American Lutheran Church, ELCA
From the Pastors
Pastors Craig Werling and Janine Rew-Werling welcome you to American Lutheran Church.
Are we looking for a Savior in the political process? 2008-06-11
The political process to choose candidates for president and other offices finally came to an end with the South Dakota primary last week. Several candidates in both parties have spent two years promising all sorts of things to convince people to vote for them, and now John McCain and Barak Obama are, for better or for worse, the presumptive nominees. The office of President of the United States is very powerful. The person to whom we give that authority has the ability, along with the members of congress and the judiciary, to affect our lives in profound ways. But even the president is still only human. No person or political party, no matter what they promise or threaten, possesses ultimate authority. This nation was founded “under God”, and we do well to remember that. Good government does not take the place of God, but exists to serve God. Keep that in mind during the debates and campaign commercials between now and November.

Sunday is Father’s Day. Last month we celebrated Mother’s Day. The fourth commandment tells us to “honor our father and mother”; because they are the fundamental form of authority that God has placed in our lives. Any other form of authority, whether local, state or national, exists to support the family and help parents raise their children. Any government that seeks to take the place of parents is illegitimate. Luther’s Small Catechism says that this commandment means “we should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.” We honor our parents, and after them other authorities, by regarding them as God’s representatives.

We pray for God’s blessings on parents, especially fathers on this Father’s Day, and that God will guide us during the coming months as we choose a new president and other political leaders. May God help us to keep our priorities in order, and that we look to our Lord alone for salvation, even as He blesses His appointed servants be they parents or politicians. Cast your votes carefully and prayerfully. Just remember that you are not voting for a savior. God has already filled that position, and there are no term limits, “for lo, I am with always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen
All Articles
2008-06-11 - Are we looking for a Savior in the political process?
2008-06-02 - An Example of Faith and Faithfulness
2008-04-25 - Endless Winter?
2008-03-31 - Jesus Offers Rest to the Weary
2008-03-03 - Is This Life all there Is?
2008-01-23 - And the Winner is...
2008-01-23 - Celebrating Lent in a Messy World
2007-12-24 - Christmas Means "God is with us"
2007-12-03 - Why Should Christians remember Hanukkah as we celebrate Christmas?
2007-11-27 - Recognizing the True Gifts of Christmas
2007-10-11 - I'm Still Trying to Understand God's Plan for My Life
2007-09-26 - We Are In Good Hands!
2007-09-05 - "I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me"
2007-08-02 - The Church Loves its Children!
2007-06-26 - Sometimes We Are Lost and Don't Even Know It
2007-05-03 - We are only safe in the Savior
2007-03-27 - Celebrating Easter with the Communion of Saints
2007-01-29 - Thank You for Your Ministry to Us
2007-01-25 - Deal Or No Deal?
2006-11-30 - Have You Ever Wondered What God's "Backside" Is?
2006-11-01 - Every Day Is Thanksgiving Day
2006-10-25 - Halloween Horror Movies Can't Spoil October
2006-09-29 - Holy War
2006-08-01 - Time Flies
2006-05-08 - From Everlasting to Everlasting
2006-05-04 - What is Confirmation?
2006-03-30 - We are Fortunate to be able to Share of Our Abundance
2006-01-30 - Healer of Our Every Ill
2005-12-29 - Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done
2005-12-06 - Reflections on Waiting for Christ While Waiting for the Power to Come Back On
2005-10-31 - Are Disasters Signs that Jesus is Coming Soon?
2005-09-29 - Welcome to the Reformation (In Case You Thought You Had Missed It)
2005-09-01 - I Can Do Nothing Apart from God
2005-05-25 - Wherever God is, We are safe at home
2005-05-10 - May is Moving Month!
2005-03-30 - Only God Can Help Us Make the Tough Choices
2005-02-24 - What is God's answer to evil and suffering?
2005-02-18 - A Season of Hope
2005-01-27 - ELCA Sexuality Task Force Recommendations Do Not Uphold Biblical Standards
2005-01-23 - As the Days Lengthen, the Cold Strengthens
2005-01-13 - God Has Richly Blessed Us In 2004
2004-11-30 - Is Advent a Time to Prepare for Judgement Day?
2004-11-01 - Miracles Happen! Red Sox Win First World Series Since 1918!
2004-09-28 - God Owns Everything, and Only Asks for Ten Percent Back!
2004-08-28 - The Only Thing Constant In Life Is Change?
2004-08-01 - Olympic Athletes Aren't Only Ones Who Have Important Races to Run
2004-06-01 - Growing Pains
2004-05-02 - Pastor Janine's Easter Message
2004-05-01 - Be Still and Know that I Am God
2004-02-25 - Jesus death on the Cross is offensive to the world
2004-01-29 - Pastors' February Message:
2004-01-16 - Pastors' Reformation Message
2004-01-16 - Pastors' Christmas Message
2004-01-16 - Pastors' Message - "What is God's Plan for Us?"
2004-01-16 - Pastors' November Message-"Great Cloud of Witnesses"
Worship Times
Summer: starting Memorial Day Weekend
   9:00 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
   10:00 am Coffee and Fellowship
   WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm

Winter: starting after Labor Day
   8:30 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
   9:35 am Educational Hour
   9:35 am Coffee and Fellowship
   10:45 am Worship Service
   WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm
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American Lutheran Church, ELCA
401 South Flynn Drive
Milbank SD 57252
605.432.5566
American Lutheran Church