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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter

The Cornerstone October 2016

Page 2 Cornerstone — October 2016

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Contact Information: 2551 W. Bacon Rd. Hillsdale, MI 49242 www.stpauls-hillsdale.org email: [email protected] Administrative Pastor– Reverend Daniel Johnson Associate Pastor– Reverend Scott Johnson

Featured Contents

Pastor’s article (499) Page 3

Parish News Page 5

SPARC Hand Print Page 7

Weak and Loved (Good Night 5) Page 11

Life Quotes Page 12

Weekly Scripture Readings Commentary Page 13

Ancient Christian Authors Page 15

Dukes to Peru Page 16

The Last Word (Seventh-Day Adventism) Page 18

Cornerstone — October 2016 Page 3

Next year is the big 500th Anniversary celebra-tion. This year is the 499th anniversary of the Reformation. Yet, though next year is the big birthday, the reason for the celebration is a big deal already. The story is legendary. Yet, it has a very down home and ring to it. Wittenberg is legendary for Lutherans. But, Wit-tenberg is just a small city in Germany. It is leg-endary for a Lutherans, but as a city it isn't much to look at. Yes, the very streets and many of the buildings that stood in Luther's time are still there to this day. But, walking the streets and thinking back to what it might have been like 499 years ago helps a person gain perspective. It wasn't that beautiful then. The playful little stream the flows through the middle of the city today was more of an open sewer in Luther's day. The streets would have been dirty, smelly and utterly filthy. Imagine horses, cattle and the rubbish of life being your daily companions while moving through the city. Yet, into this very human place the Word of God came in power and people rejoiced in the life that is in Jesus. They rejoiced that by God's Grace through faith alone they had peace with God through Jesus' death on the cross. Though Witten-berg looks better today, it is this beautiful faith that makes a trip to Wittenberg wonderful. The city church was named St. Mary's. It is right in the middle of everything. St. Mary's was where all the common people went to church. Today, it appears to be behind a row of buildings that face a central town square. By means of walkways and narrow streets you can find the church, but you cannot park near it. You must walk. In Luther's day everyone walked of course. But, even today in Germany people still walk in city areas. Some things don't change. The City church is a big building, but it is pretty common looking. Unlike many of the amazing churches of Europe, St. Mary's is plain. Certainly, there is wonderful art work in the church now, but much of that came later.

It was the simple church for the common folk. But, the Gospel that was proclaimed made this church a most beautiful place. Martin Luther would often preach there during the week at the daily teaching services. At the far end of town you will find the Castle Church. This was where the ruling class would go to church. The castle church is remarkably more beautiful to this day. It is much larger and more impressive. Once a year, on All Saints, the whole community was invited to attend the service at the castle church. People of all classes attended church together. The doors of the castle church served as a kind of community bulletin board. You can imagine what good timing the eve of all Saints would afford an announcement. The whole community would pass through the doors on the following day. So, Martin Luther, concerned about the Gospel and some practices that he felt were out of step with God's Word, posted his concerns in the form of 95 statements for discussion, his 95 Theses.

Four Hundred Ninety-Nine


The statements were compelling. They led people to question the very means of salvation that they were being taught. The scriptures taught that Je-sus salvation was completely effective in forgiving all sins and was freely given to all through faith alone. The practice of the church in Luther's day was that individual Christians were expected to complete their salvation through good works, and perhaps the purchase of letters of forgiveness is-sued by the church called indulgences. Luther's questions were important. They found a ready place in the troubled hearts of the common peo-ple. The clear proclamation of peace with God through faith in Jesus allowed many people to hear the Gospel for the first time. They rejoiced and were thankful. But, this very Gospel also struck a nerve. For both teachings could not exist at the same time. Either the Gospel is freely given by God's Grace through Faith in Jesus, or it is something we must earn on our own. There was no middle ground.

Throughout the following centuries, and to this very day, the message of the Gospel given freely by God's Grace through faith in Jesus is the gift we hold most precious of all. The eve of all Saints, known as Halloween in our culture, is Refor-mation Day. It is the Day we remember how God once again used a small city, and a single man to be His instrument to point to Jesus and His eter-nal Gospel.

