St. Mark Lutheran Church | Pastor's Message

Past Messages

Pastor's Message

Fishing Season

June 2008

Summer is almost here. For some of us that means another season of fishing. William Butler Yeats, that renowned Irish fisherman and poet fo the 20th century, captured well the feeling that comes over some of us fellow fishermen this time of year when he wrote:

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
(from The Lake Isle of Innisfree)

For myself, I hear the same sounds every time I look at the picture mhy friend Jeanne took of me a few summer's back. It sits on my desk to remind me of what heaven is like. I am smiling in the stern of a canoe, with lake water lapping at the sides, as I hold to the camera one of the prettiest northern pikes I have ever been lucky enough to catch. My 26-year-old son John and I are returning to that same lake in a few days from now as I write this newsletter to open another season of Minnesota fishing in our lives. I can hardly wait.

Perhaps you are headed in a similar direction; perhaps sitting in a narrow canoe as you swat flies and patiently wait for the fish to bite is the last thing you want to do with your precious and well earned vacation time. Whatever you may be looking forward to , I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing and refreshing season this summer.

Talk about fishing, however, does bring to mind something Jesus said a long time ago to some fellows named Andrew and Simon. According to Mark 1:16, Jesus came across those brothers and ardent anglers "casting a net into the sea" (Word of caution: Don't you try that method on Lake Michigan unless you have a commercial fistherman's license) and suggested a different activity. "Follow me," Jesus beckoned, "and I will make you fishers of people."

Whatever the resone - something about the way Jesus said it, the playful look in his eye, the promise of adventure, the fish weren't biting anyway, their license had expired - they dropped what they were doing and followed the man from Galilee. Judging from the record left in Mark and the other gospels, they weren't disappointed. Life took on new meaning. They had adventures aplenty. They had a sense of fulfillment they had never known before, even on the days when the fish were biting like crazyl.

Well, the promise is there for us, too. If we follow Jesus, he will make us become fishers of people. It can fill you life with adventure, and lend purpose to your days. It will give you a sense of fulfillment like nothing else. Do you believe it? Enough to follow like Simon and Andrew? I hope we all have an exciting and rewarding "fishing season this year.

Shalom and Blessings,
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

Easter People

May 2008

The festival of Easter has come and gone. But the joy and wonder remain for all who are enlivened by the good news that, "Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!" A pastor friend of mine defines Christians as folks who all year are, "Easter People." I like that expression. I think it captures well the hope that is central to our faith.

As we draw near to the end of another Easter season on our liturgical calendar it occurs to me that this might be a good time to reflect a little more deeply on just what it is that distinguishes us as Easter People. Three things stand out in my mind as I consider our heritage as followers of Jesus.

First, when I think of the joys of Easter I am reminded by the words of Luther in the Small Catechism of the supreme and abiding significance of the forgiveness of sin. To be sure, Christians are no different than other people when it comes to the stubborn fact of sin. As Paul the great missionary apostle observed long ago: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) But, thanks be to God, Easter People have also experienced the gracious forgivenss of sin. We have the special joy deep in our hearts that comes of knowing that even the terrible wickedness of Good Friday can be redeemed by a compassionate God who loves and cares for sinners.

Second, Easter People are those who folks who have experienced the presence of the risen Christ in their own lives. As with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the other New Testament witnesses of the ressurection we have met the risen Christ in the assembly of believers, in the breaking of the bread, in the Word of grace that is spoken and the generous love that is shared in Jesus' name. Experiences like those have the unique power to transform lives, our own as well as the people to whom we witness in faith and love.

Finally, when I consider what it means to be Easter People I am reminded of the hope of the resurrected life to come. The apostle Peter puts this mark of the Christian in the very forefront of our life together when he exclaims: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperished, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

It's quite an array of blessings: the forgiveness of sin; the living presence of Christ; the strong and vital hope of resurrected life to come. May the experience of such blessings transform your life and fill your soul with joy not only during the season of Easter but all through the year!

Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

The Blessing of Community

April 2008

One of the marks of our individualistic culture is the feeling that we can make it on our own. No wonder one of the sections at Borders Books is called "Self Help." Here we find books designed to help us deal with issues such as addictions, loneliness, self-esteem, loss and grief. And a few would argue with the notion that says a person ought to stand on their own two feet and assume responsibility for their actions.

On the other hand, the whole notion of "self help" seems to suggest that if we simply work hard enough we will find wholeness, fulfillment and the sense of well-being that we seek. Often this a la carte approach is disconnected from a community and the rich resources that are offered there.

What a strange concept, in that sense, is "self help." When life becomes difficult and challenging, is not that the time we turn to God and to other people? To paraphrase a popular 12-step program, "We admit that we cannot simply help ourselves, that on our own we do not have all the answers, and all the wisdom needed for the living of our lives."

Some say that you can be a Christian on your own, that you do not need to attend worship or be part of a community. Yet God has provided us this wonderful gift of the Christian assembly around Word and Sacrement to nourish and equip us for ministry in our daily lives. We attend worship not only to "get our spiritual batteries recharged," as some would have it, but to be formed in God's love and grace that we might together witness to the power of the gospel in our troubled, hurting and often conflicted world.

