Pastor’s Message
… Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. — Matthew 22.15–22
November is election month. Did you register to vote? Have you made a plan to vote on November 3? Maybe you already early voted. Good for you. As Lutherans we have a long tradition of being good citizens by participating in the voting process. As a church we will never talk about which candidate should be voted for. That is unethical. But we will encourage each other to vote according to each one’s conscience.
Luther helped us to understand the two kingdoms … the church is God’s right-hand kingdom of grace and the government is God’s left-hand kingdom of the law. God has provided government for the sake of peace and tranquility, so that the Gospel may be preached freely in the world. Consequently, we exercise our right to vote as good citizens in a country where we enjoy this freedom as a constitutional right.
In Matthew 22 a group of disciples of the Pharisees tested Jesus out of the malice of their hearts. “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” they asked him. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and asked them to produce what they called the tribute penny, a denarius coin with Tiberius’s image.
“Whose image is on it?” Jesus asked. They answered, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said: “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” In Romans 13 Paul wrote: “Pay taxes to whom taxes are due.”
In our world today, we pay taxes in order to fund public institutions like schools, roads and bridges, national defense, social security, agriculture and food, health programs, etc. These are all things that make our society a better place for us to live. We vote for leaders to administer these things, and we hold them accountable when we vote.
Please study the issues, study the candidates, and vote this November 3. Vote your conscience. Be a good citizen …
to love God, to love your neighbor, and to love each other.
Pastor James
ALL SAINTS
November is the month we observe All Saints’ Day. November 1st is the day we remember those who have died in the Lord since the previous All Saints’ Day. This year All Saints falls on a Sunday. Please pray for the families and loved ones of those who have passed before us in the faith, that God would comfort them with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!
We may not be able to travel to be with our extended families in person for Thanksgiving, but we can remember them, pray for them, and surprise them with a phone call. God bless your Thanksgiving celebration this year and give thanks for all your blessings.
Please pray for all members of Faith.
BEE FAITHFUL
Notes on Our Busy Bees
Thought I would add a couple paragraphs on our Honeybee apiary here at Faith.
A healthy hive is constantly changing according to the weather, and seasons. I have been told that only 40% of honeybee hives will survive the winter.
This summer one hive looked great and produced a box (8 frames) of honey. Leaving them enough of their own honey (their food) to get them through the winter. The other hive we have had problems keeping the hive going, and I don’t know if it will survive much longer.
We have some honey left that I packaged in 1lb, and 2lb bottles, and we are asking for donations for the jars to help pay for a simple watering system for next year. Water is important, cause everything the honeybees do requires water. The honeybees take pollen and mix water to make honey, wax, and when it’s hot out the bees use water to cool themselves.
The goal here at Faith’s apiary is to be self-sufficient, so we are asking everyone to donate when you take a jar of honey when you come to church for communion.
Thanks again for your support. Paul
Faith Lutheran Church - Ypsilanti, Michigan 