If Costco cares about membership, then so should Christians.

If Costco cares about membership, then so should Christians.

By Matt Giesman

Costco takes membership pretty seriously. Do Christians in local churches do the same?

Why ask that question? Am I trying to imply that Christians don’t? Not necessarily, and that’s certainly not how I got started down this road. True story: A few months ago, the pastoral staff at our church were discussing something (probably our upcoming new members class), and our minds shifted to logistics and food and things like that. I’m pretty sure Costco came up. Then we mentioned membership vows (a series of lessons we teach during the new members class). And I was trying to say that membership vows were important without sounding too heavy-handed. And then it dawned on me – Even Costco has standards and expectations for its members. If they’re not ashamed of their membership standards, then we shouldn’t be, either.[1]

Does that mean I previously was ashamed of my church’s membership vows? I don’t think so. But for the past four years or more, I’ve been wondering if we don’t emphasize them enough. Perhaps I’ve been thinking this because of how much the world has changed in the past few years, or perhaps it’s because I’ve spent the past eight years and counting in a freedom-loving state known as Colorado. A loaded thought that I’ll have to unpack another day: I think there’s a distinctly right-wing version of freedom in Colorado, and there’s a left-wing version, too, but the common factor is that Coloradans love their freedom.

But true freedom is not freedom from all constraints. That’s simply not feasible, and some constraints are good things. As a case in point, I was reading a football column earlier this week from an author whose analysis I admire but whose political and social views differ significantly from my own. I filter out the latter and enjoy the football parts. But even he was making the point just this week that widespread legalized gambling (freedom!) will likely have negative effects on our society in coming years. Freedom from all constraints isn’t what’s best for us. Rather, we need the freedom to be what we were always intended to be.

Taking membership vows is a way that we affirm our intention to be what God created us to be. It also affirms our desire to have others hold us accountable to those standards, both because we declare these vows in public and because the 5th vow explicitly mentions accountability or submission to the government and discipline of the church.

With that as in introduction, let me briefly mention the vows (the same ones that any PCA Church uses, according to Book of Church Order [BCO] 57-5), in the hopes that I can say more about the individual vows in the coming weeks.

  1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save [except] in His sovereign mercy?

  2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?

  3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

  4. Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

  5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

 

If I can paraphrase our BCO, affirmative answers to these questions are our public profession of faith, and by affirmatively answering them we enter into a “solemn covenant with God and His Church.” Is that as moving as a profession of faith that tells a rollicking story involving drugs and jail time and eventual salvation?[2] Maybe not on the surface. But affirming publicly 1) that you know your depravity, 2) that you know that Christ is your only hope of salvation, 3) that you promise to live like a Christian with the Spirit’s help, 4) that you promise to support the church in its work of gospel proclamation and its worship of the triune God, and 5) that you promise to submit to the church’s leaders and pursue its purity and peace?

Personally, I think that’s quite profound and slightly more counter cultural than joining Costco.[3]  

[1] Dear Pastors Stephen and Josh, you have my permission to clarify how this discussion went, but I’m fairly certain Costco and church membership were mentioned, and that you gave at least some courtesy laughter after I said it.

[2] I have a friend who has one of those testimonies. He would tell you: 1) I wish I had a “boring testimony,” of never remembering a time when I didn’t know Jesus as my savior, and 2) I hope my kids have a boring testimony.  I stole line #2 and wrote on that several years ago. And to clarify, “boring” testimonies aren’t boring; they’re wonderful.

[3] It’s true that joining a church won’t cost you $60 a year like Costco, but if I have a chance to explore the vows in more depth later on, maybe we’ll tackle this question: Should a Christian’s tithe exceed their Costco membership dues?

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Quarterly State of the Church Report

(Update given before worship on October 8, 2023)

After every joint session-diaconate meeting, I’m asked to give a report to the congregation. A few things to make you aware of:

Finances got off to a strong start this year, due to some extraordinary giving. What’s extraordinary giving? If someone tells our treasurer that they’re giving a one-time gift, or an annual gift, the treasurer makes a notation, so that we don’t plan to receive that same amount regularly. And due to strong extraordinary giving, we’re 8% above budget right now. Thank you for that, but please don’t stop being generous, especially as end-of-the-year giving approaches. In addition to our annual budget, we believe God is leading us to building expansion at some point as well as future church planting. In years past, when we have received more money than we need for the budget, we’ve allocated money for larger projects into special funds.

