Trinity 19

Our Family

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been nearly a year since the Rogness family arrived at Good Shepherd. We have been blessed by the gracious welcome we received and continue to experience as our family grows.

One of the characteristics I have appreciated about Good Shepherd is that it, too, is a family. Over the past year, it’s been a growing family with many young voices joining our Sunday choir and singing our praise to God with the angels, archangels, and the whole company of heaven - a tremendous blessing!

As I reflect on this blessing, this passage from Luke comes to mind,
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17)

I love this passage. Right off the bat, not only are the children being brought to Jesus, but He touches them!

In a way, there is an image of Baptism here, right? We bring our children to the Baptismal font to receive Jesus’ name and His kingdom—the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting!

When this occurs, the church’s children, even the littlest among us, are also brought into God’s family, your family. This means they become your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Think about that for a moment. As creatures of habit, we enter the sanctuary and sit in our particular locations, often surrounded by “our” family or friends. But as we sing, pray, and hear the Word of God, our hearts and voices are intertwined and united in Christ. We are reminded in this beautifully intimate way that we are brothers and sisters, all of us, no matter our age!

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to focus these newsletters on how our presence in the Divine Service not only serves as fertile ground for our faith to grow as individuals but especially how God uses all of us to support and foster a family of faith at Good Shepherd.

A family that is growing together.

A family that remembers these words of Jesus, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:17)

Please read along in the coming weeks, ask questions, and let’s grow together!

Pastor Rogness