Sunday School needs teachers and helpers. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Chris Muggenburg for more information.

PASTORS POST

We are not the first people to face issues and controversies about the ethics of how one should act in a pandemic. On August 2, 1527, a case of the Bubonic Plague was discovered in the university town of Wittenberg where Martin Luther taught. The university was closed, and the students were sent home, but Luther remained in the city against the wishes of many who feared for his life and was busy with pastoral and practical care of the sick. He was urged by correspondents to give advice on what a Christian’s responsibility is at such a time. In November that year he finally responded to a pastor in a neighboring town. His response was published as an open letter entitled Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague.

Luther fought against the notion that faith would protect one against the plague and urged those who could rightly do so leave. But some must stay, including doctors, nurses, pastors, public officials, and any person on whom an afflicted person is dependent.

This is some of Luther’s advice that seems particularly relevant for our time:

“I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.”

 “If my neighbor needs me, I will go freely.”

“Others sin (…because) they are much too rash and reckless, tempting God and disregarding everything which might counteract death and the plague.  They distain the use of medicines; they do not avoid places and persons infected by the plague, but lightheartedly make sport of it and wish to prove how independent they are.  This is not trusting God but tempting him. God has created medicines and provided us intelligence to guard and take good care of the body so that we can live in good health.”

 “This I know well, that if it were Christ or his mother who were laid low by illness, everybody would be so solicitous and would gladly become a helper…And yet they don’t hear what Christ himself says “As you did it to one of the least, you did it to me.” When Christ speaks of the greatest commandment he says, “and the other commandment is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There you hear that the commandment to love your neighbor is equal to the commandment to love God, and that what you do or fail to do for your neighbor means doing the same to God.  If you wish to serve Christ and wait on him, very well, you have your (vulnerable or sick) neighbor close at hand…you will surely find Christ in him, not outwardly but in his word.”

One could easily paraphrase Luther’s words with “wearing a mask”, “getting vaccinated”, “social distancing” …etc. You get the point. Take care of yourself, take care of your neighbor using common sense and utilizing competent trusted sources of information. In doing so you are serving Christ by caring for yourself, your neighbor, and the common good of humanity.

In Christ,

Pastor Michael

Confirmation Schedule Fall 2021

Classes meet Wednesdays at 6:30-8 pm meeting at St. Paul’s Lutheran, 218 E 19th Street.

September 29 Getting to know you and game night at St. Paul’s

October 6 Class: Jesus (How can he be both human and divine?)

October 13 Class: The gospel according to Matthew

October 20 Servant Event (TBD)

October 27 Night off.

November 3 Class: The Gospel according to Mark

November 10 Class: The Gospel according to Luke (and Happy 538th birthday Martin Luther.)

November 17 Movie Night at St. Paul’s

November 24 Night off to cook the Turkey

December 1 Advent Worship: attend and participate

December 8 Advent Worship: attend and participate

December 15 Advent Worship: attend and participate

December 22 Advent Worship: attend and participate

December 29 Night off. Get ready for 2022!

Little Pantry Drive By Drop Off

Drive by and drop off a food or cash donation for Ascension’s Little Pantry!

Fall is coming and you can feel it in the air. It is time to remember our less fortunate neighbors in the Cheyenne community. You have an opportunity  to drive by Ascension and either leave a food donation or if you wish a cash donation that will be used to purchase food to stock the Little Pantry.

• Ascension’ East Parking Lot

• Saturday October 2

• 9:30 and 11:00 AM

 Folks will be on hand to accept your gift. As always, you may leave a donation in the food bin in the narthex at anytime, if that is more convenient.

Thank you for your support of this ministry of Ascension’s and thank you from those whose lives are made a little easier by your kindness!