FIRST Impressions. Pastor s Pen Show Me the Way, Oh Lord

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1 J AN U ARY FIRST Impressions What s INSIDE A Publication of First Lutheran Church Birmingham, AL 1 Pastor s Letter 1 Community Events 1 Church Calendar Link 2 Joy of the Lord 3 Christ Care Ministry 4 Worship Ministry 5 Called to Serve & Celebrate Ministry 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries 6 Worship Helpers First Lutheran Church 2507 Highland Avenue Birmingham, AL Pastor s Pen Show Me the Way, Oh Lord Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -- John 14:6 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. -- Psalm 5:8 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. -- Revelation 7:17 It is time to finish up one year and move into another. Goodbye 2018 Hello I have been in the process of transferring appointments and events from my old calendar to my new one. It is kind of an intimidating process. Following this year s transitions in my life including a health crisis, I ve noticed that every date, I put down is written with a thought of TLWATCDR (The Lord willing and the creek don t rise BTW I learned that term in the south.) Continued on page 2 Rev. Thomas Lampella, Pastor View our Church Calendar Community Events 1/3: Alabama Symphony presents Handel s Water Music, Alys Stephens Center 1/5-6: Monster Jam Triple Threat Series, BJCC 1/18-20: Broadway in Birmingham presents Evita, BJCC 1/15: National Ballet Theatre of Odessa presents Swan Lake, Lyric Theatre 1/24-27: Birmingham Boat Show, BJCC 1/24-2/10: Million Dollar Quartet, Virginia Samford Theatre 1/30: Vince Gill in Concert, Alabama Theatre 1

2 FIRST Impressions (cont d from p. 1) I am at a point that each and every day I need to be open to the Lord s leading. I can make all the plans in the world, but the Lord is in charge. I pray that the Lord will show me His way. I would feel more comfortable if it were possible for me to map out my calendar, make the plans, order my life and be confident that things were going to work out that way. But the Lord is insistent that I walk by faith. So, that is my plan. I have come to learn that He is faithful to His promises. I am guessing that y all have learned that lesson to some extent also. I would love to hear your stories of testimony concerning this. I have to a conclusion. That is, The Lord s way is always best. God Be Praised! Pastor Tommy Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain. 2

3 Christ Care Ministry In You I Take Refuge My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; You save me from violence. - 2 Samuel 22:3 Now we look another New Year in the eye and wonder will 2019 be better or will it bring more distrust in worldly governing systems, job security, the health and security of our children, our grandchildren, the country we live in, the world? We tend to get lost in our own anxiousness, don t we. King David found himself in some pretty rough situations too. His son Absalom had plotted to overthrow him and take over the throne of Israel. David has to flee Jerusalem and is cursed by his enemies on his departure. King David sets a military trap for his son but he arranges with his commanders to spare his son Absalom as he pursues his father and king. Tragically, while in pursuit, Absalom is killed in a freak accident. Although David s armies have won the victory and preserved his throne, the country seems to be in a downward spiral from this family disruption in the palace and David s son is dead. King David is in deep grief over the death of his son and over more war to follow with the Philistines. But God delivered him from his enemies and from the hand of Saul, from the hand of a disobedient and spoiled son, and the mighty Philistines as He had promised. David responds in thanksgiving with His Song of Deliverance in 2 Samuel, Chapter 22 (A great read, by the way). Luther focused on this chapter of Scripture when he was down trodden in his own life. Those words and the words of the Apostle s Creed strengthened him. He knew he was a sinner just as King David was and he called upon God to strengthen his faith in times of doubt and yes, even in moments of his own disbelief. God strengthened him too! He can do the same for you, beloved. Listen to Luther s words of strengthened faith, taking refuge in God the Father: Since God is almighty, what could I want that God would not give or do for me? Since God is the creator of heaven and earth, and Lord of all things, who will rob me or do me harm? Why should not all things work together for my good, since I have found favor with God, to whom all are subject? Being almighty, God is able to make all things work for my good. As Father, God desires to do so and gladly does it. (A short Form of the Apostles Creed, WA 7:215f.) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2. Lord, you are our refuge and strength. Left to ourselves we can do nothing. We praise You for your faithfulness towards us and love for us. Amen. Pastor Tom Lackey, Christ Care Ministry Coordinator 3

4 Worship Ministry A New Creation in Christ Paul writes, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come. We live in a world wherein things are constantly changing. Many things have changed since my great grand-parents time. They are rapidly changing about us every minute and every second of each day. And as things change, we want to change right alone with them and we do, transforming ourselves into whatever form or fashion that we think and desire to be. However, there are some things that have remained constant throughout the ages, and those being God s Word, His love and forgiveness, His compassion and patience with us through his Son our Lord, Jesus Christ. We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead, through the glory of the Father, we may live a new life. Yet, the capacity to see both our fellow men and Christ in their true light, comes from this inner transformation achieved, by being in Christ. This phase describes a mystical experience in which we live, because Christ lives in us. A man in Christ is Paul s definition for a Christian. Nothing less is adequate, for it implies an inner change which is equivalent to a new creation. A person in Christ is not merely improved, or reformed, or altered in any way, which implies no more than an external change, however great, he is remade. He is different even from what he was at his best. The change is radical; it goes to the roots of his being. The old has passed away The new has come. This new transformation comes about through the power of God. With this transformation into Christ, we become a new creation. Charles Craig Worship Ministry Coordinator 4

5 Called to Serve and Celebrate Ministry Come and See! Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Come and see! - John 1:46 We begin a new year in our Christian walk; we do so with the continued invitation from Jesus who invites us to consider who he is. There is only one way to really know Jesus and that is we must follow Philip s advice and experience Jesus for ourselves. Do you sometimes feel like you aren t qualified to be a witness of Jesus because you don t know all the doctrinal answers? Do the questions that might be asked of you scare you off from sharing your faith? The truth is all we have to offer is our own personal story and in that story is how God has SHAPED each and every one of us to his glory. So the year 2019 says to Come and See! and to share your story. The story that God has orchestrated in your life needs to be heard. Philip said to Nathanael, Come and See for yourself, then decide. We want to hear from you about sharing your faith even when you feel you don t have all the answers. Called to Serve and Celebrate ministry says thanks to all for your willingness to serve your congregation this past year. In Christ, Lorenza Robinson Called to Serve & Celebrate Ministry Coordinator We are a relatively small congregation here at First Lutheran yet our size has not diminished our calling to serve in various capacities and to offer up ourselves in service. I m sure that God in his omnipotence has given you a SHAPE he expects you to use to his glory. If doubts are a concern that may be your hindrance then we say, feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death. 5