So, while next year Lutherans will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are thankful already. Not simply for a national hero, which Luther continues to be in Germany, but much more than that. We are thankful that God is faithful. He allows us to hear His Gospel to this day. The Holy Spirit calls us by the Word to re-pent of our sins, to trust in Jesus and through faith in Him to find forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life. This is the eternal Gospel that for 499 years has continued to shine among us with renewed light. This is the Gospel that will shine forever in Jesus. Pastor Dan Johnson


Parish News 90 & 170 More numbers? We are thankful that we

ourselves have been given our part in the history of bearing witness to the Gospel. Even though that witness has been difficult at times. For exam-ple: This year marks the 90th Anniversary of our congregation under the name of St. Paul's Luther-an Church. Next year marks 170 years of our con-gregation's Lutheran presence in this communi-ty. Why two anniversaries? There was a division in the congregation concern-ing Christian witness in 1926. Some thought that masonic lodge membership wasn't a problem for a Christian confession. Others thought that a clear witness to Christ made masonic lodge membership unacceptable. Our congregation was named Trini-ty Luther Church and belonged to the Missouri Synod prior to 1926. Those who felt that lodge membership was not in keeping with a clear wit-ness to faith in Christ alone decided they had to leave with their pastor and continue under the name St. Paul's Lutheran Church as a member con-gregation of the Missouri Synod. The other mem-bers of the church retained the name Trinity Lutheran church but after 1926 they called a new pastor and made a different denominational association. It is sad that there had to be a divi-sion. But, it is important to stand for your faith based on God's Word. The history of the Word of God is that often division comes due to our imper-fection and lack of understanding. But, the history of God's people is also that we continue to strive to work together in Christian love in the midst of dis-agreements. To this day we work with our fellow Lutherans in Hillsdale in ways that do not sacrifice our faith or God's Word. We are committed to recognize our shared faith in Jesus and serve the community in Christian love. 499, 500, 90, and 170. The numbers seem large, but they are nothing in terms of the kingdom that is ours through faith in Jesus and the eternal unity that He will bring to His church in the

end. Therefore we rejoice in our Lord's great mer-cy, and strive to follow Him in a faithful witness towards God's Word, a pure proclamation of His Gospel, and a living witness to our Savior through Christian love and service.

Pastor Dan Johnson

Sunday School is enjoy a blessed season of grow-ing in Christ. On September 14, many friends gathered to give thanks for the work our Lord has done through Charleen. Thank you to everyone who helped in the donut hut during fair week. Our service in the community is a pow-erful witness to the faith and love we have in Jesus.

On October 4, the internationally-acclaimed pianist Sam Rotman visited St. Paul’s.


St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Invites You:

A Fall Formal Dinner Celebrating

90 Years of God’s Blessings

--November 12, 2016--

5:00 P.M.

Dinner Menu:

Turkey & Ham Squash Potatoes Salad Apple Crisp/ Pumpkin Pie

Photos and memories of our history will be featured during the event. This 90th Anniversary is also a kickoff to next year which marks 170 years of Lutheranism in Hillsdale County and 500 years of the Lutheran Reformation worldwide. Pastors Dan and Scott will offer a meditation on the importance of our future ministry in this lively tradition. It’s still all about Jesus!

Please RSVP by calling the church office 517-437-2762, signing up in the

Narthex, or emailing [email protected]


The SPARC Hand Print Newsletter For

St. Paul’s Ability Resource Center Celebrating 10 Years of Developing Independence, Skills, and Fun!

Volume 9 Issue 4 Fall 2016

Embracing and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disor-ders, cognitive impairments, and Down syndrome, in all aspects of living to enhance their quality of life, develop their God-given talents and gifts, and realize their full, individual potential.

