Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

What a peaceful joy this Lenten season is.  I recognize that depending on what is currently going on in your life that this spring season can feel less than peaceful.  However, this is why we take special time away from the chaos of this world to retreat to the fellowship hall and sanctuary to receive a peace the world cannot give.  

We have three more mid-week Lenten services tomorrow, March 11th, and March 18th and 25th.  I encourage you to come and retreat, both on Wednesdays but also on Sundays.  Hear God’s Word.  It is a word that breaths life and peace.  It is a word that challenges and confronts.  It is a word that we need.  I look forward to partaking in this encouraging word with you as we prepare to celebrate together on Holy Week.  

Holy Week services are as follows.  

— 6:30 PM Maundy Thursday (The celebration of Jesus serving his disciples and us in the washing of feet and the institution of the Lord’s Supper)

— 6:30 PM Good Friday (The celebration and remembrance of that act which is our salvation and hope…the crucifixion of our Lord.)

— 7:00 PM Saturday Easter Vigil at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell (ILC is hosting the vigil and I will be preaching.)

— 7:15 AM Easter Sunrise Service (We tell of the Resurrection of our Lord in the quiet hours of the morning, singing and celebrating in the outdoor pavilion.)

—10:30 AM Sunday Divine Service of the Resurrection (We receive the proclamation that Jesus has defeated sin, death and the devil.  We sing and celebrate with the fanfare of the heavenly host the good news that we know that our Redeemer lives!)

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

Below is an excerpt from Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Services. This is given for your educational purposes so that we may all better understand this season of Lent that we enter into together. 

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

“Lent is the Church’s deliberate return to the significance of Holy Baptism.  The season of Lent derives its name from the Old English word for spring, “lencten,” probably due to the lengthening of the daylight hours at this time of the year in the northern hemisphere. For the Church, as well, Lent is a spring season of awakening from the darkness and death of sin to the life and light of Christ in the Gospel. It calls for that newness of life that emerges and grows in the Christian by way of repentance and faith in Christ. Though it is hidden beneath the dust and dirt of Adam, the seed that is sown by the preaching of the Word of Christ germinates and begins to emerge, seeking the waters of Holy Baptism and the sunshine of the Holy Gospel, and even now anticipating the good fruits that are born by the life-giving tree of the cross.”

“Lent is a penitential season especially because and insofar as it is a catechetical season. Lenten catechesis might well include, as it often has, a focus on one or more of the Six Chief Parts of the Small Catechism. However, it is catechetical in a much deeper and broader sense than that. Lent is catechetical in the sense and to the extent that it is guided and governed by the preaching and Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in the cross and resurrection of Christ Jesus.”

“For catechumens in preparation for Holy Baptism, and for all the baptized faithful, the entire season of Lent is undertaken in view of the great exodus of Christ that He accomplishes in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). His Church shares that exodus with Him by way of Holy Baptism, as St. Paul and St. Peter both indicate (1 Corinthians 10:1–5; Romans 6:3–8; 1 Peter 3:18–22).”

“The daily drowning of contrition and repentance, which characterizes the entire Christian life of discipleship, is deliberately intensified during Lent unto a renewal of faith and life in Christ. This repentance is not achieved by human wisdom, reason, strength, or effort. It is worked in man by God the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Law and the Gospel. It is the Law that crucifies the old Adam and the Gospel that raises up the new man in us. The preaching of the cross and Passion during Lent is neither an emotional appeal nor a motivational spiel. It is the preaching of repentance unto faith in the forgiveness of sins, and thus to the newness of life that is in Christ.”

“Lent accentuates the discipline of the Christian faith and life, the ongoing challenge of spiritual warfare with the old evil foe, and the necessary works of love and mercy that characterize the life that Christ now lives in us. It thus typifies the pilgrimage of life, our ongoing journey through the wilderness on our way to the promised land. To that end, it fixes our eyes on Christ Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right “hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Not only has He left an example for us that we should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21), but He is Himself our great champion against Satan, our great Redeemer from sin, death, and hell, who overcame the assaults of the devil and gave His life as a ransom for many that with cleansed hearts we might be prepared joyfully to celebrate the paschal feast in sincerity and truth. (Proper Preface for Lent, LSB Altar Book 230)”

“Although the season of Lent is penitential in its catechesis and in its focus on the significance of Holy Baptism, it should not be approached or treated as though it were forty days of Holy Week. It is better to understand Lent as a time of preparation for the observances of Holy Week and Easter.”

Excerpt From

Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Services

Concordia Publishing House

https://books.apple.com/us/book/lutheran-service-book-companion-to-the-services/id6443006306

This material may be protected by copyright.

Dear Friends and Members,

Happy Epiphany to you all. This day we celebrate, as we did on Sunday, the revelation of who this Christ child is.  He is the God man manifested by a miraculous start, worshiped by the wise men, and hunted by Herod. 

During Bible study we went through the 12 days of Christmas and how they can be used in a devotional way. The 12 days of Christmas run from December 25th-January 5th.  However, since Epiphany is also part of the Christmas season, I thought I would share these devotional thoughts for each of the 12 days and gifts according to this English Christmas festive song. (Thank you to the LWML for these images.) Reflect on these, look up the references and may these serve you during this Epiphany season. 

