mentioned in 2019 and 2020, we are indeed rolling up our sleeves and getting busy for the Lord.  You are witnesses to our efforts.  Nothing is going to turn us around.

Like David, we might be considered small, but we are not fearful.  God is able to increase our numbers just as he has increased our visibility within our community since this Co-Vid-19 Pandemic.  Believe and Trust God.  Allow the Holy Spirit to use you and be the hands that God needs to get the job done. Pray for each other and especially me your Pastor.

Have a blessed weekend and week. See you in church on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 11AM.

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."- John 3:16

Peace and Blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Today is Good Friday: We are almost at the end of Holy Week.

Resurrection Sunday is April 17, 2022. We will have in house worship at 11AM. Praise be to God for the Resurrection Power and victory over sin and death.

I often hear this question, "What is so good about Good Friday?" Whenever ask I say something like, "It is a Good day for us because when Jesus said it was "Finished" all of the baptized believers obtained what was promised and that is everlasting life. I always end the conversation with John 3:16. As hard as it is for some to tolerate the passion of the story of Jesus' suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest, the act of healing a solider who was struck by a sword, the betrayal with a kiss, the mockery, pain, hunger, thirst, beatings, assaults, and Crucifixion, it does bring us Hope in the power of the Resurrection. It is a Good Friday.

We know and truly believe that our salvation was paid in full and no cost to any of us. It was because of love that God gave us Jesus. Christ was not sent to condemn the world, but to bring us salvation. Here are two scriptures that proves to all of us that salvation is indeed free.

"But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many."-Romans 5:15

and

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."- Romans 6:23

Salvation, a new eternal home where Jesus and other family, loved ones and friends await us and all of this as a free gift sound good to me. How does this sound to you? God grace was given for you at no cost. We need to have a sense of the sufferings of Christ so that our praise will be more meaningful. All must experience all the passion that it brings to know the love that was given. So yes, we have to relive the sufferings that Christ encountered and ask God to help us.

Martin Luther, the Great Reformer wrote the following-"Ninthly, whoever perceives himself to be so hard and sterile that he is not terror-stricken by Christ's sufferings and led to a knowledge of him, he should fear and tremble. For it cannot be otherwise; you must become like the picture and sufferings of Christ, be it realized in life or in hell; you must at the time of death, if not sooner, fall into terror, tremble, quake and experience all Christ suffered on the cross. It is truly terrible to attend to this on your deathbed; therefore you should pray God to soften your heart and permit you fruitfully to meditate upon Christ's Passion. For it is impossible for us profoundly to meditate upon the sufferings of Christ of ourselves, unless God sink them into our hearts. Further, neither this meditation nor any other doctrine is given to you to the end that you should fall fresh upon it yourself, to accomplish the same; but you are first to seek and long for the grace of God, that you may accomplish it through God's grace and not through your own power. For in this way it happens that those referred to above never treat the sufferings of Christ aright; for they never call upon God to that end, but devise out of their own ability their own way, and treat those sufferings entirely in a human and an unfruitful manner." - [A sermon by Martin Luther, first published in 1519. The sermon went through many editions between 1519-1524 and was one of Luther's most popular writings. [The following sermon is taken from volume II:183-192 of The Sermons of Martin Luther, published by Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI). It was originally published in 1906 in English by Lutherans in All Lands Press (Minneapolis, MN), as The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther, vol. 11. The original title of this sermon appears below. The pagination from the Baker edition has been maintained for referencing. This e-text was scanned and edited by Richard Bucher, it is in the public domain and it may be copied and distributed without restriction.]

On this Good Friday, believe that God will place in your hearts the true meaning of this day and the Passion of Christ that we should consider daily in our devotions. Your salvation, my beloved siblings of Christ, was worth every last bit of Christ suffering and the blood that was shed way back on Calvary. Why? Because God loved you so much he gave his Son to die for you, I and all creation. This is a good Friday, the best Friday ever.

Be Blessed. See you tonight at 7 PM and on Resurrection Sunday.

Peace and Blessings from our Lord Jesus Christ. We are on our Lenten Journey which in this year last from Wednesday, March 2 to Sunday, April 17, 2022. Our 40- day Lenten journey does not include weekends. It is a time to take on and not just put down. We take on more fasting, more praying and more giving of our tithes and offerings, more sharing of peace and love and certainly more forgiveness.

 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: “‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? -Acts-7:35-42

Each day of the year we have a series of scriptures that we read from our Daily Lectionary. Today's readings (March 4, 2022) are from;

Exodus 5:10-23

Psalm 91:1-2,9-16

Acts 7:35-42.

