From the Pastor – January

In 1968 the musical group “Three Dog Night” recorded a song called: One; here are the lyrics for that classical song’s first verse:

         One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do,

         Two can be as bad as one,

         It’s the loneliest number since the number one.

         One is the loneliest number, One, is the loneliest number, One, is the loneliest number you’ll ever do.

In this past year many people in our congregation or communities have faced multiple surgeries, countless trips to the hospital or doctors’ visits. Others have faced the death of a loved one or difficult times when they felt alone. The pandemic we experienced nearly five years ago was one of the most isolating seasons our country and the world has faced in our recent history. Many have exclaimed the sorrow and grief of those lonely times and remarked that they hoped they don’t have another year like that. One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.

We start this new calendar year with the Church Year Season of Epiphany – when God reveals Himself to us, in Jesus who is true God and true man. Long before the Children of Israel entered the promised land, Joshua reminded them that, “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). And when Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, He told His disciples, “Behold, I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20). His Word reminds us we are not alone!

As followers of Jesus, by faith we believe that we are never alone. Through our Baptism, we have been brought into God’s family, and this family includes not only the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, but it also includes all believers of all time and places around the globe. When someone holds your hand and prays with you before your surgery, when you invite someone to share a meal with you, or when you volunteer to drive with a person to an appointment, you’re receiving or passing on the presence of Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote that, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.” (Ephesians 2:19). By the power of the Holy Spirit, our “Omniscient,” our ever-present God, is with us. The author of Hebrews said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

As we step into this new year, what joy and hope we have when we remember and believe that our heavenly Father is with us. Whether we walk or roll into this new year, we can face the uncertainties, the challenges and the opportunities by trusting in His presence and living in peace and hope.

Pastor Schuldheisz