The Good News

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ 1 Cor. 1:2-7a, 9

Last fall, as I met with the Church Council, I asked them to take some time, consider a few things, and respond anonymously. The responses that I got back were in many ways predictable, but there were a few surprises along the way. Around the same time, I also asked my 8th grade Confirmation class the same kinds of questions, and I compared their answers. Again, the responses were in many ways predictable, but there were also some surprises, and there were even similarities in the surprises from adults and youth alike.

As we move forward through these summer months, and as you enjoy a bit more free time hopefully in your schedule, I would like you, as a church, to consider these same questions for yourself. As you come and go from services this summer, ponder them, think hard about them, dream a little, and reflect on things. If you feel up to it, write your answers down, but in the least, begin to formulate ideas and responses as St. John's goes through some reflection on our ministry and mission, on the land purchase, and on our future together as the people of God. The questions are as follows:

1. What does the word "church" mean to you?
2. What would qualify, in your mind, as a "good" or "nice" church? What does that look like/what makes it good or nice?
3. Why did you join St. John's?
4. Have the reasons you joined changed? Or, in other words, what keeps you here?
5. What do you think membership in a church should look like (what things should outsiders see people in the church doing who call themselves members)? Expectations, responsibilities, etc.?
6. Do you think membership at St. John's looks like that? If not, why and if so, do you think it should change?
7. Are there any changes to the church (services, administration, programs, etc.) that you would like to suggest be made? In other words, what would you hope St. John's would look like/be involved in/doing in the future?

Ever since the beginning, man has been a creature who worships the Creator. The church was established in the Old Testament, instructed in the time of Jesus, and became the living body of Christ in the world after his ascension. As such, there are certain things that our Lord has given to the church, and by those gifts there are certain things that the He has given to church to do. As our Lutheran Confessions state, "The church is not merely as association of outward things and rites, but it is mainly an association of faith and of the Holy Spirit in men's hearts, which indeed has outward marks so that it may be recognized, namely, the pure teaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments in agreement with the Gospel of Christ."

As it was at the church at Corinth, so it is in the church throughout time. The Gospel of Christ is to be proclaimed, and the sacraments administered, and there are certain outward marks that identify us as such a community to those outside of ourselves. Ultimately this is what the church is to be about. How we go about it, both in our Divine Services and in our actions outside the church walls, is where we live and work and seek God to guide and lead us. It is with this understanding that I ask you to consider these things.

So ponder these things. What is the church? What does it mean to be members of the church? How can we continue to follow where our Lord is leading St. John's to be His church in Sayville and beyond? Whether we do the same thing we have been doing, or do new things, we are promised by God that the church will not be overcome, and he will grow and prosper his church when we continue to keep Christ at the center of all we say and do. Have a happy, safe, and thought-provoking summer!

Grant then , O God, Your will be done, That, when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come Where Christ His message is bringing:
"I know My own; My own know Me. You, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you. Amen. (LSB # 645, st. 5)

~ Pastor Noack

Please Join Us
Pastor, Kristin, and Abby would like to invite the congregation to their open house on Sunday, July 11, from 2-6pm. Food and refreshments will be served! Come for a little while, or the whole time, but please come. We hope to see you there!

Another way to serve
The Board of Church Life is in the process of putting together a committee to review and revise our church by-laws. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Al Coppola at 223-2716 or call the church office.