In His Love and Service, Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

A blessed Christmas and New Year to you all.  As we prepare to celebrate that God is with us, I am reminded of Simeon’s words that we sing every Sunday near the end of the Divine Service.  "For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

Which You have prepared in the presence of all the PEOPLES:

A light for revelation for the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Luke 2:30-32

A friend of mine caught my attention by pointing out who this coming savior is for…all the peoples.  As Simeon holds the infant Jesus in his arms, he prophesies that this child’s purpose is far greater than the redemption of Israel alone. This Savior has come for all mankind. Just as the angels declared to the shepherds that first night — good news of great joy for all people.

So as we celebrate this Christmas…
As we gather around tables and trees…
As we marvel once again at the precious gift of Jesus and the way His light has changed our own lives…

May this season be filled with wonder, joy, celebration, peace, and hope for you and your family. And may it also gently awaken something deeper — a renewed sense of purpose and calling — as Jesus invites us to join Him in carrying His light to the nations, until there is truly peace on earth.

Merry Christmas!  Come receive this renewal and peace in the hearing of the Word, singing of songs, praying for all that is needed, and receiving the real presence of Christ this Christmas.  

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

At the end of the sermon I wrapped things up with reminder to give thanks, "Whether our time to meet Jesus is soon or still a long way off, he, as our redeemer, is always near—

with us and in us. All we can ever do is thank God for the gift of faith and thank him for the home he has already prepared for us with him. Yes, all praise be to God. Amen.”

Knowing it was time to end the sermon I couldn’t elaborate, but I was left with the question, “How does one thank God?”  Certainly through our prayers as we speak to him.  The joy of giving thanks to God is that we are never obligated to do so, but instead in the midst of joy because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can respond to him in thankfulness and praise.  

During this season of thanksgiving (but really it is a lifetime of response) here is what thankfulness looks like for us.  

—Daily returning to our Baptism in repentance and faith (thanksgiving begins with “I, a poor miserable sinner…”).  We are unworthy of any of God’s grace and favor, and yet he gives it.  Lets be real with God and one another and come to him with this posture of humility.  This is one way to give thanks. 

—Gathering around the Lord’s Table where the greatest gift is given again.  Our faith is never intended to be exercised isolated from other believers gathered at the Lord’s Table.  Thankfulness looks like receiving the very gifts intended for you to receive together as a family.  

—Singing together.  What other places in our world to people gather to sing.  It is joining one voice in praise to God for all he has done.  Let us sing in thankfulness. 

—Caring for our neighbors in Ruidoso with the love that flows from Christ’s love for us.  Acts of mercy and hospitality are wonderful ways to give thanks to God.  Loving and serving our neighbors are acts visited directly upon God.  Let us give thanks through our acts of mercy and hospitality. 

—Supporting the mission of the Gospel through our offerings with cheerful hearts.  Offering your time, energy and financial support to SHLC is a wonderful way to give thanks to God.  It is by means of the church that God offers his good gifts to us.  Supporting the church is our way of saying “Thanks Be to God.”  

I am thankful for you, fellow saints here at Shepherd of the Hills and I look forward to this season of Thanksgiving and Advent shared with you. 

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

In a random act of curiosity this morning, I asked “Grok” (the X.com AI platform) to “look up all online information relating to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Ruidoso, NM.”  After a few moments of processing “Grok” shared a couple of pages of information that was pretty accurate.  It shared some basic information about times and services to a basic history.  What I found most interesting is the summary or overview of what we look like according to our internet presence. 

“Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (SHLC) is a congregation of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) located in the scenic mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico. It serves as a welcoming community focused on worship, fellowship, and Gospel-centered support, particularly in response to local natural disasters like wildfires and floods. The church emphasizes God's grace, resilience in trials, and active neighborly service, inviting visitors to join in experiencing blessings through Scripture and Christian community.”

What do you think?  I’m not sure I’m totally satisfied with this explanation of who we are, but I do find a certain satisfaction that AI picked out some of our core values in this statement. 

Part of why we celebrate anniversaries, like we will do on the 26th, is to highlight those parts of our history that really point towards those things we value most.  Anniversaries are a moment to pause and give thanks.  The question is, “For what are we thankful?”  Is it just that we have a building?  Is it that we lasted 40 years as a congregation?  What are we thankful for?  

Instead of answering that question for you, I’ll let you spend the next 10 days or so thinking about it.  On the 26th we will talk about what the Lord calls us to be thankful for and who we are called to be as a congregation.  We have much to be thankful for as we celebrate 40 years.  We have much to look forward to in the next 40 years.  

If you are able to join us for our celebration on the 26th I look forward to visiting with you.  If you cannot, I ask that you continue to pray for the celebration, work and vitality of Shepherd of the Hills.  

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

This fall, my Wednesday evening pastor’s Bible Study will be utilizing the Large Catechism out of the Book of Concord.  Why study a document that was written in 1529?  

First, it is a wonderful summary of all of God’s Word.  It gives us a way to dive in depth into the basics of our faith.  

Second, we always can use more work on our fundamentals.  Like an athlete working to be the best in their field, having solid fundamentals is central to success.  These fundamentals are central to our work to live out our lives in a way that is more faithful to God’s Word.  

Third, the content of these teachings are those things that we as a congregation have said we will confess together, forming the heart of our unity.  

Fourth, as we study God’s Word using these teachings of the Large Catechism, we are being shaped by God’s Word.  By the power of the Holy Spirit and the discipline of our lives, we are being transformed.  Every time we go through these teachings we learn something new, refresh something we have forgotten, or are impacted differently because of where we are at in our season of life.  

Come join me on Wednesday evening as we study together.  I look forward to our conversations.  

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust