Good News from Pastor Steve – January 7, 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
A New Year, and some new things happening! First of all, I’m changing the name of “Pastor Steve’s Blog” to “Good News from Pastor Steve”. It’s still a blog, which can be defined as “an online article, regularly updated, as an informal and conversational way to communicate”. And I am continuing all of that. It’s just that I want to make these weekly messages more positive and devotional. And so at least for a while, I’m titling these weekly letters and devotions, “Good News from Pastor Steve”.
So, what’s the Good News that I have to share with you? Before I get to the really BIG Good News, may I share some personal good news? As I’m asking in our Sunday services, for you to share good news, so I have some of my own. Truthfully, It’s difficult for me to begin. For I have lots of good news! But so that I can keep this brief and able to read in one sitting, here are three sentences of good news for me:
1) I was blessed with a Christmas and New Year’s holiday season with good health and time spent with my family.
2) My knee surgeries are done! Thankfully, I only have two knees, and both were replaced in 2025. Who knows what this new year will bring, but at least I know that my knees should be good for a while!
3). I get to be your pastor for at least three more years (as of last October). Of course things can change: health, changes of direction for Redeemer congregation, or for me. But the plan right now is that we are together in ministry and fellowship for close to three years.
Oh, but there’s more! The really BIG Good News! That’s the good news of Jesus!! And in the Scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday, we hear a prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 42, as God’s chosen servant who brings justice, healing, freedom, and a calling to “new things” that He brings. In the Gospel reading, Matthew 3, Jesus is baptized, marking the beginning of His public ministry. And it reminds us of our baptisms when we are given and begin our faith and life in Christ.
Now to quote Paul Harvey, here’s “the rest of the story”. You and I have a new year ahead of us. With lots of questions and concerns. And much that we do not know until it happens (with health, relationships, congregational, community, national and world concerns).
But here is what we know: God is the God of love and grace and mercy. He is the God who is with us always, no matter what happens in the days and years to come. And when God is at work, then all things are possible! There is always a reason for joy and hope with God on our side. In Christ, we know this. For God so loves the world that he gave us his only Son…”
May we all live in the Good News of our Savior and Lord!
– Pastor Steve
Pastor Steve’s 2-Minute Devotion – 1/7/26
Pastor’s Monthly Update – January 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
Happy New Year! And so we begin another year. Most of us reading this have been through enough years to know that just because it is a new year does not mean that everything is going to change for the better. The problems of last year seem to just continue and even get worse in the new year. New Year resolutions last for how long…a week, month, or a few days?!
Perhaps you’ve seen the cartoon of two tall buildings in a city. Both are on fire. And the fire dept has a trampoline between the two buildings, allowing the people in the burning buildings to jump and not be hurt. But when they jump from one burning building, they hit the trampoline, and bounced back into the other building, also on fire. And so they were in no better situation than before. I think we often experience similar situations. Last year I had this problem. And next year I’ll have another problem. Last year I lost… And next year I’ll lose…
Now, that can also be turned positive. I think it was a “Seinfeld” episode entitled, “Even Steven”, where Jerry lost $20, but later in the same episode found $20, and so it went in several situations, what was lost was matched by what was found.
Last year I had a few corrective surgeries: replacement of two knees, and a heart procedure that has corrected my racing heart problems. I’d like to think that in this new year, I won’t have those problems. After all, I only have two knees. But I’ve been reminded that I have other joints that may have problems. And one heart problem corrected doesn’t mean I won’t have another problem with my heart, or my kidneys, or my liver, etc.
Whew! I’m not sounding very happy in this new year!! So where can I find happiness and joy, even when problems and trials continue? My Mom used to always say, “Count your blessings. You can either see a glass as half empty, or half full”. And every year, day, breath, that I have is a blessing!
We also have another very big and powerful way to see every circumstance, by allowing God to be seen and heard in our lives. So I have a problem. And God is with me and will be with me no matter what happens. I may lose something important in my life. Yet I will never lose the most precious gift of God’s grace and mercy! A favorite verse of Scripture is in Nehemiah 8:!0, “The joy of the Lord is my strength”. The joy that God brings, and that I can have in Him, comes no matter what else is happening in life!
So bring on the new year! May I see the good in my life in 2026. And most of all, may we all see God’s presence and blessings upon us each and every day of life. And may I say it again, with faith in God: Happy New Year!
In God’s grace with you,
– Pastor Steve
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Hartford, WI 