Pastor's Page

Rev. Steven E. Thomas, Pastor

      Pastor Steven Thomas was born in Houston, Texas. He graduated from New Mexico Tech with a BS in Chemistry. He was working as a chemist in Baltimore for a few years, and then decided to pursue the dream of being a pastor. In 1993, Pastor Steve graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. He is married to Pastor LaDonna Thomas who serves at St. David Lutheran Church in Hanover, PA. They have one daughter, Rebekah.

      Pastor Steve enjoys kayaking, reading, and motorcycling. Pastor Steve’s passion is always looking for greater understanding - especially in how our expanding scientific knowledge reveals additional wonders of God.

      Some of his favorite books are The Bible (of course), Awareness by Anthony DeMello, The Shack by William P. Young, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, E=mc2 by David Bodanis, and the Tolkein trilogy.

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Contact Pastor Thomas

Sample Sermon

Nathan and David

John 18:12-27

Joel 2:12-14

The Prodigal Son

Theodicy Sin Suffering

What Life Is All About

Keeping Sabbath

Jesus the Prism of Life

Isaiah 40:1-11

Be Still

           

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  (Psalm 46:10)

 

     The psalmist speaks these words from God.  This advice from God.  This command from God.  We have heard them - and we know them.  “Be still, and know that I am God!”

 

     And yet, how hard it is for us to be still.  We are always rushing to work.  Rushing to do laundry.  Rushing to the store.  Even rushing to get home to relax and watch our TV program.  And yet, what will give us life we find so hard to do:  Be still.

 

     When I think of being still, it reminds me of the Sabbath command - that we should take a day of rest to enjoy the day and worship and thank the Lord.

 

     And yet, even with the command of God - we have such resistance to being still.  There is so much to do.  In our multitasking world, there is twice as much to do!  And to stop and do absolutely nothing seems like such a waste of time.

 

     And yet, this is what God wants you to do.  To stop.... and appreciate God’s presence.  To stop.... and appreciate your life.  To stop.... and look around in wonder at the vastness and intricacies of God’s creation.  To stop.... and realize that this moment and every moment is God’s.  To stop.... and realize that God even created the time into which you have been placed.  To stop.... and realize that you will not live forever (at least in this life).  To stop.... and realize that it is God who is eternal and lasting.  And you participate in that eternity only by God’s gracious will.

 

     Watch the clouds float by.  Hear the wind blowing through the trees - the chirp of birds or of crickets.  The stillness of the walls.  The rise of steam from your coffee cup.  The beauty of a scene...  the wonder and beauty of music.  The beating of your heart.

 

     “Be still, and know that I am God!”.....

 

     And after you have done this....  you may return to your work, you may return to your busy-ness.  But with more depth, more understanding, and greater appreciation.

 

     This day is a passing wind....  And you are flowing in it.  Rejoice!  Enjoy!  Love!  And Live!  Not in selfishness, but in gratitude....  Because even the wind is God’s.

 

 - Pastor Thomas