Rooted in Christ
Kay Knight
Built on the Rock
Does anyone else feel like August shows up uninvited? One day you're celebrating that summer has finally arrived, and the next you're wondering why school supplies are already on sale, football is back on TV, and someone has the audacity to mention pumpkin spice. Somehow June and July disappear faster than a plate of cookies at church coffeehour.
This summer we've been walking through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7. It's a beautiful sermon...and an uncomfortable one. Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Pray for those who hurt us. Forgive generously. Trust our heavenly Father instead of worrying. Seek first His kingdom. Then, just when we're starting to feel like we're making progress, He says, "Before you point out the speck in your neighbor's eye, how about that log in your own?" Ouch. Thanks, Jesus.
The Sermon on the Mount has a way of exposing our hearts. It reminds us that following Jesus isn't simply about trying harder or polishing up our behavior. We need something much deeper than self-improvement. We need a foundation.That's why I love how Jesus ends the sermon. He doesn't tell us to build the prettiest house or the biggest house. He says the wise person builds on the rock. Notice what He doesn't promise: He never says the storms won't come. In fact, He assumes they will. Rain falls. Winds blow. Floods rise. The question isn't if the storms will arrive. The question is what your life is built upon when they do.
That fits beautifully with our theme this year: Rooted in Christ. Paul writes in Colossians 2:6–7, "As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him."
I love that picture. Trees don't survive Wisconsin winters because they grit their bark and try harder. They survive because their roots reach deep beneath the surface. They draw life from a source stronger than themselves.
That's us too. We don't stand because we've finally mastered patience, conquered worry, or become experts at loving difficult people. (If you have, please tell the rest of us how!) We stand because our roots are sunk deep into Jesus Christ. He is the Rock beneath us and the life within us.
As summer gives way to fall, calendars will fill up again. Sunday School and confirmation begin. Choirs rehearse.
Schedules get busier, and before long we'll all be wondering where September went. Those are wonderful gifts from God—but they're not the foundation. They are the places where God strengthens our roots through His Word and Sacraments, continually drawing us back to Christ Himself.
So whether August finds you excited for a new season, mourning how quickly summer passed, or still hoping to squeeze in one more trip to the lake, remember this: Your life isn't built on a perfectly organized calendar, a completed summer bucket list, or finally finishing that project around the house. (Although if you've actually finished yours, again I'd love to know your secret!)
Your life is built on Christ. He is the Rock that never crumbles, the Root that never withers, and the Savior who never changes. That's a foundation strong enough for every season—and every storm.
I look forward to seeing you as we continue to gather around His Word and His gifts, continuing to grow ever more deeply rooted in Him.
Have a blessed end of summer!
—Pastor Kay
25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27) On July 11th of this year, we celebrated the anniversary of our chartering as a church. We are walking into our 80th year as a family of faith! In the above Scripture passage, Paul points us to the glory and beauty of God. Even in the midst of beatings and imprisonments, Paul experienced the amazing Glory of God. Paul unfolded all of the ways this is taking place – · that in Jesus Christ, God is showing the Jews that He is faithful to fulfill every promise to their forefathers, · and in Jesus, God is showing the Gentiles – of which we are a part – that He is drawing those farthest from Him into His kingdom, being generous in mercy and claiming them as His children. Therefore God is bringing together the Jews –to whom He gave His promises and the Gentiles – those who are objects of His mercy, into the family of His unconquerable kingdom where we do not live by the lies the culture tells, where men and women know who they are in Christ, who raise their children to look to their Creator in discovering who they are, and where the strong are to deal gently with the weak. Glory be to God. The result is salvation and shalom – wholeness. Whole people, whole families, whole communities – to the Glory of God. “Gloria Dei” means “Glory to God”. Our name reflects the attitude that is at our foundation. Christ is our cornerstone. Everything we do springs from Him! In the early documents of Gloria Dei, repeated are expressions like, “Glory to God for sustaining us for another year.” “Glory to God for growing us beyond our current building’s capacity.” At the end of 1963, it was apparent that they had experienced frustrations in their desire for a larger facility. President Chris Stefferud placed the concern in these words, “In our effort to build a larger sanctuary, we must not forget that our first and primary goal is to save the souls of men.” Then at the annual meeting of 1965, after experiencing God opening doors to the construction of this facility, they moved to officially change the name from American Lutheran Church to “Gloria Dei.” Glory to God. As Paul closed his letter to the Romans, he instructed them to fully embrace God’s power and presence – to embrace His glory and step up and push forward. That has been your attitude as a family of faith from the beginning. It’s time to take up that attitude again in these unsteady times. Glory be to God! Living to the glory of God comes in the moments you are looked to for know-how and for guidance and for leadership. You may say, “I’m not up to this, but I know God is.” And you step up to the plate. · Living to the Glory of God is being bold enough to say that the skill that I bring to the table comes from God. · The sensitivity and the wisdom that I bring comes from God. · The solution to the problem has come from God. Whatever impact I have is because of God. The glory is His. Gloria Dei. That is how I live. Something deep in your soul is saying to you: I was made for this — to behold the glory of God and to become a glorious, God-reflecting person. Gloria Dei. Glory to God. That is how we live. Today – this moment – is when the challenge of life meets the faith that God has poured into you, and by God’s grace you are given the strength to meet the challenge. That is Gloria Dei. That is how you live. Now to God who is able to strengthen you through Christ, and open mysteries to you, who is actively saving the human race by bringing them to obedience to Him, to the only wise God, be the glory forever! Amen.
