March 10, 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
Have you ever noticed how we see things differently? For example, when traveling west across town you may see things that are missed when traveling east on the way back home. Or as so often happens for me: my wife sees things differently than I do. Four years ago, when we bought a house in Milwaukee, she saw the colors she wanted to paint each room, and how the furniture would look and where to put it all. I’m not sure what I saw, but it certainly wasn’t all that she saw. I did a ride along with a police officer years ago, and he mentioned how an officer will be constantly looking for things that needed his response. Completely different way of looking at a neighborhood from what I see. Or how about the difference in what a person sees when driving, verses when a passenger in a vehicle.
So the Scripture readings for this Sunday highlight how “the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
I wonder: is it possible that we can look, not on “the outward appearance”, but rather “the heart” in other people? And how do we do that?
It seems that the best answer to those questions is to look to God. And trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the man in this Sunday’s Gospel reading did (in John 9). He was blind. And Jesus, the Light of the world, opened the blind man’s eyes so that he could see.
We may have our physical eyesight. But often we are still not seeing all that God sees. OK, so we never will be able to see ALL that God sees. But just as Jesus gave the blind man his physical eyesight, so God will give us the ability to see people as created in His image, loved by God, and as people whom God has forgiven and wants to be His people.
Consider what this means. Rather than seeing others as possible threats and enemies, we now can see people as fellow redeemed, dearly loved by God just as we are, and people whom we can love and serve and help as needed.
As we read in this Sunday’s 2nd Scripture reading, in Ephesians 5:8, “Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light.”
May we see as the Lord gives us His love and mercy for people.
In the light of the Lord, with you,
– Pastor Steve
Pastor Steve’s 2-Minute Devotion – 3/11/26
Pastor’s Monthly Update – March 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
I am writing to you as fellow redeemed people of God, as fellow children of God, as fellow servants of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as people active at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hartford, as your pastor. And here is what is on my mind:
Thank you for all you are doing! Every Sunday, when I come out to the chancel, I look out and see many of you gathering as the Body of Christ. I see you receiving God’s Word and Sacraments. I see you praying, serving and worshiping God our Savior and Lord!
Thank you for your support of this congregation and our ministry together. I am well aware of the fact that without you, Redeemer congregation would not have a history of so many years of activity. And we also would not be continuing to worship and serve together.
The question to now ask ourselves is this: Where are we going in the future? What is in store for us as a congregation in the next year, five years, 10 years? What will you and I do today, tomorrow, and in the days and years to come?
First, I hope and pray that you will continue to worship and serve with us at Redeemer. In my 41 years of being a pastor, I had only one worship service when no one other than me showed up for the service. It was during a winter snowstorm. I lived a block away from the church. So I was able to walk to the church. I learned that a few people had tried to make it to the service. But the streets were all closed. Every other Sunday I have always had at least “two or three gathered” (Matthew 18:20) in the name of Jesus, worshiping and serving God.
Now of course we need a place to gather as the Body of Christ. And thankfully, you have built and maintained the beautiful building that we have at Redeemer. And I know that each of us are being encouraged to support the new roof that will be added later this year.
We also have a lot of work that we are all joining in here at Redeemer. Some of you are serving on the Council, as ushers and lectors, cleaning and maintaining our facility and grounds, serving food and coffee, leading committees and teams, etc. We have monthly “Special Giving” offerings that go toward various mission and ministry in our communities. We also have a partnership with Casa Guadaloupe, and with Lincoln School. And we have the “Nest”, which offers a space for new organizations in our community (currently used by Casa Guadaloupe, Girl Scouts, and Al Anon).
So what else can we do, as individuals and as a congregation? I welcome any suggestions and ideas. And most importantly, thank you for your prayers. I look forward to joining you, and our Lord, in the important work of bringing the Good News of Jesus for all!
Serving with you,
– Pastor Steve
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Hartford, WI 