“We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3

The congregation of St. Paul located in Pensacola, Florida began the discernment process of leaving the ELCA in 2018. We had the 2^nd vote to leave the Florida-Bahamas (FB) Synod of the ELCA in 2019. We expected some challenges in leaving because of the small group of members who wanted to remain in the ELCA. The congregation voted with a super-majority to leave the FB Synod. St. Paul applied to and joined the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) in 2020. Shortly after being received into the NALC, the congregation council received a letter from the FB Synod informing us that we could not leave.

The congregation council of that period were faithful in their commitment to Christ. They had a strength in faith that was unwavering. It proved to be a blessing for us as the FB Synod attempted to stop the people of God from leaving. To resolve the issue of St. Paul leaving the ELCA, the congregation council filed a motion in court. This was to maintain our rights to the building and the financials of St. Paul. During the legal process, letters with false statements were sent to the church members of St. Paul (NALC). Slanderous statements were made against the council and me. The ugliness of letters from the FB Synod showed a lack of Christian love for others and did not speak the truth of the intentions within the ELCA. The object of the ELCA was and I believe still is to “suppress the truth” of what they are doing or what they have done. We had suggested that the majority (us) and the minority (them) could share the building. But that was met with another ugly response. The Bishop of the FB Synod stated in words like these: Any other denomination but the NALC would have been okay. But not the NALC.

Eventually after many legal disputes the FB Synod Bishop filed a summary of judgment with the claim of ecclesiastical hierarchy. Taking the matter away from the civil court and giving it back to the FB Synod to make the final determination. The ruling gave our building, bank accounts, and endowment funds to the FB Synod and the small group of people who wanted to stay in the ELCA.

This could have been crushing for us if it were not for “faith.” Instead, the ruling of the judge based on the ecclesiastical hierarchy was freeing! Shortly after we lost everything to the ruling, God founded a new name for us. Led by the Spirit, Epiphany Lutheran Church became our new name. In 2021 we sought and found a new location for worship. I was introduced to Rabbi Tokajer in September, and we began worshipping at the Synagogue on Nov. 7, 2021.

In faith we left the building in Pensacola for a new beginning. With our vision clear and our faith steadfast in Christ, we began rebuilding and evangelizing for God’s church in the new location. With little financial stability we stepped out. In our faith journey, we didn’t think about what was lost. Instead, we recognized how much God was providing.

I encourage pastors discerning their call to contact the General Secretary of the NALC. The threats from the ELCA that place fear into individual pastors is nothing more than evil. If you want to remain faithful to the Word of God, I encourage you to place your assurance in Christ not the ELCA. The letters I received informed me that I was nothing without their endorsement. The ELCA didn’t call me into ministry. God called me into the ministry of Word and Sacrament. What about my pension and medical benefits? Have faith! As God is my witness, this question came to my mind too. It was a fleeting thought as I discerned the call to serve in faithfulness. 

In March of 2023, I spoke to the congregation about our faith walk. I referred to the summary of judgment and the loss of our assets and property. In the message of faith I said, “We lost everything for the sake of Christ.” It is in this loss that we found out just how strong and faith filled we were. As I’ve said many times, “It’s easy to have faith when everything is going well in your life.” With the help of God, we’ve grown in number, in spirit, and in faithfulness. Like the letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, we lift up the church and all those who continue their journey in “faith.” We share the love of Christ with new believers and all visitors at Epiphany Pensacola. All are welcome to experience the love and joy of Christ in worship.

As I am writing this article it just dawned on me that on Nov. 7, 2023, when we break ground on a new church building it will be our 2^nd anniversary of this new start congregation in Pensacola, Florida. God has blessed us with generous financial support for the church property. The mission and ministry have been financially supported by several NALC churches. We’ve received domestic mission partnerships from other NALC churches. The congregation has grown, and the people of God have been generous in supporting the mission and ministry of Christ. Losing everything for the sake of the Gospel has been transformational to the members of Epiphany Pensacola.   