Let Your Light Shine Before Others. -Matthew 5:16
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31).
June has a way of sneaking up on us, doesn’t it? One minute we’re digging out from winter and racing through spring schedules, and the next we’re staring at calendars full of vacations, cookouts, family visits, and hopefully a little time to breathe. Summer brings a different rhythm with longer days, later sunsets, and maybe even a few moments to sit outside and enjoy the season instead of rushing to the next thing. Around here, June is already shaping up to be full in the best kind of way. There’s a lot to look forward to this time of year; gatherings, travel, celebrations, and those simple summer moments that somehow become the memories we keep the longest. My family is also remembering my grandmother after her recent passing. We miss her deeply, but we’re grateful for the love and faith she shared with us over so many years, and thankful for the hope and peace we hold onto in Christ. This summer, as a congregation, we’ll be spending time in the Sermon on the Mount. These words of Jesus are some of the most familiar and most memorable: “Blessed are the peacemakers,” “Love your enemies,” “Do not worry about tomorrow.” They challenge us, encourage us, and remind us that life in God’s kingdom looks a little different. It is rooted in grace, mercy, trust, and joy. They invite us to live with open hearts and to notice the ways God is already at work in everyday life.As you travel, rest, gather with friends and family, or simply enjoy a slower evening now and then, I hope you’ll carry these words with you. Jesus meets us in the ordinary moments just as much as the extraordinary ones around the table, out on the road, during quiet mornings, and in the middle of busy weeks. So wherever June takes you, I pray it brings laughter, rest, connection, and plenty of reasons to soak in the goodness of the season. Enjoy the sunshine. Stay up a little later when you can. Make space for joy. And through it all, remember that God is present in every part of it. Wishing you a joyful and blessed start to summer. -Pastor Kay
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him -Jeremiah 17:7
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior . . . “ (Titus 3:5b-6) Have you ever thought someone was hopeless? That was the question the Apostle Paul faced as he sent one of his students, a man named Titus, to the island of Crete. Crete is the fourth largest island of the Mediterranean. It’s directly south of the Aegean Sea. For as exotic as that sounds, it did not make the NY Times list of “The Best Places to Raise Your Children.” In fact, the corruption and laziness of the place became the stuff of popular sayings. Paul states it plainly for Titus. “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true.” (Titus 1:12b-13a). To look at Crete, most would write it off as a lost cause. But Paul and Titus saw something different. They saw potential. They saw people for whom Christ died, people who were worthy of God’s rescue. Paul encouraged Titus to get right to work. Show them God’s purpose to save the human race. Teach people to see one another as made in God’s image. Sternly discipline those who need it. Deal straightforwardly with those wrestling with addiction. Work with those whom you have access to – namely the women, the young men and the slaves. This is a big job. After all, how do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. Facing this huge task, Paul reminds Titus not to write anyone off. Paul tells him to be honest with himself. We all begin this life from the same place – as sinners. “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures . . .” (Titus 3:3). Because of His mercy, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior . . . “ (Titus 3:5b-6). The church at Crete started, as people began to experience the grace of God. We all need to be scrubbed clean. God washes us through the work of the Holy Spirit, loving us so much as to say, “You’re a mess, but you are worth saving. See, I give myself for you.” Person by person, they became “church”, this mysterious community that cares about and for each other – a community full of joy. I have experienced God’s amazing grace and the joy it brings from your hands. Your life experiences, your God-given wisdom, your talent, your willingness to spend time around a table, your hard work, your care and thoughtfulness have brought so much joy to so many. This summer, let’s sharpen our skills in bringing God’s blessing and joy to our neighbors that they will know that God is good – all the time! May we all Keep and Live the Faith!
Psalm 74:17 – “It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.” Happy May! Spring is in full swing - flowers are popping up, birds are singing their hearts out, and suddenly, the world seems brighter… and messier (thank you, pollen!). Psalm 74:17 reminds us that God is the ultimate organizer of this beautiful chaos. He set the boundaries of the earth and carefully orchestrated the seasons - summer and winter, growth and rest, sun and rain. Isn’t it comforting to know that the same God who manages the vast universe also holds your life in His hands? Just as we don’t get to skip winter, we don’t always get to rush through the hard times, but just as winter gives way to spring, God’s timing brings growth, renewal, and unexpected joys. Even in moments of uncertainty, He is quietly at work, preparing something beautiful just beneath the surface, where we cannot yet see. This month, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, graduations, and longer days of sunlight, let’s remember to pause and notice the little miracles around us: the first bees on the blossoms, the green buds on trees, the laughter of family and friends. Staying in touch with God through prayer, worship, or simply noticing His handiwork helps us stay grounded in His love, even in the busiest or messiest of days. When we slow down, we often discover that His presence has been there all along, gently guiding and sustaining us. So, whether you’re planting flowers, dusting off your sandals, or enjoying a cup of coffee in the sunshine, take a moment to smile and say, “Thanks, God - for the seasons, the surprises, and the steady hand guiding us through it all.” May you all each day, spot one small blessing - a flower, a smile, a song - and thank God for it! And may your heart be continually lifted by the quiet assurance that you are deeply known, faithfully loved, and never walking alone. Have a blessed spring!
