Good morning! May this Sunday be a day of wonderful, amazing, and endearing experiences for you and yours! We’ve been excited and warmed by the baptism of five infants in the church in the past several weeks at Holy Cross. We are also excited by the activity and interest in our church of young couples, some, of course, with children. This was seemingly in answer to specific prayers that the Lord would bless us with families starting out their lives together. We are looking forward to hosting the Central Pacific District’s Discipleship Retreat this coming October 15-17, 2021 in Pacifica, CA. Meanwhile, the work of SpiritCare Ministry for Seniors continues to prosper during the present pandemic.
I returned to my home church in north La Crosse, Wisconsin, after sixty years, and had the opportunity to encourage the congregation to “keep on keeping on”. What an experience to return after more than a half century! [I paused momentarily to realize I’d returned.] I was back for a magnificent reunion weekend of the Class of 1961. I had a great time. I was hosted by friend and classmate, Karen (Jensen) Fencl and her colorful husband, Wayne. I look forward to classmate General Raymond Moss, being our featured speaker for our next Independence Sunday celebration (June).
Special prayers today for Garrett Young, and his victim, Gryselda Joseph, on life support in San Mateo County.
the Scriptures for today
on one hand
“…but the wisdom that comes from heaven
is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate,submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial,and sincere…” (James 3:17)
on the other hand
“…now the people complained about their
hardships within the hearing of the Lord…”(Numbers 11:1)
“…the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul…the statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple…”(Psalm 19:7)
“…Is any one of you sick? Call the elders of the church to pray over that person and anoint him or her with oil in the name of the Lord… “(James 5:13-20)
“…everyone will be salted with fire…”
([Jesus] Mark 9:49)
Would you be willing to pray with me?
Lord God, we express gratefulness at the beginning of this new day to thank you for your investment inour lives for the mindset and heart of the your Son, Jesus. Sometimes it’s hard for us to have sacred vision in our lives, especially since—so often—you spoil us with many favors, that we take for granted, …but then…in times of difficulty and personal hurt and unpleasantness, we tend to turn our backs onyou and question your wisdom and guidance. Thank you for brothers and sisters who keep us on track with your perfect plan for our lives. Thank you for—at choice times— that mysterious interventionwhich makes us aware of your unseen presence inour lives amidst the challenges we face on a daily basis. We commend our lives into your caring hands.
In Jesus’ name,Amen.
the message
A new lady in town from Texas entered our church vestibule one Sunday morning—years ago now—to visit our church and to worship with us. Her name was Emily Angle. She was a Southern Baptist.
She was at least passing through her “middle-age” years when we first met. After the worship service, I said I would help her to find a Godly and outstanding Southern Baptist congregation nearby, in fact, there was such a church down the street and with a pastor from Texas. Her response to this was…
“No thanks. I think I’ve found a ‘church home’ here at Holy Cross. If you don’t mind, I’m going to stay right here.”
The designation “Lutheran” didn’t seem to phase her one bit. Emily remained this way, I mean, a member of Holy Cross, for seventeen years thereafter.
Her sister, Helen, remained a Southern Baptist, andjoined another local congregation, but always made it for our mid-week “prayer and praise” services. Inlater years, Helen returned to Texas and called meon the telephone during her last days asking for the”kind of comforting prayer” she remembered whenshe’d attend Holy Cross. I remember being so pleased to hear from her and blessed to know we’d made a difference her life, too, as with Emily.
Emily was a constant prayer resource for others in our fellowship. She provided sound spiritual advice for many. She had a way of helping without intruding. It was her God-given gift. I cannot recall one instance when she criticized or mocked another individual, nono matter the person or situation. She loved to fellowship before and after worship, and especially enjoyed thecoffee hour in our social hall. Our people loved her dearly.She was quick to listen to and pass along good humor.Emily loved a good joke or story. [You betcha! However, I tried to restrain myself from telling some of the more sophisticated Norwegian “Ole and Lena” jokes.]
As the years passed by, Emily’s health began to declinedramatically, and within time, she became a patient at the Linda Mar Convalescent Hospital in Pacifica. I visitedher regularly. I would have to say she ministered to memore than I think I ministered to her. There was a churning and questioned inside myself at times…I would pause and reflect…
“Where does this inner strength come from?”
Eventually, Emily’s body became greatly disfigured. Her pain increased dramatically day by day. She had been a tall and thin woman. Within a comparatively short period of time her body became all twisted upand deformed. I could literally feel her pain in my bodyby drawing near. The time came when the administrator at the hospital called me on the telephone suggesting that I come to the hospital immediately. He was concerned that Emily was, as he said, “near the end”. When I arrived I was absolutely shocked to observe Emily on her bed. It hurt me to see her in such intense pain. As I remember, her body was a sight…the arm and elbow and knee more observable than the face. [I’ve kept this impression inside of me all these years…as I share it now.] I decided to concentrate on the person inside this human body and the God that had brought us together in beginning and caused us to be together in this present moment.
I let Emily know I was in the room. I greeted her warmlyand expressed the commitment in love of the Savior we had shared through the years. I placed my hand uponwhat had been a shoulder and asked her…
“Emily, what shall we pray for in this moment…?”
Her answer was burned into my inner being forthat moment and for all the years that have passedsince. You see, I thought she would ask that theLord minimize her pain…that the Lord would takeher quickly…that the Lord would grant her insightinto the reason behind the pain she was experiencing…
…no such thing…
Emily asked me, “Pastor, pray that I might remain faithful to the end…”
She didn’t need insight into why things were happeningto her as they were. She didn’t question the wisdom of the Lord in allowing what was happening now in light of all those faithful years of service…to bring about what would be the extremely painful end of her life…
Time stood still for me. This was for me a momentrevelation, of divine light. I could have been present at the the foot of the cross and I wouldn’t have been more moved. It was for me a most holy moment in my pastoral life…a highlight…and as with Jesus on the cross…a moment of surpassing pain…at great cost…and death…only to rise again…the assurance of faith…
Emily was not concerned about herself in the mosttrying, agonizing moment in her life…
I stayed with her a comparatively short period ofactual clock time…an eternity of precious moments…
Within an hour Emily died, but she was not alone. She had such peace on her face. The battle wasover…the victory of faith won. I sense she knewthe very moment of her transition. I never feltso valued as to be there for my friend…then…and for eternity…
In sheer moments all the preparation for ministrythrough the years was validated in my heart andmind…
I pause…to reflect again on that precise moment…
…I will see her again…
We’ll sing… “When the Roll is called Up Yonder” and
“I’ll fly away” together in the great “by and by”
…with Jesus Himself there present right there with us…
No more night.
No more pain.
…only peace and joy and togetherness…
Cordially,
Tom
The Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Nibbe says
Thank you, Sherm, for putting this particular message on the columns section for this week.