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

Photos courtesy of Brenda Ekstrom and Donna Busarow.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)

Thank You, Father, for all that You have done. Though I may not understand this world as well as I sometimes think I do, You are here providing for all. Lift me onto the upward path of walking humbly in Your sight and giving You praise at all times, knowing that You have wonderfully knit all things together for Your purpose. Your goodness is everlasting and Your faithfulness forever.

Take me away from those moments of confusion when I do not see Your hand. You are always present; I sometimes simply do not see this. Your provision is for all people at all times, even though many do not thank You for what You have provided. Lead me into the truth of Your presence that I would now and always walk as one who has faith, and trusts You in all circumstances.

Your goodness to all who trust You, O Lord, is above our ability to understand. You have provided for all. Grant this day that I would be thankful and appreciate all that is around me. Help me to see the small things and be grateful. Lead me to find joy in each moment and know that You are with me and all those around me. May my life be one of thanksgiving now and always. Amen.

“He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.” (Psalm 98:3-4)

For those who know that the Lord prevails, He grants mercy and grace. Though your sins be as scarlet, yet will He grant His presence that you may know His purpose. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever. Know that in Him are life and liberty and the ability to walk through this crazy age of rebellion with godly purpose and, in His power, blessed assurance.

Lord, keep my eyes lifted up that I may now and always abide in Your presence. Grant that I may be aware of all that is around me through the eyes of faith. Lead me to live according to Your purposes knowing that Your grace alone enables me to walk humbly in Your presence. Lift my heart to give You thanks and praise in all circumstances knowing that You alone are worthy of praise.

Thank You Lord for the gift of Your presence in my life. Keep me on the narrow way that I would now and always walk straight, knowing that I am in Your presence. Help me to live through the difficulties that come and abide in Your comforting arms of mercy. Guide me this day to do what is pleasing in Your sight. May I live a life of praise of You who alone is able to do all things. Amen.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, with the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, with resounding music upon the lyre.” (Psalm 92:1-3)

You have given good gifts, Lord, and give them freely. May I learn from You to give praise and thanksgiving for all of Your goodness. Put praise on my lips and let the gifts You have given be freely used to praise and worship You in and through all things. You are faithful and worthy of all praise and honor. Guide me, O Lord, to learn to worship and praise You at all times.

Lord, I often think of worship as a routine and not as a part of my daily life. Lead me, O Lord, to learn that You have created me to live a life filled with praise and thanksgiving. Teach me to truly worship that I may spend all of my days the way You would have me spend them. Bring me to those places in Your Word where I may learn from You the purpose for which I have been created.

Holy Spirit, come and direct my thoughts and desires that I would live in thanksgiving for all of the goodness You bring. Put praise on my lips and guide kind words to issue from them. Fill my heart with the love You desire I have for all. May my life be a devotion to You and the wonder You have brought forth in creation. Guide me according to the Father’s will now and always. Amen.

“If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, if they violate My statutes and do not keep My commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes.”  (Psalm 89:30-32)

Notice that when speaking to the ones of the promise God does not damn them, but He rebukes and punishes them.  Those who are in the promise of the Savior are saved even though they need reproof and teaching.  Be comforted that the Lord loves you enough to go to whatever length necessary to hold You fast all the days of your life.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be comforted.

Many of the faithful ask what is going on.  You have spoken and we all need correction and reproof.  We do not know what You know, Lord, but You have told us that there is a time of shaking and the holy ones are being purified.  Teach me to see that I need to keep my eyes upon You that I may learn faithfulness.  No matter what happens, lead me, O Lord, to walk in Your ways.

Savior of the world, teach me and guide me.  Reprove me where I need admonishment.  You have paid the price of salvation and have granted the gift of faith.  Guide me today in the way You would have me go and help me to see the truth of what is happening around me.  Grant that I remain humble and confident in the truth You have given that I may walk with You forever.  Amen.