The Session has a retreat coming up on October 23. We have three topics we want to discuss, in this order: Better Shepherding, Building Expansion, and Church Planting. We would appreciate your prayers as we prepare for that retreat. Any communication about that retreat shouldn’t be expected until after the Session has another meeting. Presbyterians are deliberative, by our nature. Another way to say that – Nothing happens quickly in a Presbyterian church, for better or for worse. I think it’s usually for the better. But, again, please pray for us as that approaches.

We also discussed several other topics with the deacons at our meeting. They’re doing a great job, showing wonderful initiative and care for the congregation. Please pray for them.

And just so you know that we haven’t forgotten, solar panels, to help defer the cost of our utility bills – Those are still coming; we’re still waiting patiently for the install date. (Update, 10-24-23 – Panels have been installed; we’re awaiting some follow up from the electric company.)

Lastly, thanks for your patience while the pastoral staff was away at Presbytery. Keep praying for Pastor Matt since he’ll be serving as Moderator of the Presbytery Meetings next year.

-Pastor Matt, 10-08-23

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GRT - The Gospel, Race, and Theology

I recently finished teaching an Adult Sunday School class on GRT: The Gospel, Race, and Theology. I didn’t claim to be an expert, but I thought it was a topic worth discussing. I didn’t record the class, because I wanted to encourage discussion more than I wanted to make headlines. My goal was to get us started thinking about this topic and to get us thinking more Biblically. My main resource came from Kevin DeYoung, and it’s listed below. In addition, this is the final page of the handout I used during the final week of our class. I hope you enjoy it.

 

For Further reading:

(This is not an exhaustive Bibliography by any means. These are resources I’ve personally read on the topic that I believe to be helpful and theologically sound. - Matt)

 

1.   My main resource: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/thinking-theologically-about-racial-tensions-ebook/

 

2.   Blog Post – Neil Shenvi – How to Preach against Critical Race Theory - https://shenviapologetics.com/how-to-preach-against-critical-race-theory/

 

3.   Podcast episode – Al Mohler’s The Briefing: June 30, 2023 – discussing the SCOTUS decision on Affirmative Action. His home page: https://albertmohler.com/the-briefing.

 

4.   Book – How to Confront Injustice without Compromising Truth by Thaddeus Williams – a BIOLA professor who interacts with recent social justice theories and offers helpful, Biblical alternatives and also examines the motivations behind some theories that Christians might not agree with.

 

5.   Children’s Book – God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell. I’m not familiar with the authors’ other books, but I’ve read this one with my children, and I think it’s a good age-appropriate examination of how the gospel message is good news for everyone from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

 

6.   Overture 43 from the 2016 PCA General Assembly – https://theaquilareport.com/pca-ga-overture-43-on-racial-reconciliation-approved-861-123/ -        a recognition and repentance of the PCA’s “corporate and historical sins” stemming largely from the Civil Rights era. It mentions a pastoral letter contained in the following link, as well…

 

7.   Overture 55 from the 2016 PCA General Assembly – https://www.pcahistory.org/topical/race/2016-55.pdf -           Originating from my former presbytery, this overture included a pastoral letter commending reading materials and suggesting actions for those who sought to make progress in Biblical, gospel-centered racial reconciliation.

 

8.   PCA Report from 2018 on Racial Reconciliation –https://www.pcahistory.org/topical/race/2018_report_ethnic_and_racial_reconciliation.pdf -         This report flowed out of the actions of 2016. It includes a definition of racism and some helpful affirmations and denials in the opening pages.

 

9.   Book – For a Continuing Church by Sean Lucas – Lucas is a PCA Pastor whom I’ve gotten to know. A church historian by training, Lucas wrote this book as a “warts and all” history of the PCA’s founding. It often commends the theological orthodoxy of the PCA founders in the face of growing liberalism in the mainline church that the PCA left, but neither does it gloss over some unfortunate racial sins.

 P.s. Regarding the last book - At least one church member has recently let me know that he started reading it and that he found it profitable and interesting.

Why I Didn't Preach Genesis 5

By Matt Giesman

First off, my fingers apparently still work. I haven't blogged frequently in the past three years or more. Time has been a huge factor in that if not the main one. That may change going forward, but I'll avoid any promises for the moment.

Is it some scandalous reason? Do I have a shocking reveal or a novel interpretation about Genesis 5? No, not at all. But something I learned indirectly as a journalism major and sportswriter was that shocking headlines get more clicks. So, ha! Gotcha![1]

My main goal is to mention to our church what I’ll be preaching soon, which will be Paul’s letter to the Ephesians with an emphasis on chapter four. More on that later. But another way to frame this, complete with a cliffhanger of a headline, is to mention why I didn’t preach Genesis 5. There’s nothing wrong with Genesis or Genesis 5. I love Genesis. It was the first time I remember that I’d preached even a short series on the first book of the Bible. I preached six sermons on Genesis 1-4, and I loved every one of them. The reason why I didn’t preach chapter 5 has more to do with my overall approach to preaching lately.

