Serve the Lord, Serve the People - 2021 Winter Daily Devotions - Vienna Presbyterian Church
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Serve the Lord, Serve the People
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
INTRODUCTION
As a new year begins, there are many things ahead for each of us as individuals, for our
country, and for our world. As a church, we are facing a pastoral transition. We have known
about it and even been talking about it for almost two years, but the time of Pete’s retirement is
imminent. January and February will be the last season of Pastor Pete’s 42 years of ministry.
Over the next two months there are a variety of ways we plan to recognize and celebrate his
long and faithful ministry.
Pete is going to be preaching on what matters most to him and our church, and our daily
devotions will complement his sermon series. Each day we will have the opportunity to read
scripture chosen by a member of the congregation and listen to their reflections on how God
has transformed their lives through the ministries of VPC, particularly under Pete’s leadership.
This is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our own experience of transformation and to
celebrate and give thanks to God for the gift of Pete’s presence and ministry among us and all
that he means to us individually and collectively.
1SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
JANUARY 31, 2021
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies
as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may
discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
– Romans 12:1-2
Reflect
What stands out to you from this week’s readings and reflections? What stands out to you from
today’s passage and sermon? Remember your experiences of God and your glimpses of truth
during the week. Write down what seems most significant from the past week.
Respond
What do you want to say to God at this time? Take time to express your gratitude. Consider
how God is inviting you to arrange your life in this new season and new year to deeper
transformation and community and greater service in becoming like Christ together for the
world.
2SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
FEBRUARY 1, 2021
One Nation Under One King
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging
to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on
it, ‘Belonging to Joseph (that is, to Ephraim) and all the Israelites associated with him.’ Join
them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand. – Ezekiel 37:15-17
Instructions for Christian Households
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the
head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now
as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to
make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her
to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and
blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who
loves his wife loves himself. – Ephesians 5:22-28
Reflections from Lyle Kellman
13 years ago Liz (my soon-to-be-bride) and I came to Pete to get permission to have our
wedding at VPC. Because of our family dynamic and the demanding schedules of our
extended family, we only had 17 days to bring the wedding together. Everything lined up
perfectly: travel arrangements, local accommodations, the reception location, everyone’s
school and sport schedules, and the availability of both Pastor Pete and the small chapel.
However, we had not attended the new couple class and needed to have individual counselling
with Pete. Although we had been together for almost 3 years, 17 days appeared to be a little
rushed. He was a little apprehensive, particularly because Liz was Christian and I was Jewish.
Pete tasked each of us to pick a scripture, Liz from the New Testament and me from the Old
Testament. Above are the two passages we chose. He took the above and weaved it into a
beautiful message for our ceremony. We will forever be grateful for Pete.
3SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
FEBRUARY 2, 2021
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised
imperishable, and we will be changed. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Reflections from Dan and Guowei Wright
On a comfortably sunny May day in 2018, my family and I, along with several of our closest
friends, sat in white folding chairs at the side of our beloved 23-year-old daughter Margaret's
grave. Green grass. Blue sky. White clouds. The coffin sat suspended over the gaping hole
below.
Faithfully present and always calm, Pete James provided pastoral care and leadership as we
held a brief graveside ceremony committing Margaret's body to the Lord.
As Pete began his reflections, he poured sand out of a small vial on to the top of Margaret’s
coffin and into the shape of a cross. I do not remember Pete’s words, but I do remember the
cross and his care. That image of the small sand cross — powerful yet temporary — is a vivid
memory for my family and me.
As for many in our VPC community, Pete has been there with us during life’s most significant
milestones, pastoring with strength and care. And always pointing us to the cross.
Why point to the cross?
Because it is through the cross that our hope is found. The cross is where Jesus, in dying,
demonstrated his love for us; where God forgave us and reconciled us to himself. And yet, the
cross also points beyond itself. It points to a risen, conquering Jesus. GOD WINS!
Because of his victory, we are convinced that although we will each die, those of us who are in
Christ “… will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye.”
