Though it’s early November as I write, this issue is all about the upcoming Holidays!   I hope you take the time to read of the many special events that STL will be hosting … and that you join us for at least a couple of them.  For more information give our church office a call at 586-772-3370.

I also hope you spend a little time over the holidays thinking about the shepherds.  You probably remember the scene as described by Saint Luke in his Gospel – “There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”  As you think about them, consider something written about them by Martin Luther a few years ago:

Shepherding – that was a mean job, watching flocks by night.  Common sense calls it low-down work, and the men who do it are regarded as trash.  But the Evangelist lauds the angels because they proclaimed their message only to shepherds watching their flock by night.  These were real sheepherders.  And what did they do?  They did what real shepherds should do.  They stayed in their station and did the work of their calling.  They were pure in heart and content with their work, not aspiring to be townsmen or nobles, not envious of the mighty.  Next to faith this is the highest art – to be content with the calling in which God has placed you. …

Look at the shepherds.  They were watching their flocks by night, and an angel came and made them apostles, prophets, and children of God.  Caiaphas, Herod, and the high priests were not deemed worthy.  I would rather be one of those shepherds than that the Pope should make me a saint or the emperor make me a king. …

“And the angel of the Lord said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people.”  “Fear not,” said the angel.  I fear death, the judgment of God, the world, hunger, and the like.  The angel announces a Savior who will free us from fear.  Not a word is said about our merits and works, but only of the gift we are to receive.

Want to hear more… about the shepherds?  The gift?  The giver of the gift?  Join us for one of these services.  Or, better, yet, give me a call (or an e-mail at RevMWHetz@Hotmail.com) and we can sit down together and talk.  Remember, …

We are here to serve you.

Blessings, Mark W. Hetzner, Senior Pastor

PS:    Have your heard our newly re-written mission statement:  The Mission of Saint Thomas Lutheran is to connect people to Jesus and to one another by educating, growing and serving?  

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon . They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. (Isaiah 35:1-2)
 
Isaiah is the poet of all poets of all the Old Testament prophets. As Israel sits in the ruins of exile, Isaiah sings of restoration. While all of Israel looks at the devastation in front of them, Isaiah weaves words of what is possible with God.
 
To me, this is the job of all who keep Advent, to speak of what is possible with God while others only see a ruined landscape. Those who only see a collapsed economy in our country and in our own lives.  Those who may have family or work stress. Those who are thinking, “Will I find a job in 2010?”  Those who only see that they owe more on their house than it’s worth.
 
As a parent, I have spent countless moments reassuring my children that everything will be okay. I have kissed scraped hands in order to make them better. While listening to the concerns of the day, I have promised that tomorrow will be brighter. When my kids were babies and were crying, letting loose their infant anxieties, I would sing this rhyme to my boys; Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Papa’s going to buy you a mockingbird. My wife offers gentle words of encouragement to our daughter today. To me, this is the job of all who are parents, to speak words of hope while children are only facing pain and anguish.
 
Advent is all about making a way for God, in our anguish, in our exile, in the places of our lives that seem to be ruined. Our heavenly Father wants to speak words of hope to you, just as we do for our children.
 
As Jesus quietly arrives as an infant, then who preaches and lives God’s promises, we see the fulfillment of Isaiah described as the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
 
Advent allows us to make room for Jesus arriving on the scene, as we recall the messenger that prepared for him, for John the Baptist, and for his earthly parents, Joseph and Mary.
 
Pray.  To keep Advent, I encourage you to pray. Spend time in silence, reading God’s Word, seeking God’s voice. Come to pray around the Cross at our Wednesday Weekday Services at St. Thomas Lutheran, to pray and sing with others.
 
Wait expectantly. This is a tall order for us, while shopping and party going make demands on us. Spend the first ten minutes of the day or the last ten minutes making room for Christ in your life.
 
At St. Thomas Lutheran in worship, let’s spend more time in silence and prayer for each other. Be generous. Consider how your gift-giving will bring joy to others, rather than fulfilling an obligation. Look at the opportunities at STL to bring hope to refugees or those in our STL community with the gifts that are being suggested on our Christmas Giving Tree. Seek out those who need a kind word, who need someone to hold their hands as you listen to their pain, hurts, and even their joys.
 
Wait with hope. Worship with your St. Thomas Lutheran family.  The company of others in song and communion will connect you to those like Isaiah and John, who paved the way for all things new. It will connect you to Jesus the author and perfector of your faith.
 
In Christ, who came, who comes, and who will come again,

Deacon Jerry Corbet

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of Jesus.  This autumn has been a time of great changes!  School is back in session, bringing homework, sports, new friends and new activities.  Kids aren’t the only ones back in school; as many of you already know I’ve begun the journey to become an ordained pastor through our St. Louis seminary.  As much as I thought I was busy before couldn’t even compare to what’s going on now.  Being in the seminary through the Specific Ministry Pastor program means that I am also now a vicar and no longer a deacon.  In a way this is very sad; the deacon program and being able to serve as such has been an incredibly life-changing circumstance for me.  But God has a way of not keeping us still for very long, constantly bringing on new challenges and new opportunities.

As vicar I am serving my vicarage at Genesis Center.  We are all very excited about everything going on.  People ask what is Genesis Center about, and this tells me we haven’t done a good job of making our purpose clear.  Let me answer that question as clearly as possible.  Genesis Center exists to connect people to Jesus Christ through serving the community.  That’s it.  Our goal is to serve others and use these service opportunities as a means to spread the Gospel of Jesus.  We are doing this in a number of ways.

We hold weekly worship services on Sundays at 1pm.  The services are a real blending of old and new; we have a traditional liturgy with songs and hymns that are performed with more modern instrumentation.  We use a combination of both old hymns and newer praise songs.  We are starting small, working on getting the word out to the community and growing the services.  We’re not necessarily interested in stealing from other churches; we want to reach the unchurched.


One of the biggest needs in Metro Detroit is the need for work.  In order to help people find employment we have computers available for people to use to find work, we are putting together classes on job hunting skills, interview skills, and resume writing.  We are also putting together a clothing closet so people can have a good set of clothes to wear to an interview. 

Families are also in strife.  We are attempting to help through counseling at little to no cost, offering classes on money management and parenting skills.  We are also working at putting together a food pantry to help with emergency needs. 

We don’t do this work to proclaim ourselves, but rather to proclaim Christ.  We are the servants He uses (2 Cor. 4:5).  Is there some way you can see yourself helping in this work?  As any organization in these times we have many needs.  These include computers (including at least 1 laptop), nonperishable food items, clothing suitable to be worn to an interview, and of course financial contributions are always welcome.  Perhaps you can help us by spreading the word about Genesis Center.  We have flyers that can be distributed.  Can you hang one on the bulletin board of your grocery store?   Maybe you can hang one where you get your hair done or at the station you regularly fill your car up at.  As we continue to move forward we are going to need people willing to donate their time.  I hope you will prayerfully consider how you might be able to help.  Please feel free to contact me at 586-925-3260 if you have any questions or would like to help.

Serving Him,

Vicar Rick VanBriggle