I believe in expository preaching, expositing, or exposing the truths contained in the text of Scripture.

I believe in consecutive, expository preaching. This often looks like starting in Genesis 1:1 and not stopping until you reach the end of Genesis 50. While I didn’t do this with Genesis, it’s what I usually do. As a partial list, since 2015, I’ve preached through the entire books of Exodus, Revelation, Esther, Ruth, Luke, 1 Thessalonians, Titus, and more. Oh, and I just finished preaching all 66 chapters of Isaiah; that took approximately two years because of frequent breaks and a sabbatical that my church graciously granted me. By the way, I do preach some topical sermons. I quite enjoy a quip from one my favorite seminary professors (Derek Thomas): “You should preach one topical sermon a year, and then repent immediately.”

I also believe in proclaiming the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). But what form should this take? Start in Genesis 1:1 and don’t stop until Revelation 22? Most folks who agree on the first two points likely have divergent opinions on this point, and I think that’s ok. As I was nearing the end of Isaiah (and all of its 66 chapters emphasizing the holiness of God and the remnant whom He preserves by grace), I began to think that I wanted our people to be exposed to more sections of scripture. I had two primary reasons for that:

1.       Our church is unusually transient. I don’t mean that we’re full of drifters. But we do have quite a few military families – we’re located a mile from the Air Force Academy – who may only stay in town for three years and may not have much choice about it. In addition, I think some of the high-tech jobs common to our area may also lead to more transience, shorter stays, and frequent moves.

2.       Our culture is increasingly Biblically illiterate. Here’s the first google result for "trends in Biblical literacy." That’s not what I’d call encouraging if you think that the Bible is our only rule for faith and practice, or if you think it’s profitable for teaching and forming mature disciples (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

So, if some of our church members may only stay for three years, and if some of them are (hopefully to a lesser extent than that survey) less engaged with their Bibles than previous generations, how can I serve them best? I could preach a series of sermons walking through the Bible one book at a time, but I have a friend and colleague who just did that and said it was harder than expected. So I adopted a modified version of that. I surveyed the books I’ve preached in the past eight years at Forestgate, with an eye towards which genres and sections of Scripture I had and had not preached, and I set out after Isaiah to hit some underemphasized books and sections. First up, the book of Acts, chapters 1-5. I finished by talking Ananias and Sapphira. Next up, Genesis 1-4, with one sermon devoted to “male and female, he created them.” (Gen 1:27)[2] Then, for our next series (the one that begins on Sunday, September 3), I wanted to spend time slowing down in Ephesians 4, to reemphasize the kind of Biblical community that has been harder since 2020, for many reasons.

But even though I knew I was headed for Ephesians 4, I thought it would be wrong not to say anything about the first three or the final two chapters of Ephesians. So, I’m also planning some “drink from a firehose” sermons on Ephesians 1-3, 5-6. Right now, I’m planning five sermons for those five chapters, though I may get talked into an extra sermon on chapter 5. 

Also, if you think it’s a crime that I’m only spending one week on Ephesians 1, then I understand. But we also have a Friday men’s Bible study that is taking the nice and slow approach to Ephesians; they’re about half-way through the book right now.

And if you really like nice, long series through books of the Bible, well, my plans for early 2024 include a series on the book of Judges. So stay tuned.

In the meantime, get ready to feast upon the truths of Ephesians: the God who chose us before the foundation of the world, the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance, the Christ who made dead-in-our-sins people like us alive.

 


[1] Media types aren’t the only ones who use attention-getting techniques, either, and this isn’t all bad. Bryan Chapell’s best-selling preaching book, Christ-Centered Preaching, says that if you don’t get the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds, then you may not get their attention. Kevin DeYoung once gave some preaching lectures at Reformed Theological Seminary titled, ‘How to Make Your Sermons a Little Less Boring.’ In fairness to both men, their works were packed with substance … and a little bit of style.

[2] I apologize for not ending this post here with a dramatic flourish like the following: “So THAT, my friends, is why I didn’t preach Genesis 5!”

2023 General Assembly Report

2023 General Assembly Report

By Matt Giesman

I had a wonderful week in Memphis, TN, and I’m grateful that our church sent me (along with Pastor Stephen) to the PCA’s 50th General Assembly. Others are more equipped to track the minutiae, so instead I want to offer several themes I observed this past week.

