Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke, Senior Pastor
Pastor’s Corner for November 15-21, 2026
Living as Children of the Day
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)
If you were alive and able to read in the 2000s and early 2010s you probably remember the “Keep Calm and Carry On” phrase that was popping up everywhere back then. It first appeared in white letters on a red background inside a rectangle with a crown on top. It apparently originated as a sign first designed in England during World War 2 to be displayed in the event of an imminent German invasion. Though it has since become a popular meme and evolved into any number of variations, the original evokes the encouragement to go on living life in the light of day despite a world that seems engulfed, at times, in the darkness of night.
It is a short, captivating message. But we have something better in the Scriptures this weekend.
Almost 100 years after the UK Ministry of Information first published the encouragement to “keep calm and carry on” there is still darkness in our world that comes in all shapes and sizes. You would not be alone if you read the headlines and became alarmed with uncertainty about the future…or if you felt the pull of a world where success, possessions, or opportunities for entertainment are chased after as if that was all there was. You know how social media can reward outrage more than encourage the honest pursuit of truth. You have experienced how easy it is for anger to get in the way of kindness. The temptation is to dwell in those places. St. Paul’s message was NOT that we should try harder to somehow become “children of the day.” His encouragement is that you and I already ARE. Yes, we stumble. Yes, we worry, and yes, we sometimes wander into the shadows. But Christ calls us, His baptized children, back to the light through His Word. He reminds us not only who we are, but whose we are! His sacrificial death on a dark cross and His victorious resurrection on a bright Easter morning is a sign that He is the only King that truly matters. All who live in Him live as children of the day.
Together with Jesus, we are no longer controlled by the “what if’s?” of an unknown future. Together with Jesus we seek truth in a world of confusion. Together with Jesus we show grace in a culture of conflict. Together with Jesus we serve our neighbors where the world would expect us to focus only on ourselves.
We do not create this light. Christ, the Light of the world, has brought us out of the darkness and made us His own. Living each day In His gift of forgiveness and in His promises, His light shines through us for others…until the new Day dawns when we shall see Jesus, our King, come again!
Thanksgiving to God for Sue Campau on Her Commissioning as Southeastern District Lay Deacon of Resurrection Lutheran Church
Join us this weekend as we give thanks to God for newly commissioned LCMS Southeastern District Lay Deacon Sue Campau! Sue recently completed her two years of distance education and was recognized in the 6 PM Saturday and 8 AM services last weekend. This weekend we will commission her at 9:30 and 11 AM, as well as provide opportunities for congregational well-wishes over refreshments after the 11 AM service.
A lay deacon of our church is someone who has been trained through the educational and coaching arm of our district (the LCMS Southeastern District) to assist the pastoral team in the ongoing Christian discipleship of our community. The work a lay deacon does reflects both our congregation’s own needs and the lay deacon’s own gifts or interests. Sue is actively involved in our congregation as a Stephen Ministry Leader, the lead for our church’s Caring Presence Team, DivorceCare leader, and Altar Guild point of contact for the 11 AM service (along with the day-to-day tasks she takes part in). We are richly blessed to see her join Tom Gebbia as a Lay Deacon of RLC!
If you would like to find out more about becoming a lay deacon yourself, I invite you to reach out to Tom, Sue, or the church office ( ).
Peace and joy in Christ,
Pastor Jonathan
Pastor Jonathan Blanke grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He received his Bachelor's degree from College of William and Mary in Virginia and attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biblical Studies, Book of John. He served as a Vicar at Messiah Lutheran Church in Richardson, Texas.
The Blanke family lived in Japan while he served as pastor and missionary to Okinawa Lutheran Church and taught Biblical Studies at Japan Lutheran College in Tokyo.
Pastor Jonathan lived in southern Maryland from January 2014 to November 2019 and was thankful to have served as the Sole Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park, Maryland.
He and his wife, Juli, have two grown children. In his free time, Jonathan likes to travel, "play around" on the piano, and enjoy the outdoors.
Click HERE to view a brief video from Pastor Jonathan.