Thanks be to God!
Listen to: “Broken Vessels”
https://open.spotify.com/track/2BuhGnXpqMQ8BvOUZpmaVl?si=YChqlniOSq2s64LbijAcUQ
4SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house
to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and
make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. – Genesis 12:1-2
Reflections from Stan Ott
Pete and I had been friends for many years. On one of my trips to the area to visit family, I
dropped by his office to catch up. At one point, Pete said, “Our strategy at VPC is Call-Equip-
Send: call people to faith in Jesus, equip them as disciple-followers of Jesus, and send them to
serve and to call others to faith in Jesus.”
I responded, “Well, that’s interesting because the strategy we are following at the church I
serve is, “Reach-Grow-Send.” It was the very same strategy using different words!
Pete said, “Why don’t you join the VPC staff part-time as the Teaching Pastor and launch your
training ministry from here?” A wonderful adventure ensued, and VPC became a community of
many dear friends of the heart for me and for Ann Marie.
Watching Pete lead from my new vantage point, I soon recognized that he is one of our
country’s truly outstanding preacher-leaders. I say with great affection and respect that Pete
James has few peers. Congregations nationally have had many challenges in recent years and
even more so during the pandemic, yet VPC has flourished as a healthy congregation with a
great spirit. To lead this congregation through 40 years of growth and through all of the
complex moments that you would expect over such time and to end up with a vigorous, vital,
happy congregation that has a strong sense of mission and of its future—this is beyond
awesome.
It has been a joy to see Pete and the marvelous team assembled with him continually offer
fresh vision while carefully navigating a variety of complex pastoral situations with grace and
wisdom. Countless people have been drawn to Jesus through VPC and have grown deeply in
their faith and in their heart to serve. I have found special joy in the Men’s Group that Pete
leads every Monday evening.
When God called Abram and Sarai to take a new adventure, they went forth trusting the Lord
who loves them. Prayers for Pete and Chris and for VPC as new and exciting chapters of life
are on their way!
5SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at
night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:8-11
Reflections from Robin Portman
A long time ago—actually over 20 years ago—I sat among hundreds of other people for a
Christmas Eve Service at VPC. At the time I was a “curious seeker,” as I am sure many in the
congregation are on any given Christmas Eve.
A gifted communicator, Pete delivered a brief message specifically tailored for his audience—a
message that I will always remember. Pete said, and I am paraphrasing here, “As Christians
we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ on Christmas. We celebrate the fact that God
sent his only son, to dwell among us. Think of it this way—God sent Jesus to ‘turn down the
decibels’ a little, and help us to know Him.”
Yes, a new seeker could get her head around that! And, yes, that message “made a difference
in my life”—to slowly begin an intentional life of knowing and following Christ. Sometimes a
simple, approachable message or invitation is all that it takes to turn a seeker into a disciple.
Pete’s continued invitations to all of us—curious seekers, those new to Christ, and mature
disciples—to know and love Christ has transformed the hearts and minds of many. Pete’s
continued encouragement to us to be intentional in our invitations to others and his model to
“meet others where they are” will be an enduring legacy of his leadership at VPC.
May God bless Pete and Chris in this new and amazing chapter of their journey.
6SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
FEBRUARY 5, 2021
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other
side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other
boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the
boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they
woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up
and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there
was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they
were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and
the sea obey him?” – Mark 4:35-41
Reflections from Curtis Houck
I’m going to be blunt (and Pete already knows this): I wouldn’t still be alive if it weren’t for God
placing Pete, this passage, and VPC in my life on June 7, 2015. I came to VPC struggling from
a serious break-up and the isolation of living here alone while all my family and friends were
back in Pennsylvania. I was battling depression and attempted suicide. Somehow, I had made
a list of churches to visit and VPC happened to be the first—and it would be the last.
Mark 4:35-41 was the passage and “In Over Our Heads” was the sermon title. I’ll come back to
my story shortly. But for what Pete said, he started by noting that God will never give you more
than he can handle.