Page 8 Cornerstone — October 2016 Masterpiece for SPARC

By Josh Eden Just after HOPE celebrated its tenth anniversary, Tammy had me make two identical copies of the same painting of the SPARC building, giving me two canvases for the pur-pose. I set to work on the project as soon as I could. First, I sat in front of the building with a drawing pad and made a rough sketch of it using my pastel pencils, laying out the main color areas and their proportions. Next, I took it home and set to working on the final version, which I did in acrylic. Using the draft, I kept as much to the details and layout of the building as possible, mixing colors if necessary to get the desire shades. In places, I used transparent watercolor to do the shading. For the brickwork at the bottom-as well as the black shingles at the top– I carved into the paint while it was still wet with the tip of the brush. I did part of the woodwork, the pave-ment and other areas by working soft pastels into the dried acrylic, while the sky was done in transparent acryl-ic watercolor. When both versions were done, I showed them to Tammy, and she chose one to put on display on the mantelpiece in the SPARC building entrance, while the other I keep in my mother’s room at Drew’s Place ( and we’ll take it with us when we move her to Brookdale in Wilmington North Carolina). Tammy also took several pictures of me holding my masterpiece. Right now I am working on the wedding portrait for Mo and Steve.

Tie-Dye towels, ladybugs, critter pencils, splat-ter paint, and fairy gardens kept artists busy during the summer. Fun, laughter, and beauti-ful artwork decorated our summer.


Receptionist on Board!

It feels so amazing to be a graduate! I never thought I’d have a real job until Tammy came to me and asked me if I’d be the receptionist at SPARC. I said YES, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I had never really had a job before and hearing from people all my life saying I would never have a job was what I was accustomed to. Being offered a job at SPARC made me feel important and like I was loved and cared for. I love sitting at the front desk and getting to know everyone who walks through the door. I also love offering a smile to peo-ple who have had a rough day. I love all of the fun and interesting things we get to do at SPARC. For instance, we just made homemade spaghetti sauce and it was such an awesome process with a deli-cious end result. What adds even more to my ex-citement to work here is the awesome staff mem-bers I get to work alongside of. Thanks again, Tam-my for giving me this wonderful opportunity! I look forward to working for as long as you want me to.

P.S. Not hav-ing to get up so early is a plus and something I could get very used to!).

Trail Bike Bide Bikers rode the Baw Beese Trail for the final ride of the sum-mer and what a ride for all! We completed the three mile loop and headed to Coney and Swirls for an ice cream treat.

Selling Our Produce at the Rummage Sale

Garden Scenes:

Digging for Potatoes, Picking tomatoes, and Eating Our Homemade Salsa


SPARC Weekly Programs October 1 - December 31, 2016

Art at SPARC 2 Class Options

Tuesdays 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm ages 8 - 18

Wednesdays 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - adults

Projects adapted for ability levels: Painting, crafts, water color, collages, and other projects

Hangtime and Bible Study

Thursdays 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm

Bike riding, basketball, walking, pickle ball, and other adapted sports/games

Sunday Bible Study

All Ages 10:00 am

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Gym 2551 W. Bacon Rd., Hillsdale

SPARC Game Night Friday, October 14

Friday, November 11 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 4

SPARC Christmas Party

Ages Middle School and Above

Play board games, card games, and other games. Pizza and beverage

provided.

HOPE/SPARC programs are not “drop-off” programs unless prior contact has been made with Tammy Ryan, Director. Questions? Please call St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 517- 437- 2762 or

email [email protected] Programs are located at two locations: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2551 W. Bacon Rd., Hillsdale, MI 49242

SPARC (St. Paul’s Ability and Resource Center), 68 Waldron St., Hillsdale, MI 49242

Looking Ahead to HOPE/SPARC Winter 2017

Christmas Break is December 19, 2016 - January 6, 2017. Sunday Bible Study resumes January 8 and all other programs Resume January 10, 2017.

January Game Night: Friday, January 13, 2017 Winter Snow Ball Dance: Saturday, February 5, 2017 ( more info to follow)

SPARC Fundraiser

Spaghetti Supper

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

68 Waldron St., Hillsdale

Welcome Fall and enjoy our

HOPE Garden Sauce!

Annual SPARC Christmas Party Sunday, December 4, 2016

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm 68 Waldron St.

Hillsdale

Pizza, Beverage provided

Make Gifts!

Play Games! Decorate Cookies!

