A Note From Pastor Martin's Desk...
December 16, 2025
A God for Here and Now
Is Jesus one with the Father, of the same substance as the Father, or subordinate to the Father? Was Jesus made, born, or emanated? Is the trinity co-equal or hierarchical? Is heaven a place or a condition? All contentious debates in the history of the church.
And we are still getting worked up about such hypothetical questions. Is God against gender transition? Is it Okay to pray to Mary? Should everyone be allowed to take communion? Such questions are, to quote Paul Simon, “questions for the angels.” We may learn the answers someday in heaven (will we go to heaven?) but what about now? A God futzing in heaven over the mysteries of the universe doesn’t do us mortals much good. We are flesh and bone pilgrims wandering through a dusty world. We need a god who concerns him/her/it-self with this place and this time.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. More importantly, it celebrates the incarnation. God becomes one of us. God is born. God laughs, weeps, hungers and thirsts. God rejoices, grows weary, despairs, suffers, and dies like us. But it is not enough that God becomes human. God becomes human for humans. Jesus feeds those around him who are hungry now; heals those who are sick now, reaches out to the scarred and battered and lonely and despairing, not in some glorious future, but in the cold, confused, and conflicted now. This is not some hypothetical or transcendent god. This is the God of our hear and now. This is the God we need. This is our God.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Pastor Martin
November 28, 2025
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My Brother’s Keeper
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For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, “You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:10-11) “Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen … Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:67)
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. (Leviticus 25:35) But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
Clearly, keeping open hearts and open hands towards those in need is a consistent theme in scripture and a core tenant of our faith. It reflects God’s will and God’s love for all people, regardless of circumstance. The homeless population in Newark is growing due to the increasing cost of living and political actions taken that now make it even harder for the poor to afford food, health care, and shelter. For years, Trinity Lutheran on Main Street has been offering a daytime DropIn Center where unsheltered individuals and families can find food, rest, clothing, and companionship, as well as other services provided by partnering organizations. In addition, they offer a Warming Center where the unsheltered can find overnight shelter when the temperature drops to dangerous levels. However, the increased need for these ministries has quickly outstripped their available space. We have an opportunity to partner with Trinity Lutheran in these ministries.
We are in conversation regarding hosting the Drop-In and Warming Centers here at St. Paul’s. Our location and large amount of unused space could provide just what they need to grow along with the increasing need. In early January we will have a vote to determine whether to move ahead with this partnership.
Please contact Pastor Martin, Jerry Young, one of our council members, or one of our members currently volunteering with these ministries with your questions or comments.
God bless you all!
Pastor Martin
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