March 9th, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Leave A Comment
Many people ask me how retirement is going for me. My response usually is: “Every day is now Friday.” Friday was my usual day off during the week. That was the day that June and I did our home cleaning, laundry, etc., and then spend some time together, going to a movie or going out to dinner with friends.
Now, everyday seems like Friday, open and available for me to do as I please. But when every day is Friday, how does one keep a clear perspective on the whole week?
One day that has stayed the same is Sunday. Sunday is the Lord’s Day, and every Sunday, June and I are in the house of the Lord. It may not be Trinity, but it is always a church where God’s people gather together to hear His Word and receive the Lord’s Supper. Sunday keeps my focus clear on what day of the week it is. It also keeps my focus clear on what my life is for: to serve the Lord and others in His Name in this time of transition, of repositioning to a new way to “serve the Lord with gladness!”
March 3rd, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Leave A Comment
The Lenten Season is a good time to take stock of our own lives and recognize what we need to change to be more of what God wants us to be. Lent is a time of repentance and spiritual renewal. But most of all, Lent is a time to refocus our attention to Jesus. For too many Americans, its “all about me.” But what is most important are the plans that Jesus has for us.
My favorite Lenten hymn was written by Isaac Watts. The music was borrowed from old Gregorian chant. The words were written in 1707 as a hymn for a communion service. It is a hymn that helps us to keep our focus in life where it should be — on Jesus and the cross:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most –
I sacrifice them to His blood….
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Blessed Lent!
February 23rd, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | 1 Comment
It has been over a week since I retired as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Memphis. During the retirement celebrations, I was asked many times what I will miss the most as a parish pastor. My reply is always the same: “The friendships.”
Being the pastor of a congregation for 34 years was much more than a job which a person simply walks away from. It has been my life, and the members and friends of Trinity have been much more than members. We are a family in Christ Jesus. Our ties go much deeper than simply pastor and parishioners. We have been through good times and bad times together. Most of all, we have been led by Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd along life’s road as brothers and sisters in Christ.
John Fawcett put it well in his hymn:
“Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear.
And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.
When here our pathways part, we suffer bitter pain;
Yet one in Christ and one in heart, we hope to meet again.”
February 18th, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Leave A Comment
Two talented men, sculptor Daniel French and architect Henry Bacon, were close friends. Their skills complemented each other as they worked on joint projects. A very famous project was the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. French created the sculpture of Lincoln and Bacon designed the building.
As we begin our Lenten journey, it is important to remember that going alone in life is a sure road to disaster. It is vital that we continually seek the presence and power of Jesus, and call on Him daily to be our constant companion. Jesus said: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
The hymn writer said it well: “Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.” May Jesus go with you on your Lenten journey.
February 11th, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Leave A Comment
As I conclude my ministry as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, I want to say it has been a great joy and privilege for me to serve as Pastor at Trinity for 34 years, and as a Pastor in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod for 40 years.
Through all this time there has been one very special passage in the Bible that has been a great blessing to me. It is a prayer listed as Psalm 121.It was the psalm used at our wedding 42 years ago and at my ordination 40 years ago. It is the prayer I continue to make for Trinity congregation for the road ahead for this wonderful church and for my family:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills,
From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord
Who made heaven and earth…..
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
He will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in,
From this time forth
And even forever.”
February 8th, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Leave A Comment
One prayer that I pray every day is this famous prayer by St. Francis of Assissi:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
Where there is darkness, light.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much to be consoled, as to console;
Not so much to be understood, as to understand;
Not so much to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”
In this prayer, St. Francis reminds us that the heart of prayer is not asking God for something, but asking for the presence of God in everything. St. Francis’ prayer is a good one for everyone of us to pray every day.
February 6th, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Comments Off
Many hundreds of little children have passed through Trinity’s Kindergarten Class, led for many years by Miss Billie and Miss D (Billie Blank and Clara Dellinger). They learned many important Bible stories and songs. One of the songs they learned gives them a message for all of life:
“Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.”
Dr. Karl Barth, one of the greatest theologians of the last century, was asked what was the greatest truths of the Christian faith. He replied: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” May none of us ever forget or outgrow that most important truth!
February 3rd, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Comments Off
As I draw to the close of my pastoral ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, some of the greatest moments in my ministry were those times when I shared the Good News of God’s love in Jesus Christ with people at peak moments in their lives.
Someone once said the most important times in the life of a Christian is baptism, confirmation, wedding and funeral. And a pastor is needed at each of them.
I have had the great privilege and joy in conducting 245 infant baptisms, 18 adult baptisms, 152 weddings and 230 funerals while being a pastor at Trinity. Indeed, my last service at Trinity this coming Sunday will be my 246 infant baptism. I thank God that I have had the great privilege of sharing God’s presence and love in Jesus Christ with so many people at these very important times in their lives.
February 1st, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Comments Off
I will be retiring as Pastor at Trinity in two weeks. In these 40+ years of pastoral ministry, I have strongly felt the leading of Jesus Christ. When I was in 5th grade, He led me to a commitment to become a Lutheran pastor. He led me to some wonderful schools in Milwaukee, Fort Wayne and St. Louis. He led me to my wife of 42 years, June.
I felt His leading when I was called to serve as pastor of three mission churches in Mississippi and Alabama. In many ways, I felt his leading me to become Associate Pastor and then Senior Pastor at Trinity in Memphis. Now, I feel His leading as I retire from the pastoral office at Trinity and plan the move for my wife and me to the Charlotte area of North Carolina.
What a comfort it is to know that when we follow where Jesus leads, we will always find a blessing. One hymn which has be very important to me for its words on God’s lead in our lives has these words: “Jesus, lead Thou on till our rest is won. Heavenly leader, still direct us, Still support, console, protect us, Till we safely stand in our fatherland.”
January 28th, 2010 by Pastor Wiese | Comments Off
One of the most difficult times in my life and my family’s life was while we were living in Meridian, Mississippi, two of our sons died shortly after their birth. Aaron died in 1970 and Stephen died in 1975.
What sustained my wife and I during those terrible times was our faith in God and our love for each other and for the girls God had given to us. We were also supported through the prayers and love of our congregations and fellow pastors.
One hymn which was sung at the funeral of both our sons is “Children of the Heavenly Father.” The words and music of that hymn were of great comfort to us. The hymn was witten by Lina Berg, a Swedish hymnwriter who was paralyzed as a child and then healed at age 12. She experienced the terrible consequences of adversity and the joy of God’s healing power. This stanza of her hymn was a special blessing for June and me: “Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh; His the loving purpose solely To preserve them pure and holy.”
