Rest in His presence

(Jesus said) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28,29

Friends, thank you for sharing this time over the course of the summer in our Lord's presence together. As many take time to rest in this season, many of us have continued to gather in God’s presence to share spiritual rest together. Recently we have been learning to sing our Lord's praises with the new service setting Matthew has provided for us! What follows is an article that I ran a few years ago and it bears repeating. May the Lord bless us continually as we take time to rest together in his presence! - Pastor

Jesus calls us all to come. “Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.” He calls us to come and find rest for our souls! Many seek needed rest and refreshment during this time, but spiritual refreshment should not be overlooked. We are so in need of God’s means of grace!

The Small Catechism reminds us, “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise Preaching and His Word but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.” And the Large Catechism states that as the Lord’s children we may, “go joyfully to the Sacrament and receive refreshment, comfort, and strength.” Worship in God’s Word and Spirit is where the Lord refreshes our faith. It happens as we hear, believe, and receive together!

Our Savior and Lord promises to satisfy the weary soul and to replenish our so often empty hearts and lives with his saving grace. As we gather, we are refreshed in his presence. During the time of summer rest let us avail ourselves of that real rest our Lord alone can provide, rest in his saving, strengthening presence!

Pastor