-        Lament – Between the shooting in Nashville that claimed six lives and the recent deaths of PCA stalwarts Harry Reeder and Tim Keller, the celebration of the PCA’s 50th birthday was a bit somber. Randy Thompson (preaching at the request of retiring moderator John Bice) responded with an appropriate passage at the week’s opening worship service, focusing on the Lord’s great faithfulness from Lamentations 3. It struck the chord of lament while focusing on the week’s theme – “Great is thy faithfulness.” Ligon Duncan (whose father attended the PCA’s first General Assembly in 1973) touched on similar themes in his message from Ephesians 1 on Wednesday night. And one of my favorite moments of the week was attending the 50th Anniversary concert by Indelible Grace with my family. We sang our hearts out; we cried happy tears; we stayed up too late, and we didn’t regret it for a moment. (For a recording of the concert as well as all of the sessions of General Assembly, see these links: https://vimeo.com/833437403 and https://vimeo.com/pcaga.)

o   On that note, this story from Christianity Today (by Megan Fowler, a journalist who also writes for the PCA’s By Faith website) summarized the tone leading up to the Assembly: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/june/pcas-50th-anniversary-comes-during-season-of-grief.html.

-        Steadfast Love – God’s provision for 50 years was never far from the discussion this past week. And while some of these stories may seem far away and distant, here’s one from the Mission to the World (MTW) website about an original missionary family. If you look closely (at the family reunion picture, which is from 2022, not 2020), you’ll see a picture of some of our members: https://www.mtw.org/stories/details/an-original-mtw-missionary-family-serves-50-years-in-europe.

-        Accountability – This may not be a splashy theme, but it came up over and over. Two presbyteries were cited to appear before the General Assembly because of major concerns raised in the review of their records. Reformed University Fellowship had to delay the finalizing of some affiliation agreements because they weren’t properly approved by the Assembly. (Affiliation agreements spell out the differing roles that RUF National, the presbytery and its RUF Committee, and the Campus Minister play. Personally, I found no issue with the agreement itself; the main concern of the Assembly seemed to be whether the agreements could be changed without some prior oversight and approval.) One of the PCA’s themes at its founding was that it was a grass roots denomination, built from the ground up, not controlled from the top down. That theme was alive and well this week, including the passage of Overture 7.

-        Strength for today – The PCA is planting a church every two weeks. Other statistical indicators (membership, baptisms of adults and children, total giving) are on the rise in our denomination, despite setbacks during COVID that other denominations have faced, as well. To quote a previously mentioned hymn, we have “strength for today,” which was the title of Dr. Duncan’s Wednesday night sermon. 

-        Follow Through – The PCA has been discussing sexuality for several years. Two overtures (requests for the General Assembly to act on an issue) from last year received final approval with a 99% vote, specifying the need for elders and deacons (and candidates to become officers) to affirm the Bible’s teaching on indwelling sin and sanctification. Another overture (#23) with similar themes passed with 88% approval and requires two more steps (passage by 2/3rds of the presbyteries and a simple majority at next year’s Assembly) for final approval. These steps, along with an excellent report on human sexuality from 2020 (https://pcaga.org/aicreport/), will hopefully bring unity and clarity on this issue. Another study report last year focused on domestic abuse. Several requested changes to our Book of Church Order arose out of that study to help ensure to help prevent abuse. One such proposal was not approved, in what I believe was the closest vote of the Assembly. (Read more about it here: https://twitter.com/MattGiesman/status/1670092024031379458.) Even though that Overture (#13) was not approved, we did give final approval to Item 8, a series of changes to BCO 35 that would allow, for example, an alleged victim to not have to face their alleged abuser while testifying. While this topic is obviously sobering, and while some feel more could be done to prevent abuse, important steps were taken following last year’s report, for which we should be grateful.

-        Bright Hope for Tomorrow – When you start with lament, there are obviously hard themes that were discussed this week. And yet, “bright hope for tomorrow” was not absent from this Assembly. Attendance remained high (2290 commissioners, nearly reaching last year’s record registration), the spirit of debate was civil and mostly positive, and the votes were mostly unanimous in most cases. All three preachers (Les Newsome preached a wonderful sermon on Thursday night from Isaiah) reminded us of God’s faithfulness that has carried us for 50 years. Wednesday’s mornings Assembly-wide seminar from several PCA Founding Fathers was a treat (https://vimeo.com/836026842), and we also heard several other videos like this delightful one from Susan Hunt at the beginning of our business sessions (https://vimeo.com/813691185).

