July  2006

From the Pastor

            “God bless our native land!  Firm may she ever stand thro’ storm and night!  When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do thou our country save by Thy great might.”

            So goes the first verse of the hymn, “God Bless our Native Land.”  Most likely we will sing this hymn again on Sunday, July 2, as we prepare to celebrate the 230^th anniversary of our country’s birth on July 4.  And it is indeed very proper to ask God to bless our native land.  St. Paul urges in 1 Timothy 2 that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

            God has indeed blessed us, and our country, with much peace and quiet during these past 230 years.  Yes, we have had to deal with foreign wars, a very brutal Civil War, and continue to deal with terrorism.  But still, we are blessed with a stable government, the ability to travel, and the freedom to worship.

            That is the chief purpose of government, to provide stability and security so that the church can proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.  During the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) of the 1^st Century, St. Paul was able to travel far and wide to preach and teach – something that was very difficult in the years before the Romans and the years after.

            So on July 4^th as we watch fireworks and barbecue hamburgers, let us remember the freedom and security in America that we often take for granted – the freedom and security to come together as God’s people in worship and to invite others to hear of His saving work in Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Wohletz