Join us for our second-to-last Small Catechism Bible class this Wednesday @ 6:00 pm! Our discussion of the Lord’s Supper moves on this week to the benefits of the body & blood of Jesus. What’s it for? A helpful refresher for all, young and old, new and familiar!
April 23, 2024
Dear Friends,
First, note that as the season of Easter winds down, we’ll celebrate the Feast of the Ascension on Thursday, May 9th (40 days after Easter)! This year, as in years past, it will be a circuit-wide celebration! St. Paul’s in Eden Valley is hosting the service at 7pm, with treats to follow. Mark your calendars!
Second, I mentioned in Bible Class yesterday that I’d share a few things about the Minnesota Legislative session that we should pay attention to:
#1: Remember 1 Timothy 2:1–4: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
It’s because of this text that the pastors of the St. Cloud Circuit went to visit the Capitol. It was a privilege to pray for the legislators (on all sides of all issues) and encourage them to carry out their God-given responsibilities faithfully.
#2: Check out the Minnesota Family Council (https://www.mfc.org/) and especially their bill tracker (https://www.mfc.org/billtracker). They have good, current information about what’s going on at the Capitol that is of special concern to Christians.
#3: The LCMS Minnesota North & South Districts have a staff Public Policy Advocate, Rev. Fred Hinz (https://www.mnsdistrict.org/public-policy). You can sign up for a newsletter and read his articles for more information about public policy matters that are relevant to the church.
#4: Here’s a letter (http://www.concordialcms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-Lutheran-Response-government.pdf) sent to the Capitol, signed by the LCMS MN North & South District Presidents along with the Wisconsin Synod, ELS, American Association of Lutheran Churches, Association of Free Lutherans, and Lutheran Brethren. It expresses concern over the fact that exemptions for churches were deliberately left out of the recent Human Rights legislation in MN. The law, as it stands, would allow lawsuits for discrimination if churches do not hire workers because of their gender identity. This is a new and shocking violation of the right of Christians to the free exercise of religion.
#5: One of the most profound ways that the church is impacted by the legislature is the pattern of legal things becoming normal.
This is what I think about when it comes to laws concerning assisted suicide. I am not afraid of the world hurting the church materially. They can persecute us until they’re blue in the face, but they can’t take away God’s Word. They cannot rob us of faith, though they rob us of all our earthly treasures.
But, when wickedness becomes legal and then normal and the church is not on guard or remains silent, many Christians are misled into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. That is why, when an issue like assisted suicide pops up, the church needs to be aware and think and speak clearly about it.
Let us always remember that all life is precious in God’s sight and that taking your own life, no matter the reason, is breaking the 5th commandment. It is murder and great wickedness.
Let us pray that such wickedness does not overtake our state, and let us pray that, even if it does, we would not succumb to the lies but instead believe the promises of God and find our rest in his boundless love!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
COMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, April 24
9:30 am – Chapel
10:00 am – Bible Study
6:00 pm – Small Catechism Bible Study
7:00 pm – Vespers
Sunday, April 28
9:00 am – Divine Service
10:30 am – Sunday School/Bible Study
11:30 am – Voters’ Meeting