Forced Choice: Beliefs or the Law

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued a decision from the 2010 healthcare law that requires health insurance to cover basic birth control services for woman. This decision has remained at the top of the news cycle as politicians from both parties, as well as leaders of the nation’s largest religious bodies, have issued statements and commented publicly with extreme passion. On the surface, one can easily wonder, “What is the big deal?” The vast majority of American women use some form of birth control at one point in their lives.  What is so wrong with requiring insurance companies to cover the cost?

The heated discussion has little to do with birth control, insurance or even health care.  It has everything to do with forcing religious organizations to choose to between their religious beliefs and following the law. The Catholic Church does not condone the use of birth control pills or other contraceptives. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod objects to the use of drugs and procedures that take the lives of unborn children…Catholics and many other religious groups object as well. This new law requires private health plans to cover these controversial birth control products.

An accommodation, announced in the face of strong opposition, mandates religious groups to offer insurance plans that cover contraception and a controversial abortion drug. Frankly, my conscience is not “accommodated” by this change. How far can the government go before it impedes religious liberty?

That is precisely the concern I am addressing here. The actions of our church, our beliefs, and our faith come from God’s Word and not arbitrary laws written in the midst of a political campaign. Every day we are continually tempted to act contrary to God’s word – that is one reason we come together weekly, to hear forgiveness and to be strengthened for the days to come.  I don’t need any more temptation from my government to do wrong. I find it easy enough to fail as it is.

As usual, I welcome your comments.  Please post them below.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” . . . First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Want to read more? The President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has issued this statement.

See you in church,
Pastor Tom

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope you have time to watch this short video, a Christmas greeting from Pastor Warren and me.  There’s more though. It also involves an invitation, an invitation to partner in the life of Christ…

We pray that you have a blessed Christmas, filled with much joy and a happy New Year, filled with Christ, worship, Bible study, and service to others.

See you in church – this Christmas and beyond!
Pastor Tom

More on Developing a Mission Mindset

Pastor Warren, Immanuel’s Associate Pastor, joins us this week as a guest blogger. Please join Pastor Warren Thursday, September 22nd from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for a “Night of Food and Fellowship for Missions”, where he and others will share more about Immanuel’s mission teams – Cambodia, Denver and Joplin.

This past weekend I preached on Matthew 18, where Jesus taught us how to navigate through sin in our relationships with one another. The title of my sermon was “Lessons on getting through Land Mines.”   These land mines are the stumbling blocks or impediments that the evil one places in front of us that cause us to sin in a way that will bring scandal about to our neighbor.

In this chapter, Jesus talks repeatedly about not bringing scandal upon the little children, because children are very special in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. This is brought to light by Jesus own words in Matthew 18:10-11, where He says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. “

As I wrote in my article in the September Messenger “Developing A Mission Mindset”, we at Immanuel are cultivating a Mission Mindset.  The goal is to turn our hearts and thoughts outward toward those who are in need in this world. We have been blessed to have recently sent two mission teams out on service mission trips to Denver Co. and Joplin Mo (click for more info on Immanuel’s Joplin team). Our missionaries, George and Shary Frahm are preparing to go to Cambodia in order to oversee the Angel Dormitory for needy children in Phnom Penh.

This morning, I wanted to share with you some thoughts that my friend George shared with me about my sermon, as it relates to the stark and sobering need for us to reach out to the people of Cambodia. George reminds us of the realities of why there is a need to extend mercies out to these folks so they can hear the saving message of Jesus Christ, and he connects that marvelously to the sobering realities of sin in our lives. George writes:

“You sure picked a great choice of words during your sermon Saturday evening, but I don’t know how many people realize the seriousness of land mines. Land mines are designed to hurt, harm, maim, and even kill. Likewise, the devil wants to hurt and harm us and our relationship with God, He maims us and stumbling over landmines can even cripple or kill us. The world’s most land-mined country is of course Cambodia. If you go outside of the royal palace with me in Phnom Penh, it will not take long for about five to ten men in wheel chairs to roll up begging for anything we can give them. They are the victims of land mines. They may be living, but just barely. They have no skills, and no one to help them.

In Cambodia, there are teams of people who disable the land mines. It is dangerous work but they need to make money to feed their families. They will tell you that it is not a case of if they will be injured, but only when they will be injured or killed.

It is also ironic that you talked about suffering the little children to come to Christ with 65% of the population of Cambodia under the age of 30 and 50% under the age of 20. This is why we want to build the Angels Dormitory to help the young people of Cambodia to avoid the land mines and develop their faith in Christ.”

George, Shary, Pastor Tom and the Sunday School children at the Frahm’s Immanuel Installation last spring

This is why it’s so important to reach out to the people of Cambodia. This is why the Lord has touched George and Shary’s hearts and is sending them to this land to help the little ones that our Heavenly Father cares for so deeply. Our Heavenly Father fully understands the needs that these little ones have, and perhaps he is touching your heart today to help these little one’s come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Perhaps God is choosing you to help send George and Shary to this land. Won’t you please partner with them in whatever way you can? They need your support in prayer, encouragement, and financial gifts in order to reach these children.

So why not join this mission team? George and Shary are the ones going to Cambodia, and we can partner with them by sending them. On Thursday, September 22nd from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., we will be hosting a “Night of Food and Fellowship for Missions” at Immanuel, where we will share more details about George and Shary’s call to Cambodia, as well as share how God used our teams in Denver and Joplin. Please mark this event on your calendar and make sure you come to this special event. In the meantime, seek God’s direction on how you can join this team.

