St. Matthew Lutheran church, Springfield, PA

 
 

Inclement Weather Advisory - Due to the expected major snow storm, all activities for Saturday have been cancelled.  SBOC food drive donations can be brought to St Matthew.  Collection for those for whom this is inconvenient will take place on Saturday, Feb 13th.

From our Senior Pastor

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying ‘What shall we eat? ’or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.  -  ”Matthew 6:31-33

We begin 2010 with a great deal of anxiety in our society. Many are worried about the economy, which does not seem to be recovering as quickly as we would like.  Many are worried about finding work, or what to do about health insurance. Many others are concerned about a protracted military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This worry has an effect in our lives; personally, in our families, in our church. There are serious issues that we face, but how we face them is as much a statement of our faith as anything. Do we trust that God does know what we need? Do we trust that God will provide for us? Do we trust that God will bless us as we share from our wealth with those who have less than we do?

As we move into this new year, many are reconsidering the choices they make. How do we spend our money? How do we use our time? How much focus do we place on “things” versus how much do we focus on the people in our lives? How much do we invest in our faith life, to be reassured of God’s presence in our lives, and to look to God for direction, redirection, as to what is most important?

The anxiety of the world does play a role in how we function. As we begin this new year, we all have the opportunity to reassess. This is more than just “New Year’s resolutions,” which are often made and forgotten in a day. This is a rethinking of who we are as children of God, and how we can most effectively live out our faith. How can we best encourage one another and the world with the awareness that God knows all that we need, and that God will provide for us out of the abundance with which he has blessed this world? How can we use our time and our resources to be a source of God’s love and care for this anxious world?

As we go through this reassessment, individually and together, let us always remember that God has given us all that we are and all that we have. Let us remember that God knows what we need even before we ask for it. Let us have confidence that God will work in us and through us with a message of hope and grace for the world. And let us not fear to consider new ways in which God may be redirecting us as we live as people of faith. May we, in all things, continue to give generously of our time, talent and treasure, seeking first the Kingdom of God, and God’s righteousness, and all these other things will be given to us as well.

In confident hope of a new year of blessing,

- Pastor Karl M. Richard