A woman was obviously afraid of her flight to St. Paul.  As she sat waiting for takeoff, she looked across the aisle out the window at a beautiful sunset.  Then she turned her head to the left and looked out the window next to her seat, only to see a depressing scene to the left of gathering storm clouds.

Just like our journey through life, there are scenes of sunshine as well as depressing scenes of darkness all around.  The destination doesn’t depend upon which scene we look at.  Our journey will still end with the joy of eternal life with Jesus.  But along the way we can either dwell on the gloomy picture.  Or we can focus on the things that bring joy and sunshine to our lives.

Especially in our relationships – such as within the family and the church – we can become either grateful or resentful, depending on our point of focus.  We all have annoying habits and faults.  And at the same time there is so much positive brought into our lives by these same persons.  Why not appreciate and dwell on the benefits instead of looking for the faults?

From our perspective there are storms and sunshine, good and bad times, happy and sad situations in each of our lives.  But from God’s perspective He has a loving plan being worked through it all for us.  We have reason to be grateful all the time!  Because of His undeserved love for us – His amazing grace seen in the saving work of Jesus – there is healing in the midst of sickness, forgiveness to light the burden of guilt, provision when finances seem at their worst, eternal life even when surrounded by death.  That’s why Paul, with the crucified and risen Christ as the center of his troubled and turbulent life, was empowered to say, “We know that all things work together for good to those that love Him.” (Romans 8:28)

During this time of Thanksgiving, whatever the situation, we live our gratitude to God!  “We give thanks because His name is near!”  He has sent His Son to Bethlehem, the cross and through the grave in resurrection for each of us!  He is now so near to us in Baptism that He has become one in relationship with our lives.  He’s in control!  May we reflect our thanks for Him by carrying His strength and peace into our lives of relationship with each other!

I look forward to being with you Thanksgiving Eve at 7:00 p.m.  Remember to bring your favorite pie for the fellowship after!!  Pastor Craig

October 21, 2025

Dear Family of Holy Faith,

 How often I hear the words, “I love you,” as I part from someone I’ve met at the store or somewhere else.  It’s a good thing!  Yet I do have a concern.  Sometimes I feel a little awkward as I hear this and do not even know the person very well.  I’m afraid that our quick use of that important phrase can cheapen its meaning.  Words can be cheap.  What gives them real impact is action.  True love is not simply words.  Not just a passing comment, true love moves to action for the one loved! 

While our earthly love is far from perfect, God loves us and He shows it!  As one pastor wonderfully put it, “God couldn’t stand the thought of heaven without you!”  For that reason He acted!  He sent His Son, Jesus, to bring us back to Him through death and resurrection, so that we will live with Him forever.  What comfort the gift of this truth is as we say “I’ll see you soon” to our dying loved ones, instead of final goodbyes.  What peace we can have struggling with our mortality in this world of sickness and challenge.  We have a God who demonstrates His love for us throughout our lives by guarding our faith, giving us what we need for life, and, at the last, sending His angels to bring us home safely to heaven, to be with Him!

In response to God’s perfect love, with strength from the Holy Spirit, we are able to not only say but live those words, “Lord, I love You.”  He pours blessings into our lives each-and-every day, gifts that become our thank you to Him as we use them to serve Him at our church, Holy Faith.  We bless each other as we work together to share Jesus’ love with our community.  The Apostle John wrote, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:17).  Yes, our “I love you’s” are truly sincere because they flow from Christ and take loving action in Him.

That’s why I know you will want to take action and be part of our celebrations this Sunday, October 26th!  It’s not only Reformation Sunday (wear Holy Spirit red) but Consecration Sunday at Holy Faith. We gather to let our praise flow back to God because of His love and blessing in our lives.  Together we express the truth that we love God and each other by attending the two special events of this day: first, the Sunday morning worship service at 10:00 a.m. and, second, the Celebration Luncheon immediately following worship.  Sunday School will take place so bring the kids.  Our Consecration Sunday Speaker will be Pastor Clancy, one of our own whom we dearly love. 

Since we will be serving a luncheon, we need to take reservations for each person who will be present.  If you have not made plans to attend these two events, please do so.  Our goal is to have every member and friend of the church present.  If you did not make a reservation last Sunday, please let us know you will be present for the two events by calling the office (973-697-6060) and letting us know.

Please make whatever sacrifice is necessary in order to be present on Consecration Sunday, October 26th.  May we not only say to our Lord that we love Him but live that love in action as we commit to Him!

I love you in Christ,

Pastor Craig

It’s a bit ironic that Labor Day was designed to be a day of rest!  Why not call it Rest Day?  It’s a wonderful opportunity to sit back and relax.  Maybe even take a look at our work, our priorities and what we are doing.  Is it rewarding?  Is it meaningful?  Is it satisgying?

The writer of Ecclesiastes seems to be evaluating his work too.  His conclusion is full of despair.  All that he has accomplished, all the possessions he has accumulated, is meaningless.  He wonders why he should work so hard to just leave it all behind. 

(Ecc. 2:23).

But God promises an abundant life to all who follow Him, no matter what the task or work might be.  When we dedicate our lives and work and plans to the Lord, we can relax and leave the results to Him.  He has that greater plan for good for us, our families, church and community.  He has promised that our labor is not in vain.

Thanks be to Jesus, whose labor led Him to the cross and empty tomb.  Because of our faith in Him, all believers in Christ who rest in the forgiveness won for all, we have the greatest possession already waiting for us.  It will be far greater than all the possessions we’ve amassed throughout our lives.  What a joy it will be to hear Jesus say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

A blessed Labor Day to all as we rest in the Lord!  Love in Jesus, Pastor Craig

“Be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15

During the Cold War’s chilliest days an East German guide took two American tourists aside.  The guide had already tried the patience of his group with his lengthy orations regarding the glories and successes of the Marxist state.  But now in the security of private conversation he sent a message with the young couple:  “Tell your people how fortunate they are.  They should be thankful.”

The apostle Paul was often deprived of his freedom.  He spent much of his life in prison for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.  But he learned to give thanks to God in every situation for His abundant mercy in Christ.

We who live in the US of A enjoy liberty and freedom.  Despite its imperfections and shortcomings that we often complain about, our country is a huge blessing to each of us!  We are especially free to worship our Lord and share what we believe openly with others.  We don’t realize how fortunate we are!

Let us be thankful for God’s gift of salvation in the life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  And may our picnics and parades and fireworks and family gatherings be followed by our prayers and a year-long citizenship which manages this great blessing well!  I know, it’s not Thanksgiving.   But this 4^th of July, let’s be thanks-filled!  Giving God thanks for you, Pastor Craig

“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring My salvation to the ends of the Earth.”  Isaiah 49:6

Perhaps in our minds, as we look out upon our present world, we have the thought, “They are hopeless.”  Maybe some of us think that about our own nation.  It is easy to become frustrated as we see bullying, injustice and such and to feel defeated about people and nations.

It’s good to be reminded as we move forward toward our celebration of July 4^th that God loves all people, all nations, especially our own.  So, none are to be thought of as “hopeless.”  God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to die for all.  That includes the people of every nation.

The prophet Isaiah was given a challenging message.  The people of God were not just to be separate and distinct from all nations, from other “ethnic” peoples, from the Gentiles.  They were given to the nations as a light to bring the salvation story to the ends of the earth.  The NT people of God – that’s you and me – are now that light to the nations.

As we thank God this coming week for His blessings on our nation, as we strive to be thankful and helpful citizens, we humbly accept God’s calling to be light to our nation – the light of the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.  That news is the hope of our nation and God’s hope for every nation.  Love in Jesus, Pastor Craig

“Go(ing), therefore make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Matthew 28:19

            Ok, time to pray!  Let’s all join hands and form a circle!  How would you form that circle?  Would everyone be looking at everyone else or would their backs be toward the center of the circle?  What a crazy prayer circle with everyone looking out, right?  Well maybe not.

            Before Jesus ascended He commissioned His disciples, you and me, with a “going.”  We who are holding hands facing one another are being turned around.  We may yet be holding hands, but it’s in a different view when we realize how many are yet out in the world and don’t know Jesus.

            That “go(ing)” points to our Lord’s death and resurrection.  It’s not a rule we have to follow.  It’s not a command to which we had better respond.  It’s a joyful reality of who we now are in our risen Lord Jesus Christ.  “Therefore” refers back to how God has provided us faitn in the Christ, who saves us from eternal death.  God’s nature is to seek and to save the lost.  All who are baptized into the power of the triune God are filled with that nature.

            That Pentecost of long ago, with its pouring out of the Holy Spirit, was not a one-time event.  The Holy Spirit is continually filling us through God’s Word and the Sacraments, in our prayer-life and in time with one another so that in our everyday “going” we have Good News for all

            Even through our greatest accomplishments will all gather dust like some trophy on the shelf long forgotten, those whom God brings to faith through our witness will live with us forever.  Be filled with the Holy Spirit this Pentecost and in our everyday lives!  May the Holy Faith Family be an outward focused prayer circle!  Share the Good News of our risen Savior.  Love in Christ, Pastor Craig

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:15)

            In the confusion that the empty tomb at first caused, what else can Mary Magdalene do but break down and cry?  The open grave is of no comfort at this point.  In her mind it points to a grave robber or worse.  Her tear reddened, tear blurred eyes are blind to Jesus.  She can only assume that the person before her is the gardener, charged to care for the cemetery grounds.

            Mary intruded into death’s territory with no hope of finding a resurrected Jesus.  She assumed that the jaws of death, once closed, refuse to relinquish their prey.  She came only with the intention of performing a final gesture of tender respect for her Lord.

            But when Jesus calls her by name – a nurturing, loving, care providing sound she had heard over and over again – she recognizes him!  Can you imagine her joy?!  Only then, in that recognition, her grief is turned to joy!  She is a sheep of the Good Shepherd, and she is known to personally, by name.  The God of peace has brought again from the dead our Lord, who, by His own blood has purchased and won Mary and each of us to be His own possession.

            We do not have to seek Him in the middle of an ancient cemetery.  He is with us this Easter, where He has promised to be – in His Word and Supper.  This Easter Sunday we see Jesus with the eyes of faith!  Our Gospel Lesson will be the experience of Mary Magdalene.  We will have opportunity to feast upon the Risen Christ, the Bread of Heaven, in His Supper.  In the midst of death there is life!  Alleluia!  Praise the Lord!  I look forward to being with you Easter Sunday in our Resurrection worship!  Love in the risen Savior, Pastor Craig