Word from Father Kevin

Word from Father Kevin: Jesus Will Build His Church

As a pastor and someone who loves the local church, I am tempted to think much depends on my leadership, vision, or activity. So I’ve put into my prayer journal this correction from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “It is a great comfort which Jesus gives to his church. You confess, preach, bear witness to me, and I alone will build where it pleases me. Do not meddle in what is not your providence. Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough.”

At Church of the Savior, let us continue as we have done for 14+ years -- confessing, preaching, and bearing witness to Jesus Christ. We can rest in the comfort that Jesus, and Jesus alone, will build his church. He loves to do that. 

Word from Father Kevin: Baptism

Anglicans believe that “matter matters.” That things physical – bread, wine, water – can convey spiritual realities. This Saturday, when Cayden is baptized, the water will both picture something and convey the reality of that picture. As the water is poured over his head, it symbolizes cleansing from sin; and through prayer and faith it also conveys that cleansing. A former Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, explained, “… all the sacraments are Christ’s acts, the touch of the hand of Christ upon human lives through visible media.” 

When we come to the waters of baptism “rightly, worthily, and with faith” (as one of our foundational documents, The Thirty-Nine Articles, expresses it), spiritual blessings are received: “they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God.” 

I look forward to our baptism this week! And I encourage you, if you or your child has not been baptized, to consider being baptized at Easter Vigil (April 20). Email me if you’d like to talk more about this.

Word from Father Kevin: Favorite Sermons of 2018

At the end of each year, I like to look back and select “Fr. Kevin’s Favorite Sermons” of the year. In case you missed these, you might want to stream or download one of these Top 3:

As I look back on this year, my heart fills with thankfulness for the many people who have preached at Savior this year. Truly we are blessed. Two of my favorite sermon series of the year featured 4 of our preachers who contributed:

  • Revelation: Visions for a church under pressure (starting August 18)

  • Blessed to Be a Blessing: practicing God’s presence in and for the world (starting Sept. 22)

Word from Father Kevin and Mother Karen

So we had this grand plan to send each of you a Christmas letter, filled with newsy updates from the Millers. Then life happened… So we hope you’ll feel the warmth in this simpler, shorter update.

We are calling 2018, in the words of Dickens, “the best of times, the worst of times.” The Best of Times included the joyous July wedding of our daughter to a godly man, Jordan; you will sometimes see them worship at Savior. The wedding also gave us time with family from across the country, including our son. The Worst of Times included Karen’s being in chronic pain and having 2 surgeries and spending 3 months unable to even sit up; and Kevin’s receiving the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. But those lead back to the Best of Times, as you friends of the Savior carried us with your prayers, encouragement, and homemade meals.

 At the end of a year like this, we feel more deeply how astonishing it is that Jesus entered our world, knowing what it would mean for him. But he came to be with each one of us and to save us. May you have a merry Christmas and find that, no matter what your circumstances, Jesus is with you.

Word from Father Kevin & Mother Karen

As we near Thanksgiving, Karen and I feel especially thankful for all of you.

 Our C4SO dean, Patrick Wildman, commented recently, “I tell our younger pastors, ‘Look for a church that not only wants to be cared for by you, but that is willing to care for you when you need it.”  We have found that at Savior.  A healthy church has a kind of mutuality, the give-and-take that you see in a strong family. 

 Last month I was telling a friend, who’s worked for years on church staffs, about how well the people of Savior have cared for Karen and me during her long stretch of pain and surgeries. He said in reply, “I’ve been on staff at two churches, and I’ve never gotten what you’re talking about.”

 Thank you for your care for us.