St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Pastor’s Message - August 2022

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I start this message by appealing to all members of St. Peter’s who follow worship on line every Sunday to plan to come back to church and worship together with your brothers and sisters for the rest of the Summer.

On July 4^th, we celebrated America’s 246^th birthday. A time to participate in patriotic programs and to sing patriotic songs. A time to give thanks for our Country’s beginnings and the progress towards embodying the ideal of “liberty and justice for all.” But let us be honest, we also need to keep asking God to shed his grace on America and to mend her every flaw.

Let us not forget, however, there are two things that make the Fourth of July different for an American follower of Jesus. First, we are citizens of two kingdoms. We are citizens of the United States of America. Born citizen or naturalized or working on citizenship. But ultimately and more importantly, "our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," who will do what no political party in this world can ever do which is to "transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to make all things subject to himself.”  (Phil. 3:20-21)  As citizens of the kingdom of God, our final and ultimate allegiance is to Jesus.

Secondly, we are citizens of this great Country. And it is fitting and appropriate to be a patriot. Daniel Webster, one of America’s greatest orators and statesmen, said what makes a person a good Christian makes them a good citizen. So as Christian citizens we have a love for our Country - and do everything in our power to make it a great Country for everyone.

Keeping these thoughts in mind, let us celebrate our Country’s birthday.

In Christ,

Pastor Perucy

Coverage Pastor