SPARC Bible Study Opportunities A new Bible Study schedule begins this year. There will be two classes each week. The first class meets on Thursdays, 4:00 pm, right before Hangtime. The second class meets at 9:30 each Sunday morning. Both classes contain the similar content and include: music, a Bible story, catechism study, and a bible story video. All ages are welcome, as well as parents/guardians. Pastor Scott Johnson leads both classes. Everyone is welcome to attend the church service or Hangtime activity following the class. Please call the church office if you have any questions, 517-437-2762

SPARC Fall Baking Day Saturday

November 19, 2016 2pm - 4pm

Make, Bake, and Take a pumpkin or apple pie for your

family Thanksgiving celebration!

Ages High School and Up


Weak and Loved: Good Night Five Tonight, I said goodnight to five for the last time. Tomorrow, my youngest boy turns six. Goodnight, five, and goodbye five. I curled up next to his pajama’d body and said a nice, long, goodnight and goodbye. Goodnight, five, and goodbye to the days of packing a blankie and buddy for rest time at school, and learning to tie shoes. Goodbye to the magical moment of I-can-read; that miracle of letters on a page making sounds that magically form a familiar word! Goodbye to the days of first backpack and first lunchbox and first play date with a school friend. I rubbed his back and said goodbye to five, slowly, gently. And the goodbye-fives turned into goodbye-everything-little as I thought about our preschool days and baby days. Goodbye bringing babies home from hospitals, and tiny new outfits, and milk-snuggles. Goodbye teethers and days of dumping out toys and chewing on everything. Goodbye strollers and baby-on-the-hip; Goodbye afternoon naps with a baby plastered to my side; Goodbye days spent in a blur of exhaustion and goodbye just trying to keep everybody alive.

Suddenly he whispered, “are you asleep mama?” and turned over to face me. “No, honey,” I said, “not yet.” I’m too busy saying goodbyes. Goodbye five, and less-than-five. God help me embrace six, and more-than-six, too. I hid my tears and held him close. He turned over again and let out a little fart. He pulled his minion blanket up over his shoulder, made sure my arm was around his waist, and sighed. He resigned to sleep, passing gently into the next stage of his life, fearless, and at peace. Goodnight, five.

Emily Cook “People say be strong. I say, be weak and be loved.”

Emily Cook is married to Pastor Joshua Cook of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

They live in Eastpoint, Michigan with their six children. Read more by Emily at http://www.weakandloved.com/

or contact the author at [email protected]


Life Quotes October 2 “Parents also do well in preparing young men and women for the realities of married life. Because of the Fall, marriage is hard work. It requires appreciation of our differences as male and female, the commitment to work together, trust, friendship, and more agape than eros love.” Linda Bartlett, former president of Lutherans For Life October 9 “Your witness can speak for the speech-less. Your words can give value to people consid-ered disposable. Remember that in heaven these disabled folks will be your equal in every way. What will they say to you when you meet there? God’s stars see God’s handiwork in all people.” Rev. Mark Jeske, www.timeofgrace.org

October 16 “Is someone resistant to the life-affirming message as you have presented it? Per-haps it’s the attitude they sense when they have been approached. I have found that when my atti-tude is more reflective of Christ, my message is much better received, and I can do my job of lifting up those who are weak. So I pray, ‘Lord, make me a servant who is humble and meek that I might lift up those who are weak. Amen.’” Lynette Auch, president of Lutherans For Life

October 23 “Every day in this country such confu-sion and fear leads to nearly 3,000 babies being brutally destroyed through abortion. These are ba-bies created by God, babies for whom Jesus died, and babies God wants to call into an eternal rela-tionship with Him … How can we possibly label these [issues] ‘political’ and withhold the only thing that can speak to such matters of the heart? The Gospel is designed to speak to hearts: your heart, my heart, all hearts. The Gospel calls us to repentance. The Gospel cleanses our hearts and forgives the sins that flow from our hearts.” Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, former executive director of Lu-therans For Life October 30 “Luther placed primary emphasis on the Word. He understood that scripture is the final authoritative source for the church’s life and doc-trine. Everything the church says or does is to be consistent with God’s Word and is to be regulated by God’s Word. God has spoken, His Word is truth, and it is the church’s responsibility to regu-late her speech in the light of God’s speech. That is what continual reformation is.” Rev. Michael Stangeland, pastor at Highwater Lutheran Church, Lamberton, Minnesota, and Old Westbrook Luther-an Church, Westbrook, Minnesota


