 God’s Unconditional Love And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” Hosea 3:1 I am currently reading the book of Hosea as part of my devotional time. As I spent time contemplating the early chapters of Hosea I was once again remined of how unusual and startling the subject matter of this book is. I placed my self in the position of Hosea, as I believe the book is calling all of us to do, and I began to feel the uneasiness and emotion pain that Hosea must have felt. God gave Hosea a most unusual command, to take a wife who would be unfaithful to him. Whether she was already unfaithful before they were married or only after is unclear. However, it really doesn’t matter. The pain and message are the same, she was unfaithful to him. In an even more bizarre twist God then commands Hosea to name his three children Jezreel (a reminder of God’s judgement against King Ahab in that valley), “No Mercy”, and “Not My People” (see chapter 1). All of this is a living message from God to his people that as it is with Hosea and his family so it is with God and his people. God promises that he will deal severely with the sins of his people. As Gomer has been unfaithful with Hosea by seeking relationship and provision from other men so has Israel been unfaithful by seeking Baal for relationship and wellbeing. As Hosea’s children bear the names of judgement, mercilessness, and alienation so Israel will receive judgement. Mercilessness, and alienation from God. Israel will soon see this come about as God causes Assyria to invade and conquer Israel. Although written specifically to 8th Century BC Israel and not specifically to us, none-the-less, this most unusual of living analogies delivers a powerful message about our relationship with God. Just as with Gomer and Israel, God is a husband to us. We are, in New Testament terms, the bride of Christ. We are called to a monogamous relationship with him. As the first Commandment reminds us, “You shall have no other gods.” Israel’s unfaithfulness was displayed in the worship of multiple gods. In the northern kingdom there were altars in Dan and Bethel where golden cows were on display and worship and offerings were given. It was not that they rejected the true God but they added other gods. They did not trust only in God but in other gods as well. We, perhaps without even realizing it, do the same. We worship in the name of Christ and confess the Christian creeds but seek provision for what we think is wellbeing from other sources. This often comes from our lusts of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). To receive this perceived wellbeing, we sacrifice to the gods of desire and are unfaithful to God. For this unfaithfulness we deserve the names Judgement, No Mercy and Not My people. What is truly amazing, however, is that this bizarre living analogy of Hosea and Gomer is meant to demonstrate God’s unconditional love for his people (2:14-23). God commands Hosea to buy back Gomer for fifteen shekels of silver and a lethech of barley (3:2) after she has been unfaithful. This reminds us of how God has paid our ransom price in Christ’s death after we have been unfaithful. We deserve judgment, no mercy, and not to be God’s people but moved solely by his inherent love he buys us back. This is the central and enduring message of the book of Hosea, God’s love for us even when we are unfaithful. That does not mean that playing the harlot is OK. Quite the contrary. God’s judgement can be harsh but his mercy calls us to repentance and moves us to faithfulness; he calls us to deny the current day Baals that tempt us through the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. God says, “In that day… I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.” Hurricane Helene Relief The NJ District is pleased to be able to set up a matching fund for all those who would like to give to Hurricane Helene Relief. We will match dollar for dollar any gift given through the District toward Helene Disaster Relief. The limits for the match are up to $250 for an individual/family contribution and up to $2000 for a congregational gift with a total cap of $15,000. All funds donated in this effort will be sent to the Southeast District of the LCMS who is on the front lines of the recovery work. Those who would like to give may do so by going to the District website (njdistrict.org) and scrolling down to the "Give Now" button. Then click on the Hurricane Helene Disaster relief icon. The Southeast District has indicated that they will have an ongoing need for 18,000 personal hygiene kits and 15,000 flood clean up kits. The NJ District Disaster Relief (Pastor Christian Schonberg, Coordinator) is organizing efforts in NJ to work with the Southeast District and supply these needs. Congregations are encouraged to organize a congregational event to make and provide some of these kits themselves. For a list of supplies to use please go to the Southeast District’s website at https://se.lcms.org/resources/disaster-response-and-recovery/ . NJ March for Lif
For the first time the NJ March for Life in Trenton was held in September (rather than in January). Although the day was a little bit rainy, the temperature was much warmer and conducive to a rally and march. Organizers told us the crowd was larger than in previous years. Ten people from the NJ and English Districts gathered at Messiah Lutheran Church, Princeton and rode the bus into Trenton. We were joined by hundreds of others from a variety of Christian denominations. Next year the rally will again be held in September.  The national rally for life is coming up on January 24th in Washington DC. President Harrison will be delivering the closing prayer and the District Presidents will be with him to sing the doxology. President Gewecke intends on attending and encourages others from NJ to attend as well. Strategic Plan and Pastor Conference By now you are well aware that our new strategic plan has four targets · Healthy Workers · Healthy Congregations · Ethnic Ministry
The Fall Pastor Conference to be held on Tuesday October 22nd at St. Peter, Hopewell Township will focus on the second target of Healthy Congregations, in particular the marks of a healthy church. Rev Dr. Michael Newman, District President of the Texas District will be the speaker. He will share insights from his book Gospel DNA the subject of which is also the marks of a healthy church. Our prayer is that this conference will help jump start our strategic plan as we seek to move our congregations to ever greater health. The task forces established to work on Healthy Workers and Ethnic Ministry are also working to fill out their portions of the strategic plan. You will hear of their work as the plan is fleshed out. District Convention 2025. The 2025 District Convention Committee has held its second meeting in preparation for our June 2025 convention. The meeting was held on the site where the convention will be at the Crowne Plaza, Edison. We are excited about this new location. Since it is closer to most of our congregations it should make travel bit easier. We are looking forward to the Thursday night social time, Friday Bible Study, Friday evening worship, as well as elections, business and special Synodical guests on Friday and Saturday. Congregations are encouraged to start planning for the convention by identifying and electing a lay delegate from their congregation. Please do this at your next Voters Assembly as registration will be in January and close soon after. Registration packets will be sent to all congregations later this year.  National Youth Gathering. Congregations and individuals who are intending to go to the National Youth Gathering July 19-23, 2025 in New Orleans should be well into the planning process and getting their registration forms ready. This year’s theme is “Endure”. Hope Dunbar is our NJ District NYG Coordinator, [email protected]. She is happy to help you with questions or information about the Gathering and registration. If you are a congregational youth worker and have a group attending the Gathering please let Hope know. She will make sure your youth are included in any information dissemination or District events at the Gathering. If you have a small group from your congregation and would like to join another group Hope can help with that too! Congregational News
District Short Clips Pastor Appreciation. While October is partially spent it is still appropriate to remember that it is Pastor appreciation month. In fact, if a congregation is unable to do something in October any other month is also appropriate to show thanks. Cards, a gift certificate for dinner out, or a dinner with leaders can be a relatively simple way of showing your gratitude. And don’t forget your pastor’s wife! Much of what she does is unseen but invaluable to the congregation. Circuit Forums. Many of our Circuits have already met in Forum to elect a Circuit Visitor for the next three years. We appreciate the efforts of those Circuits who already have met and encourage those who have not yet met to do so for this important work. I appreciate the work of our Circuit Visitors as they assist me in the work of the Office of the President and I pray that you also appreciate the manner in which they serve you and your congregations. Elections of all six Circuit Visitors will be ratified at the 2025 District Convention. Official Visits. Official Visits have been scheduled through December of 2024. I thank all the congregations that have scheduled one and I look forward to meeting with you. By the end of this year half of all our congregations will have had an Official Visit. If you have not yet had an Official Visit more will be scheduled starting in January. Invitation for these winter/spring visits will be sent out in November. COP Working Group. I have been assigned to a Council of Presidents Working Group on Shared Ministry. In keeping with our Council work this group will be exploring challenges, solutions, and resources for congregations in multi-congregational parishes. My hope is that this will be helpful as we explore and utilize multi-congregational and even cathedral models for congregations here in NJ. Conclusion
It is a joy to be about the Lord’s work here in this District. The joy comes from knowing that we have a God who loves us unconditionally and in mercy. Even when we are unfaithful he buys us back and calls us to repentance. Such love is a reason and the power to be faithful unto him alone. The Lord be with you, President/Bishop Gewecke |
