Greetings From the Pastor
More than ever, the world needs Christ. So live out His love and reflect His Light--be like a candle in the darkness, for His sake. |
A Congregation is a family. Gathering together to hear God's Word, celebrate the Sacraments, study and learn, work and play together--that is the larger backdrop to our "family of faith." We share each others joy, we help to carry each other's sorrow and burdens. In each, together, we see our loving God at work.
Generations of families have gathered at Friedensaal sin 1752, before the founding of our nation, our congregation has existed in this beautiful and peaceful place in Seven Valleys. God has given us a rich history of faith and life which we claim with thanksgiving. we have a future which we entrust to God, eager to see how the Holy Spirit will direct us. In these present days, we try to be faithful to Christ's command: to love one another as God has first loved us, and our neighbor as ourselves. Whether you are worshiping with us for the first time or have deep family roots at Friedensaal, may God continue to bless us and use us for His Gospel's proclamation! In all things, may God be glorified. Pastor Margareta M. Breden November 2017 Message"Who am I? This or the other? Am I one person today and tomorrow another? Am I both at once...they mock me. These lonely questions of mine. Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Prayer from Prison There are times when we struggle anxiously with questions regarding our identity, our purpose, and our life direction. And answers are not forthcoming. At such times we wonder whether God has forsaken us or whether we have lost our way. In these circumstances we may be without answers, but we don't need to be without consolation. Such consolation can only come when we learn to commit ourselves into the hands of God, who doesn't always give us answers, but who loves us nonetheless. Charles Ringma, from his reflection on Dietrich Bonhoeffer Dear Members and Friends, We live in changing times and changing seasons; the falling leaves of November remind us of that. When change comes, even in nature, everything in its path is touched somehow. The two quotes above talk about that kind of change that impacts our thinking. In these early November days the changes of nature will come and the winds will begin to strip the tree branches of leaves. Leaves of all the autmnal colors will fall, spinning to the ground, making the tree look so very vulnerable without her protective coat. Even in the midst of all of this, the tree will remain still and strong, entering into its winter slumber. Still and waiting, it prepares for the promise of spring and new colors to appear. We are all familiar with the cycles of nature. We know we need not fear them. We can even sit back and enjoy natures' paintbox display! Why then should we fear any other changes that come our way? If we can see the hand of God in the beauty of the seasons, can we not also trust He is also at work in us in the seasons of our lives? Yes. Come and worship with us in November's festive season--beginning with All Saints Sunday and concluding with Christ the King Sunday--a veritable festive season, rich with music, color, Word and Sacrament! In Christ, Pastor Margareta M. Breden |