During the 50 Days of Easter we celebrate the transforming power of the resurrection, and in worship we hear readings from the book of Acts. We learn how the early Christians devoted themselves to, "the teaching of the apostles, to fellowship, to prayers, and to the breaking of bread." (Acts 2:42) As the power of the risen Lord washed over them, they grew together in faith, knowledge and gratitude even as they grew in numbers.

Like those earliest Christians, we gather as a community around the scriptures and the eucharistic table to experience the risen Lord among us today. Being part of the Church connects us with the faithful of all times and places who have been grasped by the power of the gospel. Together, we are so much stronger than we are alone.

So, as our St. Mark community gathers for worship, let us be there for one another. And then let us faithfully share the message of Easter with a world that so needs to hear this empowering word of faith, hope and love!

Wishing You a Blessed Easter Season!
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

Something of Value

March 2008

Jesus once said,

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father's will? But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Mathew 10:29-31)

I suspect that our Lord was speaking to some people who had begun to question in their hearts their self worth. That's something that happens to a lot of us. There are, after all, so many things that can cause us to lose heart and to question our value as a human being. Some problem that refuses to be resolved at work, at home, in an important relationship. A cutting remark from a stranger or an unkind word from someone we know and care about. So many things, big and little, can conspire against our sense of self confidence and self worth.

It's especially important at times when our self worth is called into question to remember our Lord's blessed assurance that the Heavenly Father who keeps his eye on the least sparrow surely keeps watch over us. After all, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) That's the soul warming message at the heart of the seasons of Lent and Easter. That's how much you are worth in the eyes of God. And that's something worth remembering in all seasons!

May you and all who are dear to you enjoy a blessed Lenten season and a very happy Easter!

Pastor Lloyd Heroff

Come All You People

February 2008

The season of Lent starts early this year. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season, is February 6th. Within the rhythm of the church year, Lent has functioned in a number of ways to enhance worship, contribute to spiritual growth, foster reflection on matters of concern to all Christians, and simply be a time for education on the basics of the Christian faith. In the ancient church, Lent was the time for instructing recent converts and young people in preparation for their baptism at the Great Vigil of Easter which started after sunset on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter.

In keeping with the ancient catechetical nature of Lent, Pastor Carl and I have decided, after much reflection, to focus our Lenten midweek services this year on some basic instruction on the form and content as well s the shape and history of our Lutheran worship service. We hope this will be a meaningful opportunity for all of us to reflect a little more deeply on what we do when we gather regularly for worship, as we do every Sunday morning, and why we do what we do.

The outline given in the schedule that follows is based on the main parts of a Lutheran Communion service, but attention will also be devoted to many of the symbols commonly employed in Lutheran worship, e.g. colors and candles, hymns and music, flowers and stained glass, robes and stoles, banners and paraments. The theme for our Lenten series is Come All You People, which is also the title of a lively new hymn in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (# 819), the hymnal we use at St. Mark. So, do come and join us for a lively, informative and hopefully stimulating look at Lutheran worship.

February 6 Ash Wednesday ~ A Solemn Reminder of our Dependence on a Gracious God
February 13 What is Lutheran Worship?
February 20 Gathering and Confession
February 27 God's Word in Readings and Sermon
March 5 Sacraments of Water, Wine and Bread
March 12 Sending and Witness
March 20 Maundy Thursday
March 21 Good Friday
March 22 The Great Vigil of Easter

All midweek Lenten services will begin at 7:00 pm. There will be an abbreviated version of the lesson and worship service especially for families with younger children or older St. Markers who may wish to worship earlier in the evening at 5:00 in the Great room. A soup supper (as well as the Annual Youth Spaghetti Supper) will be served in the Fellowship hall from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

Wishing you a blessed and uplifting Lenten season,
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

New Year Resolutions

January 2008

Near the end of the Book of Revelation St. John shares an inspiring vision of the glorious age to come when he says,

"I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven... and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them and they shall be his people... and behold, I make all things new!" (Revelation 21:2-5)

There is something about newness that excites us and makes a person feel more alive: the feel of a new suit of clothes; the interior of a car when it is still brand new; the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven; the cry of a new born child (especially if you're the grandparent); the excitement of making a new friend. There is something about newness that quickens the pulse and puts a spring in your step, a smile on your face, and maybe even a song in your heart.

Some of us wish more than anything that we ourselves could be renewed. I suppose that's why some of us actually take the time to write New Year's Resolutions. We hope in our heart of hearts that we really can become different people, better parents, truer friends, gentler and more compassionate neighbors, stronger and more faithful disciples, new people.

Whatever your New Year's Resolutions may be, the good news of the Bible, the message of Christmas, is that God has sent Jesus into the world to redeem our souls and to forgive our sins. If you believe that in your heart of hearts it can change a lot of things. It can fill your heart with hope, put a spring in your step, a song on your lips and give you a whole new outlook on life. It could even make a new person out of you.