Pete reminded us that, for as often as we find ourselves like the disciples in this story and
anywhere from annoyed to scared that God doesn’t seem to be answering us, Jesus’ response
was, in essence (and as Pete said that morning), “If I’m in the boat with you, why are you so
afraid?” Notice how his first response wasn’t to the disciples but instead to rebuke the storm in
verse 39 before addressing them in verse 41.
In the end, faith is trust and this passage serves as a reminder that the opposite of faith isn’t
doubt; it’s fear. Whether it be a personal storm or the past year we’ve found ourselves in, ask
yourself: how have you praised Him through the storm? Difficult, isn’t it?
Back to my story: I continued coming back, but it was a while before I felt welcome. However,
God had sermons that, week after week, spoke to my battle.
I hadn’t hit rock bottom yet, but Pete’s words about weathering storms was a real blessing. I
immediately identified with the sentiment felt by the disciples. The words that God placed on
Pete’s heart that day brought the first dose of comfort and healing to me that no one else had
been able to do.
Pete has been asking in his final sermon series, “What matters most to me?” To myself, I ask,
“What matters most to me?”
7SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
Jesus matters most to me. And as part of that, it’s what Christ has done for me through Pete
and others, helping keep me alive.
So, Pete, thank you again. Jesus is in the boat with me.
8SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
FEBRUARY 6, 2021
Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…for the Lord your God goes with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6
Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for that is God’s will for
you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
God never gives us more than he can handle. – Pastor Pete James, June 2015
Reflections from Joanna and Tom Greig
Everyone has had trials in life, seasons of loss. For some, those seasons can last for years.
We have had years filled with loss through deaths of family, friends, and sweet children of dear
friends, as well as health challenges with multiple life-threatening trips to emergency rooms
followed by lengthy hospitalizations, all the while dealing with the trials and responsibilities of
caring for disabled and elderly family members. The road on our journey has at times seemed
full of long, lonely, and dark stretches. I endured many days fearful of what challenge would be
next, and tried to understand the purpose and meaning of it all.
However, Pastor Pete James and our Vienna Presbyterian Church family have been part of
our lives through these dark years. We have learned to turn to God and focus on the truth in
his word, rather than the doubt and fear in our own understanding of our circumstances during
trials and challenges. We try to take captive every thought, replacing the dark and fearful
thoughts with the truth of scripture: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave to
fear” (Romans 8:15).
We can trust God’s sovereignty in our lives. I remember Pete’s inspiring sermons highlighting
stories of people like Nick Vujicic, who, born without arms or legs, actually lives a “ridiculously
good life” as a worldwide Christian evangelist. Nick did this not by achieving victory over his
disabilities himself, but only after years of daily acknowledging he cannot do life on his own
and saying to God, “I give it to you!” As Nick yielded, God took his pain and turned it into
something positive. God gave his life meaning when no one else could.
Pastor Pete once explained Mark 4:38-41 in a sermon when he said, “God never promises
people blue sky and smooth sailing. But when Jesus is in the boat with us, we have no reason
to be afraid.”
When the disciples are on a boat with Jesus, caught in a relentless storm while Jesus sleeps,
they ask, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are perishing?”
9SERVE THE LORD, SERVE THE PEOPLE
2021 Winter Daily Devotions
Jesus answers, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Jesus is not implying that the
disciples would not have been caught in the storm if they had faith. He is instead asking, “If I
am in the boat with you, why are you so afraid?”
Life can bring long stretches of time where it does not seem as if God is with us. Yet as Pete
once noted, “Things aren’t always what they seem. We see only through a mirror dimly, yet
one day we will see face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12). One day it will become apparent that
all God’s ways are gracious and merciful.
We are grateful for the many gifts of Pastor Pete James’s sermons and our VPC family
through life’s difficult seasons and dark roads, helping the word of God become a lamp for our
feet and a light on our path (Psalm 119:105).
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