In Christ,
Pastor Warren
(Phone 847.359.1549 or email: pastorwarren@ilcp.org)

Other posts by Pastor Warren:
God’s People In Action
Memorial Day…Veterans, Service, and Sharing Christ – (Part 1 of 2)
Memorial Day…Veterans, Service, and Sharing Christ – (Part 2 of 2)

Other Posts about George and Shary Frahm:

Exciting Times @Immanuel Palatine…Missionaries, Members, and More
Cambodian Missionaries @Immanuel Palatine

Remembering Mother’s Day…

I served one particular church for many years, and preached hundreds of sermons there, but one Sunday at that church remains as a vivid nightmare in my career.  As I was greeting people after worship, one of the first women to come near me looked me square in the face and shouted, “Don’t you know it’s Mother’s Day?!”  Well I did know, but she was quite disappointed (to say the least) because I committed one of the cardinal sins of preaching.  I failed to mention the holiday in my sermon. I’ve never done that again.

However, to be honest with you, I’m feeling a little guilty and discouraged as we approach Mother’s Day. Don’t get me wrong… I think it’s a great holiday and certainly, we need to honor our mothers, but what bothers me is the fact that I haven’t seen my own mother since my daughter’s wedding last summer. It will be sometime this summer before I can get to her house and spend time with her again. Cards, phone calls, and e-mail are always nice but to talk in person is special.

Many of you have the ability to see your mother quite often, unless the Lord has already called her home. In that case, Mother’s Day must be particularly difficult. I have a good friend whose mother died a few years ago, and while her children will honor her on Mother’s Day, she would treasure the opportunity to spend time with her own mother once again.

At Immanuel we have a marvelous opportunity this year for you to celebrate Mother’s Day. Our choirs and musicians are coming together for a special musical event we call Resurrection Witnesses: We Have Seen the Lord.  You will hear beautiful music, as well as a series of dramatic readings. In fact as I write these words I am taking a break from composing my own very small portion that will come near the conclusion of our musical celebration. Other than my part, I know everything else is going to be spectacular!

For all of us the days pass much too quickly. We will never have the chance to relive yesterday, but we can do better tomorrow than we did today. I strongly encourage you to make plans now to be together on Mother’s Day. And I can’t think of a better place to spend some of that time than in church. I don’t think I’ve ever met a mother who wasn’t concerned about her child’s relationship with God. It’s time we all reassure one another that the resurrected Jesus is indeed our Lord and Savior.

See you in church,
Pastor Tom

Big Week. So What?

This week our Saturday and Sunday worship services begin with a marvelous celebration, including a procession with palms and special music from our children in most of our services. By the end of the service however, the mood changes ever so slightly. You are left with a hint that things are changing. In fact, all of our Holy Week worship services are designed to help you experience the emotions and changes that took place some 2,000 years ago. Think about that monumental week…it started with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, included his crucifixion, and was gloriously capped off by his resurrection.

From the opening Palm-waving procession, we make our way through the week as on Thursday we remember Jesus as he washed his disciple’s feet and as he offered Holy Communion for the first time. And we remember that this is also the night that Jesus was betrayed. Our worship will end that evening with the stripping of the altar. The mood and atmosphere on Friday remains subdued as our lessons and music reflect the events of the crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ. Our worship continues on Saturday with the Easter vigil as we wait for the resurrection and renew our own baptism…a centuries-long Christian tradition on the day before the resurrection.

Easter Sunday will bring worship of near-unbridled celebration. We will sing songs and hymns of celebration, we will hear the words that so clearly testify to the truth that Jesus has risen from the dead, and we will offer prayers of thanks for all he has done…even as we receive his body and blood in Holy Communion.

So what? What does it all really mean for you and me? Easter is a day of so much tradition for many of us and often includes a special meal, colored eggs, chocolate filled baskets, and time with family and friends. Easter remains one of the two days when everybody seems to think that they need to be in church. As a pastor, I feel I must prepare an extraordinary sermon so that no one is disappointed. Our choice of music must always include the ones that everybody wants to hear but we can never include everyone’s favorites. But is that all?

No, that is not all! But what words can I say on Easter so that you will know, believe, and feel the significance of our celebration? If only I could capture the emotion the women and disciples felt as they discovered that Jesus was indeed alive and somehow impart that to you through my message!  But I’m just a simple man whom you have asked to serve as your pastor. I will choose my words carefully in hopes that they bring the message our Savior wants you to hear. Jesus came into this world and took all of my sin (and yours) on himself, paid the ultimate price for what we have done, and then suffered the most humiliating death! But He is alive today. He knows who you are. He hears and sees you. He is with you now and always. He gives you the power to change and live a life in Him. It’s a big deal. It’s a very very big deal.

See you in church,
Pastor Tom

P.S. Please join me in observing and celebrating this very big deal at our Holy Week Worship Services. If you can’t attend in person, we offer online worship opportunities. And if you are (or someone you know is) homebound, please contact Deaconess Suzanne (Deaconess@ilcp.org) or me and we’ll make sure that we contact them. In addition…this Tuesday evening at Immanuel, my friend Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities, will be presenting “3 Days and 3 Nights: How Can That Be?” Contact Pastor Warren (PastorWarren@ilcp.org) if you have any questions. It’s hard to believe we have so much going on this week, but as I said, it’s a big deal. It’s a very very big deal.