Weekly Scripture TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (2 October 2016) Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:1–4 2 Timothy 1:1–14 Luke 17:1–10 We Walk by Faith, and Not by Sight, in the Peace of Christ’s Forgiveness We are surrounded by “destruction and vio-lence” (Hab. 1:3) because the Law “is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth” (Hab. 1:4). In fact, the Law cannot rescue us from our enemies; it is our fierc-est enemy of all. Therefore, not by sight, experi-ence or feeling, nor by works, “the righteous shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). “Temptations to sin are sure to come” (Luke 17:1), but as often as we sin, the Lord rebukes us, turns us to repentance and for-gives us. We pray that He would thus “increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). And indeed, He does! Though we are His “unworthy servants” (Luke 17:10), He pre-pares His Supper for us, dresses us properly and gives us His body and blood to eat and drink. He appoints pastors for us, “by the will of God accord-ing to the promise of the life that is in Christ Je-sus” (2 Tim. 1:1). For the Gospel brings “life and im-mortality to light” (2 Tim. 1:10). This we believe. Therefore, “follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard,” by which He guards you “in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (9 October 2016) Ruth 1:1–19a 2 Timothy 2:1–13 Luke 17:11–19 Faith Returns Thanks to God and Worships Him in the Person of Christ Jesus Jesus comes in mercy and, by His Word, heals you in body and soul. “Go and show yourselves to the priests,” for you are cleansed (Luke 17:14), and you are granted access to the Lord’s temple. It is “at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks” (Luke 17:16) that you worship God, for Christ Jesus is your great High Priest; His body is the true temple. In Him, you “find rest, each of you in the house of her hus-band” (Ruth 1:9), for the Lord has “visited his people and given them food” (Ruth 1:6). The person of Je-sus Christ lodges Himself in holy food — bread and wine for believers to eat and drink. You lodge where Jesus lodges; His Father is your God, His people are your people. Death cannot part you from Him because His death and resurrection are eternally yours through Holy Baptism. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead” (2 Tim. 2:8). As surely as death could not hold Him, so surely “the word of God is not bound” (2 Tim. 2:9). His Gospel is entrusted “to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2), so that you “may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:10). Such is the confession of faith for all the saints, who believe, teach and confess the one Lord and Savior — Jesus Christ.

Cont’d on next page


TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTE-COST (16 October 2016) Genesis 32:22–30 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5 Luke 18:1–8 Faith Clings to the Word and Promises of God and Perseveres in Prayer “Left alone,” Jacob wrestled through the night with the Lord, “until the breaking of the day” (Gen. 32:24). Though “Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him” (Gen. 32:25), he would not let go until the Lord blessed him. At times, we, too, strive with God; He strives with us and blesses us by grace. So Jesus teaches us “always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Jesus speaks of “a judge who neither feared God nor respected man” and of a widow “who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary’” (Luke 18:2–3). Be-cause of her persistence, the judge agreed to “give her justice” (Luke 18:5). Our Lord dispenses justice generously and swiftly, giving “justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night” (Luke 18:7). He does so according to the Gospel. Therefore, His minis-ters are to persevere faithfully in their vocation, in what they “have learned and have firmly believed” (2 Tim. 3:14). On the basis of “the sacred writings” (2 Tim. 3:15), they are to “preach the word” at all times and not lose heart (2 Tim. 4:2).

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (23 October 2016) Genesis 4:1–15 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 Luke 18:9–17 In Humble Repentance, Faith Lives by Grace and Mercy and Is Exalted by God in Christ Jesus tells a parable “to some who trusted in them-selves that they were righteous” (Luke 18:9). In this parable, the Pharisee unjustly boasted before God on the basis of his own merits, whereas the tax col-lector intently prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). That poor, miserable sinner trusted Christ, and he went “down to his house jus-tified, rather than the other” (Luke 18:14). So do lit-tle children, “even infants,” come to Jesus with their need, and they “receive the kingdom of God” through faith (Luke 18:15–17). For “the one who humbles himself will be exalted,” but “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled” (Luke 18:14). That is why “the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no re-gard” (Gen. 4:4–5). St. Paul’s life, “poured out as a drink offering,” was another sacrifice like Abel’s (2 Tim. 4:6). The Lord stood by Paul and strength-ened him, that “the message might be fully pro-claimed” (2 Tim. 4:17). It is by that Gospel message of Christ that we “have loved his appearing” and as repentant sinners pray to “the Lord, the righteous judge” by faith (2 Tim. 6:8).