-        Busy but Blessed – I served on the Overtures Committee and the Nominating Committee this year. And even if I hadn’t, there was enough business to keep me quite busy. But there were also friends to see, songs to sing, encouragement to be shared. I love General Assembly. I love the PCA, and I think I love them both more now than I did the first time I attended. (I rarely speak at Overtures Committee, usually deferring to others. But I did offer a short amendment to one that received unanimous approval. I’ll stop bragging now.)

-        Unity – I would not claim to speak for everyone, but I thought there was a noticeable sense of unity before, during, and after this year’s Assembly. Perhaps it’s because of the lamentable challenges and bitter providences God has allowed us to face. Perhaps I say this because of how many votes received 80% or 90% approval or more. And perhaps I say it because it seems that we pursued truth and found unity in the process. The PCA’s motto has long been Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission. While our denomination isn’t perfect, it is still pursing those noble goals and trusting in God’s great faithfulness.

Pastor Matt, June 17, 2023

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2021 General Assembly Report- Rev. Matt Giesman

2021 General Assembly Report

 

The 2021 PCA General Assembly (GA) took place in St. Louis, MO, from June 29-July 1. Pastor Matt, Pastor Curt, and Ruling Elder Bruce Harrington all attended as official commissioners. What follows is the best summary of a thousand pages of reports and a few dozen “Overtures” (a request from a presbytery for the General Assembly to act).

Several significant decisions were made regarding the denomination’s position on same-sex attraction (SSA), in response to the 2018 Revoice conference and subsequent conversations.

The seven-member study committee on human sexuality produced an excellent report (https://pcaga.org/aicreport/). Tim Keller and Kevin DeYoung presented the report and noted how pleased they were to find even greater agreement on these issues than expected. Since the report has been out for a year, the Forestgate Session has reviewed it on 2 occasions, including a profitable discussion in the spring of 2021. We have been praying about how to best make use of its teaching. The Assembly voted to commend this report by more than 90%.

Two other matters related to human sexuality were considered, as well. The first was Overture 23, which sought to amend our Book of Church Order (BCO) by further defining “above reproach” (1 Tim 3) as it pertains to ordained officers. The Assembly then approved Overture 23 by approximately 78%, but the earliest it can officially take effect is after next year’s General Assembly, pending further steps of approval. If the change receives final approval, here’s what BCO 16-4 would say: “Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. Those who profess an identity (such as, but not limited to, ‘gay Christian,’ ‘same sex attracted Christian,’ ‘homosexual Christian,’ or like terms) that undermines or contradicts their identity as new creations in Christ, either by denying the sinfulness of fallen desires (such as, but not limited to, same sex attraction), or by denying the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, or by failing to pursue Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptation, inclinations, and action are not qualified for ordained office.”

The second matter related to human sexuality (Overture 37) was another proposed BCO change that passed so far (see above about the final approval for BCO changes). It would amend BCO 21-4 and 24-1 regarding the examinations of those officers, Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Deacons, using similar but more detailed language.

In addition, a pastor in Missouri was examined and exonerated by his presbytery about his teaching related to SSA.[1] Three presbyteries asked the Standing Judicial Commission (aka, the SJC, something similar to a Supreme Court for of the PCA) to look into that situation further. The SJC is currently considering whether to do that; no news was given or expected regarding that situation at this year’s Assembly.

After all of those decisions and many more, I left General Assembly very encouraged. I think we are trying to stay committed to the Bible and our confessional standards (the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, and our BCO) as we engage an increasingly post-Christian culture.

On a personal note, General Assembly is a great time to see old friends and worship with 2500 people together in the same room. Amidst the busyness and the hard, nuanced discussions, I always have a great time. May God bless our denomination as we try to grow together.

If you have any further questions, please talk to one of our elders.

-Pastor Matt, on behalf of the Session of Forestgate


[1] The Missouri Presbytery 125 page report is linked.

Long Decembers and Livelong Nights- By Rev. Matt Giesman

“And though I wait the livelong night until the dawn appeared...”

Those are the words of the hymn version of Psalm 130. Waiting is a concept we’re all familiar with lately. Recently, Psalm 130 made me think of some other non-Inspired words of waiting:

It’s been a long December, and there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last. 

That’s a song from my high school days. (Never mind me. I’m just a guy who’s pushing 40. My favorite music will soon be on the oldies station.)

I think of those words here and there when I’ve had a rough season of life, when it’s been a Long December (or March or 2020-that-lingers-into-2021). We all need hope, and we all need to believe that at the very least MAYBE this year will be better than the last. And music is catchy. I’ve listened to that song a few hundred times (and I’m sure the music of your high school days sticks with you, too), and I can still hear the opening piano chords and that one guitar riff that comes in at the end. I can feel the melancholy that slowly turns to hope that ends in triumphant joy. But more than once, I’ve asked myself, “Why does this songwriter think this year will be better than the last? What does he base his hope on?”