“O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.  You rule the swelling of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.” (Psalm 89:8-9)

All things are subject to the One who made them. In Him is hope and life and true liberty. Come into the presence of the Lord and see the goodness of His creation. Come into the Lord’s will and way and know how life is meant to be lived. Be guided by His precepts and walk according to His will and see the goodness He brings to those who love Him. He who is all-powerful will hold you in His hands.

Lord, continue to strengthen the faith You have given me that I would walk humbly before You, my Savior and my God. Guide my footsteps to walk in Your ways all the days of my life. Help me now and always to look to You for all answers and to apply them to my life. You alone are able to direct my way, that I would walk as one of Your holy ones. Lead me, O Lord, always.

Holy Spirit, come upon my heart and lift my countenance to abide in Your presence and walk according to Your direction. Lift up my thoughts that I disdain the wickedness of this world and do those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight. Help me through the obstacles that come my way that I would now and always live according to Your leading and direction. Amen.

“The heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies is comparable to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord, a God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, And awesome above all those who are around Him?” (Psalm 89:5-7)

It is amazing that people will praise all kinds of things, but not the maker of all things. Praise the Lord for the things He has done. Praise Him for the creation which includes you. Praise Him above all things and know that He is good and gracious and provides for all. Who can be compared to the One through whom all things have their being? Come amongst the holy ones and praise Him.

Lord, I confess that I am conditional and do not see things as they are. Guide my heart to be thankful for all things knowing that all things are in Your hands. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of the holy ones that I would walk now and forever in Your presence praising You for Your goodness. Give me a heart that sees things truthfully, praising You all the day long.

Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself to walk amongst us to lift us up to be with You forever. Guide me this day to see the goodness You have provided that I may be a person of praise. Lead me in the way I should go that I may forever thank You for Your goodness and mercy. Grant me a new and clean heart that stands in Your presence as one whom You have redeemed. Amen.

I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.” (Psalm 89:1-2)

Do you praise the Lord for all of His goodness and kindness? Or do you look to the Lord as only providing what you want? Come to the place where you are thankful for all that He has provided knowing that we live in an age that is difficult because of those who are in rebellion. Do not blame the Lord for their sin, but praise Him for providing for the just and the unjust.

Lord, I am often so conditional in my praise. When things go well, I forget about You. When things do not go well, I often look up and blame You. Bring me to the place where I praise You at all times, for You are good and Your love endures forever. Move me away from being conditional to the place where I know that Your promises are true and forever.

Lord Jesus, You know the difficulty of walking in this world of wickedness. You know what it is like to struggle with events and people. Teach me to walk in the salvation You have prepared that I may learn to take all things in stride and be thankful for Your goodness and mercy. Lead me, Lord Jesus, to be like You this day, walking humbly in Your sight and being thankful. Amen.

“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.  As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish before God.”  (Psalm 68:1-2)

The way of the wicked is before us.  It remains in every culture, time and place.  First, the Lord must remove the wickedness in us.  By His grace and mercy He does. Then He will remove all wickedness from among the faithful.  This is the prayer of the righteous.  Lord, melt away all the wickedness of the world that only faithfulness would remain and righteous praise be heard.

Lord it is easy for me to deflect the truth and say that the wicked out there need to be removed,as I say it in wickedness.  Create in me a heart that is both bold and compassionate that I would stand fast upon Your Word in full repentance, while also desiring Your Kingdom and the goodness that has been displaced in this world by the wicked.  Lead me Lord where I need to be.

Lord Jesus, You are the hope of every generation.  Lead me in the way of truth that I would first seek You and the righteousness You offer, knowing that only then shall all other things that are needed be added.  Help me through the daily struggles to know that there are wicked in the world, and sometimes I am one of them; but my trust and hope is in You, O Lord, my God and my Savior.  Amen.