REFORMATION DAY (OBSERVED) (30 October 2016) Revelation 14:6–7 Romans 3:19–28 John 8:31–36 or Matthew 11:12–19 The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace “Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, the incar-nate Son, justifies us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). For He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slav-ery of sin and death. By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to eve-ry nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev. 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Rom. 3:21), “that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Je-sus” (Rom. 3:26). And by hearing the Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitia-tion by his blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Irenaeus writes from the 2nd century: "If one carefully reads the Scriptures, he will find there the word on the subject of Christ and the prefiguration of the new calling. He is indeed the hidden treasure in the field — the field in fact is the world — but in truth, the hidden treasure in the Scriptures is Christ. Because he is designed by types and words that humanly are not possible to understand before the accomplishment of all things, that is, Christ's second coming." Origen writes in the 3rd century: "[Christ's words] are not only those which he spoke when he became a man and tabernacled in the flesh; for before that time, Christ, the Word of God, was in Moses and the prophets. ...[their words] were filled with the Spirit of Christ." Hilary of Poitiers writes in the 4th century: "Every part of Holy Writ announces through words the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, reveals it through facts and establishes it through examples. ..For it is our Lord who during all the present age, through true and manifest foreshadowings, gener-ates, cleanses, sanctified, chooses, separates, or re-deems the Church in the Patriarchs, through Ad-am's slumber, Noah's flood, Melchizedek's bless-ing, Abraham's justification, Isaac's birth, and Jacob's bondage." Augustine of Hippo writes in the 5th century: “You recall that one and the same Word of God extends throughout Scripture, that it is one and the same Utterance that resounds in the mouths of all the sacred writers, since he who was in the be-ginning God with God has no need of separate syl-lables; for he is not subject to time. "The Scriptures are in fact, in any passage you care to choose, sing-ing of Christ, provided we have ears that are capa-ble of picking out the tune. The Lord opened the minds of the Apostles so that they understood the Scriptures. That he will open our minds too is our prayer.”

+Ancient Christian Authors+


Mission News: Dukes to Peru



A number of weeks ago, my wife and I received a little book in the mail The Great Controversy: How will it end? The book did not come with a clear ex-planation of its distributor or intended purpose. Instead it was marked by cryptic sayings (promising to give interpretation to world history and Biblical prophecy) and a fearsome picture on its cover. The next day, Sunday, a handful of members brought a copy of the same book which they too received in the mail. They came to me asking, “what is this all about?” I hadn’t really looked into it, but it was my hunch that it was the Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Seventh Day Adventists, or the Mor-mons (simply based on their tactics). Normally, I would simply toss such unsolicited materials in the trash, but after hearing these questions and many other conversations on the same in the communi-ty, I felt it wise to dig a little deeper. The Great Controversy The book The Great Controversy is a highly-regarded text by Adventists that originated in the so-called revelations of Ellen G. White. White, held as a prophetess by Adventists, was an early follow-er of the Baptist minister William Miller. By means of obscure interpretations of Scripture, Miller cal-culated the date of the second coming of Christ (his Advent) to between March 21, 1843 and March 22, 1844. The year came and went, in period called “the great disappointment.” Miller, not-so-ready to repent, suggested a delay and recalculated October 22, 1844; which also soon came and passed by. After an exodus of disillusioned followers, the de-voted core began to meet in a small bible study group. It was decided that the dates of Millers cal-culation were correct but had been interpreted in-correctly. They instead hypothesized that in 1843/44 Christ had moved from the “Holy Place” of heaven to the “Most Holy Place.” This was the be-ginning of the process of the judgement and sec-ond advent.