What a month March has been! That blizzard was one for the record books. Many of us were stuck at home, digging out (and digging out again), checking on neighbors, and just trying to get through the day. It was exhausting - and at times, honestly, a little overwhelming. But even in the middle of it all, there were glimpses of grace: people showing up for each other and reminding one another, “You’re not alone.” Now things are starting to shift. The snow piles are melting, the days are getting longer, and you can almost feel spring trying to break through. And right in the middle of this transition comes a powerful word from God: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19) That verse hits differently this time of year. After winter, it can be hard to imagine anything “springing up.” We get used to the cold, the gray, the heaviness. We start to expect more of the same. But God says: Look again. Pay attention. Something new is already beginning. Not someday. Not far off. Now it springs up. Maybe that “new thing” looks like small signs of life returning outside your window. Maybe it’s a renewed sense of connection after helping each other through the storm. Maybe it’s a quiet stirring of hope you didn’t expect to feel yet. And maybe - just maybe - it’s God doing something new in you. That’s what makes this so fitting as we head toward Easter on April 5th. Easter is the ultimate “new thing.” When everything seemed lost, when hope looked buried for good, God was already at work. And on that morning, the world changed forever. As Scripture tells us, “He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:6). Resurrection isn’t just something that happened once. It’s something God keeps doing—bringing life out of death, hope out of despair, and new beginnings out of the places we thought were finished. So as we move into April, I want to invite you to hold onto that question from Isaiah: Do you not perceive it? … Where do you see signs of new life? Where might God be at work in ways you didn’t expect? What is beginning to “spring up” in your own life? Let’s step into this season together with open eyes and open hearts. The snow is melting. New life is on the way. And Easter is coming.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8:17 We’re in the season of sore throats, coughs, colds and flu. Many of us are reminded of just how fragile our bodies are. It is amazing to me that a microscopic virus can silence our voice and sap our strength to the point we aren’t able to do anything. One of the gifts Jesus brings is healing. One of the Christian martyrs commemorated in the month of February is a man God graced with healing, a man named Blasius or Blaise. Blaise was an Armenian who lived back in the 4 th Century. He was born into a rich household to parents who followed Jesus – a rarity of that day. So, as you would expect, he received a first-rate education given by Christian teachers. His ambition was to become a physician. In this Roman territory – now present-day Turkey – Blaise began practicing medicine. He was good at it. Even more so, he became known as a Christian with healing hands. As often happens in church families, Blaise was quickly promoted as a Christian teacher and healer. He was elevated to the office of bishop at a young age. I can’t imagine the responsibility – running a medical practice and being a chief shepherd of a number of churches – all of this in the community of Sebaste in Armenia which is modern-day Sivas, Turkey. Here’s where the story gets interesting. . . The Roman Empire was divided into smaller sections to ensure stability. It didn’t work so well. Valerius Licinius and Flavius Valerius Constantinus (Constantine) were co-emperors. Licinius ruled the eastern Roman Empire and Constantine ruled the west. A rivalry deepened between them causing civil war. Constantine was a Christian convert. Licinius was a loyal Roman pagan. Blaise – the doctor and bishop – lived in the territory ruled by Licinius. Licinius began to view Christians as a threat to his authority. In order to consolidate his power and to punish his chief rival (Constantine was a Christian), he began a state-sponsored campaign to persecute Christians. He rewarded people to hunt them and bring them in to face torture and death if they refused to renounce Jesus and bow to the Roman gods. During this time, Blaise left his comfortable home to live life as a hermit in a cave. He was eventually discovered by hunters and taken to the governor. The governor was impressed with Blaise’s ability to heal and serve, unapologetically, in Jesus’ name. One story included a boy who was near death from choking on a fishbone lodged in his throat. Blaise prayed and went to work and saved his life. As impressed as the governor was, it didn’t stop him from insisting that the Blaise renounce his faith. When he wouldn’t, the governor had him beaten, tortured with an iron comb (a tool used for combing wool), and eventually beheaded. In the Roman Catholic world, Blaise became the Saint to those suffering from sore throats. Why do such stories come to mind? Jesus is the true physician. Blaise was faithful to follow Jesus in that task. Blaise knew that God does not stand far off from our coughing, aching and fevered bodies. He comes close. He touches, and He speaks life. Blaise could not turn away from such a Savior. So as you nurse a sore throat, or care for a sick child or spouse, do it unapologetically in Jesus’ name. Know that this is holy work, and God is deeply invested in your humanity. Even more so, tell the stories of how God empowers our simple acts of love and service to bring life. Just as He did in the days of Blaise, so may we see Him meet us as our Great Physician who came to “take our illnesses and heal our diseases.” Keep and live the faith!