Reviewing the lyrics, it’s a simple formula. The songwriter poet is simply dwelling once again on the topic of unrequited love. He loved, and he lost. He starts off talking about her leaving, whoever the nameless woman is.

A few lines later, he’s reflecting on how he wasn’t good enough for her and how winter (a Long December) makes you think about all that just a bit more. And then he’s back to his opening line:

It’s been a long December, and there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.

 And once again, I ask, Why? Why does he think this year will be better than the last? Why is January going to be better than the long December? The song ends with him saying he’s going to go see the ocean, followed by some Na Na’s and a few Yeah’s, reminiscent of the ending to Hey Jude!

Is the California coast the reason that this year will be better than the last? The California coast ain’t bad, but is it enough to overcome the crud of a Long December? Is it anything more than a beautiful distraction from the writer’s lovesick heartache? Is it really enough to put an end to all of our Long December’s?

Is it a better hope than Psalm 130?

Psalm 130 has its share of melancholy, but it’s not about unrequited love and the one who got away. It’s about the depths of woe and crying out to the savior, begging for him to listen.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!” (Psalm 130:1-2)

Maybe he has just sinned, or maybe the memory of his sin plunged him back into the depths of woe once again.

“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” (Psalm 130:3-4)

And then he talks about the waiting. He’s in the depths, and he’s waiting on God. Not a fun place to be. I’ll shift to Martin Luther’s poetic rewording for a moment:

And though I wait the livelong night, until the dawn appeareth,

my heart still trusteth in his might, it doubteth not nor feareth

Do thus, o ye of Israel’s seed, ye of the Spirit born indeed

And wait til God appeareth.

That’s a bit of an amalgamation of verses 5-8. Another verse in the song treats verse 6 in more detail, but it’s better to look at the Biblical words here, to see where his hope lies.

“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)

He’s waiting and hoping for God to show up and bring him out of the depths. And now the image changes from the depths of woe to a night watchman on duty. The coldest, darkest shift for the watchman was the night shift. It was a Long December packed into one night, and with no iPhone or TV to distract him, you can only imagine how long it felt. Waiting for the morning must have felt like eternity.

Why does he use the image of the night watchman, lonely and waiting in the dark? First off, because we’ve all been there even if we aren’t a night watchman. We all know the Dark Night of the Soul, as an old saint once called it. Second, to borrow the words of an old friend: He uses this image because morning always comes. Always! Does it take a while? Sure, but it comes. Every time. And that’s why the Psalmist can wait like a watchman - he knows he will get what he’s waiting for. He knows that he will get God. God will show his face. He will answer the prayer. He will raise this man up out of his depths. With God there is forgiveness, and that hope is so much more certain than the girl who got away deciding to come back or the restorative effects of the California coast, or whatever reason you can find to think that maybe this year will be better than the last.

The livelong night (oh my, is it long!) is ending, and God is about to show His face. With Him is steadfast love. With Him is plentiful redemption. And He will redeem Israel out of all her sin and sorrow. The Long December will end, and this year WILL be better than the last.

Feeling Emotional about a Zoom Microphone? Lemme explain. -By Rev. Matt Giesman

I’m feeling emotional about my Zoom microphone.

I’m fairly certain that sentence would’ve made no sense in 2019 or anytime before. It barely makes sense now, and, yes, I was trying to be a bit dramatic just to get your attention.

I’m also attempting to take a brief look back at 2020 by looking at one small object in my home office. A brief look back, because I don’t think I’m ready to handle a full retrospective on 2020 yet.

But, yes, let’s talk about my Zoom microphone and why it’s making me emotional. What emotions? Well, there’s gratitude. There’s also angst, regret, dread, and probably a few others. Let me attempt to explain.

