October 27, 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
If you are watching the World Series, you may have noticed how well each player (on both teams) are doing their jobs: throwing pitches, catching, hitting… And it all looks easy! But we all know that these professional baseball players have been practicing for years and years.
I am having some home improvement projects being done on my house, even as I write this. And they are doing things in a very professional way. Let’s say: way better than I would do when it comes to cement work, siding, etc.
And so it goes with all kinds of skills and talents. When it is done by professionals, it (usually) is done well!
Now, as I write this to you, I realize that most of us have been around the block for a while. Including many years as people of faith. I mean, most of us have been baptized for 50, 60, 70, 80 or more years. So I think I can say that we are experienced, maybe even “professional” Christians. (though I don’t like the word professional when referring to our faith and life in Christ). We certainly know what it means to believe and live as followers of Jesus, right?
So does that mean that we are going to do everything well, even perfectly, as disciples of our Lord? May I answer, at least for myself? As I look at my own life as a Christian, I certainly know that I am not believing and doing anything perfectly. I am a sinner. And I have been and will be all of my life.
So in every game of the World Series, we all see the “errors” in a game. That glove that missed the ball. The wild pitch. The foot that missed the home plate. But they are rare, especially by our Brewers 🙂
Sadly, I cannot say that my “errors” (as in sins) are rare. Instead, I know that I am constantly sinning in thought, word, and did.
But now here’s the good news: As Martin Luther said, we are “simul iustus et peccator” (a Latin phrase meaning, “simultaneously justified/righteous/sait and a sinner”. For in Christ, even “while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And as we are promised in 1 John 1:7, and 1 Corinthians 6:11, “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin…you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”
So I can call each of you as “perfect…holy…saints”! No matter what you have done, or are thinking, saying, doing. For in Christ we are holy and right with God!
A fellow saint of God,
– Pastor Steve
Pastor Steve’s 2-Minute Devotion – 10/28/26
Pastor’s Monthly Update – October 2026
Dear fellow redeemed,
A while ago, I asked you in a sermon, “Why are you here? Why a member and/or participant at Redeemer congregation? I’d like to follow up with a few more words about our participation here, and as Christians.
I suppose we each have our own reasons for being with us on Sunday mornings, and whatever else we may do on behalf of Redeemer Church. And I suppose there are many reasons that people are not active in a church.
Here’s a truth that we all can agree on: there are many who are not with us at Redeemer, or at any church. The percentage of people who are participating at churches, and who are claiming to have faith in God, are down. Our own history at Redeemer is one of many congregations with evidence of this truth.
So what should we do in response to that discouraging news? Do we just remember the “good ‘ole days”, grieve, complain? In a book that our council is reading, we have learned that “listening” is very important. Listening to one another, to our family and friends, neighbors and community.
I’d like to ask each of us to see what we can learn from those who are both active with us at Redeemer (or another church), and from those who are not with us at Redeemer or at another church. I’m sure that we can learn much from one another. No, I’m not thinking that we will learn just exactly what needs to be done to get more people back into church. That’s not the point: people need to be heard. Listening is one way that we can serve God and one another.
Which leads to the best reason for any of us to be here at Redeemer, and to be a Christian. In response to what God has told us and done for us. As the Heavenly Father told us at Jesus’ transfiguration, “Listen to Him.” And as we listen to God, we will learn of His love and mercy for all people. He now asks us to love one another. And that doesn’t mean that we need to bring them into the church to love them. We can love people wherever they are and whatever they are doing.
I look forward to joining you as we listen to one another, and as we live in response to the Good News of the God who loves us all! May we now share that love with one another.
With you in God’s grace,
– Pastor Steve