E.G. White, a member of the bible study began to have private revelations which above all warned against neglecting Sabbath observance. Her book, first published in 1858, begins with a point agreed on by most Christians: The bible is the Word of God. The Bible is reliable and teaches the truth. Secondly, the book claims the history of the refor-mation (they mention Martin Luther) as genuine and faithful. Then comes the twist, the lie. For Ad-ventists: the reason Jesus came, the reason he died on the cross was so that his true followers could keep a Saturday Sabbath. Further, the Adventists hold that those Christians who worship on Sunday are NOT true disciples. They even teach that Sun-day-worship is the “mark of the beast” (Revelation 14:9). Today, the main aspect of Adventism is “Sabbath-keeping” as part a greater obedience to the Old Testament Law of God. To this end, Adventists promote vegetarianism. Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and narcotics are also forbidden. Last week at the Hillsdale County fair, a health ve-hicle was set up by Adventists. They offered free health screening for items like cholesterol, diabe-tes, body fat, blood pressure. Adventists perform this service around the country. Additionally, they are involved in humanitarian work around the globe, especially in countries torn by war. As Lu-theran Christians we can properly recognize, com-mend, and give thanks to God for this work.

All these good-works however conceal the subtle lies and great spiritual danger posed by the Sev-enth-Day Adventist religion. They have turned the Gospel of Jesus Christ into a law. Like the Pharisees of Jesus day, who lightened the demands of the law so that they could pretend to keep it (Mark 2:24), the Adventists pick-and-choose Old Testament Laws to follow in order to justify themselves.

The Last Word: Seventh Day Adventism


Lutherans however teach that the Law, which might be kept outwardly, ultimately condemns us: for which of us has loved God with our whole heart daily and our neighbor constantly. Certainly not me. “Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it” (James 2:10). That’s why I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive all my sins, and the sins of the world. That’s why I go to church, so I can hear of his great love for us: “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2). Likewise, it is of great advantage to be healthy. In fact it is God-pleasing to care of our body. And Ad-diction is a terrible thing. Lutherans however rec-ognize the different substances affect different people in a variety of ways. We believe that reli-gious prohibition of substances, rather than giving freedom, breeds hypocrisy. For those who fail to keep this mandate (not given in God’s word), it gives unnecessary condemnation. As a pastor and religious leader, I feel no compunction to make de-cisions about dieting, smoking, drinking, or phar-maceutical use for you. On the other hand, if you struggle with addiction we believe the Gospel, spe-cifically Absolution has power to transform your body and mind. Properly Understanding the Sabbath. Like the commandment Honor your father and Mother applies to all God-given authority; like the commandment You shall not murder directs us to protect our brother’s body and life; and like the commandment You shall not commit adultery in-cludes lust: Remember the Sabbath Day by keep-ing it holy has a greater spiritual meaning! This commandment instructs us to remember God’s rest after his first creation (Genesis 2:2), give thanks for His Son’s rest in the tomb on Holy Sat-urday (Luke 23:53-54), and to DAILY find our rest in God’s promises, the Gospel. Just showing up for church on Saturday in no way keeps this com-mandment.

Now of course, for the sake of good order in the church it is necessary to gather one day in the week to especially receive God’s gifts. Since ancient times, this meeting has been held on Sunday in re-membrance of Christ’s resurrection. But we could go to church on Saturday. Or Monday. Or Wednesday. Or Friday. In Christ was have free-dom: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the sub-stance belongs to Christ” (Col 2:16-17). Adventist doctrine seeks to rob Christians of their evangelical freedom. In summary be cautious of self-published religious books especially when not forthright about author-ship and the religious doctrines in-side. Particularly avoid of books which claim to give answer about the end-times. Jesus tells his dis-ciples, “concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). Instead, let us rejoice that we have been freed from the law by the blood of Jesus and spend our all days in love for God, repentance, and love for our neighbor. May Christ keep us ever in his Word and truth. Yours in Him, Pastor Scott

2016 Sunday Worship Services

With Holy Communion

8:00 AM Divine Service 10:30 AM Divine Service 6:00 PM Divine Service

Sunday Morning Christian Education/Bible Study - 9:15 AM

For other events please check the church calendar

or call the church office (517) 437-2762

Celebrating the Goodness of God Father + Son + Holy Spirit

Home, Church, and Community

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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter The ... · 10/5/2017 · Reformation. Yet,...

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