July 19, 2026
Texts: Song of Solomon 3:1-5; Philippians 4:4-9; John 15:5-11, 16-17
Dear Friends in Christ,
Tim Goeglein is an LCMS layman who worked in the Bush White House in the early 2000’s. He now works for Focus on the Family. I have heard him speak and he has a great knowledge of church and culture. His most recent book ”What Really Matters” gets to the heart of our society’s challenges. He understands the future of America is shaped less by politics and more by what happens in our homes.
He reports we have the lowest marriage and fertility rates in the history of our country. In 2025 women in their 30’s had more children than women in their 20’s. We still have the challenge of out of wedlock births. 70% of black children, 50% of Hispanic children and 33% of white children are born this way. God as Creator has made us for a reason and that revolves around marriage, faith, community, and family.
Our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has stepped into this topic wholeheartedly. The Lutheran Witness just did a whole article on Lutheran singles and dating. Sociologists report that we have a “dating recession” and “dating desert.” The American male wants to be married, and they are coming back to the Christian Church, but there are also 15% of men who have no friends. The result of digital distraction and Covid. The American female also wants to marry, but they are finding a plethora of unmarriageable men – who have no college or desire to get a job.
This is where we all come in. They need mentors. This generation needs those of us who are married to reteach them how to date. It is a challenge the Lord is putting before us today. Let’s take a look at His Holy Word and see that . . .
“THE LORD BLESSES WHEN TIME”
What is the biggest demographic in our congregation? I am guessing very few of you know and it is not even close. Those ages 18-35. On any given Sunday they make up 20-25% of our attendance and they are at least 25% of our communicant membership. This topic is so relevant for who we are. It is close to my heart and something I pray about all the time. Now within that demographic some are married, but many are not. Let’s see what the Lord has to say to all of us.
Our Old Testament text is from King Solomon. You’ve read his stuff and to be honest it is quite sensual. His uses a lot of imagery of man and woman, love and passion. In these verses he writes of a bride’s dream waiting for her bridegroom. Verse 5, “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” What occupies our dreams and aspirations, our hopes and desires? The Lord commends us to the excellent and praiseworthy. His Word sets our hearts upon our Savior. Lord, teach us a proper and timely desire for all good, earthly gifts. The Lord will bless when time.
Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi gives a nice word picture of our life in Christ, whether married or single. We rejoice. We are part of God’s family and church fellowship. The Lord is at hand and reminds us to not be anxious. We pray to God and make our requests known. If looking for a spouse, let the Lord know. He hears you. He will answer in time. Like I have done with calls in the past, it is not wrong to help the process along. God grants us wisdom. In our bulletin today I have listed in there an LCMS dating site and another site for young adult activities. Seek these out if you so choose. Paul encourages us to keep virtue and to live for Christ. God grants us each liberty because we have been forgiven of the sin that binds us.
John finishes our trifecta with his vine/branch/fruit analogy. We are connected to Christ. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Attached to the vine, we glorify God with our lives. We abide in joy because we are loved by God through Jesus Christ. God chose us to go and bear fruit. God is there in the choice of a spouse. I could listen all day to how God has put people together. Each story is unique. In our congregation we have LCMS and LCMS that have married. We have LCMS and another Lutheran who married. We have LCMS and another Christian faith who have married. We have those who joined our church and then married. No two are the same. What will your story be?
Jesus loves us and has sacrificed for us. We are so blessed. We can live in peace and look forward to eternity. Hear the prayers of your faithful people Lord, who desire to do your will. May it be done in our lives.
Toni and I weren’t thinking about marriage when we were introduced to each other in a bar. Neither one of us had a favorable impression. Months later though things changed and here we are. The Lord blessed when the time was right. That is the prayer of your Pastor and your Church. You have some great mentors sitting around you. Talk to them. Then let us all be in prayer. This church has a wonderful future if our young people stay around. I can see, if it be the Lord’s will another influx of families and children like we had after Toni, Karson, and I arrived. The Lord will bless . . . when time.
Amen.