In our first Lesson: God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and to tell him to let my people go. Moses told Yahweh, and I will take the liberty to paraphrase here for complete clarity, "God, you sent me to the Children of Israel and they did not listen. Perhaps they too have harsh hearts filled with anger and malice due to the very bad treatment they had to endure under Egypt's oppression. Maybe they remembered what I did to that task master, and some suffered for it. I told them what you said, and they are not budging or moving towards freedom or the promise of hope and you expect me to go to mighty Pharaoh and tell him to let your ungrateful, yet beloved children of Israel leave Egypt. I stutter and they claim they do not understand me."

God raised up the prophet Moses who had the rare opportunity to be raised in the royal family by Pharaoh's daughter, Bithiah (according to the Midrash and Exodus chapters 2:1-15). Moses was from the tribe of Levi. He had very deep compassion for those in slavery and knew it was wrong for them to be treated so poorly. Moses did not agree with what was going on with his kinfolks so, when an Egyptian taskmaster was beating a slave, Moses in his anger killed the abuser and fled Egypt for fear that he would be put to death. He went to Midian where he continued to fight the injustices that he witnessed, including the shepherds who chased Jethro's daughters from well. Moses was humbled after he protected the young women and watered their flocks. He even married one of Jethro’s daughter' Zipporah.

It was extremely hard for him to return to a place where he left under those circumstances. Even at the ripe age of 80 years, he had fears and concerns. The book of Acts clearly points out that the Children of Israel rejected Moses and paid him no mind at this point and their rebelliousness continued for the next 40 years as Moses led them in the wilderness and of course, we read of more of their unruly behaviors all throughout the Bible. Upon leaving Egypt, they complained about so many things, not having a visible/idol god like others, no good food, no tasty water, no country, having to be circumcised and all those Mosaic laws that few people could follow in totality. Thank God we live under Grace because we couldn't follow those Laws without an unworthy sacrifices either. I am mindful that each of us have a difficult time under Grace and we have to wash in the blood of the Lamb of God, a worthy sacrifice.

As the story goes, Moses did go down to Pharaoh, who did not listen and only after the ten plaques of blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the Firstborn, did pharaoh release them but not without a chase to and in the Red Sea. God delivered them from Pharaoh and his mighty army who were killed and yet they were still disobedient and rejected Moses.

And today, God sends us leaders and we reject them, we complain, we do not have clear understanding about God's love and compassion, because we are still under wrongful teachings and transliterations of the Word of God. God tells us to turn right, and we make a u-turn. Our Creator tells us to love our neighbors and we turn a blind eye to their needs. Yahweh ask us will we continue to rob him, and ignore the blessings given to us and all of God's commands on first fruits and tithes anyway. Jesus says follow me and we make excuses. Like I said in the sermon on Ash Wednesday, we are a messy mix who pick up particles of dirt (sin) and we need forgiveness daily to rid ourselves of all those sins and bias.

Seek God, call upon him and learn that the great 'I AM' ways are not your ways. The best of all leaders, from all points of life have been rejected and you can read about that throughout history and in your Bible. Sadly good leaders, will continue to be rejected. Jesus too was rejected and yet, we still have the one who leads us to Salvation and Eternal Life walking beside us.

During this Lenten Season, ask God to open up your heart and mind and continue to pray and let the Holy Spirit led you to higher depths and deeper understand. Have a Bless week.

Friday, October 15, 2021

Peace and Blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and Great Commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”. Matthew 22:37-39 (KJV)

Discipleship Cost. Does this surprise you? Sometimes when you begin your discipleship journey, you go through a period of spiritual changes and growth that are too rapid for your inner circle of family and friends who might become uncomfortable with your new lifestyle choices. They might abandon you, call you crazy, say that you used to be fun and the life of the party, but, fret not because God will send you other family and friends that will journey with you as you follow Christ. This is absolutely true. Many disciples of Christ have experience the power of God as new family and friends enter into their lives, and what a wonderful feeling it is to have new people that God has placed in your life walk with you in faith. God is ever present and have not and never will abandon you. The Good News is that although discipleship cost, the benefits for being a disciple is eternal life.

Discipleship is not about power or gain. It is about humility, being a submissive to Jesus and being a servant to all. We are to love our neighbors as it is written in the Gospel of Matthew 22:39, as ourselves. You might not agree with their life style, but love them anyway. You might not agree with their politics, but love them anyway. You might not agree with their choices, but love them anyway. As you follow Christ you will discover that discipleship is about Love. Love for Christ and others. Have a bless weekend on purpose.