Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

It is the New Year and with this, a couple of thoughts from your pastor to add to all the other New Year’s advice you are being inundated with. 

First, celebrate the passage of time. Like we talked about with the in the New Year’s Eve sermon, it is in the passage of time that the Lord works.  Another year has passed with all its joys and tragedies and the Lord was present and at work the whole time.

Second, the Lord gives us the rhythm of days, weeks, months, seasons and years for a reason.  The start of this new rhythm of a year is a reminder that starting fresh is a gift we have because of Jesus’ redemptive work for us.  May you live in the rhythms the Lord has set for us and find satisfaction in work and rest.

Third, if you are going to add a new habit to the new year, may I encourage a regular reading of Luther’s catechism.  It is a wonderful summary of God’s Word.  It is the basic things we should know as Christians.  We are never to old to learn from the catechism.  

I look forward to this year of our Lord 2024 and walking with you all as a congregation.  Blessed New Year to you all. 

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

Wait, wait, wait.  This is a season of waiting, yet, I always feel like this season is flying by.  Here we are just a week and half from Christmas.  WHAT!?!  I know! How odd that Advent, a season of waiting, is so busy. 

That’s exactly how it should be. In Advent we spend time specifically meditating on how we are waiting for the Lord’s return.  In this meditation we learn that we do not wait idly. We are active waiters.  We are busy with the work and service appointed to us in our daily vocations as members of a family, a church and our community. The Lord doesn’t leave us without gifts during this season of waiting.

During our mid-week services and our Sunday morning Bible study we are unwrapping these gifts.  The Lord gives us the gift of Hope this and every season.  This hope is not wishful thinking, but a certainty built on the promises of God. The Lord gives us Love this and every season.  This love has its origin in God himself, who is love.  We learn to wait by letting this love flow through us to others.  The Lord gives us peace.  This peace is something the world cannot provide.  It is a peace that passes all human understanding. The Lord gives us life.  He is the author of your life and being.  He is also the author of your eternal life secured for you through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

May these gifts bless you during this very active waiting season.  May these gifts be a blessing to all you meet with.  Join me in celebrating these gifts on Wednesday evenings at 6:30.  Come and share those gifts with your brothers and sisters in the faith before the service at 5:30 for soup supper.  Invite your friends and neighbors to join you on Christmas Eve at 6:30 for our Candle Light Service.  I would love to see us have over 100 people in service on Christmas Eve as we celebrate. 

We invite you to join us for a very special Christmas Eve service entitled, “The Gift of Joy,”. The good news of great joy that the angels sang of on that holy night and the joy the shepherds felt as they ran to the Babe of Bethlehem will be captured in Scripture, song, sermon and candlelight in this touching and celebratory service. 

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

We spend I lives in the midst of thanks for all of God’s providence, grace and mercy.  This season of Thanksgiving we set aside a special time to recognize these gifts.  In Luther’s explanation of the 4th petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread,” he says:

What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.  What is meant by daily bread?  Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or Wie, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

So, how do we respond in thanksgiving for all the Lord provides? 

First, we celebrate and acknowledge from whom all these good things come and that he has provided for our families.  On Thanksgiving morning at 10:30 we will gather to celebrate with the Divine Service.  1 Timothy 4:4-5 says, “Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected it it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Second, we demonstrate that same generosity to others in need.  The poor benefit from your generosity and receive their daily bread.  On Thanksgiving we will continue to collect special gifts and groceries for our Christmas Families program.  Anything brought in that day we will be placed on the altar as part of our worship.  Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 

Third, we support the proclamation of the Gospel.  As we close out this year, please consider a special gift to the church’s budget as part of your tithes and offerings.  Galatians 6:6 says, “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.”  Our congregation has always been incredibly generous and for that I rejoice. 

Fourth, we care for the land, water and air.  Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”  We are stewards of God’s good creation.

The Lord has blessed us all bountifully!  Let us rejoice and give thanks during this Thanksgiving season.  I look forward to celebrating with you.  After the service is over on Thanksgiving consider staying and feasting together with some of your fellow brothers and sisters in the faith as we host a Thanksgiving diner here at the church.  Anyone in the community is welcome. There is a sign up sheet here in the office.  Call and sign up for something to share. 

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

“Here I stand I can do no other.”  A quote from Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms when confronted with the content of his writings.  He was called to retract what he had written because it disagreed with the Roman Church’s understanding of the Word of God and what it means to be a faithful Christian.  Martin Luther did not confess that everything he wrote was perfectly in line with the Word of God, but asked that the things he wrote only be rejected or defended based on God’s Word.

“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen”

We, who are brought into the faith through the Word of God and the waters of Holy Baptism, are subject to God’s Word.  We are called to hear and cherish that same Word.  We are called by faith to conform our beliefs and life to the Word of God. 

Our life as disciples of Christ are to always wrestle with that Word; to learn, mark and inwardly digest that Word.  Sometimes that Word of God brings us comfort and peace.  Other times that Word challenges what we think and believe.  We, like Dr. Luther, use the Scriptures and clear reason to learn and grow in our faith.  This is the heart of the Reformation that we celebrate this next weekend. 

This Reformation Sunday we celebrate Scripture alone, which reveals God’s grace alone, which comes by faith alone.  This is who we are as Christians.  Here we stand, we can do no other.  Come join me this weekend as we celebrate this great faithful heritage that we have been handed and perpetuate in the life of our congregation and as individuals.  Stay with me afterward as we fellowship together with beer and brats after service and bring a side to share. Blessed Reformation to all of you.

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

I’m writing to you in regard to the shock and awe of the events that transpired and continue to transpire in Israel.  Once again, we see the chaos of sin in our world unfolding in the turmoil of war. We pray for peace.  We pray for the families of those who have died.  We pray for those who are injured.  We pray for quick resolution to this conflict and all conflict of war.  We pray for the leaders of the people involved that they would be wise and seek that which is best for the peace and well being of the people.  We pray against the evil and atrocities committed. We pray for our own leaders that they would be wise in the support of our ally.  We pray, “come Lord Jesus.” 

Pastor Flamme, who lead our trip through the Holy Land, spoke well as we consider these events. He had this to share with those of us on the trip.

Dear Friends,

It's only been a few months since we've been to the Holy Land. The descriptions and images of violence are heartrending. The devil stirs up violence and strife everywhere in this world and it is only by God's grace that we are spared. Therefore, take a moment today to thank God for our safe journeys. Also, we should pray for the peace of everyone afflicted by this senseless attack.

Praise God that the true peace of Jerusalem, which we pray for in Psalm 122, has already been won through the death and resurrection of Christ. If only those who live now in present day Palestine and Israel would receive this peace with faith and show it among one another. 

We should pray they come to know Christ. We should also pray for the many Christians who are suffering, caught in the crossfire of this terrible hatred among the nations.

Almighty and everlasting God, the Consolation of the sorrowful and the Strength of the weak, may the prayers of those in this tribulation or distress who cry unto Thee, graciously come before Thee, so that in all their necessities they may mark and receive Thy manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

In Christ,

Pr Brian Flamme

As Christian people we see and understand this conflict on an even deeper level.  This conflict in the Holy Land is not unique from conflicts around the world.  It is a conflict between peoples and nations.  Yet this war, like all war, will pass away when Jesus comes to make all things new.  Until then, may Our Lord, who through His life, suffering, death and resurrection brought peace to all who believe, bring peace in conflict and strengthen our faith in the midst of suffering and angst. 

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Members and Friends of Shepherd of the Hills,

We celebrated labor day yesterday.  What did we celebrate?  I’m not really sure.  However, here is what I do know.  I know that work is a gift from God.  We are called to be laborers.  God in his wisdom created us for work.  In the garden of Eden before the fall in to sin, Adam and Eve worked.  The curse that comes in chapter three is not a curse of labor, but now labor would be toilsome and difficult.  Now in our time God gives us our opportunities, experiences and talents to use in labor for the people around us.  We use our labors for our church, our family and our community.  

Saint Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to continue to work even as they wait for the Lord’s return. “Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

This theology of labor has some day to day implications for us.

1—We don’t worship our work, but give glory to God for the ways that our labors serve others.

2—Our work never earns us favor with God, but instead is an outpouring of love and service to others because we have been loved and served by God through Jesus Christ.

3—We will never be perfect in our labor.  Our efforts and energies will never be maximized and utilized to the fullest, so we ask for forgiveness and celebrate our absolution.

4—We never stop trying to serve with our labor despite the reality that we will always fall short.

5—The people God surrounds us with need our labors.  Our church, our families and our communities need you and your unique experiences and gifts.

6—Labor is a blessing.

Consider the ways the Lord is currently blessing your labors and celebrate!  Consider the ways the Lord is calling you to labor and be open to how your labors bless others.  Labor Day is a wonderful reminder for all faithful Christians that labor is a gift and to be used fully.  I am honored to labor with you in this life here at Shepherd of the Hills and in our community.  

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust

Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

After a long and epic journey…I’m back.  My family and I are so thankful for the opportunity to visit the historic locations of our faith.  To wander where God’s people wandered, to walk where Jesus walked and experience the cultures of such wonderful people was truly a blessed experience.  

As much as I loved adventuring with my family and with the friends we made on tour, I am so thankful to return to Ruidoso and Shepherd of the Hills.  All adventures must come to an end and it is always glorious to find the end of the adventures return us back here…home.  I continue to process all the experiences of the last 3 weeks.  I look forward to processing them with you all.  Our family will plan a time to share pictures and stories.  As your pastor I would love to share with you from the scriptures some of the insights we experienced.  In the mean time, I would like to share with you some words from Pastor Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Roswell and co-leader of our tour.

We saw the pyramids, climbed Mt. Sinai, explored Petra, and experienced the places where God worked mightily for his people's salvation. As great as all this is, greater still is the fact that God desires to meet us through the means of his Word and Sacrament. Though the tour gave great context to the biblical story of salvation, it certainly doesn't replace the sufficiency of the Word to save our souls when we believe the promises that God gave his Son to die for us. So if you're looking for today's promised land, look no further than your own pulpit, font, and altar.

I look forward to seeing you at today’s promised land…the place where we receive Jesus in his Word and Sacrament…Shepherd of the Hills.  

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust