Another school year is just about upon us. I've had a great summer. I've had some down time. I've had time with my family, travelling with them, camping with my boys. I've had time to work through a few projects, like new workshops on marriage and on pastors and elders. You'll hear more about these things in the months ahead. I've had time to learn and be refreshed at a Doxology workshop. I've had time with Higher Things conferences, an organization that most definitely rejuvenates me and encourages me toward faithful ministry, especially with respect to our youth.

I know, for many of you, the summer isn't much different than the rest of the year. Work continues. Parenting continues, maybe even more intensely as we care for our kids while they're out of school. Responsibilities continue, whatever each person's unique responsibilities may be. Busy times are ahead once again ahead. And it's ever so easy to get discouraged, distracted and detoured from the responsibilities that God has placed upon us, even as we carry out many of them.

Along with a new school year, Rally Day is upon us, scheduled for August 19th. What's a rally? I went to dictionary.com to check the definition. Here's what I found. A rally is defined as:

1.   to bring into order again; gather and organize or inspire anew;
2.   to draw or call (persons) together for a common action or effort; and
3.   to concentrate or revive, as one's strength, spirits, etc.

All of these definitions are relevant to our intent in holding a "Rally Day" at Zion Lutheran Church. Definition 1 is certainly in view as we re-organize for another year of Sunday School and Bible study and hope to inspire others to gather with us on a weekly basis as Christians under the Word of God. Definition 2 fits because it really is a call to bring people together to share in our common faith, as expressed in Holy Scripture. Definition 3 reminds me that every Bible Study or Sunday School session is a "rally" to revive our strength and spirit as we are fed by God's Word with Christ at the center.

My dear saints of Zion, our Bible study and Sunday School attendance has waned this past year. Yes, we made a major change in our Sunday worship and Sunday School times. To adjust to such changes is not easy. As a pastor and as a sinful human being (simultaneously!), I know it's never possible to please everyone. Attending worship and Bible study both take effort and growth on our part. We go not because we have to, but because of what God promises to do for us and to us in and through His Word. He promises to forgive us, to strengthen us, to re-fashion us in the image of Christ. It's ever so easy to run away from that.

In the midst of our responsibilities we have challenges as Christians and certainly as a congregation. Apart from God's Word, anchored in the Gospel, we will never be prepared to face those challenges and to deal with them together in a godly way. Apart from God's Word we are easy prey for the roaring lion, the devil. Apart from God's Word, we are susceptible to every wind of teaching that blows through the culture and through the church. And the winds are blowing, my friends!

Rally Day is upon us. May God the Holy Spirit rally us around Christ FOR US through His Holy Word, and prepare us to meet the challenges of daily life, and prepare us and our children for life eternal in Christ Jesus. Join us for Bible Study and Sunday School. God's Word will not return to Him empty, but will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11)!

In Christ,

Pastor Fritsche