Gratitude – My Zoom microphone was given to me by one of the regular attenders of the Officer Training study that I teach every year for prospective deacons and elders. One of the 2020 attenders gave it to me. Before this gift, he walked me through how to set up our Officer Training study on Zoom in March 2020, as the world was rapidly changing. I had barely heard of Zoom until he told me about it, suggesting that it was a much better option than Skype (which I’ve used in the past) or Facetime (Apple users only) or some other option we discussed. Before long, the church would have multiple Zoom accounts. Praise the Lord one of our members did a lot of video conferencing for work and got me up to speed. And what’s more? After the first or second meeting of Officer Training that was held on Zoom (which meant we no longer had to worry about meetings getting snowed out), this gentlemen reached out to me and said something like, “Ya know, it looks like we might be doing this for a while. Would you like me to buy you a proper microphone?” I said sure. I’m not sure how much he spent, but it looks pretty solid, like one of the ones that the worship team uses. One of the main differences from the sanctuary ones (I think) is that mine has both a standard microphone cable input and a USB-C input, the latter allowing me to plug it into my computer for relatively easy use. I have no idea how many times I’ve used this thing since March 2020. When I received it, I had no idea how helpful it would be. If I had known back then how many times I would use this thing, I would’ve … I’m not sure. I might’ve refused the gift out of spite for the circumstances of 2020 that I would never wish upon anyone. I hope that I might’ve responded better (had I know how long I would need to use this mic), similar to how I did respond at the time: simple thanksgiving for a kind deed from someone who knew I could benefit from a thoughtful gift. Maybe it was God’s kind providence to me that I didn’t know in March 2020 how much I would use that microphone. Maybe it was also a kind providence that I was given the gift at all. Probably both. So, for those reasons and many others, thank you, Lord, for this microphone that allows me to conduct better Zoom meetings. Thank you to the member of Forestgate (he knows who he is) who gave this to me.

Gratitude. That’s the emotion I’m feeling right now.

But is there also some anger (that certain parts of 2020 happened), some regret (ditto), some dread (as I attempt to relive even small portions of last year), and probably a few other emotions. I could explore those emotions, and I have already (with friends and family, in other articles, in sermons, during prayer request time at various meetings, and more).

But who wants to go there? Spring is in the air. Easter is around the corner. (It’s Maundy Thursday and April Fool’s Day as I write this, an interesting combination). The Lord tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. Not FOR all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. And as I look back briefly on the past year, I’m thankful for a Zoom microphone given to me by a generous church member. Not necessarily thankful for the reasons that required the use of it. But I’m thankful for it, all the same. Thankful for a God who is sovereign. Thankful for a God who died for my sins and didn’t stay dead. Thankful for a God who is Risen and who is making all things new.

Gratitude. I think that’s enough emotions for today. Happy Easter, everyone. He is risen! Indeed!

Summer Vacation Bible School Opportunities - By Rev. Curt Straeter

Are you talking about Summer VBS already? Yes I am! It is important to get excited early, and prepare yourselves for supporting this Summer’s VBS opportunities…that’s right, plural…we are excited to promote TWO VBS’s this year, with participation opportunities for both children and teens. In order of appearance, the first will be…

WINGS LIKE EAGLES (Early June): WLE is an independent, Christian-run horse vaulting camp that incorporates Bible teaching. It is essentially a VBS for roughly ages 6 to 13, but with horses. Also, ages 14 to 18 are the leaders! Like a typical VBS, there is singing, a devotion, snack time, and a game station. But instead of moving to other typical VBS stations (i.e. crafts or a “storyteller” time), children learn simple horse vaults. Horse vaulting is essentially gymnastics or static poses on a moving horse.

While adults are on site and overseeing, the teens are put in charge of running all of the stations, including the devotionals. This develops teaching and leadership skills. High school staff also must attend the theological preparation prior to camp. Last year, WLE asked me to lead the staff Bible studies, and I led a six-lesson series, “What Is the Gospel?”.

Neither high school staff nor young campers need to have any experience with horses or horse vaulting prior to camp. There is a separate safety & handling training for the teen staff in addition to preparatory bible studies.

WLE is held at a local horse ranch in Monument, the residence of Duncan & Michele Bremer. Several families participate that are within or connected to FPC in some way. The camp has two separate iterations of 6 days (Saturday is a horse vaulting “performance” day where all families are invited), and the 6 day iterations are slated to likely occur in early June…More confirmation on that is pending.

SUMMER FUNNER (July 12-16): Summer Funner is an established (over 25 years) non-profit that has approximately fifteen original Biblically-based musicals. It is a 5-day, theater style VBS where students ages 4-18 rehearse a Bible centered musical which culminates in a performance on the last day.

Participants rotate through stations to practice choreography, rehearse lines, enjoy a snack, create theme-related crafts, learn basic drama skills, and hear Bible truths that support the theme of the show. Students are divided into age groups and led by teen participants through the stations. Teen leaders are mentored in Christian leadership as they begin each morning with a devotion and prayer time before younger students arrive.

The beauty of this style of theater is that it welcomes and encourages students with little to no theater experience, but is still enjoyable to those who appreciate theater. At minimum, each participant is given one or two lines, while teens or more experienced participants may play a larger role. All students learn the songs and sing/dance together for the performance. The goal of this style of VBS is to create an engaging, Christ-exalting experience where the children are encouraged to learn basic tenants of the Bible (maybe for the first time) that will hopefully stick with their hearts for years to come.

Unlike WLE, Summer Funner will be held on site at the church building.

COSTS: We plan to offer participation in each program for $25 per participant. For both programs, this includes a shirt as well as all of the other materials (and horses!) used in the VBS events. The actual cost of both VBS programs is significantly higher. FPC is subsidizing some cost, and there is also a regular donation “auction” at the end of the WLE performances on Saturday which is meant to help soften the cost of maintaining the horses for WLE. If anyone has any financial difficulties that prohibit participation, please reach out to me!

The FPC Christian Education Team is very excited to promote involvement in both of these VBS opportunities. Above all, we pray that God would use it to glorify himself by drawing little children and teens to himself in repentance and faith, and in sanctifying them, training them, and using them to proclaim his name among all nations for the work he has wrought through the life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What’s a Satanic Attack look like? - By Rev. Matt Giesman

What’s a Satanic attack look like? Does everything turn a pale shade of red? Are there strange ghoulish voices and evil, maniacal laughs?

I’m going to suggest, No.

But am I qualified to make such assessments? What expertise do I have? Well, I do have a D.Min. degree. Quick, say that out loud if you’re reading silently. (D.Min.) Did it sound like “demon” a little bit? That’s what one of our deacons thought when I discussed my D.Min. classes one time. (It actually stands for Doctor of Ministry.)

But in all seriousness, I’m not sure I have expertise with demonic and Satanic experiences. I am not an exorcist, and I actually never saw those movies growing up, either. But I have benefited in the past few years from some people in our church who are willing to occasionally say, “This might be Satan attacking us, discouraging us, etc.”

One time, it was an elder’s wife who attributed a rash of health scares in our family to the possibility that Satan was attacking our church during a time of fruitful growth.

Another time, it was an elder who calmly said, “The enemy would like nothing more than to discourage us right now.” That was in response to a question from me, half-rhetorical, about what was going on, why we were having such a rash of funerals in such a short time.

On the one hand, you might ask, “How did they know that those things were Satan’s doing?” Simply put, they didn’t. There was a measure of humility and uncertainty in their voices. But if Satan is a prowling lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5), and if he does indeed have some power to harm us by the sovereign permission of the Lord (see Job, especially the opening chapters), then it is not too much to ask IF Satan MIGHT be attacking us at any one time, especially if the circumstances in question are harmful to the church as a whole and/or to significant leaders in the church.

I’ve said before that I do not enjoy preaching about Satan. Yes, it’s part of preaching, declaring the whole counsel of God. But there is a very odd “coincidence” that I notice on those weeks when I am scheduled to preach about Satan. When I’m scheduled to preach on Satan, I will sometimes be moody, irritable, anxious, and a host of other things that are not normal for me. After one such week, when I had been feeling horrible and out of sorts for several days, I mentioned to my wife, “By the way, I’m preaching on Satan this week.” Her response was basically, “Well, that explains a lot.” It wasn’t the first time we had discussed this phenomenon, and after that “aha!” moment we decided that I am obligated to tell her ahead of time when I’m supposed to preach on Satan.

I realize much of this is anecdotal. This isn’t hard scientific data that could be written up for a journal article or something like that. If that means you take all of this with a grain of salt, then fine. My main goal is for us to take a moment when life seems out of joint and ask what’s going on with us and around us. It might be that there are reasonable explanations for out of the ordinary occurrences. It might also be February 2021 Page 3 the case that Satan loves to capitalize on whatever circumstances arise, doing his best to make something bad out of what God intends for our ultimate good. (Think of that as a sort of corollary of Genesis 45:4-8; 50:20.)

And even if we can’t be sure that any particular circumstance is Satan’s handiwork, we still should be mindful of his possible presence and pray for protection against him. In fact, Jesus told us to pray this way. At least, I’m pretty sure he did. If you survey the different Bible translations of the Lord’s prayer, about half of them translate Matthew 6:13 like this: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” The other half nuance that word “evil,” with many choosing, “Deliver us from the evil one.” I don’t need to solve that translation issue. (The alternative I mentioned is usually at least featured in a footnote as a possibility.) But I think if Jesus wants us to pray for deliverance from evil, then he probably also wants us to be delivered from the evil one, the source (at least indirectly) of much of the evil we might face in any given day.

So what’s a Satanic attack look like? Well, it doesn’t have to look like some scene you’ve seen in a movie. And it might look rather mundane. You may not know if it’s happening to you at any given time. But you should be praying for God’s protection against Satan and all of his schemes (2 Cor. 2:11), even if you don’t see him lurking around the corner.