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7/1/2009

Dear St. John Members and Friends,

Last Friday was a day full of big events for the Rockey family.  First, the scheduled birth of our grand daughter, Emmalee Alice Rockey, took place at 8:23 a.m. at Mat Su Regional Medical Center.  Secondly, that afternoon we finished shopping for and buying our daughter her first car so she can student teach at college this year.  Then on the way home from Anchorage that evening we watched Tim pitch in his American Legion baseball game.  It was a full day!

But, as you can imagine, the highlight of the day was the birth of Emmalee.  There were no complications in the delivery this time (Praise the Lord!).  Emmalee and Erin are both doing well and they even got to go home on Sunday.  Two sets of grand parents and uncles and aunts filled the waiting room eager to see God’s new gift.  Emmalee’s brother, Jacob, was in on the excitement.  And, by the way, Emmalee is beautiful! (What did you expect?)

So, now I’ll finally get to the point of this story.  Kathy and I were standing in the kitchen talking later on Friday evening (quite a bit later) and she said, “Every time that happens it’s a miracle.”  Kathy was talking about the healthy birth of our grand baby, and the healthy birth of any baby.  I have heard Kathy describe from the perspective of a nurse and from the perspective of a mother about the great changes that take place for a healthy baby to be born.  But, this time she was speaking not just as a nurse, and not just as a mother, but also as a Christian.  Under God’s care a child had been conceived, grown in her mother’s womb, and now Emmalee was born and both were healthy.  It really is a miracle!

Sometimes we forget that God is working in the everyday events of life, even in ways that really are beyond explanation.  God answers prayers.  God gives us the body and blood of His Son in the Lord’s Supper for our forgiveness.  God creates faith in weak and doubting people.  We could go on and on.

Personally I believe that people can respond to God’s surprising, unexpected, unexplainable (miraculous) actions in our lives in two unhealthy ways.  Sometimes people can over sensationalize God’s actions, so that His miracles are almost demanded.  God is in control, not us.  But, on the other hand people can just miss or take for granted the powerful and loving ways that God is acting in our lives.  When we miss God’s working we don’t grow as we could and God does not get the praise or the credit He should.

We should expect God’s working in our lives and give Him praise and credit.  After all, Jesus says, “surely I am with you always,”.  Or, as my wife says, “Every time that happens it’s a miracle.”  Thank you Lord!  (Emmalee’s baptism is scheduled for early service on July 12!)

Another child of God blessed by His working in my life, and that of my family,
Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  Pictures of Emmalee’s birth can be found at the following link.
http://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/EmmaleeAliceRockey#
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.
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SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE CLASS – “Nooma”  Our Sunday “Nooma” Bible Classes examine everyday events in our lives as an opportunity to see how God is working in our lives, or how we could be living for God.  These classes will be held in the South Fellowship Hall outside the kitchen beginning this Sunday at 9:45 a.m. 
This week’s video study is called, “NOISE.”  The class is growing.  Please come and join us.

NEW BASIC CHRISTIANS TEACHINGS / ADULT MEMBERSHIP CLASSES. 
We will start Sunday Basic Christian Teachings Classes, on Sunday, July 12, after the July 4th weekend in over.  These classes will be held between worship services in addition to the Nooma classes.  The Nooma classes are in the fellowship hall.  These Basic Christian Teachings Classes will be held in Pastor Jonathan’s office.  
The purpose of a “Basic Christian Teachings Bible Class” is either so current St. John members can refresh their knowledge of Scripture, or so those wishing to join our congregation may attend these classes and then officially join St. John.
Even though I’ve been asked about these classes, I have not had any responses yet to my e-mail inquires about timing for the classes.   Hopefully this schedule will work for those who are interested.
In addition, when these Sunday Classes are over, at the end of the summer we will hold a one day make up session. 

VBS is coming soon (July 19-23)!  Check out the St. John web site for a video explanation of this VBS, for registration and volunteer forms, and for other information.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website?  The link is:  http://www.st-john-lutheran.org  At the current time our web master, Jacki Rose, is revising our web site with some new pictures and software.  The new version will be available soon.