May you enjoy a truly blessed and happy New Year!
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

Advent Preparations

December 2007

And they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Luke 2:16

It's that time of year when we begin once again to dig out the decorations that have been packed away since sometime last January. Within our family it always seems like something of a surprise to rediscover some of these holiday symbols, many of which go all the way back to our respective childhoods. "Oh, I remember that," you say; "and I remember that one, too!" Of course, they were there all the time, packed away in boxes since last Christmas. But now the decorations are out again.

In a way, unpacking the ornaments each year can be like finding old friends again. Some decorations always go in the same place each year, and some have stories that go with them - like where they came from, when your family first got them, what they remind people of. The beautiful Chrismons that decorate the sanctuary trees at St. Mark are like that for all of us! It almost seems a shame that they have been packed away for so long, but now you are getting ready to use them.

The story of god's love in Christ may be like that. It's there all the time; we know about it because we have heard it before - how Jesus came to live on earth, how he was born in a star lit stable in Bethlehem, how he grew to a man and gave his life to pay for our sin, how God raised him again to hear our prayers and be our dear Savior and Friend.

But even though we've heard it all before, each unpacking of the story can be new and exciting, if we approach it with eager anticipation. The truth is God's love has been there all the time, all year long, just waiting to be used.

So, this time around, as you unpack the decorations and place them in their niches around the house, take some time to reflect on those occasions in your life when God's love in Christ has been especially meaningful for you. And may those blessed memories be for you the best decorations of all!

Wishing You a Blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas!
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

Take it to the Lord in Prayer

November 2007

We all have moments when we feel lost, lonely or confused. We all wonder, at times, if anyone is really listening to what we have to say. It is for just such times that God has given us the gift of prayer.

Jesus once said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10)

Nothing could be more comforting or reassuring to empty, lost or troubled souls than this glowing promise for the lips of Jesus. It's so important to know that when we are feeling weak and empty because of loss, grief or disappointment, there is one who is strong, generous and able to fill the emptiness of our lives with his wonderful love. That one is God.

It is reassuring to remember that in a world where it is easy to become confused and to lose all sense of direction, there is one who can always be relied upon to take us by the hand and lead us back to our true home. That one is God.

It is especially helpful to keep in mind whenever we are feeling lonely or shut out from the company of others that there is one door that will always open to our knock. That door is the gate to the kingdom of God. And the gatekeeper is God himself. He will never turn you away if you but turn to him in heart-felt prayer.

Remember these things the next time you are feeling lost, lonely or confused. Remember to turn to God in prayer. And may all your prayers be answered by the God who loves you and cares for you so much that he sent Jesus to be your Savior and Friend.

Wishing you blessing and peace,
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

Nothing to Fear

October 2007

The Psalmist once offered these strong and reassuring words of faith and confidence:

"The Lord is my light and my
salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold
of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

Developmental psychologists tell us that babies are born with very few instinctive fears. The fear of falling, the fear of sudden, loud noises - these pretty much sum up the fears that we are born with. The remainder we pick up along the way: fear of failure; fear of rejection; fear of loneliness; fear of crowds; fear of strangers; fear of accident, illness or growing old; fear of death, to mention just a few of the things we learn to fear over the course of a lifetime.

To have such fears from time to time is only human. The good news of the Bible is that God has not has not left us to deal with our fears all by our lonesome. God promises to be with us in the dark moments as our light and our salvation. God promises to shield us when we are threatened by enemies that rise up against us. God vows to shore us up when we feel weak and vulnerable. God promises to protect us always as the stronghold of our life

May these strong promises of God put zest in your life, a spring in your step and a song on your lips. May the assurance that God is with you always, through thick and thin, fill your heart with faith and joy!

See you in church
Pastor Lloyd Heroff

Planting Time

September 2007

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the ages. Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus sent his disciples out to win the world for him with one simple tool: the Word, the story of God revealed in Christ. They were given no popular philosophy, no political organization, no theory of psychology, no grand military strategy. The disciples were simply to plant the seed of God's kingdom by telling the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

What happened, of course, is history. The story was told; the seed was planted in the hearts and minds of people all around the world. Moreover, the seed has germimated and taken root, producing the fruits of faith, hope and love in the lives of people all around the world.

But the really important questions for each of us are these: Has the seed of God's gracious word found its way into my heart? What am I doing to nourish and cultivate that seed? And have I shared the Word with others? As we look forwards to the beginning of another program year in the life of our church on Rally Day (September 9th) we have ample opportunities to respond positively to those questions by making a firm commitment to open our Bibles in individual study, engage in daily prayer, attend church regularly, register our children in Sunday School and Confirmation, enlist in adult Bible study, and INVITE A FRIEND to worship and study with us. If we do these things, faithfully planting and cultivating the seed that Christ has entrusted to us, God has promised a rich and plentiful harvest of faith, hope and love.

And may God bless, enliven and keep you in His grace!
Pastor Lloyd Heroff